Monday was gorgeous and we did get out and take the kids sledding down the hill - Uncle Dan was the hero when he got the snowmobile out and took the kids up the hill instead of walking up. Dad and Melissa went with me to the Amish store to get eggs and then we got some supplies for supper. Melissa got to visit friend's newly built home and Ethan and Katelyn went to the barn to work for an hour before we made it a movie night for kids and adults. Tuesday morning I got up and made a big breakfast of eggs, pancakes, sausage and toast before the Walls and Dad packed up and headed back to Maine. They left around 9 am and by 10:30 am we were out the door to pick up some bottles for Miss Marion and taking her into town to get some supplies. We got some flowers for shut in Pam as it was her birthday and then spent an hour helping her pack up her room as she got word that morning that the staff was moving her to her own private room after sharing a room with another lady for almost a year. She was thinking that was a good birthday present! What was supposed to be a few errands ended up dragging out for hours and we got back to the house just in time to let Ele out and then get dressed to go to the barn to do chores for the Clark's who were away. When we got home we had a light supper and snuggled in to watch a movie before bed. It's been a lost of movies and ice cream since Ed and Sky left! Today we got up early and tried to clean up after our company and strip beds, etc. I had a Bible study with a young lady at 9:30 am and after lunch went back to Pam's nursing home to help her unpack into her new room. We had to go to WalMart to get some supplies for her and then after dropping them off, got home in time to once again get dressed and head back to the barn for chores. Ethan is loving the fact that HE is the one to help Katelyn in the barn in the absence of Sky. He likes working in the barn and Abigail loves following them around...We returned home, made supper, got some updates from GUATEMALA to take to church and then headed to prayer meeting. The snow had been falling for hours and it was a little more than I had expected. By the time we got done at church, the roads were white and visibility was horrible! It was a rough ride home and made more distressing by Abigail who is overtired and needs to stay home more to rest...alas, not any time soon. Tomorrow is Bea in the afternoon and Friday afternoon. Saturday is a 4H group at the farm we are helping to host and then Sunday - church. I am praying next week is a little less travel and a lot more home! Sky and Ed are enjoying their time and God is using them to bring the gospel to the people of Guatemala and Ed was able to see several men come to Christ after sharing the good news with a group! When I get tired, those eternal perspectives make all the stress of being a single parent worth it. I will be thankful to have my husband home though...
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Friday morning brought lots of blowing snow after our little storm the night before. I had 3 men from church call me to see if I needed help...they are taking very good care of me while Ed's away! The kids and I skipped school and cleaned the house to prepare for my sister, Melissa and her family to come with my Dad on Saturday. We sat with Bea for 3 hours in the afternoon, ran to the grocery store, found farm fresh eggs at the Amish store and went to the barn for a quick birthday visit to Katelyn's sheep, Terry - who turned 6. I had to snowblow the end of the driveway and some major drifts around the house and even though it was only 30 minutes or less - I was a popsicle! We had a house full for sign language class at 7 pm and they left around 10ish...I got to bed around 1:30 am and didn't finish but just couldn't stay up another second. We got up early and went back to the barn at 9 am to help load the resident Mule for the sleigh ride we were going to in Rome (an hour away) - Ethan was under the weather the night before and with the friends over and playing late into the night, Saturday morning found him quite low. He didn't want to disappoint Kate so he insisted on going. I wish I had not taken him but hindsight is always 20/20. We had a beautiful sleigh ride through the woods and with a winding little stream all glistening with the snow - it was beautiful. Ethan and Abigail were ready to go home at the end so we left the Clark's and Katelyn before sharing a potluck lunch with the group and ate sandwiches I had made on the ride home. I got the rest of the house cleaned and ready just seconds before the Walls and Dad arrived. We made homemade pizza and watched a hokeymark to unwind. Sunday was church and we had a full house. Pastor Ed Hart spoke for Ed and was excellent. I made blueberry muffins for fellowship time and not one was left even thought I made a triple batch! We made a ham dinner for Melissa's 30th birthday (she turns on the 21st) and shared it with our friends the VanderGroefs. Katelyn made a triffle for Melissa's cake and Donna brought dirt cake - yummmy! We took the kids to the barn to meet Billy and Bob (Sky's rams) and Katelyn's sheep, Terry - the Clarks made cookies and hot cocoa for the kids so that was fun. When we got home the adults crashed and watched Fireproof while the kids crashed and watched the Jungle Book. Card games and a supper of sandwiches closed out the day and then we watched the Race and Dan and I stayed up to finish the mini-series we had started the week before. This morning we have a gorgeous day ahead of us - sledding, visiting the VanderGroef's new home and maybe getting into town for some supplies are on the docket. More cards games and a yummy mac and cheese with ham casserole awaits for the afternoon. Heard from Ed and they are doing well. Today was their first day at their work sites. Thank you for praying.
