To vaccinate or not...

Getting off of my emergency prep kick for a minute. THo I'll jump right back on after we finish butchering a processing cow that Hubby has out back hanging up... and we get school going again... sometime soon anyway.

So my next topic? Evidence of Harm. A book that every parent or parent to be should read! Why? Because there are so few parents who are actually informed about the vaccines that are given to their kids, let alone the risks involved. And let's face it. ANytime you put a foreign object into a small child, it is a risk. Whether it be peanuts for the first time or cow's milk... let alone mercury.

This book and many others are available on the market. It takes you through the long process of many parents finding something had gone awry with one or more of their children. Then follows their journey thru to discovery of possible causes and possible cures.

I am not a staunch believer that all children should avoid vaccines like the plague. But I wholeheartedly believe that there are many many children who NEED to be vaccine free in order to preserve their mentality and emotional ability to function in the world. The statistics are all their if you look for them. Since The 1970 when sevreal vaccs were added to the schedule, the number of children affliction with Autism, and PDD-NOS has sky rocketed. If you want numbers, go get them. I believe in sharing a little info, and then each person going out and finding their own research to form an informed opinion.

THere have been many possibilties laid on the table as to the cause. It is for easch of us to decide which one fits best. Vaccinations given with mercury... have your children had them? Have they experienced a high fever shortly afterwards, then stomcah upset? Possibly followed by a rash, etc? These are a few of the early signs of distress cause possible by a vaccine, or too many vaccines at once.

My point is - if you have kids in the home, or will, it is your responsibility as the parent to make an informed decision. A lot of perents think that just asking the DR, are these safe? and getting an answer is informed. Unfortunately, since this is a very contraversial topic and the Dr is in a partnership with the company creating and selling the vaccinations - this is not going to be an unbiased answer (in most cases). Because most DRs don't want to know they are administering dangerous chemical to their patients - so most don't find out. Some, like many parents, go on faith. Faith in the FDA and the CDC. Not exactly what I would call a Divine Institution.

Being informed, or getting informed is part of the resonsibility of being a parent. WE interview babysitters, we check out preschools, we go to PTO meetings, we learn more about education and child developement, don't we? Why wouldn't it be natural for us to learn more about the chemical we have injected into our newborns and two yr olds? It is. We're coached in breast feeding a baby that doesn't take to it like a pro. We ask a million questions about milestones. We should be asking questions about vaccines. And when we don't get direct and clear answers we should go find some.

So do I think that every parent to rise up against the vaccine schedule? No. But I do believe that every parent should understand what is being injected into their child, why, and when and all of the possible side effects involved. A lot of people do a delayed schedule for their children - allowing their children's immune system to strengthen, keeping the levels of mercury low and at a more safe rate. There are more options that just "yes" and "no".

Research them for yourself and decide what's best for you and yours. I truly do not believe that any informed and prayerful parent can make a wrong choice here. One size does not fit all, everyone is different. Find what fits you and your fam.

I'm sure some one wondering what we do concerning our own children. Well, after recieveing his 2 yr vaccinations (I was going on that faith I mentioned earlier) our eldest boy stopped speaking, developed behavior problems, and austic like symptoms. We have picked and chosen a few vaccines, but for the most part have since erred on the side of caution and opted out of vaccines altogether. While our first 4 children have had some vaccinations, we have 2 who have not had any at all. Oddly, the two youngest ones seem to have the hardiest constitutions. Our children who have been vaccinated against measles, mumps, and even one had the chicken pox vaccine. The vaccinated ones have actually had measles and mumps despite their vaccines. And the oldest has suffered through chicken pox as well. These personal experiences have seriously strained my "faith" in the vaccination ideology. But in addition we have made the inqueries, done the research, and decided.

While we have decided against vaccines for our family, we do not feel that any others parents who believe in the strength of vaccinations to be lacking in any way as parents. However we have been accused of being irresponsible ourselves because of this decision. I've actually been told that by not vaccinating our children I am "risking their lives". I also risk their lives and my own everytime we drive down the road. However, this person (a medical Doctor) refused to admit there was any risk whatsoever to any child's mentality of emotional abilities reguarding vaccines. WHich I found rediculous. As I said, with ANY medical procedure there is risk. Why else would they have you sign those papers saying you've read the long list of possible side effects, and give your permission despite them??? Of course there is risk. So our conversation ended. I just can't talk to someone about something they either decieve themselves about or knowingly lie to me about.

Please note that this is not a post saying "Don't Vax", or "Do Vax"! It's just a post suggesting that we learn more about it before we make this decision. Just because we have decided for our children, thusfar, not to vaccinate, does not mean I think you shouldn't. You should do what you think is best for your family! This is meant to be a pressure free post.

Step 2

Emergency Prep Made Easy Step 2!! Okay! You've got your 72 hour kits, in the closet, or car, wherever works for you. But what is the next step?

WATER! Good Clean Drinking Water!! Or at least stored water that you can sanitise to drink when you need to. Why? Well, now let me explain.

When devastation strikes, it is the dirty water that has the lingering effects long after the storm has passed. Consider Haiti. Long after the typhoon has hit more people continue to die from lack of clean water. Dysentery Town!


Next Question: How much water? We're not talking a year's worth. Let's just say go for the three days, like in your 72 hour kits. Then build onto that a week's worth. Then a month's. Build slowly. Eventually you may have a year's worth, or you may have experienced a reason to have the water supply to begin with and be starting over.

You want to find containers you can store somewhere in your home. And remember under your bed is just fine for thing kind of thing! Be sure they are SAFE containers. I love being as GREEN as possible. But lemme tell ya, folks. Those GREEN bottles, they LEAK!!! So go with good old reliable hardcore plastic! You can reuse them over and over and there ya go. Recycling! You're still GREEN. And be cheap. This is not a Martha Stewart competition!

Now like I said. You can either build up an already clean supply. Or build up a supply you may need to purify later. There are TONS of ways to do this. The most economical way is Bleach. But Bleach actually has a pretty short shelf life. So you may want to check out a few other alternatives; such as: iodine crystals and the like. The flavor of bleach and iodine not appealing? You want to know that at least your water will be palatable? Well, well, well... lookey here:

www.pazumpa.com

The tops water information site I've come across. Complete with videos, how to's, etc! There is a video just on water purification with bleach or iodine, and he tells you how to make it palatable. Such cool stuff!

So, step 2? WATER! Drinkable water. Don't worry about toilet flushing yet, I promise we'll get to it next time. Easy Peasy Emergency Prep!

Everyday Prep

A little something for you to listen to... a radio show. A great life story and everyday reasons to be prepared. Please listen to Cherlynn Bell's stories and ideas that have worked for her and her family.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/search/cherlynn-bell/

Emergency Prep #2

Okay what's the first step to becoming prepared for an emergency? A 72- hour kit. This kit is great for a house fire, for becoming stranded away from home due to flood or storms, and many other short term emergency.

A 72-Hour Kit is a bag or back pack, nothing fancy, and I'm sure you have an empty unused one laying around the house. What makes this backpack special is what's in it! One of the ways to pack this bag is to pack it all individually. Another way it to pack your items within ziploc bags or other plastic containers. You'll want to label them, so that little brother Jimmy doesn't get stuck with sister Linda's undies in his bag, in case you are separated for any reason. Here's a brief list of what is usually packed:

1- toiletries, for ladies don't forget your menstrual cycle stuff - you never know, right? oh, and don't forget a little roll of TP, just in case you're stuck without some! Which, by the way happens more often than you think!!

2- a food pack- within this bag you want to pack enough small food items to last for 72 hours; such as protein bars, tuna and crackers, etc.

3- Water!!! Enough for 72 hours!

4- a flashlight

5- a set of clean clothes, nothing special, just sweat will do if tightly packed.

You need as many bags as there are people on your house. This way if you need to hop in your car because of an emergency, such as a loved one getting rushed to the hospital, all you have to do is grab the bag and go. And then you are sure of at least having some clean undies and a drink during your stay away from home. And just like on a long plane ride, deodorant is SOOOOOOO nice to have!

Some people keep these in their closets, by the door, or in their cars. Whatever works for your family... SO! If bags don't work for you stack able plastic handled containers work just as well. Really, it's any container you can grab in a hurry and be on your way.

