Prayer Request

Our little 4-year-old friend, Ashley, has been diagnosed with a rare disorder and she and her mom are visiting with a neurosurgeon right now.


Ashley has been suffering from terrible headaches for a few months and it's related to where her spinal cord and the brain stem meet - that hole is too small for the spinal cord. It hasn't grown with her and it's causing great pressure, thus the headaches. If not treated, it could eventually cause paralysis. I'll keep you updated.

*Update: The neurosurgeon doesn't think she has this rare disorder! The MRI will show more. They go back in a month for the results and to talk about future care. Please pray for Ashley & her family as they determine what is causing these headaches.

Here's Your Sign

Last Wednesday, our beagle started barking. I didn't think much of it until he just kept barking and barking. So, I went to check.

At that moment, Jim, our big black dog, threw a little animal in the air. I immediately thought it was a rabbit and didn't think I could save it. Until I saw two pointed little ears.

This was no rabbit...

Meet Grey.

Isn't he precious?

With the boys, it was love at first sight!

Nope, this cat isn't going anywhere!

Living on a farm, we've had quite a few animals dumped here. Obviously, there is a sign pointing to our place that says "We Take Strays!" Dean is ready to take the sign down.

Where Were You?

August 17, 1977 - Elvis Presley died - I was in Merriville, IN on vacation, visiting family friends. I heard the news in the parking lot of a supermarket! I proclaimed, "My mother will be so sad!" And she was! Elvis was only 42! Hard to believe. He seemed so much "older" than that! (42 doesn't seem so old these days...)

August 31, 1997 - Princess Diana is killed in an auto accident. My parents and I were at Brian & Sharla's house visiting the 7 month old twins, Jordan & Jarrett. I told her, "You need to see this - history is being made!" Sharla and I were there with Diana (on this side of the pond) when she was married to Prince Charles in 1981. We set the alarm for 4:00 in the morning and our eyes were glued to the TV. We were so excited to watch an actual Cinderella story!

July 31, 1999 - Shelley & Dean were married. Ok, you probably don't remember this, but it's an important date to me...and it is my blog...

September 11, 2001 - I was on my way to The Computer Training Center to teach a class and heard the news on the radio. I thought it was a joke - call 911 on 9/11. Sadly, we were horrified to realize it was not a joke.

June 25, 2009 - They say that deaths happen in 3's. This week alone, Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson have passed away. I was teaching, yet again, when a student told me about Michael Jackson.

Charlie's Angels was popular when I was in 3rd-4th grade. My friends and I pretended that we were Charlie's Angels at recess. Of course, my friend, Melinda, always got to be Farrah because she was actually blond. I was always Kelly (Jaclyn Smith), but you would have guessed that, right? I always liked her, but after watching her documentary in May, I was really hoping she could beat the cancer. She fought the good fight and was so courageous.

And, then in high school, who didn't like Michael Jackson? We rushed out to buy Thriller and had a poster or two hanging in our room at home. Sadly, he 'seemed' to be a different person this past decade.

What ever day it is, be a blessing to somebody and live it like there's no tomorrow.

Summer Time

3 cousins swimming in a pool...

Let the Games Begin

If you know my husband, you know that one of his favorite times of the year is Father's Day. Not because of the holiday (altho he was known to honor his father and he enjoys spending time with his own boys.)

The real reason? The fescue is ready!

It amazes me how many people have no idea what a combine is or what it does. In our case, we use it to cut fescue. Other farmers may use it to cut wheat or soy beans.

Have you ever been walking through tall grass and pulled the seeds off the stalk as you walked by? That is fescue. You use it to re-seed your yard. Does this Pennington Seed bag look familiar?

As the combine cuts the grass, it keeps the seeds and spits out the stalk. Isn't that amazing? When Dean gets a full bin, he dumps the fescue into the trailer with the auger. Then goes back to the field.

When the trailer is full, we drive to the seed house. They weigh the truck and trailer before and after removing the seeds. We get paid by the pound and we're talking thousands of pounds here. That's a lot of little seeds!

Our favorite seed house is ran by a Mennonite family. They are very nice and their setup is rather amazing. I will try to take a picture of it to show you, however, Mennonites prefer that we don't take pictures of them. I won't tell you how I know this...let's just say, I'll try to take the pictures from "afar".

Combine Crew - 2008 - notice the little yellow chairs...

Congrats to the Grad!

Luke on the big day!

Luke graduated from preschool a couple of weeks ago. He was so proud! He and his classmates sang songs with hand motions and Luke didn't miss a beat!

In 2007, his brother, Daniel, graduated from this same preschool. It sure doesn't seem like it has been two years. Daniel is ready for second grade now!

Daniel's graduation two years ago.

Luke & His Family

Miss Lori and her preschool teachers really do a great job. They love their "job" but they see it as a ministry and actually pray over their kids. Wow!

Mama and Papa were there, as well.

Congratulations, Luke! Now...on to Kindergarten!

The Good Wife's Guide

Circa 1955

Good thing there is a guide! I've been doing it ALL wrong!

1. Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they get home and the prospect of a good meal is part of the warm welcome needed.

2. Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people.

3. Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.

4. Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives. Run a dustcloth over the tables.

5. During the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, catering to his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.

6. Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. Encourage the children to be quiet.

7. Be happy to see him. Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.

8. Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first - remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours.

9. Don't greet him with complaints and problems. Don't complain if he's late for dinner or even if he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through at work.

10. Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or lie him down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice.

11. Don't ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment or integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.

12. A good wife always knows her place.