Heart Choices Fun Run

Last year we attended our first Heart Choices Fun Run. 

Because we had such great memories, we wanted to attend again this year.  And this year, not only did the Farmer run the 5K but the kids participated in the age appropriate runs ranging from 1/4 to 1/2 a mile.

Here are a few pictures I took with my new cell phone...I thought the camera did very well...especially since I cropped many of these and they still turned out good:

E and Nate on the hill...

They loved to roll down the hill.

Waiting for the run to start.

Lining up for directions.

Jonny running to the finish line...
He got first in his class!

 

After the run...showing off his gatorade.

Nate ended up walking the last part of his race...
but still got 2nd place...he was unsure afterward.

Abi lining up for her race.

running to the finish!

The Farmer at the start of his race!

I didn't get a picture of the Farmer finishing his race as we were at the playground at the time, but he did manage to get 1st place in his age division finishing in 28 minutes!

During the awards ceremony, the director of Heart Choices mentioned our family and their appreciation for the Memorial money donated in Sarah's memory.  If you'd like to find out more about Heart Choices, visit their website by clicking here.

Copyright © 2012 All Rights Reserved MMFarmlife - Melanie Schlatter

Our New Ride

We got a new VAN!

Though the Venture has been a good vehicle for us and we are so very grateful for the many, many miles it has carried us, it was time for a new one. We discussed many options and started watching the papers for options...and low and behold...we had a few come up rather quickly.

After looking at the options we had, the Farmer decided on the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan.  It is white and we are hoping it will hide the dust a bit better than the maroon Venture did. So, without further ado...here it is:

Isn't it pretty?!

Looking into the back with the middle seat folded!

The Stow-n-go space - empty...

The seat folded into the Stow-n-go.
And yes...the carpet is black...and yes, it will show everything...
but beggars can't be choosers...and I'm just grateful!

Using the Stow-n-go for storage.

The VERY large back storage area...
the back seats can fold down into this area or you can use it for  storage!

the steering column...
as you can see...the gear shift is on the dash!

The center console area...I really like the storage spots!

The KEY...yep...the key...
it is actually called a FOB...fob!

And because I just can't get over it...
the gear shift is on the DASH!
lol

Some of the other awesome features are: power lift gate - the back hatch opens and closes with a button...and the second row seats have roll down windows.  And the Farmer likes the cargo carrier on the top!

Overall...we are VERY pleased...and so very grateful for a new vehicle!

Thanks honey!


Copyright © 2012 All Rights Reserved MMFarmlife - Melanie Schlatter

How are we doing?

THAT is a good question.

It has been one week since Sarah's funeral.

It has been two weeks since she was born.

And it feels like a lifetime!

How does one cope with such tragedy and change? What does one do in times like this? What is normal?

One moment at a time.

Some good friends of ours were visiting the other day and they shared they have this 'book' of sayings that their kids have kept over the years of mom's sayings...one of them is "if you can't change the circumstances, change your attitude".

Since hearing that, I can't tell you how many times I've used it...with the kids and myself!

I can't change the circumstances of Sarah's death. But I can change my attitude in how I deal with it.

So, I have a choice.

I can dwell on all the questions, on all the what ifs, and could have beens...or I can choose to embrace my God and His will - whether I understand it or not!

I'm not saying that choosing God is easier. I'm not saying it feels better. I'm not saying it takes away the pain or that you don't have moments of emptiness.

But what it does do is help!

It gives hope.

It gives healing.

Embrace God. And let Him carry you moment by moment. It is the only way to survive this. Because - there is pain, there is hurt, there is emptiness. But only one thing can heal, mend, and fill you will a lasting peace.

A peace that passes yours or anyone else's understanding.

So, how are we doing? We are embracing God and let Him carry us moment by moment.

A Fun Day Away

I decided that today would be a great day to take the kids and do something out of the ordinary and fun.

So we went bowling. 

Actually, I was planning on taking the kids putt-putt golfing and maybe go-carting, but once there they just wanted to bowl.  So that is what we did.

The pictures aren't the best because all I had was my cell phone (I forgot my regular camera).  But at least you can see they were having fun:

Here you can see the scores of our two games:

Jonny 73; Abi 90; Nate 98; Mommy 110
(the kids helped me)

By our second game...Jonny was getting the hang of it...Mommy was petering out...and Abi & Nate were experimenting.

Jonny 84; Abi 73; Nate 70; Mommy 102

After bowling, we went shopping for the Farmer's birthday since that is coming up on Tuesday!  He'll be 41 this year and has requested no cake, no party, no celebration...but the kids will be giving him little gifts and we are going out for dinner!

Copyright © 2012 All Rights Reserved MMFarmlife - Melanie Schlatter

I got you $10 off kids' clothing at thredUP

Hey there!

Okay, so I found this amazing site through Modest Mom...it's called thredup!

This is what their little description of their site says:

thredUP pays you to recycle the clothing your child has outgrown and helps you shop for quality items that'll look and fit great. Join today for a $10 discount on your first clothing purchase. 

