Just got on to see how things have been. Don't know why I've been avoiding pleoland, but I hope to be back soon!

What a wonderful place. After finding out I didn't have any work to do for my buddy's business, I ask Amanda what she had planned today. She didn't have anything, other than the usual daily chores. I felt the same. Since we had done so much outside work the day before, she thought it to be a nice day to go to Amish country. I figured, sure, cause that's how I am. After googling directions, we loaded up the kids and headed north. I've been there twice, once with Amanda, but I couldn't remember where we had gone before, and she suggested Kidron.

We got going, and after, oh, a couple hours we made it to Lehman's (sp?). It wasn't the store I remembered, the town wasn't what I remembered. But I don't have a problem going to different places. We had seen a couple Amish fold, riding there horse drawn buggy, probably lookin all touristy gawking at them. But this is their life here!

So after giong through this store that I didn't think ever ended (not cause I got bored, there was a lot of great things to look at), we finally decided to head down to Berlin. We took the back roads, seeing so many more native people working the land with thier more primitive machinery. One thing that really sticks in my mind is the boys on a huge load of hay, driving a team of horses collecting more hay. It hit low what a hard working, yet simplistic (if you understand what I mean by simplistic) way of life. Even more than that, what a devout group of people, having gawkers drive by, buying all kinds of shiny, pretty things and treats, yet they remain obedient to thier beliefs and forego modern technology.

We made it to Berlin. This was the place I remembered. So we did some shop walkin, got a few things. Between feeling a little hungry, and the fact that we could really drive probably 15 minutes from home to look and by some of the same things, we decided to go to the buffet we ate at the last time (when Amanda called my parents to tell them she was pregnant with Charlotte). The kids were great, people we nice, commenting on their good behavior. Everything was going well. Then we were full to the gills, but the lady wasn't comoing to give us our check. She'd done a pretty decent job, but why was she just letting us sit here? Then she came us and said our bill was taken care of. I felt a little choked up, and Amanda started getting teary eye'd (no way! :) ). Some one anonymously paid our bill. What a gift of generosity.

Thinking about Amish country, all the knick knacks, good eats and sitings of those alien people in our world, I really feel different about how I think we'll spend our next visit. There is so much life to see on those back roads. So much you might feel humbled. A couple great lessons we had today. What a wonderful place!

I’m twenty-some days into the Love Dare. When Amanda and I first saw the book and read a few chapters, we really didn’t think it applied to us. Take it as you might, but we don’t fight! We don’t raise our voices, demand “when do I get mine,” allow jealousy to get between us….I could go on.

There are things we might disagree on (there is a difference…especially how you react), but when we realize the wedge that we’ve got between us, we quickly communicate to remove it. We strive to be on the same page. It’s important to us, and to our family. PERIOD! I’m might sound arrogant, but I‘m not trying to be. Are we still “honeymooning?” Maybe, but why should it end? We have friends who feel the same ten years married, twenty something, even. So why should we wait for “it” to set in, but rather enjoy what we have?

We just don’t let our relationship get to the lows discussed in the book. Who would really want that? Who really wants to just settle for that because society says it’s normal. Friends commiserate rather than encourage, or even admonish! At some point we really have to look at ourselves and if we’re really doing our part for the best, or just to antagonize and/or prolong the suffering.

We’ve known and discussed our goal since we decided to marry and don’t allow “things” or even, dare I say, our own motives to get between us. Maybe it’s cause we’ve both waited and had a piece of the real world before getting married and had the opportunity to realize what we want in life. We’ve seen examples to strive for and have examples of what we don’t want. And it takes work to keep both these examples in the forefront of our minds as we continue to communicate where we are wanting our family to go.

The first couple weeks sets your heart in a selfless manner, planting seeds of love, even. Knowing how relationships can fall into a rut (we are not excluded from this), there are many issues to really swallow hard for the betterment of one’s marriage. I don’t want to be a spoiler, so I won’t go into details…although day 10 should be read before any marriage, at every wedding and studied every anniversary (or more!). Love is unconditional. Wow!

The last few days, though, I’ve really hit the meat and taters. With a Christian base, it is followed through with scripture. Be aware that it is not in place of the Bible. You’ll find that the scripture is not complete, but studying the bible and having a firmer grasp helps keep the mission in mind. There is a far more deeper meaning to this book that will only enhance the covenant in marriage. It is selfless. It’s not just something you should want, it’s want our relationships need! I took the idea lightly at first, but reading more just encourages more in me.

