Snap Shots of Life

Parents are entitled to brag a little, right? Okay we don't mind doing that sometimes! Please excuse the quality of the first picture since it was taken from Doug's phone Who says girls who LOVE playing sports and hunting more than anything can't be pretty girly girls too!!  Ours sure does it all and I know some others who can too :) I really think Daddy has had a hidden agenda over the kids winter break from school.  He and Brittany have spent every spare minute of the day hunting some sort of animal....Squirrels....Birds....Deer.  I did at one point have a new shopping buddy, but I will have her back after hunting season!  I know they are enjoying their time together and I have enjoyed seeing their excitement too. Pictured here are some of Britt's friends from their Middle School Social.  Some of those sweet-pretty-hunting girls I mentioned above are pictured here!! :)

If you've visited our house you would notice we do not currently have any curtains/drapes. Reason #1- when we moved in that was the least of my worries! Reason #2 - with needing 108"  in length you don't just buy from the store. . . Reason #3 - sometimes (most times) I get this great picture in my head of what I really want and then when shopping for it can't find it.  You know how that goes. Reason #4 - fabric is quite expensive!! (main reason) So about six or seven months ago I started my fabric search.  I started with our master bedroom because I thought it would be the easiest. Doug says it's trouble when I use the term "I thought" or "I think", but it usually works out in the end! These along with any other fabric I choose is 100% cotton!  We recently switched to an all cotton bedspread also.  What things cotton are in your home or do you know?? Once complete I'll show you our freshened Master Bedroom.

Wow, it's Thanksgiving already?  While we sit and ponder where our year has gone it gives us the perfect opportunity to reflect on our many blessings.  I could literally go on-and-on-and-on, so to spare you here are a few.....  Our loving church and church family - Nixville Baptist Church.  With their help we are blessed to raise our children with a constant Godly presence.  This amazing man who is a loving husband and Daddy to our three children! These wonderfully adoring family and friends of mine (missing some!) and all the memories they allow me to make with them. The love of cousins! Relay For Life and it's efforts with The American Cancer Society and the HOPE that one day we will find a Cure!  The ability and will power to be myself (goofy) and that my kids can enjoy it too! Papa and Mimi (not pictured) and their love for our family.  Most importantly that Papa instilled the love of Agricultur...

Doug and Papa completed their peanut harvest this week and I could see a little of the stress melt away (a very welcome expression to say the least!).  Living in the South, who doesn't absolutely love peanuts?  It's a favorite pastime in the Summer to savor those delicious perfectly salted boiled peanuts!  Look closer to see where else these nuts come to good use. Here are some pictures from this year's harvest and some not-so-techno terms from a Farmer's Wife!    Here the mature peanuts are being dug (a more technical term is "inverting"), where blades dig into the soil and essentially flip the peanuts over.  Once this phase is complete those pretty green vines have to dry out before the combine can process. (See Below)  Advanced technology now allows growers the ability to use GPS systems to aid in planting and a more efficient harvest - hence the late night hours. Here is a close-up of the peanuts almost ready for harvest...

What on earth!  Yes, this is what you would typically see at our back door.  Shoe Overload! The following pictures should tell you a little about why this should be avoided. (A) This hanging shoe contraption hangs on the door in the laundry room.  I think I am the only one in the house that knows this exists. (B) These three bins are also in the laundry room for shoes.  These get used a little more than the hanging rack.  Only because when the boys - all three of them, take off their shoes at the laundry room door I toss them in here. (C)  This basket sits at the double doors into the dining room.  Although we strictly use our back door(s) for entry we are not partial to just one.  So, when I noticed the shoe pile up here I put this basket there. And (D) - we do have closets for EACH person in the house that are roomy enough to accommodate a few pairs of shoes. So, back to this picture.  Brittany had FOUR...

One thing we can count on every year is taking a family photo in the cotton field.  It is after all, one of Doug's greatest loves! This day usually consists of some whines, but this year wasn't too bad.  However, I do not recommend wearing a skirt trying to beat the camera timer. Here's your sneak peek:  Brittany says I made her look like Superman in this shot, but I think it's breath taking!  I'm partial because they are my children, but I love to photograph them!  Did I mention these were taken on our Anniversary?  Happy 7 years, Doug, and wishing for many more! You know, I can't remember how much I paid for that tripod....that's how much I love it.  Scratched up legs were well worth capturing this sweet moment!! When I catch up on editing, I'll post more!

Even been at a loss for ... words ... time ... opportunities ... someone? Though all the above is true for me I can say there is a difference between being at a loss and being lost.  My heart is heavy today thinking about the loss of Emanuel.  My prayers are with his precious family, his sweet friends, and the students and faculty at Patrick Henry Academy.  His courageous fight is a true testimony of his Faith in our Lord and Savior.  He was never LOST, and because of that he is now rejoicing in heaven. Do you trust enough in God that you too may join him one day?  I am at a loss, but never lost of the path he has chosen for me.  The smile that stole the hearts of many!   PHA's homecoming was dedicated to Emanuel "Fight For #21!"