Where has the time gone?

I was looking through some old digital photos and I came across my little girl all dressed up in ribbons and bows and thought "My where has the time gone?" She was eight years old, teeth gone, and the apple of our eye! Bam! It hit me like a ton of bricks, " she is a junior and the year is almost half way over!" I can't believe that she will leave the nest soon! She turned 16 in September and where is my little girl. That seems like only yesterday! He father and I have such different hope for her life. He wish for her to stay close and always be his baby girl. He tries everyway in the world to keep her close and little and she is just iching for freedom. I want her to spread her wings and fly. To go where ever the Lord leads her and to make a difference in the lives of others. She doesn't know what she really wants to do yet but, is considering Women's Health. Her passion for others runs deep and the Lord is moving in her life. It is hard to stand back and let her become a lady but, we have prepared her to do well in life. God has always been first, and family second. Now it is up to her to make those decisions and find her way. I know that the next year and half will be challenging and rewarding at the same time. With all the struggles that teenagers bring and all the love that they have as well, our lives have been crazy here the last few weeks. She is such a good girl and not a typical teen at all. She just wants to know what to do with her life and she wants to know now!  She doesn't give us trouble and works so hard at school and church.  I am truely blessed!  The Lord has been so good to me and he gave me a wonderful chance to share my life with such a precious gift in Emily!

I am working on finding a quilt pattern for her graduation present. I know you all are saying "It's a little early don't you think?'' but, if i don;t start it now I will not have it finished and quilted by her high school graduation. If any of you have suggestions for a pattern, bed size, and not too difficult please share. If fact, let's have a contest! I will use the winners pattern to make her graduation quilt and once I decide on the fabric I will send the winner a special gift from me. Let's share photo's of special quilts and ideas of what to do for this little darling for graduation. Here is alittle bit about her: (1) She is old fashion and traditional in a modern way, (2) Fashion is her thing, (3) Pink is her favorite color all shades, (4) she drives a little red vw new beetle, (5) country, farm, cooking, stray animals, glitter, glam, and a heart as big as the world. Timid, shy, humble, yet personal, nerdy, intelligent, and an avid reader describer her to a tee, (6) she plays guitar, is in FBLA, FCA, anti-Drug Clubs, 4H, Drama Club, and runs cross country, shows sheep, pigs, and chickens.

There is just a little bit about her. Ask me questions and let's see what we can come up with! I am open to anything and besides it will be fun. let the conversations begin!

Help! I need a crochet pattern asap!

I am in need of a crochet pattern for baby booties and a hat.  A very easy pattern that will not take long and will be for beginners.  I have looked the web over and have not found anything that is suitable.  I am going to use this with a group of high school girls who will be make items for the NICU.  A special thanks in advance to all those who send me patterns.  If you have pictures of finished projects that would be great also as it is easier for most to see what they are making before they make it.

One in the Hand is better than two in the bush......

Or so the old saying goes.  This is a picture of a baby bird my daughter found inthe yard.  Ofcourse she wanted to keep it and I said...... What did you think I would say?..... "No!"  It has all of its feathers and its Momma was tring to teach it to fly, until you picked it up.   Go put it back!"  Oh that child!  What will I ever do when she leaves the nest?  This summer has been so busy, learning to drive, competeing in competitions, misson trip, and vacation! ..take a breath... and school will start before I know it!  I can't believe that summer is flying by and before I turn around I will have 16 year old junior in high school!

Well, I wanted to let you know that my friends over at Life on a Southern Farm are having a wonderful give a way!  They are giving a way one of their beautiful hand made nesting boxes. (No it is not for this little bird!lol!)  It is for all those chicken farmer's out there.  They have them for every size flock out there both standard and bantum breeds as well!  I sure hope I win!  I have been loning for one of these nesting boxes for my five little hens for some time now.  They deserve a proper place to lay eggs instead of sharing with those pesky old sheep who share their hay bale unwillingly with them.  Man is it ever hard to find those eggs some days!  Anyway, I am sure that if you stop by her blog you will find it is filled with quite the southern charm and youwill leave educated and return time and time again to see just what it going on in her neck of the woods!

2 Chronicles 7:14

2 Chronicles 7:14
14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

So you might find this verse a bit harsh or stange for a blog.  But, I have been doing a daily bible study called one-2-one.  It is a study for new christians and although I have been saved by God's amazing grace since I was 12 years old, i have found much renewal in this study.  My husband and I teach the youth at our church on wednesday nights and they are in high school or college.  This study has opened my eyes to those things that are so important to a new christian and should not be forgotten by the gray heads as well. 

