Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Oh the Snow!

It has snowed quite a bit here in Spokane, WA. Even the schools were closed for 2 days in a row. Pretty crazy, since Ice Storm '96 was the last time there was a snow day and only because most of Spokane had no power.

I was glad when the plow came down our street because the roads were full of snow potholes. The down side....our driveway was plowed in with 3 feet of snow, because this is the first time all year they came our way. So with cold toes and a tired back, my driveway is clear and all is well. Now all I have to do is clear a path from my car to my house. Knee deep snow and dress slacks just don't mix.

As much as I love the snow, I believe true bliss is seen only from a golden retriever's eyes. Gage is in doggy heaven. Between climbing snow drifts and burying his whole body under piles, every day is a new adventure.

Our House


My Car


Our Dog



So much fun to be snowed in...

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Juno

Yesterday afternoon I went to Juno with a couple of girlfriends (we all left our husbands at home). I have to say it was definately the best movie I have seen in a long while. But I have to say it was anything but a chick flick, the boys would enjoy it as well. It was funny and refreshing. So long story short, go see it. I recomend paying $9.50 to see it (although we went to the afternoon showing so it was only $7.50). Have fun!

Monday, January 21, 2008

From last summer

I was going through old pictures on my work computer and came across these. These are classic. Gage is a Golden Retriever, that should love water. Well, he was terrified, and could not swim to save his life. So He and Nick went up to the lake for a week, and he finally learned to swim!!! Then of course we couldn't keep him dry.

Here Nick is trying to teach him to use his back legs, he was only using his front paws, and his bum was sinking.


When Nick got in the boat, Gage joined him. Who needs to swim when you can float.


And finally, he needed a little reassuring. Swimming is not an easy task to learn. Here he is with my mother-in-law, sunning on the dock. If you look closely, you will notice he is sitting on her lap.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Some days it feels like a zoo...

This is Gage. He is 13 months old.


This is Olive. He is 7 months old.


They eat...


They play...


And they rest together.


Everyone needs a best friend.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Bruce Patrick Farley (My Dad)

This is the email I wrote to friends and family the evening of my dad's death. It is late to post I know. I will start off fresh soon with an update of our lives.


Bruce Patrick Farley October 23rd 1949 – October 7th, 2007

My dad won the earthly battle, and was taken to heaven at 9:48 am on October 7th, 2007. We like to think that he didn't want to be late for church at 10:00 am. He simply stopped breathing. All three of us kids were there with my mom. We are so thankful he is done fighting and free of the sins of this earth.

My dad was loved beyond human love, and he spread that love through his words and actions. His faith overflowed and touched and changed many lives. He will be missed immensely. I am very sad and relieved of his death. He fought a long 2 year battle with brain cancer (it was called "glioblastoma" if anyone wants to look it up). He did not complain. He still found the best in life even when he didn't have the strength to get out of bed. He taught me more about suffering and faith in these last two years than I have learned in all of my 25 years. His unconditional love for us three kids and my mom radiated each day and I only hope Nick and I can set the same example and give the same love as he did for us.

I am not angry or resentful towards God for anything. My dad has gone to a place with no evil and no sin. I think it is easy to be angry and not accept that this is part of a greater plan simply because it was not part of my own plan. So far in my life God plan has always been better than mine, so I have to trust that this is the same. God doesn't make mistakes. I would like to think that I am going to show my love for my dad, not in how I grieve or how long I grieve, but how I live my life from here on out. I know that what he wanted because that is what he taught us.

Mourning is how God wants us to deal with the death of our loved ones. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted," (Matthew 5:4). The Lord definitely knows our grief: He wept when as He saw those weeping over the loss of a loved one - John 11:33-35. Pain is in this earth, how else would be see the blessings. Mourning is O.K. Crying is O.K. Life was a gift and meant to be celebrated, and that is how I will mourn my dad, I will celebrate his life and put to use what he taught me. That doesn't mean I don't cry and I don't miss him, because I definitely do. But I am not going to stop talking about him and I will pass on what I have learned to my children and those I come in contact with. This will not be easy. I will probably fall many times, but falling off my bike didn't keep me from learning to ride.

I hope this letter finds all of you well, and I thank everyone who has had my dad and family in their prayers. I know the Lord has heard them all. It is the start of a new life for all of us, one without my dad. It won't be easy, every day will be a new struggle, but God has put wonderful friends and family in our life and I know I won't go through anything alone. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. May God Bless your walk.

Only with His Strength,

Jessi