Tractor Sunday

Jay had the privilege of serving the Adamsville Parish as their vicar from Aug. 2007 – June 2009.  It was a GREAT experience and the people were and still are so wonderful and welcoming to us. 

Rural life is so much different than living in the suburb.  Some of the daily things we were very intrigued by.  One of the most exciting, and we found very unique, things we were a part of was the Tractor Sunday service.  The members come to service on their tractors.  We got to be a part of it two times while Jay served there. 

The families/kids can also ride in on the hay ride from town, so both years the kids partook in the ride and even brought some “city” friends with them to join in on the fun. 

It just happened that the tractor service fell on the weekend Jay was in Ohio.  So, we ventured to Adamsville and enjoyed some good ole’ company. 

It was a great day!!  First we headed to a family’s farm so Jay’s Dad, Doug, and the kids could get the vehicles they’d be taking in to church.  Jay’s dad drove a Ford tractor while Cassie drove – Zack & Kenzie rode along – a John Deere Gator. 

Here Jay & I are following behind Paul and heading to the church. 

Doug & Cassie pulling into the church driveway. 

I can’t believe I forgot to take a picture of all the tractors lined up in the church yard. 

It was a beautiful sunny day!  The service was held outside in the covered shelter.  There were almost 100 people there.  Which was wonderful because we got to see so many old friends and faces.  The families there will always hold a special place in our hearts.  They are so loving and welcoming and always so hospitable!

After service, we all enjoyed wonderful fellowship with a potluck.  Boy do they know how to have a potluck!!  There is never a shortage of food or variety.  Unfortunately, I could never taste it all because there was always so much to pick from. 

The best part for Jay was his favorite cake.  One of the ladies makes the most wonderful cake and it became a favorite of Jay’s.  She would make it for just about every potluck and any leftovers went home with him.  Even the day we moved out of the parsonage, our last stop in town was her house to get his favorite cake – she made one whole one just for him, and apparently (according to her husband) hasn’t made one since – until this past potluck when she knew Jay was coming. 

After we dropped the vehicles back off to the Johnson’s farm, we spent some time with friends.  Our first visit was with the current pastor who was a classmate of Jay’s at seminary.  It was wonderful to see how she has made the parsonage her home!  Then we spent some time with some dear friends that we acquired while Jay served there.  Thank you so much, Georges, for the great conversations and the infamous rib eyes and Jay’s other favorite thing from Adamsville – Tammi’s cheese ball!! 

I am so glad we had such an opportunity, as a family, to visit with everyone.  

United Way Building in Columbus, Ohio

 

Family Fun

This post, among many others, is well overdue!!!  We have been B-U-S-Y so I have not been as free to sit and update my blog.

We arrived in Ohio ten nights ago – only ten nights ago, really - and when we arrived it was our much anticipated reunion with Bubba.  We were ALL so excited to see her.  Matter of fact, Jay bypassed his mommy to get to his daughter.  We weren’t the only one who was excited to see her . . .

Cassie was so excited too to see her puppy!!

Our reunion took place at my sister-in-law’s over Labor Day.  It was great to see everyone again.  I can’t believe how big these munchkins have gotten! Where does the time go?!?!?!

These three girls are out numbered in the family.

A rare shot of all the cousins together – well except for the one in the oven in California.

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The kids had a great time playing and riding the quad.  They had a great time playing a Nerf gun version of capture the flag with the big boys – um, their dads – and before you knew it they were all soaked!!  Yes, those Nerf guns somehow turned into water guns, cups of water, and oh yeah the hose.  What were you thinking, Jay?!?!  Oh well, they had a BLAST!!

 

Doesn’t she just look like trouble – but she’s still cute and adorable.

Jacob and his “Assie.”

Co-op Friends & Fun Filled night . . . .

Co-op started Thursday with kids having classes from 9:00 a.m. till 2:30 p.m.  There are sixty families in the co-op and great classes offered this fall session.  It was great to see old friends – it was like we have never been gone. 

This is a vital part of our home school experience because it gives the kids a social environment as well as educational opportunities in a classroom setting with their peers.  Our kids are enrolled in literature classes, an anatomy class, a sewing class, a history class, choir, and an art history class.  They will learn so much and gain a much needed experience. 

The co-op also organizes monthly field trips and t(w)een gatherings which are also very important to their academics and social growth.  Being part of such a group is extremely important for us as homeschoolers so the kids get socialization and have abundant opportunities to interact with their peers. 

We had hosted a bonfire in the past and our kids along with others had requested another and they were hoping it could happen while Jay was in town.  Apparently he is a big kid and they don’t mind his presence.  Yes, he is Dad, but he is a cool dad – so I’ve been told.  He is GREAT with kids – of all ages – and he especially can get teens to willingly participate without grumbling!! 

