tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71614157865519689102011-08-15T16:19:49.543-06:00"How can it be a large career to tell other people’s children about the Rule of Three, and a small career to tell one’s own children about the universe? How can it be broad to be the same thing to everyone and narrow to be everything to someone? No, a woman’s function is laborious, but because it is gigantic, not because it is minute." ~ G.K. ChestertonDeborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.comBlogger441100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-29864677018657118832010-10-26T11:28:00.001-06:002010-10-26T11:31:18.225-06:00<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TMcP_qj3bJI/AAAAAAAABxA/yyOmOxv55Ds/s1600/075.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532408253678840978" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TMcP_qj3bJI/AAAAAAAABxA/yyOmOxv55Ds/s400/075.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> A boy and his dog. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">A boy and his very tolerant dog.</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-2986467701865711883?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-33761469665352135542010-10-26T10:51:00.005-06:002010-10-26T11:28:38.141-06:00Patrick has a co-worker who says, "I'm not Catholic, but I do believe in purgatory. It's called Chuck E. Cheese." Well, we celebrated Caleb's birthday in purgatory! (Thanks to Aunt Jenn who gave us a gift certificate last Christmas.) But it was an evening to celebrate Caleb and he had a blast! The grown ups ended up having fun too. <div></div><div><div><div><div><div><div> </div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TMcKhOZQXhI/AAAAAAAABw4/GHim0kzbRWE/s1600/046.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 286px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532402233163931154" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TMcKhOZQXhI/AAAAAAAABw4/GHim0kzbRWE/s400/046.JPG" /></a>I do believe this is the first picture of all six of us! Looking sane and happy <em>before</em> we hit the games. <br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TMcKXfW35SI/AAAAAAAABww/epPus4l89l8/s1600/064.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532402065918649634" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TMcKXfW35SI/AAAAAAAABww/epPus4l89l8/s400/064.JPG" /></a></div>Caleb's in the tube.</div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TMcKXfW35SI/AAAAAAAABww/epPus4l89l8/s1600/064.JPG"></a> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TMcKW_ZORSI/AAAAAAAABwo/YfEdM_jJ4jg/s1600/061.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532402057338570018" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TMcKW_ZORSI/AAAAAAAABwo/YfEdM_jJ4jg/s400/061.JPG" /></a></div>At the Whack-A-Shark game. We adults quickly figured out this was an easy game for us to get a lot of tickets from so we shoved the kids out of the way and took a turn!</div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TMcKW_ZORSI/AAAAAAAABwo/YfEdM_jJ4jg/s1600/061.JPG"></a> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TMcKW_ZORSI/AAAAAAAABwo/YfEdM_jJ4jg/s1600/061.JPG"></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TMcKWn-tPmI/AAAAAAAABwg/D5iP3ZiIRsM/s1600/056.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532402051053338210" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TMcKWn-tPmI/AAAAAAAABwg/D5iP3ZiIRsM/s400/056.JPG" /></a></div>The boys on the 4-Wheeler.</div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TMcKWn-tPmI/AAAAAAAABwg/D5iP3ZiIRsM/s1600/056.JPG"></a> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TMcKWn-tPmI/AAAAAAAABwg/D5iP3ZiIRsM/s1600/056.JPG"></a></div><div></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TMcJ3viFglI/AAAAAAAABwY/kyhlL9vL2xw/s1600/097.JPG"></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TMcJ20VzozI/AAAAAAAABwQ/7qtademg8UE/s1600/091.JPG"></a></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TMcJ2u4xEoI/AAAAAAAABwI/PPzGbtlj77U/s1600/084.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 285px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532401503151657602" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TMcJ2u4xEoI/AAAAAAAABwI/PPzGbtlj77U/s400/084.JPG" /></a></div>Then home to open presents. Is it bad that I quick put some in the closet to bring out on a rainy day? He hasn't asked where they are yet...</div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TMcJ2u4xEoI/AAAAAAAABwI/PPzGbtlj77U/s1600/084.JPG"></a> </div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TMcJ2u4xEoI/AAAAAAAABwI/PPzGbtlj77U/s1600/084.JPG"></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TMcJ3viFglI/AAAAAAAABwY/kyhlL9vL2xw/s1600/097.JPG"></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TMcJ2u4xEoI/AAAAAAAABwI/PPzGbtlj77U/s1600/084.JPG"></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TMcJ20VzozI/AAAAAAAABwQ/7qtademg8UE/s1600/091.JPG"></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TMcJ2u4xEoI/AAAAAAAABwI/PPzGbtlj77U/s1600/084.JPG"></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TMcJ20VzozI/AAAAAAAABwQ/7qtademg8UE/s1600/091.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532401504615637810" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TMcJ20VzozI/AAAAAAAABwQ/7qtademg8UE/s400/091.JPG" /></a></div>If you spend much time with Caleb you will soon realize he has quite a love for bugs, especially beetles. The following picture will show you what he thought about the gift we gave him, a book called<em> An <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Inordinate</span> Fondness for Beetles</em>. It's not a kids book. It's written for someone with a biology degree... or a degree in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">coleopteriology</span>? but it has tons of pictures and he squealed with delight over it. And he takes it to bed with him. </div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TMcJ20VzozI/AAAAAAAABwQ/7qtademg8UE/s1600/091.JPG"></a> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TMcJ3viFglI/AAAAAAAABwY/kyhlL9vL2xw/s1600/097.JPG"></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TMcJ3viFglI/AAAAAAAABwY/kyhlL9vL2xw/s1600/097.