Thankful

This morning, so early that I can see my reflection in the window by where I sit ... I thought about the things I'm thankful for in my life.  Like most of you ... there are many.

My life.  The lives of my children and husband ... and my family.  I have three sisters and a brother and their families, and two Mothers and two Fathers.  How blessed can I be?  We all get along and we all love each other.  We're a close family and all these years we've been blessed with health.

We take so many things in life for granted, until harsh reality comes knocking.  Up until less than a month ago, my family had never known that gripping fear and possibility of losing one of us.  Of course, we've had our ups and downs with surgeries and illnesses that we get over .. but we've gotten over it and life went on.

Less than a month ago, my brother in law Kenny was diagnosed with a large brain tumor.  A week ago, he had surgery.  They weren't able to get all the tumor, and it is cancer.  It's hard for me to even write that word, and it's almost if I don't say it .... it isn't so.  But it is, and we're facing a battle.  I want to wrap my arms around my sister and protect her from all that is ahead of her and Kenny and their two boys.  I want to wave a magic wand and make it all go away.  I want to give them another twenty-six years together ... and I want my family to not have to deal with this.  This is a first for us, and we don't want to be in these shoes.

We've been in a crisis and it ruffled our feathers.  During Kenny's surgery, as the day wore on ... my sister kept getting sicker and sicker.  She'd been through a lot emotionally as the day drew closer and we thought she was worn down and had the flu, when in fact she had a small bowel obstruction.  Robin ended up in the same hospital in Indianapolis admitted and facing surgery.  As it ended, Robin was transferred to our hospital since Kenny was coming home and things are looking up for her.  Hopefully, she'll come home tomorrow.  Kenny made it home for Thanksgiving at Mom's, and through out the day we all went to the hospital to visit Robin.  She's okay.

Yesterday at my Mother's, it was wonderful to be with my family and be together.  I saw everyone in a different light and I vowed to not take life or my family for granted.  Even though it's unspoken, I know we're all feeling that way right now.

In a brighter light, the picture above is my sister Kim and her husband Danny.  They just celebrated thirty years together and we did a little photo shoot out by the woods at Mom's house with their family.  Kim was loving it ... Danny wasn't so keen on it ... but like a good husband that loves his wife, he at least cooperated, and like most men, after they see the pictures, they love them too.  I got a few good ones and I bet within a few days ... they'll be hanging on their wall.

So in closing ... remember the good times, ponder on them and take the time to make more.  Fix the problems and forgive, for when it's all said and done in life ... you, your family and God is all that we really have.

I hope your Thanksgiving was as good as mine.

Hugs.

Josh and Carter

Dear Josh,

Anyone can be a Father .... but it takes a special man to become a Dad. I watched you last night with your kids at the skating rink and I watched how you held Carter and how you would bring him so close to your face and kiss his head. I loved seeing you do that.

Even though you've been a Father for four years now, and you've been a good one ... but now you're even better ... you are a Dad. It's so evident that your life revolves around your two little boys.

I couldn't get Luke to hold still long enough to even get a picture of his face. He was loving the party, the presents and the cake wasn't he? But that's okay ... he was having fun.

I love you Josh .... you're a good man with a heart of gold.

Love,

Mom

Good Neighbors

I have really good neighbors! They showed up twice this weekend to clean out and mulch my flower bed. To me, this is probably one of the greatest things they've ever done to help me. I love that flower bed because it was MM's Grandmother's, and my Father-in-law gave me a lot of the plants and flowers that are in there.

When I moved here eight years ago, I didn't have a clue about flower gardens, or plants for that matter. I took it upon myself to revamp the entire thing not knowing it's history. I didn't know that MM's Grandmother had planted most of the flowers in there.

I dug them up. Simply, dug most of them up, then threw the whole pile away and started over. I was so proud of myself for cleaning that mess up. What I didn't know, was that there were beautiful old flowers in there that simply needed weeded. Afterwards, I was sick at what I'd done to that flower garden.

My new Father in-law replaced almost all of the flowers in there. He gave me new starts of almost everything I had destroyed. He had a green thumb, and most likely had gotten his starts from this very garden years before. He was born here, and his Mother had planted those flowers outside the back door, and enjoyed it for many years.

As the last several years have been very busy for us, my flower garden has been grossly neglected. Until this weekend, when my neighbors came and saved it.

My neighbors also happen to be my sister and brother in-law. I don't know what I'd do without them!

Be Blessed Everyone.

