Young Farmer and Rancher Farm Bureau Conference 2010

Last week Cory and I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Tulsa, Oklahoma, with some of GA's finest young agriculturalists. The GA Farm Bureau has a Young Farmer and Rancher State Committee that Cory and I have been blessed to serve on this year, and one of our duties is to attend the YF Conference. We had a great time! We met all kinds of farmers! Young agriculturalist from across the nation were there to learn how to "Stand up and Speak out" for American agriculture.

During the week we attended many motivational sessions. Including one by "Little People, Big World's" Matt Roloff. He is very innovative and has been since he was a small child. He was a great keynote speaker sharing his belief that the future of farming has never been a more important topic.




On our final day, we got out of Tulsa for some farm tours! Our first stop was Three Forks Ranch. This ranch is a commercial registered Angus ranch.

The barns were made out of cement and were really cool looking.

The farm was beautiful...even in the winter!

Our next stop was Lavender Hills Farm and Winery.

The lavender farm was really unique and definitely a niche market.

I bought some lavender honey that was yummy, and some lavender sachets for my Mom and MIL.

The winery was really small but really nice. The whole atmosphere was very relaxing and peaceful.


Green Leaf Nursery was our last stop. I have NEVER seen as many green houses as I did on this tour. You wouldn't believe the green houses!

Green Leaf is one of North America's largest wholesale nursery growers. It is virtually 100% "propagation self-sufficient". Pretty cool huh?!?

After the tours, the Grand Finale included some delicious food and wonderful entertainment. A young band graced us with some AWESOME music, and the local Indian Reservation's school students performed some of their native dances. It was educational and entertaining.

Overall, we had a great time! We were really encouraged to use social media to educate and encourage the consumer of our farms and operations. There are lots of things I have already shared with ya'll that we do on our farm and that won't stop . We are, however, going to try and keep you updated on agricultural news and events. This information can be very beneficial.

God has blessed Cory and I with a business we love, and the opportunity to serve an industry we're passionate for.

“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.”

Job 23:10-11


God is good.ALL the time,

Food Check-Out Week

In recognition of the National Food Check-out Week, volunteers from our county Farm Bureau went to Jay's IGA in our hometown to pass out nutritional and farm facts. While there, we also asked for shoppers to donate their change to the local Samaritan's Purse and The Ronald McDonald Houses.

My girls got right involved! Especially when I told them that the money was going to the RMD houses. Cora Jane was old enough to remember the children that we met while staying there and she wants to do all she can to help them and their families. This organization will always be near and dear to our family's heart.

By sharing with the consumer some facts about their food products they're able to paint a clearer picture of the whole industry. We need to educate shoppers of the nutritional value products have. And who better to do that then the farmer themselves. During Food Check-Out Week, farmers and ranchers are talking about modern animal agriculture and how they're proud to provide abundant, nutritious food for their local communities as well as consumers around the globe.

Thank you so much for supporting The Food Check-Out Week. All Facebook people please go to The Food Check-Out Week wall and become a fan. For every fan they will donate $1 to the Ronald McDonald Houses (up to $5,000).

God is good....ALL the time,

February 12, 2010.......the day it snowed in Alma, GA

Cory called the house around 5pm and said I needed to go outside and look at the snow. I told him he was crazy because all that was coming down outside was rain...and lots of it. He said that the snow was coming down like crazy in town and that he couldn't believe that it wasn't at the house. He wanted me to go outside AGAIN to see and guess what??? It was still raining! By this time ALL my Alma friends were on FB telling their snow stories. I was starting to get ticked off....why hadn't it come our way yet? Cory called several times and I went outside even more to see if it was snowing. Cory decided he was coming to get us....we were headed to town to see this snow!

Well bless his heart he brought the snow with him! As soon as he pulled up to the house it started to snow! It was beautiful! I couldn't believe how it was coming down! This was the kids first time ever seeing snow and they couldn't have been more excited! Cory and I looked like one of the youngin's playin' in it!

The girls finally decided they were exhausted and ready to come inside. Whitman really didn't know what to think other than this white stuff made his parents act like him!!! What a HUGE blessing to be able to see snow at home! However, I'm definitely thankful we don't live were it snows ALL the time. That stuff makes a HUGE mess and inconvenience. We did have fun though!





God is good...ALL the time,

Valentines 2010

Valentine's Weekend was a big one for our little household. Saturday we were supposed to go on a double date with the kids, but unfortunately I came down with the stomach flu and was out of commission ALL day long. The kids were great BUT we had a lot to get done for Sunday's big day.

Sunday, during our church service, Cory and I renewed our vows. It was so special! The kids stood with us and of course the girls LOVED every minute of the "dressing up" part. Our preacher, Brother Donnie, made it a very special service. He talked about how we rededicate our lives to Christ and why its important, and then talked about how we need to rededicate our ourselves to our spouses as well. It was really good! Life changes...........you go through so much together that its important to always come back to that moment when you dedicated your life to be a "help meet".

