long break

I am sitting here typing in an empty house. All that is left is my desk and computer and of course one load of misc. junk that seems to linger. Mom and dad have been here saving our butts by working their fannies off to help us complete this move. The kids are with Eric’s parents having the time of their life in Florida for the next few days and I am rejoicing that I see the finish line just one day away.

For two months we’re taking a break. No internet. No TV. No Wii. I can check email with my phone but other than that I am cutting myself off from the other distractions for awhile.

Be back soon ….

hot hot days

That one dollar kiddie pool has been a life saver this week. I can’t get the kids out of it.

Three little monkeys

The move seems so “real” this week. I’ve been so moody about it. Today when they delivered the “pod” I thought I might have an anxiety attack. I so love to think I love change but when it is time to dive in and make the change I always panic.

My tomatoes plants are beasts. I have never EVER experienced tomato growth like this. (thanks again Rena)

There are tons of these fat greenies just teasing me. I so want them to be red already!

I experience a first this week - picking a chicken’s nose. I had too. It was so pretty gross. Ruby chicken has like a cold. She sounds like a congested toddler who needs to cough.

one buck

What can keep your kids happy, content and cool for hours and only cost ONE dollar? That would be a cheap quick set up pool I found at K-Mart back in December on a clearance shelf. Every summer since #1 was two - we’ve set up a cheap kiddie pool. I love them. The kids beg in March to get them out. Finally this weekend I filled it up to help me accomplish a bunch of things around the house.

It was all work and no play though for the grownups. Eric’s dad came Friday and my parents came on Saturday to help us complete a bunch of work on the house. Two weeks is all we have left and then we’re out.

All the kids built Lego boats to battle in the pool.

I just love these two men!

a bunch of random information

I keep telling myself to sit down and document what exactly the kids have been doing the past month. But I just keep putting it off with means I am not even blogging about the now b/c I keep waiting until I feel like writing about the “past”.

ANYWAYS - I am procrastinating starting a project tonight so I think I will just ramble a bit. We’ve just been a tad bit busy lately - like everybody else. All the kids were in a play. I seriously cannot believe my #2, who wouldn’t even be the leader in a simple game of Simon Says with her siblings one year ago, stood up on stage and performed. Never thought that day would happen. She was so adorable and I am so proud of her. #3 was the shy one on stage despite the fact she is so out going at home. #1 was a natural. He has a knack for it and I love to see him on stage.

We finished up a few projects for our homeschool group’s end of the year program. The kids showed off their mummified chicken which lay half wrapped in a homemade shoe box sarcophagus. We did a tri-fold on the incubator and Ancient Egypt. Also #1 got up on stage and did a pantomime skit that was quite funny.

We’ve sold our house so we’ll be moving in 3 weeks. We’re making a temporary move until we can find the right home. I am so thankful we were able to sell in this market and not take a loss. I can truly see God’s hand in all of it!

The kids are all in one room right now. I chose to pack the girl’s room first. I am over their floor and tiny little pieces of junk/toys everywhere. It’s been so cute to see just how excited they are to be all together in one room. I swear I just love my kids.

Some times I wish I could just freeze time - savor every kiss longer, feel their embrace for hours, stare into their precious faces and slow down and pray I never forget a moment.

Now onto the … chickens - we got more. ONLY girls this time. Between us and my in laws we were a few hens short. Our boys will be leaving us soon to go and live with someone who has dinner plans for them. So, last week we headed north to the farm and the lady sold me a big girl. She should be laying in a few weeks!!! (I know I am going to completely spaz out when I discover that first egg.) Big Girl was quite the bully when she first stepped in the pen. Lucky for the rest of the chicks - the minute I step in the coop to set the new ones free, the bottom dropped out and it began to pour down rain. I crouched down in the corner of the pen to wait until it let up. Well during the 20 minute wait I had to put Big Girl through new coop boot camp so she’d leave my other little ones alone. A few swift taps on her back after she assaulted my little babies, she realized which hen really was in charge. She’s been pretty polite ever since. We’ve named the girls - Baby Coffee - she’s a French Black Copper Maran (thanks Rena) Scotch (the kids came up with that one???) she’s an Ameraucana which will lay a blue egg. Ruby - she’s a Wheaten Maran and then Big Girl - Cuckoo Maran. All three Marans will lay a dark chocolaty speckled looking egg. They are very entertaining but no, they aren’t pets that are in the same class as a dog or cat. I’d say they’re like fish - entertaining to watch and not too much maintenance is needed but not real smart - they don’t come when you call their name (cats don’t either though), poop a WHOLE bunch and they could careless where that poop lands.