Littles - Chapter Four

Dear Littles,

Last week we started a new tradition in our home. Every morning since, before we leave to go to preschool, you sit in a row on the couch and we talk, and we hold each other's hand. Your Daddy and I sit in front of you on your little chairs, and we make a circle. A circle, that is our family. .... and you listen, and you talk. In your childish voices, you talk with such sincerity, it melts my heart.

For a few minutes, we talk about you, and how much you are loved, and we talk about your life. Although you're young, we want to set a foundation for you to follow. We want to teach you honesty, and integrity. We want to teach you values and respect. But for now, we want to teach you to love each other ... and to always hold that high in your heart. You are each other's family ... and that is so important. Long after we're gone, we want you to always cling to each other.

I'm amazed at the maturity of you at three years old, and just how deeply you love us. I see it in your faces, and I hear it in your voices, and it reinforces just how much I love you. I know how my heart feels when I see you. I know that joy when I feel the warmth, and the smallness of your hand, as you slip it into mine.

You now are remembering what we talk about about, and you're telling each other, and you're telling us it is time to have "our family talk." You're reminding each other, and you're hugging one another and you're saying, "I love you."

This week, I've made it my mission to write down every little thing you've said about us as a family, and how we love each other. "For with love, all things will fall into place as you grow." Mainly, I'm intrigued at how you interpret and relate it to each other, and us as a family. Then I remember .... you are only three years old. ... and I smile.

Love,

Mom

Fruitful Friday

Meg is my daughter. Kelcie is my Grand Daughter. They both are three. This evening they were fairy princesses, and they loved every moment of it ... and each other.
They walked. I followed. Hand in hand and together. They took my breath away and at times I couldn't see for the tears in my eyes. How can one heart be so full?

They told secrets and they whispered to each other.
Then they danced. With each other. Barefooted in the grass.

.... and they twirled. They were Ballerina's. Today.

Best friends. Forever.
They saw me. ... and they were so shy, and they giggled.

Then Kelcie had to go home, and Meg was so sad. Their fairytale for today came to an end. .... until the next time.

I am still amazed that one woman can have this life ... and bear this fruit. I am just so blessed ... don't you think?

(Click the pictures)

What's in a Name? .... Joey

(click the picture to enlarge)

Today I had lunch with this man. His name is Joey ... and his name means, God will increase, enlarge ... multiply. I never really thought much about that before today, even though I gave him that name twenty-four years ago. I never realized to what extent he would live up to that name.

We didn't talk about his name today. Instead we spoke of the poor, and not the physically poor, but the poor of spirit and the homeless. This child of mine gripped my heart all over again today. I listened to him tell me the stories of the people he sees every Sunday afternoon at three o'clock. He is always there, and they trickle in. He feeds them. He feeds them scripture and he feeds them wisdom ... wisdom far beyond his young years. They feed him strength, and he is their trumpet, and their hope for something better.

He has no fear. I do. He has strength. I have none. He has belief. I am scared. I am his Mother, and I want him to be safe. So I dwell on the good that he is doing ... and I pray for God to keep him safe.

When I gave it more thought, it awed me to think that forty-five thousand people can be exiting Busch Stadium, after a ballgame, in St. Louis, Missouri on any given Sunday afternoon ... and it is "my kid" that is standing beside the Arch, the gateway to the west, preaching to the homeless. It is my kid, who has given his heart to Jesus and who is destined to increase, enlarge and multiply.

Just like in "The Field of Dreams" ... if he builds it, they will come. ... and they are. One homeless person at a time. One baseball spectator at a time. One person at a time. ... and he is leading them, and they keep coming back, every Sunday afternoon at three o'clock.

I know now what "Joey" stands for ... it means that he will draw them in. From the streets, the gutters, the bars, and the alleyways of downtown St. Louis. .... and they will increase, enlarge and multiply. They will come, and they will listen ... and he will be heard.

In two weeks, I will be there with Joey as he preaches beside the Arch in downtown St. Louis ... and I won't have fear.

Be Blessed Everyone.

My real fear will be when he leaves for a mission trip to India next month. I want to keep him grounded, guarded and protected ... but he is on a mission. A mission for God ... and a mission that I can't stand in his way.

Dear Littles - Chapter Two

Sam, Meg & Jay

(click picture for better view)

Dear Littles,

In this picture, you were just a little over four months old. So little time had gone by, and yet you grew and fattened up, and our life with the three of you became routine. Everything in our life revolved around you and taking care of you.

