The Farm - Celebrating Russell's Life!!

 

Our camper has been through a lot!

     Today, Sunday, September 25, is the third anniversary of Russell's passing (I usually use the word "death," and Luke always corrects me and says I should not use "death"; I should say "passing, so I am trying to be more careful about that). We have been planning all week to spend the day on Saturday at the farm. Russell's brother Bob and his wife Nona came for the week-end and brought their oldest grandchild, Mya (11). As it happens, today is also Nona's birthday--we won't say which one!--so we decided to celebrate Nona's birthday and Russell's life at the farm.

     I have posted some pictures of the farm in previous blogs because Sheri, her boys, and a friend of hers have been working tirelessly for weeks to get the farm in the shape it is in now. It is absolutely beautiful, and a wonderful tribute to Russell and his dream. The farm now looks like I know he envisioned it in his mind. I could never see it. I do now.We had so much fun. The weather was perfect (low 80s), low humidity, and the bugs did not "bug" us either. We had Taco soup (delicious, thanks Alicia), and we cooked hot dogs, hamburgers, and smores. We were going to have a bonfire but decided against it at the last minute--next time. 

     Landon, Luke, and Sheri took turns "ferrying" all of us around in Landon's "mule." They showed us where all the deer blinds were, all the boundaries, and just where all the work had been done.

 The kids ran, petted the horses, ate a lot, and just enjoyed being outdoors.  Ryan got to practice shooting his new shotgun, and

Lizzie got to ride her four-wheeler all over

Elizabeth got to ride the "four-wheeler" she got last Christmas. And, of course, Megan was adorable in her little rubber boots. She really got a kick out of the horses. Landon's friend, Justin Goodwin, spent the week-end with Landon so he was there also. He and Landon had done a lot of work on the farm over the week-end.

Sheri and some of the "girls."

     We also had birthday cake and all sang "Happy Birthday" to Nona. All in all, it was an almost perfect day. It would have been perfect if Russell (and our little Anna) had been there. Russell would have been in his element and so proud to share his dream with his kids and grandkids. We all knew, though, that he was there in spirit and was extremely pleased with how well his dreamplace is being cared for.

I was sitting opposite Lizzie in back of mule!

Megan and Mya--they loved the horses!

What a ham!!

Poor "shy" little thing; we have GOT to bring her out of her shell!!

A "blurry" Craig playing football with kids

      Earlier today (Sunday) I went to the cemetery to put some fresh flowers on Russell's grave. I talked to him, as I always do when I go. But I knew I didn't need to tell him all about the week-end because I know he was there with us. In fact, I told Nona that he probably stayed there!

Most of grandkids plus second cousin Myra and friend Justin-sorry, Justin!!

Bob and Nona, Sheri, Landon, Stan, Sheri's friend, Megan

   






     Good food, good friends, family, a beautiful day at the farm--it doesn't get much better than this! Oh, and that "blur" is Megan. She was running all over the place in her cute little rubber boots.

     I can't wait til we start harvesting pecans. It looks as though it will be a good year for them. Just being on the farm makes me feel closer to Russell. We plan to spend a lot of time there over the next few weeks, until it gets too cold anyway. And I know that Landon and possibly Luke and Craig's boys will be hunting there a lot also. Just what Russell wanted. We miss ya, Honey!!