Chickens, Birthdays & What-Nots

Hello there, my amigos!  

Let's see, the temps climbed to around 60 over the weekend, now they are plummeting, with

talks of several episodes of snow in the forecast.

Yep, we're in Kansas.

I've got my bathing suit, scarf, gloves, and beach towel all on the ready.

My poor chickens and kitty cats just don't ever know what's coming next.

Although I do have a radio on in my hen house, so assuming my chickens pay attention, perhaps they

listen in on the weather updates.  But I don't know that for sure.

For now, they are all enjoying snow-free outdoor activities.

I was going to talk to you today about how a stay-at-home mom can help contribute

to the family income.

But I have a full day of contributing to my family income!

So I need to get a move-on and that subject is going to have to wait for another day, 

unless I can sneak in some time here later on.

We'll see!

But before I go, I have some cute pictures from Nick's little birthday celebration to share.

 He's so darn sweet and cute!

 Two of my best guys!

 Nicky and his Nana.

K-Man and his older brother (he's single, girls!!).

Yes, the other children and I were all there too.  But apparently the camera got put down

and never found its way to snapping any more photos.

In other news:  BRENDEN is coming home on Friday for spring break!!!!

YAYYYYYY!

And we'll celebrate his 21st (GASP!) birthday while he's here.

Well ya'll, I've got children to feed & educate, muffins and what-nots to be baked,

hair appointments to do, and errands to be run.

All before I start dinner.

(Or maybe we'll just have the muffins and what-nots for dinner!)

Stay warm and enjoy your day!!

My Nicky's 19th!

19 years ago today I was feeling the rumblings of labor!  

K-Man brought me home a Whopper from Burger King for lunch and we waited 

(my doctor had warned me not to eat spaghetti because she couldn't stand to see thrown-up spaghetti.  

She didn't mention anything about a big greasy burger, so that's what I went with.  

And I didn't throw that up either, so it all worked out fine.) 

Finally it was time to go to the hospital, but first we stopped by the store for a new car seat.  

I just loved how much easier and more relaxed having a baby was the second time around!

And my sweet little Nicholas arrived very shortly after getting to the hospital.

What pure joy he has been to us!

And I'm not a bit biased or anything, so I can tell you for sure that he is going to

make one lucky lady a fabulously wonderful husband someday.

He is HILARIOUS and such a gentlemen and the hardest working 19 year old I know.

Happy Birthday, Nick!  

Now excuse me while I go weep!  And search for a newborn to hold and sniff.

REAL. FOOD. {so grateful!!}

First of all, friends, I need to thank you for praying for us.

To fill you in very briefly,

our 18 year old son Nick had to have a biopsy on a lymph node on Friday.

(Nick is extremely private, so I need to keep this to a minimum.)

Thankfully, the surgeon feels very certain that it's not cancer.

Praise JESUS.

The test results will soon give us confirmation.

Please continue to pray, please!!

****

Moving on to TODAY.

(And ironically, Nick had a hunter safety class today...and to his surprise,

his surgeon was one of the instructors.  How funny, right?!)

Anyway,

I woke up with BELLS ON at around 4:30 this morning.

I hopped out of bed at 5:00 & haven't stopped until now!

Here's what I did:

1.  I made two big batches of beans.

(started soaking them last night, thank you very much.)

That's exciting, right?

2.  I colored and cut my hair.

That IS exciting!

(Though I still long to let my gray grow out.)

3.  I soaked grains for whole-grain tortillas.

(MORE excitement!)

4.  I made brown rice to stick in the freezer, along with my batches of beans!

(All this will be GREAT for soups, tacos, and who-knows what else, later this week!)

(HOMEMADE...NOT PROCESSED!)

Love.

5.  I made bread.  White bread.  I never make white bread.  But today, I did.

And it was delicious!

6.  And I made beef-vegetable stew!

7.  I washed scads of veggies & fruit in a soothing ACV/water bath!

(Apple Cider Vinegar)

8.  I made tortillas!  A new recipe that is DIVINE.

I will share with you super soon, I so promise.

9.  I gathered and washed many eggs.

With free-range chickens, it's like an Easter egg hunt every single day!

Lucy is SO amazed by our new white eggs, compliments of our young white hen.

It's like she's never seen a white egg before!  Because, she really hasn't.

10.  I gave glory to our Provider for His abundance.

In a very processed world, I pray that

 we will all step back and evaluate 

what we're putting in your bodies.

We are a chemical-laden society, and it's NOT the way God intended.

Make it your challenge this week to eat REAL FOOD!!

And give MUCH thanks for it.

Blessings, friends!!

gradulation party!

Yesterday we celebrated Nick's high school graduation!

We did a little target practice.

Even I shot once.

Sad, isn't it?

Then the party really began...


As you can see, Nick made sure to put on his nicest outfit.

We all sat around the roaring campfire.

Until it swallowed us up and we all disappeared.

Nick and Sarah.

They didn't plan to wear matching shirts.

So they say.

Around these parts we call that, rednecks in love.

I have no idea why I was contorted into this way.

But, you know.  I dance to my own drummer.

My deepest apologies for that one.

We got him raised, but clearly not right.

Anyway, it was super fun!

Happy Gradulation, Nick!

(That's how Isaiah pronounces it. :)