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Ed and Sky made it safe and sound to Maine - even got to Portland on time despite the delays and such due to the high winds today. The kids and I got school done in time to go sit with Bea. We ate lunch, finished a few school subjects, did piano lessons on her big piano and prepared for my Bible study before heading to get farm fresh eggs at the Amish store. So glad to know about them - I miss my fresh eggs in the winter! We got home but the roads were slick and the wind was unreal - 40 MPH easy. We talked with Ed and got some more input from the ladies and their husbands and in the end I canceled the Bible study - making the crazy day end a bit less stressful! Tomorrow we will get ready for our company on Saturday and sit with Bea again in the afternoon. Everyone is ready for bed after our early morning to say goodbye - Ethan wanted Kate to sleep in Sky's bed :) 1st night alone and already lonely :)
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After 6 months of preparing - Ed and Sky drove away around 8 am this morning and are right now at the Albany airport waiting for their flight to Maine in an hour. Schylar's mentor, Mr. Brewer, drove them for me so I could stay home and do other things as our day is very full today. Yesterday was a busy day but hard to get motivated because we were all so overtired. I did manage to get to Curves and Ed and Sky did manage to fit all their things in their bags but it's tight on weight. Hope they can fit it all in for Guate on Saturday and that the donations will be able to be brought. We got so much extra funds that they were able to buy supplies and gifts above and beyond what we could have imagined. Such a great confirmation of God's leading them on this journey. Stay tuned...will update as we hear but don't expect to hear much - left cell, computer and i-pod behind to focus on being still and knowing that He is God and to experience the culture in all its simplicity without adding the American stress :) Thank you for praying for them during the next 16 days and for us as well. Abigail wept as they drove away, "I miss Daddy!" - Ethan was weepy as well but the time will go quickly as we are very booked with things to do! Today we sit with Miss Bea for 3 hours and then I have to teach my Bible study tonight and the kids are going to friend's for the evening to play. The dad graciously offered to sit our kids with his own - as long as I provided lots of rope :) Hope he won't need it....
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Tonight will be the final sleep before Ed and Sky head off to Maine and then to Guatemala for 16 days. The past week has been insane with things and so we've had no time to really get them packed so today we're hoping to do that and school may be out of session to accommodate the workload. Sunday was a busy day of church, visiting shut-ins and having people in. Monday, Ed worked as a sub so he was gone all day and I tried to get into town for some supplies for them only to have visitors and Ms. Marion to add to my day. We had Sky's mentor, Mr. Brewer and his wife over for dinner as well so that was a late night (almost midnight!). Yesterday, Ed went to a pastor's fellowship for the day, we did school and then I had to sit with shut-in, Bea, for 3 hours in the afternoon so she would not hurt her arm that is still in a cast but if left alone, she takes it off. She was in a tough spot and mentally was very confused. Asked if I had had lunch 20 times and couldn't remember why her arm hurt so much or why it was all wrapped up, "What did I do?" She kept asking. I rushed home, feed the clan and got them dressed and then rushed out the door with everyone to get to a church about an hour a way for Sky to present on their weekday encouragament service. There were 20-30 there and we had a great time. Got home about 9ish pm and Sky had a great love offering for his effort. This church is pastored by a friend that married a girl Ed worked with at the WOL Campground doing the teen program the year Ed and I met - I'm sure it was neat for her to see Ed after so many years - what God can do in a life. Seeing Sky up front speaking of his love for God and desire to serve was a tender moment for the parents - the Brewers also come with us to support Sky and a few tears were glistening there as well. They love Sky. Anyway, this morning, we are all dragging our wagon - tired and stressed with all that needs to take place before tomorrow morning. We are going to have the Brewer's drive Sky and Ed at 8 am and then the kids and I have to sit with Bea in the afternoon, I have to teach my Bible study and then Friday we have a full day, Saturday is even fuller and then Sunday we are having a meal together with some friends from church in honor of Melissa's birthday next week. Ahh...I need a nap!
