A little date time and a grandson?

I love anytime I can get away with the man of my dreams.  Even if it's just for a quick lunchdate and to run some errands.  This time we tried a spot I've been wanting to go to for a while, Big Mill's Cheesesteaks.  My hubby is a big Philly Cheesesteak fan!  So, this place was perfect.  There was cheese whiz over everything!!  It was delicious and I can't wait to go back and try some of the other things on the menu.

Then, we ran over to WeeCycle.  Our Micah needed a new suit coat.  We found some great deals!!

And then we found ourselves in the baby aisle.  But more specifically in the baby boy aisle!! We had so much fun lifting up little clothes to show one another.  We laughed and were so excited! Josh and Tabitha took a test to find out the sex of the baby.  (Did you know they can do that by bloodtest?)  We are all so excited to find out they are having a boy!!

 So, Lollipops had to do a little shopping and found an adorable "Little Brother" onesie and some jeans.  Baby boy jeans are so cute!

Shopping with a gorgeous guy for baby boy clothes for your grandson makes me realize I'm living the dream.  I truly believe that!

Goodbye Ferdinand!

It was a year and a half ago that we bought our little bottle baby cow, Ferdinand.  Patrick and Josh diligently fed him and we all watched him grow.  About a month ago he jumped the fence.  He was watching Josh take out the trash and decided to join him.  Ferdinand isn't a mean cow, but he is quite big and still somewhat child like.  He was ready to play and romp around.  That could have made for some injury, that's for sure!  Josh finally got him back in the pen after making sure all of us were safe inside.  It was quite an ordeal.  So, we decided we were ready for him to go to the butchers. I still can't believe I didn't get a picture of him!  We aren't sure of his exact weight, but we're thinking about 800 lbs.

 That afternoon Patrick found a cute little cow for sale.  I say little, but she's already 300 lbs.!  It's still debatable what her name is.  I wanted to name her Shallot.  Patrick says Scout.  I'm not sure what Josh and Tabitha want.  Either way, we have another cow to raise that will one day be meet in our freezer.  Isn't she cute?!

Pancake Fellowship

As Pastor's wife, I have a favorite ministry.  Is it supposed to be that way? :o)  I love the time I have with the sweet ladies of VSIBC.  They really are my dearest friends and we have such a great time together.  A couple of years ago we did a "Pancake Fellowship."  It was so fun!  So, we decided to do it again!!

We fill up many cups of pancake batter.  Then, I have ladies sign up to bring all sorts of toppings and syrups.  We have lots of different fruits, candies and nuts.  We even have pieces of brownies and cheesecake!  As ladies go through the line they pick up a batter cup, then mix in anything they'd like in their pancake.  Then, they top it with maple syrup, strawberry syrup or caramel syrup.

The possibilities are endless!  I love seeing all the creations that they come up with.

 I am so thankful for Godly encouragement.  And for fun times, too!

My Beth

It's amazing to watch your children grow from child to adult.   When they develop and steward the strengths that God gives them and use them for Him, really makes 3 John 4 come alive.

My Beth is the Sunday School teacher for 2s and 3s.  She loves it!  And they love her.  She takes her class as serious as if these were older children or adults she is teaching.  She faithfully plans, preprares and prays for her class.  She's taught them so much!  I love hearing them quote scripture, say the books of the Bible and sings songs that she taught them.

Last week I was really getting a headache during Sunday School.  I knew I needed to find a quiet spot for about 10 minutes and let my head calm down before the AM service.  Do you know how hard it is to find a quiet spot in a busy, active, growing church?  If you've been to our building you will know what I mean.  I decided the nursery bathroom might work.  Well, of course, that's when children want to use the restroom...when others are in it!  So I sat in the rocking chair and watched Beth teach her class.

On that day she was teaching on the courage of Esther.  She told them all about wicked Haman, and about Esther's plan to have a beautiful banquet.  They made crowns full of jewels and glitter and pretended to be Esther hosting a banquet.  Then, they feasted!!  Beth had prepared hashbrowns, little debbie cakes, and cucumber sandwhiches.  I'm sure that's what Esther fed the King and Haman! ;o)

And the whole time she had her class's attention as she taught them.  Yes, this is the younger kiddos class.  But, they are learning so many lessons.  And my Beth is putting a desire in their heart to be at Sunday School.  

