A Boy & His Calf

'Oh, dear', he sighs, as he glances at the clock. 'I've gotta get out there. They be letting the cows back in.' And he hurriedly shovels the rest of his breakfast into his mouth. 'Good-bye, Mom. Thanks for the breakfast', as out the door he goes. I won't see him for another hour or more.

Earlier this spring I would have declared that child could tell time. The barn schedule was a bit different then, they would let the cows out around 10 and he knew when it was that time.

In the middle of play he would jump up and announce it was time to 'go let the cows out'. Or he'd be using the bathroom. (Which is not a simple thing for him. He has to strip all clothing because 'It might get dirty, Mom.') He'll come flying out of the bathroom, 'Gotta get to the barn. They letting the cows out.'

Now they let the cows out soon after milking. So he gets up around 7, get dressed and heads out the door. Most often it's even before I'm up, and he won't be back in 'til close to 9. He loves helping to let the cows out for their daily exercise and then re-tieing them in their stalls. And he takes this job very seriously, and rarely misses a day.

One day to his delight there was a 'red boy calf' born. He loves 'boy calves', and does not like the 'girl ones'. Anyway, his dad gave it to him, as long as he takes care of it.  And he has been doing an awesome job at it. Now and then I need to remind him in the afternoon and then he quickly declares he wants to 'sell the dumb thing'.

So far this calf hasn't a name, other then 'the dumb calf', 'my boy calf' or 'the red bull'. He is quite proud of the little guy. He was happy to inform me one day 'I rode the wild thing', the poor thing was only a few days old. If he'd try it now, he'd have the time of his life trying to stay on it.

The calf has just been weaned from the bottle. So Collin is enjoying the easier feedings, without a butting calf, who could about bull him over. (No pun intended.) I was quite proud of him when he took the bucket of milk out for the first time. He used the wheelbarrow-2 wheeled feed cart thing to haul the pail. The wheelbarrow is about to much for him to handle but he figured out how to get it under the fence and up the heifer pasture to the calf's pen. I'm not sure how much milk that calf got for his supper!!

My little boy is growing up so fast!! I can hardly believe he is becoming such a 'little man'. Where is time going??

I am treasuring each moment, I love these memories we are making. One day he'll no longer want to sit in my lap for a story, he won't be so quick to snuggle up beside me for a hug and some 'I love you's'.

I love you, Collin.

Blessing Our Husbands

Father's Day, a wonderful time to bless the Father/Husband in your home, as well as the Father of your life. What a great opportunity to do something special for them. Many times I try to think of something creative... and this year was no different. (I did splurge on my man this year!! {He just doesn't know it yet.} And I can't wait to see his face!!)

But another way to bless the Husband/Father/Provider of your home maybe simpler then you think. And it may bless him in more ways then you could ever know.

A couple weeks ago, my cousin, posted on her blog this post. And it got me to do some thinking. {Not a new experience, by the way. smile} But at looking for ways to bless my husband in ways that he notices, understands and feels.

There are many books & writings out there on 'How to love your man', 'How to honor him, respect him', etc. Now don't get me wrong, they have many good things in them, good points and things to consider. But there are times I have noticed, that my man didn't fit the 'text book' kind. He didn't feel loved the way they said a man would. Do all of us as wives feel love in the same way??

What 'shows' your man you love him?? After taking Shy's question, "If the entire Big House Estate was in a state of chaos, and the mistress had time to rectify one thing, what would you hope it to be?". I took it to heart and began thinking about it-hard!! I decided to ask my own Husband the question, but I reworded it my own way. And pretty much point blank. 'If I had only 10 min. to clean the house, what would you want me to clean up first??' After talking a bit about it, I found out he likes the kitchen counters cleaned, dishes washes, and table cleared. The toy littered floors don't bug him nearly as much as I thought it might. Or maybe I should say, as much as I thought it sounded like he should from things I've read. I guess, eye level things are more important to my man.

