A New Stage in Life

I am officially the mother of a college student! I can't believe it! When did all that happen?

I've had a really disappointing weekend. I really wanted to go and see what kind of pad Austin was gonna end up with...instead, I'm having to settle for pictures of his dorm.

He's having a great time meeting new people and being on his own. I really am happy for him...but part of me knows that it'll never be the same again. And that makes me sad. I wish I could've gone with Adam to take him. Maybe it's better that I didn't.

There are new things to look forward to. Like...Alex is going to get an interview with the Manager at Chick-fil-a! He's been wanting a job for a while. This might be his chance. Then he can get his drivers license too. That's the deal, no license until you have a job.

And Aaron! I can't believe he's 6th Grade already! Man, time flies. We will enjoy school together this year. Alex is taking some classes and Austin is gone. That will leave time for Aaron and I to "hang out" while we learn together.

So, all in all...life will be different. But, I still have three boys that I love. No matter where they are...they will always know that they are loved! I thank the Lord everyday for them. I'm blessed to be called their mother.

That was the nastiest job EVER!

I guess it happens to everyone. But after smelling this weird...permeating smell for a couple days...and not being able to figure out where it is coming from...we found it! UUUUUUGGGgggggghhhhhhhh!

Yeah...you know that feeling...the one that makes you want to...how shall I say it...PUKE!!! Well, I had that feeling this evening. For whatever reason the refrigerator downstairs decided to quit working right. Yeah...the freezer decided NOT to freeze the food in it anymore.

So, sometime between last Wednesday (which was the last time I was in there) and Saturday...all the meat and "stuff" that was stored in it thawed out...and began to rot! YYYYYUUUUUCCCCCCKKKKKKKK!

At least there were no maggots...I guess it could have been worse. But I don't think I'll be able to get that image out of my mind for a while! Yikes!

My thanks to Adam for helping me clean it up!

Anyone want a refrigerator that doesn't work???

My Beautiful Barn Window

This is "home" in South Dakota. My Great-Great-Grandfather homesteaded this farm in 1874. The Homestead is nearly 140 years old, and the barn has been threatening to fall for many years. In an effort to "save the window" from breaking as the north side of the barn continues to slide off it's foundation, I, with the help of my Mom and Step-Dad, removed it and put it in storage until a time when I would be able to bring it home to Alabama with me.

Who would've thought that a nearly one-hundred year old barn window could be classified as Beautiful! Take a look for yourself! You decide!



I've had this barn window in storage for 5 or 6 years now and this past spring I was finally able to bring it home! Another disadvantage to living 1100 miles away. I had to wait until I had room in my vehicle to bring it home.

When we travel back to South Dakota we always stop in Springfield, MO. The home of Adam's parents. This past spring, I dropped my barn window off with Adam's mom. I asked her if she would use her artistic gifts to paint something on the glass. My idea was maybe some ivy or flowers or something. Who would've thought she would have made it so beautiful.

The most impressive part of this artistic project though...is that when you look at the window...you first see through the glass to see the painting behind it. So, instead of painting the background first and "growing" the scene from the back forward...she painted the front first and painted the layers going backward. Yes, she painted the scene on the "back" side of the window!

I think you'll agree, it turned out BEAUTIFULLY!!! Thank You So Much Lou Anne! You've made an old sentimental barn window even more precious to my heart! Thank you for reaching out, accepting me and loving me, making me a part of your family! I am blessed and privileged to call you my Mother-in-law!