Joe, Goldie and Porker...

Two weeks old! And so huge! We love them so much! 

Lilley

Walking around the yard talking to my girl. 

She is so funny. Full of laughter and smiles.

She is my intense child. Everything for her is 100%. Always. 

So when she is happy ( almost always) she is really happy!

Her new passion is potholder looms. I just ordered her some loopers... Lots. 

She should be busy for a while...

She is with child...

This is Bonnie...

She is expecting again... But has never had a litter survive. Such is the life of a farm animal...her and Clyde are our longest surviving cats... I kinda like them as far as cats go. But I have threatened to get rid of Clyde a few times. He likes to get underfoot at times... Overall decent cats. They earn their keep at let.

Astride puppies week one.

  This day I only got close ups of porker. He is white. And massive. Goldie is not white. ;) both are available soon. Sorry to my children... We are not keeping them. And they both might have homes... Yeah!

March 23rd 2014

See this precious girly? Oh I love her. This is my niece. Baby E. :)

I realized on the way to church on Sunday that it was march 23rd. Eleven years after our first miscarriage. This sweet baby above has the same name. On the way to church I realized that I could hold a baby with her name on the anniversary of her birth. :) I was so glad to hug her that day. To smell her head. To kiss her. To squish her. 

   Our girl ( I am not sharing her first name just so you don't know the baby aboves) E. Joy was our first loss. I never would have thought pain goes on this long. Not huge. Not daily. But still there. 

   Holding her Sunday was balm to my soul. She is a great snuggler. It was hard the first hearing of her name. Only cause I was surprised. It wasn't a common name. But it is such a blessing to have her share the name. And I wasn't expecting to feel so much healing on Sunday. 

   Our God is greater. 

Mine whooey.

Ahhhh.... Mine whooey in her puppy shirt.

  I just fixed a cup of coffee and I am now hiding in my room. Hoping I won't be discovered for a half hour. 

   ( I was just discovered. Stink. That lasted 2 minutes. Lil, but I sent her on...)

  I am one that adores quiet alone time. That I rarely get. The other day I hid in the bathroom and the first 5 minutes I had 3 children and a husband find me. Job security I guess. ;)

   Once upon a time I didn't like moms complaining and constantly talking about 'me time'. I think I was only harsh. But at the same time I think it is often abused. Hard to find the balance. I used to get my quiet time at nap time. Then also at bedtime. Not anymore. Not all my children are napers now. And I go to bed before or at the same time as a couple of my children now. Being more introverted it wore on me hard. I found myself getting grumpy easier. Tuning them out more. That isn't a great way to be a mom. 

   Guilt played a large role. I didn't want to have the attitude of wanting to get away from my blessings. I let it eat at me. Memories of moms sitting around the table at MOPS complaining about their husbands and children.  If I even thought a couple of minutes alone sounded good, I decided that I was one of 'them'. (Interrupted again, this time Rhyyan) 

     But really is needing a little quiet bad? I don't think so. Jesus even had to get away to pray and prepare his heart. So I am trying hard not to feel guilty to take a few minutes alone. Relaxing. Praying. Reading. Anything. 

    The other day we needed to both drive a car. So I rode alone. Windows down. Music up loud. It felt so good. I didn't even know I needed it so bad. (Rhyyan again...) 

    So (rhyyan again) now I lost my thought...

   Oh! I talked to Patrick about it all. And my guilt. Guilt. That is not a good word. At least not unnecessary guilt. He understood. And helped me realize it was not a bad thing to take a few minutes. 

       I am just a person that craves quiet alone. And I need it to fill myself with strength and peace to continue on.

  Ahhhh....

Lookalike

See any resemblance with him and someone in my house? 

 I see it so strongly. Wondering if I am the only one...

Our new puppy... Sandy

We just got a new puppy. Last Wednesday night we finalized the shipping arrangements. She was to be flown in from Alaska ( www.dk-9.com is where she is from) the very next morning we got 2 surprises... One our chicks were in. We were thinking they would come in the next week... We were -- surprise surprise--- not prepared. Patrick went straight to work building the brooder. We always raise our chickens in this room of the barn... But only having so much room we change things around often. And ran to town to get supplies and another town to get our chicks. Now we have week old chicks that are adorable. 25 Rhode Island reds 75 Cornish cross. Minus 4 that died. Children removed them. So I am unsure which died. 

    And while he was building... I stepped out back to the back of the barn to milk and found that Astrid. Our Anatolian/great Pyrenees had had her first set of puppies... Father is unknown... There are two. She was in labor several days and myself had no clue. The rest died. 7 puppies total. I felt so bad for her. But also relieved that we only have to deal with the two. And I have two children that think the puppies belong to them... Thankfully we have options. Two friends have volunteered to take a puppy. They both love astrid. So they were excited to hear puppies had been born. I honestly don't want to keep them. But soon might borrow a friends Anatolian/ Pyrenees mix dog for a couple mths if we can. Those I'd love to have a couple of. I'm not a fan of mutts. I like to know what my puppies are made of. 

    Here is a collage Parris made of her and sandy. 