So this is a great start to becoming prepped for any emergency! See, it's no big deal. A few bottles of water, a book bag, and little thought and you're prepared. You can store them away and not worry about it anymore, if you happen to need your Kit in the future. You're ready!

Be sure to check out these sites for reasons why, ideas, and other neat info on emergency prep!

http://www.nationalterroralert.com/72hourkit/

http://www.survivalsolutions.com/

everythingunderthesunblog.blogspot.com

www.provident-living-today.com/index.html

www.simplylivingsmart.info

www.emergencyhelps.com

Stay Tuned for the 2nd step in Emergency Prep Made Easy!

Emergency Prep- Why!!??

It's not just for those crazy Mormons!! Now, people I can say that, because I am an LDS member. I am allowed to poke fun at myself! So let me say it again- Emergency Preparedness is NOT just for those crazy Mormons!!! And it is NOT just for the paranoid either. In this day and age it is for EVERYONE!!

First let's talk about what emergency prep is... It's a lot like training your children what to do and where to go in case of a fire in the house. And how many of us have fire alarms? How many of our kids know how to stop, drop, and roll? This is not something we do because we're nuts, or paranoid. It's something we do because we are thinking ahead!! And making our family prepared!

Now then : I'm not gonna get into the three year food storage, or canning, or dehydrating, etc. Emergency preparedness is what your family is prepared to do at a moment's notice if : There is an earthquake in your area; if there is a flood; if there is an ice storm; if there is hurricane; any other natural disaster; or if you and or your husband loses their job. Let's face it, with what's going on in the world right now, any of this is possible. Especially the job situation, right? If you live in CA, or Asia earthquakes are something you expect. If you live on an island in the ocean typhoons are predicted and experienced on a regular basis. Fl - floods, storms, etc. And yet, most times these areas' people are NOT prepared for any of it. We could go through a list of places and natural disasters that occur there; but I'm sure you all are aware of what to expect in your area. IF you're not - you should make it a priority to find out.

Why? Why, should you find out? Won't the government come to your aid? Not in the first 24 hours, and sometimes not within the first week or two. Anybody been keeping up with the news in the past 5 years? And after they come, if they run out of funds - they STOP COMING! What about your church? Is your local church prepared to house, feed, and clothe for ALL of the area? Or were you planning on turning away nonmembers? Your parents? You're gonna go home in an emergency? Assuming they are prepped for you and your loved ones on top of their own needs, what if you can't get there? Parents? Thinking of going to your children's homes? The same thing applies. Your neighbor!! Ahhhh, of course! You're neighbors will let you in! What if their house was totalled and they were on YOUR doorstep first?? There are LOADS of reasons to begin your preparedness plans today.

What if you lose your job? Happens a lot lately, doesn't it? Do You have enough savings in the bank to cover a year? More or less? We don't. It's tough to get that $ into savings after paying all of the bills, isn't it? Some of us don't have any savings. So maybe we don't have enough to pay our bills AND buy groceries for a year... but we do have some food put by, so we could pay our bills for a while, while not having to worry about groceries. How stable is the workplace?

These are the why's we should think about being prepared for an emergency, although there are more! Read my next post to learn about the 1st step to emergency preparedness without going insane, spending too much, or feeling like you're being paranoid.

The adventures of children...without TV

The other days it was pirates and indians. Today they younger ones are pigs, G is a pig eating giant. I found the "pigs" tied up to a post outside, one in the "oven", while the giant ranted and raved and explained his dastardly plot. Even the 2 yr old was involved, as the giants accomplice. She was so cute to watch as she listened intently to her instructions, responded, and followed as best she could the villain's plan.

Sometimes they take out all of the scarves and a picnic blanket to create a pirate ship. Sometimes they steal all of the bandannas, find a bunch of chicken feathers and play indians. Sometimes, they march around the house with sticks for rifles, singing "soldiers of the old home guard", then pretend the picnic table is a magic flying bed. Some days they get out all of their costumes and create a zoo of regular and magical creatures. Other days they'll go crazy with Mom in the kitchen baking, mixing, melting, and cleaning up. Yup, they even like the cleaning up when we get in there and get to work.

Our children are book reading, puzzle solving, make believe, musical kids. Any story they act out they can and will put lyrics to and sing at the top of their lungs. They collapse on to the couch in giggles while the eldest reads aloud Junie B. Jones. They build tents, boats, cloud paradises in their bedrooms. They paint newspaper, make bookmarks, and other paper crafts on rainy days. They make up fantastical stories about anything their imaginations can come up with. They love to write them down into their own "books".

Sure, they get an hour or two a week of computer time. Sure, we watch a movie here and there. But there is no such thing at our house as Saturday morning cartoons, or Nintendo, or whatever game boy-like-thing is the latest and greatest right now. They have better things to do. They express themselves. The interact. They socialize. They PLAY! And I never hear them say they're "bored" except away from home, where they don't know what they CAN do yet.

Sometimes I think that if we didn't live "all the way out" here this wouldn't be possible. They would be pestered by neighbors, whose mold they won't fit. They'd be constantly trying to figure out where they stand with the kids in public school and why can't they afford all the stuff their friends have. The older ones would feel pressured to give up make believe prematurely. And like so many other children now, they would be looking for some source of entertainment instead of using their minds to entertain each other.

We live a pretty simple life out here with our goats, chickens, cows, and so on. But our children are really happy kids - Who get to enjoy their childhood in ways not available to most children nowadays. I am very grateful for this opportunity for them. I am very grateful for the challenges we face out here, because we reap great rewards when overcoming them. One of those rewards is this blissful childhood for our children.

Happiness...

Happiness is :

A Full Laundry Line, even though most of the dish clothes are threads slowly falling apart.

My Husband drilling a hole through the wall for a wood stove, showing off his progress.

Children giggling outside as they bang on rocks like "Daddy".

A 5 yr old daughter bringing in her 9th wooly bear (caterpillar) as her new pet.

Goats wandering in the yard, eating up brush, as the autumn breezes blow.

A clean Kitchen - FINALLY!

Apple Pie leftovers from company the night before.

Cheese "settin'" in the freeze.

Cheese cooking on the stove top.

Great mouser lapping up the leftover milk.

A calf fattening in the barn.

Our 6 yr old daughter learning the cheese making art.

A full vacuum cleaner bag - which is better than a dusty vacuum cleaner!

School papers waiting to be graded and filed.

Feeling a light kick to the ribs from our growing baby.

Our 5 yr old daughter bringing in her 10th wooly bear.

A Toddler's shoes laying in the yard as she runs barefoot.

Patterns and fabric waiting for me to cut them out for Christmas.

I have so many reasons for my happiness. Yeah, granted I could use some new dish clothes, maybe a longer laundry line *wink*, and our girls to grow up to help more. But I'm happy with the way things are right now. So is hubby, so he tells me when the kids are asleep in bed, as he drifts off to sleep.

I think Happiness is really the appreciation and gratitude we have for each moment, each day, each child, each laugh, each construction glued masterpiece on the fridge. I think Happiness is the joy we can find in every breathe we are blessed with. I do not trudge through life, ya'll. I skip. I run. I wonder aimlessly with tiny hands in mine. I am not merely content. I am joyful.

New Dog for Dad and Son

About a month ago or so we were traveling on our errand day and saw a young dog wandering the streets in town. He looked lost, following anyone who did swat at him, or throw things at him. Ga and M went across the street to the Post Office, for Mom, and He sat right next to M while they waited to cross the street on their way back. M gave his head a little pat, then walked off towards the car. Neither child noticed the tag-along - who at the open door of the car just sat there looking at Mom as though to say, "Can't I come too?" So we brought him home. If nothing else we got him out of the street. So now, G-Man has his own dog. They named him Speckles, because he looks like a white canvas that someone threw black paint at.

A few weeks later, someone (knowing how much need to spend more money on dog food and such) dropped off another dog at our house. This one with a big hunk of flesh missing in between his shoulder blades. Muscles was glisening, and I tried to ascertain the damage and temperment of the dog. Sweet temperment, and someone had cleaned him up and stopped the blood flow long before dropping him off here. We did the best we could on such short notice and a triple dentist appointment to run to. Tied him out, treated the wound, fed him, and gave him water before we RAN to town.

