Life on The Farm

I remember that one of my childhood dreams was to live on a farm when I grew up. My dad owned a little "farmette" that was more like a weekend hobby than a way of everyday life, but I loved helping him. I remember chasing cows, driving a tractor, and yes, even bailing hay! By the time I was a teenager, the "farmette" had been sold and the time spent there was just treasured memories. Who knew, that God was preparing me to truly live that childhood dream one day! No I don't bail hay anymore and I haven't driven a tractor in many years, but I love the land we are surrounded by. On a daily basis, we have beautiful views, cattle roaming by, the sounds of numerous farm machinery, and the challenges and excitement of "Life on the Farm!" Watching my husband carry on a 4th Generation family business and truly loving what he does, makes where we live, what we do even more special. I hope Ashley, Amanda and Will one day develope the pride and love for this life that Scott and I have.

Last winter the big challenge was weather! Thirty inches of snow made even the most routine of daily chores, harder. The John Deere made moving the snow fairly easy, but having snow piled everywhere was daunting. For days, Scott and his brother struggled through those 30 inches of snow just to get the job done, but it was beautiful(at least from my point of view from inside the house!). Scott loves snow, however, after last winter, he prefers it in smaller amounts!

This winter we have had a few more exciting things happen. The first was taking down two of the Harvestore silos. They had become very unreliable, difficult to keep in operation and very expensive to repair. So down they came. Fortunately there is a company in PA that does this, but Scott did work for them on the day the silos actually came down and he was exhausted! The view down our lane is very different now, but still amazingly peaceful and beautiful. Silos coming down, end of an era, but life goes on as usual here on the farm.

Moments To Remember

Not to dwell on the subject, but surviving cancer gives you new insight into how sweet each moment of life is - even the hardest ones. I guess you begin to understand that none of us are guarenteed another day, or even another minute. It is actually a gift to know that the moment you are in might just be your last. No, I am not full of doom and gloom, instead I am so much more full of praise and thanksgiving. Every moment brings me joy in some degree. Don't expect me to soon be reporting of my mountain climbing trip or sky diving adventure, instead you will see the "little moments" of our every day life - because for me, those are the true adventures. Last night was one of those moments. William Kirby Bing Wine served as 1st Grade Homecoming Representative for Ridgeview Christian School. He has been so excited about this. After arriving at the school last night, I took numerous pictures of Will and his classmate, Emily McMakin who joined him in serving as 1st grade Reps. With 10 minutes to go before the processional of class representatives, it hit me. This moment - seeing my son in such a grown up suit, being so excited and having such a wonderful time with his friends, made me cry! God blessed our family with Will almost 6 years ago and we have had so many moments like this, but last night I knew how blessed I truly am and will continue to be, because no matter the moment - I am here to enjoy it!

Final Inspection from mom!

Will and Emily - 1st Grade Representatives

It IS the "Happiest Place on Earth!"

Last year, Scott and I were excited to tell the kids that we were going to Disney World! The trip was all planned, paid for, etc and we both were probably more excited than the kids! Unfortunately, March brought news of surgery and other possibilities and our trip was postponed. It was a hard decision. We knew it was the right one, but still very disappointing to have to wait. Disney was very accomodating and we changed the dates. God immediately began to bless this decision. Our final trip dates were at a cheaper rate time, so we got money back AND over the summer they began to offer a great Disney Dining Plan deal, which we were able to take advantage of because of the new dates. God is so good!

So, in December we packed up and DROVE to Florida, not a bad trip actually! We arrived at Disney World on Dec. 11th and begin to have a wonderful time. It was freezing cold most of the days we were there - but I would do it again in a heart beat! There is just something so relaxing and calm about being at Disney. I definitely see a repeat trip in our future. Here are just a few pictures for you to enjoy.

10 months - a lifetime of lessons

March 14, 2010 - the date I last updated this blog. I admit that I have thought about updating this blog alot, especially lately, but somehow just couldn't find the motivation. Then last week, my youngest niece updated her blog(she has been as delinguent as I have), and she's included words about some of the tough hits she's taken lately. She inspired me - so here goes.
The weekend, I blogged about last year was for our family the last "normal" time we had. Alot has happened since then - some of you know all the details, some don't, but I will spare you the full story. In a nutshell - cancer is frightening, chemo is worse, and together they take away any confidence you had in your body to function as it should! Sound horrible - yeah maybe, BUT (and it's a hugh one) MY God is bigger than both of them combined. The verse this blog's title comes from reminds me of that each day. Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." In that promise from God, I made it through a very difficult summer and I learned that it is Jeremiah 29: 12-13 that we need to live by. "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart. I missed alot of things this summer with my family; our family dynamics have changed dramatically; and yes, we all have in some way been affected by my cancer! But, truly for the first time in my life, I learned how to "seek God with ALL of my heart" and to feel him listening and that changed me more than cancer and chemo ever could! There in lays the true miracle - my blessing of cancer! As of my last check up - I am cancer free(Praise God). Do I know what tomorrow will bring, NO, but then none of us does. Do I now know what a gift each moment, each day is - you betcha! I cherish every smile, every hug, every song sung, every frustration, every bit of chaos, every moment spent with my family and friends. Life - it is God given, and if we let it be God-controlled.
We ended 2010 with sweet memories, our family had a wonderful opportunity to go to Disney World and we loved it! Adventures such as that trip will hopefully fill 2011. I look forward to sharing them with each of you and along the way I hope that I can share with you some of the insights God has given and hopefully will continue to give.
Susan

