James and Baby Goat
James watering the goats
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
More Pictures
James and his big feet
James wearing his Bubba's shirt. This shirt was Taylor's when he was little.
Very difficult to see (excuse my shadow)
This is the backdoor of the playhouse. The washer/dryer is to the left, the ladder goes to the loft where the girls play and have slept out there, I think twice. I installed a clothesline inside that my mom sent, not sure it can be seen. It was originally to be installed inside the cabin, but with the metal walls I couldn't figure it out. It works perfectly in the playhouse.
Another view. The thick line in the foreground is a line that Lauren put up for me. The other thinner one in the background is the five line, retractable line my mom ordered for me from Lehman's. Very cool. Helps with the cold and rainy weather. I hang up clothes, diapers, etc., leave a space heater on in there, and the next morning the clothes are dry. I've only had to do that twice. I have taken advantage of the recent sunny days to hang the clothes outside to dry.
My little dirt ball. He was sitting in the grass digging in the dirt with his fingers today. Now he is sitting on top of the washer while it goes through the spin cycle. He likes that, he laughs and laughs.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
My mom turned 60 yesterday! Happy Birthday Mommy!
The weather here is cold, rainy and windy...I have been hauling a lot of fire wood inside lately to try and keep the chill out of the air in the living room/kitchen..we aren't in there much at all, but I believe it helps to keep this room warmer, when the front room isn't freezing. I could be wrong. The goats are miserably wet in their pen..it is getting a little flooded in spots and definitely they need a drier spot. I think organizing the barn and getting it ready for them is next on the list. I sure am glad that we put the tarp on the north fence to help keep the wind out there, I hope it helps the cold anyway. They huddle under the lean to, and fight over the igloo dog house. Poor Dakota gets the short end of the stick most times. Another Buff Orpington has gone missing. She escaped the coop, and I think Bo killed her. I have been busy studying Poultry catalogs so that I can order a batch of chicks, as well as, looking at seed catalogs. I plan to plant a small container garden this year, AFTER I fence in behind the cabin. I plan on buying one stock panel at a time, until I can fence in an area behind the cabin to park the car and plant a garden. Once Mr. Cano finishes the porch it will provide a better sitting area closer to the cabin, as well as, a place to put a small table to eat at..
We are watching one of the Stargate DVDs. We picked up three movies at the library tonight, but watched them already. Two of them were only 30 minute children's videos. One on Harriet Tubman and the other on Thomas Edison. The longer one was Eloise at Christmas. We saw Eloise at the Plaza already. Pretty cute movies. Tomorrow we will pick up three more. I don't often miss the DirecTV, but when we have exhausted our supply of DVDs at home, it can get boring. The girls have been drawing tonight with their new art sets, reading more, and playing with their dolls. I normally clean, read or research information online at night. Plus, play with James and the girls. When it's nicer weather they are outside until dark, but with the earlier dark times, plus the cold and rain drives us inside.
"He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city." Proverbs 16:32
The above is my verse for the day to remind me to not let others get to me and to be slow to anger (or irritate).
I have been reading how we have two parts of ourselves the appreciation room and the deappreciation room. One room remembers and records all the positive and encouraging things our spouses or another says to us. These things edify us and lift us up. The other room records all the negative, hurtful things our spouse has said to us. While the things in the deappreciation room are true, so are the things in the appreciation room. We choose to dwell on one or the other. By choosing the more positive, the longer you dwell on the positive aspects of your spouse, friend, etc., the better you appreciate them. No one is perfect, not even ourselves. And while another may hurt us (either physically, emotionally or verbally) there are times that they are normal human beings and do things that please us. It may seem that these things are few and far between, but we need to ponder these things more often in order to dispel our anger against this person. Anger feeds on itself, and pretty soon your entire being will be filled with anger and hate towards a person that does not deserve these feelings. These ugly feelings will eat away at your soul too. These things make me thing as I have had many people in my life hurt me, more verbally, but a few physically. In general, I am not confrontational at heart. I used to grieve myself sick over any injustices done to me, but the older I grew the more I stood my ground. I still fail to understand why it is okay for one person to treat me wrong, but by standing up for myself I am viewed as the "troublemaker" or the one in the wrong. Boggles the mind.