While out and about the children, mainly G and M, were planning how to tell Daddy they have a new dog, even after Mom said, "HE is NOT ours!!". They had this long drawn out idea that they tried out on every cashier and adult they could find to listen. Everyone who listened thought it was a terrific idea, while Mom just shook her head and repeated, "no".

We got home 2 minutes before Daddy, and found the dog loose sniffing around at something. Worried about the chickens, because not many dogs can resist that particular temptation, I ran to grab and get him tied back up, when Daddy pulls in with a big frown on his face. Well, long story short within minutes we both agreed he wasn't ours, but had no idea what to do with him, so agreed it was best to care fofr him until some idea presented itself. However, the children had already named him by then : William Shakespeare. William because M thought it was a nice name for a dog, and Shakespeare because G is a big literature kid. That's their story anyway.

You see, there are no decent Humane Societies out here. There are few but they only do their thing inside city limits, where we are not. So these animals that show up on our porch, usually cats although the occassional goat does make an appearance, get cared for and some stay and some leave. Dogs are a different matter because of our free range chickens. So what else were we to do?

He's a big dog, houndish, with rotty colors. M loves him to death, and he's sweet one her...But...

A few days later, I looked out the window to find B taking a short break from work to play with the Shakespeare, or Shakes as he calls him now... He got him a chain to be tied to, a choke collar (he'll drag you across the yard), and a regular collar. Later as B was walking across the yard, Shakes was doing his best as flips and twirls, and barking his great big head off until B came over and petted him a bit. This behavior repeats itself whenever Shakes has the idea that B is in the yard, and B comes over to see him. They also spend a little time together before B goes to work...

So I think Shakes is here to stay. He is my husband's first dog. So today I got more dogfood.

Sharing about our twos-threes

Our youngest 2 children, girls,one is 3 on her way to 4 in a
hurry, and the other almost 2. I admit the 2 yr old is WORSE, but they are like
2 peas in a pod. They are bossy, challenging, and take control little Queen
Bees. The youngest is by far the more dominant one - she even tries to push me
around figuratively and literally. These girls I feel are very strong minded
(AKA stubborn) and opinonated.

While these traits will come in handy later in their lives, right now they are
creating havoc when they get a chance. They are terrific problem solvers and
nuthing is safe, even if locked up and nailed down. They canot be left w/o
supervision for an instant - unless you enjoy scrubbing the carpet, washing the
walls, and vaccuuming the floors more than breathing. Putting them into giant locked dog crates has come to mind. Ha ha.

That said- I LOVE them! I loved their spiritedness, strong minds, intellects, and personalities. But I gotta tell ya! - you have to know how to handle them just right, or you can spend your entire day or week emotionally exhausted from trying to fight them. I hesitate to have babysitters... I like my house standing.

School...

It has begun... Our 3rd week in and they are still excited about it everyday. Sure, they may want to skip their chores first, but at least they want to dive right in.

Our eldest (12 yrs) is acing his spelling tests, finally getting a handle on Math concepts that till now eluded him, and is just LOVING science. He wants a good History project he says... so I'll need to come up with one.

Our eldest girl (6 yrs) is reading!!! Her heart's hope! Last year it was such a struggle for her, and this year, she says it's because she prays for help everyday, her reading skills have taken off. She's delighted with addition and subtraction! odd. But hey at least she likes it. She'd done 3 lapbooks already! Loves them and boy have they helped motivate her. Sheis also enjoying the beginning steps into piano, which is about all I can teach :)

Our second son (6 yrs) is getting a handle on his pencil, which constantly tries to run away from him... or so the grip on it would make you think so. He and our second daughter (5 yrs) are beginning handwriting, numbers, and letters, and phonics. They are enjoying the coloring aspect of everything.

Our 3rd daughter (3yrs) teeters between preschool and kindergarten... she enjoys phonics and numbers, but also slips away to play playdough with the youngest (2 yrs) a bit. They are all lovin' science! Plants are fun!- apparently.

So the school year is officially begun, and I must being something right the way they all carry on about it. Thank goodness... imagine the nightmare if they hated it? How DO you public school parents manage it?

New Addition

So we do have a new goat. Nubian, female, named Baby, yeah, just like our milk cow. She is black and fawn, rather lovely coloring, really. Too skinny, and skittish. But that will change quickly. She seems very happy with the foliage here, and has already decided that is part of our herd. Sh'es not overly fond of people, but once you get a hand on her or a rope round her neck she's content. Until then she tries to run away.

Our herd leader, Sparkles, is having height issues with her. Baby is the only other goat her full size, so she towers over the pigmies. Apparently she's still deciding if Baby really knows who is the boss.

One of our pygmies is expecting, and will be freshening any day now. Jelly, that's her name, got loose with the buck one day while we were camping, so we didn't realize there was "action" going on until she started to expand. Pygmies, unlike other goats are in season all yr round... other goats are in season in the fall only, which is when we usually breed them. Spring babies have a better chance at survival. So we're watching Jelly closely, waiting to see if we're needed to help with the birthing. Lots of first time moms don't realize their responsibilities with the newborns until their shown. So sometimes the twin will suffocate because the mom only cleaned the firstborn. That's what we're for. Myself and our eldest son is pretty good at this. Damp dish rags and a towel is all it takes, really. And it's not as messy as people think... but then again neither is birthing a human baby :)

Birthday Girl...

Our 2nd daughter is turning 5 this weekend. She is the type to share her stuff the second she unwraps it, shares her special treats after a trip with Dad, cries if someone else gets hurt or left out, you get the picture. She is also the only one who has not asked for anything for any of her bdays or Xmases before now. There is change coming... She asked for something!! Dum Dum Dum...

No, she did not ask for an iPod.

She asked for one of the Tinker Bell Fairies and a Lemon Cake.... the lemon torte kind. The cake was a surprising request... what 5 yr old asks for a torte for her bday cake? And I had to ask her older sister which fairy she wanted... the one who makes rainbows. Of course!! Okay, which one is that???

Happily, we can accomodate this bdays wishes! YAY!

Funny thing is she probably won't be able to play with this present till her sisters are done with it, as that is what has happened every yr before. Maybe that will change this yr as well? Hmmmm.

Saturday- Lemon Torte and bday gifts. Check!

From the Country benefits ...

Out in the country money is not the only commodity worth something. Thank goodness! Out here we have the option of trading items other that green stamped paper issued by the government. You may trade a start of basil for a start of thyme. You may trade a pair of good gloves for a handy shovel. Tomato plants for yogurt. Milk for tea leaves. The possibilities are endless. I feel very blessed to live in a place where this is possible. In times like these where jobs are scarce and finances get tighter every time the President sneezes, it's wonderful to find that even if cash is short (or nonexistent) things may not be impossible.

We are thinning our herd of goats again, thanks to a friend and her family! We're trading 3 goats... for what, you ask? APPLES!!! We're thrilled! Not only are we sure that these goats are going to good homes, BUT apples are a treat for everyone here. We never get enough apples to satisfy these kids. ESPECIALLY these apples! Bartering at its best!

The orchard suffered a blight earlier in the year and the crop is thin, but it's there. And we will be one of the few people who get to enjoy these amazing tasting fruit. Any apples in the store cannot compare to these homegrown babies! We're thrilled! We're excited!

In addition to this, another friend has a goat in need of a home. A Nubian doe is homeless and was malnourished for a bit. She needs a herd to follow. So while we are losing 3, we're (probably) gaining one more, which is always fun.

So, We come from the country and we like it that way!

Gluten Free Baking Break Through!

While glancing through my cookbooks, I have a small collection, in search of a few things for breakfasts this next week I suddenly remembered a website I had saved. I logged on and went to http://bakingforjohn.blogspot.com/ There was a pastry recipe I had been meaning to try.

A Puff Pastry. I know, I know, fellow Gluten Free bakers... it sounded NUTZ! But there are pictures to prove it could be done. So I decided to try it. I risked it all and make a double batch. Read the dirctions on the website for this AMAZING Danish Almond Pastry Puff. When I did I was shocked at some of the directions, but was convinced they MUST in fact work.

