My littlest is napping and the two biggies are running around in their undies setting traps in their room for "the bad guys." I should be taking advantage of this uninterrupted happiness to do something a little more productive than this, but I just wanted to share one quick story of what happend while we were away....not a story of OUR adventures....but of something that happened with Kaden and Jesse while they were up at Mom & Dad's.
We're never been away from them for more than a handful of days, and all the time leading up this decision - really right up until the last minute - we waffled back and forth as to whether or not we should do this? How long is too long? How often should we play this game? and on and on we went. In the end, we talked to a lot of people older and wiser than us, we prayed a lot, we scrambled and FINALLY got our will together, and we handed them over to Mom & Dad. Mind you - the boys weren't worried about this plan AT ALL - in fact, right as we were getting ready to head home, Kaden asked Mom to ask ME if they could stay a few more days! THEY thought that the plan was pretty rockin.'
Anyway....
One night, Mom, Dad, Kaden, & Jesse were all having a camp out of sorts in Grampy's cabin. Dad had fallen asleep and Mom was just drifting off when she heard the boys talking to each other in their bed. She said that she could really feel a sense of urgency in Kaden's voice so she started to pay more attention to what he was saying. As she listened in, she said that Kaden was totally witnessing to Jesse! He was telling him that he was going to go to Heaven when he dies and that he's asked Jesus to forgive him from his sins etc. etc. and that Jesse needs to do it too! So Jesse said: "I want to do that too, Kaden! I want to do it right now!" So, anyway - long story short, Mom got up and talked with both of them and Jesse prayed with Mom and Kaden and asked Jesus into his life! How sweet is that? And how special that Kaden played a pretty pivotal role in leading his own brother to Christ.
And such an awesome gift from the Lord to me - proving, once again - that He is the one who ultimately takes care of my kids whether I am with them or away.
HOME
An awfully nice place to be.
We just got back from Pennsylvania after taking a grad class for ten days of training. Ransom came with us, but the older boys stayed with Grampy and Grammy Quint. That was the longest we've ever been away from them, and it is SO nice to be back together again.
The classes were amazing - too much to even wrap my brain around right now. I typed 100 pages by the end of the week - single spaced - if that tells you anything! Crazy good.
And now I'm home to a garden gone gangbusters; chickens, ducks, and a turkey that look like they've been on steroids - they've grown so much since we've been away; strawberry season in full swing, and I'm desperate to pick and make some jam......and there's just not enough days in the week to do all that I want to do! It's shaping up to be a nuts-o summer.
But, for now I am just savoring being home - chaos and all - and it is wonderful.
We just got back from Pennsylvania after taking a grad class for ten days of training. Ransom came with us, but the older boys stayed with Grampy and Grammy Quint. That was the longest we've ever been away from them, and it is SO nice to be back together again.
The classes were amazing - too much to even wrap my brain around right now. I typed 100 pages by the end of the week - single spaced - if that tells you anything! Crazy good.
And now I'm home to a garden gone gangbusters; chickens, ducks, and a turkey that look like they've been on steroids - they've grown so much since we've been away; strawberry season in full swing, and I'm desperate to pick and make some jam......and there's just not enough days in the week to do all that I want to do! It's shaping up to be a nuts-o summer.
But, for now I am just savoring being home - chaos and all - and it is wonderful.
Beautiful Messes
I'm supposed to be doing homework. Kev and I are taking a grad course for some training that is coming up, and we are supposed to complete a little over half of the work before we arrive. Not gonna' happen. Not for lack of trying, but there's just one me, a whole lot of others who need me, and not enough hours in the day to get 'er done. That's okay. I'm growing. My OCD anal self would be stressing to the max a few years ago. Now, I get done what I can in snippets of time throughout the day and one evening out a week. My goal is to have it done by Christmas.
In the meantime.....