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Today we begin to pack for Sky & Ed's trip to Guatemala. The money has come in and they were commissioned by our church elder today to head out and so the final push is on to get ready. Sky will have a church meeting on Tuesday night to speak at but is praying for the funds to be able to buy things to take with him to give away now that his funds are met. Ed has been super busy this week with teaching twice at the local highschool and trying to fit in meetings with people and study. We had a Valentine's Banquet on Friday night and had a great time with guests coming from upstate NY to share their testimony. Katelyn was sick during most of the week so school was a bit of a wash for her. The weather has been tricky - cold one minute and warm the next! We did some barn checks for our friends and even helped a baby lamb get dry and fed after being born. Yesterday we had a sleighride in the snow which today is melting fast with wind and warm temps. The sun is out now but it was raining and miserable when I got up this morning. The church parking lot was an ice rink but thankfully the Lord allowed everyone to come and go without any casualities. This week will be super busy as I am helping take care of an elderly lady 3 days, I will be teaching the ladies Bible study on Thursday, kids are going ice skating on Friday, we have a sign language class here on Friday night, Saturday we are going to a draft horse show (sleigh rides as well) and then Melissa and Dan will be here with Dad and their family Saturday night. Sunday we have guests for lunch (our speaker that will be filling in for Ed) and then another week begins. I will not be driving Ed and Sky to the airport which is a great relief for me - the week is already over commited - I didn't need a road trip to add to my load. The church put together letters for Sky to read while in Guate so if anyone wants to email me notes or letters to print off to add to the collection - just do it before Thursday morning. They fly out around mid-morning. Well..it's time for a little shut eye for me - a rare opportunity for a Sunday afternoon nap!
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It was a busy weekend that came on the heels of a busy week. The ladies Bible study was Thursday, Friday we went ice skating with the kids and then Saturday we had a great turnout for our sledding party. The snowmobiles were hauling the kids up the hill and after awhile an unfortunate accident occurred with Katelyn and another girl couldn't avoid hitting another girl in a sled that was trying to get away and when the girls collided, it fractured the young girl's growth plate at the end of her femur requiring her to go into surgery to set her leg. The ride from our house to the hospital was grueling as every bump caused her extreme pain. We ended up at the ER and then as they worked on what the injury was, I came back, finished up the party, fed the crowd supper and then as they left for home around 7 pm, Ed and I went back to the hospital to stay with the family while Chloie went into the OR. We got home around 11:30 pm after seeing her in her room, post OP. Poor girl...I was so sad for her. Ed and I had to get up at 5 am to get ready for our big Sunday. It was our Annual Meeting for our church but also a special service to install our 1st elder, John, in a time of prayer and affirmation. After Ed put forth the vision for 2009, we had a time of fellowship (as normal) and then Ed had his final Men's Bible study at 4:30 pm so they could be back to the house in time for the start of the big game. Ed put up a projector so we had a big screen with surround sound - it was cool for the 3D parts as we all had glasses. The game was worth the wait til the end...after cooking 5 pizzas and hosting for the 30 that came, I was crashing in the 3rd quarter but by the 4th had my second wind. Ed and I were both hoarse the next day from screaming. What a game...The kids had a Wii upstairs so those that didn't want to watch could leave the rest of us in peace. Monday was a total crash day for all of us. We took it very low. This morning Ed has been called to sub at a local highschool so he's off and the kids will get back into school routine after a day off yesterday. Today starts the week of barn checks for newborn lambs or ewes in labor as the Clark's are away and need us to help if needed. It should be fun - a great experience for them! Well.. the kids are up and we need to have breakfast before we start our day.
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It goes without saying that the snowdays are more than the days without inclement weather around here. Good thing Katelyn and I went to town yesterday and although it took 4 hours to get our errands done - we stuck it out because today it's too bad to go anywhere and tomorrow may not be promising until later in the day. Hope it'll clear before my Bible study at night...the forecast said it was supposed to..but they've been wrong many times before.
