eat sleep and farm

We've been sick with the stomach flu since Saturday night. Rachel first, then Jason, now me and I assume Ethan will follow suit very soon. We're praying we're all well by Saturday because some of our friends from our church are getting married Saturday night and we'd really like to make it to the wedding. Thankfully it only lasts (at the most) 24 hours and none of us have overlapped and been sick together, which helps in keeping the house running. For better news... check out the new changing table we got! I'm very excited about it and can't wait to start using it. This is the 1st changing table we've bought, so its rather thrilling. Its a corner unit and saves on a lot of space, which we're always looking to do in our not-so-big house. I loved all the shelving space AND it comes with wicker baskets to put on the two bottom long shelves.

My friend Gina had a post on her blog about another blog she had been reading. I clicked on the link out of curiosity (you all know how much I love reading other people's blogs) and began reading. I sat on the couch for a good hour, reading page after page after page of this family's journey through difficult trials and God's mercy and grace to them through it all. I went through an entire box of tissue and found myself in awe of God, first of all, but secondly, in awe of the peace, comfort and hope He has blessed this couple with. I posted the link so that you can take a look yourself, but the short version of the story is that their 4th little girl, born in April, lived only 2 1/2 hours and then went on to be with the Lord. She had several conditions that her parents we told of months before she was born, but that doesn't lessen the grief and sorrow of her passing. I finished reading, took a deep breath and stared down at my stomach. There, living, breathing and grow...

For those who have served and are serving our Country... thank you!! Today we celebrate you and thank God for you all.

Our church is hosting its annual Ladies' Retreat this November. I sent an email out several weeks ago, to a bunch of friends that don't go to my church but I thought would be interested and 5 of you are planning to come! Very exciting. I thought I'd post the link here for those of you who want to come and then for any of you who haven't heard but are interested. Here you go! You can fill out a registration form online. If it won't let you submit it online, let me know. You can always mail them to me and I'll turn them in for you. This is going to be the first time we've gone to this retreat center, but I hear its very nice. We'll also be staying in motel like rooms and not the usual camping dorms. **Nursing babies are welcome.

Today we spent the first part of the day with my sister Amber and her husband and kids (visiting from LA). We had lots of fun and the kids enjoyed attention from their big cousins. :)

We've had lots of fun with friends and family this weekend and the fun is only continuing! Friday night we had a gracious invite from our friends the Jerrold's family, to go over for a BBQ - and boy, do they BBQ ! Roy and Heather made the most delicious caramelized onions, roasted asparagus and delicious turkey and regular beef burgers. So yummy! Our kids all get along quite well, which is always nice. Rachel loved baby Will. She got such a kick out of all his baby things - the swing, his little toys, bouncy seat, etc... she was quite taken by it all. I only took a few pictures and nothing really exciting, but we did have a great time! I, of course, had to take a picture showing off Jack's awesome hair cut. :)

I have taken way too long to post these picture -- terribly sorry! Especially to Jess Green who has been so patient. These are pictures of our new furniture in the living room, family room and the kid's new IKEA furniture in their bedroom. The bottom picture is a entry way table that a few of you have asked to see a picture of. Its the one we found shortly after moving in... I knew it would look good in the entry way and we fell in love with the way it looked!