Happy Friday!

I've finally recovered from our 6-day Arizona Wedding Trip, but I'm sad to say my house is still in shambles. I had the blessing of an out-of-town friend visit most of the day yesterday so I was more than happy to leave the mess for lunch out, a long chat over Starbucks, shopping, and then, last but certainly not least, the Lord's perfect timing showered us with more blessing as we shared dinner together with both husbands in tow. I'm filled to the brim with love and encouragement this morning.

Douglas just came in to inform me that he walked up on a chick-slaughter out near the chicken pen. It's sad, but we all know it's going to happen sooner or later. We've had so much animal death out here on the farm that we all know it's just a way of life; especially with chickens. Douglas is more determined than ever to have the .22 loaded and ready for the times he sees the wandering "neighborhood" dogs. I really can't say much as the two we own are part of the culprit pack and one was even caught redhanded with a chick in its mouth. I'm proud of Douglas though, I keep blogging (as you can tell I'm real worried...) and he's in charge of the scene. Laura came in tear-free and said something like, "Mom one's half breathing!" Life goes on. We're good.

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Part of my quiet time this morning included Proverbs 30. It's chocked full of good stuff, some of which I'll share.

Proverbs 30: 2 says "I am the most ignorant of men...." Immediately my heart agreed. I've been most stupid along the way The most of which has been pride-related. And oh how the good Lord will humble us.....

But then it goes on to say in vs. 6, "Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar." Oh my. Can you even imagine what the Christain community would be like if we left our interpretations/opinions out of the equation?

And vss. 8 & 9. These are actually ones my dear hubby quotes quite often. They say, "Keep deception and lies far from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion. Lest I be full and deny Thee and say "Who is the Lord?" Or lest I be in want and steal and profane the name of my God." Oh Father, teach us how to be content.

Have you spent time in the Word today?

Thankful Thursday

* At long last, my son is old enough to sign up for theatrical sword fighting. He's been wanting to do this for about four years, but hasn't ever been old enough. As it turns out, they've lowered the enrollment age to 10 now (it was age 12 for the longest) so he's IN! He's beside himself. The added blessed surprise is that his grandparents offered to pay for the classes!

* My youngest sister will be getting married this weekend. She's been a single parent for about nine years. I am grateful the Lord put someone in her life that cherishes her and is committed to a forever-marriage. It won't be easy as the family will be a blended family with three children, but nothing in the last nine years has been easy either. It's been a blessing and privilege to watch her strength and fortitude. We will be heading to Arizona soon for the blessed event.

* Have you heard? My hubby works from H-O-M-E now? Hee-Hee...Alrighty, I know you know, but I'm just SO THANKFUL for this transition we're in. We're cramped in this tiny little house, and he'll still have to travel, but it's just oh-so-very-neato that we're h-e-r-e (!) at home, working together on all sorts of domestic stuff.

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Around Our House

We got a second flock of chicks last weekend bringing the grand total to 22 including one guinea. Sometime in the Fall we'll have farm fresh eggs and I couldn't be more thrilled. Chickens are one of my favorite farm animals. There's just something about watching chickens that's very therapeutic for me. Several years ago, Phillip constructed a chicken tractor which now houses the first, older flock. They've finally learned how to get up on the roost at night and they're devouring the fresh grass out there. We move the tractor every few days which serves as a pasture-mower and green food for the birds.

We also got baby bunnies last week. The farm is growing right before our very eyes! Each child was allowed to pick their own. Sarah's bunny, Joey, is pictured below. She lovingly named her bunny after the friend we got it from whose name is Jo Lee. Jo Lee wanted her bunny to go to someone she knew and so hoped that one of us would pick hers. He's really pretty with nice markings.

God Bless You ~ Angela

Berry Pickin'

I think we have a choice in the matter of memory making. As I take a quick scan of my own childhood, the joyful memories are sporadic, like specks of bright spots dotted on a dark matted canvas. Thankfully, those days are over and the memories of the last (almost) 17 years of marriage and motherhood has filled the dark spaces of my heart with unfathomable joy. The longer I live, I'm realizing more and more that time's awastin'. And alot of that time I've wasted - with worry, fret, doubt, fear, jealousy, anger......pride. And I still haven't arrived. I can only hope that I've done something different. Something more joyful. Something filled with love & ....g-r-a-c-e. I pray we've shown them the Hope that will sustain them in the midst of storms. And those storms do come.

So....memories. We have a choice in what they'll remember. Will it be your impatient attitude, your To-Do list, your busy schedule, your homeschool calender, your attitide about your husband and/or your troubled marriage, your haughty spirit, your jealousy, your pride? O friends, time's awastin. They'll be gone in a blink of an eye - G-O-N-E. Those of us with bigger ones know - I'm beginning to feel it on a consistent basis now. Time is fleeting.

After begging persistent asking, Laura finally got her wish. Saturday evening we piled in the flatbed and Phillip took us to the pasture next door to pick blackberries. It's been a tradition around here, but since we haven't been here in two years, Laura's berry pickin' experience has been way too short. She eats more than she saves but that's part of the fun. A few were big and plump. I wish now we'd made a contest out of it as to who could find the plumpest. Laura kept saying, "OH this one looks like a good one, I will see how it taste'es"

Here's the little cutie showing off one of her plump beauties.

Go make a memory - today

Wishful Thinking

"You know Momma, horses caaan be pink if you spray paint them."

~ Laura, age 5, lover of horses and all things pink.