At the time, taking care of you seemed endless. As much as I love you, the exhaustion was overwhelming. I'm not complaining, as I would do anything for you, but how can you prepare yourself for eight months of little or no sleep. Yet we survived ... and you thrived. As I look back on those days, I'm amazed at what we accomplished with little help.

Jo Caskey, your Nanny, was here from the day you came home from the hospital, until you were almost a year and a half old. How blessed I was to have had her here during the days. Oh, how we longed for her during the nights every once in a while. Then, at seventy-one years old, she retired .... and I was lost.

Even as an older Mother, even though I had raised four kids, she taught me so much. That woman was amazing ... she cleaned, cooked, quilted and took care of you like you were one of her many Grandchildren. I listened to every word she had to say, and hung onto every word. She knew you as well as I did. ... and she loved you too.

In the wee hours of the morning, I learned to feed all three of you at the same time by myself. It was a rare occasion that your Daddy missed a feeding in those early months, but as you grew and stretched out the hours, it was just me and you at 4:30am every morning.

It was at this time, that I dressed you all up and took your picture. It is countless, the photo sessions we had. In the night, at every feeding and every time you were awake. By the time you were this age, I actually had over three thousand pictures of you. Over time, you literally grew to hate my camera.

What beautiful babies you were, and just how blessed can one Mother be?

I love you,

Mom

Hand in Hand

I felt the need to have a little one on one with my child, and a special little boy named Jay spent some time with me this evening.

We got Sam and Meg to go upstairs to watch TV, so that Jay and I could leave without them crying to go with us. They'll get their turn, but tonight it was Jay's turn.

He was so excited and put his coat on by himself. He stood at the door and ask me if I was ready to go. Then he reached out his hand and slipped his into mine.

His little hand was so warm and so small, and I was so aware of his fingers wrapped tightly around mine. We walked side by side down the narrow sidewalk with our arms swinging in the night air. As I looked down at the top of his little head, it just amazed me how tall he is getting and how grown up he must feel tonight. It was just me and him. He was looking up at me and talking as we walked to the car, and he was totally oblivious to where we were going. Just happy to be going.

We weren't going anywhere special. Only for a short drive just so we could talk. Just me and him, by ourselves, just for the pure joy of his company. Company that I was needing tonight. Him.

I ask Jay what he learned at school today, and he sighed and said, "I didn't learn nothing ... I just colored." ... and that made me smile. I ask him if he learned his ABC's or counted his numbers, and he rubbed his little head and said to me, "I already know them all." In the dark, quietly to myself, I smiled even bigger. He melts my heart.

We only drove for a short distance and our little mission was accomplished. As I pulled back into the drive, I heard Jay yawning and ask him if he was ready to go home, and ready to go to bed, and he said in the most grown up of voices, "Mommy, you forgot to bring my Jammie's with you."

I unbuckled him from his car seat and ask him if he wanted me to carry him in the house, and he said to me, "I'm very big, I can walk now", then he sweetly said, "Mommy, will you hold my hand?"

I reached down and took his little hand in mine and we walked up the sidewalk together .... side by side. I was so aware of how small his hand was, and how warm, and just how good his hand felt in mine.

Someday, his hand will be bigger than mine and he'll lead me up and down that sidewalk ...

Be Blessed Everyone.

Lady Bugs

This morning I woke up to this. You have to go visit Nan at her blog to see the full post. She is hilarious! It made my day! It also made me cough because I laughed so much! Having Pneumonia isn't much fun!

The funny thing that I haven't told Nan is that this little tune is driving me nuts too, and has been running through my head non-stop since Saturday! It's very addicting! But I love it.

When I first heard this little jingle, I thought of my Mother-in-Law that I truly loved from the bottom of my heart. I think about her often and especially when I see Ladybugs. She was always on a mission to get rid of them, and they were so plentiful that she could never get them all.

So I started looking at Ladybugs differently after Mom passed away. I saw them as cute, busy little creatures ... just like Mom was. She was a joy in my life and I miss her so much. There are days I look at my kids and just would give anything if they could have met her. Then I see a Ladybug and they make me smile! So in my heart, I like to think that Mom knows my kids, for her presence is always with us.

You didn't even know it Nan, but thanks for the reminder of her this morning! Her birthday is coming up next week and you gave me a great reminder of someone I really loved.

If the little Ladybug song isn't playing when you read this .... you can scroll down to the bottom and click it. It will make you smile!

Have a Blessed Day Everyone!

Happy Birthday Bro ...

More of them than him. ... and they are Reindeer here. Tristyn and Kristyn's Daddy is my brother and today is his birthday.