I did it. The risk was well worth it and everything has turned out beautifully. A GLuten Free Puff Pastry. AMAZING! WOW! AWESOME!

Check it out! Please try it and tell me your thoughts! We made ours without the almonds, or almond flavoring, and substituted vanilla instead, as several of the people here dislike almonds. I am thinking about altering the recipe to create Bear Claws. Imagine... Gluten Free Bear Claws for breakfast with our fresh raw milk. Doesn't get much yummier than that.

Cheers!

New Song...

Canning peaches! Canning Peaches! Washin', Peelin', & slicin' up. Canning Peaches, Canning Peaches! Poorin' & fillin' those jars UP! Oh, it's work ya know to get it done. But while yer workin' you can have some fun. Cannin' Peaches! Cannin' Peaches! Cannnnnninnng PEEEEEEEEACHESSSS! Dum Dum.


What do ya think?

Pooping and Crowing

Our youngest (20 months), decided to use the potty this evening, right after soiling her diaper a tiny bit. Mommy offered and she jumped at the chance. There she was, holding onto the edge, biting her tongue. Then whatdoyaknow? Plop. Then she Laughed! The look of concentration returns, and plop - she did it again. This time she puffs out her chest and does this laughing crowing thing with sheer delight at her ability to poop on call.

The continued for sometime, the plopping, laughing, and crowing with much laughter, clapping, and words of encouragement from Mommy. I WISH I had the camera - but I was afraid to lose the "moment" running to get it. She was so cute! Yes, she was cute sitting on the toilet that she looked like she could drown in. Naked - Laughing and kicking her little legs, puffing her chest out like a rooster.

The best part is that this happened right after I was very ill, with the porcelain throne (no, she did not see... or she would have been spitting into it). I was feeling pretty badly and asked if she wanted a turn on the potty, just for an excuse to not move for a while. It turned into not only a moment for me to recoop, but also a moment of enjoyment, growth, and bonding. It was a moment where this tiny girl reminded me of why I was happy to be pregnant. I owe a lot of gratitude to each of our children for such times when they teach me, remind me, and help me to be myself. My true self. I love them all so.

Fruit - Yum!

Blueberries fresh from Jamesport. Freezing as I type this. Peaches waiting to be worked over in the morning, fresh from Georgia to Jamesport to me!

The peaches were the same price as last year too... Well, at least I got them. The Hothouse wanted $16.50 for a box. One of the country stores wanted $15.00 a box. Where I got them, they were $13.50. In the same boxes as in the other stores too.

If I work them over realy quick I may go back and get more - depends on how long it takes me to do the canning, and jam making out of the leftovers. I feel a big pull to get serious about food storage right now. Of course, my stomach's got to cooperate with this plan. I'll just pray in between vomitting?

If I don't work them over as quickly as hoped, we should get more peaches in a month or so as well. I risk a higher price, but then it might go down, so we'll see.

The blueberries? Well, 10 pounds of berries for about $24 is a bit steep... if you compared them to peaches. But they are NOT peaches. So if you compare that price to the ones even in WalMart it's a great deal. They will make great muffins, pancakes, snacks, and maybe a pie this winter. So worth it? Yes, I think so. So good for us preggies too.

A little nervous about the apple crop this year- which is funny because a few yrs ago, it never would have occured to me. Anyway, a friend's orchard was attacked by some kind of apple pox. Not only are we praying for her and her family to get something out of all of their efforts this year... but we're also praying that we'll find apples for our own family as well to store for winter.

Fall is a busy time. School starts again, and food storage just takes off like crazy for me. We butcher, can, freeze, and otherwise store up tons! I dunno how I'm gonna keep up with it all... but I'm sure I will.

Happy peach season to everyone! Nothing says childhood sweet memories like a georgia peach. I grew up in the deep south for the most part- I mean every word of that. Peaches so juicy that they dripped over my fingers, down my mouth and onto my shirt causing my mother endlesss frustration (which I'll admit I delighted in as a kid- what can I say- I was evil). Yum.

Wish List...

As the mother of soon to be 7 children, I have thought many many times of a couple of things that would make my life just a tad easier, free of a little more time, you get the idea. I am certainly not complaining about my situation... I'm just saying that as a homemaker of a Gluten Free household I spend an amazing amoutn of time in the kitchen. And I'll tell you a secret: I don't like to cook. Never have. I enjoy baking, but even that has limits. These are just not my passions.

That said there are a few items one day I would like to have:

1- a pasta maker! Have you seen the price of GF pasta on the self?!

2- a donut maker! We make several dozen at a time, so we can freeze lots. I Had a dream about a donut maker and fell in love!

3- A working Bosch! I have one, but right after the warentee expired it busted! Yes, I cried. My kitchen aid dies 3 months beforehand. Which is why I cried.

4- A hand held mixer... a good sturdy one. I don't even buy them anymore, they all break within days.

5- An unbreakable set of mixing bowls! We have a son, who drops a lot of things, and usually I don't mind. But I'm down to 1, count it, ONE mixing bowl! Can you imagine Christmas?

6- A few glass baking pans- I check out every garage sale I find, but others know their worth as well as I do.

7- I'm not sure yet, but I'm sure there is something!

Like I said, I'm not complaining. I have 4 little girls who love to help, and when I have the time, I also have a 6 yr old boy who loves to as well (he just spills and drops things a lot... and NO, of course I don't TELL him this!!!). So I may have 3 little girls stirring the same batch of muffins in three little cereal bowls one morning, and that's okay. It's kind of cute, actually. But on days when I am in a hurry, it's not so cute. I cannot begin to cook and freeze meals for a month until I at least find some more cookware, and mixing bowls. But I usually am not in too big of a hurry.

Well, I gotta run and pull those baked donuts out of the oven, and throw in the last pan. But before I do, I KNOW that all you moms out there have a list like mine. A list of things you'd just LOVE to have fill you kitchen counters. We dlight in great dishes, we thrill at a great mixer, we tingle with anticipation of a good bread maker, or pasta machine. Why you ask? We have these very natural feelings because our job would take less time, be a little more fun, and less demanding if we had these items... or at least we THINK so ;)

Thanks for reading!

My tummy hates me, but loves MSG !

I am NOT a fan of artificial flavors, dyes, sweeteners, etc... But right now what I can get passed my nose, and even tougher, to stay in my stomach is an ever changing mystery.

One day it may seem like the only thin my tummy will accept as friend is grapes, the next cantaloupe. Then I have amazingly odd days where the only thing I can get to satisfy my middle is Funyuns. Who out there even knows what they are?? I mean I ate them as a teen, but haven't touched them for years!! But for two days, that's what it took. Another day was fresh homemade onion soup. Today? Cheetos! I don't think they've ever been on my list of favs!! But here they are on my plate, because they are the one thing today my nose can tolerate without making my stomach heave.

How annoying. Most days it's things like fresh bread, fruits, last night was carrots! But some days it's weird things like this!! I'm trying to sneak in some chicken bites with the Cheetos... not sure it's gonna work though. My nose knows the difference. Darn it!

So on those occasional weird days I'm gonna suffer through the "nee", or craving, whatever you prefer, for what I consider mildly toxic foods carrying MSG, artificial whatsits, and in a nutshell - pretend foods. I can only hope that my body will eventually get over this stage of the pregnancy as quickly as possible!!

Thanks for reading. I'm getting off of my soap box now! Cheers!

Garden adventures

After gathering the eggs... We (our eldest girl and I) found 2 enormous caterpillers chomping away at our maters this morning!!! AHHGGAAHHH! GGRRRRRR! So what did we do? We got an comtainer with a magnifying lid, and pulled them off of our plants, of course! You can't just let these things go! And you certainly cannot KILL them! At least not with such an audience.

So into the "cage" they go, with the ruined mater and a few leaves. They seem happy in their prison, as they are currently chomping away again. Each one is as long as my middle finger, wider, and definitely squishier! The yucky things!

We now have a new science project. To see if we can keep them alive. To see what they do in their current state. And to see what on earth they turn in to.

