Wading ...

Early this morning, long before we usually start our day ... we had an adventure. At first they were so unsure of walking out into the water. As always, they reached out for each others hand.
They squished mud between their toes and wiggled their feet, and were very quiet as they inched into the water.

This was a "first" for them. They had never waded at the edge of a pond before. But they quickly learned to love it.

... and they laughed, and had so much fun, as each rock hit the water and splashed on them.

I loved watching their bare feet in the water, and I loved seeing Sam's pant legs rolled up so he could wade. Sam won't wear short pants. Not even on the hottest days ... for he's a farmer. A farmer, just like his Daddy ... and farmer's like his Daddy don't wear short pants. Not even in the water!

Be Blessed Everyone.

Dear Littles - Chapter Six

Dear Littles,

As I sit here and think about what I want to write to you tonight, I hear the song, 'Ordinary Miracle' playing in the background. It so describes exactly how my heart feels about you, and says every thing about how you've changed my life. You are miracles, and I'm still in awe at what I accomplished when I gave birth to you.

Just the fact that I, at my age, could birth you ... all three of you, together, and successfully, still astounds me. I sometimes ask, "Why me Lord? Why Me?" ... but I already know that answer. Because I was chosen. Because it was meant to be. For as long as forever is ... I will always be your Mother.

When my life was dark from the pain of losing little ones before you, you came. You were born, ... and the light that you brought into my life was spectacular and beautiful, and it only gets brighter as each day passes.

I love you. No more than other Mother's love their children, and no more than I love your older brothers and your sister ... but just as much, and that is enough. You fill my heart completely.

I watch over you in awe and amazement at the little things you do, and I listen in wonder at the things you say to me, and to each other, and I catch my breath when I watch the love you have for each other. Yes, I tell you this often ... but it's so important. Love is probably the most important thing you'll ever have in your entire life ... and for me to visibly see it, when you're only three years old, tells me that I'm doing something right.

Then there are the days that you exasperate me. But I never falter in my love for you ... not even the days that you run from me and you laugh as I chase you, and you go three different directions. Like this evening, over at the farm. You divided so equally, at the same time, and the giggles that came from you rose up, and chimed like bells. It was simply beautiful. Just like a fairy tale.

But this evening didn't end like a fairy tale. No, it ended rather unhappily for you and me. Mainly for me, because tonight was one of those nights that I came down out of my castle in the sky and reality shook me to my core. The reality that there are three of you and only one of me, and that you are three years old, in a world bigger than you. In a world that you are still exploring, and to you, all things are miracles. Ordinary miracles in your eyes.

In that moment, you had fun. In that moment, it was exhilarating for you ... until you stomped in the wet cow poop and covered each other's legs with goo! Then the reality of "real life" reared it's head and my fairy tale moment disappeared! But not once, did I falter in my love for you ...

Love,

Mom

I've Got a Secret

... and I can't tell you. But, oh how I want to. So bad it's just killing me. More than you all know.

I can't keep a secret for the life of me, and I'm dying to tell ... but I would get drop kicked and booted into another country if I posted it on this blog.

Marlboro Man doesn't even know yet ... but he will first thing in the morning when I get a chance to tell him. He's a safe one to tell, because he doesn't repeat anything. When I tell him something that he's not interested in, he just grunts like a Indian.

So here's your chance ... either wait for me to post it next week or the week after I'm in the clear to tell the world, or you can email me and I'll let you in on this awesome thing that's about to happen!

It excites me beyond anything that's happened in the past year and I think I'm the luckiest person breathing air right now!

So if you want to know .... fire away and I promise I'll let you in on the secret too! You just can't breathe a word of it until I say so ... okay?

Be Blessed.

My Newest Baby

Yep, she is. My newest Baby, and eighth child ... and I've decided that she's a "girlie" since I already have five boys.

We've already had a long heart to heart and she's going to be very good to me! As soon as I figure her out that is! ... and trust me, I am working on figuring her out, every spare minute that I breath air.

Marlboro Man didn't really think that I needed another child, so I bore this one alone, just me and his bank!

Be Blessed Everyone!

Just a Little Test

Did you notice I haven't blogged much in the last week or so? I just wanted to see if my stat counter would still whirl like the electric meter on my house. I kid.

But since I haven't blogged for several days or so, (almost a week) I thought I should check in and let you all know that I'm here, kicking and had a lot going on.

BUT, since I've got you ... I have a question. I really want to know how often you check in. Once a day? Twice a day? Forty times a day? Okay, I know you don't love me that much ... but did you miss me? Even just a little bit?

