Guess Where We Are...

Does this look familiar?

Or this?

(Why do I see goats where ever I go?)

This picture has got to be ringing some bells.

I mean it's a small world, but.....

We are in Walt Disney World!

The happiest place on earth:-)

And this was the trip that Sarah became a "rollar coaster girl".

She was finally tall enough for Splash Mountain.

And she loved it!

After that she tried Space Mountain.

And she loved that too!

Although "It's a Small World" will still remain a family favorite.

As we go through that ride, it's our family tradition

to name every continent and country represented.

We're such nerds.

Happy Disney nerds, I might add.

7 Years Old

Our Sarah Kate turned 7.

In her exuberance, she climbed on the table

to reach a particular gift she was curious about.

She was happy to unwrap a new coat!

(Down here in South Florida, that there is a winter coat:)

And "down here" I always hope that my kids get a chance to wear their coats.....before they outgrow them.)

Sarah, you are cherished and loved,

by your family and the good Lord above.

Happy Birthday, sweetheart.

Reading the Dictionary

After breakfast this morning,

Sarah decided to read the dictionary.

Albeit, the Children's Dictionary.

It is so much fun to watch her use her new

and expanding reading skills.

I do wince when she tries to read bumper stickers, though.

Some stickers are just not fit to be read aloud.

Especially by a first grader.

Cross Country and Basketball

Ranae is off to a great start in her athletics this year.

Not only did she make the Cross Country team.....

.....but the basketball team as well!

She couldn't be happier.

Her shooting is great, it's just the "traveling"

that her coaches want her to work on.

She has always been fast and right now

her feet are faster than her dribbling:)

Star Girl

Well, my Star Girl got injured.

The vet says we may never know how.

So she is stuck in a stall 24/7 until she heals.

The main reason being her leg can't get wet.

So she's high and dry and munching as much hay as we give her.

My Star Girl turned 24 years old this June

and she has always been an "easy keeper".

In fact, this is the most trouble she's ever been in.

And I don't think there's any danger in her liking the stall

 better than her pasture.

When the time comes to open that stall door wide again,

I'm sure she won't hesitate to run headlong to the wide, open,

GREEN GRASS!

Bananas! (or why I can't buy a Hallmark card with a raccoon on it)

After three failed attempts, and 15 plus years,

we finally have bananas!

I actually squealed with delight when I caught sight of the bunch!

Now I hope we get to eat them.

Like the T-shirt says: 

I'm not a pessimist, just an optimist with experience.

You see, we have several fruit trees on our property.

And when they have ripe fruit.....

we are not the only ones who want to eat it.

The local nightlife, raccoons and opossums mainly,

have cleaned us out many times.

In fact, for the last 3 years that our peach tree bore fruit,

we never tasted a one.

No, not a one.

And because of these farm life experiences,

I cannot bring myself to buy a Hallmark card with a raccoon on it.

Or a mouse, for that matter.

They are not cute no matter how they have been drawn.

I will go so far as to surmise

that no farmer has ever bought a card with a raccoon on it.

Can you imagine Laura Ingalls' mother

in Little House on the Prairie buying such a card? 

No, of course not. 

The same animal that ate her corn, killed her chickens

and then washed his hands in her water trough!

I think not.

And, granted, Hallmark wasn't around then, either.

But I imagine she would have rather shot him!

Not Mr. Hallmark.

I speak of the raccoon.

She would have shot the raccoon!

~ ~ ~

Ahem.

Well. 

I think it might be time to settle down,

and get back to making a joyful noise.

Psalm 100:1

I'm still squealing with delight for bananas!

(And hoping to taste them soon.)