You think I have my hands full ..... well, let me tell you, his are fuller. These two little "dahlings" keep him hopping! He's a single Dad raising these two kidlets alone in a Princess filled house. Pink and purple and only their way! They rule and he's wrapped!

Happy Birthday Jeff .... I love you!

~ Photo Friday ~

Thanksgiving Day! Kelcie and Luke (my grandchildren) both came outside with me for a few minutes to take a few pictures. Of course they didn't cooperate, they're only three. But I did get the biggest smile out of Kelcie!Luke played hard to get .... nothing doing with that camera. He was cold and it was time to eat! He turned and looked at me only once, and I swear I could read his mind, "what you always doing with that camera Grandma Tannie?" Then, he sighed, shrugged his shoulders and walked straight into the house. But as he got to the door, he turned and looked back and gave me the biggest grin .... and I missed it!

I don't think my camera was the treat that he had in mind! Oh well .... there will be a next time!

Be Blessed Everyone .... and say, "Cheese".

~ My Kids ~

Jared, Josh, Juli and Joey


My family. My older kids all together. It's hard these days to get them all in one spot. With Joey still in college in Missouri, and Jared teaching and working in Mississippi, it's a rare moment to hold them down for a picture. They're "thick", as in best friends. They love each other, it's so obvious. Even though the miles separate them for the moment, they talk on the phone to each other all the time, and of course, I talk to each of them almost every day. Even though they're in their mid-twenties, they're still my babies, and I'm sure they always will be.

Almost twenty-seven years ago, I started writing letters to Josh before he was even born. I continued this with all four of them. I filled a big notebook of their beginning and their school years, and everything in between. Reading those letters out loud to them used to be their favorite past time. It's amazing how much of the little things you forget as a parent, but as we would read those letters, it's amazing how much they remembered from those days. Another example of how the little things become the big things in life. I haven't given them those letters yet, but I'm sure when I do, they will cherish them as much as I do.

I get teary eyed when I see them like this; having fun and goofing off, and posing for me. The lighting was not the best. Actually, we were in a dark room with only a ceiling fan for lighting and this quick snapshot turned out just perfect. I got their shining faces, all smiling and it's a beautiful picture to me. My children ... happy, smiling, loving each other and being together again, if only for one day, was wonderful.

I am yet to get all seven of my kids in one picture, but in two weeks, I'm setting up a studio at my brother's house and I'm doing family portraits of all of us. All of my sisters and their families and my brother and his family, and all of our kids and our parents. It's going to be a busy day, but a another fun day!

As we all get older, I think holidays take on a special meaning. I look forward to them, and all of us being together. Living away from my older kids is the hardest thing I've ever done ... you'd think I was hours and hours and a thousand miles away from them, but I'm only an hour away, yet I miss them so much. I miss the days of them running in and out and all the activities and all the running everywhere with them, and I'm looking forward to doing it again with the triplets in a few years. I'm a seasoned Mom, and I know exactly what's in store in for me!

Now Christmas is just around the corner, and I can't wait until we're all together again. Were you all together yesterday, and did you get pictures of those you love?

Be Blessed Everyone.

~ Things for Which I'm Thankful ~

Since tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I thought I'd list a few things that are really important to me in my life. This walk of life I was given. Von and I, we're in this journey of raising these kids all by our selves. Being "antique parents", everyone else in our family is "antique" too. My older kids have kids, and are busy with work and their lives, and I live away from my family. Not far, just under an hour, but with three young preschoolers, it's hard to go home. We really don't have a babysitter and we pretty much manage by ourselves, and do our best to change schedules around to make it happen. Occasionally we ask MM's sister to help a bit, and she does when she can. Life is hectic. We're beyond tired, but I wouldn't trade this for the world, and for that I am thankful.

Tomorrow, I'm going home for Thanksgiving. I've always cooked and tomorrow I'm not cooking one thing. I'm going to my Mother's and my whole family will be there. It's been six long years since I've had Thanksgiving dinner with my Mother, my sister's and my brother. All of our kids will be there. It will be a houseful. Loud and noisy and lots of kids. There is a lot of us, and it will be fun to get together. We'll take pictures, play games and just talk. I'm really looking forward to tomorrow. On top of that, my Dad and my Step-Mother will be there. I'm blessed with two sets of parents that get along great.