School was canceled here but not at the Reed home of instruction - this mean teacher was on a mission and didn't dismiss her tardy students until 4:30 pm. It was not one of our better days for academics. Lots of reteaching and still trying it again when the 2nd time didn't stick...thank goodness the basement was the warmest room in the house today! The wind blows from the South and makes the house colder in the kitchen and so I preferred the warm woodstove room!
It's been a busy week - Ed did a substitute teaching job on Monday and I had to sit with an elderly lady who was being released from the hospital and needed 24 hour care as she is 90 and she had fallen down her stairs and broke her arm - the lady that cares for her had to be at another job so the kids and I went and sat with Bea for 2 1/2 hours until the next lady could come and sit with her. I was glad we had a good school day and were done and ready to leave on a moment's notice for our friend, Kathy - she was desperate to have someone stay with her dear Bea and not leave her alone for any length of time. The kids love her house and she's always telling them to go 'snoop' around to see what trouble they can find. She's always disappointed when my kid's don't enjoy the mischief she hopes they get into and actually - dread it when she wants them to snoop - after walking through for a few minutes - they are all set and every time we visit - she wants them to do it all over again. She does have a massive library so the older two love that room the most. The next day I had to run for another couple in our church who we have been caring for since we arrived and had the husband in the hospital with chest pains while his wife was in the nursing home in a panic. I went and brought her mom to sit with her and got her a few items at the store to help her stay connected with her husband via the track phone. She was very glad to have us stop in and Ed was with her husband at the hospital so that made her feel better. He's still there after 3 days and with the bad weather - we thought he might be released today but so far no word. Health is a gift - when it's not there it's a real struggle. Having them both with serious health problems is a double whammy. Pray for Jon and Pam - they need it today.
This weekend is SUPER busy - shocking, I know - tomorrow is my study, Friday is the homeschool ice skating in Utica and then the older two are working at the farm (If Sky feels well - he's got a bad cold and sore throat) and then Saturday we have a big sledding party scheduled for our house. There is a HUGE hill across the way and we got permission for the snowmobiles to be on the neighbors land to help haul the kids and weary adults up the hill more than a few times (my max was 4 times before I thought I was going to die) - then we'll have snacks and hot cocoa at the house. Sunday is our church's annual general meeting in the morning service and then of course, an early starting time to Ed's men's study (the final in the series) so they can come back to the house for the big SUPERBOWL party we are hosting in honor of Ed's team - the Pittsburgh Steelers. Even the boys are wearing black and gold for their dad and cheering like they mean it. Ed got a bit misty eyed when he said how much it meant to him that they were cheering for his team as they have defected to the New England Patriots since early in their childhood - leaving a hollow, empty feeling for a Reed, who assumed that because of the LONG history of Steeler fans, just having the last name Reed would produce ardent fans...but since the Pats are out - the Steelers are in and the boys have no idea how glad their dad is to have them cheer alongside him for a change :) We have lots of eats and look to have the projector from church here to have a big screen on the wall - if you don't have plans - come on over!
Well, I must run. My fingers are going numb in the cold up here in my little office corner. The wind has kicked up and it's a blizzard out there! Stay warm and indoors!
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I'm not sure if anyone even checks this anymore as I have become so random in my writing...the reasons are various but too many to list out so I won't bore you...to catch you up to speed I'll let you know we had a serious deep freeze but stayed toasty warm in our house and the wood stove kept the chill at bay. Our coldest was only -8 below but made for most of the week an indoor kind of week and now that the weather has warmed considerably - the kids have been outside again playing in all the snow we've kept since the first of the month. Sky is almost there for his fundraising efforts to go to Guatemala in February and is about $400-600 off his target (give or take). School is going well and seems to be slowing down for some reason. It's been a good month for us so far. The kids are ice skating every Friday and makes them very dedicated to getting their work done prior to that day so they don't have to do any school and can just enjoy the event and friends without coming home to work on any subjects. I've begun to teach a ladies Bible study and so that has been taking a bit of my time. We have had a family in our church have some serious health issues with a grandson that lives in Alaska so we've been helping with childcare, meals and a ride to the airport to help assist them get out to their daughter and grandson last week. We had a teen youth group meeting here as well and of course, lots of people in and out per the norm for our house. Ed has been continuing to feel better and better and is still on the upward mend since last year's trials of bad health. He is weighing in at his lowest weight in who knows how long...