Look at this room! Pretty trashed, eh? But, do you know what it symbolizes for me each morning? Every day after the boys and I wake up, snuggle in bed for a couple of seconds, and I feed Ransom....after this initial flurry.... all three of them camp out in the big boys' room while I shower and get ready for the day. For the most part, they are in here with the door closed for the better part of an hour while I get some sanity and perspective to start our day out on the right foot. I honestly don't care what they do in there as long as they are relatively quiet, happy, and no one is getting hurt. So, this chaos represents a whole lot of peace and harmony for this Mama. And some sweet brotherly love on good days.....
These feet are filthy - the big ones anyway. I can't keep them clean. And they are almost always scabby, bruised, and a wee bit stinky. But they belong to my "lover" boy. My wild child who nearly drives me to drink, yet who loves his baby brother with a somewhat reckless abandon.
The boys and I have a new little tradition since the chickies have arrived. A new little rhythm to our day, you could say. And I love it. Like I've said before, I'm usually a conquer the world type of person once I start my day - kind of like a whirling dervish. But, my chickies soothe me. They help me to slow down. We all put on our wellies - either before or after breakfast - and we tromp out to the coop to see how the girls fared the night. Each of us kind of has the thing that we "do." Kaden lets them all out, Jesse terrorizes them, Ransom watches from a swing, and I give them feed and fresh water. Then, we open the coop and let them free range for awhile while we stand around and talk about how cute they are, how much they've grown, how naughty they are, how HUGE Mr. Turk has gotten, etc. etc. It's slow. It's chill. And it's "our thing" that we all do together. I love it.
And lastly, my table is never without "fresh" flowers from my boys. Ahem. With pride I am sporatically handed these little messy gifts - often with roots still intact. And here they sit, proudly displayed until a new little bunch is offered.
Stinky, dirty messes galore. But it's my life right now. And I love it. A day will come when my house is spotless, when the beds stay made, when I have flowers from a shop on my table, when I actually get to see and visit some of my old girlfriends! (I just had to throw that in there. You all are still living, right?), and when my homework (or whatever work I have at the time) is done on time.
And, I bet I'll be a little bit sad when that day comes.
In the meantime.....
Look at this room! Pretty trashed, eh? But, do you know what it symbolizes for me each morning? Every day after the boys and I wake up, snuggle in bed for a couple of seconds, and I feed Ransom....after this initial flurry.... all three of them camp out in the big boys' room while I shower and get ready for the day. For the most part, they are in here with the door closed for the better part of an hour while I get some sanity and perspective to start our day out on the right foot. I honestly don't care what they do in there as long as they are relatively quiet, happy, and no one is getting hurt. So, this chaos represents a whole lot of peace and harmony for this Mama. And some sweet brotherly love on good days.....
These feet are filthy - the big ones anyway. I can't keep them clean. And they are almost always scabby, bruised, and a wee bit stinky. But they belong to my "lover" boy. My wild child who nearly drives me to drink, yet who loves his baby brother with a somewhat reckless abandon.
The boys and I have a new little tradition since the chickies have arrived. A new little rhythm to our day, you could say. And I love it. Like I've said before, I'm usually a conquer the world type of person once I start my day - kind of like a whirling dervish. But, my chickies soothe me. They help me to slow down. We all put on our wellies - either before or after breakfast - and we tromp out to the coop to see how the girls fared the night. Each of us kind of has the thing that we "do." Kaden lets them all out, Jesse terrorizes them, Ransom watches from a swing, and I give them feed and fresh water. Then, we open the coop and let them free range for awhile while we stand around and talk about how cute they are, how much they've grown, how naughty they are, how HUGE Mr. Turk has gotten, etc. etc. It's slow. It's chill. And it's "our thing" that we all do together. I love it.
And lastly, my table is never without "fresh" flowers from my boys. Ahem. With pride I am sporatically handed these little messy gifts - often with roots still intact. And here they sit, proudly displayed until a new little bunch is offered.
Stinky, dirty messes galore. But it's my life right now. And I love it. A day will come when my house is spotless, when the beds stay made, when I have flowers from a shop on my table, when I actually get to see and visit some of my old girlfriends! (I just had to throw that in there. You all are still living, right?), and when my homework (or whatever work I have at the time) is done on time.