Meet Big Girl, Cuckoo Maran

Sweet Ruby our Wheaten Maran
Baby Coffee and Scotch were too busy pecking to slow down and have a pic made.

sliiiiiiiiip, slip-n-slide

My little niece is such a cutie. All the other kids wimped out real quick but this little girl loved it!

black and white at the beach

This is one of my best friends and her kids. While we were at the beach she asked me to take some shots to give to her husband on Father’s Day. It felt so SUPER good to be behind the camera and shoot. We’ve been so busy lately I haven’t been able to make time for photography. This beach session made me realize just how much I missed it.

beach pictures

Well I have my camera again and the cannon powershot is finally charged so I finally uploaded all our vacation (I mean trip) pictures. I wish I had taken more but it just didn’t happen. Keeping five kids fed and in clean clothes kept us extremely busy. We had a wonderful trip and I can’t wait to do it again next year.

Packed out my friend’s mini van! Previous years photos go here and here.

Only a five minute walk to the BEACH!

We even made a day trip over to Disney. It was CRAZY fun. We crammed 3 parks into one day. Thankfully it was a slow day for Disney and the lines were unbelievably short! I have hardly any pictures because we were racing around to make the most of the day. We had the BEST time!

new coop

It’s 100% completed! Whew!

The chickens have been in the roost and nesting area for a week but now the ramp is complete and the coop has been moved out to the yard. Tonight at dusk we opened the door from the roosting area to let them venture out into their own personal yard. It was so exciting! My man did an amazing job building it. I love it! I didn’t take a picture of the completed project because a huge storm was looming overhead and we needed to get to dinner. Maybe tomorrow I will get a picture.

back from the great escape

Sometimes you just reach your limit and you need an escape. Well last week I was at that point and thankfully I had scheduled a beach trip with a friend and the timing was absolutely perfect. I’ve been gone for about 10 days and I am SO glad to be home. I am re-energized and almost completely focused on what is ahead. We have a contract on our house. The negotiations were settled only an hour or so before I left on our trip. All three of the kids are in a play this coming weekend so we’ll be diving into the theater first thing tomorrow to help get things set up.

I was able to enjoy a wonderful meal with my mom and my dad’s family at my aunt’s house after visiting my parent’s church this morning. I hate I left my camera there in my hometown. I am bummed that I can’t share any pictures! It’s probably best that I don’t have it. I would want to stay up for hours digging through every photo.

I am too tired to type anything else. I am off to spend time with the most awesome man in the whole wide world. 10 days with out him is just too long.

sometimes you just need your mama

I like thinking I am independent and I can get things done on my own but lately I have just had my plate extra full. Well my mom was scheduled to make a trip out of town with my dad, but plans changed and she had to stay behind. Lucky me because that gave her some free time to head down our way. I thought she would come and rest, but right when she walked in the door I needed her help - someone was coming to see the house and things were just crazy. Needless to say my mom rescued me. She didn’t rest a bit the whole time she was here. She took care of me. Honestly I didn’t know just how bad I needed it until I saw the laundry basket empty and my dishes put away and this peace just came over me, we needed my mom and God arranged it and put her in our house exactly when He knew we just couldn’t do it without her. My mom is the hardest worker I have ever met. The woman can run circles around me. I have never know anyone like her. She is strong, giving, kind and when she serves she does it in a way you’ll never forget it. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful mother. I know her love is endless for me and I am so thankful that she is mine.

The kids made a barrier on the driveway to keep her from leaving!

It’s hard to say goodbye!