The lambing continues at the farm and the kids are enjoying that very much. We have had a few sleighrides with the resident workhorse, Kate, and did a few sledding parties as well over the past few weeks. Katelyn is anxiously awaiting news of her lamb, Terry's delivery as Sky's twin rams Bill and Bob (named after his grandfathers) grow into beautiful show lambs. They are so cute. Well, that's about it. We've had a few bouts of sickness here and there but have staved off anything critical - thank the Lord! Hope you are all well, too. God bless.
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We are only 17 days school days away from our halfway mark..woohoo! The downside is we are few days behind due to some extra days we were not able to do school (like a week or more..) so it's double time for a few days to catch up. The kids have been troopers as they have just come off vacation and normally it's a tad rough getting back into routine but it's been a GREAT week thus far. The weather has been unbelievable and so it's been tricky this year getting into town. Lots of days eating out of the pantry and making up combinations of meals that would not be my idea of a good time but necessary to fill the bellies. There are normally only 1 or 2 good days a week that I would WANT to go out and up to 2 a week that I couldn't go if I wanted to....I tried snowblowing the driveway today for the anticipated trip to Guatemala my husband, Ed and son, Sky are going on. Yikes...I'm in over my head I think....I'll pray for someone to have pity on me and come plow me out if I need to. Otherwise, I'll be doing a few swipes and calling it good! Ed got our satelite disconnected and antennae hooked up which can play through my computer and record for me so now I don't even have to be without my blessed DVR - LOVE IT! And he didn't fall off the ladder :) Well, I know it's late but I have yet to run on the treadmill and I need to so I'm off before bed...to warm up! It's chilly...
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It's Monday and another year has started..Christmas is put away, the holiday rush and bustle is past and we're back to our routine of chores, devos and school. In some ways I cherish the magic of ordinary days as the hustle and bustle tend to make me so very tired and overwhelmed. I love the tranquility of normal schedule..although in our house that is not ever the reality. There seems to be such a spiritual battle that is raging...in our family, church and around the world in the lives of those we love and pray for. Yet, in the midst of such seeming heaviness, God's Spirit floods our hearts and minds with His Word and gives us the His people to encourage, strengthen and edify us to glorify God in all things. 2009 stands to be a great year! We are starting a Ladies Bible Study in a few weeks and of course, Ed and Sky leave for Guate next month. Whose idea was it to let them go in the middle of winter and leave me with snowblowing and keeping the house up and running in our little snowbelt. They are just short their money by about $800 so we ask you pray about that before they leave. Schylar has started to meet with his mentor, Mr. Brewer, and that has been such a great thing for both of them. Ed is hooking up an antenae today and cancelling his satelite dish. We get 19 channels in HD without paying the monthly fees and they come with locals so Ed feels confident he'll still get to watch his Steeler's play throughout the playoffs. It's quite icy out as it rained in the night and then turned to freezing rain making it slick everywhere...I'm a little worried about a ladder and Ed on it but pray he'll use good sense and wait until a better day if it's too dangerous...we don't need a fall off a ladder...
Well, Abigail is ready to read for school now and I must get back to my students. May God richly bless each one of you in the year to come with all wisdom and understanding what the Lord's will is in the knowledge of His Son,
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I did manage to get enough strength to put away the Christmas decorations and clean the house from top to bottom before we had 26 teens and adults join us for a New Year's Eve party. It was an interesting few days since we got back from Maine. Sunday was warm and no snow...then it got icy and then the 50-60 MPH winds descended with snow in the feet department. We had no food from our week away and I was so sick Monday and Tuesday - I wouldn't have gone into town if I could have. But thankfully, Ed got in yesterday and the Sear's repair man made it through the foot of snow on the roads to repair my laundry machine...since we had no clean clothes as my machine was broken when we returned home. Not sure how that happened...good when we left...broken when we returned. Perhaps it saw the mound it was being asked to clean? The guy was a trooper and even though he couldn't see my driveway and had to call from the road to ask where to turn in...he made it quick and easy and we were starting the 14, 000 loads early enough in the day to get some clothes for the party. Good thing as Abigail succumb to the illness around 9 pm and went through both sets of bed sheets (she has twin beds) and I had to dig out a third set to see her through the night. She wasn't as neat and tidy as Ethan and so lots of fun clean up while the whole gang was here...And Sky's lamb, Gloria, gave birth to twin rams in the middle of all of that! The teens played lots of games - the Wii was a big hit - Ed taught them whoopie and there were chess, risk, Bible scattegories, and various card games all going on strong throughout the night. The kids were just winding up when the ball dropped and were all moaning about leaving while the adults who had been up since early morning and worked a full day - were tugging and pulling them out the door. Schylar had two of his friends over and they spent the night...talking until the wee hours of the morning. It was a balmy -4 degrees last night with the wind chill much colder than that. The weather is a tad calmer today with no wind and a little warmer temps...2-4 degrees above. Sky is headed over to see his new twin rams in a few minutes and we just said goodbye to the last of his friends who is going home to catch up on his sleep. Abigail is on the couch laying low but ate breakfast and so far so good. Now to finish up the last 5 loads of laundry and catch some zzz's this afternoon. I was not made to stay up late....
