Blessings

It's amazing how God works sometimes.  I wouldn't be telling the whole truth if I didn't say that for some time now I've been experiencing somewhat of a dry-spell spiritually...longing for more ...longing for a deeper relationship.  I've had a really difficult time with prayer...having intimate times...and dry, empty times ever since Brandy's death.  Of course when Ryan was born and with all the troubles and complications related to his birth I cried out to God in earnest, heart-felt prayers like I hadn't done in years.  After his complete healing I gave all glory to God, and I continue to do so today.  However, my prayer life has been lacking...seriously lacking.  I long for more though.

On Monday morning of this week during my quiet time I expressed, in heartfelt desperation, my longing for more and the regret of having such difficulty with prayer.  In somewhat of a selfish moment I asked God to please show me His hand in my life and family in a new and definite way. As soon as I said it I felt horrible for what appeared to be a "lack of faith" especially when I started thinking about all God has done for me...I have a beautiful life...beautiful, healthy family...an amazing boy who, by the way, is also a miracle...a beautiful home that is completely paid for...no big worries...great friends...etc...etc...etc.

God heard my prayer and answered it in a way I never would have imagined...even in my moment of weakness.  What I'm about to discuss makes me fall on my knees in praise.  God is good.  His blessings never cease to amaze me.  I'm so undeserving, but He still continues to bless me.  His love truly *is* amazing.  If you have never experienced God's love you sure are missing out on something incredible.  I just wish I was as faithful with Him as He is with me, but I'm still a work-in-progress and I'm so excited that my Creator is still working to make me more like Him...no matter how painful it might be.

Monday afternoon my brother called me (he rarely ever calls me).  He said he knew of a house we should go look at.  Wade and I were not considering moving.  It hadn't even crossed our minds.  We discussed the possibility of "some day" from time to time and I often kept tabs on the local real estate listings for my own curiouslty and just in case a "good deal" came along. Anyway...David called...I went out and looked at the house without any real expectations.  It was mostly just curiosity because I love looking at houses.  Well...I fell in love with it!  

I took Wade out to look at it that evening.  His interest in it was not as enthusiastic as mine, but after much debating, discussing, talking and discussing some more we decided it might really be a good thing.  Here's the scoop:  The house was for sale, went into foreclosure, was turned over to HUD.  We found out about it on Monday.  The HUD auction closed Thursday night, 11:59 p.m. If we were going to do anything, we had to do it fast.  Sparing some tedious details it really amounts to I spent hours on the phone for 3 straight days.  We found someone to show us the house, took a tour, called more people, decided it really was a good deal and we should at least try, called more people, called more people, called more people.  Did I mention I called more people?  We rounded up as much information as possible about every detail possible and collected all the necessary documents and placed our bid on Thursday evening around 4:00.  

We got it!

The house is a 2 bedroom/2 bath brick home on .4 acres.  There is a possibility of a 3rd bedroom conversion-project.  The backyard is completely fenced in.  The house needs a TON of work, but I LOVE remodeling projects and can do most of them myself.  The neighborhood is quiet and more like country living as opposed to city-life.  There is a small lake just a hop-skip-and-a-jump away where Ryan can feed geese and go fishing.  (The lake is down the hill about a 150 yards).  So here are the pictures...just remember:  the house needs a ton of work, so these are the "before" pictures.  I will definitely post the "after" pictures when we're done, but I wouldn't be surprised if those aren't available until closer to the holidays.

Front of house

Standing at the front door looking across the front patio in an eastward direction.  The front patio needs a lot of TLC, but I envision something beautiful with this nice area.

Kitchen

Kitchen.  If I'm able and finances allow I'd like to take that wall  of cabinets out that is directly behind  Wade and swing those around to the adjacent wall and build a small island in the place of the refrigerator opening.  That would really open up the kitchen a lot.

Main Bathroom.

Spare bathroom.  We may end up turning part of this bathroom into the utility room.

Back yard.  It's big.  Again, I envision something beautiful, but it really needs a lot of work.  The entire yard needs to be dethatched, and for the most part it's just a big sticker patch.  Give me a year or two and I'll have this yard looking like an oasis.  :)

Back of the house.