Cory and I have been through a lot in our seven years of marriage. We have been given four BEAUTIFUL babies, lost jobs, lost loved ones, built businesses, lost businesses, built a farm, MAJOR health issues with Lila Rae, buried a child, grown strong in our faith together, and the list goes on. I am so blessed that God gave me such an incredible man as Cory. And even more blessed that He has given us the opportunity, through the good and the bad, to grow together in HIM.

The en-Tyre Family

Our church as made it a tradition to have a "Sweet Treats" Auction every Valentines. This is a kid thing!!! The kids make the sweets and all the proceeds go to the Youth fund. This enables the kids to do fun things throughout the year. It is always a huge success and this year was no different. We raised $2400 for the fund and had a GREAT time doing it. Here are some pics from the Auction.

Whitman's chocolate Tractor cake...ok, ok, I made this one, but he did help!


Vera Kate's beautiful masterpiece

Sissy's Polka Dot Love

Best buddies, Madison and Vera Kate at the auction


As part of the fun, the youth serve the church supper. Whitman LOVED their spaghetti!

Sissy won one of the games and brought me home ALL these Sweet tarts!!!

My dear friend Amanda and me

Hope your Valentines was as FaBUloUS as ours!!!

God is good......ALL the time,

School Valentine Parties

As we were winding down out CHD Awareness Week, we were also celebrating Valentines at school with all our buddies! Vera Kate came home with a LOOT of valentines! These kids don't just give a sweet little card, they give a whole goodie bag filled with all sorts of treats! Not to mention that they got to party ALL day long! PreK looks like something I'd like to join!!!!

Vera Kate and her classmates waiting patiently as Mrs. Hall distributes the goodies!

the girls discussing who gave what!


This is hanging on the wall as you walk into the PreK dept.

I love this!


Vbug and her teacher Mrs. Hall

Cora Jane's class minus one at their Valentine exchange

Cora Jane's class is of course too old to have their pics taken all the time! But I did manage to get one good pic of them. Bless their hearts, they had passed around the stomach flu all week long and one of the boys was sick and unable to attend. This is a close class and they always seem to have a good time together no matter what their doing. Poor Mrs. Deen, their teacher, I don't think knows how to act with this bunch. They LoVE to party and play! So they were all ready for the days excitements!

Overall, we are very blessed to have a school that shows the importance and significance of God in all our worldly activities, and Valentines Day was no exception.


Dear Children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

1 John 3:18

God is good...ALL the time,

Our CHD Angel

Sweet Lila Rae

A glimpse of sweetness,

Precious moments of love,

Then our sweet little Lila Rae,

Was taken to heaven above.

God shared with us a miracle,

to hug, hold, and love.

He gave to us, our Lila Rae,

with blessings from above.

Her stay with us was very short,

her heart was just too weak.

So God took his precious angel

to sit at Jesus' feet.

We'll meet again in heaven,

with no sickness, and no pain.

There we'll see our angel, Lila Rae,

and her precious smiles again.

Cheryl Mullis

In memory of our beautiful Lila Rae on this last day of CHD Awareness Week 2010.

Please don't forget all those babies effected by these defects. Remember them and their families in your prayers. Thank you.

God is good....ALL the time,

Twas the night that you joined us...all eyes were on earth.

Awaiting with joy for a most special birth.

The angel's stood ready...for each need and care,

But all of them knew... that the Lord would be there,

And I labored on... and daddy was scared,

We waited...and wondered... and hoped we'd prepared.

We knew you were special...but so very sick,

Yet hope had grown in me... with every kick.

And soon it was time...into this world you came,

I heard a soft cry... then I called out your name....

And God held your hands...while the angels stood by,

Since I could not hold you...they hushed your soft cries.

One small angel looked to the father and smiled,"Can you truly teach hope... through such a small child"?"An infant so helpless...a baby so new...

"Oh please tell me Lord...is this what you will do"?

God looked from the angel...to the baby's sweet face,

"Through him my young charge... they will learn about grace"."I penned this child's journey...quite a long time ago,"And through his great courage...

such true love will grow". "Every hair on his head has been numbered you see.."

"It's my hope that through him... they will learn to see me.

"Oh my little one with a special heart...""Great love will see you through.."

"See look that is your family..""They've been waiting for you.."

"I send you to their waiting arms...for a time we'll be apart.."

"But I'll always be with you...for I live within your heart.

And so we held you in our arms...And thanked our Lord above..

In you...we see the miracle,of His undying love.

So when it's Christmas morning, And I watch my children play,

I'll need no great reminders,For I see my gifts each day.

Stephanie(Mommy to Braeden, HLHS)

Don't you see that children are God's best gift? the fruit of the womb his generous legacy? Like a warrior's fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth. Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your quivers full of children! Your enemies don't stand a chance against you; you'll sweep them right off your doorstep.

Psalm 127:3-5

God is good ALL the time,

CHD Facts

• The American Heart Association directs only $0.30 of every dollar donated toward research. The remainder goes toward administration, education and fundraising efforts. Of the $0.30 that goes toward research only $0.01 goes toward pediatric cardiology for CHD. Source: Children’s Heart Foundation


• This year approximately 4,000 babies will not live to see their first birthday because of Congenital Heart Defects. Source: Children’s Heart Foundation


• The cost for inpatient surgery to repair Congenital Heart Defects exceeds $2.2 billion a year. Source: Children’s Heart Foundation


• Of every dollar the government spends on medical funding only a fraction of a penny is directed toward Congenital Heart Defect research. Source: Children’s Heart Foundation


• Though research is ongoing, at least 35 defects have now been identified.