So, Friday night (the night after co-op started) we hosted a t(w)een bonfire.  It was a great night!!  There were thirty-two, yes 32 kids present.  Now this is a night for t(w)eens – 5th gr. and up, but having just returned to town we had a few borderline guests to enjoy in on the fun.  NO ONE seemed to mind – they all played together GREAT!! 

The first hour was more of just hanging out socializing as the kids arrived . . .

Then they ALL gathered together and played Capture the Flag while Jay moderated making sure everyone played by the rules and he instituted jail breaks when needed.

Daniel decided to roast another hot dog while he was in jail.  The guards even served him while he was imprisoned. 

Then the girls decided they wanted war paint for Ghost in the Graveyard, so Alyssa did the application.

While the kids waited for the next game to get started – some where ready to go immediately – others gathered and chatted . . .

while others roasted marshmallows and enjoyed smores!

Many just sat around

and got to know each other.  We were happy to see some of the brand new families join us for the fun!

Before the kids took off to play Ghost in the Graveyard, they gathered together for a group shot.

Some of the boys weren’t around for the group shot so we got them – plus a few others – for another shot.

The girls wanted to show off their war paint!

After running around for quite some time, the kids decided to gather around the fire while Alyssa played Cassie’s guitar.  The kids sang a few lines, chit chatted, and roasted more marshmallows.

It was a great night.  Our kids had a great time with friends.  I want to thank all those families who allowed their kids to come for the evening, and I hope they had as much fun as my hubby.  LOL!!

Only a week . . .

It’s hard to believe we have only been in town for a week today, actually tonight.  We have been going non-stop!! 

We got to town, unloaded the van and got situated as much as one can as a guest in family’s home.  Then it has been go go go ever since . . . Girl Scout troop meeting, cookout with friends, overnights with lil’ Odie, co-op classes, thrift store shopping, t(w)eens bonfire, Tractor Sunday service with a potluck, and more time with friends. 

It’s been a great week.  It was so awesome seeing our niece and nephews, and they weren’t scared of us – they warmed up quite quickly and we had good times.  The time we’ve spent with lil’ Odie has been precious too.  He is adorable and loves his “Assie.” 

Today will be our last full day with Jay.  We are very sad and will miss him, but he has to go back while we stay and help take care of family.  Hopefully he’ll be busy while we are away – I know we will be busy with family and educational opps.

A tiny critter

Okay, we were sitting around the table on my parents’ deck conversing and all the sudden my sister went . . . well, you would have thought something BIG and scary was near.  Don’t get me wrong I would have freaked too if there was something unknown hopping up my leg, in the dark, too!!!  It was tooooo funny . . .

But look how tiny it is.  This tree frog sure could JUMP!! We kept trying to get its picture and he just kept jumping away.  Zack put him inside this outdoor lantern on my mom’s table and we took a few pictures – then he finally sat still long enough on Zack’s finger for a picture. 

My Dad & Chloe

My dad’s dad raised/breed Saint Bernard dogs.  So, my dad grew up with them. When I was a kid we had one too; her name was Penny and I would ride her like a pony. When we’d go over to my grandparents’ house we’d interact with the dogs – so having a St. Bernard only makes sense to me. 

She might be a HUGE dog, indoor dog, but she is the most loving dog.  She has a BIG bark which is very intimidating, but she would rather have you rub her belly than anything else!!  Saints are people dogs – want to be with their people – so where ever we are she likes to be right at our feet.  Sometimes she tries to be a lap dog, but I’m sure you can understand why that is not encouraged. 

I am so thankful that my family let us bring her for our visit – she is almost 6 yrs. old and has never been boarded.  This is the second time she has been a guest in my parents’ house and I think everything went well.  At least her tail – that whipping & wagging thing - didn’t break anything!!!  

My dad got down on the floor with our gentle giant and she made herself comfy.

Hmmm . . . what cha thinkin’?

Thanks Mom & Dad for letting Chloe visit too. 

Never too crowded

There’s always room on the couch . . .

Can you believe it’s been . . .

16 years since our wedding. 

Our family and friends joined us in our celebration which was a simple yet beautiful outdoor wedding. 

We were ahead of the times – we wanted Mickey & Minnie Mouse on our cake and there were no such cake toppers to be found.  We ended up finding these pose able pieces and I’m glad we did as they have become a permanent fixture of our house decor.

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband!!  I know I am not the easiest one to get along with, but I am truly grateful you have put up with me.  I am looking forward to our endless years together.  I love you more than words can express.  OXOXOXOX