Standing in the kitchen opening looking at the backdoor.  Yes...that's a double-sided fireplace.


Standing in the same place looking at the front door (the wood door in the far corner).

Standing in the hall looking across the living room toward the fireplace.  The kitchen/dining area is just on the other side of that.  The dining table will probably go right under where that ugly chandelier is hanging from the ceiling.  

Standing in the hall.  Looking down the hall.


Closet in one of the bedrooms.

Master bedroom.

Utility room.  This is the scariest room.  We are hoping to turn it into a 3rd bedroom/office.  It would be a tiny room, but definitely some potential for cuteness.  It's the room that needs the most work.

So there you go...our most recent blessing...and you get to be a part of it even if it is only online. Actually, I would love for all of you (my online friends) to come to my home and have some coffee or tea and cookies.  I'd just love that!

Oh one more thing and something that just blows my mind away when I think about it.  If everything goes as planned and hoped for(meaning there isn't anything major wrong with the house that would cause us to need to break the contract, we can do all the repairs/remodeling we want/need to do, and we can sell our existing house for close to what it's worth) at the end of this we will still be debt free!  That's just amazing (and an indication of what an amazing deal we got on this new house...and how great God's blessings can be).

Farmin'

Since Nana and Papa are out of town for a few days, Ryan and I are *farmin'*. We're keeping things in order. Of course they don't actually live on a farm. They both live in town, but they have some pretty good farm life for us to enjoy.

Gathering eggs

Picking grapes

and blackberries

Even with a little help from our four-legged-friend

Nana's Hat

and Nana's hat

on Nana's #1 little boy.

Nana is going on a mini-vacation for a few days.  Ryan is apt to experience withdrawals.  He asks for her every single day, and any time we get in the car he asks if we're going to Nana's house.  I guess that's just one of the perks of living just a few blocks away from a boy's Nana.  

Pray for Stellan

Please, please, please pray for Stellan.  Things are not going well at all.  The family is gathering around.  Lets gather as their "extended family" in prayer today.  

July 25th

Yesterday, July 25th...it started with breakfast in bed...scrambled eggs and bacon with a strong cup of coffee and a little yogurt on the side (to counteract some of the antibiotics afore mentioned). After breakfast Ryan and I went to Nana's house. Nana was leaving so we went to my brother's house, so I could get a little fill of baby. They have a new baby, Luke, and it had been a week since I last held him, on his birthday. Ryan and I then went home and sat back and watched some Saturday morning cartoons. Qubo has some of the best...Veggie Tales, 3-2-1 Penguins, Babar, etc.

Around 11:00 our doorbell rang. It was my dad and step-mom. They came bearing birthday wishes and time for playing with Ryan. They spent the day yesterday "making the rounds" as they saw each of their Yocham-family grandkids. I'm sure it was an exciting day for them since they have 2 new grandbabies born just weeks apart.

Daddy came home a little after noon and while digging in the refrigerator for something light for lunch I noticed a surprise. One of my most favorite desserts was tucked away with a card on top. Strawberry-Pretzel-Salad and Carrot Cake are my top two when it comes to desserts. My mom is the sweetest (and sneakiest). The Strawberry-Pretzel-Salad was great. After our light lunch...naps. Awww...the joy of a nap on a Saturday afternoon.

Then the fun began. We took off for the City to an unknown destination. What destination you might ask? Red Lobster. My favorite. Yummy, yummy, yummy. I ate crab legs (some of the best I've ever had...the kind you crack the shell and the meat comes out whole, smooth and delectable). Mmmmm. And shrimp scampi too. You can't beat that.

While leaving the restaurant this...

bumper sticker caught our eye. I sooooo want one!

