Missing Leela

I haven't posted in quite a while.... so, so much can happen in such a short amount of time. On August 7th my lovely, precious niece, Leela, went home to be with Jesus. We had one crazy week to plan and prepare for a funeral which was held on the 16th and then this past week my dad's family has been here on the farm for vacation. It was much needed fun and appreciated distraction.

Today we went to visit Leela's grave after church. I'd like to post more but due to an early wake-up tomorrow morning I am limited to a few words for the time being.

There's an ice bucket challenge going around on Facebook and I was nominated to participate in it.  Here's a video of my ice water challenge.

The challenge was actually started to raise awareness and funds for ALS, but I chose to donate towards The United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation. You can find out more about them at www.umdf.org or info@umdf.org. I dedicated my ice water challenge to Leela.

Since my dear friend Courtney doesn't have Facebook I'd like to nominate her on here to take part in the challenge! You have 24 hours to do this Court (from the time that you see this...)!!!!!!! =D

All About Jake - Part 2

Can you imagine the first conversation your doctor has with you about your baby being about terminating the pregnancy?

Jake's parents told us that because the ultrasound predicted that he would be born with problems that the doctor informed them that they could get a late-term abortion in Colorado, the most liberal state in regards to pro-abortion policies.

Abortion laws in the U.S. prior to Roe.

  Illegal

  Legal in case of rape

  Legal in case of danger to woman's health

  Legal in case of danger to woman's health, rape or incest, or likely damaged fetus

  Legal on request

Jake was going to be, what some would call, a "likely damaged fetus" due to spina bifida. His parents were mortified by the doctor's information and weren't about to terminate their baby because of some physical defect.

Therefore, Jake was born on March 30th, 2013, and lucky we are that he was, because the loss of such a beautiful soul would have been unfortunate, indeed!

All About Jake - Part 1

Last June we started baby sitting three little boys named Matt, Nate and Jake. They were so much fun to have around. Nellie and Matt are close to the same age so they were good pals, Nate enjoyed helping Paddy out on the farm ...and Jake? Well, he was just good at being cute! Everyone fell in love with Jake right away: His big brown eyes, long 'lashes, rolls of royal chub and winsome smile. So irresistible!

 Here's Jake around last 4th of July.

 Sometime in July of 2013.... look at those eye lashes!

Look at that fat!!!!

 Drinkin' his milk was a sleepy business.

Here's Mr. Jake this past January.

Big cheeks, big eyes, big belly... big baby!

 The boys and I were playin' some crazy tunes!

I would give Jake piano lessons sometimes. :)

 That little smile of his is the best!

 Such cuteness must be sketched... 

...so I sketched a picture of Jake.

 Always such a friendly guy!

 Jake and I takin' selfies to send to Courtney!

In the Winter one must take lots of naps.

 Sporting a mohawk is so much fun!

Just this past weekend the family moved to Oregon. So. Far. Away. We're not exactly sure how we are going to live without getting to hold our little man. ...yes, we've grown quite fond of his cuteness. The family promises to come visit when they are in the area visiting their relatives and I can hardly wait!

Until then pictures will have to do...

Tok Pisin

The official language of Papua New Guinea is Tok Pisin or "Pidgin English". It's amazing how different and yet very similar the language is from ours. I was looking at the Tok Pisin/American English comparison of The Lord's Prayer and it was pretty cool:

Papa bilong mipela
Our father,
Yu stap long heven.
who art in heaven,
Nem bilong yu i mas i stap holi.
hallowed be thy name.
Kingdom bilong yu i mas i kam.
Thy kingdom come,
Strongim mipela long bihainim laik bilong yu long graun,
thy will be done
olsem ol i bihainim long heven.
on earth as it is in heaven.
Givim mipela kaikai inap long tude.
Give us this day our daily bread,
Pogivim rong bilong mipela,
and forgive us our trespasses
olsem mipela i pogivim ol arapela i mekim rong long mipela.
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Sambai long mipela long taim bilong traim.
Lead us not into temptation,
Na rausim olgeta samting nogut long mipela.
but deliver us from evil,
Kingdom na strong na glori, em i bilong yu tasol oltaim oltaim.
for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, now and forever.
Tru.
Amen.

The 6th Annual Redneck Hay Wagon Dance!

Well, this past weekend was a blast! It was a bit windy on Saturday and a bit overcast, but this worked out well because no one was too hot and we didn't have to worry about sunscreen. Last year we had a really good turn out of people and this year it was just my family (which includes my siblings families) and my friends Sandy's siblings and their family! It was actually nice to have a small group because we could just chill and have a good time, and it was like the good old days, since we always spend every holiday together before our families grew so big!
Anyway, here are some pictures of the fun:

Anyway, we ended the night with a bang you could say.... or a few fireworks! ;) Thanks to Rob for buying some! I think everyone had a great time and we're all looking forward to the next Redneck Hay Wagon Dance!!!! Cheers!!! :)