This is a life changing, mind-set altering experience. It’s a selfless journey, but one that you’ll find more fulfilling. It can really enhance and encourage growth rather than just allow the same grind to continue. There are many tests that come in life, but don’t let them come between your bond. We have an obligation; we’ve made the choice. Be proactive in your marriage! Please, take the dare!

As I pulled up the drive to my side job, a car of men sat by the house and questioned about the owners. Not being home at the time, the men started walking to me with literature in hand, asking for a moment of my time. Ah, Jehovah Witness’.

Being the kind and curious person I am, I listened as the main guy began to talk. Now keep in mind, I’m not a confrontational person. And even being Christian, I do feel I fail at studying like I should, so I feel I haven’t a great deal of business being a mouthpiece for the Lord in certain areas.

The man spoke of the end of the world and so on, but for a change I was actually able to exchange in conversation my thoughts on biblical verses that could be taken out of context. After a few exchanges, all calm and not confrontational, the man gave me the literature and said he’d like to speak with me some other time. I did accept his literature, but declined for now on the get together. He stated his purpose with spreading the gospel and I expressed a great appreciation for the people who spread the Word. Before they disengaged from our conversation (that I found interesting), one fellow had to know what church I belonged to.

On the surface I’m sure it sounds like I want to say “I won!” But the thing about this conversation was, even as much as I doubt in knowing, I have God’s Word in me! My hands trembled while I spoke to the men, but my words never wavered. What encouragement I felt in that.

Nothing I said was profound or as if I had a photogenic memory. But I understand why you have to arm yourself with the Word of God. Regardless of their intentions, you really might not know who’s coming in “your home” or where they might “lead” you. It’s up to us to arm ourselves with knowledge.

I don’t express enough my praise for the Lord, especially outwardly. I know I need to study more to keep me and my family prepared. This day has given me such encouragement to know I have confidence even with how much I do know.

I don’t care what Brad Paisley thinks, ticks are nasty little bugs, even if you get used to picking them. Thankfully we just treated the animals when the ticks are coming into season.

As far as how are garden grows, I have most of my seeds germinating and growing well. Some plants I’ll just have to buy. So far we have a few different kinds of tomatoes (and a good number of them), squash (zuc and yellow), watermelon, cucs, chives, basil, cilantro, catnip, dill, thyme, rosemary, sunflowers, marigolds and cosmos (I’m trying out some lowers) We also have a hill I planted blueberry bushes for the kids. Guess what we call it… I planted some hyacinth in a whisky barrel, and some calla lily and dahlia bulbs in a bed. Unfortunately the big dogs have a great interest in this flower bed, so we’ll see how well it grows.

Our feathered friends have grown in number (I knew I shouldn’t have gone to Tractor Supply Co.) We were down to 13 layers until about a week ago. Unfortunately, I lost my new favorite, Knuckles. She lost all her toes due to frostbite this last winter, but still got around like a champ. Dad brought down 8 layers (a couple will go back home when the turkeys are big enough to come to the homestead, but more on that in a minute). I told my mother-in-law to bring her (5) layers down so she can try out raising broilers. But between dad and I, we got 18 chicks at TSC that are growing in our basement (what a wonderful and patient wife I have). We’ve only lost one, but the rest are doing well. So that’s about 40 chickens!

This year’s new adventure is maturing at dad’s house…turkeys! I’ve read they’re more fun than chickens. They’re more fun because they’re, uh, not so smart. I hear “adventures in turkeys” every couple days from dad. I’m excited to have them home, to watch them and hear them…and then there’s Thanksgiving!

We’re still interested in goats, but I haven’t found anything reasonable, or atleast what I thought would be reasonable. I may just concentrate on the birds this year and continue to research goats for next year. We’ll see!

Other than that, we’re still runnin’ after the kids and trying to keep up with daily chores, not to mention the jobs Amanda and I do on the side. The kids like to “help” me mow, but it’ll be several years before I see that happening. Of course it’s a workout push mowing the yard, and it’d be nice to have a riding mower, but that’s a little out of the budget for now…maybe I save my egg money!