So this year, I've commited to keeping those areas clean(er). I know not every day will be perfect. Dishes are not my favorite thing to do, and I'd rather do them on a once a day basis. So it will take more time on my part to wash them 2 or more times a day. But I must admit it is wonderful to walk into a cleaned up kitchen, free of dirty dishes. The counters are clean and clear, everything is just ready and waiting for another project to be started there. (I say project, because I make everything from lotion and laundry soap to breads and desserts.


I've been feeling blessed, just knowing I'm blessing my Husband in this simple way. He may not say much about it from here on out, but in my heart, I know he cares and is appreciating it. 
 

A marriage takes communication. I think it is one of the most important keys. I just happened to read this post, after following a Works-for-me-Wed. linky. And was blessed. There are still couples working hard on their marriages, when Satan wants nothing more then to ruin them. A wonderful, loving marriage does not happen overnight. And I'm so thankful for this journey of love I'm on, that started a long while ago. If I would have known all the things the past year would hold, I'm not sure I would believe it. But God is good, He can take the rocky places and make them into stepping stones. We just need to allow Him to do it. And I am blessed because of it.

How Our Hearts Became One...

Photo Credit

~Our Love Story~

The morning of February 22, 2003- I was up much earlier then I ever would have needed to be, but I couldn’t sleep. For one I was too excited to sleep and for the other... I was song hunting. The night before, my personal attendant, discovered we didn’t get the song copied that was to be sung at our wedding. So early in the morning we were trying to track down a copy of it. We didn't find one, so it wasn't sung at our wedding. (And I was very aggravated to later find out Delvyn’s parents had a copy.) My personal attendant was the best ever!! She is my cousin who came and spent the week of my wedding with me. My wedding would have been a much more disorganized mess, if not for her. I should explain, that I found out after our Honeymoon, that I had Mono. So the 2 weeks leading up to my wedding, I was so tired I was not to caring what happened. ‘Let’s just get married and get out if here’, was my feelings. I was very ready for this phase of it to be behind me. I was in such an I-don't-care-anymore mode my cousin was writing out Thank-you Notes during the Ceremony that morning. Anyway-back to getting ready…



Our pictures were to start at 8:00am. I had wanted to have a quiet moment alone with my Groom before the pictures, but of course I was running behind time. So we had a hurried ‘Hi’ in the hall. Our wedding was to start at 10:00. So my morning felt very pushed and full. (About the only thing I would change, I'd have an afternoon wedding. :) )


Minutes before I was to walk down the aisle, my Dad met me in the hall. He was all flustered, ‘The chicken is not getting done and it needs to be ready to eat in 2 ½ hours!!’ I remember looking at him, with a blank and then shocked look. I was thinking ‘You are telling your Bride Daughter that?? ‘And just what am I to do about it?? Magically push a button & *poof* they are done??' (They were done in time-we had some awesome cooks!!)


When walking down the aisle, toward the man I’d learned to love so well, and seeing his smile, it let me know I was following my heart. As my Dad gave me away, it was with anticipation that I went from his care and protection to the man I was going to marry in a short time.


After we exchanged vows and turned to face our guests, my heart nearly stopped, sitting before me was a sea of faces. About 350, to be exact!! And it nearly freaked me out, I was void of emotions. That is until we were half way back down the aisle, and it hit me, ‘I’m married!!!’ I held onto my new Husband’s hand, as we walked out the doors and into Wedded Bliss.

This song says so well my feelings. I left out a lot of details in 'Our Story'. And lots of tears and pain were yet to come. We have been through a lot but 'Through it all, I'd Choose you again.'  I could never have asked for a more perfect man to be my husband. Sure he has faults and is not perfect, but he compliments my life in a way I could have never orchestrated. It is awesome to know God lead us together and when we hit those rough spots in life, we can turn to Him, knowing He knows we can make it through!!  And we come out on the other side stronger then ever before. Our hearts have truly 'Become One'-I look back to Our Wedding Day and think I hardly loved him compared to how much I love him now. True love just grows and grows!!


 
I wish I had photo's to share... but our photographer was not good!!! We don't have many pictures at all, and the ones we do are not digital. One day I'd like to get them transferred to digital, and then I can edit them. (They are greenish.)
 
Thanks for following along... I enjoyed sharing this part of my life... And reliving the memories.

How God Worked and Moved...