And, I bet I'll be a little bit sad when that day comes.
In Process
I feel like right at this moment I have about a kajillion irons in the fire and a thousand projects started with nothing completed yet! I think that's the way summer often tends to go, but as we increase livestock (well, mini farm animals) and as gardens grow, I'm increasingly convinced that people who are "true" farmers and gardeners must stay home a lot more than we do! Or, at least, they maybe don't go away for huge chucks of time like we do. Just wondering. It feels like we are just barely treading water in trying to stay on top of these things! But, they're all fun, and they're ALL good. There are just so MANY! Whew.....
Anyway, here's a pictorial blog entry of all of the goings on here at the Booker household -In process projects galore!
This is my ginormous garden. I really have no idea how it got to be so big - I fully intended to take baby steps this first year as I don't have a clue what I'm doing. I blame my little old neighbor, Lou. He said: "You've got the space, you might as well stick some stuff in the ground!" So, that's what we did.....
These are my tomatoes alone - all 18 of them! Again - how did this happen??? I also have a row of green beans, and entire row of potatoes that Lou planted for me because, and I quote: "You have 4 boys. You need an entire row of potatoes." I have corn, carrots, swiss chard (which I've never eaten in my life, but Lou assures me I'll love it), radishes, yellow and green peppers (Lou says, "Horrors!" to the yellow peppers), two kinds of onions, cucumbers, yellow summer squash (Lou says that summer squash is: "Horrid!"...I don't think he likes yellow veggies....), two types of winter squash, pumpkins, and some melons....which I'm quite confident will bite the dust.
Right now, this is my main project that I am working on and racking my brain trying to figure out ideas of how to lay down cardboard, mulch, hay - you name it - WHATEVER to keep weeds at bay. Methinks it will probably be quite the jungle down there by summer's end. Ah well. It's a learning summer.
Here's project Number two:
Our chicken coop that was ORIGINALLY intended for three chickens, yet somehow it's needing to house 6 chickens, 1 turkey, and 2 ducks. Again......WHAT? I have a sickness, I think.
I can't stop.
It's functional, yet it still needs a ramp, a window, nesting boxes, and a run for my girls. It's divided into two compartments inside because the turkey and the chickens really shouldn't live together, but every single blessed night he jumps over and when I go out to them in the morning, all the chicks are nestled all around him. SO - he'll just stay over on the girl's side, and the other will be our duckies new digs. It's all good.
And another big, but really fun (I can say it's fun, because I did nothing to help put it together in the two ENTIRE days that it was worked on) project is this:
For the boys' birthdays this summer, rather than have all the uncles, grandparent's, and us buy gifts for the kids, we all pitched in to get this lovely swingset. It came with about a million pieces, but it's almost done, and the boys LOVE it! The fort on top still needs to be finished, and a little picnic table needs to be attached, but for all intents and purposes the kids can still play to their heart's content right now.
And SOMETIME in the near future, I hope to replace my fire-engine red shutters and doors with other more shall we say, "Amy-like" colors. But, that's for another day.
Right now, there's THIS little bit of deliciousness that is completely distracting me.....
Seriously.....that head....those ears....he has NOTHING to do with this post....but, oh my!
Anyway, here's a pictorial blog entry of all of the goings on here at the Booker household -In process projects galore!
This is my ginormous garden. I really have no idea how it got to be so big - I fully intended to take baby steps this first year as I don't have a clue what I'm doing. I blame my little old neighbor, Lou. He said: "You've got the space, you might as well stick some stuff in the ground!" So, that's what we did.....
These are my tomatoes alone - all 18 of them! Again - how did this happen??? I also have a row of green beans, and entire row of potatoes that Lou planted for me because, and I quote: "You have 4 boys. You need an entire row of potatoes." I have corn, carrots, swiss chard (which I've never eaten in my life, but Lou assures me I'll love it), radishes, yellow and green peppers (Lou says, "Horrors!" to the yellow peppers), two kinds of onions, cucumbers, yellow summer squash (Lou says that summer squash is: "Horrid!"...I don't think he likes yellow veggies....), two types of winter squash, pumpkins, and some melons....which I'm quite confident will bite the dust.