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We arrived back from Maine on Saturday evening - it was a long ride home with traffic and delays of various natures. I was so glad we had been prepared for Sunday before we got back. Sunday was a fun day of Christmas festivities at church and we had our carols by candlelight service in the evening. The kids did a great job of role playing the Christmas story and we had great eats afterwards. I got home and after we tucked in the kids plus 2 friends, I got violently ill and have been feeling weak and shaky ever since. Ed seems to be the next one to come down with it. Ethan vomitted on the entire ride home on Saturday and so I am glad I don't have that kind of bug but we do have something...and we are supposed to host a New Year's Eve youth party to boot..I'm overwhelmed by it all. Pray I feel better in the morning!
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It's been a long time since I've been able to sit and write. So many Christmas activities that fill our December. The usual festivities have taken place: Christmas shopping day with the kids, Ladies Secret Pal Banquet, making and decorating Christmas cookies to hand out to the neighbors, singing Christmas carols at the local nursing home and handing out gift bags, our family Christmas with a big breakfast and sledding after the gifts (this year we went down the hill across the road - it was intense! the walk UP and the ride DOWN) - we had to cancel our services for yesterday after practicing on Saturday for our events but we'll try to fit them in next Sunday. It's 4 degrees outside and the wind and snow are still blowing after 2 days...we're getting the car packed and are taking Ele to the kennel - it's Maine or bust for the kids - they are beside themselves. Everyone is a bit tired as we spent the evening at the Clarkshire farm having sleigh rides with resident horse, Kate - Our Katelyn even got to drive her through the big snow drifts. It was a night right out of the Christmas movies - big snow flakes falling - the whole world seemed silent and still - great times. Well - I'm off to yet another 7 hours in the car. Whoohoo! Merry Christmas, everyone!
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Yesterday, we got the house decorated after school and a trip for me into town for a couple of hours...which made it a tad stressful since we had a houseful coming at 7:30 pm for the sign language class the kids are in. We tried our deer meat (the 1st one) and it was marv. The temps are much cooler after being quite mild so the snow is crusted with a nice slick layer that makes for some great sledding. The kids were at it all afternoon and then went back out after their signing class to slide with friends. They are all tired today from their late night. This morning we had a nice breakfast and then loaded up the trailer and headed to our friend's to buy a Christmas tree. The boys friend, Joe, had already picked one he liked and so we loaded it up along with another one for a friend that had stopped on his way home to purchase a tree but only had his car - so we offered to drop it off on our way home so he wouldn't have to tie it to the roof. The kids did most of the decorating and I made some yummy egg nog to go along with the festivities. I'm now at the computer working on 'stuff' and glad to have that all behind me so we can do some Christmas shopping next week and make our neighborhood cookies to hand out. Then it'll be visits to the nursing home to sing carols, our Church Christmas program and then Maine for the holiday week. It's already going to be a stretch to get my Christmas letter together...I've contemplated not writing one but it seems sacreligious...
