02.24.2012 I'm BAAAAAAACK.

I was locked out of MY OWN blog - hilarious!! I guess when you become a slacker and haven't posted anything since um....well since the first day of school....the blog fairies remove all evidence that you were once a blogger.

Harumphhhhhh!!!

I think the absence is mainly due to my S.A.D. / depression ...........whatever. But when fall/winter starts to go away, and the sun comes out I seem to be able to once again operate. The days are starting to get longer. Despite the 3 inches of snow we got Weds night, it is sunny (albeit windy as heck) and my soul is dancing.

I have a smile on my face that can't be wiped away by looking at dirty dishes, horse poop or piles of laundry. It's been a couple of weeks so I know it's not temporary. All things seem "possible" or at least "Do-able" once again. Thank you LORD for allowing ME back.

Despite my crazy ailments that do not allow me to function in the winter months, I just don't know what to attribute all of my newfound joy to. Personally i KNOW what (Whom) it is. Hard to explain, but things that would cause me extreme anxiety - well they just don't. I have a calming peace that is incredible. While my husband spends many sleepless nights fretting over our latest "situation" I know it will all work out and I have an incredible peace about it. I also thank you Lord for Chai Tea....

I have NEVER been able to tolerate caffeine (soda, coffee, whatever) but I have recently found Chai Tea which has become somewhat of a new indulgence for me. The smell and flavor is music to my tastebuds and strangely I can handle the caffeine without serious jitters or fainting or whatever. Not long after I began to "function" and cope better, I emabarked on my near daily Chai experience, and it has amplified that calming effect (as well as helped me to be a speedy cleaning force around these parts). I am babbling. Probably none of this makes sense...except to me. But the end all / do all is less meds, more happy, and more productivity. I also slept 13 hours last night (due to a near migraine) and that seems to be icing on the very lavish cake. **smile**

But truly, it isn't the Tea - I think it is my guardian angels pulling me out of my slump and setting me back on my feet. Whatever it is...WHOMever it is....I am just happy as all get out to be ALIVE again.

But dont ask me to catch you up on the last 5-6 months....lets just say as usual too much has changed on this roller coaster ride. As I often joke, I think it is safe to say that about every 3 months something completely life altering takes place in our lives. We take a 180 degree turn and it is something new. You gotta be sharp and hang on tight for what comes next around here. Makes it hard to stay on my toes - especially when i am emotionally "not well"....but I am learning to hand over the reigns because "I can handle all things through Christ who gives me strength". If it weren't for the trials would I ever look UP and acknowledge all that is Good and how much I am truly Blessed? Unfortunately I know that answer has mostly been "Not Likely" too often. I fall then get back up. And He is there to help me up every time. Every.Single.Time. I don't deserve it. But He loves me anyway. It makes me feel that all things are possible, that if I listen for direction I can never fail. I am not in control of my life, and as soon as I loosen the reigns on what I want, the Blessings are poured out in abundance.

So I am going to go basque in the glory of today.
I am Thankful.
I am happy.
I am ALIVE.
I am Blessed.
I am Loved.

It's puppies, kittens and rainbows around here sisters! (family joke)

09.06.2011 First Day of School

 

06.05.2011 HAY RIDE

You wanna know what's COOL about living in the country?

You can drive 4 miles to your neigbors house on a trailer of hay, just like the city folks get excited to do in the fall.

LOL



Sorry city slickers.

And yes, the dog had to come too.. and rode right along side his boy!

08.24.2011 Duuuuuuuuuude!

Has it really been ALL MONTH LONG that i haven't blogged?

My heavens! I am FIRED!

Oh there is SO much that has happened. I am one exhausted momma.

The end is in sight.....the appraiser will be here Monday the 29th (YAY) so obviously the house needs to be completely finished by then. It's "crunch time" as they say. Bring it on.

Also, school starts Sept 6th -- right after fair week. So yay for FAIR. And double yay for school starting. This mommy needs a break from 4+ kids 24/7. I have a newfound appreciation for childcare givers. They are SAINTS. I could NEVER do that job fulltime...and hoping to NEVER have to do it again. My kids will be in camp next summer if it kills me. Oh yes they will.

Enough of that. They are growing like weeds and it is exciting to see. It has been a FUN summer for them despite one often cranky momma. HEHEHE.

SO i am off to finish sealing some tiles and helping Sis clean her room so we can get the Baseboard Trim done in there. 2 rooms left upstairs and 2/3 of the downstairs still to go. We can do it!! I like the home stretch......to think....it will all be done, the kids will be in school, the horse will start more training, the barn will get built - exciting things on the Horizon!!!

I will try to get some pics up tonite or tomorrow. Love to all!!

07.30.2011 THIS, THAT, and the HUNT

The homestead and horsies are all well. Blackie is fattening up quite nicely. Luna (the piglet) is constantly trying to eat momma's food thus is porking up quite nicely as well. The kids both got some new (new to them at least but actually used) boots and 2 new straw hats. They are the cutest lil' cowboy/cowgirl on the block!

I started walking our "square" which is just over 3 1/2 miles. Day one no problem. Day two slight soreness in quads. Day 3 soreness but liveable. 4 hours later on day three i can barely walk the stairs. This momma definately needs some excercise. It felt great! And the soreness besides my overall non-fit level was really because i was interval training it...walking, then jogging, then walking, then RUNNING. The kids drug their sleepy butts out of bed this morning to come again. It's becoming a fun family thing - even the dogs are loving it - though they are 11 and 12 and waaay tired after we are done!

I am also busy online this weekend "hunting" for a swimming pool. Not an expensive, nor a plastic kiddie pool. More of an intermediate 4' hight 15-18' wide pool that we can enjoy for a couple more months then take down and store. Like this one...



The kids (including the 2 extra) need something to do!! They have gotten into more mischief than i thought was possible. Oh the stories i could tell.....

-painting with BBQ sauce on paper in Daddy's office (and ooops some of the floor!)
-using drywall mud to fully coat their bicycles
-Turning off the main gas line to the house (thankfully that was Kaden @ his own house)
-Peeing off the side of the horse trailer in full view of bystanders (the boys....simply because they CAN)
-Mud slide parties on the playset in back
-Water pitcher fights on the trampoline

There are so many stories it is almost too incredible to believe. I really shoud chronicle all their adventures. It would make for some fun stories to retell later.

Mischief makers them kids!

But it is all in fun so i guess that is what summer is all about, right?

Well we are in the home stretch now. Our home loan is approved and we just have some old things to take care of and an appraisal in a week or so. I HOPE we can be finished by then!!

One last bit...Erick will be home either Monday night or Tuesday depending on his drive. YAY!! So excited to have my boy back. Just the perfect timing too **wink**