Here are a few things that I think about often, and that I'm very thankful for:

• All of my children. That I'm loved and needed, and they are so healthy, and they have good lives.
• My Parents. That they are still here with us and are healthy, and we're able to be together on holidays, and that I can pick up the phone and call them anytime.
• My Husband. He is so good to me. He is a wonderful Father, and he has blessed me more than he will ever know.
• My Job. I have a great job. I work with a great bunch of people. I never knew that jobs like mine existed, that everyone gets along and it's fun.
• Me. I'm thankful for Me. That I'm healthy. That God gave me these children to parent and raise and love, for my children that are grown and for the three that I will raise. Sometimes I know that he has more faith in me than I have in myself.
• My home. I love living out here on this farm. I see it as a opportunity and I see life down my road through rose colored glasses, and the view I see is beautiful.
• My Gifts. The gift of being big hearted and always putting others before me, and the gift that God gave me, my faith and my spirit.

I'd like you to share the blessings in your life and for what you're thankful. Sit back, close your eyes for just a few seconds and let me know what you see on that list behind your eyes. Sometimes, writing it down brings a whole new light to those thoughts in our heads. What are you thankful for?

Be Blessed Everyone and have a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Tristyn and Kristyn

Say hello to my two beautiful little nieces. Tristyn thinks she's a movie star and really doesn't like her little sister, Kristyn,touching her. Not even for pictures. These two little ladies kept me hopping in poses and running all over this farm for different shots of them. They pranced, prised and loved it! I took lots of pictures and am going to give them each a poster size collage of themselves. I think they'll love it.

Talk about "Hannah Montana mode" .... these little gals have it going on! My brother is a single Dad raising them on his own. .... and I thought I had my hands full!

Be Blessed,

Tree of Life

Several years ago my Dad retired, and he couldn't stand staying at home. It was way too quiet and he's way too cool to do just nothing. I think it drove him absolutely nuts. I know he drove his kids nuts.

This was about election time and Dad had opinions of who we grown up 'kids' should vote for. He would make the rounds to each of our houses, and tell us exactly how to vote and who we needed to vote for .... and why. I heard all about those 'damned republicans' ... and I heard how great Clinton was, because he was for the poor man. Dad would also certainly let us know that Bush wasn't any good, because he was for the rich, and he was a 'no-good republican.' I do believe that my Dad is a 'democrat man' ... all the way! I told him that I voted for Ross Perot just to get a rise out of him. That rise lasted for about 6 months and caused me lots of grief.

This went on for several months. Retirement wasn't agreeing with my Dad. We 'kids' were pretending like we weren't home when he pulled up. And we quit answering the phone. Don't get me wrong, I love my dad ... but, he was bored and had lots of time on his hands. Way too much time. I heard that one of my sisters saw him getting out of his car and locked her door and nose dived to the floor, just as he was peeking in the window and pushing the door bell.

The man desperately needed a job. So he went out and found one. Since he's working again, we 'kids' are happier. On the other hand, it ended up being a good move for him. He's learned a lot over the last couple of years. He's also learned how to use a computer, and he even has email! God help us all! He has learned to forward jokes. So, if you have any good jokes you want to send or just want to say hello to my Dad, you can email him at: kw_dad at yahoo dot com. Tell him I sent you, and make sure you tell him I'm way cool.

In his endeavor of learning modern technology, such as a computer, my Dad wrote this poem for us 'kids' .... and gave each of us a signed framed copy. I love the meaning behind it and I love my Dad. I read it almost every time I walk by it. It really puts life into perspective. It makes you think. Read the poem and let me know what you think. Did it change how you feel about life? Are you the top branch? Did the branch above you fall? How did it effect you?

I'm not looking forward to being the top branch. I haven't lost either of my parents yet, but I've lost my grandparents and a Uncle. I think I'm very fortunate.

The Tree of Life (by Keith Wyatt)

Life is made up of many things, that takes time to understand.

There's love and joy, grief and sorrow, and greed for the upper hand.

In assessing what life's been about, and what is left to be.

We'll assume all the things of life, and liken them to a tree.

Let's first take the greed tree and see what it's life is about.

It takes all the nutrients it can get, and never does without.

But it's limbs are never even, some skinny and some fat.

Some scraggly and some rotten, some ... self ordained aristocrats.

They go through life with little struggle, they try to have it all.

They only know compassion when they've reached the top, then fall.

Now, the love and joy tree, would be great to stay that way.

But even with love and joy, grief and sorrow have their day.

In life you have your struggles, and you just can't see so well.

Grief and sorrow opened my eyes, when the limbs above me fell.

But life goes on, no matter the hurt, because you just can't stop.

You've got all those limbs under you, so you have to go to the top.