Photo Credit

~Our Love Story~

The next month, I did a lot of praying. I had to put my life in God’s hand’s. I realized I had counted on Delvyn asking me so much, that my focus had gotten off track. And now it was time to put it back on track and stop thinking about him and what all could have been or what maybe yet. (I still thought back to what I had felt that night at Bible School.) It was not very easy. Especially since I would see him a lot, it was a bit of a struggle. But I do remember that there was a point I felt I finally had gotten victory. I was ready to move on. I was ready to face life with out him, if that’s what God wanted. But I still wondered what that voice was that I had heard?? Was it all imagined or not?? But by God’s strength and grace I moved on.

The beginning of April, a friend and I made plans to go to PA for another week of Bible School. I don’t know how it all worked out, but next thing I knew Delvyn and another fellow from Church decided to go with us. I knew I would have a struggle on this trip. For one my brother was not with, and he was always my support in huge crowds. And for another, I was going to be with Delvyn for a week. I was at peace about it all, but it didn’t make it any easier. While driving out, I somehow would end up in the front seat, and yes, my heart strings were being pulled at an alarming rate. And as much as I tried holding them back it didn’t work so well.

During the week we hung out together a lot. I didn’t know but a few people, so felt very lost. And I think Delvyn sensed my need for support. And he kind of took the place of my brother. I also had a cold that week, so I couldn’t sing during the chorus practices. And Delvyn doesn’t care for singing much. One of the afternoons we took off to the place he was staying at to do some laundry. I was so worn out-physically and emotionally, that I fell asleep on the couch. Delvyn felt very bad when he had to wake me up to leave again. In little ways I could see he really did care for me. No matter what he may have said a month before.

The last Saturday of the Bible School there is a hike followed by a picnic. While hiking up the mountain I hung out with some girls I had become friends with. But once at the top I got to talking with a guy I knew from else where. For some reason we talked the whole way back down!! Little did I know that I had someone following me, VERY unimpressed!! Later, a car load or 3, left in 1 car, soon to spill out into 3, and we went to Victor’s sister’s place for the afternoon. It had started raining and was cool and miserable.

The next day, Delvyn and Virgil, came to pick up me and my stuff. Virg obviously knew that things were happening between us., because when I came out, he got out of the front seat and let me sit there. Later he told Delvyn that he better not be playing with my heart. It was obvious I cared for him. He either needed to do something or get out of there!!!

It only took a couple weeks before he did ‘something’. He went to my Dad to ask his permission to court his daughter. Mom told me one afternoon, that Daddy and her had something they needed to talk to me about. She planned to wait and tell me when we 3 got a chance to talk, but she just couldn’t. She was to excited to keep it to herself. I was nearing my 20th birthday and she said, ’By this time next year you maybe married.’ ‘Yeah, right, what makes you think that?’ ‘Delvyn has asked to court you.’

I couldn’t help but smile. I was walking on air the rest of the day!! I already knew what my answer was. But I needed to wait and get my parent’s blessing on it. God was finally finished laying the groundwork and was ready to begin building!!! My parents and I went out to McDonald’s for ice cream after supper. Daddy asked how I felt about it all, and I knew in my heart how I felt. We discussed my goals and dreams, and they gave me their ideas for our Courtship. We agreed to pray about it a bit more, before I gave him my answer-a written note.

I gave my note to Daddy the day Mom and I went to a Home School convention. Our plans got changed, because my cousin got sick. So I ended up driving her home early. There was a youth Volleyball game that evening, so I decided to go. I knew Delvyn would be surprised, as I was to still be gone. I was rather nervous about it all, we hadn’t talked or seen each other since it was all ‘Official’.

It was rather fun walking in and seeing his look of surprise. We couldn’t say much because no one else knew we were courting yet. But I was NOT impressed to have one person tell me ‘Congratulations’ soon after I started playing. (Another story for another time.) ------No one was to know yet. And Delvyn and I hadn’t even talked yet. I was to find out later why she knew. She had asked Delvyn to do something with her and would not just take a ‘No’ for an answer. He had to tell her why. She kind of let everyone else know about it too. After V-ball we all went to McDonald’s for a snack, she sat with me at a table, then all of a sudden jumped up muttering, ‘Oh, yeah, some one else will want to sit here with you.” By the end of the evening, most everyone realized what was going on.