I have ample reasons to be anger and filled with hate towards several people close to me. But I am choosing to let things go. Others may view this as being weak, but I view this as being smart, taking the high road, being the better person. I have too much responsibility to be weighted down daily by grief, anger and dispair. Don't get me wrong I am still bothered by these emotions at times. Grief over my father's death, grief over losing yet another child and being the only one who cares about that, grief and over not being able to grieve properly. Grief and anger over an ending marriage and loss of friendship. Most days I choose to move past these things, as the responsibilities that I bear are great in caring for three children alone. Oh caring for them alone is not new, I have done that the majority of their lives, but add to that the stress of providing financially for them in addition to the daily care is very pressing. Don't get me wrong I LOVE my children, but it must be wonderful to be a man and be able to walk away and live your life without a thought for your children's welfare. If I believed in reincarnation I'd like to come back as a man that way I could have an easier life. LOL
The weather here is cold, rainy and windy...I have been hauling a lot of fire wood inside lately to try and keep the chill out of the air in the living room/kitchen..we aren't in there much at all, but I believe it helps to keep this room warmer, when the front room isn't freezing. I could be wrong. The goats are miserably wet in their pen..it is getting a little flooded in spots and definitely they need a drier spot. I think organizing the barn and getting it ready for them is next on the list. I sure am glad that we put the tarp on the north fence to help keep the wind out there, I hope it helps the cold anyway. They huddle under the lean to, and fight over the igloo dog house. Poor Dakota gets the short end of the stick most times. Another Buff Orpington has gone missing. She escaped the coop, and I think Bo killed her. I have been busy studying Poultry catalogs so that I can order a batch of chicks, as well as, looking at seed catalogs. I plan to plant a small container garden this year, AFTER I fence in behind the cabin. I plan on buying one stock panel at a time, until I can fence in an area behind the cabin to park the car and plant a garden. Once Mr. Cano finishes the porch it will provide a better sitting area closer to the cabin, as well as, a place to put a small table to eat at..
We are watching one of the Stargate DVDs. We picked up three movies at the library tonight, but watched them already. Two of them were only 30 minute children's videos. One on Harriet Tubman and the other on Thomas Edison. The longer one was Eloise at Christmas. We saw Eloise at the Plaza already. Pretty cute movies. Tomorrow we will pick up three more. I don't often miss the DirecTV, but when we have exhausted our supply of DVDs at home, it can get boring. The girls have been drawing tonight with their new art sets, reading more, and playing with their dolls. I normally clean, read or research information online at night. Plus, play with James and the girls. When it's nicer weather they are outside until dark, but with the earlier dark times, plus the cold and rain drives us inside.
"He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city." Proverbs 16:32
The above is my verse for the day to remind me to not let others get to me and to be slow to anger (or irritate).
I have been reading how we have two parts of ourselves the appreciation room and the deappreciation room. One room remembers and records all the positive and encouraging things our spouses or another says to us. These things edify us and lift us up. The other room records all the negative, hurtful things our spouse has said to us. While the things in the deappreciation room are true, so are the things in the appreciation room. We choose to dwell on one or the other. By choosing the more positive, the longer you dwell on the positive aspects of your spouse, friend, etc., the better you appreciate them. No one is perfect, not even ourselves. And while another may hurt us (either physically, emotionally or verbally) there are times that they are normal human beings and do things that please us. It may seem that these things are few and far between, but we need to ponder these things more often in order to dispel our anger against this person. Anger feeds on itself, and pretty soon your entire being will be filled with anger and hate towards a person that does not deserve these feelings. These ugly feelings will eat away at your soul too. These things make me thing as I have had many people in my life hurt me, more verbally, but a few physically. In general, I am not confrontational at heart. I used to grieve myself sick over any injustices done to me, but the older I grew the more I stood my ground. I still fail to understand why it is okay for one person to treat me wrong, but by standing up for myself I am viewed as the "troublemaker" or the one in the wrong. Boggles the mind.