When the kiddo's wake up from their nap ... we'll go "farming" and post some good pictures tonight.

Be Blessed Everyone ... and thanks for hanging it out and checking in on me, and while you're at it, check out this gorgeous bride (my niece Tory) that I shot yesterday. Well, I didn't really shoot her ... just shot her wedding! You know the story ... click the pic for a better lick, oops, meant look, and I'm not about to call this a Sneek Peek ... or Bubbles will come after me!

"Shakey Snake"

Meet "Shakey." The Snake. Today as I was leaving for work, he graced me with his presence right along side my car door, and I couldn't bring myself to jump over him or walk around him for fear that he'd move. So I did the only thing I could do ... stand a safe distance away with my camera and present him with a portrait of himself. I did throw a few rocks, but he wouldn't budge.

You do know that he really wasn't that big. It's amazing how good a zoom lens can be. Brought him right up front and personal didn't it?

I told him that love don't live here anymore and he needed to move on down the road ... and he stuck his tongue out at me. Now I have the shivers! I really don't like snakes and I can't believe that I stood there and took pictures of him.
He hit the road and I hope he doesn't come back. Ever.

This evening I told the kids about him and showed them the pictures. I tried to make it educational and a safety warning all in one. They didn't get it. Not at all.

So I did the best next thing. I told them that Shakey Snake came and visited us today. He smiled a lot and wanted some corn to eat. I told them that the cows wouldn't share their dinner with him because he had his own corn at his own home: Uncle Darrel's. ... and Aunt Dana had dinner ready for him and he had to go home because it's warm in their house. I told them that maybe next time we go visit Uncle Darrel and Aunt Dana, maybe Shakey will be there too. I told them that Shakey stuck his tongue out at me, and he left before he had to sit in time-out. Then I told them that Shakey really was a good snake and he wouldn't hurt anyone, but his brother is really mean ... and they look just alike, just like Daddy and Uncle Don look alike ... so they can't ever touch any snake because we won't know if it's really Shakey or not. ... and they didn't get it.

Then Jay said, "but if it's a baby snake, I can put it in my pocket and keep it." To which Meg replied, "Jay, he can sleep in your bed, it's so warm, and he will eat your corn."

Wouldn't it have just been easier and better if I had just skipped all the storytelling? I hate to say ... if Shakey or his brother moves in, ... I'm moving out!

Good Neighbors

I have really good neighbors! They showed up twice this weekend to clean out and mulch my flower bed. To me, this is probably one of the greatest things they've ever done to help me. I love that flower bed because it was MM's Grandmother's, and my Father-in-law gave me a lot of the plants and flowers that are in there.

When I moved here eight years ago, I didn't have a clue about flower gardens, or plants for that matter. I took it upon myself to revamp the entire thing not knowing it's history. I didn't know that MM's Grandmother had planted most of the flowers in there.

I dug them up. Simply, dug most of them up, then threw the whole pile away and started over. I was so proud of myself for cleaning that mess up. What I didn't know, was that there were beautiful old flowers in there that simply needed weeded. Afterwards, I was sick at what I'd done to that flower garden.

My new Father in-law replaced almost all of the flowers in there. He gave me new starts of almost everything I had destroyed. He had a green thumb, and most likely had gotten his starts from this very garden years before. He was born here, and his Mother had planted those flowers outside the back door, and enjoyed it for many years.

As the last several years have been very busy for us, my flower garden has been grossly neglected. Until this weekend, when my neighbors came and saved it.

My neighbors also happen to be my sister and brother in-law. I don't know what I'd do without them!

Be Blessed Everyone.

Desperation

Look like a cage? It is. We're caging them in. As fast as we can get it built.

Think they'll be able to climb it? They're kids! They can climb anything, and three heads are better than one! They'll find a way.

This really doesn't have a thing to do with the cage ... other this is the man that's building it. I just love to look at his arms, so that's why this picture is here. Okay?

He's about to get it. Just a few more bars and they're penned in. See Sam over to the side? That side is getting it too! We're not giving them a chance. They've already had way too many!

Now I'm feeling like a bad abusive parent when I look at these pictures ... caging my kids up like this. But they really do deserve it. They keep climbing out ... scaling the rail, and leaping down and running away.

There's those arms again!

Now they're ready to start on this side. We're not giving them a chance to escape again! We've already had to put extensions up on the fence. Extensions with points and they're still climbing over them! These are some really desperate kids we've got here. They want out!

