The Bunkhouse - KS Part 5

So... we stayed at Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Ann's bunkhouse (not from Jerry's home). They are Greg's (Sheila's husband) family. And now they are part of ours. We LO-OVED our stay with them!! They are good ol' country folk that open their home to anyone. So- much- so that they built a bunkhouse. It is AWESOME!

This bunkhouse was built by the Amish. There are 2 lofts a bathroom. And fifteen beds! This is where Gma June, our family and all of the cousins called home during our short stay.

This is (Aunt) Ann having fun with the children. We went a few yards to their home for each of our meals. Ann had a beautiful spread of yummy food always waiting upon our arrival. The home-cooked meals were fabulous and always accompanied with fun fellowship - sitting around a big table talking and laughing.

The yard swing

The Front porch swing

The girls loft.

Thanks Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Ann!!
We loved being in your home and with you!!!

The Vineyard - KS Part 4

Have you ever been to a vineyard? Have you ever wanted to pick grapes from the vine?
I have wanted to do both and honestly thought I would probably never have that opportunity.
I was wrong!

(Jesus speaking) "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5
I love how my life in Jesus parallels with the things of the vineyard. And I just wanted to experience the vineyard first-hand.

The majority of our crew woke up early and loaded into Uncle Jimmy's truck. We drove down the dirt roads a couple of miles and pulled into the most beautiful sight - acres and acres of vines filled with juicy grapes.

Uncle Jimmy helping the girls.
(sidenote: Uncle Jimmy (and Aunt Ann) is Greg's uncle. Greg is the husband of Sheila and Sheila is Brian's sister - got it?)

Elizabeth was my little helper for the morning.

Look at those girls workin'!

Uncle Greg and Weston

Caleb and Abbi

This is Old Joe - the owner and keeper of this vineyard. He came along passing out drinks.
And telling funny stories!

The line of vineyard workers. Uncle Jimmy went ahead of us pickers and trimmed away the vines so we could see and cut the bunches of grapes.

This was an awesome find.

Each team had a 5 gal bucket and would fill it up. When it was full we would dump the grapes into a wooden box that the farmer would pick up later.

(Jesus speaking) "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." John 15:1,2

The summer of '09 will go down as a major "pruning" season for me. Though difficult and even painful at times, I am thankful for the growth that comes after the pruning. For the most part, I can say that I walked through these times with no regret. I completely trusted God and walked by faith knowing He was there - step by step. However, there a couple of instances that I made terrible decisions - I allowed my flesh and emotion to take over. I felt totally justified! I know, I know, one always wishes for a second chance or a do-over, but in my case, I see it as a real time of growth. I am glad it happened b/c it allowed God to show me how weak I am without Him and when I try to do things in MY own power - I usually fail!
"If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned." John 15:6 (yikes!)

And besides that, it has given us something to laugh about now. (especially Brian :)

All to say... I loved the vineyard experience. I love the vine and branch analogy. And I love Jesus!

The Viewing - KS Part 3

We Love Papa Jerry!

This was "our" time as a family to see him one last time and to say our good-byes to Jerry. In the casket, he lie with his favorite fishing pole and fishing hat. Perfect!! (btw- Jerry LOVED and LIVED to fish!) Those are some of my children's favorite memories of Papa Jerry - Great times!

After Sheila's (Brian's sister) family and ours had "our time", friends and family poured in to do the same. Jerry was loved by many and loved each of them right back.

I caught this pic of Weston while we were all visiting. He is sitting in a chair right in front of Papa Jerry's casket. Just staring... I asked him if he was ok. He said, "Yea. I am just going to miss Papa Jerry." I hugged him and said, "I know."

Cousin Austin and Hudson

Cousin Brooke and Tessa

Dani Rae snuggled Aunt Sheila after a long day of travel and emotions. (Sheila LOVED it!)

"Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord."
Psalm 27:14

The Midwest...ahhh! - KS Part 2

We love living in the mountains. However, it was great to be in the midwest where the land is flat and LUSH - everything so green. No sprinklers needed!

It was also fun to see all the big farms surrounded by fields and silos full of their harvest.

I took this picture for my own sentimental reasons. St Joseph is where Brian and I started our married life together. Great memories. Lots of growth. Awesome friends!

This is where Jerry lived ... a nice home in the country.

Adventure in the Air - Kansas Part 1

We all rolled out of our beds at 4:30 am, already dressed and bags loaded in the van. We combed hair, put on shoes, kissed the kittens, patted the dogs and honked to the pasture animals - we were on our way to the airport!

We made it through security and and the dreaded fun task of putting shoes on and off of 10 people. Not to mention the 12 carry on bags that had to be rolled through the security screens. "Does everybody have their designated bag? OK! Let's keep movin'!" On to the gate where we made it in plenty of time.

Safe Landing!!!Yay! We arrived in Kansas City and we got there in only 5 hours - compared to 2 days driving!
The boys got our luggage from baggage claim and Brian went to get our rental car van.

