Mama's Breakfast Buddy

Micah and I started the day just right....we knew we had some serious shopping ahead of us (well....not really serious.....but shopping, none-the-less), so we decided to get our strength up with a VERY yummy bagel.

Mocha-chip bagel. from Panera's.

Micah apparently likes his mocha-chip bagel with EXTRA cream cheese, as evidenced by his double (and triple) dipping!!

What an absolute blessing to have such a fun breakfast with my "littlest" man.

Welcome Home, Sparkles!!!

Oh happy day!! Sparkles arrived safe and sound on Saturday!!

So far, she seems to be doing well. She has been VERY patient with us, as we learn all we can about taking care of a HORSE!! All 3 kids are abolutely LOVING her!!

Friday's Funny

They're gonna do WHAT?????

Please pray for me tomorrow! My parents just told me that I am having something called a circumcision bright and early tomorrow morning!?!?

What kinda way is THAT to start your day? and I don't even get breakfast???

Meet "Ace"

Ace wandered into our driveway....and into our lives...almost 2 weeks ago. To be honest, I didn't really think he had much of a chance...but the little guy seems to be doing quite fine now. The kids have had fun changing his "habitat" every so often, and Erica did some research on the internet to help us all know a little more about our newest "pet." (And actually, I forget, maybe she told me that "Ace" was a girl????)

The biggest problem that I have with Ace is that he (?she) keeps hiding. Can you find him (?her...for goodness sakes, IT!!) in that picture? Every once in a while, I walk up to take a peek and can't locate Ace....at which point I am convinced that I will feel a little snap on my toe at any moment!!!

Oh the joy!

Maybe I should say "Hi" or something!?!?

We are still here...
we are all well....

I have been a major blog-slacker lately.
But thought I would just shout a quick "hello" to those faithful few of you that continue to check in.
Don't give up on our blog just yet.....

Getting back into the swing of things.

"First Day of School" cake....hard to believe.
And that was 4 days ago!!
Goodness. Time flies.

The first week of school is under our belt. Erica started 5th grade and Brock started 8th grade. They both seem to like their teachers, classes and schedules. Brock is playing tennis and Erica will start volleyball on Monday.

As for Micah...he has been busy finding other play-mates now that "bub and sissy" are back in school...



Have a great weekend. Hopefully the new routine we settle into will include more blog time for mama!!!!

Three things that you just don't see everyday!!

My garage...COMPLETELY cleaned out. Fresh paint. Painted floor. The works. Look close....it will probably never look this way again.



Mega-movers on 700 West. Yep...that WAS our mini barn.


Me....on the end of a rope swing.....

It's FAIR WEEK!!!

We will be having a BUSY week around here!!

Erica finished her cake last week...isn't it awesome??!! The judge liked it, too!!


Saturday the kids were busy getting their goats ready....washing, shaving, pep-talks, etc.....



Today was the goat show.
Brock and Erica have learned sooooooo much since last year. It was fun to watch them show with more confidence (and more fun!) this year.



They actually had to show "against each other" in the same class with their does.


And little brother???? Well......I would say he was pretty proud, wouldn't you???


As far as the rest of the week....
Brock will show his 2 hogs in the swine show on Wednesday.
The livestock auction is Thursday (Erica will sell one of her goats. Brock will sell one of his hogs.)
I, personally, will not be showing anything.....however, I WILL be busy trying to track down the following: 1 elephant ear, 1 funnel cake, 1 batch of deep fried veggies, and 1 large milkshake!!! My goodness! Mama has GOT to get busy on the fair food!!

Flowers, A Hero and A Bug Scientist

Some days at the office are difiicult.

And then are days like today.....

About 2 seconds after walking in the door, I noticed a vase full of flowers...a very sweet gift from a family that has had a very, very rough road to travel over the past 4 years. The simple thank you note spoke volumes.

Then there was the 7 year old boy who had the cut on his head. As I was using Dermabond (the skin superglue) to put "humpty dumpty back together again", his mom told me that daddy was getting ready to go overseas again...back to Iraq....he flies a med-evac helicopter. I VERY CLEARLY remember how daddy was in Iraq 3 years ago, too, when their twins were born. At first I wasn't sure what to say....and then I looked that boy square in the eye (through the tears that were forming in MY eyes, not his) and told him how his daddy was one of my heroes. He said "Really?" and I said "YES! Because he is so brave and strong and is going to help save people!" The look on the mom's face spoke volumes.


