He Didn't Think That Was Funny...

The first thing I heard yesterday morning...

"I got my armadillo."

This was said with just joyous abandon!

He was thrilled...

over the moon really.

He had shot one before...

and then we had one that was completely destroying our property.

Holes everywhere.

Their holes are really common for breaking people and animal legs...

Anyway, when the kids started tripping in the holes Mark got real serious about trying to find this thing.

He only seems to come out at night...

which limited Mark in his "hunting" time.

But Tuesday night...

He got his armadillo.

He wanted you all to know.

He really did...

He is the proud hunter.

He also wanted everyone to know that it only took one shot...

( the last time was 3... remember?"

So...

I reminded him that that means 2 armadillo...

4 shots.

He didn't think that was funny.

Woodchucks...

How much wood can a woodchuck chuck...

If a woodchuck could chuck wood...

Where Were The Marshmallows?

Sunday was chilly.

After church, the kids department had Family Fun Day.

Everyone had a blast.

They fed us mexican food... yum.

Then the kids played on inflatables.

When we got home, the weather was perfect for getting some jobs done that just can't be done during the hot weather.  Who wants to do anything when it is boiling outside?  Not us!

There was some painting and cleaning up of the outside... which is a huge problem for me.

We all like a little pride in our homes when we drive up, right?

Anywho...

My dad started asking me some questions about our garden next year.

What did I want to plant?

How big did I want to make it?

We got busy talking this over and then took a walk out in the left front field to kind of map out how big we want this thing.

I was told that we would need to mow very slowly through the overgrown brush around the perimeter and then burn the inside.

I guess those boys meant NOW!

Then next thing I knew, Dad was mowing and then as the sun was going down...

the kids came running in to tell me that they were setting the field on fire.

I walked outside with the bigger girls and...

indeed...

fire was everywhere.

But...

it did warm things up a bit!

Mark is seriously having too much fun out there!

The little firebug!

Buck doesn't really care for the fire..

He proved several times why he is named Buck.

Above is Miranda and Sydnee...

my walk around the perimeter of the fire, "garden", partners.

and...

To prove that I actually live here too...

A photo of me at the fire.

It was a fun and productive way to watch the sun go down on a sunday afternoon...

But, where were the marshmallows?

He Loves Me...

There has been so much to do.

Some days, I feel like I do nothing... and that is probably true.

I feel overwhelmed.

I get so much going on in my head that it is hard to move at all.

Other days, I feel like I get a ton of things (even if I am the only one who can see or recognize them) finished and it feels good.

My sweet husband has been very busy.

Besides the little things that I need him to do...

He has bee doing plenty of things that will keep his family safe and warm and fed and...

Well, you get the point.

One of his biggest fears is the firewood.

He and my dad have been hard at work getting those huge logs hauled up here and then chopping it.

The kids have been helping to stack it.

Again...

my back fails me and makes it impossible to do this kind of work.

Thankfully, my family jumps in and gets this work done.

Yes, we could rent a splitter... but where would the fun in that be?

Mark is proud of the muscles he is building by doing it the old fashioned way.

I am proud of anything he does that shows he loves me.

The Roof...

My husband is currently sitting on the roof... pulling the remaining nails out of the contraption.

He has been up there since we walked in the door after church.

Luckilly, some friends from church stopped by and helped toss the last shingles off of the roof.

My hubby is tired and dirty...

but he loves it!

And I love him!

Father's Hands...

A father's hands...

Mark Update...

Mark did great at work yesterday. He was home a little later than usual... and when he came in you could see he was in some pain (expected). He took some pain medication and vegged for the rest of the day. I would say that is a great first day back to work after this kind of surgery!

Fun day...

My sweet man is up and moving around... and heading back to work tomorrow morning.

I am not convinced he is up for this yet... but, he is going to give it a good try at least.

We had a little fun in the back yard today... taking photos and laughing and goofing off and avoiding all of the doggy droppings that the girls haven't picked up today. . . Note to self-- make them do this tomorrow... early.

I played piano for worship this morning and enjoyed it so much. I had forgotten how nice it was to play and not sing. Yes, you heard me right... Not sing. It was so relaxing.

The kids are counting down the days until we start school. We are starting around the 17th. I am ready to get to work... and they are ready to learn.

Hope...

I am awake and the hubby is still at work... so, I am hoping that means he isn't doing more than he should. The doctor wants him to be fully able to lift all of the stuff he lifts... Let's just all believe that he won't overdo it.

Whining...

I've got the kids all ready for church and the older ones are almost ready...

I just don't want to go without my sweet hubby... but I will.

I know, it sounds so silly.

He will be ready to attend church next week... he is getting better... but I am afraid with the crowd, he will get bumped or something... I also don't know if he could sit there through the whole service.

Okay... now I will get over myself and gather my crew and head out.

Thanks for listening to me whine... uggg! I sooo dislike whiners!

**I guess I should clarify... the picture has nothing to do with whining... I just thought I would share.**

update...

I have so much to tell everyone... but it will have to wait until my hubby is back up on his feet. I haven't had much time for things like the computer.

He is doing much better... but admitted to me that he does not foresee being back to work in a week. He thought he would be up and at 'em already... silly boy.

I took him out to a store today... he was feeling cooped up... and he only lasted about 15 minutes or so. Now, he is safely on the couch, resting his owie...

Home...

We finally made it home.

Exhaustion has seriously set in.