I had always wanted to wait until I was 20 to start courting, and God answered my prayers. After watching many girls have their hearts played with and their focus on the wrong things while going through their teen years. I can’t say I never got derailed now and then. But for the most part, guys were not a primary focus in my life.

We had our first ‘Date’ on my 20th birthday. Delvyn let me pick where we went to eat. So I chose ‘Outback Steak House’. I love shrimp, so I ordered what I thought sounded good. And to my shock and horror it came in a tin bucket on ICE!!! Yes, it was cold shrimp, (not something I am fond of) but I managed to hide my disappointment and eat it anyway.

We sat at our table for literally 3 hours. Just talking and talking, and we still were not done ‘til we left. We drank our share of the free refills that evening. Our conversation was a bit stiff at first, but it wasn’t long and we were sharing our dreams, goals in life, ect.

Thus began our Courtship-which lasted all summer. Once a month we would go out to eat and spend the evening together. Our favorite spot was a public scenic overlook. We would sit there and talk for hours. The river was another spot we would go sit along. Now and then we played Putt-Putt. Our evenings would always end way too soon. And on our drive home again, the car would go slower and slower.

I knew I was falling in love with this man God had lead into my life. I just didn’t know how much… There were times I found it very hard to completely trust him, with my heart. But deep down I knew this is who God gave to me, we would be able to work it all out. We began talking of marriage and what it meant to us. Our thoughts for a future together, ect. I knew it was only a matter of time ‘til he would ‘pop the question’.

Our date began like any other, it was Aug 31, 2002. I really had no clue what all the evening would hold. And I don’t even remember where we went to eat that night. We went to ‘Our Spot’ on the overlook, after eating. And talked and talked and as we talked I got this feeling that tonight was the night!!! It was a lovely evening, with a beautiful sunset. (It must have been, 3 other couples were engaged the same evening.) As it got darker, we moved back to the top of the bluff, lingering, not wanting our evening to end. As we slowly wandering along the fence line, we paused. I remember feeling quiet in my spirit, somehow knowing what was coming… The wonderful, handsome man beside me gently and carefully turned me to face him and I heard the words, gentle and sweet, ‘I love you! Will you marry me??’ I knew in my heart what my answer was, but had so many emotions within me, I was too choked up to answer right away. But it didn‘t take long for me to say, “Of, course, I’d love too.”

How do I explain without a lot of detail, all that was going on in my heart?? It wasn’t until after we were married that some things came to light, for me to realize I had some issues to work through. But God gave me a very awesome man!!! One that has gently loved me through some very, very rough spots. I knew without a doubt that I loved him, I just didn’t realize how much. Nor did I understand that type of love at all.

We began planning out wedding… the date was set for Feb. 8th, but due to conflict of schedules with the church we planned to use, we had to bump it down to the 22nd. There were so many, many signs God was with us, but I also had to overcome many, many doubts and fears over this time. It was only God who could have carried me through all the emotions and mixed feelings I had surrounding this time.

We looked forward with much anticipation to our wedding day...

...To be continued...

How it Almost Ended...

~Our Love Story~

Part 2

The next month Delvyn started working for my Dad. He went from farming to logging, he was forwarding the wood that my brother had cut. So now I was seeing him many times a week. He would come to our place and then ride to work with my brother. Now & then he even stayed for supper. And as we would spend the evening together, many times I would pander just how God was going to work this all out.

We remained good friends through this time. I did my best to show no favoritism towards him, though there were many times it was hard not to. I was finding my heart was being drawn to this man, who was changing in so many ways, as God was leading his life. I was constantly praying about it… I didn’t want to give my heart to him before it was time. And I still would question that ‘voice I had heard’ in OH. I was doing my best to just trust God through this time of waiting.

Just before Christmas, our Church did some Christmas Caroling to some neighbors and friends. The youth all went together in Delvyn’s truck, much to my delight. And the other guys decided the 2 girls should ride in front. I didn’t mind, we took turns sitting in the middle. And again I had plenty of time to ponder the man beside me. Glimpsing what may lay ahead, I was finding peace in my heart, that God would work it all out.