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532401520504832594" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TMcJ3viFglI/AAAAAAAABwY/kyhlL9vL2xw/s400/097.JPG" /></a></div>We have a saying in our house, "There's <em>only one Caleb</em>." He bring so much delight to our family with is quirky ways. One example is when we started to sing "Happy Birthday" to him he quickly started waving his hand around and asked us to stop. So we stopped and he <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">proceeded</span> to sing "Happy Birthday" to himself.</div><div></div><div><em></em> </div><div><em>There's only one</em>...</div><div></div><div> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">We are so blessed to have this precious boy in our family!</span></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TMcJ3viFglI/AAAAAAAABwY/kyhlL9vL2xw/s1600/097.JPG"></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-3376146966535213554?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-23122187534082529752010-10-20T10:38:00.004-06:002010-10-20T10:55:16.066-06:00<div align="left">We spent the first week of September at my parent's home in northern Idaho. One of the exciting things about going to the Silver Valley is you get to visit <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Walmart</span> a lot. Why? Well, there's really nothing else to do there. So while wandering the aisles of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Walmart</span> (<em>without</em> children which is a break in and of itself!) I found some <span style="font-size:130%;">$1 Glow Sticks</span>.<br /></div><div align="center"><br /> </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 285px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530170293533712914" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TL8clPV-ohI/AAAAAAAABvY/FHZBp-mk_Yg/s400/011.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530170154418063570" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TL8cdJGOSNI/AAAAAAAABvQ/6ZvMmCZTbLY/s400/024.JPG" /> <p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Mama's swing</span> hanging from a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">crab apple</span> tree.</p><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 285px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530170132190451986" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TL8cb2Sv2RI/AAAAAAAABvA/bKczmkuXAY0/s400/018.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530170120346384578" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TL8cbKK5uMI/AAAAAAAABuw/Bx25ncSKdjo/s400/012.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530170122178832786" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TL8cbQ_yqZI/AAAAAAAABu4/5yfmmFdcwUc/s400/015.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530170139107117090" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TL8ccQDzyCI/AAAAAAAABvI/q4Ow0ZB7Jwo/s400/021.JPG" /></p><br /><div align="left">Daniel's<span style="font-size:130%;"> lifelong dream</span> of fishing came true. He talked for days that even though he didn't catch anything, he <span style="font-size:130%;">got a nibble and that was SO COOL</span>!</div><div align="left"><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530169678861271618" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TL8cBdgpgkI/AAAAAAAABuQ/m6p7BdpK7Ro/s400/027.JPG" /></div><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 285px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530169685835470034" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TL8cB3fbVNI/AAAAAAAABuY/3qmfiRq2Ruo/s400/029.JPG" /></p><p>Another great find while wandering the aisles of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Walmart</span>: I found these GIANT marshmallows, seriously the size of my fist.</p><p> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530169712122110418" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TL8cDZapodI/AAAAAAAABuo/kQ8VJFcM6BI/s400/035.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530169704666270290" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TL8cC9pCilI/AAAAAAAABug/MuCUb8B1XXs/s400/032.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530169664958628210" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TL8cApuAAXI/AAAAAAAABuI/H8QMLb_xOQE/s400/037.JPG" /><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-2312218753408252975?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-18212096468270498182010-10-16T20:46:00.004-06:002010-10-16T21:19:04.098-06:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLplc5MGvDI/AAAAAAAABtI/SSr0ypi_d9U/s1600/048.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 286px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528843039613041714" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLplc5MGvDI/AAAAAAAABtI/SSr0ypi_d9U/s400/048.JPG" /></a><br /><div> </div><div>During the four Falls we have lived in Colorado, we've never gone up to the mountains to see the aspen trees change color until just a few weeks ago. Apparently, we went during their peak because everyone else in Colorado had headed to the mountains as well and traffic was horrendous!</div><div> </div><div>But we had a wonderful time hiking at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kenosha</span> Pass on the Colorado Trail.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLpldPBazUI/AAAAAAAABtQ/W9TlticepKA/s1600/049.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528843045473799490" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLpldPBazUI/AAAAAAAABtQ/W9TlticepKA/s400/049.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>We walked in the open awhile and enjoyed really nice views of the South Park Valley.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLplcSMBfQI/AAAAAAAABtA/KPz2QWemj6o/s1600/043.