Click here to sign-up and get $10 off your first purchase: http://www.thredup.com/P2senk

So, I tried it!

I found some amazing dresses and skirts for Abi and some really nice looking jeans for the boys.  Now, granted, I haven't received them yet, but their selection was amazing and I can't wait to get my first order.  I'll let you know when it comes in, but I know that MANY of you have kids that are constantly outgrowing clothing and MANY of you have piles of clothes that you could share.

They do have some restrictions on what you can send back...but hey...any credit is better than no credit right?

What does it hurt to look into it...you don't have to send clothes to get clothes, and you don't have to get clothes to send clothes so it pretty much is a bonus for everyone!  

And I'll be honest...though I have only placed my first order right now and don't have personal experience with them (yet), I trust Caroline at the Modest Mom.  If she promotes it, then I'll trust it.

Happy Shopping!

A Good Morning

So the Farmer decided that today was a good morning to saddle up the horse and let the kids ride.  A few weeks ago while Dacie Shamburg was here they spent the whole morning riding the horse.  Dacie is a big horse person and the kids had such a great time the Farmer decided he needed to do that more often.  We didn't get ahold of Dacie to come help, but he still saddled up Strawberry and let each one have a turn.

Abi is getting very good at mounting, riding, and dismounting on her own. Nathan is even gaining more confidence at riding on his own. And Jonny...well...we still lead the horse when Jonny is on board because...well...its Jonny! (doesn't that explain it all? :0)  Ethan stood at the fence and begged "My Turn...my turn", so the Farmer mounted up and gave Ethan a ride too.

Here are some pictures of the mornings ride:

Cowboy Nathan!

Jonny climbing out the barn door...notice...NO SHOES!

Giddy up Strawberry...let's go.
(I think Strawberry was confused...usually pulling back means stop...lol)

Watching the fun.

MY TURN!

Cowboy Jonny

Is it just me or does he look so OLD in this photo?!

Go Faster Daddy!

 Okay...so these next pictures aren't of the horse, but the kids were playing and I couldn't help but get these shots of Nathan doing the hand over hand on the cattle bars...who needs a park with monkey bars???!!!!

on top of the cattle sorting shoot
See Nathan on the side...

half way across

reaching the other side...
He did  this several times.

The Farmer and E!

Howdy!

E didn't smile much, but he didn't want to be done either!

Abi mounting by herself - you go girl!

off she went...talking to her horse!

coming back to the barn...she really handles the horse well.

We truly enjoy having Strawberry around...Thanks Uncle Derek for this amazing gift...and to Grandpa Converse and Grandpa Schlatter for helping with saddles and horse stuff!  We truly are so blessed!

Copyright © 2012 All Rights Reserved MMFarmlife - Melanie Schlatter

Steph's Stuff: While the world goes to hell

My friend Stephanie published this on her site in August, and I just now read it. It moved me, so I decided to share it...in light of all our family has been through these last few weeks...it gives one a new perspective...and I don't want my perspective to be what it used to be:

Steph's Stuff: While the world goes to hell: Warning: this may offend the religious. *Cover your mouth*

While the world goes to hell-we sit in church & fight over what color the pews are

While the world goes to hell-we are mad because the worship leader doesn't sing the songs we like or want 

While the world goes to hell-we are offended because Suzy offender asked Darling doer to help with the womens luncheon instead of Jenny jealous

While the world goes to hell-we drive out another pastor from our church because, let's face it, he can't do anything the way we want him to-the way it "should" be done

While the world goes to hell-we comfortably sit in our air conditioned church wishing that new person wasn't dressed quit so, um, homely. It just doesn't represent our church well

While the world goes to hell-Jesus is at the right hand of God praying for His saints to complete the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20) & finish the race well--;

 Cuz then, the world won't go to hell.

Copyright © 2012 All Rights Reserved MMFarmlife - Melanie Schlatter

Sarah's Video

I'm so glad I was able to easily convert the PowerPoint into a video for all of you to see.  I still plan on making a full DVD once I get the photos from Baby Bloom, but it will be awhile before that all gets done.

I'm glad I was able to at least get this much posted to share with you:

You can also see a larger version here.

Copyright © 2012 All Rights Reserved MMFarmlife - Melanie Schlatter

Pictures of Sarah

We have lots of pictures of Sarah.

Some are really good, some not so much, but I'd really like to share with you all the beauty of Sarah's life.  She lived only 4 short days, but she changed so much in those days and affected so many people.

The hospital provides for a bereavement photographer who comes and takes pictures of your baby for you to hold and cherish.  I won't get the full 28 photos until later, but here are the few that Erin sent us to have at Sarah's funeral:

And since you can't see her beautiful red hair in the black & white pictures, here is one Aunt H took:

And finally, here are a few of our precious little Sarah as we said good-bye until heaven:

I've got a few candid shots from the funeral that people gave me and I will post them later.  I'll also work on getting the powerpoint converted to a youtube format so I can post it.  Thanks for letting me share these precious images with you.

Copyright © 2012 All Rights Reserved MMFarmlife - Melanie Schlatter