Organic Fertilizer

It's that time of year; getting the garden ready for planting soon.

Oh, the boys just love this... can you tell?
Such a joyous occasion to go into the pasture with a bucket and shovel!

God-given fertilizer... what could be better? (notice the producers of our fertilizer in the background?)
It's free, and it's organic. We don't need the commercial, chemical stuff around here.

Our fertilizer is just laying around waiting to be scooped up!

They tried to get the job done by loading up on dried pies... won't work, boys!

It's got to be nice, squishy, fresh pies. They need to be "spreadable" to place on the garden area.

They have to be able to soak down into the soil.

Here is the garden. We will be tilling it in the next few weeks.

And the planting will begin the 3rd week of May.
Around here we have to wait until the end of May and first part of June for planting, to allow the soil to warm up some.

I'm sure alot of you are doing the same kind of preparations this time of year...
Garden Time!!

Warm Weather, Wherefore Art Thou?...

... Because I can hardly wait for Lindsey to wear her new bathing suit!!!

New Fabric, New Ideas

My 10 year old son picked out this fabric for his quilt.

I think it will make a nice throw quilt for him.

My neighbor lady gave Kaycie and I a box of fabric. Some just scraps and others full yardage pieces!

She and Kaycie have a special connection because they both love horses.

This one is my favorite. I have always liked maps. And to have a map on fabric is even better!

This little-girlish flannel was also in the box.

I have ideas swirling around in my head...

We're Hittin' the Road

Spring Break!! yeah!!

Tomorrow we are taking off and won't be back until Wednesday night.
First it's off to a concert in the city, first one for my kids. Mercy Me, Jeremy Camp, Addison Road, 10th Avenue North, and Hawk Nelson.
We are staying with family for the night.

And come Monday morning, we are heading over the mountain to go visit some other family for a couple days.

So, I will chat with you all when I return. (I'll probably have some pictures to share.)

The Old.... What?

Conversation with my 7 year old:

Kaycie- "Mom, I like our church."
Me- "Me too. It's nice, isn't it?"
Kaycie- "I like it because of the singing."
Me- "Yeah?"
Kaycie- "Because we sing new and old songs."
Me- "I like that too."
Kaycie- "Ya know, like we sing The Old Rocket Cross."

Now, did you all know that the cross was actually an old rocket. I didn't know that!

Hello Spring

Spring is not my favorite season but I do look forward to it. This winter has been especially long for us, being in a different town and new school. So the hints of spring coming have me looking forward to summer...

When we spend every day at the river, splashing at the swimming hole. The kids swinging from the rope swing... But for now, I'm enjoying Spring.

I love taking walks. And even more, I love taking walks by myself. For me it's a time of prayer and praise. To be surrounded by God's perfect creation brings joy to my heart.

I've always been drawn to quiet little country roads that meander past rivers, farms, cow pastures, gardens, and barns...

I love seeing new babies in the fields: the lambs, the calves, the chicks, baby llamas...

And I have always been intrigued by the silouhettes that trees make against the sky...

I actually have many pictures of trees and sky. Maybe it's something about the shapes or the curve of a tree trunk.

I also love when the sunshine spills through the tree canopy onto the forest floor. The rays of light sparkle and seem to make everything greener and fresher.

And the best thing about this time of year: little chubby, baby hands playing with sidewalk chalk in the driveway.

I've been watching the tree in the front yard and taking mental pictures each day. Every time I look, the red buds are getting bigger and seem to be multiplying before my eyes... it's the promise of something to come. Something beautiful and great.

God sure knew what He was doing when he designed and organized the seasons.

"For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land."

Song of Solomon 2: 11 & 12

A Day at the State Capitol

Yesterday my son served as an Honorary Page at our State Capitol Building.

We arose early (5 am) and headed to the big city. We weren't totally sure what to expect,or what his actual duties would be.

I took this picture to show the scale of the entranceway. That's Ryan standing by the front entry.

After checking him in, he was introduced to the Honorary Page Coordinator. There were only 4 other kids from across the state involved that day.

Ryan served with our State Representative in the House of Representatives.

His duties included: holding the door for the Representatives, delivering notes during the bill sessions, "guarding" the entrance to the Floor (only Reps and those sworn in can be on the actual "Floor").

He did have to take an oath to be allowed into the room. He pledged to uphold our Constitution of The US, uphold the Oregon state Constitution and perform his duties as Page to the best of his ability.

Ryan had a great day... he learned alot! At lunch break, he couldn't stop talking about everything that he had done and the people he met.

After lunch, the kids got to do some fun things. They got a personal tour of the building, and did a treasure hunt.

If you look very, very closely you can spot Ryan's head peeking over the railing. He's right below the feet of the Golden Pioneer. Can you see him?