Then there was the little boy in for his 6 year check-up. I couldn't help but remember the day his mom first walked into my office with a picture of him from Russia...."Does he look healthy?? We are adopting him." Today he told me how he and his mom were looking at the "ear chart" on the wall while they were waiting for me. I said "Wow! Did you learn something? Are you ready to be a doctor now?" To which he promptly replied..." Well, actually, no. I plan to be a bug scientist." ACTUALLY? PLANS? BUG SCIENTIST? And then he went on to enlighten me on the chemicals that mix in a lightning-bug's tail to make it light up at night. Did I mention that he was 6?? I think I smiled for 2 hours after that. That little BOY spoke volumes!!


Some days at the office are difficult.
And then there are days like today!!

An update...

My mom is recovering well. I don't think she realizes how far she has come in just a week.
So far...no complaints from my dad. Apparently our care of him is "adequate".

In other news....
---We are busy completing 4-H projects. The county fair is next week.

---We have moved Sparkles to a farm MUCH closer to home. Now she is just 5 minutes away. We will be able to see her more often, and we hope to be ready to bring her home in a couple of months.

---The fried green tomatoes abound.

My blogging has been spotty lately...too busy living life, not enough time to blog about it. It reminds me of a quote that I read a couple of months ago (I apologize, I forget where I saw it) that really spoke to me:

"A warning: This glowing screen is not reality, only a pale reflection of it.
Blogs can be interesting, uplifting, nourishing, but they are much like television;
time consuming to look at, and time consuming to create.
Remember to turn off this electric box and live what really matters."

So true.
I love blogging!! And I am so blessed,encouraged, and nourished by the blogs of several other Christian women. But sometimes, I just have turn off this electric box and "live what really matters."

Praise Report

Thank you for your prayers.
Mom's surgery went VERY well. The surgeon said it literally could not have gone better. He used a new device to get the spine into "near perfect alignment"...so, I think that is definitely an answer to prayer!

Don't stop now....
Please keep praying. Mom is in quite a bit of pain, and it will be a long road to full recovery.

Go God!!

A prayer request...

My mom is having back surgery tomorrow.

Will you please join us in praying for her. ---that her surgery would go well. ---that her recovery would be quick. ---that her pain would be gone.

And while you are there on your knees.....please for my dad, also. My mom does SO much for him (he has Parkinson's disease) and she will not be able to do any lifting, twisting, or bending for a couple of months. When he realizes that he is now dependent on the next generation....well.....I am sure he will be a little nervous. (Relax, dad, I've forgotten all about those times you grounded me!) Pray that we do a good job for him!

We so appreciate your prayers.

a MUST read

Read it. You must.

Redeeming Love. by Francine Rivers.
I do not think I have ever been so wrapped up in a novel...ever. You absolutely should take my word when I tell you that you MUST read this book.

Go to the library to check it out, or go to your local Christian book store, or go online to order it....I don't care how you get it, but get your hands on it soon and start reading. You won't regret it.

And then you just HAVE to let me know when you are done, so we can chat about it!!

Happy July 4th!!

God bless America,
Land that I love,
Stand beside her and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above;

From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans white with foam,
God bless America,
My home, sweet home.
God bless America,
My home, sweet home.

One year ago today....

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
is God in his holy dwelling.
God sets the lonely in families...
Psalm 68:5

I have started to write this post several times...but the words just don't seem adequate.
I keep trying to describe the joy that fills my heart today...but the words just don't seem adequate.

One year ago today, in an orphange in Guatemala City....we walked into a room of sleeping babies....and woke one of them up. The little wide-eyed baby boy that I pulled into my arms could have never imagined how his life was about to change...and neither could we.

I sit here and write this with tears in my eyes as I remember that day....July 2, 2006...."Gotcha' day".... I have spent the last hour looking at pictures and remembering how amazing it was to finally have Micah in our arms (Click on the July archives, and you can re-live it, too!!) . I will never forget walking into that room at Hannah's Hope...waking him up...saying good-bye to his special moms....riding in the van to our hotel...Micah was instantly in love with his new brother and sister....Brock and Erica were FINALLY getting to hold the little brother they had been watching grow up on videos (sent to us monthly from the orphanage). Chad and I marveled at how God's plan and perfect timing had delivered this baby...our son.... into this family.

