The kids are becoming more independent...

And we are all enjoying it!

They are little hams as this proof shows: Ok, so this one was obviously staged but they do come out and play just the 2 of them on their own accord.

And sometimes, Mia comes in and says "Mommy, I need you."

And I say "What do you need me for, Mia?"

"Josiah fell off the ramp."

And as you can see he just laid there waiting for me to come and "unhook" him!

They are letting me have a little more time even in the house.

Now that Josiah can make the Jeep go- he loves to drive all around the house.

Too bad he can't steer and push the pedal at the same time.

But that is coming and then I'll say:

"I wish he would stop growing and stay little- just a little while longer!!!!!!!!!!"

And in no time flat, I'm going to hear Mia reading him a real book.

Part of me can't wait and part of me can wait a little while longer!

Livestock Day!

Stacey and Wayne loading Sassy.
The kids and I helped Stacey move last week. It was hard work but I loved moving all the horses! Last Tuesday we moved 13 horses- 4 trailer loads! We had a few scary moments, loose horses, 1 broken lead rope, 1 near trampling, and most of the horses loaded and unloaded like they do it every day.

I wish I had a picture of Mia leading a horse out of the 30 acre pasture! And another of her pushing the goats her dad and I were leading to the trailer!

Thank you Stacey for this opportunity!

A New Journey!

A new journey, does that mean that the old ones ended? Or does it simply mean that one has been added? Or could it be a combination of both?

I have been inspired this morning reading a couple of other blogs (Joyful Chaos and Cheaper By the Half Dozen) to enjoy the learning and creative process I am in right now.

New journey; well our new journey is that 2 full months into homeschooling we have ordered, received and begun using the new curriculum. So far (after one whole day of using it) I love it and Mia seems to enjoy it too!

I have just been encouraged that the way I do things is perfectly ok! I can have 6 books going at one time. I can start and stop books as I see fit. I can learn about homeschooling, raising boys, horses and God all while I through a good fiction work in the middle. Guess what, surprise! All of this just might encourage my kids to love learning as much as I do! And guess what else, the way my Mom chose to do it is perfectly okay too! At least it sure gave me a love of learning that takes on many facets and even though I am 33 and haven't take an official class in several years I learn and grow daily and use all of that knowledge in some form or fashion!

Thank you Lord, for teaching me that I can do things differently than others and its okay it doesn't mean I am wrong.

Weekend of Blessings!

Where to begin???

Well, my Dad's surgery went even better than the first one! NO swelling! (Is that actually possible- I guess so since that is the report I received.)

We had a very successful yard sale!

I was able to stay home on Saturday and spend a day with the fam!

Sat night was a royal adveture complete with a palace. As we wished Bryan best wishes and prayers as he ascends to the sky to journey to Israel.

We got to eat out! ... more than once! (We'll have to pull that back into line - quickly.)

Josiah is doing very well with potty training!

Mia is learning, learning, learning!

We have groceries!

We have gas!

We have the Lord!

We have family!

We have friends!

We are truly blessed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please pray for my Dad!

My dad has his second knee replacement this morning! His first was in Aug and they are completeing the second almost as we speak.

Please pray for a smooth surgery with NO complications, NO blood clots, and a quick and thorough recovery!

Love you Dad!

Hair cuts... may not be perfect but they work.

Shaggy is how Josiah appeared to me this morning. With bangs hanging in his eyes and sides covering his ears it was definately time for a hair cut. Easier said than done considering his neck and ears are about the most ticklish I have ever seen.

So I got brave and got the clippers with combs of course and set to work.

Quit a while later and with a few wispies here and there this is the finished product.

Not too much the worse for wear if I do say so myself. How mature he looks (minus the sippy cup). Well, there he is my "son - shine."

Fear- how quickly it grows.

I opened my email this morning and read an e-mail from Jared. Welcome surprise since we haven't heard from him in a while. The subject of his e-mail: fear and how with God it can quickly be overcome.

As I sit reading I hear a distinct rattling in the foil that remains on some of my windows to block the Mississippi summer heat. I decide to go investigate expecting a tree roach. But when I raise the blinds I see ... a tail hanging out from under the foil. My first thought - scaredy cat that I am - mouse. But silly me realizes that if it were a mouse I would see a bulge in the foil.

So I begin to remove the foil to find exactly what I am now expecting, a gecko. Lizard - mouse almost equally as repulsive and scary. For the first time - I am very grateful there was no screen in that window!!!!! I just opened the window and directed the gecko out into the bush.

Thank you Lord, for the small things like a missing screen in the right place and time.