I have ample reasons to be anger and filled with hate towards several people close to me. But I am choosing to let things go. Others may view this as being weak, but I view this as being smart, taking the high road, being the better person. I have too much responsibility to be weighted down daily by grief, anger and dispair. Don't get me wrong I am still bothered by these emotions at times. Grief over my father's death, grief over losing yet another child and being the only one who cares about that, grief and over not being able to grieve properly. Grief and anger over an ending marriage and loss of friendship. Most days I choose to move past these things, as the responsibilities that I bear are great in caring for three children alone. Oh caring for them alone is not new, I have done that the majority of their lives, but add to that the stress of providing financially for them in addition to the daily care is very pressing. Don't get me wrong I LOVE my children, but it must be wonderful to be a man and be able to walk away and live your life without a thought for your children's welfare. If I believed in reincarnation I'd like to come back as a man that way I could have an easier life. LOL
Saturday, December 26, 2009
It's a Frosty One!
The past few nights have been quite cold outside. We have spent the days getting ready for each evenings cold. The first night (Christmas Eve) I didn't realize it was going to get as cold as it was until I returned home from my sister's house. It was so dark I couldn't do much. I draped a blanket over the pipes at the well, and left the water running at the outside spigot, and in the shower. It did no good, the pipes froze. As the day warmed up, the pipes did unfreeze, and I examined every junction to ensure that everything appeared to be working.
On Christmas, I wrapped each outside faucet, and exposed pipe, with material I had on hand (fleece, flannel and old towels)> I used zip ties and rope to secure the material. We also took an old tarp that had torn and finished dividing it down the middle and then secured it with zip ties to the north fence of the goat pen. I am hoping this helps to keep a good amount of the wind from blowing into the lean-to where the goats sleep. I cleaned the pen, added hay, food, water, and a few pumpkins I had around. The goats have been hanging out in there all evening, once the sun set, and it turned chilly.
Tonight it is supposed to be 29 degrees. I finished bringing in a load of wood, as I normally stay up late keeping the fire going. This helps keep the drafts from the bedroom. It is very warm and snug in here, and the new heater works great. (Muffin has taken up residence on the couch right by the wood stove.)
We did hang out here at home this afternoon. The kids ran around, pulling James in the wagon, which he LOVES. I could hear his giggles from where ever I happened to be working. I cleaned up a lot of trash, and placed in the truck for the trash guy to pick up Wednesday. Thursday it is going in the shop....I plan to walk from the front gate to the barn tomorrow and pick up all the trash and place in the truck. I have several small trash piles that have accumulated and they need to go, in addition, to the old pool that the dogs chewed up. I am trying to get everything nice and neat. I cleaned up a large amount of debris by the cabin door, and once the barn is organized (next on the list after trash detail) we will be moving all the excess "stuff" behind the cabin to the barn. The larger trash piles will have to wait until next week, as the truck is almost full now. Oh, note to self, need more trash bags.
I installed the indoor clothesline in the "laundry room"/playhouse today, and hung a load up in there, plus one outside on the clothes line. I have several more loads to get done, so am hoping it is sunny again tomorrow.
Little by little we are getting more accomplished. I have been a lot more motivated lately, which is helping. Thank you Lord!
Cleaned the front room some, tossing out stuff, folding laundry and putting away, and getting Christmas gifts put in their place. Swept the floor, washed dishes, cleaned the bedroom, and made dinner. Now we are watching movies, well I am, the kids are sleeping.
On Christmas, I wrapped each outside faucet, and exposed pipe, with material I had on hand (fleece, flannel and old towels)> I used zip ties and rope to secure the material. We also took an old tarp that had torn and finished dividing it down the middle and then secured it with zip ties to the north fence of the goat pen. I am hoping this helps to keep a good amount of the wind from blowing into the lean-to where the goats sleep. I cleaned the pen, added hay, food, water, and a few pumpkins I had around. The goats have been hanging out in there all evening, once the sun set, and it turned chilly.
Tonight it is supposed to be 29 degrees. I finished bringing in a load of wood, as I normally stay up late keeping the fire going. This helps keep the drafts from the bedroom. It is very warm and snug in here, and the new heater works great. (Muffin has taken up residence on the couch right by the wood stove.)