   They both are pros at sticking out their tongues. ;) 

They kinda look alike, no? Kidding. Sounded good though. :P

I'll post a picture of astride later. They have seriously doubled in size since they were born a week ago. Despite Lilley being scared she isn't feeding them enough....

Oh! Astrid had her first kill! It was a possum. She has in the past brought us possums and knocked on the door so we could kill them. Guess her puppies changed her.

She is my baby girl. I love her. 

    

My bookends. (Currently)

My oldest and youngest. I can't even tell you the depths of my love for them. 

My oldest and youngest both as children and daughters. I can't sleep tonight. Passed my tired area... Oops.

But I was thinking. My youngest often gets replaced by one younger. But my oldest. She is always the oldest. Once upon a time she was both. Might seen to be a silly comment. But as the oldest sibling myself, it means a lot. And as a mom, it means even more. Do you know my Parris? Then your blessed beyond words. Truly. She is smart,funny, kind, helpful, loving ( it is no surprise that Parris means lover) hardworking, beautiful and this barely touches the surface. But one more word is.. Mine. 

     She has taught me so much. And made me examine me. And heard me say I'm sorry more times than I'd like to admit. Yet not enough. She is helping me grow up yet stay young. I love her with all that I am. I didn't birth her. But that isn't a needed thing to love her intensely. 

   It is spring break. So she is at her moms. I am clueless how i will survive summer break. Though one thing is certain. Ill get her share of the morning coffee...I miss her so much. But she and our new dog get home tomorrow.  

   I can't wait to hug my girls neck. I thank The Lord for her. <3

Preaching to me...

Philippians 4:11-12 - Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content.   

Hebrews 13:5 - [Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

1 Timothy 6:6-8 - But godliness with contentment is great gain.   

1 Corinthians 7:17 - But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.

Matthew 6:33 - But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

1 Timothy 6:6 - But godliness with contentment is great gain.

Philippians 4:11 - Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content.

Luke 12:15 - And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Isaiah 26:3 - Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee]: because he trusteth in thee.

Philippians 4:19 - But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Struggling with contentment and joy today. Trying to change this. Not easy. Why are some days so hard. One thing after another. Trying not to be annoyed at silly things. 

Smiling. Even when it isn't easy.that seems to be a good place to start. ;) reading scriptures and thinking on them is so good. I pray the day gets easier...

   

    Heading out to tap maple trees for sap in our yard. Hope we have success. 

Pink polka dots.

From head to toe. 

Just for fun. This girl is as rough and tumble as they come. Yet just as girly as that too. 

I want to make these too....

Know a good moccasin pattern? I need one. Preferably like this pair...

Folk wear wish list

I am in love with the timelessness of folkwear patterns. I am going to put my wish list here so I can quit digging through the whole list of them online. 

    

http://www.folkwear.com/148.html 

http://www.folkwear.com/142.html

http://www.folkwear.com/107.html

http://www.folkwear.com/125.html

http://www.folkwear.com/109.html

I have part of this one from a friend. But want the full thing. 

http://www.folkwear.com/110.html

http://www.folkwear.com/213.html

I also want the cheese maker shirt. It is a long list but they are pretty well master patterns. 

I thought there was also 2 more from their collection i wanted. 

but I am done looking for now. Excited to get them in my collection and start making clothes I like. 

Looking at yummy yummy linen fabrics to use. Sooooon I will dive in. 

But not til later when I am caught up on knitting.....

Tutor

I wanted to get the girls more help in the reading department. So I asked Aunt P (friends aunt but everyone we know calls her aunt) to give them a few lessons. They love it. She is a totally sweetheart. Her children are grown and she loves children. When you love children they love you. Yesterday they brought home a memory game. 

So we just played a fun round of it in my bed. Our current cozy spot. 

And they tied for the win! I lost. 😂 It was fun and quick. I don't pause to do the fun stuff enough. 

So fun! My girls are so beautiful! Rhyyan looks just like Patrick's family. And Lilley looks like my sisters family. I say sisters family cause she is the only one to claim me. ;) her cousin Gunner is the main one I think Lilley looks like. I love that my children look so different from each other. But so much the same. 

Knitting thru the knit stitch guide...

Number 1. Moss stitch. 

I finished it a week or two ago. But I am just remembering to post it. I have yet to start the second one. I finished the green hat. But gave it away. So no picture. I had no like for it once it was done. 

   I now have 2 items on my needles. The TGV shawl and Poppy Cardigan (doll sized). I feel more free to start the hats. But I don't have my 16 in size 8 circulars. I think I loaned them to a friend. I'll see them tonight. So if I did I hope they are not currently in use. If they are I hope to get a new pair Monday. We will see though. I need to start the hats. 

    I also need time without interruption to finish the poppy..my brain isn't able to stop and start lots yet with counting patterns. ;)

When the day starts like this...

Sometimes it is wise just to do nothing but be with your children. And expect nothing to get done. I have found still trying to fight the day and do what you think must be done is killer. Not worth it. We had a great day in the end. And a large pile of dishes.

    I thought I'd just hit them hard the next morning but our Lord knew I would love help. So he sent me a lovely friend to drop in just to help me pick up before Patrick got home. :) I am so blessed!