Happy 13th Birthday GRANT!

 

Dad and Ryan watch as Grant opens his bday gift

They had found a great carving/pocket knife that they just knew he'd love..

Grant loved it!

 

Nana and Papa came for a birthday visit too.. they had to get some

Goldendoodle snuggles in too of course!

Nana, Papa and Flora, one of Ashley and Amanda's goldendoodle pups from last year's litter

 

The next day we had a fun time going to pizza at Abby's with Grandma Barb!

 

We all enjoyed the gluten free pizza..

 

And Grant was especially thrilled with the all-you-can drink soda!

 

 Happy Birthday dearest Grant.  We love you so much Bubba and are so privileged to have you as our son. We love the way you think of others first and how you take your sisters under your wing and take such good care of them. We can see Jesus working in your life.. and are praying that in this coming year you learn to serve him and submit to Jesus even more!

 

 

 

~Amanda & Thanksgiving~

For 2 weeks in November Amanda had another terrible flare up. We hadn't seen her this bad since our first time in Belize, 2011.. She had no appetite or energy and was in terrible pain much of the time. We were able to control the pain with some medication.. otherwise, she just spent the whole time in bed. Because of her condition and not knowing how she would feel by Thanksgiving Day, we had to cancel our plans with our family in McMinnville. Instead we celebrated by ourselves. That turned out for the best since we ALL came down with a terribly painful bronchitis type of cold. To the point that we all felt too terrible to make a trip to the grocery store for cranberries and stuffing fixins'  We were blessed to have a huge 28 lb turkey that Grady's work had gifted him and a few Thanksgiving-ish items already in the pantry. We were so grateful that by Thanksgiving Day Amanda was feeling much better and was able to enjoy the day.

           

       Much of November was terrible for Amanda.. :-( It lasted 2 weeks.. she is doing much better as of the time of this post, which we all praise the Lord for! Thank you for your prayers.

                                 

 

Old McDonald's Farm!

 

 Ashley purchased two alpine does and Grady's mother surprised Amanda by arranging a surprise gift - a Jersey milk cow! When our family showed up at the Jersey's farm.. Mandy thought we may be looking at chickens to buy.. or goats...

But we soon surprised her and told her that the sweet cow in the paddock was hers! She had always wanted a cow.. grandma Bonnie knew that and loved surprising her with Miss Daisy. There was only one condition.. if Daisy gives birth to a heifer, Grandma wanted Mandy to name her Bonnie, after herself! ;-)

Surprise Mandy!

 

While at the farm, the gal offered this cute Nubian doe to Ash  for free!

 

The farmer hired a friend to bring both the Nubian and Miss Daisy to our home the next day.

 

Miss Ivy settled right in!

 

Miss Daisy meets Ryan.. he leads her to the barn to spend a few days during the adjustment period

What a cute pair!

Are you gonna leave me in here?