We did hang out here at home this afternoon. The kids ran around, pulling James in the wagon, which he LOVES. I could hear his giggles from where ever I happened to be working. I cleaned up a lot of trash, and placed in the truck for the trash guy to pick up Wednesday. Thursday it is going in the shop....I plan to walk from the front gate to the barn tomorrow and pick up all the trash and place in the truck. I have several small trash piles that have accumulated and they need to go, in addition, to the old pool that the dogs chewed up. I am trying to get everything nice and neat. I cleaned up a large amount of debris by the cabin door, and once the barn is organized (next on the list after trash detail) we will be moving all the excess "stuff" behind the cabin to the barn. The larger trash piles will have to wait until next week, as the truck is almost full now. Oh, note to self, need more trash bags.
I installed the indoor clothesline in the "laundry room"/playhouse today, and hung a load up in there, plus one outside on the clothes line. I have several more loads to get done, so am hoping it is sunny again tomorrow.
Little by little we are getting more accomplished. I have been a lot more motivated lately, which is helping. Thank you Lord!
Cleaned the front room some, tossing out stuff, folding laundry and putting away, and getting Christmas gifts put in their place. Swept the floor, washed dishes, cleaned the bedroom, and made dinner. Now we are watching movies, well I am, the kids are sleeping.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
The work at the shoppe continues. Helped Rosalinda put up the molding in "The Book Nook". That is her name for the Book Room. I wiped off the walls, pulled nails, and pounded nails, then held the molding in place while she nailed it up. Oh, I also painted the molding too. My arms sure did hurt by the time I left for work at 3 p.m. She was going to finish it with the help of her son. All that is left now is to pick up all the debris on the floor, put the new floor down, and I'd like to clean the walls with Murphy's Oil Soap, then apply Lemon Oil. We have plenty of pictures and educational posters to put up too. I'd love for the area homeschoolers to come out and use the room. We've been putting the word out.
She will start bringing her books and shelves, and I will set up the reading/sitting area for customers. We will be selling refreshments/snacks also. Lauren has asked to handle that aspect. I'd like to get their study area set up next week also, so they can get back to their books after the Christmas break.
After Christmas, we will be open Tuesday-Saturday, at least that is the plan for now. It could change.
I've been applying for jobs, but it doesn't appear as if the Lord wants me to have a job that doesn't allow me to home school. I firmly believe that I am supposed to home school my children, and that the Lord will provide for us. Sometimes I get worried and a little scared, but am learning to trust in Him day by day.
She will start bringing her books and shelves, and I will set up the reading/sitting area for customers. We will be selling refreshments/snacks also. Lauren has asked to handle that aspect. I'd like to get their study area set up next week also, so they can get back to their books after the Christmas break.
After Christmas, we will be open Tuesday-Saturday, at least that is the plan for now. It could change.
I've been applying for jobs, but it doesn't appear as if the Lord wants me to have a job that doesn't allow me to home school. I firmly believe that I am supposed to home school my children, and that the Lord will provide for us. Sometimes I get worried and a little scared, but am learning to trust in Him day by day.
I don't really like everything that the Pearl's talk about, sometimes I even am hesitant to believe half of what I read on their site, but this article made me laugh, and I can say I am pretty much in agreement with it....Mr. Pearl is not apologetic at all about his beliefs, though some of them are a little off, but at least he stands up for what he believes in, which is admirable.
http://www.nogreaterjoy.org/articles/child-training/art-of-training/article-display/archive/2008/november/26/hard-times-coming/
http://www.nogreaterjoy.org/articles/child-training/art-of-training/article-display/archive/2008/november/26/hard-times-coming/
Saturday, December 19, 2009
REMINDER
Wrap pipes under "cabin"
Wrap pipes at well
Clean goat pen
Put in clean hay
Put dogs in barn
Wash clothes
Wrap pipes at well
Clean goat pen
Put in clean hay
Put dogs in barn
Wash clothes
Friday, December 18, 2009
I was reading one of my favorite blogs, Wretha's by the way and thought I would steal the questions someone asked her and post here with my answers....
