Farm Days...

This is what happens when you do not harvest your sweet potatoes in a timely manner...Introducing Heisman Trophy winner ...

...you end up with football-sized sweet potatoes!  We're making a mental note...

Black is movin' in a little closer...now he's enjoying our messy garage...

Handprints...Daniel thought this was a lot of fun!

On our way to Avery Branch Farms on Saturday, we stopped by the Kubota place in Richmond.

We're getting closer to making the big purchase.  Daniel picked out this one.

One of the older kids fixed Daniel this bowl of oatmeal.  I don't think he had even taken a bite yet, and he asked me, "Mommy, can I have a bowl of Cheerios after this?"  A few minutes later, he asked, "What are we having for lunch?"

I think we might go broke feeding this guy!

Farm visit to Avery Branch southwest of Richmond...

Dairy and meat cows

We watched "Farmageddon" up here in the barn's hay loft. 
Now that's a very scary movie.

Connor loved the big tire swing.

Love the lanterns...

Daniel's project at our last CC for the fall semester...Happy Thanksgiving!

*******

"This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."  ~ Ps. 118:24

Help from Ed and his big orange machine...

Scott, Ed, and I were all in the Civil Engineering program at Virginia Tech and graduated together.  Scott occasionally sees Ed at professional functions, but I haven't seen him since maybe graduation?  (1993!)  It was so generous of him to bring his daughter, and his big orange tractor to help us out around the property.

We had let this field go over the summer and it was quite difficult to cut with
our little riding lawn mower now in the fall.  It was a breeze with Ed's Kubota.

I think Scott is becoming convinced that a machine
like this would be very helpful to have around.

I even got a turn!

Ed easily lifted big piles of branches and debris which he moved to our bonfire pile. 
He even pulled the big pine tree rootball over that had fallen earlier on the powerline.

Bonfire with friends....perfect day....

Happy 40th Birthday, Scott....and a visit to Monticello....

This cute little guy has appeared at our back door...no collar...

Daniel's project at CC

Foggy morning...looking out of our front door...

Back view (most famous).  We are so thankful that we have the privilege of visiting
Mr. Jefferson's famous home while studying about his life and times.  Virginia has such a rich history.

Fish pond.  President Jefferson was a BRILLIANT man.  I love his passion for learning.

Another view of the garden and pavilion (and tiller ;-0).

Happy 40th Birthday, Scott!  We bought Daddy bonfire supplies.

The beautiful vegetable and herb garden of Mr. Thomas Jefferson.

CC field trip...Front (entrance) view of Monticello

Side view of this magnificent home after our tour.

Every nation, every tongue...

"Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."  ~ Philippians 2:9-11

So powerful...we prayed with many others as Passion toured the world sharing the Gospel to the nations a few years ago.  We had the privilege of standing in the Olympic Park gymnasium #1 in Seoul, South Korea just 9 days before Passion arrived (it was the day we "got" Daniel - September 22, 2008) and prayed for the Spirit to move powerfully in that place. 

I was so moved and wept for joy as I heard this "world version" of "How Great Is Our God" earlier today -- every tongue and every nation will declare the greatness of God.  Here are some already proclaiming it....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRUBEgdVSzc&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFP4C6aJ5WY

I am so small compared to such a majestic and powerful God who spoke the world into existence.  Yet, He knows my name and yours, He knows even the number of hairs on our heads, He knows our thoughts, and, yes, ...He knows our sins....yet He loves us and Jesus willingly paid the price for our sins.  The cross satisfied the Father's wrath.  He has a plan for each of us (Jeremiah 29:11).  Praise the Lord!  How Great is our God!

Bonfire...

We've been wanting to have a bonfire for a while with my parents...
Sunday was the day.

Burgess and Dino hangin' out.

Dinner -- baked potatoes and hot dogs.

We then enjoyed marshmallows over the fire.  The kids loved it! 

Last door upstairs to prime white - yea!

Dogwoods are beautiful in the spring -- and fall...

Dino thankfully has not knocked down anymore fence...so far...

Burgess is a good boy and seems to love living out here.  He is so comfortable around horses that we think horses were in his "puppyhood".  My sister found him years ago near my parents' river house, so we don't know how old Burgie is.

Humbled that we had to BUY pumpkins this year...
Hoping to grow lots of them next year!

Progress...bookshelves are all painted...now waiting for the
paint to cure before we unpack all of these books!

CC field trip -- Virgina War Museum -- Newport News...
I'm having a very hard time "controlling" Daniel here.
He's completely bored and trying to disassemble this weapon...

Hannah, Daniel (way in the back!), Connor, and Ashley

Ooops...

Aunt Shannie and Daniel...my sister received very serious news after heart testing at Johns Hopkins on Thursday for HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy), a genetic and dangerous thickening of the heart wall.  She will need surgery in the next few months for a pacemaker/defibrillator device similar to my mom's.  She and my parents were supposed to come down to our house for Daniel's birthday, but Shannon didn't feel up to it, so we travelled up to Annapolis.  So glad we did!  Praying for her!!!  God is in the healing and miracle business!  He is so good all the time and no one can thwart His plans and purposes.

Ashley and Tilly

Ashley has now surpassed Aunt Shannie in height!

Gammy (Dawn's mom) and Tilly

Daniel, Tilly, and Hannah

Celebrating Daniel's birthday...and Gammy's...and Shannon's...and Scott's!!!

Off to visit Great-Grandmom (Dawn's maternal grandmother) --
She's 95 years old, doing well, and still insists on living by herself!

We asked her to look out the window and give us a
"thumb's up" sign before we left to indicate that she locked all the doors.

God has great plans for you, Daniel!  Trust Him...

Happy 4th Birthday, Daniel!  A friend just recently told me about adding candles on the birthday cake to remember Daniel's birth mom and foster mom -- we think that's a great idea....Praying for them....Grateful for Daniel...

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."  --- Isaiah 41:10