Although I am waiting patiently for progress on our farm, I sure get excited to see projects started!

These 2 crack me up!  And we can't keep them away from the fruit on the ground.  I am constantly trading them a good apple or pear for the rotten one they picked themselves.  :)

Johnny wanted to run the rototiller so bad, and he actually handled it pretty well!

Grandsons' good-byes

On our way out of town the boys said their good-byes.....

We are all looking forward to seeing her again.

Last visit with mom....

My mom went to be with Jesus on August 27th.  I still feel in shock about the whole experience.  She had battled cancer for last 5 years, but the end came fast.  After a trip to California she came home sounding very worn out. I thought she had just overdone it, but a trip to the ER showed she had only a little while left with us.  She mentioned maybe through Thanksgiving....but from the day she found out the news and called us, it was just 10 days later.  We were mentally thinking we'd head down there in a week and half, but by the Lord's gracious promptings and council from a few wise people, we made the trip that Wednesday instead.  Amy and her family were there as well and we are so grateful we went when we did.  My mom was weak but able to still visit with us, eat, and walk around some.  We came to her home in small visits throughout the next 3 days and did our best to let the 11 grands get their wiggles out in between. It was such an emotional time.  So weird to be sitting with her talking knowing she only had a few weeks left to be with us.  Our families said their good-byes, and Amy and I made a promise to return the following Tuesday.  My next few days were busy with normal life and getting things caught up before I left my family to be with my mom. Ray called us on Sunday telling us we needed to get there earlier than we had planned.  And so on Monday Amy picked me up and we headed down.  The difference in my mom was unbelievable as she never spoke to us or was coherent again.  When we first arrived and went to her bedside I called out, "mom, we are here."  She opened her eyes for a moment and then went right back to sleep.  The rest of her time on earth we tried to make her comfortable administering her meds, but on Tuesday afternoon she breathed her final breath....and was gone.  

These pictures were taken during the last visit.

So thankful I still have my sister.

August fun

Cousin Jordan's wedding.....no kiddos.

Sweet Josiah

Cousin fun during our time in Florence.

Singing one last time for Grandma Connie.

A stop at Cabela's.

When I talked to my mom the day after our family's last visit with her, she said she wished she could be a fly on the wall and watch the boys.  I posted this pic on facebook so she could see them.

Celebrating July and August birthdays.....Joshua, Josiah, Reaghan, Aunt Mim, and Johnny.

A little treat after being gone to Florence.  We were thankful to have BJ's parents watch the boys while I was with my mom.

Josiah

cup nightmare

I ordered these drink bands to help with our cup dilemma.  It has worked great so far....and there are two more colored bands waiting in the drawer for when our twins graduate out of sippy cups.  :)
Oh, and the above picture is Justin's system for unloading the dishwasher.

Boy toys

This frontend loader is parked at our place right now.  A couple of wonderful guys from our church brought this over to help us with a few projects around here.  As you can imagine, the boys are thrilled to have this to play on.  :)

 This is the wheat on the back of our property that Mr. Bauman is farming.  I have a fond place in my heart for wheat fields since my grandpa was a wheat farmer.