I was in the shower early Monday morning when Addie Mae knocked on the door to announce that our cows were gone.

Splendid.

Just to set this story in motion correctly…..I am still the city slicker of this crew of country bumkins. I manage the HOUSE of this amazing farm. Ok then.

(the photos in this post were taken after we were back home)

So, I did what any city slicker would do when the cows were gone, the hubby was gone traveling up north, and the manager of the farm is on her honeymoon.

I called the neighbor who has like a bazillion cows.

And then Grant and I got in the van with a bucket full of grain to go and look for them.

Really.

So thankful I called that neighbor though, because as soon as someone on this ridge saw those cows roaming around, they called him too thinking they were his! Now at least we knew where they were!

Once we found them and I realized this was no job for the two of us, I called Addie Mae and told her to get some peeps out of bed.

Fast!

The four of us got them about half way home, and then these huge beasts were having none of this “you are taking us home” stuff. We were headed back the other direction, which was NOT ok.

So I called another neighbor. And she came to our rescue and helped us the rest of the way in!

The coyotes have been loud around here lately – I wonder if the cows got spooked. They left a mangled mess of our fence. They will remain in their winter home in the paddock now, even though we would not have moved them this early.

I love this country life, but I am still a city slicker!

For sure.

The end.

P.S. Thank you for your excitement about our little Tate!!!! We had so much fun sharing our blessing with you!! The kids laughed that my phone was about to explode as the texts and e-mails started coming in!! We appreciate your prayers and your support SO much!!!

“But as it is written,

EYE HATH NOT SEEN,

NOR EAR HEARD,

NEITHER HAVE ENTERED INTO THE HEART OF MAN,

THE THINGS WHICH GOD HATH PREPARED

FOR THEM THAT LOVE HIM.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

We are extremely excited to introduce to you our new son!

We have named him Tate Owen! Tate means “cheerful”, and Owen means “young warrior”. Our cheerful, young warrior!! Tate is three years old!

We received Pre-Approval from China on October 11th to adopt him!!

We cannot wait to hold him! Kiss him! Love on him!! Teach and train him!! OH the wait is already SO hard!

Rejoice with us! Pray for our little man with us! Praise Jesus with us!!

“God setteth the solitary in families…” Psalm 68:6

David’s family hosted a beautiful rehearsal dinner on Friday night. It was such a blessing that the church had two reception halls (I know!), so they were able to have the dinner catered right there to us!

The decorations were amazing! The food looked amazing too!!

At the dinner, Blake stood up to share part of a poem that Kayla had written to Blake and I in January 2009 when she was 15 years old:

I write this poem with a special request,
Please protect my heart, keep it at its best.
One pure and true, shining a new.
A light in the dark, that’s what it will do.
And when that special young man comes asking for me,
You can give him it whole, not broken in three.
For it was protected, spotless, and true,
Not broken in pieces like the world’s prone to do.
Through love it was kept, and love it be given.
With the Lord’s guiding hands, I trust your decision.
Take this small token, a promise from me
To keep my heart pure, as you oversee.
And if the Lord will,
It may be passed to my groom on our blessed wedding day.
I love you, dear parents.
May the Lord guide your way.

Blake gave David the silver heart pendant that was attached to the poem when Kayla gave it to us all those years ago. What an amazing blessing for Blake to pass on the protection of Kayla’s heart to a man like David. We love him so much.

After dinner, our Pastor led the rehearsal. It went smoothly and was very organized!

We were up bright and early Saturday morning, as us girls were heading to the church to get ready while Blake stayed at home with the boys and Eliza to get ready. I made a breakfast bar of muffins, butters, oatmeal, orange juice and coffee for us gals and left some for the guys at home too!

Our bride was beaming!! And eating gummy bears!!

Our get ready time was relaxing and enjoyable! Photos started for us girls with the photographer. Some were taken inside, and then we headed outside for the rest. I got a text after my hubby saw me from way across the parking lot – “Hello. My name is Blake. You look fantastic. I love you!” I love you too, honey! We had not seen each other much last week! He looked fantastic too!!

The wedding was beautiful!!! David and Kayla had written their own vows and they were so beautiful. The music was beautiful. The message was amazing. Everything was perfect. All to the glory of God!!

We personally did not take any photos after we were dressed and ready for the ceremony to begin! I do have just one photo from the reception though…..after David and Kayla cut their cake, they put on aprons and served the guests at the reception!!

And I will leave you with a few sneak peaks from our super talented photographer Hannah….just so you know that waiting for the rest of the photos of this most amazing day will be SO worth the wait!!!

Our hearts are full!!! From everyone who gave of their time and talents to make this day special, to those who traveled from so far to bless us with your presence, and for all of those who were diligent to prayer on our behalf……we could never find the words to thank you enough. We haven’t stopped talking about the day since -sharing stories of ALL the blessings that abounded that day.

David and Kayla are on a two-week honeymoon – which has been their secret!! We have no idea where they went!! Isn’t that fun??!! I do know, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are having the time of their lives.

We love you David and Kayla!!!! Congratulations!!!!!

We woke up very early Friday morning full of excitement, joy, anxiousness, and disbelief that it was already the day before the wedding! There was much to do….so we all got busy…..and as usual, many hands made for light work and a lot of fun!!!!

First, we finished up things at home…..

We stood in a circle holding hands to pray before we left the house, and kept constant reminders around us where our focus should be!

The piles made it into four vehicles!! Next we unloaded it all at the church!

Then there were tables to set up. I am still praising the Lord for David’s Aunt Sandy (in the blue on the far right), who whipped that reception hall into order in such a short time!

Now it was time to decorate!

It all came together beautifully!!!

Both David and Kayla’s family farms were represented…..with a mailbox from David’s, and the top of our corn crib!

There were other details to attend to as well – getting the water and root beer chilled, popping the popcorn, and having our Auntie Gail arrange all of the flowers!

There is that angel Sandy again! I doubt she will ever eat popcorn ever again. Ever.

Doesn’t this dashing young man look calm, cool, and collected?!!

There is still more…..stay tuned!!