Finally, A Break in the Schedule

The kids returned from a long weekend and a trip to Cedar Point with Grandma and Grandpa on Tuesday. I'm done canning beans. I'm done freezing corn. Little Lambs is this weekend, but I've dropped off my clothes. We are done picking blackberries for those who ordered them. The tomatoes that are ripe are processed. The apples aren't ripe yet. I just want to pick some more blackberries for myself before they are all gone. Other than that, all the pressing work is complete.

And. . .

A friend emailed me the other day about an awesome field trip she is arranging for homeschoolers next week at the Huntington Art Museum. The topic is the Civil War and the kids are going to make pinhole cameras. I thought it would really be something the kids would go for, but was afraid that we wouldn't be able to make it. I turned to my planner for the week, and IT WAS BLANK! A whole week with no appointments or scheduled activities?! Well, it was until I wrote in the field trip to the art museum.

A lull in the schedule is just what I needed. I spent today piddling at various projects. Don't worry it isn't like I don't have anything to do. No chance of being bored around here, but it is nice to not have schedules, commitments, and over ripening vegetables breathing down my neck.

Ahhh......I will enjoy it while it lasts.

New Pigs

Miles' pig, Charcoal, had piglets Saturday evening, eight of them to be exact. Tim and I were there when the last two came. Charcoal is a good mom, and fairly tolerant of us being around. Sows can be pretty mean when they have piglets. Charcoal has a gentle nature. I doubt it will be the same story when Flame, Ashley's sow, has her piglets. She is mean now. I bet she'll be a beast when her piglets come in about a week! Now the question is what are Miles and Ashely going to do with all these pigs?!

Happy Birthday Dad

Today is my dad's, aka Papaw, birthday. Happy Birthday!

Last week at the fair was crazy, but good. Kellen's rabbits placed about the middle of their class. He was slightly disappointed, but we were happy. The kids had a grand time being at the fair everyday. We walked the animal barns everyday. We watched the demolition derbies, mud bog, fireworks, and motor cross. Kellen showed his rabbits twice, and then sold them twice on Friday. Lydia participated in the open class for rabbits. They were both nervous, but did well. Kellen also took part in a watermelon eating contest.



Monday Kellen participated in the annual Battle of the Books. His team took third. They had all the questions right until the tie breaker round. His team has won the previous two years, so third was a slight disappointment, but Kellen handled it well.

Today Kellen is having Ryan over to spend the night for a late birthday celebration. It is actually Ryan's birthday tomorrow. Have I ever mentioned how crazy the end of July is for birthdays? For some reason the majority of the birthdays in this family are clumped around May and July. Kellen's was the 21st, Torrey ( a cousin) the 22nd, Avery's (Jake's youngest) the 27th, Jeff's (Tim's dad) the 28th, Jake's the 29th, my dad's today, and Gage's (Tim's brother's son) the 1st. It really is crazy!

The Big 1-0

Today Kellen turns double digits. The fair also starts today, so we will be celebrating his birthday next week. And how does the birthday boy want to celebrate this special occasion? He just wants his best buddy to spend the night, and to eat pizza and cheesecake. Kellen is becoming a very practical kid! Happy birthday Kellen. We love you!

Filling in the blanks

Alright so my last post was a little brief and some people would like more details. I'm happy to oblige.


Roller Coasters & Rock Bands
Last weekend I made an unexpected trip to Kings Island for three days. My parents had promised to take my oldest niece and nephew along with my two oldest to Spirit Song. Papaw isn't a huge fan of amusement parks to start with, and he wasn't feeling well that week. So, he asked me if I'd like to go instead, and I did.

This was the first year Lydia was tall enough to ride the big coasters. For the most part she rode all that she could, and loved it. The people on the platform cheered for her when we were in the cars for Son of the Beast. The attendant made Lydia get out to double check her height. When Lydia got back in the people still waiting cheered for her. That was one of the last coasters
we rode.. Honestly, it was a little much for Lydia, but she was a trooper about it.

We spent the days riding rides or at the water park. The evening were spent at the concerts. "Rock Band" may be a stretch for some of the artists there, but there was some rockin' bands there like Skillet and Kutless. Kellen loved these. Lydia said they were too loud. It is funny how seeing groups live is completely different than just listening. Some groups I like recorded were not that great live. My favorite live was Toby Mac. I also enjoyed Jeremy Camp and David Crowder.