It was overwhelming to me then....AND IT STILL IS TODAY.

God has blessed us beyond our wildest imagination.

I remember posting 1 Corinthians 2:9 from our hotel in Guatemala...."No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him." I mentioned in that post, that we had a 1 Cor. 2:9 day. Well, if that was a 1 Cor. 2:9 day....then we have had a 1 Cor. 2:9 year!!

Heavenly Father,
We are so grateful. Thank you.

A "simply" beautiful weekend!!

Have you ever had one of those vacations that you feel like you need a vacation to recover from??? (We sure have!!).....WELL....I am happy to say that this weekend was NOT one of them!!

Chad and I had a WONDERFUL time in Amish Country this weekend. We spent hours just driving the countryside....marveling at the beauty of God's creation, appreciating the Amish culture, and talking (lots of good talking time). It was the perfect way to spend a long weekend.

Perhaps later this week I will post some more pictures, and share some of the things we "took away" from our trip...but for tonight I think I will just let it all soak in.

We're Outa Here!!

Chad and I will be celebrating our 15th anniv. with a get-away trip this weekend to Amish Country in NE Ohio !!

I am SOOOOOOOOO looking forward to some R&R with my hubby!
Given that we leave in less than 12 hours, I better get packing, don't ya' think!!!!????

"Well, no wonder!!"

I realize that this post may reveal that I am slightly obsessive....but can I just linger on the Fried Green Tomato topic a little longer???

Today Chad was home for lunch, so I asked him to show me how he makes those FGT's taste soooooooooooooooo yummy. And here is what he showed me (Stacy, I think this technically counts as posting a recipe, doesn't it???):

1.) Slice the green tomatoes (the thinner, the better).
2.) Mix some flour with a little season salt, garlic salt and pepper on a plate.
3.) Coat the tomatoes in the flour mixture (the thicker the better).
4.) Fry them in a skillet with LOTS of butter.
5.) Keep frying them (the slower the better) until they are golden brown and just slightly crispy on the outside.

So, it was right there on step #4 that I had my "Well, no wonder they taste so good" moment! I mean, seriously, LOTS of butter!!!!

At some point in the "adding more butter" process, I asked Chad to never, ever, ever, EVER have me make these again....I liked them so much better before I knew how BAD they were for me!! (Aren't tomatoes loaded with anti-oxidants, though??) So from here on out, Chad will be making the FGT's ....and each time I am devouring them, I will just imagine that he probably made THIS batch with much less butter!

Ignorance is sometimes bliss.

Yummmmmy!! Fried Green Tomatoes!!

At long last!!

And can I just mention that Chad (who doesn't even like this yummy delicacy) is the ULTIMATE fried green tomato chef!?!? He makes them better than I have EVER been able to!!

Just one more reason to be thankful for my man!

=) Happy Weekend!

Fifteen years...and it gets better every day!!

This is my beloved, this is my friend...
Song of Solomon 5:16

Like father, like husband.

He is the most amazing dad.
He loves to laugh and tell stories.
He is one of the strongest men I know....physically and emotionally.
He loves his children deeply.
He sacrifices daily for his family.
He loves sports and bluegrass music.
He is a "fixer."
He has a servant's heart.
He is rich in true friendships.
He is a role model.
He is a protector.
He has a work ethic like I have never seen in another man.
He has my utmost respect.

They say that when a girl is looking for a husband, she looks for someone with the traits of her father.
My heart explodes with gratitude as I realize how this played out in my own life....the list above describes both my father and my husand....and that list is just the tiniest tip of the iceberg!!

Today is a day to celebrate dads.
Today I am thankful for a dad who I love very much.....and I am thankful for a husband who I love very much.

I am blessed beyond measure by both of these men.

Happy Father's Day, Chad. I love you.
Happy Father's Day, Dad. I love you.

To which she cried....

Cruising along this morning. Music up loud. Loving the "Glory Revealed" album (more on that later).
And then there was this...

Song #9. Restore to Me.

