Since many of you have asked...

I passed my Series 7 Exam on Friday! 

I started studying at the end of January for the exam.  Usually it takes about a month to study for it.  I had to move back my exam date after Ernie's accident and ended up taking a 2 week break from studying.  It was hard for me to get back into the routine of studying.  I would much rather do repetitive tasks like cooking, cleaning, or organizing the closet.  I think that's why Dan's favorite thing to do now is to go drive the tractor or feed his Dad's cows.  It seems like the menial (but still important) chores are just easier to get done.  Dan has been commenting a lot recently that the house has never been this clean.

After passing the exam Friday, it was nice to take a few days off for the Easter weekend.  We made it through Easter.  It was different without Ernie as expected.  The girls ate way too much candy.  They have been bouncing off the walls for a few days.  I hid it last night after they went to bed, so hopefully they will forget about candy for a while.

I'm very thankful for all of our friends and family.  I'm also very thankful for my new career.  After passing the 7, I now begin studying for the Series 66 Exam and will test in late April.  I'm two-thirds through the process of licensing to become a Registered Representative with Thrivent Financial.  Thanks for the continued support and prayers. ~ Lydia

How are you "really" doing?

I've been asked the question "How are you doing?" a lot this week.  Most of the time people use this phrase as a greeting, perhaps in replace of the word "Hi", and most of the time want a response of "Great!, or "Doing just fine!."  Since Ernie's death though, a lot of people are wondering about our family and asking me "How are you really doing?," I can hear it in their voices that they really want to know how we are all doing.  It's comforting to know that people still care about our family.  In summary, we are doing ok but here on some details:

1.  Dan is trying to fill his dad's shoes in every way possible, but is realizing that he must delegate responsibility and work with his uncles and cousins to get the farm work done.
2.  I need to practice patience with my husband and kids.
2.  Lorena periodically talks about Grandpa Ernie being in heaven with Jesus and that his body is up on the big hill at the farm.
3.  Ida is oblivious to it all but ornery as ever!
4.  We are trying to establish a new normal.
5.  I have a new job!  I'm working with Thrivent Financial in the trainee program.  After I get the required licenses, I will be a Financial Representative with Thrivent.
6.  I'm taking the Series 7 Exam General Securities Exam on Friday.  Prayers are appreciated for an awesome test score.
7.  Dan's trucks have all practically died.  He and his dad both have an obsession with keeping lots of trucks scattered around and never selling anything that still runs.  3 of Dan's trucks have issues now, as well as do 2 of Ernie's trucks, so he's down to Ernie's little black S10 with 250,000+ miles.  The transmission has been going out of it for years but it's currently the only thing that Dan wants to drive.
8.   I just watched my first episode of "I am Cait."  It's nice to get lost in reality television.  If you know this show and what it's about, please don't judge me.
9.  I don't feel ready for Easter.
10.  Some days I still can't believe Ernie is gone.

I have been holding some feelings in for a while, and that's not good for me.  I have to talk about what's going on and part of my therapy (besides buying way too many Easter dresses for the girls) is blogging.  That's all for now!  ~ Lydia

3.5 Amazing Years in the Life of Lorena Ruth

Tonight we are going to our first live show at a theater.  Peppa Pig is Lorena's favorite tv show and it seems fitting to see "Peppa Pig's Big Splash" when it came to Central Kansas.  Peppa Pig is an animated British tv show for preschoolers, with the main characters being Peppa and her Mummy, Daddy, and brother George.  It's a big surprise for Lorena.  We think she's going to freak out when she sees the show!  My mom and dad bought the tickets for us 6 months ago so we've really been looking forward to it.

Besides Peppa Pig, Lorena loves TV in general.  She's a lot like Dan in that way.  Once I turn the TV off to get her attention, it still takes her 5 seconds to figure out the TV is off because she gets so focused on what she's watching.  She also loves to play outside and ride her tricycle.  She enjoys coloring and wearing fake tattoos.  She's a big fan of chocolate, peanut butter sandwiches, and green beans right now.  She loves Sunday School and can't wait to go to pre-school and have her own backpack.  In true Lorena style, she's off the charts for weight (50 pounds) and height (almost 3 1/2 feet tall) for her age.  She didn't stay small for long.  

Lorena's come so far in her short years on earth.  We had no idea what the future held for our baby girl when she was born 12 weeks premature at 2 1/2 pounds.  Would she survive?  Would she have lifelong disabilities?  Would she be able to come home?  She turned out like God intended her to be. God doesn't make mistakes.  Lorena is now a rambunctious 3 1/2 year old.  She's super sweet, pretty emotional at times, and has a big heart already.  The world's a brighter place with Lorena Ruth in it.

Lorena at 1 day old

Lorena at 3 months old

Lorena at 3 1/2 years old

Ernie's Last Fence

I had a good laugh with Dan recently about all of the equipment his dad had been buying the past few years. Farming was getting so fun for Ernie.  He had upgraded tractors, bought a little bull dozer, and purchased an excavator this past summer.  Nothing extravagant (remember, the Hiestermans are good conservative Lutherans!) but just some reasonably priced used equipment to get the job done.  That excavator had been a such a joy for Dan and Ernie this past winter. The weather had been unseasonably warm and the guys had been working on dirt work and fence projects the entire winter.

It was sunny and 75 yesterday and I missed Ernie.  I wished he was here helping Dan, Phil, John, Luke, and Jason with more projects.  I know he's in a better place but I just wish he was still here with us.  Dan tells me that Ernie made farming fun and that things are different now.  I know that someday the guys will have fun farming again but for now we all still grieve.

I shed some tears yesterday on my walk down the dirt road that heads west of our house.  Ernie's excavator sits parked like a statue in the pasture next to the new fence the guys built this winter.  I'm sure the guys will start another project at some point but for now they are busying themselves with mundane chores. 

I enjoy seeing Ernie everywhere on the farm.  He is still with us in spirit. From the new baby calves born everyday, to hearing him in Dan's voice and seeing him in his brothers' mannerisms, and finally in treasuring his handiwork in the last fence he built.

Ernie's last fence project west of our house