On Friday, March 12th, Scott, Will and I drove up to Northern VA to see Matty and Nate(along with Aunt Beth) in a production of Cinderella. It was done by Franklin Park Arts and it was a wonderful performance. Nate and Matty were "royal children" and Matty just absolutely beamed the whole time he was on the stage. Nate was a little more reserved, but he seemed to be enjoying himself as well! What an amazing performance by a group of very amazing performers!

Then on Saturday, we joined Matty at his Special Olympics sports time. He was a bit tired(as you will see in the pictures) and that was because someone kept him up really late, and then someone else woke him up really early!

Warming up with stretches and fun songs! Even Nate and Will got in on the action. I think Will like the singing just about more than anything!

Just like Matty, Will and Nate were able to join in on the soccer, basketball, andTball. When they had worn out all their options, they created their own game of "Hot Potato". When, things were winding down, I looked around to find them in a circle with 4 or 5 other participants, and they were teaching them all to play "Hot Potato".

After snack, I helped Matty with the cool down! Brian thought I was kidding when I told him I needed help to get up!
So Matty was too tired to particiapte in the activities, oh well, Aunt Susan got some really great snuggle time with sweet Matty - something that Uncle Scott usually gets instead of me! It was a short, but fun weekend visit and we truly enjoyed spending time with my niece Michelle's family - even though Michelle wasn't there!

February Fun

Early in the year, one of our favorite celebrations is the Chinese New Year. We try to provide Will with as much knowledge about his birth culture as we can, so for us, the celebrated Asian Holidays are also important! Chinese New Year is celebrated according to the Lunar Calendar so it is on a different date each year, usually sometime between Jan. 2oth and Feb. 20th. This year, it just happened to fall on our Valentine's Day, February 14th. This year, we celebrated with our friends from the Valley Adopt Group, at JMU. The JMU Asian Student Union has "adopted" the Valley Adopt Group and loves putting this celebration together each year for the children and their families. This year, for us, a special highlight was getting to meet the newest addition to the Dillard Family - Haiden. She had only been here about 6 weeks, but had no trouble getting to know everyone! She is a beautiful little girl and definitely a miracle and we are delighted to be able to share in her and her family's life journey!

Several of the young men from the ASU always perform a wonderful Dragon Dance, very traditional for the Chinese New Year. It is quit amazing to watch, especially since the Dragon's eyes and ears actually move! When the front guy goes up on the shoulders of the guy in back, and the both remain in costume, you really appreciate the abilities that this dance requires!

Welcome to the newest addition of the Dillard family - Haiden. Grandma Wine got the honor of holding her first!!! Haiden had a front row seat for the Dragon Dance, but didn't like it too much. Grandma Jean's arms seemed alot better of an option!

Proud Daddy - Scott Dillard

The kids also enjoy different crafts and of course face painting. This year I think Will's lasted about 5 minutes. He looks like he is in pain during the process, but holding still was what was causing the pain, because he thought they were starting something without him!

The finale event of the celebration each year, is the Lion Dance. The kids all line up under "the body" and then the Lion head leds them around the room to music. This year, the head and the body became separated after only about three steps, but patchwork quickly put them back together and the Lion provided a spectular parade! Will is in the read shirt and jeans, under the body!

Finally, before the evening ended, I was able to get Will to sit still long enough to pose with his favorite girl - now girls - Leigha and Haiden!!! It was a wonderful celebration!

Fun in the Snow

The snow stopped falling late Saturday evening and Sunday dawned in full splendor with bright sunshine! The beautiful white blanket covering our yard and fields glimmed and sparkled as though thousands of diamonds had been sprinkled down upon it. Finally we were able to get out and enjoy the sunshine, snow and just some old-fashioned fun!

Snow fall on the Farm - the beautiful views!


My Handsome "Snow Buddies"

Once you go down, you gotta walk back up!

Every trip down the hill, Will would find a hugh snowball(result of the plowing) and carry it back up the hill with him. One time I asked "Will, whatcha got?" He answered "A Potato!" Do you think he was silently thinking "Mom, hereeee's yer sign!"

Thrill seekers, that's us!!

I made it to the top of the PILE!

After struggling with the new(and improved) plastic sleds and getting nowhere, we finally pulled out the 40 year old wooden sled with runners. Found the wax, slicked up those runners and we were flying down the hill after that. In the end - the antique was the best ride!