Family of Eight!

Here is a 'day in the life' with our big, happy family! Everyone say, "Cheese!"
Welcome to my 'real' world ... LOL! Kambry is done! Truth is, I wouldn't trade these moments for all the riches in the world. I'm so very, very blessed.

Mother-Daughter Retreat and more

Kenzie and I got away with some other moms and daughters from our church for a retreat this weekend. We stayed at a beautiful lodge in Tulsa and enjoyed the fellowship and the study on adolescence.
Kenzie and L playing checkers.
This was the view on my morning walks. It was so beautiful and peaceful.
This is our cabin.
Our own conference room to listen to our study CDs.
Dad did great with the kids at home. We had a little break in corn harvest so it worked out well. And now after a few nights away, it's back to the usual 4 a.m. days ...

A lesson on shucking corn. Next time please start before 9:30 p.m. so Mom isn't putting up corn at 11:30 at night :) Getting the whole gang involved.
And here we are scraping the kernels so Mom can freeze it.
The corn is growing like crazy. It's beautiful!

Friends

I don't have friends in high places, but I have friends who trust in the Most High. Some of my friends have been growing rapidly in their relationship with the Lord, some are being challenged beyond belief, some are blessed immeasurably, some have brokenness, some are waiting, some are seeking, but one thing we all have in common ... we make our plans but the Lord directs our steps. I want you all to know how much I treasure your friendship, encouragement and prayers. And to those who visit my blog and I've never met, I consider you my friends as well. God has truly blessed me with friends ... may He bless you in return.

We're still here ...

... just a little busy. No sleeping in these days!


We've been harvesting sweet corn for almost a week now.
Constantly on the phone taking orders, then doing bookwork. No time off :)

We even get the friends involved. Ya' don't want to stay overnight at the Johnson's, huh, Kaylee!

There's the pastor. We surely need his prayers! We enjoy his company too.

Sorting the premium from the second rate corn.
You need how many bags???
Oh no, there comes Dad with another load, better get movin'!
Um, yeah, that's Kolton driving the Cotton Candy pickup. He's moving the trailer for Dad to bring another load in.
Beautiful corn in many stages.
Untying bags
Dad's a little tired!
In addition to our first week of corn harvest, we had Bible School every evening from 6 to 9, and here's Kambry in her groove with the 5th and 6th graders.

And did I mention we had a photo appointment last Saturday? I don't know how everyone else does it, but this is how I envision what 8 people will look like in the picture.

It's been a bountiful week! I didn't realize just how therapeutic blogging is for me, but I sure have missed it. So, here's a general idea of corn harvest. Dad's up at 4 and in the field picking corn by 5. The crew is up by 5 and in the field sorting and bagging by 6. Mom and the 3 little kids are in the field before 8 to sell to locals, fill orders, do more bookwork and be ready to follow the trailer to the sales location for that day. Once we get to the location, we honor all pre-orders first, then sell what's left. We're usually sold out in less than an hour. For my sanity and their safety, Kayden, Kambry and Kaeleb remain in their carseats watching a movie the whole time! There are so many good things going on that I can't wait to share them all, so until next time ...

My motto, especially when dealing with the public ~ 1 Cor. 16:14

Do everything in love.

My favorite card

We received this card in yesterday's mail, and it sooo touched our hearts. This is an awesome card with an awesome message! The inside Scripture is none other than Jer. 29:11 ~

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

God truly does turn ashes into beauty. His timing really is perfect, and His plans are so much better than ours!

Corn pickin' time

Twas the eve before sweet corn and all through the day,
The phone had been ringing (for a month anyway).
I, in my PJs, would answer, and they’d say,
“You got sweet corn today?”
“It’s coming soon, but sorry, not in June.”
We’ve hung our hat on the harvest, once and for all,
See, Kuyler’s going back to college this fall.
Kolton wants a four-wheeler, shiny and blue.
Kenzie, she wants one too (ha!)
The little ones, they just need shoes.
Daddy wants to make sure the notes are paid.
Mommy would settle for a maid :)
As if I have nothing better to do,
I’m writing silly poems to you.
We needed a laugh,
And this is the best I can do.
We’ll be quite busy, the next week or six.
To God be the glory for the corn we're about to pick!

What was I thinking?!?

Everybody loves Mommy's homemade 'sghetti, but these two are classic.
More, please.
Hmmm, leaves me speechless. So, this is how you eat spaghetti ...

Be sure to get the long noodles.

Relax, let it settle and keep on eating. Lick the bowl clean.
And finally, when the bowl is empty, eat what fell on the belly!And in case you are still wondering, this is why my kids are naked 90% of the time :)

Thank you!

Thank you so much for your words of encouragement, prayers, emails, cards, meals, taking my kids, calls and hugs! We will all be fine, but my mom has to find a new 'normal.' I'll have to catch up with pictures later, but here's a glimpse of the past week.
4th of July
Kolton getting braces
Kayden's 5th birthday!
Kaeleb and Kambry just being 2 :)
Kambry asleep in "J's" arms after the service
Dad's service was beautiful, made so because it was Christ-centered. The three oldest grandchildren performed the music, my youngest brother shared memories of Dad, and our pastor gave a powerful message. Even though my dad entered Heaven on July 3 and lives on, there is something so eerily final in lowering the casket. There is such a mix of joy/emptiness/memories/sadness/praise. I missed his voice so much during all our conversations. Having a houseful of people was his thing. He would have talked and listened all day. And so ... life goes on, and the question is: will we make the most of what God has given us?!?

He is Home

Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father ... Matthew 13:43
Four and a half years after being diagnosed with malignant melanoma, nearly two months after receiving Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior and one week after his 62nd birthday, my dad is free of pain and suffering. He has gone to be with the Lord today. We have been given the blessing of time over the past six months my dad has been bed-ridden following his brain injury. My brothers and I have had many moments with Dad, and he even got to meet his newest grandson. Our prayer was that God would give him breath until he accepted Jesus, and that was answered. Even in the peace and rejoicing, there is pain in the loss. It seems strange that I am blogging about this, but so many of you have been hugging us, praying for us and loving us, and I owe you a huge thank you. Our friends, family, adoption family and church family have given so much comfort, and we thank you! May you have a joyous and safe Independence Day. I know I am looking forward to the same Independence Day my dad is now experiencing!!!

Absence

Please forgive my absence. My dad is in his last hours, and I'm spending time with he and my mom. We have so much peace, knowing that he accepted Christ a short time ago, but there is still pain in the loss. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement.