"Cows Do That"

Posted by Crystal


A new puppy for my dad... Her name is Princess and she's a handful! He seems to smile more when she's around though. She's so cute!


You might notice the scrapes on his head. He took a tumble outside by missing a step. He has fallen 3 times now. It's hard to watch someone you love so much go through this. We brought up the shirt to put on Princess just so he could see her. The hat was just a perk.

She likes D.J. (he tastes really good)

Here's a video of their interaction with the cows next door. Notice the puppy wants to be with D.J. but those cows are a little too intimidating!


How could a cow look like something he'd want to kiss?

One beautiful Saturday!

Posted by Crystal



Today was...


amazing

romantic

full

draining

busy

beautiful

memorable

worth every minute!


Congratulations Amanda and Juan! We are so happy for you!


yummy cake




I thought this was funny! Can you see the fingernail marks from the groom?




Amanda loves these girls and they absolutely adore her!



One of my favorites! This is the bride and her mom, Mary. Mary watched our kids for years and this is like our second family!



They had the cutest ring bearer and flower girl I've ever seen! Not to mention the guest book attendant/train holder (Morgan)!


I love how he's looking at her in this one!



The day will come (too soon) when we'll be giving this one away.





My men


My girls...


Their dance has only just begun...

Stop and Smell the Flowers

Posted by Crystal

Flowers from our yard... wish they lasted longer than 2 days inside!

Someone who will always be able to stop and smell the flowers in life is my Squirt! She is so full of spunk and giggles! Just look at those eyes...what do they tell you?

Memory Lane was awesome! Thank you to all that walked with me!

Take a Walk With Me...

Posted by Crystal

Down Memory Lane...

The Directions:
1. Leave a comment on my blog. In the comment, recall one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember! Please be nice to me! :-)

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.

Love the "please be nice to me" phrasing... HA!

Also an update with my dad-
He had his surgery and is now home recovering. He spent 3 days in the hospital and actually did better than the doctor anticipated so was sent home early. He has one huge horse shoe scar on the head, a chunk of skull reattached with titanium and a reoccuring headache at the moment. He meets his Radiologist next week. Your well wishes were passed on to him as they came to me on my phone and email. He has heard many of your names and knows you are praying! Thank you sooooo much!

Summer Fun...

Posted by Crystal

I am overwhelmed with all of you. I can't even tell you how much you mean to me. Thank you for your prayers for my dad and family. He is having his surgery on the 16th for sure and we're taking one day at a time thanking God above for His blessings and plan. We've been trying to stay busy around here....


Thanks to "Cinderella" we have this to play on!




My brother has two sons just weeks apart from my two girls. They used to be so close but distance has separated them. They got to come stay with us overnight and we made up for some lost time, let me tell ya!

Here's my brother's oldest son and DJ snuggling (forced snuggling by DJ)



Is it possible to eat too many Blueberries? Not when they come from a Ditchen field and taste incredible!

How many blueberries can I fit in my mouth?

Future Farmer?

I don't know how to put this into words

Posted by Crystal


My father is a man who is compassionate and knows how important family is. I've always taken joy in pleasing him, being his "baby" and "pumpkin". I remember following him around the garage watching him work wood into beautiful cabinets or displays and find it so fascinating how he could create with his hands.


My dad and I snuggled in his chair (recliner) A LOT. That was until we both couldn't fit in it at the same time. He has a signature smell. Jovan Musk... He's worn it for years. Maybe because he received so many bottles on every occasion imaginable. I remember crawling into my parents' bed on the weekends and cuddling with him and smelling him on the pillow when he wasn't there. Once an older teacher I worked with wore that cologne and it instantly made me smile.


I never wanted today to happen. Today I got the call that the Dr. wanted to talk to Dad about the results of his biopsy. I drove to Richland and met my parents there. I wanted to be there. I had to. What we heard in that office was the worst thing we could have imagined. My dad has a brain tumor called a gleeoma that is not curable. There's options to prolong life, but no cure. He has matter of months if he refuses surgery and radiation and chemo. If he goes through the surgery and treatments maybe a year to 3 years survival chance.


It broke me.


Why now?


I'm trying to make sense of the heartache. I know there's lots to learn and God never promised this life would be easy. All I can think is I've only a short time to cherish with him. I'm drained as I sit here typing. I feel like a shell. I can't even imagine what my mom is going through. My dad is saying he's going to fight this and go through the surgery and treatments. I'm so glad he's made that choice.


I've been told we should live each day like there's no tomorrow but I'm guilty of thinking lots of tomorrows are going to come. Then this happens and it sure makes your head spin.


I don't want this to be a pity party for Crystal. It's just something I've been dealing with for a few weeks and today was the day when it all became real. I'm not really good at sharing these types of things but I know I have a great circle of support in my friends. I appreciated all the cards, emails, comments, texts, calls and prayers. Please keep praying for my dad's upcoming procedures and treatments. I know this has hit him hard. Of course it would.
The Dr. wants to do the surgery this month. I think he said around the 16th. I'll keep you posted.