LIFE

Writing. It really isn't that difficult, is it? I find myself writing to my friends, family, and children, but I rarely take time to document LIFE. What really is there to say outside of the "normal"?

Take, for instance, our daily routine(or in my case-the lack of a daily routine). It consists of waking up, making breakfast for the boys and myself, then school at home. By the time lunch and school is done, Randy comes home and the boys flock to him each day like a chicken to scratch! The joy that erupts from them when they spend time with their father is a wonderful thing to observe. As I type, my heart is overflowing with how amazing my husband is with our sons.

But, I digress...

We hang out at the house, talk about our day, we make dinner, the kids go to bed, and we head to bed as well. We repeat the same thing day after day and it is strangely comforting.

So what has changed since my last entry?

The boys are growing and learning. Our oldest is 8, our youngest just turned 6 last month. They wrestle, argue, play, learn, and laugh together. They truly are best friends.

Randy is still working hard. He is not looking forward to the winter weather, but he will get over it. (I hope!)

The garden has come and gone. It was as fruitful as I was diligent. (Note to self... more diligence is needed for next year!)

There have been changes in our flock size. At the height of our somewhat temporary insanity, we had 24 birds. There were 4 Turkeys, 2 guineas, and 18 chickens. Currently we have 17 chickens total. We recently butchered 3 of the turkeys (one passed away before freezer camp day). The guineas were sold this summer to a local family. They were just too loud for our liking. The neighbor's dog (who unfortunately has uncooperative and indifferent owners) had his way with a few of the chickens over the last few months. However, we allowed 2 of the hens to hatch out babies. They (Clementine and E.D.) were born in August, and they are little stinkers! We also had replaced a few of the birds earlier in the year when we got the other fowl.

I have been, overall, pretty good. September was a tough month, as both of my paternal grandparents passed away within 4 days of each other. A trip back to be with family was bittersweet.

I have also been learning more with/about photography, and that is a nice respite. I am hoping to keep learning and getting out there and shooting. It excites me!

There have been ups and downs, but overall, LIFE truly is good. There are so many people out there that have things worse than us. Of course, other things have happened in our small world, but they are nothing compared to other people's worlds. I can only pray that they will one day know what "this" feels like.

MIA

It's late. And that is my problem! I think of writing on here when it's late, and then I don't want to, because it turns into a big deal! So, I thought I would at least catch up with what has been going on.

I have been busy. Busy chasing chickens. Busy planning a garden. All of this and taking care of the family.

First, the Family. They are all amazing, and they are doing well. My husband's job is working out well, and though it has been cold, he has been battling old man winter without too many complaints! We have also been able to spend precious time with the In-Loves, and the boys enjoy getting to see their grandparents!

Then we have the chickens. We got 7 6-month-old pullets at the end of October. They have adjusted well to living here, and enjoyed getting grasshopper treats from the boys, who were designated grasshopper hunters. They had plenty of things to do and places to go, but they don't have full access to all of the yard...yet. Actually, I will be keeping them toward the south of the house, since I will be putting in a garden and I don't want them bumming around, digging up and eating my seedlings. Now that it has been cold, they have been more confined, but they still go out bummin' through the snow, looking for something to peck at.

Then, right before Thanksgiving, a friend of mine told me about a craigslist ad with some babies for sale. I called regarding the ad and ended up getting some baby chicks! They were 2 weeks old when I picked them up. Then, a few weeks later, I got a call from the man I got the babies from and he wanted to know if I wanted 4 more. He was moving and wasn't able to keep the ones he had. So here I am with 9 babies! They are about 2 months old right now, and they live with the big girls, but in a separate side. They do mingle when they go outside, but, again, the cold has been hindering their playtime outside. They seem to get along pretty well when they are all together. (I had a cute little picture of our *surprise* rooster, but it won't load!)

And then there is, The Garden.



This was from my last garden-2 years ago this spring. I miss digging in and getting my hands dirty. Not to mention how wonderful it feels to know that I can use my time and energy toward providing good, healthy food for my family.

So, I have been planning a garden. And, with permission from my husband, he said, "Whatever makes you happy."

He has been so loving and supportive with my crazy ideas, so I hope to provide him with some delicious food, and be able to teach the boys how to help the ground produce food!

So, really, that is a majority of what I have been up to. There is so much more to say, but it is late, and I must get to bed.

I am Going to Explode!

We are in Montana.

We are in the house.

Randy has a good job.

We have been able to spend precious time with the In-Loves.

And I am getting CHICKENS!

I am so excited, I can barely contain myself.

During the process of moving, I had to double check the ordinances in the area. Fortunately for me, we are outside the city limits!

So, now that we are in the house and Randy is gainfully employed, I have been working on getting a shed converted into a coop. I am almost finished, and I am hoping to get 4-6 pullets (young hens) within a week. My goal is to have 12 hens.

Randy wants nothing to do with them, but he has been very helpful with some of the conversion work. (Don't tell anyone I said that.)

The goal for these hens is for me to "oversee" the operations, and the boys will be business owners. I will buy my eggs from them, and they have to pay for the expenses, and pay off any start-up costs. Of course, I will do most of the work, but I really want them to know what it is like to earn money, run a business (guided by us), and learn all that while having fun with these ladies. They will be involved with the chores, and will be given more responsibility when they show they are capable, and they are both excited.

Tonight they were playing chicken and grasshopper, since they were pumped to find out that CHICKENS love hunting GRASSHOPPERS just as much as they do. :) They just sat on the floor, pretending their hand was a chicken beak and the other one would hold out their finger as a grasshopper...too adorable!

Moving on up...

...to Montana.

The decision was made this week, and we are hoping to be up there by this time next month.

Now, I try not to be a "Debbie-Downer", so here are a few things I am looking forward to:

~A kitchen table. We have been without one for 5 years. Oh, the conversations we have missed.

~My Father and Mother in-love. They will only be an hour away, and it will be nice for the boys (ok, and us too!)to spend some time with them.

~Getting to re-connect with old friends. I miss their laughter.

~Having room for a garden. After having a small garden last year, and no ability to have one this year, I am really wanting to get my garden prepped for next spring!

~Going through the upcoming trials and tribulations with my husband. Now, most people would think... WHAT? Why are you looking forward to that? Well, last year was one of the best years in our marriage, but probably the worst year of our lives together. We grew together because of the trials. I know that the rest of this year will have its own bumps in the road, but I know that we have been preparing for this our whole marriage-especially this past year.

What I am not looking forward to:

~Moving away from my family, friends, and the area. South Dakota has been my home for most of my adult life. It will be hard to say goodbye to them. (But, I will hold back the tears as long as possible!)

~My inability to relax easily in new situations. I have always been a little (ok, A LOT!) uptight. This can me grumpy. Fortunately, Montana also has this to help me relax: It isn't as close as it is here in South Dakota, but it isn't far away: :)



The mountains...They call me. (Usually they call me goofy names, but I won't repeat them here.)