It Is What It Is

I can’t help but think of that favorite saying of my sweet hubby – “It is what it is.”

We got a call yesterday from UW Madison that Tate’s spinal cord is indeed tethered and he needs surgery.

He is scheduled for surgery in Madison next Friday, October 9th, and will be hospitalized for four days if all goes as planned.

Sweet boy, your smile fills our days with so much joy!
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I feel a little sick as I think about carrying Tate into that operating room and holding him until he is asleep – which is what I did with Eliza for her surgery last year.

It is definitely the most overwhelming thing I have ever done.

I am thankful that Blake saw the need for it to be me to have that honor.

And I know he will see the need for it to be me again – for those many same reasons that were there last year.

Here’s the thing about life with Jesus though.

He will meet us there.

In that operating room.

Right when we need Him – not before.

And I am going to rest in that as we prepare for next Friday.

A Flood and Other Happenings

Earlier today I set a quart jar on the kitchen counter under our reverse osmosis faucet, turned on the faucet to fill the jar, and walked away.

Please tell me some of you have flooded your counter and your floor underneath your refrigerator before?

Three times in one year?

And you have a floating wood floor over top of the old floor? That water can seep through?

Well, just asking you all made me feel a little better!!

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Here’s a quick post of what’s happening around here!

Tate had an eye doctor’s appointment last week.

We took a cute helper.

Tate was amazing during the whole thing.

And he does not need glasses! Praise, praise!

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Last week was appointments, appointments, appointments!

But we still finished all of our schooling and kept up with the house and farm too!

Depending on how you look at the words “kept up” that is!

We visited Blake at work after Chad’s orthodontist appointment last week!

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Someone very young (ahem!) (and very underserving of all the pampering and gifts she received) had a birthday!

David made some amazing salmon on the grill and we had fish tacos!

Kayla made a grain-free brownie dessert!

We all enjoyed that yummy lunch and good fellowship on Sunday!

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The littles loved the tacos and the brownies!

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David and Kayla gave me a huge mum and some pumpkins and decorated the porch for my birthday!

Here’s a good tip for you all – write what you are hoping to get done on your chalk board in your kitchen!

Your to do list may just turn into a birthday present!

The porch is my all time favorite spot!

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We received this card in the mail from a good farm customer this week.

Cracked us all up!

Inside it says “It tasted surprised.” Hilarious!

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The middles filled an afternoon with fun by pulling the littles around on a sled.

Why not?!!

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Addie Mae filled the house with yummy smells making these pumpkin scones one afternoon!

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I have been rowing my personal favorite book so far with the littles and Lane during school!

The Giraffe That Walked To Paris.

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It is a true story.

We will be rowing this book for weeks, I am sure!

There is SO much to run with!

The giraffe is taken by boat from Egypt to France. And then walks from Marseilles to Paris.

We are learning about wind power, the seven continents, the four seasons, Egypt and its flag, its pyramids, and its language.

About France, its flag and its language, roman numerals, measuring, how to draw, the character trait patience, and of course about giraffes!

Check out the littles coloring abilities!

Tate’s is on the left and Eliza’s on the right!

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We made pinwheels when talking about wind power.

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Lane watched and participated in a drawing tutorial and has another one to do too.

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The last four days have been amazing. AMAZING!

Grant said to me today, “Wow, Mom, Tate has only been here seven weeks and look at him!”

I agreed! And I added my own wow to how well Eliza is doing again!

Can you imagine what the next seven weeks could hold for our dimply cherub and our sweet baby?!!

Hope you all are having amazing days too!!

Fun

Have you ever thought about the word “fun?”

What it means to you?

On the way home from Madison Thursday Blake said, “We need to have some fun.”

I knew what he meant.

He meant something that would be different than the things we do everyday.

Because when we think of the word fun, we think it describes almost everything we do….

whether we are mucking stalls, doing dishes, or scrubbing the floors on our hands and knees…

we are always in fellowship with each other, and having fun!

Fun for this weekend though meant camping out.

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The kids were thrilled!

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The weather is still perfect here!

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And we did have FUN.

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It was just what we needed.

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SO relaxing!!

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After a beautiful, beautiful sunset came the perfect chill in the air.

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The kids ran around with flash lights playing tag and hide and seek!

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Then we all climbed in that tent (except for Grant, who was at work!) and snuggled together and went to sleep.

I woke up many times during the night to make sure the littles were tucked in their blankets since it was so cold.

And then I would just lay there in awe.

Surrounded by my family.

My family.

Perfectly appointed by the Lord himself.

Hope you are having a fun weekend, everyone!!