Doesn't Jay look like he just can't believe that we're doing this to them. Talk about solemn and forlorn looking ... he's devastated. ... or is he devising a new plan???

Little Miss Perfect here really doesn't care what's going on around her ... as long as she doesn't have to do the work. Trust me though, when her legs hit the ground, she's usually in the lead when they escape.

Since they can't beat him ... they'll just join him and help build the darn thing!

Every once in a while, Jay still gets that "poor poor me" look! But isn't he cute when he gets it?

Sam is underneath learning how to work the drill. They're almost finished with today's project, and maybe we can relax and not worry that they're climbing the fence. I have my doubts!
Not really pretty huh? I don't think so either ... but they'll be contained and safe! Maybe.

But if not ... well, at least I got to look at those arms today!

Be Blessed Everyone.

Snippets of a Boy

These are very busy boys. They work hard at what they do, and believe me ... they work a lot. They work the hardest at getting free. Their one and only goal once outside, is to get on the other side of the fence. Today they did, and they gathered everything they could find and carried it all over the yard. We sat and watched them work, and let them go.

They work well together, because they should. They think alike, they act alike, and they are alike. They are little brothers in a big world. As they carried this ladder all over the yard trying to find a place to put it, they talked about getting the "dinosaurs out of the pond, so they wouldn't eat the fish." They have very vivid imaginations these days, and I have to watch them like a Hawk and be aware of their every move. It's a Mother's job to keep them safe. My job.

They're fast, and they move on to new things in the blink of an eye. They're carpenters and builders, and construction workers. They're farmers and they drive trucks and trains. They drive school buses and tractors and they fix everything in their path.

... and they find mud holes. Because they're boys, and it's their job.

The sun shines on them, and they look golden and beautiful. They are care free little boys on a mission.

This is their pond. Where the Dinosaurs live.
... and they aren't even aware that their pond is one inch deep and twelve inches around. It's big to them, and they did the job they set out to do. We're now one less Dinosaur, and we saved the Fish!

They're my heroes! ... and when they see me watching them, they smile, and they know they are loved, and they are safe. It's my job.

Be Blessed Everyone.

Mommy Farted ... (not really)

I think kids shouldn't be allowed to be three years old. They should go from two to four and skip being three. It should be a rule! Especially when they come in three's, four's or a five-pack.

I got brave this evening. Way too brave for my own good. I met up with my sister in the city and we took the kids to a Chinese buffet. All was well there and they did fantastic. So I decided to go on to the grocery store, just me and my angels. Friday night of all nights ... and the store was packed. What possessed me?

First of all, we snagged one of those built in car/cart thingy's in the parking lot, after I had already hoisted Sam over my shoulder, kicking and screaming. He had earned the high ride for running across the parking lot because I wouldn't give him the keys. (I have a key story to tell later)

Right off the bat they turned into hellions the second we crossed the threshold of the door. Sam was still yelling because he wanted in the car, and Meg and Jay had beat him to it. We haven't learned the art of patience yet. I believe that will come a few more years down the road.

He immediately started throwing out the food that I was putting in the cart ... and people were snickering. So we did a quick change around with Meg before she knew what hit her. Bribery with hair barrettes works every time!

A few aisles later Jay was getting bored and wanted out ... so swap time again and Meg got plopped back in the car. Jay then decided to sing a little tune. Rather loudly. What started out as the A-B-C's, turned into a catchy little tune that I've never heard before.

"Mommy farted. Mom-mmy farted. Mom-mmmy farted. Mommy farted." ... and on and on and on. Jay can't sing alone without his partners, so of course Meg and Sam joined in on the little tune. The only thing I knew to do was to keep right on rolling. ... and everyone was snickering. The same people that we had passed coming into the store.

I hit every aisle in record time and had the cart loaded in less than fifteen minutes and headed to the front to check out and get the heck out of there.

As soon as they saw the candy stand at the check out counter they started grabbing and opening everything they get their hands on. I had totally lost control by then. The more I tried to take the candy the more they screamed and cried. Jay was loading his pockets with Bubble gum quicker than I could take it away, and Sam and Meg were stuffing Skittles and M&M's in their mouth.

They had opened twelve packages of candy in less than two minutes. I did not pay for any of it and kept laying the sticky packages on the counter. I did tell the checkout girl that I know it wasn't her that put the candy there by the cash register ... but I didn't want it and I wasn't paying for it. They shouldn't have put it there to start with. That is a bad marketing ploy!

Two other people came and started sacking my groceries and loading my cart ... I think they wanted me out of the store quickly. ... and guess what? Yes, everyone was still snickering, and a few were downright laughing.