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528843029143715074" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLplcSMBfQI/AAAAAAAABtA/KPz2QWemj6o/s400/043.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Daniel and Caleb are turning into great hikers. They can go several miles now and do more difficult terrain, which means hiking is more fun for Mommy and Daddy!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLplcIozmRI/AAAAAAAABs4/CGmC40AhdFk/s1600/042.JPG"></a> </div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLplcIozmRI/AAAAAAAABs4/CGmC40AhdFk/s1600/042.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528843026580085010" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLplcIozmRI/AAAAAAAABs4/CGmC40AhdFk/s400/042.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>The bright, yellow aspens surrounded by the pines.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLplcIozmRI/AAAAAAAABs4/CGmC40AhdFk/s1600/042.JPG"></a> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLplcIozmRI/AAAAAAAABs4/CGmC40AhdFk/s1600/042.JPG"></a> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLpkM473RzI/AAAAAAAABsI/1V571nLyS4c/s1600/068.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 266px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528841665155385138" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLpkM473RzI/AAAAAAAABsI/1V571nLyS4c/s400/068.JPG" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLplcIozmRI/AAAAAAAABs4/CGmC40AhdFk/s1600/042.JPG"></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>We entered an aspen grove that had to be one of the prettiest places we've seen!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLpkMUp0XFI/AAAAAAAABsA/xa6nvH4fkh0/s1600/067.JPG"></a> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLpkMUp0XFI/AAAAAAAABsA/xa6nvH4fkh0/s1600/067.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 286px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528841655416020050" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLpkMUp0XFI/AAAAAAAABsA/xa6nvH4fkh0/s400/067.JPG" /></a></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLpkMUp0XFI/AAAAAAAABsA/xa6nvH4fkh0/s1600/067.JPG"></a> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLpmRIAt34I/AAAAAAAABt4/9yVWO8LQHEs/s1600/058.JPG"></a> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLpmQNB6HRI/AAAAAAAABto/I8IFfv8RLzg/s1600/055.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 286px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528843921112309010" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLpmQNB6HRI/AAAAAAAABto/I8IFfv8RLzg/s400/055.JPG" /></a></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLpmQNB6HRI/AAAAAAAABto/I8IFfv8RLzg/s1600/055.JPG"></a> </div><div> </div><div>Could this be Frost's yellow wood?</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLpmQisjsnI/AAAAAAAABtw/mUSRbq77WNE/s1600/056.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528843926928339570" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLpmQisjsnI/AAAAAAAABtw/mUSRbq77WNE/s400/056.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLpmRIAt34I/AAAAAAAABt4/9yVWO8LQHEs/s1600/058.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528843936945004418" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLpmRIAt34I/AAAAAAAABt4/9yVWO8LQHEs/s400/058.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLpmRIAt34I/AAAAAAAABt4/9yVWO8LQHEs/s1600/058.JPG"></a> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLpldZVLliI/AAAAAAAABtY/cRD057YDKxU/s1600/050.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 285px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528843048241042978" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLpldZVLliI/AAAAAAAABtY/cRD057YDKxU/s400/050.JPG" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><div><div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div><div> </div><div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLpkLgwOEmI/AAAAAAAABro/u17Kj1OkTg0/s1600/063.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528841641484227170" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLpkLgwOEmI/AAAAAAAABro/u17Kj1OkTg0/s400/063.JPG" /></a><br /><br />This is the only time anyone looked happy sitting here. The bugs started to swarm. Poor Eli got stung on the face so it was time to leave!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLpkMCr_05I/AAAAAAAABr4/2abIegJEIzI/s1600/066_1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 266px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528841650593321874" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLpkMCr_05I/AAAAAAAABr4/2abIegJEIzI/s400/066_1.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Before the sting and still <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">relatively</span> happy.<br /><br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLpkMCr_05I/AAAAAAAABr4/2abIegJEIzI/s1600/066_1.jpg"></a> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLpkMCr_05I/AAAAAAAABr4/2abIegJEIzI/s1600/066_1.jpg"></a> </div><div> </div><div><br /><br /> </div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLpkL4_Zz7I/AAAAAAAABrw/f6Sao7GEMuM/s1600/064.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528841647990362034" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLpkL4_Zz7I/AAAAAAAABrw/f6Sao7GEMuM/s400/064.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Nadya did go but she slept most of the hike in her Ergo. She was laying on the ground until I realized how many bugs were around!<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLpmRdgj_tI/AAAAAAAABuA/NVnD988RNr0/s1600/060.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528843942715719378" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLpmRdgj_tI/AAAAAAAABuA/NVnD988RNr0/s400/060.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-1821209646827049818?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-9350226391296021522010-10-15T10:26:00.002-06:002010-10-15T10:35:22.596-06:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLiCK5aYqzI/AAAAAAAABq4/EuvxVRuoRKQ/s1600/HPIM3268.JPG"></a>Can you guess who's who?