I spent alot of time wandering around the capitol building and grounds (when the rain stopped), I watched an anti-war demonstration on the Capitol steps too.

This is a picture of the entryway. The State Seal is in the middle of the foyer. The artwork is absolutely stunning in here.


This was the anti-war demonstration. The boots belong to men and women from Oregon who have been killed during service to our country.

All in all, a good day!

Still Working...

... Can it really be called "working" when it is so enjoyable?

I have the top sewn together.
just need to add the border, then it will be ready for quilting and binding.

A Little Bitty Peek...

... into something I'm working on. And I LIKE IT!

My Hubby's Birthday

Today is Ken's 35th birthday!!! yikes-- i can't believe that!

I like to rub it in that he is 7 months older than I am. I'm still 34.... nannner, nannner, nanner!!

He was practicing being a Daddy even way back then.

Graduation Day--- 1992. That's me in the red gown right behind him.

High School Football-- 1992.

A picture of Ken & I from our cruise to Mexico. Our 10th Anniversary-- 2004.

I'm making fried chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy and carrot cake with cream cheese frosting for his birthday dinner. It's all his favorites!

Happy Birthday to my Husband, Kenny Brent!

An Award? For Me?

A fellow blogger has recently given me an award. I am flattered, although I'm not really sure what to do with it.
I've seen other blogs get "awards" from readers, but I never dreamed I'd get one.
Thanks Lanny!
But since I don't know what to do, or if there are certain rules to accepting an award, I'm going to leave it at that.
Lanny, I appreciate the fact that you enjoy my blog, as I enjoy reading yours.
If anybody reading this has not read Lanny's blog, you should take a peek. (www.itsthedirt.blogspot.com ) Because I don't know Lanny personally (face-to-face), I'm not sure whether she is funny on purpose or if it's just her. I'm thinking it's just who she is.
But almost every time I read her blog, I am giggling to myself. Funny, funny lady.
So again, Thanks Lanny! And I'll be "chatting" with ya soon. Blog-to-blog.

Goat Games

Daisy and Kyle have a game figured out. They both love it!

They run down the ramp together...

...then jump off the end, as high as possible!

Now, shouldn't every goat and little boy have this kind of fun?

They must be planning a new trick....


... oh, I see now.
They're gonna try goat bare back ridin! (don't worry, i told kyle not to put his full weight on her back).

Kyle & Daisy = Friends for Life!

Being Productive

After doing absolutely NOTHING yesterday because of a sick baby, I felt the need to accomplish something today.
Lindsey is not running a fever anymore which means I was able to get off the couch.

• I baked 2 loaves of bread.
• moved the treadmill to a better location
• rearranged the living room furniture
• dusted under furniture and around the computer area (how does that area get so gross?!)
• did 2 loads of laundry
• organized the bookshelf (again!)

I'm pleased with what I got done. My only problem is: now I have to figure out what to make for dinner (is it really 5:00 already?)

I'm sure you all can relate to the it's-getting-time-to create-a-meal-and-I-have-nothing-ready feeling!

So I guess I better get away from the computer and go look through the cupboards to find an amazing meal for my family... ha ha.

What My Day is Lookin Like

• PJ's
• Cuddling
• Dora the Explorer

• Wiping a Runny Nose
• Medicating for Fever
• Staying Patient with a Grumpy Little One
  

Seaside

Just got back from a fun weekend in Seaside. It was our first annual Girls' Weekend for our family. In attendance:

left to right: Amaris ( niece, in stroller), Sara (my sis in law), Me, Kaycie (in front), Gwen (Mom), Melissa (niece), Becca (sister), Jennifer (niece), Carol (sis in law), and the top of Lindsey's head (down in front).

We were missing 4 girls from the family, hopefully everyone can make it next year.

We stopped someone on the street to take our picture and she didn't get Lindsey in the shot! uugggh.

On the way up the coast we stopped in Tillamook at the Cheese Factory for a bit of a break. Here is Becca and Kaycie standing on the observation deck.

Ms. Lindsey being silly, as usual.

View from our balcony on the 6th floor the evening we got to Seaside.

The girls enjoying the pool at night. The lights changed colors (green, purple, blue, pink).

View from the balcony on Saturday morning.

Me and my girls waiting to get on the carousel.

Once we got on, Lindsey decided she did not like it! She clung to my neck so tightly, after that she was happy just watching Kaycie and Becca ride.

Melissa plays the violin so we got a mini concert. She does a wonderful job!

It was a fun weekend. We plan on doing this every year. Having a girls' weekend is a good way to really keep connected to the ladies in your life.

I think after many years, it will be fun to look back at the group pictures and see how we've all changed, especially the little ones.

Looking forward to 2010 Girl's Weekend!