"Restore to me the joy of your salvation
Restore to me the wonders of your love..."


Over and over again today it has been in my head.
Over and over again today it has been on my heart.
Psalm 51.

And my earnest, tearful prayer today is this....
Restore to me, Lord, the joy of your salvation. Restore to me the wonders of your love. Restore to me the passion for your Word. I want more of you, Lord. And less of everything else.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Psalm 51:12

It baffles me, really.

It is beyond my understanding.
When I think about sometimes, my brain gets "foggy."
I just can't fathom.

We are just so SMALL.....and yet we matter so much.

Seriously. Have you ever thought about it?? Have you ever trully thought about what a tiny tiny tiny speck in the universe we each are? Have you ever thought about how amazingly awesomely humongous and beautiful our entire universe is? Have you ever just considered how much is out there beyond the stars?

I mean, our planet is big and beautiful beyond words...and yet our planet is like a speck of dust in the bigger scheme.
It baffles me.
Go to the NASA website and check out some of the pictures. It will baffle you, too. Or better yet, check out this video....




There is so much out there. So many things that are bigger and more beautiful than I am.
God made them all.
And yet He likes me best. And of course YOU, TOO!
He likes us best.

Amazing.

O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
above the heavens.
From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?
You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet:
all flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the field,
the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.
O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
PSALM 8

Thanks, "sssssss" (Sis)

Be Still My Heart!!

Yesterday I noticed this in the garden.....



I gave serious thought to having my first FRIED GREEN TOMATO of the season....despite the fact that it is only about the size of a ping pong ball!!! I have heard that tomatoes actually turn red at some point...but I wouldn't know....I like to pick um' and fry them up GREEN!

Seriously, I can't wait!!! Despite the 40 mph winds yesterday, the tomato crop is looking good! I think there may be some other things growing out there, too (lettuce, beans, corn, watermelon...etc) but I couldn't even tell you.....because my eyes are on these babies!

The LORD will indeed give what is good,
and our land will yield its harvest.
Psalm 85:12

Flurry

flurry |ˈflərē; ˈflə-rē| noun ( pl. -ries) a small swirling mass of something, esp. snow or leaves, moved by sudden gusts of wind : a flurry of snow. • a sudden short period of commotion or excitement : there was a brief flurry of activity in the hall. • a number of things arriving or happening during the same period : a flurry of editorials hostile to the administration.


That's it....a number of things arriving during the same period.
The following 5 posts would certainly fit the definition of a "flurry"...things that happened over the past week or two...that are now appearing as a "Timmons Family Blog Update Flurry"....I guess I have been too busy to post?!?

Puddle Play --- June 4

We are so thankful for the rain....our yard, and flowers, and garden all need it so badly!

And Micah has obviously overcome his aversion to raindrops!!!

Cousins!! --- June 2

It was so fun to watch Micah and Faith play together this weekend. As I look at this photo, I can't help but remember the number of prayers and tears that paved the roads that brought these cuties home!!

A Belated Birthday Party --- June 1

Swimming in the pond.
Pizza.
More swimming in the pond.
4 HOURS of swimming in the pond!!!!
Ice cream and cookies.
Flicka.
Pancakes and sausage in the morning.

Erica's 10th birthday party was great fun....even for mom and dad - who were very thankful for 6 polite, respectful, sweet, funny, giggly girls!!!!

Last Day of School 2007!!! - May 31

Summer vacation is here!!!! The "Last Day of School Cake" was a big hit.....a family tradition!

Sparkles!!! --- May 22

You will be seeing more of this girl in the future! Erica says, "She is the best horse we have ever had!!!" (Sparkles is, of course, the ONLY horse we have ever had). We are hoping to bring Sparkles home soon!

We Remember....

On this Memorial Day weekend...we are reminded to honor those who have given their lives for our country... and pray for those who have lost loved ones.
Our family is so proud of those who are defending our freedom today! We are thankful for their service!!
It is such a blessing to live in America...thanks to the many men and women who have sacrificed!!

We also remember the ultimate sacrifice that was made for freedom....the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to free us from sin and bondage! ....It is for freedom that He set us free......

We are a blessed people!!!!