Right now, this is my main project that I am working on and racking my brain trying to figure out ideas of how to lay down cardboard, mulch, hay - you name it - WHATEVER to keep weeds at bay. Methinks it will probably be quite the jungle down there by summer's end. Ah well. It's a learning summer.
Here's project Number two:
Our chicken coop that was ORIGINALLY intended for three chickens, yet somehow it's needing to house 6 chickens, 1 turkey, and 2 ducks. Again......WHAT? I have a sickness, I think.
I can't stop.
It's functional, yet it still needs a ramp, a window, nesting boxes, and a run for my girls. It's divided into two compartments inside because the turkey and the chickens really shouldn't live together, but every single blessed night he jumps over and when I go out to them in the morning, all the chicks are nestled all around him. SO - he'll just stay over on the girl's side, and the other will be our duckies new digs. It's all good.
And another big, but really fun (I can say it's fun, because I did nothing to help put it together in the two ENTIRE days that it was worked on) project is this:
For the boys' birthdays this summer, rather than have all the uncles, grandparent's, and us buy gifts for the kids, we all pitched in to get this lovely swingset. It came with about a million pieces, but it's almost done, and the boys LOVE it! The fort on top still needs to be finished, and a little picnic table needs to be attached, but for all intents and purposes the kids can still play to their heart's content right now.
And SOMETIME in the near future, I hope to replace my fire-engine red shutters and doors with other more shall we say, "Amy-like" colors. But, that's for another day.
Right now, there's THIS little bit of deliciousness that is completely distracting me.....
Seriously.....that head....those ears....he has NOTHING to do with this post....but, oh my!
Ramblings
Did you know that Hitler once said: "Give me a child until he's seven, and he'll be mine forever?" Crazy.
Studies show that by the age of seven, our children have been molded into the people that they're - pretty much - going to be. Obviously there's some big time maturing and character development that will take place all throughout the years, but by this age - so say "the studies" - the major foundation of their entire lives has already been established.
Now, obviously these studies don't take into account the transformational power of Christ and the work that He does in individuals' lives to mold them into the people that HE wants them to become. But - all of that set aside - if these statistics have any merit or any weight AT ALL......MISTER MAN! That's absolutely nuts to think about.
A fellow teacher at my little school that I work at were talking about this stuff this morning. Her kids are about ready to graduate highschool, so she's viewing parenting and LIFE from the other end of the spectrum. I'm just barely starting out on this journey - Kaden is just NOW ready for school, and here she is wrapping up the school years. I'm finding that I'm constantly searching out mothers who are "on the other side" - trying to glean from them. Wanting to find out mistakes they've made, lessons they've learned, things they feel they've done well, things they wish they could do over, what they wish they could re-live, what they'll miss the most....
Because this season is FLEETING. It'll be gone in the blink of an eye. I always talk about savoring, because I know I need to do a better job at it. I'm so task oriented. I like to conquer my days. But, I so want to just SAVOR my kids. Heavens - Kaden is already six years old. When I look at Ransom, I can hardly even remember Kaden being that tiny!
Just thoughts rolling around in my noggin. One of MANY reasons why I'm so seriously contemplating homeschooling, I guess. In some ways, it cracks me up, because I never in a MILLION years would ever have dreamed about even CONSIDERING the idea. Yet, here I am. God knows what's best for my kids and for my family, so I rest and I trust.
Meanwhile, I process and I gather info, and I glean wisdom, and I stress a little, and I give it back to Him, and then I'll some days take it back FROM Him, and we continue to walk this journey of life together, He and I.
Studies show that by the age of seven, our children have been molded into the people that they're - pretty much - going to be. Obviously there's some big time maturing and character development that will take place all throughout the years, but by this age - so say "the studies" - the major foundation of their entire lives has already been established.