• 4-8% born with CHD have Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome


• 4-10% born with CHD have Atrioventricular Septal Defects


• 8-11% born with CHD have Coarctation of the Aorta


• 9-14% born with CHD have Tetralogy of Fallot


• 10-11% born with CHD have Transposition of the Great Arteries


• 14-16% born with CHD have Ventricular Septal Defects


• Although some babies will be diagnosed during gestation or at birth, sometimes the diagnosis is not made until days, weeks, months, or even years after. In some cases, CHD is not detected until adolescence or adulthood. Source: March of Dimes


• It is a proven fact that the earlier CHD is detected and treated, it is more likely the affected child will survive and have less long term health complications. Source: March of Dimes

Thanks again for taking the time out of your schedule to read over these facts. Who knows, maybe you can help someone you know one day through the information you received today.

Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for and hope for and expect the Lord!

Psalm 31: 24

God is good......ALL the time,

CHD Awareness Week

It’s a beautiful day up in heaven. Jesus is rounding up his tiniest angels, to go live on earth, and be born. One of the sweetest angels says to Jesus “I don’t want to leave, I like it here, and I will miss you”.

He reassures the scared little angel that everything will be okay, and that he is just going for a visit. He is still not swayed on this idea. So Jesus kneels down, and says, “How about if you leave half of your heart here with me and take the other half with you, will that be okay?” The angel smiles and says, “I guess that will work”.

But the little angel is still a little scared. He asks,”Will I be okay with only half of my heart?” Jesus replies,”Of course you will, I have other angels there that will help out, and you will be fine.” Then Jesus gives the angel more details about his plan.

He says “When you are born, your mommy will be scared, so you have to be strong, and when you feel weak just remember that I have the other half of your heart”.

“Enjoy your time with your family, play and laugh everyday.” “And when its time to come back to heaven, I will make your heart whole again. Always remember that you are not broken, just torn between two loves.”

Author Unknown

Pulse Oximetry Screening on Newborns

Eight months pregnant with Lila Rae




this is one of the many tests that were performed on our Lila Rae. however, there are too many babies who don't get this simple screening. please take the extra measures to make sure this test is done one your little ones.

Pulse Oximetry Screening on newborns



A test that measures oxygen levels in newborns can detect "critical" congenital heart disease, but there are variables involved with the test that require more study before it is adopted for universal newborn screening, according to a new joint statement from the American Heart Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics.


A critical congenital heart defect is one a child is born with that requires surgery or catheter intervention in the first year of life, such as Tetralogy of Fallot and Coarctation of the Aorta, among others. The benefits of the oxygen test, called a pulse oximetry screening, outweigh the risks, but the best way to implement pulse oximetry screening is not well established by research.


Thus, the organizations affirm that the test can be used at a physician's discretion, and call for more research to determine whether the test should become part of the routine assessment of all newborns in the United States.


In the research reviewed, the test's ability to detect critical congenital heart disease varied widely, from zero to 100 percent. According to the statement, most studies that have analyzed pulse oximetry in newborn screening were relatively small, and screening protocols differed with respect to both age at screening and cutoff levels for an abnormal screen. A normal oxygen reading is between 97-100 percent. Because oxygen levels in healthy newborns can vary considerably in the first 24 hours of life, the authors note that testing after 24 hours would appear the best strategy. False positive rates were just .035 percent in infants screened after 24 hours. "The statement is important because there hasn't been any strong guidance so far regarding the use of pulse oximetry as a diagnostic technique in newborns," said William T. Mahle, M.D., FAAP, chair of the writing committee and associate professor of pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. "Some hospitals across the country have adopted it and others haven't, so we wanted to review the available evidence and offer a consensus opinion on the topic."


The test potentially can identify significant or life-threatening heart defects that may otherwise go unnoticed or at least unnoticed before a newborn is released from the hospital, Mahle said. Early identification of certain defects is important, and can allow doctors to begin appropriate treatment or transfer to a specialty hospital.


Pulse oximetry was developed in the early 1970s, based on the fact that red blood cells that carry oxygen absorb different wavelengths of light vs. those that don't carry oxygen. Oxygenated blood cells absorb infrared light, while deoxygenated cells absorb red light. The test measures how much oxygen is in blood that flows through the arteries. Arterial blood oxygen levels are measured by a device with a thin wire, tipped by a small red light. The wire is taped to an infant's foot for a few minutes to obtain a reading. In older children and adults, pulse oxygen is often measured by a device clipped on a finger.


The overall cost of the test is reasonable, and is about the same as the cost of other newborn screening tests.


Source: American Heart Association, 07-07-09

Then the light of my blessing will shine on you like the rising sun. I will heal you quickly. I will march out ahead of you. And my glory will follow behind you and guard you. That is because I always do what is right.

Isaiah 58:8