What would you have done differently if you were starting out now? I would not have bought the shipping container, but invested the money in one of those shed like cabins, and placed it under the trees for shade. The shipping container was never originally meant for us to live in but as storage for our furniture while we sold our main home. Didn't quite work out how I planned it, but life has lots of little (and big) road bumps.
What 3-5 things do you need right now?
Hmm, this one is difficult. I think right now I need a 220 plug so that I can use my dryer. While I used the clothesline exclusively in the spring and summer, line drying is not conducive to having dried clothes and diapers in the fall/winter, especially during a prolonged rainy/cold spell. I need a better housing arrangement as the container is too difficult to heat/cool, though it can be done, it is frustrating and overwhelming at times. Another thing that I need right now is my truck on the road. It runs great, just the tail lights need to be fixed. So, I will be dragging it to the shop, praying it is something simple, and then praying for the funds to get it fixed, tagged and back on the road. I really need the truck to help with income possibilities and hauling fire wood/grain/hay to the house. I need about 50 bales of old hay to insulate the bedroom portion of the container, the side that faces North (on the outside of course).
What would you buy if money were no object? It'd be great to hit the lottery, but since I don't play that isn't going to happen. But if money weren't an object I would have a storm cellar put in (I am scared of tornadoes), a small log cabin built, solar and wind power installed (and get of grid electricity). I'd also have several small cabin/sheds placed towards the front of the property to rent out for camping purposes, etc.
I'd like a bigger barn (a red one), filled with enough grain/hay for my animals. I'd get horses again, as well as, more goats, and ideally I'd love some fiber goats/sheep, and the money to pay a ranch/farm hand to help me with the heavy work. I'd also build a small chapel on the property, dredge out the pond, build a gazebo by the pond and maybe buy a new truck, a Suburban and a Jeep. And I'd buy a Berkey so I could answer the next question.
How is the Berkey System working? Well, I don't have a Berkey, but a local friend does, and it appears to be working great for her. Waters tastes good too.
How many solar panels do you have now? I only have one small solar panel that runs a set of lights. I'd love to get a small solar RV set up, but haven't the spare cash lying around. It's on the "the list" though...right behind getting a better house for my kids.
What do I miss the most? I miss my entire family being together. I miss total PEACE. I miss my blue house. I miss my dad. I miss not having to worry so much about my kids.
What would you have done differently if you were starting out now? I would not have bought the shipping container, but invested the money in one of those shed like cabins, and placed it under the trees for shade. The shipping container was never originally meant for us to live in but as storage for our furniture while we sold our main home. Didn't quite work out how I planned it, but life has lots of little (and big) road bumps.
What 3-5 things do you need right now?
Hmm, this one is difficult. I think right now I need a 220 plug so that I can use my dryer. While I used the clothesline exclusively in the spring and summer, line drying is not conducive to having dried clothes and diapers in the fall/winter, especially during a prolonged rainy/cold spell. I need a better housing arrangement as the container is too difficult to heat/cool, though it can be done, it is frustrating and overwhelming at times. Another thing that I need right now is my truck on the road. It runs great, just the tail lights need to be fixed. So, I will be dragging it to the shop, praying it is something simple, and then praying for the funds to get it fixed, tagged and back on the road. I really need the truck to help with income possibilities and hauling fire wood/grain/hay to the house. I need about 50 bales of old hay to insulate the bedroom portion of the container, the side that faces North (on the outside of course).
What would you buy if money were no object? It'd be great to hit the lottery, but since I don't play that isn't going to happen. But if money weren't an object I would have a storm cellar put in (I am scared of tornadoes), a small log cabin built, solar and wind power installed (and get of grid electricity). I'd also have several small cabin/sheds placed towards the front of the property to rent out for camping purposes, etc.
I'd like a bigger barn (a red one), filled with enough grain/hay for my animals. I'd get horses again, as well as, more goats, and ideally I'd love some fiber goats/sheep, and the money to pay a ranch/farm hand to help me with the heavy work. I'd also build a small chapel on the property, dredge out the pond, build a gazebo by the pond and maybe buy a new truck, a Suburban and a Jeep. And I'd buy a Berkey so I could answer the next question.
How is the Berkey System working? Well, I don't have a Berkey, but a local friend does, and it appears to be working great for her. Waters tastes good too.
