A Break From Reality

Have I mentioned how much I love Saturdays?

This Saturday that we just had? Especially so.

We worked hard most of the day….but there was a plan that kept us motivated!

I love starting Saturdays early, you guessed it, on the porch.

Then I love to fill the bellies of my amazing crew with yummy things they love.

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We are super blessed that Grant does not leave for work until eleven on Saturdays!

So he and Chad moved all the chickens around. They get too big for the brooder in just a few weeks time!

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Eliza helped move the turkeys. What a hoot!

She was yelling “GET BACK HERE CHICKEN!” as she chased them around.

Sweet baby, you are not in Guangzhou anymore!

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Blake and Lane were our fencing crew.

Do you really ever finish fencing?

Don’t answer that.

Addie Mae and I kept everybody fueled.

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After lunch Addie Mae took the three youngest swimming!

Which they LIVE for.

I am so thankful for this swimming pool!

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David and Kayla arrived at lunch time for a few hours, and were a huge help to us!

David joined the fencing crew, and Kayla is our master gardener.

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Finally, it was time to take a break from reality.

The kids were clear excited!!

We were CAMPING OUT!!

Just the way I love to – fifty feet from the back door!

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We cooked over the fire.

It was so relaxing. And smelled so good!

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When did she get SO big?!?

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It was such a beautiful night.

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And we have beautiful girls!

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In the afternoon, Kayla and I had made chocolate chip brownies!

Addie served them with ice cream and chocolate sauce.

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We had a photo bomber.

But he is so cute!

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After dessert, this happened –

I have always loved how the children embrace life!! Whatever we are doing, work or play, they jump in with lots of energy, smiles, and happy hearts!

We did eventually all get in that tent to go to sleep! Grant even joined us when he got home from work!

Eliza was loving it, and saying “Me love a tent, Mom! Me love a red bed!”

We were still awake an hour later, and Eliza could not fall asleep. When she starting saying “This bed is not working! My red bed no working!” I asked her if she would like to go inside to her bed to sleep. She starting crying and said yes.

I took her in to her bed, lay down with her, and she was sound asleep in mere seconds. At about midnight I moved to my own bed and slept in the house with her.

I was a little disappointed to miss out on our camp out! But this morning, Blake, who was a little bleary eyed, told me I was much better off inside, he, he!

Saturday, you did not disappoint!

So many new, good memories tucked deep in our hearts.

We talked about you non-stop, Tate!

And prayed for you as we all laid in that tent.

Can’t wait to sit around the fire and watch you run around too, our little man!!!

Please, please keep praying for our timeline with us!!

Yesterday

I spent most of the morning yesterday with ear plugs in, but with my heart whispering to Jesus in fellowship!

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With a view like this, and my precious Savior to visit with, it was a beautiful morning!

The farm looks so beautiful freshly mowed!!

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After lunch the kids and I swam! Eliza squeals with delight when we announce that we are going to swim! She is so brave in the pool and I need to purpose to get photos of her floating around in her new life vest!

Then I ran to town for a good and very needed workout…..

and got to have a nice long chat on the phone with my Mom! (I love you, Mom!)

In the evening it was chicken processing time.

Cause our first round of chickens were butchered yesterday!

Our farm manager works hard to keep up with this farm!

Thanks, KK, for all your hard work lately!

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Grant came home early from work to help us last night!

It was so fun to have everyone together again!!!

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I was in charge of the littles! No chicken processing for me!

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We are still receiving shower gifts!

This one had a toy in it that would make noise when two little people would run through the kitchen!

It was so funny!

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Our pile is getting BIG!! Makes my heart sing!! You can still order for another week if you would like to help!! Please, please!! It will be such an encouragement to the Samuels!!

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Just like that, another day was done!

Thank you all for your comments, e-mails, and texts!!

And most of all for your prayers. They are sustaining us!!

There is a little boy who deserves nothing less!

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Our hearts are aching.

Keep praying with us!