For me personnally, this week has been about full submission and nothing less. Often times I think we forget that we are not the one's incontrol and when we try to be, we sin against our lordship, Jesus Christ.  After all he didn't die for a certian selcet part of us it was for the whole kit and kaboodoole.  I often think that I can do it all, and do it well.  The Lord many times has had to remind me, in a not so sudtle way, " Hey, I am the one in charge here!"  This concept is often hard for all of us to remember and for allof us to allow to happen in our individual lives.  I am making it a point to do this each day.  To just stop and reflect on the verse above. It says my people, who are called by my name = me , I am a child of the King and am so called his child.  Therefore I must, humble myself = I am not in charge, seek his face = study to find God's will for my life and his hand in all that is around me throughout my day, and turn from my wicked ways.  Now you maybe thinking "wicked ways", what have i done that is so wicked.  I too was wondering the same thing when God showed me, yes he did. I am not doing what he would have me to do when I take control of things in my life, I should be letting him guide me in all things.   Reading through the bible I understand how important it is to be a servant in all that I do, not just the areas that are fun for me to serve in, I must serve even when it is uncomfortable, hard, hot, cold, confusing, and awkward.  Not just on sundays or wednesdays, not just at home or in front of my students but, all day everyday.  So I hope that each of you find that place of service and the blessings that God has promised for those who are called by his name.



On a lighter note, I have included a photo of a fungi that one of my students took.  We are having a hard time identifiying.  If you have any idea what it is will you please leave me a comment.  Thanks for your help and enjoy your day!

I just couldn't stand it any longer!!!! They are just so darn cute!!!!!

Here they are:

So, a trip to Tractor Supply and I couldn't even help myself..........

I am now the proud owner of 13 little chicks...

3 white leghorn Pullets, 6 Buff Orphington Pullets, and 4 I do not know whats, but they all match!

So if you can identify them I would love to know what they are!  I know they are bantam somethings and a surprise is always nice!

Here are some pictures of the lambs.  They are really growing!

I tought once not inculde these really blurry pics, but, this is how they are.  One big blur most of the time.  Hardly ever standing still for anything.

Except to eat! LOL!

And, to look and see what I am doing! 

So leave me a message and help me figure out what these little chickens are!  I am so excited!

The day the Pygmy's took over the Farm!!!!

So, one week ago I took a huge leap and jumped into the world of the pygmys.  Goats that is!  You see I had a gentleman and his son who came and bought all of my hair sheep ewes for an FFA project.  While they were visiting with us he proceeded to tell me that if I got myself some small goats they would take care of the sage grass issues we have on the new property.  It is just covered in sage!, which is not good for hay fields.  As we have been planning to make this property work for us this was a natural and organic means of riding ourselfs of the sage.  Much cheaper too!  We would not need to spend as much money on gas and diesel and we will be feeding the goats at the same time.  So thus began my search for some small goats.  (I know your thinking just put the nubians out there Amy and let them work.  But you see, they are my babies and so particular, and I just can't if i want to milk them.) 

I ran across a good deal on these little gals.  All of whom are breed may I add and I did not pay a penny extra!

So meet the pygmys! 
 Starting from the left hand side and moving across we have:  Talula, and Celeste, and Scarlet.  These are full grown, full blooded pygmys.  Be hind them is Lula and Trula, named after my great-aunts.(They are the light tan ones, these are twin doelings who came with their mother who is not pictures and named Judith.)  They are 3/4 pygmy and 1/4 nigerian dwarf.  And then there is Helen , the black and white fancy goat.  I am not sure what she is but she is a looker.  Very striking.  She has twins already as well.

This is Emily holdong twin one who looks just like his mother although you can't tell cause eventhough it is 60 degrees outside Emily is still wearing her furry winter hat.  His name is Marshell.

AND...

His twin Tanya!

All of these goats were named by Emily.  Don't ask because I do not know the method behind her madness.  We also have two other girls who are bred and will be joining this gang, there names are silver, she is a nigerian and Naomi, who si an alpine/nigherian cross.  They both are in solitary confinment as they are close to delivering and are as mean as you can get until their babies get her and then they nicen up quite abit.  So lots of fun going on in the barn yard and on the new property. 

No other babies yet!  And we will see where this leads me!  I love your comments so drop a line.

So, it's been a while... The winter is still here and so is the snow...

So it has been a whlie since you all have seen the babies and all the furry around the farm.  We have been coverd in snow, and if not snow, then rain.  CAN I JUST SAY "I HATE MUD!!!!!!  Yes, my temper is getting flared over the weather but, we will weather the weather, what ever the weather, weather we like it or not.  I must remember "Spring is coming, Spring Is Coming!" 

Meanwhile in the middle of all the chaos I find peace in the barn.  Here are just a few pictures that graps the moments of peace I find.

Water that is not frozen is always welcome.

We like it too!  And, my have we grown over the winter.  These are the yearling Suffolk and Hampshire sheep we kept from last year.  They are all just turning one and have really bloomed here lately.  Emily showed these girls and it looks like some of them might get to be shown this year as well as yearling ewes!

And although blurry this is the veiw I see the most.  Everyone running around looking for me or a bite to eat.  I will be selling a small starter flock of Suffolk/Hampshire sheep.  This encludes a ram and three maybe four ewes.  Would be a great start for someone looking to get into the sheep business to who just wants a clean up crew for the property.  Hope you enjoyed your visit.  Leave a comment or two if you did.