My man is in pretty intense pain and he has never been a complainer. He once dropped a transmission on his foot and called me to say he was heading to the hospital because he had cut himself... could I please meet him there. I never guessed I would get there and find out his toe was only hanging on by a small piece of skin.

I have to get him up every 4 hours for pain meds. We aren't supposed to miss a single one for the first 24 hours. We'll see how that goes...

We didn't leave the hospital until almost 9 o'clock tonight. Yikes!! Tired, hungry and ready for the sounds of our little peoples voices...

So glad to be HOME!

Where Am I Today?...

Today is the big day.

My sweet, loving, husband is having surgery. Your prayers would be appreciated. I am sure he will be fine, but prayer never hurts.

I will try to post something when we are home, but incase I don't get to...

I have scheduled a couple of posts so you won't be lonely.

Marks surgery...

Well, Mark's surgery is scheduled for Monday at 11:45.

No, he doesn't get to eat after midnight... so.... I think 11:45 is a little late!

He can't drink even a sip of water and absolutely no gum or mint chewing...

He may not survive.

He will be there until 6 or 7 that evening... I should say we will be there.

He told me I should drop him off at the door and he would call me when he was done... I laughed and laughed. "Sweetie", I said, "I have been your wife for 21 years. Where you go, I go!"

Amen and amen. Then end.

...and because I like the girl and the photo...

Saying Uncle...

Wednesday is the day...

When Ari gets her... even heavier than her splint... cast on.

I am really looking forward to it though. Although the splint makes it really difficult for her to move her leg... the is 2 and has figured it out on occasion. OUCH!

Yesterday, she seemed to be in a little more pain than other days. However, she has figured out how to wiggle around a bit and move or scoot herself about. I think she is moving the leg, even if just a little bit, and it hurts.

I'm telling you, when it rains it pours! Not only do we have Marks hernia surgery scheduled for next week, but he has some major dental stuff going on over the next month... Ari has a broken leg and she is scheduled for surgery in September for a sist that is in her lower eyelid... and then...last night the medium girls came up the stairs to tell me that they had forgotten to inform us that morning that their floor was wet. What do you mean wet? Soaking...

Broken pipe.

So, I had to call Mark at his "man class" and he came home to fix it. I have spent two hours last night and one this morning using the carpet cleaner to get the water up...

Okay, Lord...

I'm saying uncle.

*just a beautiful picture of Aubrey*

Just for Me...

Do you ever wonder what makes you love someone?

I do.

Mark asks me all of the time, "Why do you love me?"

I used to struggle to come up with a really good answer. I would say all of the old lines... you know... how he makes me smile, he loves me, he is funny, smart, cool, you know, babe... right?

As the years have multiplied... and along with the years have come the gray hair (hidden under the lovely boxed color) and some wrinkles have shown their ugly little faces... I have come to understand that I love him... just as he is.

I don't need him to be in the "perfect" mood.

I don't need him to shower me with flowers, gifts, etc.

I don't need him to fix the fence, car, banister, whatever...

I just need him to be himself.

I love you, Mark, because you are the man God chose just for me.

You are my perfect fit.

I love you because you are... you.

Sorry...

I know, I know...


I promised you a post and then flaked on you.


I have a really good reason though, I promise.


Life.


My hubby has been having some tummy issues and they thought it was kidney stones. They ran all kinds of test, told us that was the problem... even though the tests didn't show kidney stones... and the pain wouldn't go away.


Well, finally on Thursday, he found out he has a hernia. So... he will be heading to surgery to fix this hernia next month. The funny thing to me is that when we called the insurance company for preauthorization on the surgery, they told us that it is not an emergency and therefore we can expect authorization within 2 weeks! I laughed. I thought it was so crazy. If any of these people were suffering with this same pain, I guarantee they would find a way to get it done NOW. Oh well, next month it is.

So, I will post pictures of our strawberry adventures on Monday.

They don't know?

They still don't know what is wrong with my hubby.


They think it could be muscle strain? Seriously? After 4 weeks? Are you kidding me?


They think it could possibly be a hernia? But, probably not, unless it is very small...


He is supposed to rest (he won't) for the weekend and see how it is on Monday. If it isn't better they are sending him to the surgeon... Why? I don't know. He didn't ask. I wanted to come with him but he was... embarrassed. I told him that I have bared it all for hundreds of people each time I gave birth to one of his children... I mean, come on... it is like a spectator show for some of these deliveries... but, no... please was his answer.


Pray, Pray, Pray...


I want monday to come and for him to see some real improvement so there will be no surgeon.

Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag...

Mark visits the doctor today... this afternoon... 4 1/2 hours from now.........


He is worried.


I can see it in his eyes... and he has told me.


I love this man, so I worry as well. But... my job for now, is to be postitive and keep him feeling as positive as possible.


This may be nothing... right?


A blog friend reminded me yesterday about Jeremiah 29:11.


God has this all in control.


Amen.

Please Pray...

I love this man.

He is one of those men who downplays every sickness (except a cold... those knock him out... weird, huh?) He will walk around with a broken bones saying that it doesn't hurt or, "I'm fine." You never really know when to take some thing seriously with him. So, for a few weeks, he has been telling me about this pain and I have been begging him to go to the doctor. He finally agreed... which is a miracle all by itself.

They originally thought it was kidney stones, but that wasn't the case. Now, they are sending him off to the urologist to get checked out. He goes to see this guy tomorrow.

Please, keep him in your prayers.