Then in the end of Jan ’02 beginning of Feb. My family went on a mission trip to Mexico, for a week. Delvyn decided to join us. So he flew down with my brother, while the rest of us drove. I was delighted to be able to spend a week with him, to be able to observe him and watch him interact with people and our family. When you’re together for a week, the true you really comes out. And I found myself liking him more and more. By the time it came to say ‘Good-bye’ at the end of the week. I did NOT want to. On that last ride together, before we parted ways, we sat side by side, not saying a word. I didn’t know what to say and I was scared I’d end up saying more then I should-like what I was feeling and what was in my heart. I don’t know how it was that we sat beside each other-some things just happen. But I could sense he was feeling some of the same things too. It was exciting and scary at the same time. It would be almost a week, ‘til we would see each other again, and it seemed like a long time at the moment.

Soon after coming home, our youth group went to a Bible School program 2hrs away, on a Friday evening. The following day we all went to the Mall of America, for some fun. We all had a great time, until Delvyn told me in hushed tones, ‘I’d like to talk to you sometime’. At first it didn’t bother me, but it didn’t take long and my thinking gears were rolling very fast!!! And at times I was about going nuts. How was I to act?? How was I to know what he was thinking?? Was this it?? Was he actually going to ask me?? Would I get asked to be his ‘special girl‘??

As the day wore on we couldn’t seem to get a chance to be alone, with out being too obvious. We almost had our chance, when all but 3 of us went on a ride. It seemed a few certain people could tell there were ‘sparks’ between us, and they were not about to let us alone for even a few minutes. I was OK with that, as I thought of bricking on a new horizon and it looked a tad scary to me. So we never got to talk that day and I was left to wonder just what it was that he was going to talk to me about.

It gave me a few days to ponder and pray. I tried to just let it all in God’s hands. And for all I knew he was not going to actually ask me, what I thought he possibly would. I tried to prepare myself for that option, but I wasn’t very successful.

We did finally get our chance to talk a week or two later. Delvyn had bought a car, and since we had a Youth Volleyball game that evening, he had stayed for supper. I don’t know how or why it happened that I was allowed to ride with Delvyn to the game. (I normally never got to ride alone with another guy.) I think my brother helped make that one happen. So I knew ‘now’ would be the time he would get to ask me what ever it was that he wanted to talk to me about.

It didn’t take him long to ask me, (I still remember the spot on the road.) though I don’t remember the exact words, it was something to the effect of ’Is there anything special going on between us??’ How was I to answer that one?? If I said ’Yes, there is.’ How would he respond?? I couldn’t lay my heart out there to have him say there wasn’t anything on his part. What if I was misreading all the things I thought were little signs he liked me?? What if he said he didn’t think of me in that way?? I knew I would be hurt. So I answered him by saying ‘I think of you as a really great friend.’ All I heard of his response was, ’I feel the same way.‘ I never heard the rest- ‘But I’m not saying, there never will be more. Just not right now.’ All I knew was that I was crushed!! He didn’t care for me the way I thought.

...To be continued...

How it All Began...

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...Our Love Story...
One night while we lay snuggling and talking in bed, I made mention about ‘Our Love Story’. “Do we really have a ‘Love Story’??”, he asked. “Oh, yes, we do!! It may not be as romantic and exciting as some, but it’s ‘OUR’ Story just the same!!”

The first time I remember meeting Delvyn was way back when I was almost 11. His family moved here from PA, in March of ‘93. I don’t have any first impressions of him, as much as I do his sisters. They both had long, blond hair!! (And still do.) I remember wondering if they were twins and even asked a friend of mine that, as we sat eating lunch in the school cafeteria.

The Sunday following their move, my baby sister was born, on Easter. Our Church went to a neighboring town to Easter Carol in the hospital there. Since my parents were gone, some of my siblings and I rode with Delvyn’s parents. On the way home, my youngest brother fell asleep and of course had to wet himself. I was so embarrassed, we left behind a wet van seat. (Great first impressions!!) But my future Mother-in-law was very kind, gracious and understanding about it all.