How many solar panels do you have now? I only have one small solar panel that runs a set of lights. I'd love to get a small solar RV set up, but haven't the spare cash lying around. It's on the "the list" though...right behind getting a better house for my kids.
What do I miss the most? I miss my entire family being together. I miss total PEACE. I miss my blue house. I miss my dad. I miss not having to worry so much about my kids.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Log Cabin/Gingerbread Houses
Lauren's Log Cabin
Hannah's Log Cabin
I read about making these log cabins in a book, so we bought the ingredients tonight and the girls plugged away. They had a lot of fun....
James on a sugar high (pretzels dipped in icing)
James at his bath - annoyed at being disturbed
Monday, December 14, 2009
The Edge Family Christmas Letter
I don't know that I have written a Christmas letter but one other time. Our tree is up on the dresser, so that James won't pull it down. He is fascinated by the lights and ornaments. Lauren and I decorated the front gate in garlands and a big wreath. It looks beautiful from the roadway.
Living out in the country without near neighbors is peaceful, as well as, daunting. I've learned more about myself the past five months then in the past 20 years. The best nights are when there isn't a moon, the starts shine so brightly, and I really feel how small I am, and how big God is....and how near the coyotes are too!
As the youngest and born this past February, James Christopher Waters Edge just started crawling this month at the age of 10 months, and is pulling up and "thinking" he can walk. He often lets go then falls. We about dispaired of him ever crawling, and thought for sure he was going to zoom straight to walking or running. He has 10 teeth (including two molars). He isn't much for baby food preferring "grown up" mashed potatoes with brown gravy, applesauce, iced tea, cheetos every now and then, and he LOVES chocolate, which he will steal when I am not looking, and when I don't put them up high enough. He is a cutie with chocolate streaming down his face.
Hannah, at six, is loving her "words". She strings letters together a foot long and then asks what they say. More often than not they don't say a thing. She loves to read, and her favorite book is "Toot, Toot" a book about the fall of Jericho. It is an easy reader, and she can read almost all the words on her own. She loves drawing, writing and spending time with her best friend Shelby.
Lauren is twelve and growing up so fast, it brings tears to my eyes. She loves to crochet, organize and to play with her donkey. She is a big help to me, and James loves her greatly. They enjoy hide and seek.
Our herd of goats increases and decreases depending on who is new to the farm, and who goes to the great pasture in the sky. We have four Boer and one Toggenburg (our milk goat). I am looking to come across more goats as I can, and possibly a sheep or two.
We have learned a lot these past few months as we embark on our new journey together as a family of 4 instead of 6. Our father and brother having left the home to live elsewhere. Taylor left late last year, and I struggled at the strangeness of it, only to have to learn to deal with a greater strangeness of not having a father/husband presence in the home. I have learned how to rely on God, not myself or a husband or father for what I need, and am trying to teach my girls that God will provide for our needs, if not our wants. I am trying to learn to be content in my present circumstances. It is a long, painful journey, but I see hope on the other end, as I learn to trust in God in a way I should have learned a long time ago. I find this all exciting and exhilarating at times, in good and bad ways.
Our homeschooling venture has taken a new twist as I relax and allow the girls to expand their minds and interests. I still insist on math work and plenty of reading, in addition to their Bible study work. Lauren has a great interest in Natural Science, especially learning about all the animals we find on our property, while Hannah LOVES math, and has a quick mind.
Big news is that we opened our own shoppe. I say "our" because the girls are a big help in stocking shelves, sweeping floors and love to "make sales". The shop is called Amy's Attic, and I dearly pray that the Lord will use it as a mean to support our little family, as I have been unable to find a traditional job. Please pray for us and that we have the energy to continue working hard and find success along the way.
I did want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Love,
Amy, Lauren, Hannah and James
including the dogs Baeta, Bo, Muffin, Rose, Annabelle and Sophie
the goats Dolly, Dakota, Blue Jeans, Larry and Curly
our two Diva cats Lily and Smarticles and
Jack the Bethlehem Donkey
Living out in the country without near neighbors is peaceful, as well as, daunting. I've learned more about myself the past five months then in the past 20 years. The best nights are when there isn't a moon, the starts shine so brightly, and I really feel how small I am, and how big God is....and how near the coyotes are too!
