What are Pop and Grammy up to?

Working on the farm house, of course!

They have been too busy to blog and I have been taking over the world with all of our moving/new house drama.

So here they are.  In all their glory.  Living the dream.

P.S. In a month or so I will launch a new blog and leave Four Sisters Farm for Grammy.  Don't worry, we can all continue to post here as well. 

The AC Saga of 2011

We moved in over Memorial Day weekend.  The weather got extremely hot shortly after we moved in.  The AC unit was not keeping up. 

So, we called our home warranty company.  They assured us that they would send someone out. 

A few days later a repairman came and "charged" the AC unit. 

A day or two later it was not working again. 

We called the warranty company again. 

They sent someone out a few days later. 

The repairman discovered a broken part.  So, he ordered said part.  He told us it could be several days for the part to arrive. 

Several days later, the part was shipped...to the wrong town. 

Finally the repairmen had the part in their possession.  They called to see if they could come out a few days later.  We informed them that we would be out of town.  Could we do it as soon as we returned?  No, they couldn't put it on the books.  The scheduler would have to call us.  EJ gave the scheduler our cell phone number and asked them to PLEASE call us and set up a time ASAP.  No call.  When we returned we called and got on the schedule two days later. 

Today is that day.

The AC saga of 2011 was supposed to be over today.

Unfortunately, when the repairman arrived he discovered that he did not have the correct part.

EJ and I are so done with this. 

EJ called our warranty company and explained to them what a terrible experience this has been.  He asked them to expidite the part or lower our out of pocket amount or both.

They agreed to expedite the part.  Win.

They agreed to refund our service call fee.  Win.  (we still have to pay our part of the repair)

Then he called the AC repairmen and asked to be put on the schedule ASAP.  We are still waiting for a confirmation on that one.

Praise the Lord this house has two AC units.  We can sleep in comfort.  However, we cannot cook, eat, do laundry or entertain in comfort.  On house work days I literally sweat all day long.

I do not want to be a big whiner.  There are much bigger more important issues in this world.  I am just tired of being hot.

I notice I am a little grumpy in this heat.

Hmmm....perhaps that is why EJ is a little more likely to work evenings.  :)

Country Dogs turned Town Dogs

Huckleberry and Daisy are farm dogs.  We got them from a local shelter as puppies three years ago.  The 40 acre farm is all they have known.

When we moved to town we knew there might be some adjustment difficulties.

The good news: they don't bark very much.

The bad news: they like to escape from our backyard.

First it was a gate latch issue.

EJ fixed that.

So, Huck and Daisy found a new way.

They gnawed on the wood gate until they could escape.

One would assume that they are headed out to live exciting lives.  You know, sow their wild oats and all that. 

Nope, they just get out and then go sit on our front porch. 

Weirdos.

Four Sisters Play Date

Today was a good day. 

I spent it with these women. 

We don't all get together was much as we would like.  Life gets in the way. 

DW and Pretty Princess hadn't been to my new house yet so this play date was way overdue.

We drank some coffee and ate some tasty food. 

We talked and laughed.

We just enjoyed being together.

The kiddos had fun cousin time.  We were just missing Lou Lou.  She had her own commitments today.  We missed her sweet face.

The babies waited until everyone was done with lunch and then they joined forces.

They may be naughty but they sure are cute!

P.S. Grammy we hope you had a good day with your friend today but your presence will be mandatory at the next play date. :)

Father's Day Funny

The cowboys and I got EJ a really cool tie for Father's Day (with our favorite college team on it).  We actually bought it over a month ago. 

This morning the boys and I made EJ breakfast and put his tie in a really cool gift bag.

When breakfast was ready, I had the boys go wake their Daddy up.

When we all gathered at the table it was time for EJ to open his gift.

Before he could open it, Bubba said, "Hey Dad, do you want a tie?"

So much for surprises. 

Silly boys!

Happy Father's Day to all!

Wisdom

Sometimes life is tricky.

Sometimes navigating a semi-open adoption is really tricky.

Sometimes knowing what to do next is overwhelmingly tricky.

I am so grateful that God's word says this...

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."

James 1:5

Father, give us wisdom.

A PF Chang's Memory

Last night EJ and I had a tasty Anniversary dinner at PF Chang's.  (Thank you to my sweet girlfriends who gave us the gift card!)

While we were enjoying the delicious Lettuce Wraps and Kung Pao Shrimp, I reminded EJ of a special PF Chang's memory.

April 26th, 2007...my due date with Wubba.

I was one swollen, emotional, exhausted pregnant woman.

I was feeling sorry for myself.

I wanted this baby out!

Since it didn't look like he was coming anytime soon.  I asked EJ to take me, Grammy and little Bubba to PF Chang's.  If I couldn't get my baby tonight could I at least get some tasty Chang's?

EJ said, "sure."  Anything for the crazy pregnant lady.

That afternoon, while Grammy watched Bubba, I started getting ready for dinner.

While I was showering I starting having some crazy contractions.

Then all the sudden...POP!  My water broke.

Do you know what my first thought was, "Oh no, now I'm not going to PF Chang's for dinner!"

What is wrong with me?

Needless to say we went to the hospital and not to PF Chang's.

EJ's folks brought me some delicious Chang's to my hospital room the next day.

A new baby and a tasty dinner.

Life was good.

wedded bliss

Today EJ and I celebrate 9 years of wedded bliss.

You are laughing already, right? 

Honestly, who made up the phrase "wedded bliss"? 

Clearly they were never married.

Marriage is messy. 

It takes tons of commitment, prayer and WORK.

You have to compromise and fight and grow.

The process can be painful at times.

Honestly, EJ makes me crazy and I make him crazy.

