Our "tetanus" farm, land that we love!!!

The other day we went around the farm just snapping pictures.  The farm here is a beautiful piece of property, but with the beauty comes a bit of farm living...history we will call it...and I wanted to share some of that history with you.  

Here, I took the 3 younger kids to the park for a picnic lunch.  We needed a slight change of scenery and what better place to do that than the park, well, for the kids at least.

The rest of these pictures will all be from the property.  From what I know, the land was deeded to Granddad's family by President Polk.  That means that our kids are the 8th or 9th generation to be on the land.  That is pretty cool.  Some of these pictures I find beautiful in one way or another.  Some of them are just funny, I guess.  Many of them reveal why this is a "tetanus" farm, but all of them show why this is the place we love to go and explore and call a home away from home. 

        

UPS Store

Elijah was the only one to play baseball this year.  Because Levi didn't get snacks last year, he didn't want to play this year.  Of course sign ups are in February and by the time practices came around, he was singing a different tune.  Too late!  Our team this year was the UPS Store.

Being at the farm right now, I am missing watching the end of the year tournament which is taking over a week with all the rain right now, but my mom, as usual, is at every game so he's not alone.  But still, it's killing me not to be at these games.

Here's a nice action shot.  For some reason, in the first half of the season, Elijah didn't hit the ball once.  It was discouraging to him because he hit all the time last year.  It was sad for us to see him get so discouraged, but once he hit his first ball, he hit every time thereafter.  It was nice!  He looks good in this swing, doesn't he?!?

Everyone had fun this season.  Titus tried to stay out of trouble and was effective most of the time.  At least he got to be shirtless, something he and Levi LOVE to be!

Micah made a new friend.  Well, I think she just made a temporary friend so she could get in on the popcorn action.  Will do anything for food.

Levi found his way to the top of the batting cage as grandpa watched from below.  He is not quite a football field's length away, but when I saw some kid climbing the cage, I thought for sure it was mine!

When he wasn't climbing cages, he was leading other kids in an exercise class.  He made a very patient coach!

Eden was always happy to get plenty of Poppy time when he was at the games.

Whether or not he liked it, Eden was attached to her poppy at the hip, or the shoulder or the lap or the arm...whichever was available to her demands.

Gone are the little league days for this season and I am sad already.  I always love the games.  I love watching Elijah in the field.  I love watching him bat.  It is all around fun for me and I cannot wait until next season.  I wonder how many of our kids will decide to get involved then.  We better start saving money now!!!

Only at the farm...

Well for some reason I have been slacking in the photo department, and for now all I have is text, so here goes.  I will attempt to make it short and sweet and if I get lucky, I will even add in the link to the house we just bought.

Which brings me to the news that that pipe dream of a property we were hoping to bid on is ours.  We finally got approval for this loan on Thursday, the day we were hoping to get out to the farm once and for all.  By the time I got to the realtor's office, there were 2 offers on the table and one other one coming in besides mine.  Unfortunately that led us to offer over the asking price, much to our dismay, but we still ended up getting it for a deal.  The people counter offered and by then we were at the farm.  Only at the farm do places close up around noon so when we needed to print something to sign and fax to the realtor, not only could we not find a place that was open, but we also couldn't find a place with computer services and a fax machine.  Only at the farm do you have to go to the grocery store to use a fax machine.  Funny!

So we have a house that needs work, but I am so excited about it!  When it is all done, whenever that is, It will have almost doubled in value, according to the area it is in.  That will be awfully tempting to cash in on, but I love the area and am tired of moving.  It is an area we could NEVER afford to be in at full price, the home owner amenities are fantastic and the school system, should we choose to go public, is supposed to be the best in the area!  Thank you God for making this impossible thing happen.  I am so undeserving but am excited to use the gifts you have given us to glorify you!!!