I've been terrible about keeping this blog updated.  I guess life gets in the way.  I think of it often and wish I was so clever in having pictures and slide shows and such, but it's so cumbersome getting them on here.  I do wish there was an easier way.  I hear they are changing things up a bit to make it easier, but I don't know if that will affect importing pictures.

My goat and I have been getting along so much better since I made some homemade hobbles.  I just use velcro tape the 2" variety and doubled it up and also some drapery cording and made large loops that encircle the legs of the stantion and then go in between the goat's leg and velcro. Works like a charm.  Now the kid is separated at night only and I milk first thing in the morning and leave a bit for the kid for her breakfast.  I've been getting a quart or more from the morning milk.  This is plenty for us and it is delicious.  I've been making yogurt and ice cream from it.  I will soon be making different cheeses.

            

My garden is looking so gorgeous!  I can't believe how wonderful it is.  I've picked zucchini, kohlrabi, tomatoes, green and yellow beans, potatoes, and onions so far.  Nothing is out of control yet and I'd like it to stay that way.  But, I know that is just a dream and soon I will be canning and freezing like a maniac.  ONe thing is for sure, I'm going to have tons of potatoes!  This afternoon we had fried potatoes with kohlrabi and zucchini mixed in.  Very tasty.  I"m always anxious for the tomatoes and beans to get going.  Also the sweet corn.  Ok, I'm getting hungray again just thinking of it.

We've had lots of visitors lately with lots more to come.  I do love having guests.  I'm so glad to open my home to all who want to visit.  Anytime, anytime.  But bring work gloves!!

Well I think I have our homeschool lessons figured out for the fall.  I"ve been stewing over them all summer.  I've been praying and seeking the Lord's guidance on what and who will be doing what and when.  I won't get specific at this time, but things are a changing a bit.  But then my boys are getting older, too.  Weaver it is all the way, with some other things added in.  The Lord is very clear on using Weaver each year.  I"m so glad because it is a wonderful curriculum and fits our family so well and I love how the Bible is our main text.  Goal number one is to have the boys love and know the Lord with all their hearts, soul and mind.  I want them to have great character and work habits/ethics.  I want them to be able to think and speak well on their own.  I want them to be able to defend their faith. Last of all, I want to train them in the way THEY should go, not the way I want them to go.

This may seem weird, but I feel it's a privilege to watch our children grow up.  I look at my beautiful daughter and can't believe what I see.  Now I'm seeing my older son turning into a young man right before my eyes!  I'm going to miss these children, but I'm starting to get a little excited over the adults they are becoming.  I'm going to enjoy this, too.  Granted I have one son left and try as I might to hold on, it wont' work.  He'll grow up, too.  It's definitately exciting to watch (through the fingers covering your eyes!)

Amanda has one more full year of school left to get her associates as a pastry chef.  She pounded the pavement and laned a job in a bakery decorating cakes.  She is still working IHop on weekends and dating a nice guy for over 2 years.

Aaron is coming into his own.  This summer he has been going to a dairy farm to work the day with a great guy we've come to know.  It's suppose to be an apprentice type thing and not get paid, but he gets slipped a twenty each time with thrills Aaron.  He is really loving it and gets to go for a day about every other week.  The rest of the time he spends doing chores around the farm and taking care of all the animals.  He's a great help to us and a good worker.

Ben is growing, too.  He has expanded his chicken operation to include another breed of chicken for his egg business. He got an incubator for his birthday so he also wants to do some hatching and selling of chicks.  He gets lonely when Aaron goes to work at the dairy farm but we try to have a little fun.  He's been helping in the garden weeding and when Tim was staying with us, helping him with the jobs he had to do.  Ben still loves the computer and will hopefully be our computer fixer /web designer someday.  If you want to know anything about chickens, ask Ben.

Our pool has been getting a good workout this summer.  The weather has been really gorgeous.  In the spring it was really wet and rainy, but now it is very nice.  Great outside working weather.

My hubby is still driving two hours each way to work.  Pray for a different job for him so he is closer to home.  His honey do list is long, but he is patient to get things done.  All in good time.