Ducks!

Several weeks ago we were at the farm supply store and these adorable ducks caught our attention. Jamie just loved them! He enjoyed them so much that we decided to take two home with us, and so we have added "Chuck" and "Quackers" to our little homestead. :)


I had no idea that ducks were so fully of personality! They are just adorable and ever so humorous! We have been keeping them in a little cage in the living room, although I think they are nearly ready to move to a pen outside. They have been growing so fast! They must be nearly doubled in size already.

Jacob has been taking on the task of cleaning out the duck cage and caring for them. The boys really enjoy taking care of animals. They are going to make rather good farmers someday. :)

We took the ducks for a swim in the bathtub! Oh, did they ever enjoy that! It was just precious to watch them learn to paddle. Chuck was quite giddy when we figured out he could swim backwards! We are planning to put one of the little plastic child's pools in their enclosure. We do have a pond but it's not close to the house and they are too little to be out there.

We are really enjoying having ducklings. They are such a joy!

Love in Christ,

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Planting Garden

My friend Sharon and most of her children came over to help with planting our garden. Their help was such a blessing! They arrived in the forenoon and were there till about four in the afternoon. It was hot (the high reached 93 degrees!) and hard work but we got the garden in!

Sharon and I sorted through seeds and made plans while Leon went over the garden spot with the tractor and tiller once more. Karen cut the last ten pounds of seed potatoes. Jamie loved playing in the big bowl of potatoes!

The children had such a time playing together. The Eicher children are some of their favorite playmates, so they really enjoyed spending the day outside with them. Bethany and Victor pushed the littler ones around in the toy cars. Leon took all of the children on a ride in the trailer behind the tractor.

Leon took such care in explaining to Jacob all about how the tractor works and what such and such does. Jacob really enjoyed learning all about it! Victor is one of Jacob's best friends, so they really had a fun time together. Jacob likes playing with the older boys, since they do such big things! :)

Justin and Joseph caught a toad! They played with their toad friend and chased him around. Finally they decided to let him go into the tall grass. What fun!

All of the children enjoyed watching the big tractors at work on the farmland around us.

For our noon meal I made two casseroles of homemade Beefaroni, vanilla pudding, and fresh bread with apple butter. The sweet tea was certainly refreshing after working in the heat!

It was so wonderful to all work together and to see how much we could get done! We managed to get everything in, except for pumpkins and watermelons. We ended up plowing two additional spots to make it all fit! Sharon was such a help in figuring out how much of what to plant and where. She answered my many questions with such patience!

I am excited to watch our garden grow, and to see what will come of the fruits of our labors. I am so thankful for the land to plant, and the resources to plant with, and for such great friends to help! I feel so blessed indeed!

In Him Who First Loved Us,

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Busy with Being Busy!

It seems that lately my little blog has been sadly neglected. I suppose it has been rather busy and I dealt with another round of bronchitis. There's been lots of interesting happenings around our homestead, so hopefully I will have find time to catch up soon!

This morning the boys slept in, so I decided to get caught upon a few things. I washed a load of laundry, started two loaves of bread to rise, and even did a little sewing. I got most of the way finished with the bodice for a new blue dress.

I can hardly contain my excitement and joy! A very special box was in my mailbox...all the way from Texas. I think I skipped all the way back to the house. Inside the brown box was a most beautiful and cherished gift, lovingly made by the prayerful hands of a friend! What was the gift you might ask? A beautiful handmade rug from a dear sweet friend, Leslie!

Sister Leslie, I think you looked right into my heart, found the colors of who I am, prayerfully wove them together with the love of your hands and created a treasure that will be cherished in my home!
I had quite a time of trying to figure out where to put such a special rug. It is so special that I wanted it's place to be special, too. I finally decided I'd put my special rug by my chair because so often my little ones gather on the floor here to sing or read a story. They are often right there to watch when I'm doing needlework. This is the chair where I enjoy a rest after a hard day's work, and where I enjoy my coffee, quiet time and feathered friends at my window. It is where I sit for family hymn sings. So I thought such a special treasure should be somewhere that special moments are had daily.

This afternoon we worked outside. It has been hot today, almost record highs of ninety degrees! The heat made the work more difficult, but at least we had a good breeze! We got one raspberry bush planted, and then dug a trench to plant seed potatoes. This evening we are going to try to get a few more bushes planted and such. Today Jacob discovered the joy of running barefoot. The other boys had already learned this valuable life lesson, but Jacob had been hesitant to try. I do believe the heat finally convinced him to take his boots off! He was quite surprised to learn that the grass and dirt really does feel good on your toes! As I was digging the trench, Jacob kept discovering new worm friends. He decided to visit for a while with a few of them...he thought they'd like to ride in his shirt pocket. It was so humorous to see my bookworm outside barefoot in the dirt and playing with real worms!

Our family has discovered a new special treat...Frost Top Root Beer. I had never been much of a fan of root beer, but this is really tasty! And nothing tastes so good as when you've been working hard outside!

Daddy is nearly home for the eve, and we will do a little more work outside. The smothered porkchops have filled the house with an inviting aroma, and the boys are enjoying a slice of fresh bread on the porch. Lord willing, I will plan to get caught up here over the next few days. There so many things I'd love to share!

In His Precious Name,

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When Mommy is my School Teacher

When Mommy is my school teacher,
The school room's full of bliss,
Her gentle words encourage me,
She rewards me with a kiss.

