Silas Timothy

We are so thankful to announce the birth of our son, Silas Timothy!

 

He arrived at 11:35pm on October 11, 2012.

 

8lbs. 7oz., 22"

 

He's absolutely perfect...a joy...a bundle of sweetness from the Lord!



Monarch Butterfly

We've had a bit of a rocky start to our school year...not finding a good routine yet. I feel somewhat scatterbrained. The following posts are reminders to me that in the midst of the chaos, learning new curriculum, managing a sweet and curious baby girl, adding some very hands-on preschool activities, re-learning how to be diligent students and a disciplined mama all the while longing to be outdoors where we spent the entire summer, there have been some really great things happening, too. I find it easy to focus on the negative and I do want to be real, but I also need to encourage myself right now with positive things!

Our neighbor, a teacher in our local school district (and a supporter of homeschooling!), gave us a caterpillar larvae on our first day of school in the container with the milkweed. How thoughtful! Everyday for the past two weeks we've watched it transform into a butterfly. What a marvelous design by our Creator God. I was simply in awe. Sometimes I feel like I am learning and seeing these things for the first time. AMAZING! The Monarch emerged from its chrysalis on Saturday and while we were quite excited to finally see the butterfly, it was sad to let her go.

Not sure how long he stood there and watched the butterfly hanging out in the tree...a LONG time. He has a hard time saying good-bye. Kind of like his mom.

We drew Monarchs for our science notebooks and as thank you notes for our kind neighbor.

A great start to science...

Baby Bod

I love pictures of my baby belly. It's something that doesn't happen many times in one's life...unless you're Michelle Duggar! It's a miracle. It's amazing to feel my baby moving inside me. It's only by God's marvelous design that a woman can carry and supply the needs for her unborn child for nine months. I always want to remember what I looked like when I was pregnant with my children. I want my children to giggle at pictures of mama's tummy knowing that they are the ones stretching it out. Here's my baby bod at 33 weeks and 20 lbs gained...I will undoubtedly protrude even farther out front as the remaining weeks pass.

It's A Girl!

We had our 20 week ultrasound this past week. We were shocked and thrilled to find out that we are having a GIRL! By far, this was our best ultrasound with the clearest shots of the baby and with a technician who took her time showing us all of the baby's parts. After the technician told us the baby was a girl (for the third time - I still can't believe it!), Luke said, "Well, I guess I was just right, Mama! We're havin' a baby sister!"

I love this picture. This was the first image we saw of our baby...a beautiful profile with her thumb in her mouth. I don't know if anyone else sees a resemblance in their ultrasound pictures, but when I saw the profile, I immediately thought, "That's a Farwell baby!" It reminds me so much of Isaac's pictures in the nose and mouth area.

Another picture just seconds later.

At the end, we were giggling at her acrobatics. Her big brothers must be influencing her from the womb! This position is the exact thing they do while lying on the bottom bunk and pushing up with their feet on the top bunk!

We are most thankful and blessed for our little one's healthy report. But we are thrilled that God has chosen to add a little girl to our family - a heart's desire of mine that's been well guarded over the past years. God is good!

Introducing...

We are so happy to introduce our newest addition...due in July...showing off his/her strong heartbeat this afternoon. God is so good! We are so blessed!

Letchworth

We ventured off to Letchworth this afternoon to catch a glimpse of lingering fall colors.

Luke kept finding and discarding the "perfect" walking stick...don't think he ever found one suitable to keep...or was it because it was more fun to throw it like a javelin into the woods???

Elijah, our nature collector...always finding a treasure to bring home.

Isaac knows when to "ham" it up...he kept stopping and hugging trees yelling, "Cheeeeezzz!"

Chenunda Crik

Playing at the crik I enjoyed with my brothers and friends back in my hometown...

My mom, Shirley, always willing to join in on the fun

My favorite picture of the day

Looking for minnows

My favorite flowers for bouquets when I was little...

Why don't I live here anymore? Openness, Forest, Quiet, Insect noises, Crik

"Moe wok, mama!" (More rocks, mama!)



Do we even have snails in the 'burbs? My boys didn't seem to think so...at least not this many in one place at one time

The Great Wellsville Balloon Rally

The annual Wellsville Hot Air Balloon Rally...I was pumped and the boys were totally in on the adventure as well. We were going to go balloon chasing. But alas, the weather did not cooperate. That's okay. We can try again next year. Despite the lack of balloon activity, the boys were thrilled with the four we did see.

Our first look out spot, on Hanover Hill, before the Weather Meister and Balloon Officials decided to cancel the flight.

A few pilots lifted off the ground...basically straight up and then back down. The boys were thrilled!

A cloudy, foggy, humid evening...still beautiful!

Storm Cloud

Last night, as we were getting the boys ready for bed, we noticed this amazing cloud passing over our house. The edge of the cloud almost looked like a wall going straight up to heaven. The lightening coming from it was amazing, clearly defined bolts that kept within the confines of the cloud edges. I didn't dare go outside to take pictures because, frankly, I'm a chicken and don't want to chance being struck by lightening. The cloud was so large I doubt if I could have captured the whole of it in my camera frame, but here's what I did get...

Kiley, Kiley Quite Smiley...How Does Your Garden Grow?

It has been quite lovely and thrilling around the gardens of the Farwell Estate...ha, ha! We've worked hard over the past few years to improve our yard and outdoor space although most of the "Jones" around here are wondering why we just keep buying and moving more dirt. If you didn't know where we started, you'd probably think we hadn't done a thing in the past 6 years. But I am pleased with the progress especially with how our garden is growing despite its bleak beginnings. If you haven't read about how we started see my archived entries in May titled "Mother's Day Garden." Here are some pictures of the perennials we've added and the progress report on our garden.

Don't know what this is...from our Asian neighbor...she brings us flowers and such. Unfortunately I have a hard time understanding her and I'm sure she is telling me the names and exactly how to care for them. Smile and nod.

The rose bush we finally staked this year...it must've needed it because it has never bloomed this well before.

Pretty pinky roses...a little wilted but still cheery

Pretty purple flowers...don't know this name either...are you beginning to see that flower names aren't important to me?! I pick things that I like and not much else matters. I name them by colors...maybe someday I'll have time to remember!

Brand new this year and doing well!

Pretty yellows from our neighbor

Now to some pictures of our garden. It floundered a bit while we were away on vacation, however, it has picked up momentum since returning with religious watering and lots of rain.

Lettuce

Spinach

Red Onions

Peppers...hmmm...not growing very quickly...

Bush pickles

Sweet 100s - grape tomatoes

Green Beans

Sugar Snap Peas

Zucchini...finally doing well despite a midnight visitor nibbling away at the leaves.