That said, We also found 3 ripe maters, and 4 green ones we pulled off of the vine so they don't split. It looks like the corn is NOT coming up. The sweet potatoes seem to be doing well, though the only real way to tell is to fdig them up, so we'll see come harvest. Our one strawberry plant is over run with weeds, but still hanging on. My peach tree died. My lilac is barely hanging on... something keeps munching on it!

All the children were eager to see the new pets. Even the baby... who when given the container decidedly sniffed it like it was a bouquet of flowers. Then said, Yick. But she sniffed some more anyway. Maybe they are a little like lemons. Worthy of at least a second try?

My own Renewal...

Today I watched something that refilled my cup. Sometimes I feel so exhausted, especially in early pregnancy, that I wander through the day wondering how on earth I usually keep up... without losing my sanity. A friend posted this on FB, and I am so glad I took the time to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbYLKVgwztY

Motherhood: A Partnership with God, is the title. What a wonderful way to be reminded of my own worth as a mother, through the mouth piece of the Lord. What a wonderful thing to be told by Heavenly Father that I am doing "fantastically well".

Today is what I have labeled a baking and laundry. I was worried I wouldn't have the energy to see it through... now? I know I will. I know I do. And if the laundry doesn't wuite get all done, it'll be there in the morning... that is not the point of my life. As long as I am taking care of my husband and children to best of my ability that is all He asks... and I feel so comforted by that thought.

Have a blessed day... and remember, sometimes we get to bless ourselves through righteous actions. I feel like watching this just did it for me.

Teaching Year Round-

Last night was movie night for me and the little guys (6 yrs and under). We saw the original Fantasia. Lots of conversation during the show. Lots of questions about the possibilities of certain things actually happening. Lots of scientific questions about rainbows, alligators and hippos, horses, etc. I only got silence to listen to the music during particularly spectacular cartooning.

So what was the topic over breakfast? Lava. Volcanos. Dinosaurs. Alligators and Crocodiles. Very educational. Then they argued of the species of dinosaurs seen during that piece.

Neat converstion to listen to, as that was my part. Fun.

Planning the campout

Okay got a friend to take care of the homestead for us while we're away. Tomorrow we pack up, and Friday morning we head out. Just a four hour drive... then we set up and have FUN!

Looking forward to the long weekend of family fun!

The Joys of Jamesport!

Oh the Joys of Jamesport- they are many!
Super cheap foods, produce, cleaning items, baking goods, gosh the groceries you get there for amazing prices are numerous!

Plus there are terrific Amish friends there who have tons of advice and age old tried and true ways for preserving food, making new things, animal husbandry, ideas of where to go for whatever, etc! They are wonderful people.

Add all of that to the friends I have in Jamesport we get to visit when we go and their park and you've got a fun and productive day trip for our family! Whooo hoooo.

Had lots of fun. Even took a dog we're sitting right now and had a lot of fun shopping and playing! Days like this help me remember why I love my job so much!

Sunday Post

Right now I am the Primary Chorister in our branch. Which means, for you nonmembers, that I lead the music for the children under 12, teach new songs, talk about the meanings of them, and basically play for about an hour every Sunday.

This morning the junior primary, kids under the age of 8 down to 4, were having trouble focusing on a song we were learning about the Holy Ghost. I felt moved to do something unexpected. I asked them to come sit in a circle on the floor with me, where we looked at the pictures and talked about when and where we can feel the spirit. Each child gave a unique response. One child said they felt the spirit in their head. Another said they felt it in their stomach. I found these answers insightful, because I have known people to say that when they are choosing to go against the spirit they get sick to their stomach, others sometimes get a headache. One child they can feel the Spirit in "any ole place". Another said when they pray. While each gave a different answer, each answer was right.

Then we tried singing it again, and it was like they doubled their numbers. It was touching and beautiful.

In Senior Primary, ages 8-12, we had some visitors. One child had difficulty getting his energy under control(if I had favorites, he would be one). We chatted about the fact that each of them are leaders, right now. And how they influence others for good or ill, at school, church, home, etc. How we need to make sure that we are influencing for good. It was a wonderful experience, because the words were said in such a way that no one was insulted, no one was belittled, no one felt bad. It was just a bit of info for them to take home and think about... if they wanted, but it was all their choice. We sang Follow the Prophet (a song about Adam, Enoch, and a number of other great leaders) as always they sang with great enthusiasm and joy. Some added some extra percussion to the chorus, which I love! It's a song to have fun with. The Spirit and Fun should go together as often as possible!

We try to have as much fun as possible, without getting out of control, in Primary. Sometimes I think, adults forget that FUN is part of religion. Or it should be. Happiness is fun, right? Of course it is. And if you can't find happiness in your religious choice... Doesn't sound very fun to me. So when I get together with these sparkling little spirits every Sunday, I want to encourage their shine and not dull it with unneeded fencing. These are amazing young people. They have great potential wrapped up in their innocence. It is such a privilege to be with them, to work with them, to play with them, to know them.

Gardening!

Well, while weeding we discovered severeal DEAD pea plants. But the kids got a taste here and there. The tomato plants are doing REALLY well! I guess I need cages... anyone have any extras?

We weeded for an hour, the baby zapped herself on the fence twice. I heard, "I'm so hooooooot", "Do I have to do this?", "My boots are hot!", "I'm thristy", "I don't wanna!", and various other complaints. But out oldest didn't say a single negative thing! He weeded huge chunks of space right along side me. The younger ones took the weeds to the compost pile... no matter what. "If you want to come in and have a drink, you'll finish. Otherwise you're stuck out here!" - I made it very clear what their requirements were. The oldest girl cried and sobbed dramatically as she cleared away every weed in the piles with her sibs... I watched from the window while rocking the baby. Well Done!

I know, I'm evil.

The baby's not really a baby anymore, is she? She's 18 mths old now and change. Ho hum. She's so adorable.Stubborn.opinionated.strongwilled. Yeah, she fits right in with the rest. When she starts talking, look out. She love Winnie the Pooh as much as her Momma.

Tomorrow is a gooseberry festival in town. It's tiny, but it will be fun for the kids, and FREE - which means we'll actually take them. Hope to see some of you there!

Thanks for reading. I promise to post more pics of our plants soon! My potted one are going crazy... maybe I should stick to pots?

Hangin up laundry... Privacy

Our laundry line is by a large tree. Every time I hang up laundry the little bird who lives in the tree dances at the end of a branch about 2 feet from my face while he gives me a piece of his mind. Apparently he doesn't feel he has quite enough space out here. I can't imagine how noisy he'd be in he lived in town.

It's a fun experience every single time. Sometimes his mate chirrups in the back, cheering him on, I suppose. "You tell her, honey!"

When I am finished and begin to walk away he swoops around me once or twice, to be sure I got his meaning. Then he goes back and settles in again to keep watch for other invaders.

The One Room Schoolhouse Home

I'm trying to get our school room reorganized... but before I finish that I need to figure out the schedule we're going to have this fall. Why? So I know where to put things, of course! For an organizationally challenged individual, this is indeed impressive. Applause is appropriate here.

Right now I have a nightmare of a schedule. So I am wracking my brain, and the Internet, for different ideas to teach 3 different age/ability groups, and not take ALL day about it! Last year we got finished up with the kinder years by lunch, and the senior by 2 pm. Lots of free time available for all. I'm looking at my paper and according to this mess, we'll get done my 4pm, if lucky!

You have to remember you need to make time for breakfast, lunch, snack, break times, diapers, and all of the other things you never think of but do constantly throughout the day.

After I get the schedule made up, I'll get down to lesson plans. Whoo hooo. That's the fun part. Well, not as fun as doing the lesson, but the next best. This organizing is a headache and a half. But my brain is an organized person's bad dream... so I guess ...

Anyway, if any of ya'll have any ideas as to how to home school 5 kids, 3 different ability levels, 2 special needs kiddos mixed in, and a 2 yr old running around, napping, and so forth - PLEASE! Let me know!!!

Adoption Challenges...

We have been calling the state Child Services to see about adopting since last November. We were told that we would be able to attend the next STARS class, a requirement to adopt, this Spring. We were also told that because we had more than 4 children in the house we were ineligible to foster, which was fine with us. Spring came, with no phone call. So we called. And called. And called. And called.