Now, obviously these studies don't take into account the transformational power of Christ and the work that He does in individuals' lives to mold them into the people that HE wants them to become. But - all of that set aside - if these statistics have any merit or any weight AT ALL......MISTER MAN! That's absolutely nuts to think about.
A fellow teacher at my little school that I work at were talking about this stuff this morning. Her kids are about ready to graduate highschool, so she's viewing parenting and LIFE from the other end of the spectrum. I'm just barely starting out on this journey - Kaden is just NOW ready for school, and here she is wrapping up the school years. I'm finding that I'm constantly searching out mothers who are "on the other side" - trying to glean from them. Wanting to find out mistakes they've made, lessons they've learned, things they feel they've done well, things they wish they could do over, what they wish they could re-live, what they'll miss the most....
Because this season is FLEETING. It'll be gone in the blink of an eye. I always talk about savoring, because I know I need to do a better job at it. I'm so task oriented. I like to conquer my days. But, I so want to just SAVOR my kids. Heavens - Kaden is already six years old. When I look at Ransom, I can hardly even remember Kaden being that tiny!
Just thoughts rolling around in my noggin. One of MANY reasons why I'm so seriously contemplating homeschooling, I guess. In some ways, it cracks me up, because I never in a MILLION years would ever have dreamed about even CONSIDERING the idea. Yet, here I am. God knows what's best for my kids and for my family, so I rest and I trust.
Meanwhile, I process and I gather info, and I glean wisdom, and I stress a little, and I give it back to Him, and then I'll some days take it back FROM Him, and we continue to walk this journey of life together, He and I.
Tenting!
Sooo, the motto of this past weekend was: "It's no big deal!" And we repeated it over and over again! Like, on the day before we were to leave, my ducklings were ready to be brought home. Hmmm. Not the most ideal of times to introduce 2 babies to 6 larger chickies while I'm gone for four days. Well.... no big deal. We'll just bring them with us!
So, we scrounged up a couple of hot water bottles, some fuzzy blankets, and just brought them right along with the rest of the crew! No big deal.
It also forcasted rain for almost all of the weekend. With no opportunity to plan a rain date, it was kind of like "now or never," so we all decided a little (or, as it turned out a LOT) of rain was really not a big deal - we've done it before last year. So, we packed up. In the pouring rain. And set up in the drizzle. And camped all weekend (except for 1 day) in the rain. And unpacked again in torrents. No big deal.
The other "no big deal" we decided on was - who really needs to be able to see your kids on the drive? They can fend for themselves, right? I actually found it quite nice when Jesse sang at the top of his lungs for the entire drive and I could juuuuuust barely hear him past all of our junk-ola! Not a bad set up, me thinks! Ha!
Here's where we sat most of the weekend. More pics to come in later posts. Over all, it was nice being with grandparents and aunties and uncles for a long stretch of time. A highlight for all of us, too, was reconnecting with a kindred spirit from Bible school days who has three little girls of her own. The kids had a blast running wild - swimming, catching things, and playing with their "slug club," and she and I were able to sit around the fire drinking camp coffee. It doesn't get much better.
A good time was had by all!
So, we scrounged up a couple of hot water bottles, some fuzzy blankets, and just brought them right along with the rest of the crew! No big deal.
It also forcasted rain for almost all of the weekend. With no opportunity to plan a rain date, it was kind of like "now or never," so we all decided a little (or, as it turned out a LOT) of rain was really not a big deal - we've done it before last year. So, we packed up. In the pouring rain. And set up in the drizzle. And camped all weekend (except for 1 day) in the rain. And unpacked again in torrents. No big deal.
The other "no big deal" we decided on was - who really needs to be able to see your kids on the drive? They can fend for themselves, right? I actually found it quite nice when Jesse sang at the top of his lungs for the entire drive and I could juuuuuust barely hear him past all of our junk-ola! Not a bad set up, me thinks! Ha!