We found a little corner and waited for our men/boys.

A friend asked, "What was it like traveling with 8 kids? Any funny/crazy comments?"

**We had a great time traveling as a family. We had our "buddy system" - an older child with a younger child. Each had a specific bag (the bag handling changed at times and got confusing, but everyone and everything made it home - AND that's a good thing!)
** We had many stares and lots of onlookers. It was funny to see people looking at us and counting each of the children...1..2..3..4....

** The only comment I got was, "Wow! Your own Eight is Enough." (And I say... Whoever said 8 was enough?!)

YOUR Prayers...

were AND are greatly appreciated. It sure has been a crazy couple of weeks.

* 8/15 Brian's dad is life-flighted to Kansas City b/c of massive bleeding on his brain.

* 8/16 Hit by a drunk driver while taking Brian to the airport. He had an early flight to go be with his dad in KC.

* 8/16-8/21 Brian (among many other loved ones) spends the week with his Dad in the hospital - praying for a miracle. Brian is blessed by friends and relatives that stop by to give support during this difficult time.

* 8/21 Brian flies back to Utah. At 11:55 pm Jerry peacefully passes. So many tears.

* 8/25 In honor of Jerry's life, my parents helped us with plane tickets to fly to KS. What a blessing! So much easier than a 2 day road trip both ways.

* 8/25 4pm The viewing. So much love from friends and family.

* 8/26 The Celebration of Life Service for Jerry.

* 8/27 Fly home.

* 8/28 Evening worship at Big Canyon

* 8/29 2nd Annual Christian Music Festival at Big Canyon.

* 8/31 COMPUTER CRASHED!

Even though our circumstances have been difficult, God has been so good. Many trials, but so many more blessings as we have walked this part of our journey.

I will fill in the details in the following posts.

Thank you so much for your prayers, support, emails, hugs, phone calls and LOVE!!

We are sad

 

Our Papa Jerry (Brian's dad) passed away peacefully Friday night. We are going to miss him. He was a great dad - of course, because he raised my awesome husband. And he was a very fun, caring and loving Grandpa.

Our family flies (yes, all 10 of us) out early tomorrow morning. We will be leaving for the airport around 4:45am and I can guarantee you...I will NOT be driving! We are looking forward to our time in Kansas with family and friends. Jerry's Celebration of Life service is on Wednesday.

I am still sore in my neck and parts of my back, but can still function.

Still no word if they caught the drunk driver. I will keep you posted.

Thanks for all your prayers. You are greatly appreciated.

Talk to ya later!!

Thankful to be Alive!

a post by my Mom...

 

Picture yourself driving to the Salt Lake City airport on I-80 westbound at 5:15 AM on Sunday, the 16 of August, 2009.  You are cruising along in the middle lane visiting with your spouse who needs to be at the airport for a 7 o'clock flight to Kansas City.  He is going to see his dad who had a massive stroke on the previous afternoon and is in a coma.  You pass the Junction at Park City and are at Jeremy Ranch when you check the rear view mirror of your Subaru car, again.  Horror of horrors, a vehicle is approaching in your lane at the rate of a speeding bullet!  What do you do?  Will the other driver realize what is happening and go off the road, will he hopefully change lanes?  Should you change your path?  SORRY, the "think time" is up!  You have just been hit by a drunk driver going 110 MPH in his BMW.

    You have just pictured the real scenario of Ashley and Brian.

    When the Subaru they were driving stopped spinning and was in the median, they immediately talked with each other to be sure they were both OK.  Then they went to check on the driver of the other car.  The car was there, the keys were in the car, but the driver had fled on foot.  Brian immediately phoned 911 and Ashley phoned a friend to come take Brian on to SLC to the airport.  Brian seems to have no problems from the accident.  He did not know it was coming and was relaxed - they say you are better off that way.  Ashley, seeing it coming, ended up with a whip lash down her neck and back and just stiff and sore all over.

    The police looked high and low for the driver.  There was a cooler full of beer and an open bottle in his car.  They could not find him.  They were very kind to Ashley and since the EMT's checked her over and found her vitals were normal and she had no headache, they took her home.  The Subaru was totaled.

    The low-down on the driver is that his behavior, even before this accident, earned him the label by the police as "a bad man".  He has quite a record of wrong doing with the law and currently has a warrant for his arrest for a felony charge.  He WILL be dealt with to the full extent of the law.

     At a time like this we again affirm our faith in our GOD.  We thank Him for the protective hedge He had around Brian and Ashley to keep them from  harmful injuries or death.  Their eight young children still need them and we are so grateful that they were spared!  We do serve an awesome God and we must remember to thank HIM in all things.  God has blessed them in so many ways not the least of which is through family and friends who have been very comforting, supportive, and loving at this time.

(my mom came up Sunday and took care of me and my children while I spent most of the day in bed with ice on my neck, Brian in KC with his Dad.  The children had a wonderful time with her. She blessed us tremendously - like always!  Thanks for "filling in" on my blog)

(Love you Mom!)