Kellen, Lydia, and Nolan too will soon be getting some more roller coasters in. They will be heading to Cedar Point with Tim's parents the first week of August.


Rabbits & Rockets
These are Kellen's 4-H projects this year. The fair starts Monday (Kellen's birthday.) He's been busy finishing up his project books, making display posters, and getting the rabbits tame enough to handle in the show ring. I guarantee you will hear more about all this in the next week or two.


Beans and Blackberries
The beans are producing full force. 51 quarts canned so far. The first planting is starting to fizzle, but the second is still going strong.

The blackberries are late this year, but they are beautiful. We've eaten some, made a cobbler and one batch of freezer jam. Then we started selling them.

A few weeks ago an acquaintance noticed all the unripe berries along our drive and asked me if we sold them. My first reaction was no, and that is what I told her. Later I thought why not? It would be a great way for the kids to make a little cash. They were all for it, so I sent an email out to some of our homeschool group. I offered for anyone to come and pick free. Our plants are loaded. Then I offered them for sale picked if anyone was interested. We got requests for 26 quarts!

There are plenty of berries, but we've (Yes, we. I've been helping!) been picking for orders first. I will get more for jam, shrub or other things when we are done.

Other news
Lydia got ten inches cut off her hair! You can see pictures here.

Vivian is no longer sleeping in the crib. While the older two and I were in King's Island Viv wanted to sleep in the bottom bunk the whole time. Tim let her, and she liked it. So, the crib came down.

We had our first lamb from the farm. It is delicious. I'm not sure why lamb isn't more popular in the U.S. It really is good. I was expecting a stronger flavor, but apparently that is only in mutton (sheep over a year old.) Our lamb was five months old and the flavor is wonderful.

Ok. I think I'm caught up on the details now! :) It has been a busy week, no a busy month, no a busy summer. . . I'm going to bed!

What have we been up to?

Oh not much, just....

• Rollercoasters
• Rock Bands
• Rabbits
• Rockets
• Blackberries
• Beans

You know, just our typical quiet life. . .

Bunny Ears

Wordless Wednesday

You Might Say She is Determined

On the agenda for the day we planned to get a little outside work done in the morning, and then my three oldest would walk to the creek with Ashley and Miles for a picnic and to play. Everything in the morning went as planned with minimal fighting or arguing.

When we came back in the house it was close to lunch time and Vivian needed a nap. It was a bit of a juggling act trying to get Vivian something to eat and facilitate the older kids packing their lunch and things for the creek. Just as I was thinking things were going smoothly and Vivian did not seem to mind that the other children were planning something without her, someone said the trigger word, swimsuit.

Apparently Vivian did not mind that the other kids were having a picnic or taking a walk without her. She did mind, very much, that she wasn't going where swimsuits could be used. It was instant tears. She kept repeating, muffled by her knuckle in her mouth, "Swimsuit. Go." Knowing she was very tired I tried to get her to eat a bit, finally gave up and put her in bed. We went on with our afternoon plans. The kids headed off to the creek, and I started in on laundry, dishes, and my to do list.

An hour an a half later while I'm hanging clothes on the line I hear Vivian crying. Crying when she first wakes up really isn't that unusual and I didn't think much of it. Sometimes when she wakes up crying playing peek-a-boo with her at the door helps lighten her mood. I went in the house, and cracked open her door, ready to play peek-a-boo. As soon as she saw my face, "Swimsuit. Go," and a fresh burst of tears.

It took me almost 15 minutes to calm her down. She ate a little more lunch, and I hoped that she would be over it. That hope was quickly diminished. About every twenty minutes she asks me, "Swimsuit. Go?" Or she may ask, "Boy, girl, where? Swimsuit?"

You might say she is determined.....

It is Friday? What! It is July?!

How can it be Friday already? The three oldest have been with Grandma and Grandpa all week. The traveled to Tennessee to visit with family there. Though I do miss the kids, my nice quiet week has gone so fast. We had company Wednesday. A friend came over to help can some green beans, and Tim's dad, Jim, came for the night from Virginia. Other than that there was not a lot of scheduled activity this week, so you'd think I would have a lot done. Well, it didn't happen, and the kids will be back tomorrow.