I am never going alone again, until they are at least sixteen! Then I'm going to lay down in the floor and throw a fit and do my best to embarrass them!

Be Blessed Everyone.

Littles - Chapter Five

Dear Littles,

Yesterday you went to the Dentist for the first time, and I forgot to take my camera. Actually, it was your second visit there, but the first appointment for you.

I was so surprised. I never dreamed in a million years that it would go as smooth as it did. You never cease to amaze me how big you're getting to be, or how at times, when I think we're in for a bad time, you do the opposite. Yesterday was that kind of day.

Jay, I was so proud of you for going first. But then again, you had a rainbow at the end of tunnel. A little rubber bouncy ball was sitting on the counter waiting for you. Such a little prize, but to a scared little boy, it was everything you ever wanted. That little ball was the key to your bravery, and made it all worth it. You looked so small in that big chair, and when you reached out to hold my hand and I saw the fear in your eyes, I just wanted to scoop you up and hold you tight.

Sam, I was just as proud of you. Although you couldn't bring yourself to sit in the chair alone, none the less, you did it. You laid on your Daddy's lap and opened your mouth so big. I stood beside you and held your little hand, and when I saw Jay slip his hand into your other hand, my heart burst wide open. I love it that you all love each other so much. I hope you always do. Meg gave you her "Lambie" and you held it tight.

Meg, what can I say? You didn't do so well. You were scared, and I wanted to take you home, but I knew that this was something we needed to do. You cried, ... and my soft heart almost did too. You too laid on your Daddy's lap, and we all held onto you, and Sam gave you back "Lambie." Sam told you that it would be okay and Jay patted your leg. They were so brave at that point and only wanted to console you. But we got through it. Only because you cried, and when you cried, you opened your mouth.

Your little "sweet toothes" had no "sugar-bugs" and you had no cavities. What a good report you all got. Now, if only you remember that going to the Dentist is a good thing ... for we have to go back in six months and do it all over again.

I love you guys,

Mom

Just one more from this weekend. This is my favorite, and I think I'm going to have this one printed on canvas and give it to their Daddy for Father's Day. What do you think?

I can just picture in my mind, years from now ... my kid's will look at this and love it as much as I do.

Be Blessed.

Good Morning to You!

It's Monday morning here ... and we just wanted to say, "Good Morning ... and Hello" to everyone, and we hope you all had a blessed Mother's Day!

Love,

Meg, Sam & Jay
(The FarmHouse Kids)

The Potter's Barn

Yesterday, before all the little photo sessions with my kiddo's, we went to Yellow Banks to a Potter's Barn. I love the pottery they make there and it's all I wanted for Mother's Day, so we took the kids so they could pick out a few pieces for me, from them. I've been collecting pottery from there for several years.

After taking the kids in and chasing them around the pottery displays, we decided that they just might be better off playing outside. Yellow Banks might just not ever be the same after The Littles blow through.

The pottery barn has been there for many many years and they have the most beautiful pieces I've ever seen. The Potter's name is Scott, and he was taught by his father Jim. They both do amazing work, and are some of the nicest people I've ever met.
Not only did I get a wonderful Mother's Day present from my kids .... I also got a double whammy of pottery because my birthday is this Tuesday. I ended up with nine pieces that I didn't think I could live without! I'm already planning the next holiday and what else I need from this Potter's Barn.

After I get it cleaned and added to what I already have out ... I'll take a few pictures and post them.

Be Blessed Everyone.

Hometown, USA

I've been looking for an old storefront to take their picture ... and right before my eyes, it was here, in the little town I go through everyday. It's a perfect old building that has seen better days, and most likely in sooner days, will be torn down.
Every doorway has a story to tell ... and many people have gone through these doors. They're sealed now, and no one enters here now. But for today, these doors came alive again. They still have a story to tell.

I think this is going to be one of my special places for seniors ... and it was right beneath my nose. (click the pictures for a better view)

Be Blessed Everyone.

Life ... is good, when you love someone

This afternoon, we did this. Just so that I could get this. It is everything and more than I imagined it would be. A perfect picture of "someones" I love.

In order to get them to walk away from me, holding hands ... we told them to go look for Thomas the train. They did. So seriously, they did. Before I even looked through the viewfinder on my camera ... I loved what I saw. It was a real love moment ... times three.

Be Blessed Everyone.

