Shocks and Parks

Doesn't he look tasty? I need to remember these cute calves are on their way to become hamburgers and juicy steaks... We almost had a rotisserie calf yesterday when our friendliest but also most mischievous calf got tangled up in the electric fence. He got Really tangled up and couldn't get out so he kept getting shocked. John heard him bellow and went up to see what was going on. The calf had stopped struggling. John was able to turn off the fence and get him untangled and thankfully, the calf has been fine. We are hoping he has learned his lesson!

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John took me to a local park last night. It was lovely to be out and and so nice to be close to water. It was a perfect evening and I'm so glad I grabbed my tripod. This is the first picture we have together since we found out Baby is on the way!

Tornadoes, Dreams, and Cute Calves

On our drive back from church, John and I thought we saw a tornado. Later we heard that a few tornadoes had touched down, and there were warnings of others. I took this picture last night after we heard about some severe weather heading our way. We were of course fine but the clouds looked quite threatening!

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Last night I dreamed that I had our baby! This all happened sometime this week! John delivered the baby by himself at a hotel but we had to go to a hospital to deliver the placenta because I could not remember how to do that! John was an excellent midwife for the delivery, I don't remember feeling any pain (wa-hooo). When I knew I was going to have the baby, I was disappointed to miss my second trimester but I forgot all about the third trimester! Our baby weighed around 5 pounds and was perfectly healthy and able to survive despite only having 9 weeks to grow. I was worried I wouldn't know how to take care of the baby since I haven't read the Babywise book that Celina gave me. Obviously I was lacking in knowledge because when the baby was having difficulty nursing, I supplemented with regular canned milk! I was surprised to discover our baby was a boy since this is what I thought we would have when I found out I was expecting. He was so adorable! So precious and such a delight to be able to hold him close! He smelled so good and his skin and hair were silky soft. I covered his tiny body with kisses and enjoyed all the little sounds he made. How is it possible to miss someone so much whom I have never met?

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John has been working on expanding the pasture for the calves. He finished putting up the fence today and let the calves out to explore their new surroundings. The calves loved it! They were so cute eating, laying, and kicking up their heels in the new abundance of fresh grass. I sat by Kabaas while he rested in the grass and rubbed his face and neck. He acted like he enjoyed it and laid his head on my leg and licked my hand a few times. He can act so tame but anytime we try to approach him when he is walking around, he trots off. I took a bunch of pictures, but my favorites were these two that John took!

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2 Blessings, 1 item to keep in prayer

It was a delight to meet up with Aaron and Ruth and their happy son Elijah.
Ruth's friendship has been such a treasure over the years and it was so fun to spend some time face to face :-)

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Our first gift for our baby arrived via mail. Mom sent this darling sweater and booties that she lovingly knitted. So precious!!! Can't you just see his/her tiny body wrapped up in them?

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I've been having some challenges with my blood pressure. It has always been low but pregnancy has enhanced it. I am so thankful I've never thrown up or passed out, but there are times I feel really dizzy and weak and things get black if I change positions quickly. I'm trying to drink a lot of water, eat a lot of salt, and get at least a short walk in each day.

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Thank you for stopping by, have a great week :-)

Of Food and Feelings

Pregnancy Observations at 7 weeks

- The first 5 bites of food taste the best -

- Everything has a scent (even good foods can smell bad) -

- Pickles taste better than ice-cream -

- Breakfast in bed helps start the day out right -

-There aren't enough toilets in the world -

- Vitamins are gross (working on changing this) -

- It is possible to shiver even when others believe it is hot -

- It is very easy to "weep with those who weep"-

- Small acts of kindness mean so much!!! -

- John is the Most Wonderful Husband in the world!!! -
Despite all the pressure John is under, he tries so hard to meet my needs and keep me comfortable (and does very well at it). Without a request from me, he has willingly helped or taken care of my responsibilities when I have been unable to do so. He blesses me so much!!!
I am looking forward to having more energy so I can help carry his load!

Mt. Pilot

Baby's first trip to Mayberry

Mr. and Mrs. Speed and family graciously opened their home to us for a few days after the wedding. It has been such a sweet blessing to spend time with them and rest in their beautiful home. Mrs. Speed took us to see Mayberry, the town where Andy Griffith and Barney Fife kept peace (of course the series was filmed on a set vs. an actual town but it was inspired by the real North Carolina town of Mt. Arie). Mrs. Speed was an excellent tour guide. We ate a pork chop sandwich at Snappys, bought candy at Opie's candy store, got pictures in the sheriff's car, stopped in at the jail, drank a couple of knee highs (delicious sodas) and stopped off a Floyed's Barber Shop. The town was adorable, the company was delightful, and I didn't lose my lunch!

Wha-hoo!

The making of a wedding

We Love you Andrew and Cynthia!!!

The Beautiful Bride:

The Photo Shoot:

The Proud Parents:

The Happy Bridesmaids:

The Unforgetable Moments:

The Dash to the Car:

To A Child Who Inquiers

How did you come to me, my sweet?
From the land that no man knows?
Did Mr. Stork bring you here on his wings?
Were you born in the heart of a rose?
***
Did an angel fly with you down from the sky?
Were you found in a gooseberry patch?
Did a fairy bring you from fairyland
To my door-that was left on a latch?
***
No-my darling born of a wonderful love,
A love that was Daddy's and mine.
A love that was human, but deep and profound,
A love that was almost divine.
***
Do you remember, sweetheart, when we went to the zoo,
And we saw the big bear with a grouch?
And the tigers and lions, and that tall kangaroo
That carried her babe in a pouch?
***
Do you remember I told you she kept them there safe
From the cold and the wind, till they grew
Big enough to take care of themselves? And dear heart,
That's just how I first cared for you.
***
I carried you under my heart, my sweet,
And I sheltered you safe from alarms;
Then one wonderful day our dear God looked down,
And I snuggled you tight in my arms.

OLGA PETROVA

Life goes on

We are doing well... I am trying to get things done (like laundry and weeding) despite this load of sleepiness. Despite my goal of Not having morning sickness, I've been feeling quite nauseous. I kept John up last night, trying to get comfortable, trying not to barf. I think it was probably eating too much sugar yesterday, or not getting enough sleep, or not drinking enough, or taking my nasty vitamins too close to bedtime. Whatever it was, I feel quite ready to Not have any more ice-cream the whole 9 months after last night! :-) (you may need to remind me of that!) Pickles taste better anyways!
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We now have a total of 4 calves. John picked up the last 3 last Thursday night and they have been a handful! They are still on a bottle and it is quite the feeding frenzy trying to keep all of them occupied with their own bottle. They pull at the bottle, shake their head up and down and side to side, and do everything they can to try to get as much milk as they can (while doing aerobics at the same time, while they step on your feet!)

The first calf has been doing great munching on grass. He seems so mature and calm compared to the new three.

John got up an electric fence and it is so sweet to see them out in the sun in their little pasture. Eventually he will make it bigger for them but this small area has helped them learn to respect the electricity. ;-)
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John and I have been reading through name books and have decided that we like more boy names than girl names. It's funny how influenced we are by people we know with a name we like. It may have the best meaning and have such a likeable sounding name, but if the person we know isn't likeable... it pretty much kills it for us! But it works nicely the other way too, some names we probably wouldn't have considered but because we know someone nice etc. it adds a new shine to it. One name we really like has two opposite meanings depending on which book you look in :-D Thankfully, we [almost always] like the same names :-)
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Hope your day is Great!