It isn't only the week that has gone fast, but the whole month; make that the whole summer. I think every week since the middle of May we have either been getting ready for an event, participating in it, or recovering from it. There has been no normal, no routine, and a quick glance through the calendar shows July to be just a busy. I've even said no to several things, even things that I really wanted to do or thought the kids would enjoy for the simple fact that I need some white space on my calendar. Even so life is so busy.

Around the homestead the garden is doing well overall. All the baby animals are doing well, and Kellen will soon need to pick rabbits for the fair at the end of July. We took the first livestock to the butcher. Next week we will have lamb in the freezer. Tim has butchered the chickens, rabbits, and the deer, but we decide the price was right just have the butcher do the work for the goat. We will probably continue to butcher our own small animals, but the large ones we'll send out. Now I need to learn how to cook lamb. Always something to do! :)

VBS Finale

Last week the kids attended VBS at our church. The theme for the week was Son Country Fair. The kids had a great time learning about the Fruit of the Spirit, playing games and making crafts. It is always interesting sending them to any place where they will be doing crafts because you end up with quadruple of everything. It wasn't too bad though because they made some great crafts. One night they made cookie mix in a jar, another they made fleece tie pillows, and another project was painting bird houses. All I have to say about the bird houses is the birds around here will have some interesting homes to live in if all the color doesn't scare them away.

Sunday was the finale. The kids (with much help from some teens and adults) put on a little program with skits and songs. It was pretty funny. Below is the first song all the kids participated in. For some, I use "participated" very loosely. Apologies for the sideways camera work. Not sure what I was thinking. Maybe I was laughing too hard to think.

Knee High By the Fourth of July?

No Problem!


Wordless Wednesday

Before I Forget. . .

While washing dishes this evening, I realized that I had forgotten to share two memorable stories from our trip. Since this blog serves mostly as my journal/scrapbook, I must share them now. I would hate to forget them.

The first story happened on the way there. It was not at all funny at the time. Well I'm still not laughing, but shaking my head. It is one that I need to remember though. One to share with Nolan when he is a parent and complains that his children make him crazy.

One of our numerous stops along the way was at a little gas station. As with many of our stops it was a little chaotic trying to get six kids and four adults through the bathrooms, fill up with gas, and get any other needed items taken care of. As we were getting ready to leave the store, I noticed Nolan was not with me. He was not with Tim. He was not with my parents. He was not with any of the older kids.

I called him several times. There was no response. I went outside. I didn't see him. I looked in our car. Nope not there either. The panic was about to set in. I started toward my parents van when my dad informs me that their vehicle is locked. Where is he? I don't know whether to be angry or scared. I was a little of both.

Suddenly Nolan appears, seemingly out of nowhere. He has a huge grin on his face. (Not for long.) He had crawled into the hatch of our car. It was filled to the top with sleeping bags and duffel bags. He was hiding up there. I didn't see him at first glance because he was covered in luggage.

This is my life with Nolan. Always interesting, often challenging, and sometimes scary. In fact, I have a whole post brewing in my head about this kid, but that is for another time.

The second story I can't really tell. Sorry, but the main character wants to be anonymous. Let's remember it as a lesson learned. The lesson: while camping never wait to go to the bathroom. If you wait something funny might happen that would cause you to choke on your meal. Choking may cause you to cough uncontrollably. The coughing may cause you to lose control of your very full bladder. You may need to change your pants. You've been warned.

Look what I found....

when I came home from vacation.



Isn't she pretty!

And....



There are eight ducklings there if you can't tell. Do you know how hard it is to get eight ducklings to stay still for a photo? Sheesh!

Wordless Wednesday

Forget the Outer Banks

We have vacationed in North Carolina several times. Each time our trip has taken us to the beaches of the Outer Banks. Don't get me wrong, I love the Outer Banks, but I have a new love in North Carolina; the mountains.

We stayed in Asheville, but ventured down to Brevard a couple of days. Much of the area is National Forests, and there are dozens of waterfalls there. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. After all, a waterfall can be anything from the trickle in the creek on our property to Niagara Falls right?


We only made it to two falls, but they were breathtaking. Not only were they beautiful, but they were fun too. The first one really wasn't safe to swim at, but the second one had a nice pool and gentle current at the bottom. We played there for quite some time.

We also went to a place they call Sliding Rock. It is called that because you literally can slide down the rock like a water slide. The water was cold, but the older kids especially had a fantastic time.