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I am working online with Ethan at the moment so will take a quick minute to write. It's been a few days of running after a glorious weekend of just lounging. I'm not in the spirit to decorate after the Thanksgiving crash I seem to have but will have to force it since the tree is coming on Saturday - courtesy of our friends who are cutting their trees this year after taking last year off. The kids can't wait and I've promised to make egg nog - their fav. The past two days have included runs into town to help the kids get to the library, get Mrs. Meizy so she could come 'shop' at her store I had set up in my living room of all the gifts I had opened after cleaning her apartment, and taking Miss Marion into town to get some suppiles to help aleveate her bad cold symptoms. Abigail is doing better and had some bad coughing spells this week but seems to be on the mend. We all made it to prayer meeting for the first time in weeks as there has been someone not feeling well for one reason or another. School has been tough this week - chalk it up to the down time of last week - we never do well when we take time off and then try to get back into the swing again - more me than the kids - I despise homeschooling during the holidays and moving...thoughts of sending them to school always are rife during those 2 events. I wish we could take time off for the entire month but alas, not an option this year. Ed is cutting up his deer meat today and so we'll have another supply to add to the freezer. He wants to take Ethan out for his turn at hunting with daddy but it's raining and miserable so not sure if he'll choose to go out. He only has a buck tag left so it'll be harder as they've seen tons of doe and little buck this year. Well, school is yet to be completed - laundry is awaiting my attention and I really need to get to Curves this week - it's been awhile!
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It's been a quiet and lazy few days for me which is quite a switch to the normal running like a chicken with its head cut off. There is so much food I've yet to cook anything! And tomorrow's meals are accounted for... Thank You, Lord! We have had a few outings for Ed and the kids but I've been able to stay home and watch lots of Christmas movies - much to the fab fam's dismay - they are not big fans... Ed cut up his deer, Sky & Kate worked on the farm yesterday and during that time they were all away, our neighbors bassett hound, fondly named 'Rosie' came to the door bleeding and quite injured. She comes around often and can be found sleeping in Ed's office after Ele abandons her to take a nap in the house - a place she had yet been given access until I couldn't get her owner's by phone and she was in obvious pain. Ed has a soft spot for Rosie and so I called him and we just determined to keep her with us until we could get the owner's by phone. I managed to drive around to see if I could find them home or their son who lives around the corner but with no one there Rosie was deemed our special guest and we wrapped up her wound and comforted her until the owner came to rescue her. Our Rosie turns out to be a Chloe but since Rosie seems so much more appropriate - the owner gave us permission to call her such. It turned out that she had been bitten by a dog - which was better than the inital thought of her being hit by a car. The fab fam has decided if she were to be up for adoption, we'd be first in line. I'm not so eager but she did get my tender loving care in her time of need - which is very unlike me! Today the kids went over to play at their friend's house and when they got home, we all headed to the neighboring town's Christmas parade that included a live nativity which Sky was Joseph and the rest of us helped herd the animals down main street while the fire truck sirens and horns blared in front and behind us. It was so noisy, my ears still hurt! It was a nice night and we came home and had hot cocoa and left over pie. Now I'm at the computer trying to get motivated to do work for tomorrow's services. We are having a special Thanksgiving service in the evening so there is more to prepare than normal. After 2 days of lounging...I'm not ready to get back to the old grindstone....
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It was a wonderful week of shopping (okay, I don't like that part but it was necessary for the rest!), cleaning, cooking and hosting for our very first family Thanksgiving here in the States. We had a family Thanksgiving in South Africa but Ed and Sky got delayed in Paris and didn't make it back in time so it doesn't count. Yesterday was a day where we ate food from sun up until sun down. Sky and Ed got me up at 5 am to make them breakfast before they went to join a family in our church for a hunting expedition. I stayed up after they left and enjoyed my cup of coffee until the other kiddies woke up and we made yummy cranberry/lemon muffins and decorated the table with name tags we cut out while listening to fabulous Christmas music. We had cooked almost all the food on Wednesday so the actual day was relaxed and we had fun doing the Fruit Gobbler that Sky had found on line while we waited for the real turkey to cook in the oven. There was 12 of us seated at the table and we had a blast. There was the traditional Macy's Parade (love my DVR as we chose to fast forwarded through most....) and the boys desired to play touch football so after 2 rounds of playing in the deep snow - the young and old had their fill. We had lots of pie and no one really wanted supper so after we cleaned up we watched a movie and went to bed. Good times and lots of fun to be at my house and hosting it....I do love being home. The deer Ed shot this week is going to be cut up today and Sky and Kate are working on the farm so the rest of us are home and resting after a very busy week. I wasn't even remotely interested in shopping today and plan to make it a day in. Hope everyone had a wonderful day like we did...now I'm off to run on the treadmill to work off that pie and food I ate all day yesterday!