As the youngest and born this past February, James Christopher Waters Edge just started crawling this month at the age of 10 months, and is pulling up and "thinking" he can walk. He often lets go then falls. We about dispaired of him ever crawling, and thought for sure he was going to zoom straight to walking or running. He has 10 teeth (including two molars). He isn't much for baby food preferring "grown up" mashed potatoes with brown gravy, applesauce, iced tea, cheetos every now and then, and he LOVES chocolate, which he will steal when I am not looking, and when I don't put them up high enough. He is a cutie with chocolate streaming down his face.
Hannah, at six, is loving her "words". She strings letters together a foot long and then asks what they say. More often than not they don't say a thing. She loves to read, and her favorite book is "Toot, Toot" a book about the fall of Jericho. It is an easy reader, and she can read almost all the words on her own. She loves drawing, writing and spending time with her best friend Shelby.
Lauren is twelve and growing up so fast, it brings tears to my eyes. She loves to crochet, organize and to play with her donkey. She is a big help to me, and James loves her greatly. They enjoy hide and seek.
Our herd of goats increases and decreases depending on who is new to the farm, and who goes to the great pasture in the sky. We have four Boer and one Toggenburg (our milk goat). I am looking to come across more goats as I can, and possibly a sheep or two.
We have learned a lot these past few months as we embark on our new journey together as a family of 4 instead of 6. Our father and brother having left the home to live elsewhere. Taylor left late last year, and I struggled at the strangeness of it, only to have to learn to deal with a greater strangeness of not having a father/husband presence in the home. I have learned how to rely on God, not myself or a husband or father for what I need, and am trying to teach my girls that God will provide for our needs, if not our wants. I am trying to learn to be content in my present circumstances. It is a long, painful journey, but I see hope on the other end, as I learn to trust in God in a way I should have learned a long time ago. I find this all exciting and exhilarating at times, in good and bad ways.
Our homeschooling venture has taken a new twist as I relax and allow the girls to expand their minds and interests. I still insist on math work and plenty of reading, in addition to their Bible study work. Lauren has a great interest in Natural Science, especially learning about all the animals we find on our property, while Hannah LOVES math, and has a quick mind.
Big news is that we opened our own shoppe. I say "our" because the girls are a big help in stocking shelves, sweeping floors and love to "make sales". The shop is called Amy's Attic, and I dearly pray that the Lord will use it as a mean to support our little family, as I have been unable to find a traditional job. Please pray for us and that we have the energy to continue working hard and find success along the way.
I did want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Love,
Amy, Lauren, Hannah and James
including the dogs Baeta, Bo, Muffin, Rose, Annabelle and Sophie
the goats Dolly, Dakota, Blue Jeans, Larry and Curly
our two Diva cats Lily and Smarticles and
Jack the Bethlehem Donkey
Saturday, December 12, 2009
James playing with Legos at Pizza Inn
We had a good day at the shoppe today. Good sales and I got a lot done. I swept and mopped all the wood floors using Murphy's Oil Soap. Cleaned the bathroom as best as I could. The former tenants left paint all over the tub, not sure how to get it off. Plus, they didn't have electricity, so used candles, and evidently stuck the candles on various surfaces and just let the wax drip where it sat. I have been scraping off dried wax. I started setting up one room as the resale shop, and the other will be "The School Room" where I plan to have home school curriculum and educational resources for sale. Still need to work on a complete inventory for each crafter, price merchandise and take a picture of the shop. A friend helped (actually did most of it) moved the washer and dryer into the playhouse/shed. I am so excited. It is so much nicer to wash clothes "inside" than outside. Plus, I was worried the washer/dryer would be ruined sitting out in the weather. Next on the list is to get the dryer hooked up, but until then I will be installing the indoor clothes line my mom sent me, plus putting my drying rack in there..I think with the heater going in the playhouse, the clothes should dry sooner than hanging outside in the cold, damp air. The washer/dryer fit wonderful in the spot I wanted.
April was headed to the local Christmas Tree farm with her son's GT class, so once we closed the shoppe, we headed on over. We had never been. I'd like to take the kids back so that we can do everything.