We also spent a lot of time at the lake where we camped. Papaw, Mamaw, Ashley, Miles, Kellen and Lydia spent a day at Biltmore while Tim and I took the little kids into Asheville. We road bikes and had campfires. It was a wonderful time.

We traveled the Blue Ridge Parkway. The views from there are spectacular and there are many places to stop along the way. We enjoyed the road, but traveling that route along with several unexpected delays on the interstate about doubled our travel time on the way home. As Delilah would say, that is the Miller Way....

It was a great vacation and there are many more places in those mountains I'd like to see. So, though the Outer Banks is enjoyable, I do believe that I've been taken by the mountains. Bonus! They are closer to home anyway!

See ya!

We are off for a week of camping in the mountains! Details and pictures later! :)

Doesn't Anyone Want to Play?

Wordless Wednesday

One Fierce Momma

Our momma hen, Henrietta, has become downright feisty. She wasn't this way the first time she hatched chicks. She lets nothing anywhere near her chicks, even if what is near is no threat to them or isn't even paying attention to them.

I guess I should be glad she is so protective, but the problem is her favorite daytime hang out is right at the bottom of our side steps. This is where we need to go to get feed for the animals. This is where we walk to go to the van. This is the door I use to go to the clothes line. I'm fine with leaving her alone to mother her babies, but she is making it downright difficult for us to stay out of her way.

She has come after me a couple times, but after a good kick she leaves me alone now. She won't let the dog within five feet of her. I've seen her cross about that space to come after him, and he was just standing by me. He usually just walks away from her. Today he walked by her and she nailed him in the ribs with both claws. He let out a yelp and then growled at her. I hope that is enough to make her back off. Pac is good with the animals, but he is a dog after all.

The one that she has completely intimidated is Nolan. I have never seen Nolan chase after the chicks or try to catch them, though it wouldn't surprise me if he had, but she has come after him several times. She hasn't really hurt him, but man he is scared of that little chicken. If he even sees her he freezes and refuses to walk that direction. Before he goes outside he stops at the door and asks, "Is Henrietta out there?" Poor Nolan he may be tough in a lot of ways, but he is no match for a fierce momma hen.

Now that we've met. . .

Meeting Martha and having her here for a few days was an incredible experience. She just fit in the family. She is one of us. She said it best when she said she felt like she was just coming home for a visit from college and the family had moved. She knew the people and felt at home with them, but just had to get to know the new house. Many have commented on how much we look alike, but it goes beyond that. I think Martha and I think a lot alike. It was very comfortable. It was amazing.

I never really thought about how things would be after we met. I did think about things like how often would see each other, would she join us for the holidays and things like that, but I never thought about how I would feel. It has been over a week now since she left, and I am surprised at some of the emotions there now that the initial thrill and bustle of activity are done.

I think I expected meeting her to bring more closure to the situation. Certainly in some ways there is closure. There is no more wondering if she had anger toward me about the adoption. Knowing that she had a childhood filled with love and a solid upbringing, silences any nagging doubts. The surprise is the nagging ache still in my heart.

Yes, there is happiness that she is part of our family now. Yes, there is reassurance because she had a happy childhood, but the ache of loss still remains. Martha is an adult. She calls me mom, but those precious years of her childhood belong to her other mom. She has a whole life that I am not a part of. This sounds ridiculous as I type it, but it is what I'm feeling.

I guess in some ways this must be what feels like when the child you raised leaves home, and you are no longer a part of their everyday. I never had those everydays with Martha and I think that is what I am now mourning.

I didn't see this coming. I'm not exactly sure what to do with the feeling of loss except to give it to the Lord, again, be thankful that those days of Martha's childhood were spent with a mother who cherishes them, cherish the everydays I have with my other children, and look forward to the days I do have with Martha.

Another Birthday, Another Blog

Happy Birthday today to Delilah. This picture was taken last weekend at the Vandalia Gathering. That is her middle child, Elise, with her. Her oldest, Jude, and Elise have been staying with Papaw and Mamaw this week. For Delilah's birthday we are sending them back! LOL! They have had a lot of fun, but it has just been long enough that the cousins are starting to get on each other's nerves.

And I have a new blog for you to check out, The Kirk Chronicles. This blog is written by Sarah and Tim. Sarah and I were good friends in high school. We've lost touch over the years, and it is wonderful to get to know her again through her blog.

New Chicks

I don't think I will ever tire of baby animals here at the farm. These started hatching yesterday.

Wordless Wednesday