All the limbs beneath me, has been my love and joy.

They've made me lots of branches, my little girls and little boy.

So look after those little branches, keep them happy, one and all.

Because you'll get to be the top limb, when the limbs above you fall.

Have a great day everyone ... and be blessed!

Me ...

This is us. For all of you out there that email me and ask why there aren't any pictures of me. That could be because I'm always behind the camera. Today is my debut ... (not counting the belly shot on the table moments before my triplets were born). Here I am! This is me. This was two days ago. I got in front of the camera, just for all of you with inquiring minds that wanted to know! (Click the picture if you want a closer look)

I didn't even go to PhotoShop and take off my double chin and 30 pounds. I left them on so you can see the 'real me.' Or, maybe I could say that I went to PhotoShop and made me look chubby ... that's it, that's what I did! I added a few pounds and a little bit of gray hair, and a few wrinkles. ... Oh, and that double chin, it's not real. I bought it at a gag shop! ha~


I want you to know that it took an act of God and a old man passing by, that I literally grabbed, to take this picture. Actually, it was a Doctor that I used to work with, but I still had to beg him and promise that all he had to do was push the button. I set the camera on continuous and I believe the man took about 36 pictures ... all exactly alike. It was over so fast that our expressions didn't even change ... and talk about 'stranger danger' ... look at my kiddo's faces! Can you say STONE COLD & SOBER!


My plan was to set the camera and jump in ... but we weren't fast enough to catch the kids and jump into place and smile, all in 10 seconds. They run in circles ... in three different ways!


The old retired Doctor got his chuckle of the day and so did the audience that we acquired trying to get a picture of all of us in the roofless church at New Harmony.


So here I am .... what do you think? Only good comments accepted or I might not come back ... ha~

Be Blessed,

Roots

This morning as I was driving the Trio of Terror to Daycare ... it hit me how very different life in the country is, versus life in the city. You would think since I've lived out here on this farm for over six years now, I might have noticed. You would think that it wouldn't have taken me six long years to see the difference. But it did. ... and I'm glad. Because now I think I appreciate it more.

After turning right out of our driveway, because my trio insisted, so they can go by the barns and see the baby cows. I noticed just how long and winding our road is. I noticed just how narrow and tree lined and just how green and curvy it is. I slowed down and rolled down the windows to let the breeze blow in on me and kids. The smell was amazing ... it seemed so clean. Why wouldn't I have noticed that before? I take this same route every morning, and I walk this road almost every evening with my kiddo's. Our narrow county road is almost a lane. I noticed the Sweet Pea in bloom along side the road. I noticed each Foxtail waving to us. It was as if time was standing still on our road. Nothing new or modern was in my view. I assume these trees have stood here for almost two hundred years. I wonder who planted them. Which one of their Grandfathers? Which ancestor?

I looked into every horizon. ... on my left, on my right and directly in front of me. Each horizon was farm ground .... precious farm ground that my husband plants each year. Farm ground that hasn't changed for generations. Farm ground that his Father, Grandfather and his Great-Grandfather planted before him. They set down roots here ... they started this dairy farm here. This is why we are here. This is Siekman ground. Our farm. Our home. Our roots. The place where we will raise these children. The place where they will raise their children. ... and so forth. Long after I am gone this will be here. ... and it will still be the Siekman ground. I suddenly became so amazed to think how long the roots here have already grown. It made me think of my life here on this farm. It made me wish that I had more memories of this place, or that I could have known the past Grandmothers of this farm.

I believe with all my heart and soul that the success to raising these children in our older years is to keep a simple life. Keep them honest, keep them rooted here, and instill in them the values and morals like the past Fathers and Mothers of this farm did, with their children. For the first time since they've been born, I think I want them to work this ground too. I want them to carry on .... I want them to have the kind of life that their Father had and still has ... I want them to be like him, and his Fathers' before him. I want them to live on this ground that is their heritage. I want them to be known and remembered as Siekman's. ... people that worked hard for a living and were honest folks. I want them to be humble and giving people ... just like their ancestors who gave them these roots.

Be Blessed,
Tan

Our New Family Portrait ...

I know you probably don't believe me, but it's true .... this really is Me, Marlboro Man and our triplets! I thought I would share this new family portrait of us. Two boys and one girl ... yep, that's us alright! Jay has the curly hair and Sam is bald ... and Meg is in the middle of course! Aren't we a beautiful happy loving family?

If only I could do something about that green skin .... it's so NOT becoming!

Have a Great Day!
Tan