Then we got a LETTER. The letter said that in order to use the $ they have to their greatest advantage was to invest it towards to parents who would be attending the STARS program in order to become foster parents. They, at this time, due to the funding shortage, would be moving our name to the bottom of the list indefinitely.


So I called... I'm persistent. I spoke with the circuit manager of our county. She said that in behooved their system to do it this way. I asked her, did she realize that we are interested in an older child? Didn't matter. Did she realize that having adoptive parents go through the class would alleviate the states responsibility of financially funding a child, or sibling group, while funding the foster couple would continue to cost the state money year after year. I kid you know, she said, "Well, I've never thought of it from the prospective parent's point of view before." I asked her if there was a reason we weren't told this last winter when we voiced our interest? She declined to answer and responded by repeating later there may be a spot opening up in the class. There was no time outlined, though she did say that the next three 7 weeks classes were scheduled to be full.

I happened upon a mother of 5 at the park that day... who is going to this class later this June. She began calling last month. She is interested in an infant. They wanted at first to just adopt, but were told that if they opted to foster they would get into the class sooner. They did, and they did. I'm happy for them! Said new friend also agreed that getting information from this office was next to impossible.

So what did I do? As before, when this office failed to give me adequate information I began calling other circuits. I called around to see if we could attend a class in a different county. I spoke with a substitute circuit manager... who said that yes of course that would be possible and wasn't my circuit manager putting us on that list? I didn't think so as it wasn't mentioned at all. This woman became very frosty and began questioning me a lot. I answered, in the hopes of finding out some new info only to find out that is woman was my county's circuit manager's supervisor. She then explained how this phone call deeply concerned her, as her underlings (my word choice) were trained thoroughly. Then she told me how my circuit manager would be calling me soon. She was very displeased.

I was embarrassed and said so. I was sorry for getting the other woman in trouble... thinking that I probably ruined our chances of getting to adopt at all now. I apologized, then agonized about it for the rest of the day.

This happened 2 weeks ago... and have I received said phone call? Nope. Was I rude? It shouldn't matter, but NOPE! I was polite, concise, and respectful every time. But I have received no phone call. Not even a letter.

So.... What do I do now??? Ideas? Have I ruined our chances at adopting? Suggestions?

Camping!

We went camping. Not interesting? Well, it was a first for us. Very cool. Everyone had a good time. It was a test run. We wanted to see how the kids handle it, if the little guys would actually sleep. Worked out great. We will be repeating the experience!

Saturday Ventures

Eeek! It's Saturday night already!

Well, we did some serious gardening. I used PREEN for the first time today. A friend highly suggested it. And yeah I know, I'm anti chemical in my food too. But I just haven't been able to make adequate time to weed properly, so... I'm cheating. Sue me.

I put in a sweet potato starter in the garden that was given to me today. So great to have friends! So I had quite a bit of work building up a mound, though I doubt it's high enough. The baby was crying for me, so I stopped and put it in the ground as quickly as possible. I have a few other sweet potato starts in the house to add as soon as they get bigger. So neat.

After that I did the Preen thing... then rushed off to care for the baby and do lunch and good grief if I didn't have to stop in the middle of stuff I can't imagine how much I'd get done.

My friend also gave me other starts. Let's see a rhododendron - some variegated and some regular and Wandering Jew (I'll post pics soon, I think it's beautiful).

Aside from the gardening I made a roast, enough to have for tomorrow, rice, salad, 2 pineapple upside down cakes, 2 pans of sweet bars, AND a batch of HEALTHY raisin oatmeal cookies. The oatmeal cookies are for me mostly. So I can have a sweet treat once in a while that isn't loaded with bad carbs and sugars. I tossed them in the freezer. I'm trying to stay away from chocolate chip cookies, brownies, and good heavens all those snacks I make for the kids that I shouldn't eat. I'm doing pretty well though. When I need something before my blood sugar crashes I've been reaching for a granola bar instead of the the "ah ah ahhhhhh. No no" snacks.

Gardening

Well, spent the morning in the garden, as much as one can with these small kids. Planted some things that were gifted to me. Is that a word? Anyway, dear friends gave is two peppers, some tomatoes, a green bean (I think), some basil, and a couple of tiny baby thyme. So they're all out there in the dirt, we weeded too. I've got some weed killer that a friends recommended (aren't friends great?) but the info packet is missing! SO until I have a little time to look it up online, I'm holding back on it. I don't want to use it improperly, ya know?

Our pea plants are a little yellow towards the bottom as are the older tomato plants. Not sure what to do about this- going to look for advice from experienced gardeners.

So things are just movin' right along, diggadum diggadum. Who doesn't like Kermit? Enjoy the day! ! !

Whew- It's Monday.

Boy, it's noon and already hot and muggy. We have done so much already today. We went through the girls' room. Cleaned out the toy boxes and closet, under the beds, the room is CLEAN! The girls worked so hard! Well done. For some reason the boys take take nearly as much effort, but there's only 2 of them and four girls.

Stripped the beds, got diapers and other laundry on the line, laundry waiting to be folded, lunch needs to be made, and a baby potty training this week as much as possible. Oh, my, am I busy or what. But it's great. Lunch? Something VERY light!

Now I keep cringing at the bathroom. Ewwww. I HATE cleaning bathrooms. I usually let hubby do it, but he's been so busy with work and callings lately. If I want it done before the second coming, then I probably need to get to it. Hmmmm. Maybe I can put it off for another 2 days? I could talk myself into to doing it Wednesday, right? *sigh*

Getting out swimsuits, and the kiddie pool. Thank goodness for our (shallow) well next to the house, and an inventive hubby. Loverboy hooked up a pump and whatnot, so getting the water into the pool is a cinch.

Enough sitting gotta go go go! Then maybe I'll sneak in a break? Enjoy the day, everyone!

Spring! ...

Cleaning!!! Okay we've started to revamp the school room. But I was waiting for a morning at home, with nice weather to kick everyone so I could scrub and wax our kitchen/dining/family room floor. And I can happily say it is DONE!! YAY!

Now before lunch it has to dry and we have to put ALL the furniture and junk back. *sigh* The lawnmower wouldn't start! Grrrrrrr! And now I need another nice morning at home to scrub and wax the art room floor (part of the school room). It's much smaller, but still in need of serious attention after this winter! But one itsy bitsy baby step at a time, folks.

Gotta go feed some goats! Check out that pic! The kids are the same size at that soccer ball! So cute. Have a nice day, ya'll!

So much to do

Doctors, optometrists, dentists, etc appointments galore. Taking the kids all over creation as soon as I can so we can enjoy the summertime vacation. If you really think that moms can get a vacation. I mean we can and do, but my golly it takes a LOT of effort, planning, and juggling.

Our peas are coming up, our maters are looking better, I'm hoping even my lilac comes back. So things are looking pretty good. Just gotta juggle all of that with everything else:) I love my job! Now to find a way to get paid for it... hmmmm.

Here are some views of our yard and even a morel mushroom we found on our last excursion. This is our home. I'm very pleased with it. It's grand to take nature walks with the children, see geese in our pond in the morning, and watch our spot in the world rediscover each season in its turn. We can see the stars out here wonderfully, which one doesn't fully appreciate until one lives in a place where the stars are hidden.

Well, off to our appointments and errands for the day. Some days I feel like I hit the ground running out of bed and just don't stop till I drop like so much dead meat into bed. But I love it. If I had less to do I'd be bored and searching for more to occupy myself with.

Birthday Cake Adventures.

Our eldest turned 12 this week. He has been reading nonstop about pirates, sailing, etc. He especially loved Treasure Island, we started listening to the audio cd as a family in the car, then he got tired of waiting for the next travel day, so he borrowed the book as well. Even the little guys enjoy listening to it. So Here's his cake- Auuurgggggghhh, Matey. I had a lot of fun making it. The kids helped with the decorations. I cannot claim it to be my idea. I get a lot of bday cake ideas from Howdini.com.

My husband thinks I get way too into the cakes, but his mom always got him and his brothers ice cream cakes... which to this day he remembers with much licking of lips. So I don't feel guilty at all for looking for ways to make our bday cakes special. Beside I think it's turning into a hobby, as we have so many bdays in a year.