Favoritism

Favoritism \Fa"vor*it*ism\, n. [Cf. F. favoritisme.]
The disposition to favor and promote the interest of one
person or family, or of one class of men, to the neglect of
others having equal claims; partiality.


I can't say that I had previously thought much about this. Didn't think I was guilty of it. Promoting one person or family...to the neglect of others having equal claims?? Partiality?? Hmmmmmm.

So I started thinking...after that quote from my pastor about being nice to one person, but not to another....could I be guilty? In my personal life? In my professional walk?

It is human nature, after all, to extend extra favor to those we "like". It is human nature....but it is not God's nature. And I am so thankful for that fact.

I am trying to be more mindful. I want to be sure that I am not....consciously or subconsciously....showing favoritism. I want to see others the way Christ did, the way our heavenly Father does. I want to have the type of love for others that is independent of how they act, how they think, what they value, how demanding they are....a love that is based soley on the fact that my perfect Father loves imperfect me.

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
James 2:8-9

A Quotable Quote

Yesterday in his sermon, our pastor quoted someone (I can't remember who) as having said this:

"A person who is nice to you, but not nice to the waiter, is not a nice person."

I have thought about that many times since yesterday.
And I have been thinking about what it means to show favoritism....and what the Bible has to say about it.
God doesn't show favoritism, and He doesn't want us to, either.

I will have to share more over the next couple of days....including the great big object lesson God gave me right in the middle of my day today!! But for now, just think on it.....

"A person who is nice to you, but not nice to the waiter, is not a nice person."

Happy Birthday, ERICA!!!

10.
Ten.
X.
Diez.
halfway to 20.
double digits.

gasp.

Unbelievable!!!

Happy Birthday, Sis.
You continue to bring unspeakable joy to our family. You are turning into a young woman and we could not be more proud. You are compassionate, witty, smart, joyful, and determined. You seek God. As you get older, you continue to get more and more servant-hearted. You bless our family with your laughter (not to mention all your yummy cooking!) You have always been such a thoughtful sister to Brock, and now we LOVE the way you nurture Micah.

We love you, "goat-loving girl"!!!

"Photos by Julie"

Last weekend one of Erica's sweet friends had a birthday party. Seven girls dressed up in their pioneer dresses and went to Conner Prairie. Julie (the birthday girl's mom) snapped this photo. When I first saw it last night, I just fell in love with it!!! I "antiqued it" a bit......



Is it just me.....or is this one of the coolest pictures you have ever seen?? Thanks to Syd for the great party idea, and thanks to Julie for the great party pictures!!!! oh, here....I just have to post a few more....

Happy Birthday, girlfriend!!

So I want to write this super sweet birthday post to my very best friend. It is her birthday, after all. And she deserves it!

Should I list 25 things that I love most about her? (one for each year of her life....WINK, WINK!)
Or should I mention the three million things that are fun to do with her?
Maybe I should go on and on about the thousands of hours that she has spent listening to me pour out my heart to her?
Or what about all the lessons she has taught me about friendship, parenting, marriage, and LIFE?
Wonder if I could do an acrostic thing with her name? C is for the concerts that I LOVE to go with you to....A is for.....

Nah, I think I will just do this....

Happy Birthday, Carrie. God blessed my life beyond measure when He formed our friendship....a friendship that was born first and foremost out of our mutual desire to grow in our walk with Him. I love you dearly and pray that we celebrate many more birthdays...maybe next year it will be in our new coffee-shop!!!

And rest up, girl. We have some SERIOUS birthday shopping to do tomorrow!

Any day now...

Any day now....I will be posting something that is spiritually uplifting or edifying...but not tonight....tonight I absolutely could not resist posting these pictures that Erica took earlier of her little brother and her "prize" goat!!

Take me out to the ballgame....

...and don't forget a sweatshirt and blanket!

Erica's first softball game of the year was a great success. The girls had fun (and they won!) and to my knowledge there were no cases of hypothermia.....although another 10 minutes and it would have been a distinct possiblility! It was C-H-I-L-L-Y!!


Erica at bat.


Brock displaying his new-found talent....."blowing bubbles as big as your head!"


Micah wondering exactly which objects are "closer than they appear"???


OK....so, maybe big brother and little brother didn't pay attention to the WHOLE game....but we were all there to root on our #14!!

Go sis!!!