Home Sweet Home

Ah! Home Sweet Home. Well ... not yet anyway, and not if I have anything to do with it. I can't even begin to see this as a fixer-upper. Nope, not even . Marlboro Man's eyes lit up like diamonds in the night sky, and he looked like he'd struck gold when we drove past this beauty.
See, we're in a dilemma. A big one. We live on the edge of our county and we want the Little's to go to school in a different county. The county we live in, they'd have to be bussed a long way on a very busy highway and hundreds of semi's and coal trucks speed up and down it.

Instead we want them to go to the quiet little school a couple of miles from our house. It has a wider variety of activities and a better curriculum. But we don't reside in that county, so we'd be ousted. The Principal has already questioned my morals when I called to ask the rules. I was trying to be honest and do it the right way.

Granted, we own farmland in that county and pay taxes in in, but since we don't live in it, we can't utilize their schools. Have you figured out where I'm going with this? The man has gone half-nuts I do believe.

Marlboro Man thought this could possibly be our part-time home. On the lake and in the right county. Mrs. Dairy Wife and her children think he's done gone and lost his marbles and any bit of brain cells he has left.

Maybe MM can live there ... all by himself. Just think, he'd have a wonderful view of the lake looking out the end of the trailer. Literally.

Don't worry. It's not going to happen. Not even in his wildest dreams!

Be Blessed Everyone.

Sandy Day

Today. Today was the first official day of farming season here on our farm. To me, being from town, and not from the country ... I'm not sure what they call it. I guess living out here smack in the middle of cow country, on a Dairy farm, it's farming season year round. But today was the first day that Marlboro Man started planting corn, and he was trying to beat the rain and didn't come home this evening. So, it has begun ... and today wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It was a good evening ... and a very sandy day.
Since I had to occupy these kiddo's by myself this evening ... I decided that we too would farm, and have a play date, all by our selves. We took plastic cups and we filled them with sand and carried them across the yard to the waiting farm trucks. We pretended that the sand was corn ... and we had to haul it to the field. This took lots of time ... and that was the key. Time.

We drove the trucks to the opposite end of the yard and dumped the sand in a pile. No one threw the sand ... and everyone had a job to do, and they did it. I was pretty serious about hauling this sand and they too got real serious. I couldn't help from smiling to myself several times because kids are so gullible and innocent ... but it was all in love. Well, maybe a little bit of desperation since I was out numbered.
Tomorrow we're going to make circles and designs in the wheat field and tell Marlboro Man that a alien did it, and Wednesday we're going to open the gates and let the baby calves out so we can play with them. Then Thursday we're going to play in the cotton seed and scatter it everywhere! ... and Friday, well on Friday, I'm going to strap the kids to the back of the seat on the tractor and run as fast as I can. Do you think he'll notice?

Be Blessed Everyone.

Little Miss Perfect

Isn't she? Little Miss Perfect. Her shirt says it all. She ask me what the words say on her shirt. When I told her, she said to me, "we are ... you and me, and Jesus, and the boys."

It's funny how kids can change the meaning of something so simple as a few words on a shirt to something that has such a great meaning. Through her innocent eyes of youth, and in the eyes of Jesus ... she is. Little Miss Perfect.

Be Blessed Everyone.

Another Work Day on the Farm

Yesterday afternoon was just another work day on the farm! So we put the kids to work. It keeps them happy! Well ... really, it keeps me happy when they're busy!

Jay had out his little chain saw and was sawing down a few trees, and Meg and Sam were picking up limbs. They could work real hard because they had on their new Dora the Explorer and Diego rubber "garden gloves." Man, Lowe's saw us coming!

They were gung-ho to work until Marlboro Man revved up the real chainsaw ... then they ran! See that dirt that is going to be our garden? Well ... that is not dirt!

For the past few days I thought MM had disc the garden, then he just happened to mention when I ask what that smell was .. that he spread a little fer-ti-lizer on it. You know ... that good stuff! The stuff that we are so blessed to have in our barns.

The kids really did work hard yesterday. They always work hard and earn their keep. We have them trained well. They work hard ... I give them candy!
It's quitting time now, and time to call it a day! Here's the limb that MM cut down with his chainsaw!

Now here's the real skinny: Jay had his little chainsaw out and was pretending to work. He ask his Daddy if he could cut down a tree. MM gathered his little children and they walked all the way out to the shed and got the big saw. They walked all the way back to the far corner of the yard .. and he cut down this little bitty limb so the kids could carry it back. I followed them just so I could hear what they had to say.

Jay said, "I love you Daddy. We worked hard didn't we?" ... and they did. Together.

Be Blessed Everyone.