Old things are new again...

Thanks to our Alpine dairy goat, Sparkles (which was a gift), we finally have enough milk to make some yogurt this morning. With 6 children, I do not go to this trouble for anything less than 1 gallon a batch.

How do you make yogurt? Apparently this is becoming a lost art. I'll confess I learned it from an Amish friend, whom I used to buy raw milk from. The recipe is available upon request.

The next thing we'll make, if she gives enough milk after her babies wean, is cottage cheese. MMMmmmmmm. Then, ice cream. The cottage cheese I also learned from this Amish friend, but the ice cream I got from an old old recipe book I found. These recipes are also available if anyone is interested, as I do not wish to hoard them. But like the sewing skills I have picked up during the last 3 years, it may take a practice round or two in order to get it just right for your tastes.

Anyway, the children are very excited at the prospect of yogurt for breakfast tomorrow.

Today's projects aside from the yogurt and general Monday cleaning? 1- Laundry- The Never eEnding Battle 2- Begin reorganizing the school room in preparation for this fall

WHOOOOOO! I'm stoked! Let's get to it ya'll!

This weekend

Added a few flowers to the garden, checked on our maters and strawberry plant. I think they're doing okay. Our herbs are thriving as are our peas. So garden is going pretty well so far. Oh, and we planted my peach tree! And something is getting through the fencing and munching my beloved Lilac baby! GRRRRRRR!

Our past two weeks raced by like nobody's business. I don't even know what all we did. We did do the play with our co-op group though. Hardly anyone came, but the play went really well anyway. Marvolla wants to do it again. Fairy was outstanding. G-miester did King Darius really well. Humvee was a great singer!! And little Lulu was a very convincing shouter. They all did terrifically. Leelu was only in the way a couple of times, which was very different from the practices. It was wonderful!

G's bday was carried off fairly well. And I am looking at the next week whew...

Bad Weather

A friend called me up and told me about a frost coming. So I followed her advice and covered our tomatoes and strawberry plants with whatever I could find. Two days later I have not uncovered them. Hail, frost, wind, and rain. Plants stills thriving!

Thank you, to all of my friends who are thinking of me and helping me take care of our garden!!!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day everyone! I have to say that my family has become really good at picking out presents for Mom. I got a step counter, batteries for my Walkman, AND a PEACH TREE!!!! A peach tree!! Oh my goodness! I have been thrilled all day. It's a tiny thing, about 3-4 feet tall. But it is something we will get to enjoy for YEARS!

I have also been given a number of flowering little plants. I think plants have become about my favorite thing lately, as I really get into the gardening thing. I am looking forward to putting them all in the ground!! whoohoooo.

So, hoping you all are having a wonderful day, those of you who are moms, aunts, sisters, grandmas, teachers, and anyone else who cares for a child of any age. Happy Mommies Day!

After the rain!

We have PEAS!!!! We have pea plants growing in our garden! I'm delighted! We also have a strawberry plant and some tomatoes! In our yard we have a baby lilac tree, or is it a bush? Whatever, it seems to be doing well. My lambs ear looks like it's dying though :( I transplanted and separated some aloe plants, they are much happier now.

The point is : We have a garden now!!! It's even fenced in and safe from our goats!!! Looks grand too. Very excited! WHoOoo HoooOhoooo!

"The Prophet said to plant a garden!"- Now let's see if we can keep it alive too ;)

New additions to our garden

I just picked up 8 tomato plants for $4 !! That's right, 4 bucks!! An older woman had some plants for sale out of her truck! Cool, I thought.

A friend who is an amazing gardener gave me a BUNCH of stuff including a lilac bush (baby), lily of the valley, some snapdragony thing, strawberry plant, a ground cover thing to put around a tree, and a number of others things I cannot remember the name to because I only wrote where they needed to be planted on the containers. Note to self : write the names too, silly!

So, for after Mother's Day, cause in Missouri it's the last possible frost day, we'll be out and about plantin all kinds of things. But some of this I'll put into pots first, because I want house plants this winter! Winter seemed to drag on and on, and I just think that with a few green things in the house it won't seem so awfully long. That's the plan anyway.

The herbs are doing very well so far. I'm thrilled I haven't killed anything yet. With all this rain I haven't had to water hardly anything either.

Hubby's gonna put up, with our help:), a fence around a part of the garden... whatever fencing fits in the budget and can keep out really smart goats! So we'll be busy with that soon too.

Looking forward to things this summer, even weeding. Fun. Sunny days. Nice.

Tuesday-

Sunny sunny sunny! Mushroom hunting this morning! Now I doubt we'll find anything- we've never had any luck before but it'll be fun hunting anyway! We'll see deer tracks and wild turkeys, and all sort of fun things in the mud! Fun fun fun! Having children is yet another good reason never to quite grow up!

The Amazing Chicken Saver!

This afternoon I was drinking some RRL tea at the table waiting for our youngest to finish lunch so I could nap, and out of the corner of my eye I saw a fox bounce out of the tall grass and onto one of our chickens!! Before I knew it I was out the door yelling like a banshee! I chased it pretty far, it stopped twice, neither time could I see it's muzzle. Finally I gave up and retraced my steps hoping to find a dazed hen. No luck.

BUT- this evening we counted the layers and found we stall had all of them. So that darn fox must have dropped her. I just missed seeing it happen. Trying to not trip probably.

YAY! We still have our chickens! But how to keep them safe. hmmm.

Monday Morning

Our oldest girl came out with me this morning to get her first lesson on milking a goat! We talked about things. Reproduction, body parts, breast milk, pain of birthing and milking, work boots, etc. Took all of 30 minutes and we chatted about a lot. We enjoyed it and had fun.

It reminds me that I need to focus more on the moment with these children that we have been blessed with. I only have right now. Tomorrow they will be older. I need to stop grumbling about the mistakes I think I've made and realize it's past, I can't fix it. I can only go from here and do better, the same, or worse. Better, I think is the goal. Right now they trust me. Right now they think I'm cool. And I am, but someday they may not think so. I'm going to enjoy today and plan for a happy tomorrow.

I guess it's not really about whether or not I'm a "good" mom, but whether or not I am the best mom I can be.

The Garden begins

I decided to increase my gardening self confidence with a little potted kitchen garden. I chose some savory herbs and a couple of tea/infusion herbs. I'm excited. We put them into the pots on Friday. We've got Roman Chamomile, Thyme, Chocolate Mint (don't cha love it?), Lemon Balm, Basil, and a friend gave me a Hen-n-Chicks. I gave the Hen-n-Chicks to our eldest girl, who this morning gave it some loving pruning, soil, and watering. All of these are out on the back porch today. They look good. And IF I don't kill them in the next two weeks, we'll invest in a little something to grow in the garden.

New Morning- Fri.

Meeting a friend at a local greenhouse, as she has graciously volunteered to share with me some things about gardening. I am looking forward to seeing the plants and learning how not to kill my garden. Most of my friends seem to be accomplished gardeners, and aside from herbs I appear to be a plant murderer. So I am hoping to absorb whatever greenthumbness I can from this morning's excursion.

Also, we're going to run a few errands to pick up some discounted groceries at the local Amish stores. Wonderful people the Amish. Although, in Pennsylvania they are not nearly as friendly. But I suppose that it is due to the high numbers of tourists, who by basic ignorance do some offensive things around the Amish, such as take pictures and whatnot. But they really are sweet people, and so understanding of large families. They are full of good advice, well tested wisdom, and an eagerness to make friends. We loves our trips out there.

Hopefully, we'll be back a little after lunch time so I can sneak a few zzzzz'z in while the toddler and almost 3 yr old nap. I am very tired this morning. Rainy and chilly, but such an improvement upon the seemingly unending snows of winter. Looking on the bright side of things. Making my own sunshine, and where I have difficulty the children light the way, creating their own shiny rays of light and cheerfulness.

Good morning, world!

Today?

Learning more music for our homeschool co-op play. It's fun. Get to start milking the dairy goat in the morning. I am so sick of buying milk for these special diet kiddos! Pricey!