The meal wouldn't be complete without dessert, so to Braum's we went.
Ryan got his own Junior Cone this time. He did great and ate most of it all by himself. I helped him with the ice cream. The cone is actually his favorite.
After dessert we spent the evening in Bricktown. For those of you not from the great state of Oklahoma, that's our downtown entertainment district of OKC. It is full of restaurants, attractions, theatres, and a river walk.
We stopped and saw the buffalo. Ryan is pretty funny. For some reason he has started making the *pig sound* for all animals bigger than a dog, so horses...buffalo...pigs...camels....etc.
Since it was a special occasion we decided to ride the Water Taxi (aka boat) along the canal. It was really enjoyable. We learned quite a lot about Oklahoma and OKC that we didn't already know. Ryan enjoyed it too.
Here is Ryan playing with one of the art sculptures found along the canal while we waited for our boat to arrive.
Here are the two amazing men in my life riding the boat. I love them dearly.
After our boat ride we walked around the canal, stopping often to smell flowers, splash the water, inspect rocks, and look at ducks. We even stopped at Starbucks for a Mocha Frappuccinno.

Before leaving the downtown festivities we stopped for a cool, refreshing splash in the fountains....



It was such a wonderful, amazing, great day! I couldn't have asked for a better birthday.

Oooops. Yes...that's right...yesterday I, Juliette Ann (Yocham) Stanfill had a birthday!
Here is how I was lovingly reminded about it from my mom:

Thirty.

When you think about it, it'sn only three decades.

Three Decades

Seven Presidents

Eight Olympic Games

28 Volcanic Eruptions

87 Space Missions

203 Overthrown Governments

1,712 Oscar Nominations

420,000 New Miles of Highway

51 Million Acres of Cleared Rainforest...

(Amercian Greetings card)

But just for the record...let's just say I'm 29...just one more year. Or maybe 2...or 3. Okay?

Comic Relief For a Friday Morning

Here is Ryan watching his "Praise and Worship" while wearing his Momma's shoes and chewing on a dog toy (although you can't see that in the picture).

Happy Friday Morning!

Dog Food

Ryan often (and I mean very often) gets reprimanded redirected when it comes to the dog food. For some crazy reason he thinks he's a puppy. It couldn't be because we call him a puppy sometimes, could it? I can't tell you how many times I've found him on all fours eating the dog food out of the dog dish. I figure it won't hurt him with all of the animal rights activists keeping tabs on the health and well-being of the four-legged-beasts as though they were more precious than our children. Oh, but, never mind...that's the start of a rant. Anyway...dog food is probably fairly safe to eat, but I don't really want him to eat it as a main course...or a side dish...or dessert.

Since dog food is off limits today Ryan came up with his own version of...

..."just let me be a puppy."

Yes...he put his chips in the dog dish and ate them. Oh well...at least it wasn't dog food.

Just a quick update on me...
I've been doing well. Yesterday was the first day I really started feeling more like myself again. My "wounds" are healing well, and for the most part I'm not having much discomfort. I'm still on a couple antibiotics, but I'll be finishing those in a few days. After that I'll be calling the doctor for a different medicine. :)

Recent ongoings...
Yesterday we went to the NICU reunion at Mercy. It was wonderful. It was great to see all the amazing miracles and their families. I wish more of the nurses, doctors and RTs could have stopped by, but that just means we need to go for a visit to the NICU. It's been awhile.

Big Enough

One of these days you'll be big enough.

The Better To SEE You With

Update

My surgery went well yesterday.  It took a little longer than expected.  The doctor found so much endometrial tissue that he wondered how in the world I wasn't in a whole lot of pain.  My appendix was covered in endometriosis, so my doctor took my appendix out too.  

I had a bit of a hard time coming out of the anesthesia, and when I did I was very, very nauseous.  They gave me an additional medication to help.  We left the hospital just a little after 12 noon.  

I've been doing pretty well today.  I let the pain get a little out of control one time and regretted it greatly.  I won't be doing that again any time soon.

Ryan is doing well.  He spent most the day with Nana yesterday, and a good part of the day with her again today.  I've showed him my "owies" so he might understand why he has to be "gentle" with his Momma.  He gets a little frustrated since I can't rough-house nor pick him up.  

That's all for now.  Thanks for all the prayers and well-wishes.  

Surgery Update

Sugery is over.  I'm home.  All went well.  I'm sore, but it's not too terribly bad.  I plan to just "sleep it off" today.  Ryan is with Nana today.  It's is the first day that I've been away from my boy for this long of time.  I miss the little guy.  