It's really true.  There is no greater joy.  (3 John 4)
 

Eyes for Pops

Who knew these Grandbabies would steal our hearts?  We never realized how attached you can be to these kiddos!  Victory Belle is growing quickly and developing her own, cute little personality.  Patrick and I tend to be pretty competitive about who is the favorite.  We were pretty proud of compromising some while we fed Victory. ;o)

Although at times it seems she has eyes for Pops.  (Hopefully he's not reading because I would never admit this in person!)

 We fed her, and then she fell asleep in my arms.  That's one of the best feelings for sure....my man by my side and a Grandbaby sleeping in my lap.  

Welcome Eeyore!

Friday afternoon we noticed Kanga acting a little different.  She didn't really want to come out of the goat pen and didn't come for food.  She must be in labor!  Silas and I quickly prepared her stall with fresh hay and water and moved her to the "birthing suite."  :o)  We both agreed that we would pull an all nighter and be there for when Kanga delivered.  We figured we had a long night ahead, so, we went inside.

Moments after, Josh and Tabitha and family came home from running some errands.  I had been asking Liberty to keep an eye on Kanga for me and let me know when her babies are coming.  So, when she got out of the car she ran to the pen to check on Kanga.  And what did she see?  A baby goat!  She took off running her fastest and hollering, "Lollipops!  Lollipops!! The goat is having her baby!!!" 

Well, that went quick!! Kanga delivered an adorable little buckling that we named Eeyore.  He looks just like his Momma!!

We are very impressed with Kanga.  She has been the best mother yet to her little baby.

Life is exciting here on our little farm!
 

Crocheting Bug

I love this time of year!! We bring out the fall decos, we light pumpkin spice everything scents, and we pray for cooler weather!  It's my favorite time of year!!

I also usually get the crocheting bug.  And since I have several crocheters around me, I've gotten it worse this year.  I have a project going for Christmas.  I've never crocheted this kind of thing, so we'll see how it turns out!  I also made a quick pumpkin from a pattern my friend sent.  I love it!!  

 Even Tabitha has been crocheting, too.  I love the stockings that she is making!!

I'm also thinking of making some garland for around our Christmas tree.  Anyone ever tried that?

Loving this time of year and all the blessings that come with it!!

Poor Pippi

 I mentioned not too long ago that we are on goat watch again. Our Pippi and Kanga were due anyday.  If you remember, we bought Pippi, our nigerian dwarf,  last year with plans to breed her with Mowgli.  Well, she was definitely ready.  Saturday morning, we woke to find her standing alone and having contractions.  It was kid day!  Or was it?

We watched her all day as labor slowly progressed.  We moved her to a pen to be by herself with lots of fresh water, hay, and grain. 

That night I woke a few times to check on her.  I knew she should be delivering soon.

Sunday morning she was stil contracting and starting to push.  We were excited and hoping she would deliver before church.  We held off for as long as we could, but it was time to get to Sunday School. 

After church we rushed home to check on Pippi.  She was in one corner of the stall,  Her pretty large baby was in the other.  But was no longer living.  We aren't quite sure what happened.  She labored so long, maybe the baby wasn't positioned quite right and was born stillborn.  Or maybe died shortly after.

Either way, we are sad for our little Pippi girl.

We are still watching Kanga.  She bagged up with milk awhile ago and I really thought she would deliver before Pippi!  Hopefully some cute spotted kids will be born anyday.  Although she is carrying quite small, I'm wondering if she will just have one as well.

Mrs. Blankenship

So my girl officially has a new name...Mrs. Blankenship.  What a wonderful, God-honoring wedding it was!!  Honestly the day couldn't have gone any better!  We had our plan, and it worked very well.  I only have a few pictures that were snapped by others.  Our photographer and friend, Vonda Murdock, took many photos and I can't wait to get them back!  But, until then, I thought I'd share a few that I've seen that my Mom was able to capture.

Can't you just see the joy radiating from their faces?? They were so happy.  And we were, too.

Congratulations Mr and Mrs Blankenship!!