In school, I never really cared much for Delvyn. He was a rather ‘Know-it-all’ type of kid. He loved his sports and played ‘by the rules‘!! He was good at basketball, and if you were on his team you had a good chance of winning.
By the time I was 13/14, I had had a crush on him at some point. I don’t really recall, but my brother says I did, so I’ll take his word for it. I do know, by then I had started tolerating his strange quirks. We had even passed notes a few, maybe more then that, while in school.

Soon after I turned 15, my parents began attending a different church an hour away. So our paths split for the next 3-4 yrs. We’d see each other now and then, but didn‘t do anything together. Delvyn’s path went a much different direction then mine. He pursued his own interests and didn’t live for Christ. I attended 6, 1 week Bible Schools, between the ages of 16 & 20. We didn’t have a lot in common.

Some time during my 18th year, a number of area families started gathering together for a Mid-week Bible Study. And Delvyn started attending them. I still didn’t really care for him all that well. He was rather ‘wild and loose’. But there wasn’t a whole lot of youth around to hang out with, so we did do things together, as a youth group. I started warming up to him. But knew I would NEVER ‘like’ him in a special way. For one his life was not centered on Christ and #2 he was a farmer. And I had said from little up, “I will NEVER marry a farmer!!!” I had cousins who lived on a farm and knew how much it tied them down and I didn’t want that for my self.

In Nov. of ‘01 Delvyn, along with 3 other youth boys, went to OH for a week of Bible School. Little did I know this was the beginning of a new chapter for both of our lives!!! At the end of a week of Bible School, the youth have a program, so my Dad, brother and I went down for the week end. I spent the day with my cousin, who lives in the area. And just after supper, she dropped me off at the campus. I hadn’t a clue where to find anyone that I knew. Daddy finally came along and said ‘Hi’, but soon moved on, talking to someone.

I don’t remember where Delvyn appeared from. I just know I felt very relieved to have someone with me that I knew. Even if it was a guy. And even if it was him. I don’t remember saying much. He probably told me he’d help me find a few girls I knew. I was feeling very out of place. I am one who does not like being out of my comfort zone and I never felt so out of it as then!! I had heard ahead of my visit that God had gotten a hold of Delvyn’s life, and it was amazing to see the change within him in the few short minutes that we were together.

While we were walking toward the Chapel, I don’t recall talking a whole lot. But there was one moment I remember VERY, very clearly!! I had this sense of a quiet voice speak into my heart, ‘This is the man I have picked for you to marry one day!!!’

I was immediately like ‘No way!!’ And wondered where this voice/thought had come from. Just my imagination?? It rather scared me. I had never had an experience as such before. I tried shaking it off as some wild thoughts of mine, but just couldn’t.

Once inside the building, I found a few girls I knew and the other guys Delvyn had went down with. I didn’t feel like talking much, to much was now on my mind. We all sat together, for the evening service. Virgil was beside me, but must of left, because Delvyn was soon sitting beside me. And I was still a bit shook up about the whole thing while walking in. And I now felt a bit unnerved sitting beside this guy-who I at one time felt very comfortable around, I could talk to him, and pretty much be myself. ‘What if he could read my thoughts?? What if he heard the same voice, I just had?? What was he thinking about all this??’ I just could not shake the idea that ‘One day I would marry this man I was sitting beside.’

Later that evening some of the youth played Volleyball. I sat on the sidelines and watched the games. I would catch myself watching that one particular guy a lot. And I kept praying, asking God to work His perfect will. At the time I just couldn’t see my self marrying this person I felt He had picked for me. Where would God take me?? And how would He work this all out??
...To be continued...

Valentine Cookies...

We decorated Valentine Cookies one year.

 We didn't get Christmas Cookies decorated, so we decided to do something new.

 And we had a lot of fun!! It was great being creative in a new way. Being able to use purple, pink... ect was a fun change from Red and green, and they tasted just as good!!
What fun, new things, out of the ordinary, have you done for Valentine's??

Linked to Somewhat Simple
Strut Your stuff. There are lots of creative
Valetine ideas there.