Two Cuties...Three Hats

All things are well with the Stanfill family.  Ryan is still just up to being "cute" with his hats...all three of them.  He thinks he has to wear them from the moment he wakes up almost until it's time for bed...all three of them.  

Myndi is doing well.  She is sleeping well at night with only a need for a relief at about 1.  She thinks it's time to get up at 5.  I really don't mind waking up at 5.  It gives me a whole hour all to myself...well...and my playful puppy.  She is doing well with the potty training business and is (for the most part) having more "hooray moments" and less "bad dog" moments (if you know what I mean).  It's been awhile since I've done any serious puppy training, including puppy potty training.  Professional puppy trainers now discourage displays of anger and frustration and encourage displays of praise and encouragement when training.  I'm trying.  It's not the way I've always seen it done.  All the dogs we trained when I was a kid was done like this:  

Scenario 1:  Puppy poops on floor.  Adult grabs pup by scruff of neck and promptly smashes nose into said "gift" with loud shouts of "Bad dog! No! No! Bad dog!".  Puppy is tossed outside.

I'm trying to train Myndi like it's recommended to do...with a few little alterations of my own.  When I see a squat, I display a bit of displeasure, but it's to startle and create a little concern.  However...I have found that Myndi is HIGHLY MOTIVATED by cheese!  Cheese is now reserved only for potty successes.  She has gotten to the point of going outside and immediately doing the duty while looking up at me in anticipation of the small little morsel.  Now if I can just get her to see that going inside is not appropriate and definitely does not result in cheese.  That would be great!  

Here are some fun things about our new puppy, and then to leave the subject of puppies.  Myndi loves water.  She and Ryan find it great fun to create big mud puddles in the backyard and then splash around in them together.  She has even jumped into the swimming pool a few times.  She nips at the water as she swims.  Myndi also likes to slide!  She hasn't got the hang of climbing the ladder, but I would imagine she will have it mastered soon.  Myndi has a tendency to herd us around which is natural to her breed, but something we will have to manage so she doesn't try to herd others and end up hurting someone.  (Aussies herd by nipping at the heels as opposed to GSD's using their body as a barrier and herding that way).  Myndi alreay knows her name and comes when called (most of the time).

I may be gone from the blog for a few days (alternatively you may have to endure a blogging increase) as I will be having surgery on Wednesday.  Tomorrow I have to "tank-up" on Gatorade.  I think I'm supposed to drink nearly a gallon of the stuff.  Tomorrow afternoon I have to chug down 2 bottles of Magnesium Citrate.  If you've not ever experienced that...just know that you really should be sympathizing with me tomorrow afternoon.  It's not going to be fun. Wednesday morning we have to leave the house at 4 in order to arrive at the hospital at 5.  Surgery is scheduled for 7ish.  There was a last minute change of location today.  Originally it was scheduled at Mercy.  Now, due to insurance (a big bunch of crap), it is at Integris Baptist.  I am familiar with Mercy and LOVE IT!  I'm sure Integris is a great hospital, too.  I'm not familiar with it.  I've not had any personal experiences there other than with my daughter.  I don't know any of the nurses.  I've heard some not so great things about certain ares of the hospital.  The list goes on, but basically...I AM VERY NERVOUS!  Please pray for me.  

Just In Case You Wanted to Know

I've been gone most of the day, but in the hour upon returning home (around 7pm) here is what I've done:

Myndi peed on the floor (yes puppy potty training takes work)

I cleaned up the mess

I started filling the little blue swimming pool for the dogs

I unloaded the car

I turned off the water to the now overflowing swimming pool

I started the bath water for Ryan

I took Myndi outside since she was standing at the door (at least that's a start)

Myndi pooped outside

Lizzy showed up carrying Ryan outside (Don't worry Ryan is pretty much safe in our house, so I can go out and leave him in for short spurts)

I ran back inside to turn off the bath water

Lizzy already turned it off when she came in

The bathtub looked like the swimming pool--much too full

Put Ryan in the tub

Said good-bye to Lizzy

Gathered Ryan's bath items

Turned around and noticed that Ryan had pooped in the tub

Took Ryan out of the tub and put on his diaper

Myndi was at the door again

Ryan and I took Myndi outside

While waiting for Myndi Ryan stomped in the mud he created this morning with the hose