I took the profits from the day and bought two candles from the gift shop at the tree farm, plus four ornaments, one for each of us for the tree. Since all of ours were ruined, I've been picking up inexpensive ornaments. The tree farm had a good selection and they were inexpensive, but cute. I got a red,tin cardinal for me, a large painted jingle bell for James, Hannah picked a blue sled, and Lauren chose one with a cute little saying on it.
The tree farm is run by a local Christian family, and is EXACTLY what I had pictured in my head for myself. We'll see how it goes....
Afterwards we had dinner at Pizza Inn, their pizza is cheap, though not very good, but the kids didn't care. They put a few quarters in the game machines, and then the "littles" played Legos. James had a lot of fun, especially when he stole a building that Hannah made. He was excited and kept laughing, but Hannah was less than happy when I wouldn't let her take it back from him. She had a huge pile already, so she could share with him.
We arrived home for the night, and cleaned the bedroom, then settled in to watch a few movies. We have canceled our DirectTv service and are watching movies we check out from the library, Netflix, and every now and then Blockbuster. We have watched a few movies at www.hulu.com also, plus re-watched our library of DVDs. I'll miss a few of my programs, and I am sure the girls will miss the Disney Channel, but it will save a bunch of money each month, so is necessary at this point in time.
We are all snuggled in for the night, and the kids are sleeping. Need to run out and lock up the goats that way they won't make too much noise tonight or dance on my car in the morning.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Merry Christmas from the Little Edge Family
James' First Christmas
Lauren took this picture the other night. It was a surprise for me. She set up the backdrop and the props herself. She did a good job, he looks so cute!
Our Little Tree and Our Little Ham
Monday, December 7, 2009
More Pictures
Pictures from Lauren's camera...we downloaded her entire camera...these are from about September 2008 until recently.
Duchess
I believe this is a Wild Hog jawbone
Isabella and Chip
Lauren and Rose (wearing daddy' jacket)
Baby rabbit -our first litter
This is a horse near our property. We saw him standing under this flag remnant one day and I needed a picture. We swung back around and took a picture.
Jack the Bethlehem Donkey
He's getting kind of old, this is an old picture. He is fat and sassy now and REALLY appreciates his sweet feed.
James - just born
Feb 2009
Daddy and James
James listening to his 'Tunes
My poor little Nena
My happy boy
The playhouse decorated for Christmas 2009
(the baby gate keeps the dogs off the porch
or they will sleep on it)
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Watkins Hot Cocoa Sampler
This is really good stuff, especially the Cinnamon Cocoa.. Let me know if you want to order some for the holidays...
I put this here because it is a chilly night..a great hot cocoa weather night. It is 34 and rainy. Supposed to have a slight chance of snow/sleet, but I doubt it will appear. I have the wood stove cranked up, and keeping adding wood to keep the chill off the house, and the heaters in the bedroom are doing their job..the kids fell asleep and are cozy and warm in the little nest under the loft. The thermometer says 68 so that is good.
Today was another relaxing day..we did run into town again to dry some more clothes, mainly diapers for James. We then came home and spent the rest of the day on school work. Lauren and I read out of the McGuffey Third Reader. There are some really great readings in there. She did two lessons in her Saxon Mathbook without even being told, so that was wonderful. We have also started a new handwriting book on the Parables of Jesus. Last year it was Presidential Inaugural Speeches. Lauren has really great handwriting (cursive). I believe this is because she learned cursive first in Kindergarten using the Abeka curriculum. After Christmas we will start Hannah on her cursive program. Hannah and I also started reading the Elsie Dinsmore series and are on Book 1. James took a great nap and was awesome tonight at the bookstore. The girls were a little wound up after being cooped up inside all day with the rain, but they calmed down when I let them get on the computer online.
We opened the first door on our Advent Calendar today. The girls are taking turns. This is the first year time we have done this, and they appear excited. We will set up the tree tomorrow, and continue our decluttering of unnecessary belongings inside....
I had someone ask if they could build a solar heater on top of the container...plus a blower type thing that will draw the heat from the wood stove to the back room...pretty cool idea...
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