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I can't believe I have not posted since Monday....Where to begin...I'm not even sure what took place this week??? I know we did school because I'm brain dead this morning - having so many chores, computer work and other things to do but have not the urge nor manpower to get them accomplished so it's been a lazy morning and looks to be much of the same for the afternoon. We had normal trips to town: library, groceries, Curves, etc. Schylar has been rewarded for his hard work by some generous donations this week. I've finished Mrs. M's apartment for now (much more to do but will come later...) and she was very giving to Sky for it. She is still scheduled to come up to the house to 'shop' for Christmas through the 14,000 boxes she had in her apartment that I brought home and opened and the rest will be some sort of lawnsale, gift game re-gifting solution to the clutter problem they cause in my bedroom. Ed and Sky went to the Superbowl last night - 3 of the 18 teens that went made a profession of faith - that was exciting. It is super cold here - below zeo when we got up and snow on the ground that had fallen in the night - it's still spitting out there as I type but it's now a balmy 15 degrees...warming up! The wood stove is such a fabulous invention - so warm and cozy in my house. Katelyn is off working at the farm - she'll be frozen by the time she gets home. Tonight Ed has been invited (as well as the fab fam) to a ceremony for one of the Little League boys that has accomplished his Eagle Scout award at age 13. He has asked Ed to take part in the ceremony - we're all going to be a testimony and continue this on going redemptive relationship. Tomorrow night we are going to Ed's aunt and uncle's church about 1 + hours away for Sky to give his missions presentation. It's going to be a long few days for those two - who are sleeping now but were a bit sleepy when they got in this morning and will not want to be rushing tonight, tomorrow and still want to get up on Monday for the week - We are already looking towards a no school day on Monday for Sky - he's going to work on Kid's Connection - which is on it's last edition since they have not had any submissions for publication and are feeling a bit undersupported in the content of the thing. Maybe we'll do a yearly edition?? Well, the church work is still calling despite my refusal to answer and must do it at some point or else it'll be bad for everyone. Stay warm!
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I am regretting the absence of my traditional Sunday afternoon nap that I used to insist on but have not been for the past few months....it's catching up with me. Mondays are the pick myself off the floor before I even get out of bed day that I loathe and it's because I never feel rested enough on the weekends to start another school week....I'm going to start my New Year's resolution now...Sunday afternoon naps are a must! Schylar and Ed traveled to a Pastor's fellowship today (Ed normally attends monthly) and gave a short presentation on their missions trip. Sky was nervous but did well and got a few churches to ask him to come and speak to their church. His fund raising has exceeded his expectations thus far and so he's been excited about how God has been bringing it in. When they got home they went out to try and hunt for a few hours but were chased off by some cows that were grazing in their 'spot' - They saw a doe on the ride out to the tree stand but she was on posted land...too bad. The weekend was busy as always - Ed had a good time at the Men's Retreat with author and pastor Milton Vincent the key note speaker. He has written the Gospel Primer and was excellent. The kids got their shoeboxes packed up and sent off - Abigail was very thrifty and filled her box for the exact money she had saved. She can't wait until next year to do another box. This week has some busy days - lots of counseling going on these days - filling our weeknights full with the exception of tonight. Friday is the Superbowl and we are taking some 18 young people. Ed has been asked to attend a ceremony for a young man he coached in baseball on Saturday night so he'll have to get some serious sleep to stay awake for that after spending all night with teens! There was a great plan hatched by some in our church to get up early in the AM and drive to the location the group last visits to drive the gang home so the tired adults would not have to navigate the roads after such a long night. I was NOT on the list of volunteers but was glad others felt the necessity of it! Schylar invited 2 of his baseball buddies but neither could go so he'll be missing Evan this year with no one to pal around with. Today the weather has turned again to chilly temps and the woodstove is working over time after taking a 3 day hiatus with the warm, rainy weather we had over the weekend. I do love the white snow up here - it makes our house and back fields such a beautiful scene and turns the inside of the house all bright and cheery. We have yet to have any last but it tried again to see if it could muster up a lasting inch. It was a dusting - just enough to track deer in. We'll see if it helps the guys tomorrow...
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