Bring on the Tooth Fairy!

Natalie had her first wiggly tooth for what seemed like forever. One fine morning, after 10 minutes of super-drama (from her not me), it fell out in a tissue just before school. If it wasn't for her fear of the impending blood-letting, she would have scored a prize from her Kindergarten teacher.

I had to write the tooth fairy a letter for the tooth back so I could photograph it, as I forgot of course. Second child and all. So here it is. Can you see it? Her tooth is so stinkin' tiny, it's doomed to get lost.

I'm laughing at you squinting to see it.

Momma, Can I Make With You?

This is Marissa's new passion. She asks "Momma, can I make with you?" It's super cute and surprisingly she does a good job. She patiently follows directions, is careful, and has become a superb egg-cracker. Her favorite thing it to gather the eggs from the coop and prepare scrambled eggs right away.

I'm not oozing with patience (silence the laughter) but teaching my little one to cook is simultaneously teaching me patience. So praise God for my little children and food to cook!

Back to School

Back to school at a new school with two kids this year. Hayden went off to 2nd grade with no trouble. The night before I asked him if he was nervous (because I was) and he asked me why he would be nervous. Nice.

Natalie started Kindergarten the day after and was beside herself with nerves. Poor baby girl! I held it together until I stepped out her classroom door and she started crying hard. Ugh.

Marissa started daycare twice a week the week after and is still (8 weeks later) maintaining her hatred of it. Sigh.

So goes Back to School . . . . .

Garden Harvest!

So I lied and didn't take more photos of my garden. I just couldn't do it....the weeds are taller than my children. But we have been eating (and canning) so much yummy food! Yes I said canning....that's a little pat on the back for me. Sorry....spicy pickled green beans, pickles, pickled beets, and jams so far.

My mother-in-law said it perfectly when she came over one night. She said she did her time canning but she had to take a peek at my pantry, because she knows how proud you are when you open that door and see all those beautiful jars. Thankx, mom!

I've also spent many hours baking zucchini bread. Look at these giant zucchini! That was just 3 of the 5 giant ones we came home to from being gone camping over the weekend. The sight of my children carrying those humongous things was too funny.

Maybe we should enter them at the fair.....the zucchini not the children.

The Garden's Beginning to Show!

One trellis of peas growing nicely

My favorite garden helper

We have 4 rows of corn, coming up!


A glimpse of the beets and romaine lettuce rows
(potatoes in the background)

Natalie (ok her hand) picking strawberries

It's time to garden again! YES! A favorite thing of mine is growing food for my family. I know a lot of people do it, but producing food from seed provides so much enjoyment and fulfillment. I remember one dinner last year we had steak, potatoes, veggies, and salad. Jason said "Is this all from our garden?" Yes it was, including the beef. We raise cows for beef and this year we have chickens too!

When is it officially a farm? Do I have to wear overalls?

It always seems like to much work to get started, mulch, compost, tilling the ground which my hubby faithfully does several times before planting time comes around. This year we added sturdy trellises made from leftover posts and fencing wire. I love to recycle junk.... I'm working on making a bed from a metal antique bed frame, and we're finding the right spot for an old bathtub Jason found in the cow pasture last year. He knew I'd love it....




The kids and I planted most of the seeds on Memorial Day, a late start but I think it was a good thing to wait because we ended up with a few late frosts just up until the week before. These photos are from the end of June. I promise to take some new photos tomorrow to show you how our garden is progressing....

God's Gift to Me

Boy am I blessed! Hubby hates it when I brag about my children but I just can't help it. They're such beautiful creatures from my great and loving God!