Like I told you in our love story, Grammy often uses the phrase, "iron sharpens iron" (Proverbs 27:17) in regards to marriage.

That makes EJ and I a very SPARKY couple.

You know what? 

Sparky can be kind of fun.

We are both passionate people who have a lot of spunk.

The passion comes from a deep love for one another.

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins."

1 Peter 4:8

Good thing because we are two imperfect people.

The goal will never be perfection.

The goal will be transformation.

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Romans 12:2

I know that God uses our marriage to grow us. 

I know I have a lot more growing to do.

But today is about celebrating the adventure so far.

It has been an amazing 9 years!

I am beyond blessed by EJ. 

I am so proud to be his wife. 

I am so grateful that God gave him to me.

Happy Anniversary to the love of my life!

Thank you for loving me at all times.

Thank you for forgiving me when I need it.

Thank you for bringing indescribable joy to my life.

Thank you for laughing with me.

Thank you for dreaming with me.

Thank you for choosing me.

I love you like crazy.

Even when we make each other crazy.

May we be blessed with many more years to celebrate our anniversary!

Welcome...

Our new place has a beautiful entry. 

We just love the light fixture and the big door.

I purchased this piece of art from the previous owners.  Do you remember that I told you they were an adoptive family?  The Momma painted this verse while they were waiting for their daughter to come home from China.  I wanted it to be in a prominent place while we wait for the rest of our children to come home.

It makes me smile every time I read it.

Dirt Shirts

My Mother-in-law returned from a work trip to Arizona last week.  She brought with her some souvenirs for the boys.

Red Dirt Shirts.

EJ and I watched an episode of Dirty Jobs about the making of these shirts.  It was really neat to watch.

There are special directions for these shirts.

Wash them first by themselves in cold water.

Did that.

Then I dried them.

The dryer buzzer went off.

I opened the door and discovered...

my BRAND NEW DRYER was a lovely ORANGE color!

Seriously.

Come on!

It didn't say anything about not drying them.

Geez.

Several magic erasers later...

The dryer is mostly white again.

Mostly.

In honor of big transitions in life

Moving away from Four Sisters Farm felt a lot like when I left for college.  I was so excited but also sad to be away from my family. 

Rock Star wrote me a poem before I left that fall.  I laughed my head off when I found it while unpacking last week.

It was written in 1998.  She was 15 and I was 18. 

If You Stay Here With Me...

I'll let you listen to your Judds tape and even let you sing along,

and once in a blue moon I'll admit when I've been wrong.

I promise I'll try my hardest just to make you smile,

and maybe make you laugh but only every once in a while.

I'll tell you you're a goddess and remind you how beautiful you are,

and I promise not to ask anymore if I can drive your car.

I'll wake you up every morning with breakfast in bed,

and if you want I'll paint your toenails with the very brightest of red.

I'll run you some warm bath water just so that you can relax,

and while you're working hard at that I'll make you some yummy snacks.

I'll listen to your stories and pretend that they are true,

even if everyone knows you made up at least a few.

I think it's fair to warn you what will happen if you leave me,

I'll shut you in my closet and never let you free!

You probably think I'm joking and this poem is pretty cute,

but I'd really hate to see you end up blind, deaf or mute.

So to make things easier just stay right where you are,

because I love you and I'd miss you if you traveled very far.

I'm just sayin...

Little Q's sippy cup.         Mommy's sippy cup.

Hot Mess

Bad news: the air conditioner in our new house quit working. 

I am literally a hot mess.

Good news: we have a home warranty that will hopefully cover a new one. 

Praise the Lord!

This was NOT what I had in mind...

...when I asked for a big table with mismatched chairs.

I will be SO excited when the big table is finished.  I better get busy finding, sanding, painting and recovering 16 chairs.

The new, new house!

Wubba sings the song, "Big House" in reference to our new house.  He likes to say, "new, new house" instead.  So cute. 

You can see the video of the song here.

These are the lyrics...

Big House

I don’t know where you lay your head

Or where you call your home

I don’t know where you eat your meals

Or where you talk on the phone

I don’t know if you got a cook

A butler or a maid

I don’t know if you got a yard

With a hammock in the shade

I don’t know if you got some shelter

Say a place to hide

I don’t know if you live with friends

In whom you can confide

I don’t know if you got a family

Say a mom or dad

I don’t know if you feel love at all

But I bet you wish you had

Come and go with me

To my fathers house

Come and go with me

To my fathers house

It’s a big big house

With lots and lots a room

A big big table

With lots and lots of food

A big big yard

Where we can play football

A big big house

Its my fathers house

All I know is a big ole house

With rooms for everyone

All I know is lots a land

Where we can play and run

All I know is you need love

And I’ve got a family

All I know is your all alone

So why not come with me?

Obviously our new house is not the same thing as Heaven but we sure do feel blessed!

Check out these pics of the boys enjoying the swing set.

Even their Daddy got in on the action.

I know you are all waiting for pics of the inside of the house.  But I'm just not ready yet!  I finally got furniture delivered on Thursday and honestly, I haven't even taken the tags off.  Life is crazy.  I promise to get things in order soon and take some pics.

Do I have something on my face?

Moving Day!

EJ backed the 'ol moving truck right up to the front door.

The cowboys had to play in the empty truck.  They stopped running around long enough to pose for this picture with Pop and Grammy.

Doesn't it look like Grammy should be saying, "Ya'all come back now, ya hear!"

We had an awesome moving crew! 

My favorite chair was sitting in the perfect location.  I could sit on my throne and direct my minions to do my bidding.  Hee Hee.

We paid our crew in doughnuts for breakfast and pizza for lunch. 

Thank you to everyone for getting us moved in!  Also, a big thank you to Aunt Rock Star who watched the cowboys that morning!

I wasn't kidding