Here's where we sat most of the weekend. More pics to come in later posts. Over all, it was nice being with grandparents and aunties and uncles for a long stretch of time. A highlight for all of us, too, was reconnecting with a kindred spirit from Bible school days who has three little girls of her own. The kids had a blast running wild - swimming, catching things, and playing with their "slug club," and she and I were able to sit around the fire drinking camp coffee. It doesn't get much better.
A good time was had by all!
Busy Bees
Holy Heavens!
It's been a busy Memorial Week-end....one normally spent canoeing the rapids with my family up in the County....but not this year. So much to do in so little time. Six years ago, on this very week-end - one of my most fave holidays, by the way - I was told that I would indeed NOT be canoeing with my oh so prego belly. I would, rather, be getting induced because my body was starting to freak out. I believe my words were: "Can't you do it on Monday? I am supposed to go on a canoe trip with my family today!" My doctor informed me that she had never heard anyone respond in such a way as this - especially with their first baby! I was not impressed with the whole induction idea, let me tell you.
But... my boy - was he ever worth it - induction and all. By far, my most horrid labor experience, but I would do it over a million times again for him. He rocks.
Anyway, I digress....
Busyness is what I'm supposed to be typing about! Two birthdays to organize, a 4 day camping trip to celebrate, a day of work thrown in there, a ginormous garden to plant, a SWINGSET/JUNGLE GYM birthday gift to set up, and a chicken coop to finish have been the doings here as of late.
With the help of my little old man neighbor, Lou, we spent 8 hours in the garden yesterday, putting the ENTIRE thing in! Amidst lots of mocking of my plant choices, lots of giggling -on his part - at the sad state of affairs of most of my seedlings, a broken back from wearing Ransom in the backpack, and lots of "help" from the boys - not to mention MANY a deep, cleansing breath on my part while they worked alongside me, we got 'er done! I may have gone a little crazy with my tomato plants - somehow there are 18 of them down there. But, I'm excited.
The chickies love their coop.
I have done nothing to prepare for camping.
The swingset is going on two days of assembling, but she's almost done.
Pictures will be coming forthwith.
Kaden is SIX! Jesse will be three on FRIDAY! HOLY HEAVENS!
It's a good life. We are blessed.
It's been a busy Memorial Week-end....one normally spent canoeing the rapids with my family up in the County....but not this year. So much to do in so little time. Six years ago, on this very week-end - one of my most fave holidays, by the way - I was told that I would indeed NOT be canoeing with my oh so prego belly. I would, rather, be getting induced because my body was starting to freak out. I believe my words were: "Can't you do it on Monday? I am supposed to go on a canoe trip with my family today!" My doctor informed me that she had never heard anyone respond in such a way as this - especially with their first baby! I was not impressed with the whole induction idea, let me tell you.
But... my boy - was he ever worth it - induction and all. By far, my most horrid labor experience, but I would do it over a million times again for him. He rocks.
Anyway, I digress....
Busyness is what I'm supposed to be typing about! Two birthdays to organize, a 4 day camping trip to celebrate, a day of work thrown in there, a ginormous garden to plant, a SWINGSET/JUNGLE GYM birthday gift to set up, and a chicken coop to finish have been the doings here as of late.
With the help of my little old man neighbor, Lou, we spent 8 hours in the garden yesterday, putting the ENTIRE thing in! Amidst lots of mocking of my plant choices, lots of giggling -on his part - at the sad state of affairs of most of my seedlings, a broken back from wearing Ransom in the backpack, and lots of "help" from the boys - not to mention MANY a deep, cleansing breath on my part while they worked alongside me, we got 'er done! I may have gone a little crazy with my tomato plants - somehow there are 18 of them down there. But, I'm excited.
The chickies love their coop.
I have done nothing to prepare for camping.
The swingset is going on two days of assembling, but she's almost done.
Pictures will be coming forthwith.
Kaden is SIX! Jesse will be three on FRIDAY! HOLY HEAVENS!
It's a good life. We are blessed.
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