Still thinking bout keeping the goats outta the garden. And today? Picking up, singing, vacuuming, baking, cooking, and reading out loud! Cloudy day. Maybe it'll rain, maybe not. But I am having a great day. Even fighting with the heathens to do their chores, stop whining, stop screaming, and PLEASE! Stop Arguing!!!

I will admit - I am getting very very tired of being screamed and whined at!! Is there a magic serum that will cure children of this? It's worse than changing diapers!!

At the same time I am very happy that they love to "help" Mommy, dust, sweep, and help in the kitchen. They are very polite children, maybe not 100% at home, but anywhere else they are extremely well behaved... or at least other people tell me they are. They are sweet and thoughtful - "Mommy, did I surprise you when I emptied the dishwasher without being asked?". All in all, even with the whining, etc they are pretty great kids. I'm grateful that I am involved in their lives. I get to watch them grow and learn and mature from a special point of view.

It's a great day to be alive. Hope you are finding sunshine on your cloudy days too.

Kids

A few of the pygmy/boer kids. Butter, the mom, dropped 4 again this year. Hoping she keeps up the good feeding, because I am NOT up to bottle babies. They are all healthy and hardy, better than last year. And Now we have 7 little bouncy kids in our yard. They look like popcorn when they're playing around.

Aren't they cute? We haven't named them yet, but we're gonna. We have 5 bucklings and 2 doelings, so we'll probably stick with the food theme.

My Cat

We have several cats. 5 at last count not including two kittens. It's the mother of the kittens that I refer to as mine. When we first moved here we would see this streak of black and white every once in a while, but that's all we saw. So I named it Phantom. I like to name things. Gradually over the course of two years she became somewhat tame, in a feral kind of way and we discovered she had no tail. We also discovered she had this mask of calico over her eyes (appropriate name, right?), while the rest of her was white and black spots. The only person she would tolerate was me, and she would even deign to let me pet her sometimes. As she domesticated herself further she would bring her litters over to the property. Some of the survivors have stayed, farm life is not the safest life for a cat, others visit often. But Phantom has decided to stay. She likes to follow me around and even comes into the house sometimes, but only into the laundry room. She doesn't like the larger rooms at all.

Last Spring she was very pregnant and came up to me in the yard. Then right in front of me had her babies. Knowing she was not doing this in her usual way, in a hidden place, I scooped her up and put her and the babies in the laundry room in a carrier. A few weeks later I placed the carrier in the tall grass near some places she could choose to hide the kittens. She chose a tree *roll the eyes*.

This Spring, two weeks ago, Phantom came to me in the yard and meowed at me. My husband was there, he can back me up. She walked a few paces, turned and meowed some more. So we followed her. I know, we felt a little silly too. She led us to a dark quiet place and slid under into a hole of sorts and meowed some more. So I peeked in. Not knowing what else to do I left her there, thinking, "okay, she's in labor and wanted me to know". Inside the hole was some old decaying insulation, not good, right? I got the carrier ready and went out again the see her a few hours later. Sure enough, there was a baby. I scooped her and baby up and placed them in the carrier. The next morning there were two babies, and she seemed very happy. She now goes out to use the lawn and comes back to care for her young. Sometimes I forget to close the cage, but she has no interest in going anywhere, or removing her babies to a different location.

Does anyone else find this odd? I mean she used to be completely feral, hissing, fizzing, fighting, running, etc. And now, is it possible, she actually sought me out to help her care for her young? Twice? She is still wary of strangers and not overly friendly with the rest of the family. During the Winter she's downright unsociable. Thoughts?

Friday

Okay, after a I get a couple of things done at home- I am TAKING THE DAY OFF! We're going to the park, the resale shop, whatever. then home, lunch and Quiet time (QT). I'll worry about dinner later. I've got something written on the menu, right?

But I NEED a day off! So we're gonna go play!!! BYE!

Co-op

I think I mentioned that we homeschool- despite the temptations to go public. lol. We homeschool all of our children. Love it when it works out with a wonderful day... and let's be honest, anything's a headche when it doesn't work out. So we have on days and off days.

Today we were scheduled to be at co-op at 10 am for a presentation and then play practice. We got there at 1:15. Made it for the last bit of practice. So today? Was an off day.

Honestly I don't think I mind so much. I am hoping that our children learned a valuable lesson this morning from the consequences of their actions. We were late due to their behavior. Nothing unusual. Just a bunch of kids who thought they shouldn't have to do their chores. Then after learning that they were missing all the co-op fun and lunching, they got their acts together, and at least finished in time to catch part of the fun. Then when we left after practice, "but we didn't get to play!". I am seriously hoping something was absorbed from this experience.

Because I have plans for tomorrow morning too!

Looking back maybe I shouldn't have lectured so much... saying things like, "I am your mother, not your maid!" may not have made quite the impression I was going for. But who knows, maybe I said the right things. I guess I'll find out later when they get therapists- lol.

Tuesday Garden

Hey I got out there with all 6 children and we weeded and planted PEAS!! Can you stand it? I know, I know. It's tooo much, dahling. Well, when we first tilled we, I had the interesting idea to take the leftover soggy hay and cover what we could of the tilled soil with it. So this morning, glory behold, there were hardly any weeds to pull in the area we needed for peas. So cool.

We planted the peas and got so more wet yucky hay, and covered what we could. I not gonna water it, we get enough rain here. So we're done with the garden for today. I don't know anything about gardening, but it feels right to do it. I dunno what the next step is, although we really NEED to find a fencing idea that's no cost and keeps the free range goats out of the garden.

Yesturday, was library day. But the day before we went into the basement and began getting our "Safe Room" cleaned up and set up. We cleared out a corner in our unfinished basement and put a couch a friend was done with, and a braided rug another friend was done with. Lots of sweeping was involved, dead Japanese Ladybugs everywhere. Afterwards, I made a list of what we needed to add to the SR, rolled up the rug and put it on the couch and covered them both with old sheets. We need a container of books and toys, the plapen, and some blankets and pillows. Then we'll be set in case of a bad storm or whatever else might happen out here in the stix.

Spring is busy. Well, every season is busy- let's be honest- with 6 kids. Oh speaking of kids- two of our does freshened and birthed 6 kids bewteen them. Oh my goodness, could they be any cuter? A friend gave up a buck this year, and as he is the most beautiful pygmy I've ever seen I am looking forward to breeding him this fall. So, busy busy busy busy.

Lovin life, hope you are too.

Why Crunchy Monkeys?

Easy answer... some people describe me and my (our) lifestyle as a bit hippy-ish. People who are baby wearing, attachment parenting, co sleeping, cloth diapering, yadda yadda, are called Crunchy. So I became a "crunchy mom". Our children... well, they're all monkeys, as I am sure you other parents can sympathize with. Hence- Crunchy Monkeys.

Any Questions?

Why this blog...

I want to share our lives out in left field with others. Maybe you live off center, maybe you run the straight line. But I want to share my thoughts, insights, and ramblings of my life as a homeschooling stay at home mom of 6 on our little homestead, as we learn to do what we need to do. And as I learn about me, I guess, and my many jobs and responsibilities. I know, talking about one's self can be so dreary. And reading about me could be worse. I just don't know yet. Enough self doubt! Moving on...

We began this trip almost 4 yrs ago when we purchased our 20 acres and home. Within a year we had a milk cow, 3 pygmy goats, mice, a few cats, and a flock of chickens. Most of these animals just showed up. We now have 2 cows, 9 adult goats with 5 (so far) kids, chickens (why count?), more cats, less mice (YAY cats), and who knows what else?

We are planning a modest garden, more fencing, and a number of other projects.

Our children range in age from almost 12 to almost 16 months. One is adopted from Taiwan, but that's another post. They are teaching me more than I teach them.

I am an amazingly happily married woman to an amazingly insightful and caring man... who is 5 yrs my junior. And he likes to remind me. But it's all in good fun. I am discovering the joys of long term relationships, romance, and communication.

All of the above and more will be the topics of this blog. Just my thoughts on life, self, society, family, and friends. I love my life, so if you're looking for angst, it ain't here. Might try the blog next door. Here you'll find optimism and hopefully an encouraging nugget or two along the way. Life is a wonderful thing. Care to share in mine?