Iron Sharpens Iron

Hello there, little bloggy world!

It’s been awhile.

I have to say that this little blog of mine is one of my “hobbies” that I enjoy doing very much.

But hobbies have a place and time – and it has been very busy around these parts with many good things!

We had some friends stay with us for one night over a week ago now – one of those good things!

Their visit was FANTASTIC.

Really, really FANTASTIC!

The children might have been smacking their heads at how similar us parents are, and how many things in this season of our lives are similar too!

I found that to be a VERY blessed thing.

It was such an encouraging time for us!!

The kiddos also had THE BEST TIME!

There were 17 of them all together!!

I seriously woke up the next morning and my face was sore!

Now THAT is a good sign that you have been smiling and laughing A LOT!

Sweet Craig family, our door is always open!

Just bring the coffee!

We appreciate the effort you all made, especially with all of the storms and flooding, to visit us!

You filled up our hearts!

Come back again SOON!

We love you all SO much!!

Rainy Days

After the storms and floods of last week, it still has been rather gloomy and rainy around our parts.

It’s breaking our hearts for all that are trying to recover and clean out from the flood waters.

It rained most of the day yesterday, until early evening.

The flood waters in Coon Valley have gone down, but the damage is devastating.

This creek was up over the road on Tuesday, and also up over that walking bridge there in the distance.

It was even more welcome than usual when the Lord blessed us with some beautiful sunsets this week!

As wrong as it feels for life to “just go on”, it does and it is, even as we find ways to help with the relief work.

I did the grocery shopping alone this past Friday, and was pretty proud of myself for fitting it all in one cart!

Especially with extra things – like TWO cases of K-cups – for some sweet friends who are coming to stay with us this week!!

Do you really think we will need that much coffee??!!

I guess we won’t run out at least!

We are SO excited!!!!

Date night Friday night was sweet and relaxing – with all of the errands already done!

Blake’s sister and our niece visited us a week ago Saturday and Sunday, and it was WAY TOO SHORT but wonderful!

It’s been a bit crazy, crazy around here, with a choice here and a choice there that are piling up.

But we are managing through the crazy, crazy to keep up with all the things that are important to us too!

Like Bible time.

It’s just the sweetest.

Rest and reading are important too!

It’s also always important to stop and marvel in all the beauty the Lord gives us!

We found this beauty on the front porch one morning.

Thankful we only took photos after we agreed it was spiky for a reason and decided not to touch it!

Blake moved it across the street to the hay field by putting it on a stick.

We then came in and researched to figure out what it is, and it is a tussock moth caterpillar that is poisonous!!

We would have been in bad shape had we touched it.

Enjoying Ruby (and Sadie too!) is always at the top of my list!

We have officially started the crazy, crazy of check-ups for our two precious cherubs.

It is A LOT.

They are strong and brave though, and walk the halls of the hospital with JOY.

They make me smile!!!!

Last Tuesday they both had kidney and bladder ultrasounds, which is called a renal ultrasound.

Our insurance changed this past January, so we decided to do these ultrasounds at our local hospital in Viroqua since our insurance now allowed that.

It is a small hospital, but close to Twin Oaks.

Not sure we will do it that way again because I now have to hand carry the images that were taken on Tuesday to Tate and Eliza’s appointments at UW Madison in a couple of weeks.

Normally the images are able to be seen by our doctors in Madison just over the computer!

Hmmmmm.

I just need to figure out our new normal with all the changes new insurance have caused!

Just look at our two smiley ones after their appointments were over though!

Lots to look forward to in the days ahead!!

We are praying for it to remain dry, although the forecast does not look promising that way.

We are BEYOND thankful to be dry here at Twin Oaks.

Join us in continuing to pray for all in our area that have been so greatly affected by the floods.

May the Lord continue to bring our community together and use this ALL for good.

South West Wisconsin Flood of 2018

Our area has been hit by some devastating rains the last few days.

On Monday night I heard we received 8 inches of rain in 90 minutes, and a total of 11 inches of rain before it was over.

Our girls were caught in that storm.

I had left church just about 15 minutes before them and was at home, but they sat for almost two hours, in separate places, unable to see to drive the 15 minutes home.

The damage in our area is heart breaking.

These photos are the town of Coon Valley, the valley right below Adoni Acres (our farm we move from last year), and about 10 minutes from Twin Oaks, where we are now.

Here, circled in red, is where Addie Mae works.

We are SO thankful to be safe and dry here at Twin Oaks.

Grant drove relief truck all night last night and is safe as well.

We are BEYOND anything we can imagine thankful that David and Kayla and the babies are safe as well, even though they do have some damage.

The dam right by their farm broke, and the farm right below them is in a very bad way.

Part of their damage is the end of their driveway washed away, taking with it their internet cable.

Here is a local news story that aired yesterday evening if you would like to see it – click here.

It rained quite a bit more yesterday afternoon.

THE SUN IS SHINING already this morning – thank you Jesus!!

Prayers for our area are coveted.

It is SUCH a blessing to see people COME TOGETHER as they go through this trial.

What a blessing to live in a community like the one we live in!

Happy, Happy Birthday, Grant and Addie Mae!!

It’s time for some more birthdays!

Grant and Addie are up this time!

They are 364 days apart in age, and have shared a birthday party their entire lives.

Last night was no exception!

Addie picked the meal, the agreed upon the dessert, and there were gifts!

Don’t worry, we will be having Grant’s meal of choice Tuesday night, on his actual birthday.

It’s tradition, you all!

The food last night was a HUGE hit!

Fish taco salads, with freshly chopped garden salsa, loaded guacamole, cilantro lime rice and sauteed peppers and red onions.

I wish these photos would give you all a bite instead of a look!!

That is one good looking plate of food, Addie Mae!

Of course our favorite people joined us!

Being together is a typical Sunday evening thing anyway – but adding a party to our normal Sunday evening gathering made it even BETTER!

After everyone enjoyed that huge spread, it was time to open gifts!

Yes, Grant got some unmentionables!

For work, that is!

And the craziest hunting outfit we ever did see!

Addie’s gifts were MUCH more lady like!

I think we love it when she makes cake, wouldn’t you say?

There wasn’t cake this time though.

It was brownies, ice cream and chocolate sauce instead!

With a very off key Happy Birthday song first!

Once all the bellies were over the top full, then we just enjoyed BEING TOGETHER.

There is never too much of that!

There’s another birthday party tucked away in our memories!

Grant Evan and Addison Mae, HOW IN THE WORLD can you be 21 and 20?

Time is such a thief!!

We could not be more thankful for the way the Lord is working in your lives and hearts.

You both have a HUGE responsibility in today’s world, and we are proud of you for not taking that responsibility lightly!

May the Lord bless your efforts greatly in the next year!!

THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

Happy, happy birthday to you both!

WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!