Took Ryan and Myndi inside, cleaned off Ryan's feet and put on his pjs

Put Ryan to bed

Answered the phone

Took Myndi outside again (I think she goes to the door to go outside thinking there might be a treat involved...news flash...I want some goods on the ground before treats in her mouth)

Hung up the phone when Ryan started crying

Comforted Ryan

Cleaned tomato off the carpet after Myndi found a cherry tomato (*somewhere* in the house) and used it as a chew toy/ball

Moved clothes around since I've been negligent of laundry duties this week

Played with Myndi for a while since I've been gone most of the day in hopes she'll sleep well tonight

Cleaned poop out of bathtub

Ate a little orange sherbet

I AM SOOOOO READY FOR BED!

Hats

Ryan doesn't really care to wear hats.  Let me rephrase that...

Ryan used to not really care to wear hats at all.  You might catch him wearing a hat from time to time these days, but as far as seeing him wearing a hat and looking cute (and innocent) like this:

Ummm...It's not likely

He prefers to wear them a little on "cool" side.  Or as my grandpa would say, "he dresses like a thug".  I think he's still pretty cute even if he does wear his hats like this...

Or this...

...because everyone knows that 2 is better than 1!

Sometimes hats just don't have a front or back and thus...

...you have this, but once again...if you ask him to wear a hat and it can't be backwards he'd just rather not wear one at all!

And Her Name Is...

Myndi

I absolutely loved all of the entries for our puppy's name.  I really had a hard time choosing.  For some reason Myndi just seemed to fit the best.  

Runners Up:

Josie--submitted by Kim

Ally--The Maker family submitted Addy but Ally is really close (besides I have a brand new niece with the name Addy)

Annie--submitted by Jodi

Thanks for having fun with us as we named our new puppy!

Introducing...???

Here is the latest addtion to the Stanfill family. You will quickly notice that this puppy is not the same one as pictured earlier on the blog.  I called about "little miss pound puppy" on Monday and was told that she was still under veterinarian care and I would be informed when she was released.  She's been under vet care for 2 weeks now.  I had already started questioning whether she was supposed to be our puppy, but that pretty much gave me the answer I needed.

I have been following the ads in the daily paper for puppies, and I saw an ad some time ago for puppies.  It interested me, for some reason.  Yesterday I decided to call about the puppies not really expecting much since the ad had been in the paper for weeks.  The gentleman said he had some puppies available and explained that he usually has a new litter ready every other week or two.   That, in itself, concerned me a little because of all the bad things you hear about puppy mills and bad breeders, but I decided to go take a look anyway.

This morning I took Ryan to Baptist Hospital for some blood work (for the immunology testing--we should know the results in a couple weeks).  Ryan didn't even cry!  But anyway...after our visit with the lab vampires Ryan and I took a road trip (I thought it was going to be a short one, but it ended up being a bit longer than expected).  We met Marvin (the breeder) at a designated meeting place off I-40 west of El Reno a few miles.  

Marvin was the nicest man!  I could tell that he just absolutely loves his dogs.  He is one of the best breeders I've ever met.  I could tell he doesn't breed just for the money, but for the love of the breed and the dogs.  And trust me...no one in his/her right mind would ever breed without some thought of $$; it's just too much work!  He showed me two of his sweet little girls (he had more I imagine, but I had specified color preferences).  The first one...our new baby girl...was so sweet.  The clencher that made me say "yes" was when I put her in the backseat of the car with Ryan and she immediately climbed up in his lap.  Both of them were smiling from ear to ear. And for the record...yes I believe dogs can smile.  

Baby Puppy (no that's not her name, and no we haven't named her yet...we're too indecisive) stayed in Ryan's lap for most of the trip back home, and since we've been home she has not left his side!

So without further ado...her she is!

Oh...yeah...she's a Miniature Australian Shepherd. She will probably be about 14-18 inches tall and weigh somewhere between 20-40 pounds when full grown. We are planning to start obedience training as early as next week.  I have hopes and dreams for this little sweetie, but I'll talk about that another day.