Before...and After

Katie had a big day today! She got her braces off! Well...mostly. Before they even removed her braces, they placed some sort of retaining wire behind her four front teeth to keep them in position. (She still has permanent teeth that haven't come in on the sides of these four teeth and this wire will keep them in place until the permanents do come in) Then they removed the braces....at least for a year or so....then they go right back on. She's loving it! The orthodontist showed me a "before" picture of her teeth and I could not believe it. I had forgotten how "out of whack" they really were! I wish I could post the picture he had so you could see her teeth up close. But since I can't, here's one that I took just before she got the braces on. BIG difference. :O)

BEFORE:

AFTER:

A "gift"?!?!?

Hmmm. One of the neighbors came by yesterday evening with a "gift" for Katie. My first question when they told me they had something for her was...."Is it something alive?" Of course, it was. Everybody knows Katie is an animal lover. So...now we have a one week old baby Boer goat....and yes, it must be bottle-fed. Oh my. I am sure "Ramie" the goat will turn out to be one big pet. Boer goats are the ones with the long floppy ears...and ya gotta admit they're cute....for a goat. :O)

Ewwww!

Get a load of this guy! Rachel was in one of the fields today (between rainy spells) and found this huge turtle! I think it's a big snapping turtle because he has spikes on his back. :O) (I'd hate to run across him on one of my late evening walks!)

We're still around!

It's been a little while since I've blogged....but then again, I'm a busy woman! :O) All is well here. We've been on a bit of a short vacation. We went to the coast to visit my family. We don't get to go often, so it was a real treat for us! Thought I'd post a few pictures from the trip. Here's a picture of me with my Dad.....

and here I am with my Mom...

and here's a picture I took while Matt and I were riding the ferry from Southport, NC to Fort Fisher, NC.I took more pictures but not with "my" camera so I can't post those. (Mom, have you downloaded those yet?) :O)

And now, ladies and gentlemen, for a wonderful photo, please see below. This, my dear people, is a mud puddle!!! We got an all-night rain last night and it's rained off and on all day today too! What a blessing it's been! Wish I could pass the rain along to those of you who still need it. :O)

Ahhh! Thank you, Lord! :O)

Well, as you all know by now, it was with alot of sadness that we had to get rid of all the cows. BUT....I have to admit, it is a BLESSING to have one of them in the freezer!! Do you know how long it's been since we've had a T-bone steak in the freezer??? Little Miss Moo (please, don't think me heartless) has been gloriously preserved as T-bone, rib-eyes, cube steak, ground beef, beef stew, and any kind of roast your tummy can imagine! We are grateful to the Lord for using her. :O)

A poem...by Katie :O)

Katie sat down this evening and wrote out this little poem. I thought it was pretty good myself. :O) Nope. No prejudice here.

I've Got Jesus in Me

It's not a starry night.
But everything is bright for me
Because I've got Jesus in me!
Yes, I have Jesus in me.
I repented of my sin.
He made me clean within.
Yes, I've got Jesus within.
Yes, He made me clean within.