Couple of Early Birds

 She and I have become the early birds.

I cherish our quiet early mornings together.

 We make our way out to do chores, as the sun cast it's shadow across our land.

I drag a hose and feed bucket. She brings along her dog.

And Mr. Kitty (her new kitten that she named five different times)

A true country girl.

Growing up on this land. Playing outside in the cool breeze of morning. Still in jammies.

Chasing after roosters and chickens.

This is our time together.

Precious time. 

These moments are my life. 

I'll be right back...

Dear blog friends,

Sorry I haven't posted regularly in a while.  Life kicked into over drive around here.  We opened our restaurant on Friday, October 15. The "official" grand opening was Monday (18th) and each night has gotten a busier. Tonight we filled the place up for the first time. What a relief!

We run the place as a family. My husband, myself, two brother in laws, and a friend. Even the children sweep and wash dishes. It's a family business.  Some nights my little girl falls asleep tucked in her sleeping bag in the office.  It's not forever. Just temporary, until we can hire more staff.  We are crazy busy getting everything smoothed out.

I will be back to blog about life soon.

~Brandi

Slowing Down...

I had a VERY sick little boy this week. 

 There were moments, I was very frightened for my son. He ran fever for five days. Sometimes, the fever spiked to 104.4 degrees. For a child, that had NEVER experienced sickness outside of the sniffles, it was hard to see him suffer day in and day out.

At one point, I was holding him on the couch.  While I prayed over him, he began to cry.

 My heart broke...

"Mama," he cried.  In sobbing tears, "Why doesn't Jesus heal me?"

All I could say is,"He is sweetheart, He is."

Then I tried to make sense of his suffering. 

Still, through his tears, he replied, "haven't I suffered enough mama?"

"YES, sweet boy, you have."

Then, I had no more words out loud.

Only, deep prayer for him, and all mothers' that have held their children in sickness. 

Pleading.

  With the One Who holds the power to Heal.  As he drifted off to a feverish sleep, my throat tightened and hot tears fell. I cried knowing my boy would get better. Maybe, not today. Maybe, not tomorrow, but one morning he would wake up and feel better. 

But for a moment,

I let myself feel the heartache, of not knowing that for sure. 

That night the fever broke, and left his body for the final time.
I had slept at his bedside for five days. Never really resting. Afraid he may need me and I would be asleep.  That night, we both rested peacefully.

He is slowly regaining his strength. This illness, took the stuffing right out of him. He lost thirteen pounds. I MADE him drink constantly throughout, but for days he could only tolerate small bites of applesauce.

Life...... has a way of slowing us down.  

Right, when we think we couldn't possibly slow down at this moment. 

I let everything go for a week, and focused on the needs of my child.

I have never been so thankful that this is MY JOB, in life.  That I am blessed and able to serve my family.

the Lord is the strength of my life...

          Psalm 27:1

     

Work Hard, Play Hard, and Love Much

Our new normal day begins much earlier than it used to.

In between deliveries and faxes we hit the little park down the road.

Most mornings, our bags are packed and waiting by the front door.

 Ready to go for the day.

 Sometimes, I am still shocked that we actually pulled this off.

Life can change on you in a heart beat.

We are learning to embrace each busy day.

 So we hit the park and let the good times roll.

 Laughter,  play time, and sand in our shoes.

At the end of the day, we are a family.