When Mommy is my school teacher,
The school room's full of love,
She teaches me important things,
Great things from Heaven above.

When Mommy is my school teacher,
there's no need to despair,
Her focus is on eternity,
So she guides me with tender care.

Love in Christ,

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Frugal Friday- Free "Nannies"!

If you have ever talked fabric with me then you know that I am viciously frugal when it comes to buying fabric. My general rule is that I won't pay more than $2 a yard, unless it's something really special. This weekend we went shopping in Jamesport, and I did splurge and buy seven dress lengths of fabric (with much prompting from my dear husband) at a little over $3 a yard...but I cringed at paying for it. ;)

I have often purchased bedsheets at thrift stores to use for fabric. (I always check to make sure it isn't too thin if planning to use it for clothing) I have found that sheets work wonderfully for things such as nightclothes, slips, bloomers and aprons.

This week I was cutting out future sewing projects and I came across a king sized set of sheets that had torn. I was able to cut out FOUR sets of "nannies" (pajamas)! A nightgown for me, and pajamas for Joshua, Joseph and James!

With the little scraps left over I cut out four inch blocks for a quilting project. I have been using the little left over bits from each piece of clothing made and cutting blocks from them. I plan to use many of them for borders on the quilts I am cross-stitching for each of the boys.

Sweet blessings,

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Clinging to the Cross

What do we do when we are faced with challenges and trials?

If you are a Christian and striving to walk each day in obedience, you will face trials indeed. Trials are a necessary part of our Christian walk. They purify, correct, and mold us into being more Christ-like.

Scripture also tells us that the adversary will do anything and everything he can to deter us from following Christ. He will strive to make it too difficult, so that we want to give up. He will tear away our comforts and even friendships, and sometimes family, doing everything he can to put doubt into our hearts.

Trials can be chastening, they can be intended for our good. Or trials can be put in our path to deter us from following God with our whole being. Wherever the trial is coming from, we have control over how we choose to react.

If you are a Christian, you do not have to face these trials all alone. I find it to be such a comfort to remember that Jesus Himself went through such terrible testing and trials. Can you imagine facing unimaginable pain and death and still giving the greatest gift of love and selflessness? His friends abandoned Him, He was beaten and suffered such a cruel death, and He did so because He loved me.

Whatever difficulties we face, we can find comfort at the foot of the cross. I think about the way that Jesus handled Himself when faced with the greatest of trials. I can imagine He must have had fear, He must have felt heartbroken. He cried out to the Father. I find that to be such a comfort! Even with all that He must have felt, He still died willingly for my sins.

At the end of one of favorite cd's, "Home" by the Esh family, there are excerpts from their funeral sermons. In one of the excerpts, the minister recounts a story of a sailor reading Isaiah 53 to his captain. In the story, he inserts his name into the verse. What a powerful message! A few months ago, we were listening to it in the car, and in my head I put my name in as I was listening.

But he was wounded for Melly Elizabeth's transgressions, he was bruised for Melly Elizabeth's iniquities: the chastisement of Melly Elizabeth's peace was upon him; and with his stripes Melly Elizabeth is healed.

Wow. I cannot read or hear that verse without my eyes filling with tears. He went through that suffering for me. Should I not then, be grateful enough to handle whatever trials are sent my way with a faithful attitude? When I struggle, shouldn't I seek encouragement at the very source of my salvation?

When the storm is howling around me, that is where I hope to be found. Clinging to the cross, reliant on the One who loved me enough to give His life for me.

Love in Christ, Who First Loved Me,

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New Swing Set!!!

Daddy surprised the boys by having a new swing set delivered today! They were so excited! We had been talking about purchasing one for some time. This weekend we were out in Jamesport to do some shopping and stopped by J.A.M. and ended up seeing a set that we liked.



How fun! Thank you Daddy!

With Love,

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Jacob's Nesting Boxes

Jacob is so excited about getting chickens that he is really looking for ways that he can help. We had purchased this cubed shelving unit to use for nesting boxes and he asked if he could try putting it together. At first I figured that I would just let him help, but I thought about it more and realized he could do much of the work himself. I read him the directions and helped him sort out the pieces. I helped him start the screws, but he did all of the rest. I was amazed at his diligence and his ability to actually do the work!

He was so excited that he was doing it himself! I was so excited for him. His eyes were so bright with joy in really being able to build something.

As he was building he said, "I can't wait to see eggs in these nesting boxes!" Rick was so pleased with Jacob's efforts that he decided to buy him his own little tool set, and a project kit to build a bird feeder. I know Jacob is going to be thrilled!

Great work, Jacob! Thank you so much for your help!

With Love,

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The Little Boys' Room

Joseph picked out this adorable Noah's Ark wall art set at Mardels.

This is Joseph's bed. We have had quite a giggle over the fact that tiny little Joe has the biggest bed of them all. ;) He keeps his monkey and his Amish rag doll, Sadie, on his bed. He loves to lay and look out at the cornfields. I was cleaning in his room recently and looking out of the window and thought: there is nowhere else on earth I'd rather be. I can't imagine living anywhere more beautiful. Our home isn't fancy, but it's home and I love living here.

The little quilt hanging between the windows was made for me by my great grandmother. Joseph said he loves the "ittle wamb". The rocking chair is such a sweet spot to sit and rock with my littlest ones.

The Precious Moments picture above James' crib hung in my nursery. It's so neat to be able to pass on little things like this to our children.

With Love,

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