I want one!!

The girls set up a back rubbing station. I'm quite jealous, however, I think I would probably break the chair if I had a turn!

"Whip it up....."

Last week Macy asked me, "What's for dessert?" I said, "I'll whip up brownies.". Tonight I asked her, "What's for dessert?" and she wanted to "whip up" an Apple Crisp. It turned out really yummy and they were so proud to "whip up" dessert just like mommy does!

She has new playmates!

Noelle seems to be adjusting to not having a playmate while Julia is in Pre-School. She played for hours today right in that spot at the Lumberyard with her animals and said to me, "SHHHH...they are sleeping!".

Just a little Fun!

It seems like I have posted "serious" stuff lately, so I thought I'd let you know we are having a little bit of fun over here in rural Iowa!

We picked up this Volleyball set on clearance -- $8.00 of fun! It is quite a hit on this nice, Sunday afternoon! Julia actually took this picture from the sidelines.

Caden had a friend spend the night this weekend. This is Gerald--we love him!! He likes to invite himself over to our house occasionally :)

And the dogs are getting lots of tugs and hugs!

Our Days

What are we up to? Sorry....no pictures!

Caden and Macy are enjoying school. Caden is aceing his spelling tests, learning to write in cursive, and of course, talking out of turn quite often. Macy is reading up a storm and practicing Caden's cursive worksheets in the evenings, she is on top of things...except that she is slow to arise in the mornings! Julia is loving Pre-School and has gotton a very good report from her teacher (not that I'm surprised or anything..I guess you just never know with a 4 year old!). Noelle spends her days with MOM and DAD! She has adjusted to being our only helper part of the time. She enjoys coloring with Mom at the Lumberyard front counter. We are amazed at how much they are growing...I no longer have a little boy as I see his 9th birthday coming upon us quickly! And my baby girl shows no signs of baby left! These are precious kids God has given us to raise. We are enjoying watching them blossom into mini-people!

Because of Julia's Pre-School AM's, I have been driving them all in on those 3 days a week. It has been awesome to cut down their bus time, and get the extra drive time to practice spelling words, pray together, and save money on breakfast because they don't have time to hit the cafe' when I drop them off compared to when they are dropped off by the bus.

I have to admit, it has been a rough transition for me working everyday vs. being the typical stay at home mommy. I have actually begged Josh to get me back at home full-time, and we have continually put the decision into the Lord's hands. Prayer and time is showing us to keep plugging away on this crazy path we are on of running a small business-just the two of us. It has been 3 months and an emotional-confusing roller coaster for me getting adjusted, but I have to say that today my heart is overjoyed and thankful as I consider myself extremely fortunate to be working with my husband day in and day out. We are quite the team! I am amazed at the confidence Josh has shown in me and the peace he has had for our family with me not being at home full-time. It just blows me away, because I never would've planned it out this way! And you know what...with noone at home during the day, it stays clean!!!

Here are some verses that have helped me to keep plugging away:
Zepaniah 3:17
The Lord your God is with you; he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.

John 4:25
The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us."

Heb. 6:10
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

With that all said and the rain pouring down (again!) outside...I encourage you to Trust in the Lord. It is becoming clearer and clearer to me that there is no other way! From our schedule to our pocket book to our marriage and our kids growing up....TRUST HIM!

Butcher Shop

Yep, today was the day! 5 fat chickens butchered and into the freezer. What a learning experience! We had the priviledge of sharing our first experience of butchering with Josh's Grandma and Josh's parents. With all their expertise, I did not have to touch a thing! Whew! The kids enjoyed themselves and were not troubled by the gruesomeness, however, I purposely did not get their pictures during the process. However, I got this great picture of the adults hard at work. I'll let you know when we fry some chicken!

Labor Day Weekend

We spent Labor Day weekend hanging out with some prize friends. We met Micah and Jamie Steele in Cedar Falls at a young adults church gathering 8 years ago. They are precious to us and we share life in a lot of ways eventhough our paths of life have taken us in different directions. We were lucky to be their first guests at their new Lake Delhi vacation spot. We enjoyed the quietness of Lake Delhi...as noone was enjoying the water and running in the sand except for us and our kids!

The weekend consisted of lots of food and lots of hanging out and lots of laughing and lots of talking about life. Much needed R&R time for Josh and I!




Julia and Naomi are two peas in a pod! They are mini of their mommies...born to be friends!!! Wish I wouldn've met Jamie at age 4!


The boys and the firepit were inseperable!


I love my friend Jamie and can't wait to hangout again!

Macy is 7!

I let my kids eat cake for breakfast on their birthdays. They think it is the best thing ever! This is Macy's bedhead before school this morning. She is not a big breakfast eater, but she had no problem gobbling up the cupcake. She was a little slow on the banana!

A few friends came home with her after school to hangout. We did some crafts, carried around chickens and puppies, ate grilled cheese and tomato soup, and they shut the door to Macy's room so I didn't know what they were doing part of the time! Oh Well!

Then we had family over for root beer floats and cupcakes in the evening. This was quite the day for Macy. She had no trouble getting to sleep tonight!

We cannot believe she is 7! I remember her birth like it was yesterday. I remember her little face looking at me with a pout lip after she was born. She was such a doll. I called her doll and kissed her cheek every day for at least 2 whole years! It is awesome to watch her become who God made her to be. She is growing and changing and so excited about life (and dogs!). We love you, Macy. We are excited about sharing year 7 with you!

Trees Gone

These two big, old trees once provided shade to Great Grandma's house, where we live. Such a bummer that they had to be removed! We miss them and realize now we thought the trees were somehow hiding us from the road. We are no longer hiding! The trees were rotting and too close to the electrical line, so that is why they had to be removed.

Caden says it looks like a good spot to race his bike. I guess maybe he thinks all the other spots are worn out!

She Needed a Nap!

First she said, "I miss JuJu." Then she said, "I'm going to take a nap." Next thing I knew, she was asleep in the chair. Someone bumped into the chair while getting a bag of nails and the chair went rolling....didn't even faze her!

Chickens get to Run!

Josh built a chicken run onto the chicken house last weekend. The chickens are so excited to be outside and peck around on the ground.


Some of these are about ready to butcher.
I could just take a bite outta this broiler!!