Happy Fall Y'all

The kids and I took our 'annual' Pumpkin Patch farm trip last week and we had such a good time ! Ella enjoyed 'climbing' on all the mountains of pumpkins and loved eating apples and helping us pick out pumpkins to decorate the front porch. We are looking forward to a family picnic soon to Roan Mountain and (weather permitting) taking a plane ride across the mountian and dispersing my Dad's ashes across the beautiful terrain. This was his wish for as long as I can remember and I can't wait to finally do this. It has been a hard 5 months for us. Losing my Mom 4 years ago was heart-wrenching...but losing my Dad this past summer has taken quite a toll on me. I have had to remind myself frequently that I was blessed to have my parents as long as I did... which has NOT been easy. They were both so young. I miss them both so much and my life, while soooo rich with God's blessings and so very appreciated, will never be the same without them. Please visit my shop blog http://www.fiddlycat.blogspot.com/ I am selling a book that I compiled this summer of my personal home made family recipes and folk art patterns of which all proceeds will be split ( 50/50) to both the Susan G. Kommen breast cancer Foundation ( in honor of my Mom ) and The Black Diamond Search & Rescue Foundation in SW Virginia ( in honor of my Dad ). Have a safe and fun Fall weekend .....

Mark your Calendars !

I have been a busy bee.... sewing...painting... hooking. I will have a small booth set up ( An outside tent) at the annual Fall Folk Arts Festival at the Exchange Place in Kingsport, Tn. Really neat !! If you've never visited.... please be sure to !

Uno... dos... tres...

One Year 'Gotcha Day' !!!!

Now

Then

It is hard to believe that one year ago today.... we were in Guatemala City pacing our hotel floor with one very unhappy 8 month old little girl who's whole entire world changed in a split second. It was probably the most bitter-sweet experience We have ever endured. She cried continuously.. (never stopped) for a solid 6 hours. Ella lived with her wonderful foster family from November 21, 2007 to July 16, 2008. It was a day that will never be forgotten ! Ella cried... I cried...Wendel cried... the foster family was sobbing... and it was all because of one little girl that was leaving one family and uniting with another. I cannot even begin to imagine how difficult it must have been for Ella's foster family to say good-bye to her...but we have over the months kept in touch through email and letters. We are blessed to have her and fall more in love with her each day !

~*~ The Wedding ~*~

Rather than take up alot of room with writing... I just wanted to share some photos of my brother and sister-in-law's beautiful wedding this weekend ! Congratulations Brack & Jenny ! We Love you guys !

Catchin' up ....

First off, I would like to say 'Thank You' to all those who have emailed, called, sent cards, and prayed for us during these last four weeks. The loss of my Dad has been unbelievably difficult on us all and your heart felt messages were comforting. Thank you !

On a lighter note, we have kept ourselves very busy ! The 'boys' were chosen to play in Little League All Stars this summer. This was Carter's second year and Cole's first ! Carter played both pitcher and outfield while Cole was hind catcher. They had fun and Ella was so sweet cheering them on ! She would shout " Go Cole " ... " Go Car ".

I have been fortunate enough to step down to part-time RN at work and this has been a huge help for us here at home. I am now working 2, sometimes 3 days a week and it's been such a relief. I have missed having free time with my munchkins and am just grateful the physicians were willing to allow me to cut back on my hours.

As for our little Guatemalan Queen .... she's absolutely amazing ! She has made such huge strides in the last 11 months that she's been home with us and is growing like a little weed ! I did something last week that I swore I would never do... I placed her in a little beauty pageant ! It was here in our hometown and I didn't go to drastic lengths with a fancy expensive outfit... it was very spur of the moment. Carter and Cole were SOO excited to watch her on-stage and the judges must of thought she was just as beautiful as we do... she won in her age group ! She could not have cared less.... her trophy was as big as her... and she did find it interesting ... She called it her "Tro-see" .

The BIG WEDDING is July 11th !! My brother, Brack and his fiance Jenny have decided to tie the knot closer to home rather than California due to the loss in our family.. and we can't wait !!! We are packing our bags for a mini vacation this weekend to the beach and are looking forward to some much needed R&R..... Have a fun , Safe, 4th of July ! Next post? Wedding pictures !!

In memory of my Dad, Dickie Owens

We will miss you Dad. This man was the best Dad, Poppy, and husband to my sweet Momma, Sandy, and will be so missed. His plane went down the 29th of May in Dickenson County, Virginia as he was on his way to one of his job sites in Ashland, Kentucky. We Love you Dad.