<br /><br />Okay, so the baby with strawberries on her onesie is a give-a-way!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLiCKgsz03I/AAAAAAAABqw/sJNIZCQGg0E/s1600/HPIM0122.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 301px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528311659685466994" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLiCKgsz03I/AAAAAAAABqw/sJNIZCQGg0E/s400/HPIM0122.JPG" /></a><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528311651419133538" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLiCKB59lmI/AAAAAAAABqo/DhvDYQJeoUk/s400/Christmas+2006+041.jpg" /> <div> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528311648413461634" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLiCJ2tWrII/AAAAAAAABqg/CWxjsRSrmJs/s400/n832899605_1005590_9408.jpg" /></div><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528311645390881938" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TLiCJrctxJI/AAAAAAAABqY/XBQsyIffh20/s400/IMG_2293_1.jpg" /><br /><div> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-935022639129602152?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-54006206571535780612010-10-06T15:19:00.004-06:002010-10-06T15:30:08.910-06:00This is why I don't blog more often! Or send my mom more pictures!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">I canNOT get all three to give me a pose at the same time.</div><br /><br /><div align="center">And it just gets harder with each kid we have.</div><br /><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525046684901946258" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TKzor90Hs5I/AAAAAAAABpo/5h33LGM4780/s400/048.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525046677546512546" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TKzoriacsKI/AAAAAAAABpg/eXv9gYJOkzI/s400/049.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525046669417332786" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TKzorEITQDI/AAAAAAAABpY/L-2BeIGyxvw/s400/050.JPG" />The <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;">one</span> </span>good shot is of their backsides....<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 309px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525046692002381778" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TKzosYQ_v9I/AAAAAAAABpw/LNVe_kTmoc0/s400/047.JPG" /><br />A little time spent editting and we have three cute, black-n-white bums.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525047729506453426" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TKzpoxRPh7I/AAAAAAAABp4/nY7nKsRVn98/s400/0471.JPG" />I'll just say I <em><span style="font-size:130%;">meant</span> </em>to capture this pose.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div> </div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-5400620657153578061?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-90929036500706963522010-10-06T15:14:00.002-06:002010-10-06T15:19:10.775-06:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TKzm5TLpJBI/AAAAAAAABpQ/A7-rP9MesSc/s1600/037.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 327px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525044714952795154" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TKzm5TLpJBI/AAAAAAAABpQ/A7-rP9MesSc/s400/037.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-9092903650070696352?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-64243758590823971722010-10-06T15:05:00.003-06:002010-10-06T15:12:27.222-06:00<div align="center">I always have. They remind me that God is the creator of funny things.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 289px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525042518261847874" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TKzk5b3tV0I/AAAAAAAABpI/TuplPKrMim8/s400/023.JPG" /> <p align="center">If you're ever having a bad day, just look at a giraffe.</p><p align="center">You can't help but SMILE!</p><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525042494731824370" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TKzk4ENtrPI/AAAAAAAABow/n2aqYodLcEc/s400/015.JPG" /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 308px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525042508724376066" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TKzk44VzEgI/AAAAAAAABpA/f1WFxYD_ksk/s400/021.JPG" /> <p align="center">And one of the reasons we love the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs?</p><p align="center">You get to feed and pet the giraffes!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 390px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525042504072082082" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TKzk4nAmsqI/AAAAAAAABo4/SEy-awyE18E/s400/020.JPG" /></p><div align="center"> And look into their beautiful, brown eyes.<br /><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-6424375859082397172?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-64718822768635447002010-10-06T15:03:00.001-06:002010-10-06T15:05:02.788-06:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TKzkYdMVflI/AAAAAAAABoo/dGrp9Gb7Lew/s1600/010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525041951681117778" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TKzkYdMVflI/AAAAAAAABoo/dGrp9Gb7Lew/s400/010.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-6471882276863544700?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-25049516602424720732010-10-06T15:02:00.002-06:002010-10-06T15:03:31.711-06:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TKzkBlXKr1I/AAAAAAAABog/wDOdC8fMUd0/s1600/013.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525041558737039186" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TKzkBlXKr1I/AAAAAAAABog/wDOdC8fMUd0/s400/013.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-2504951660242472073?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-56861253241306142202010-08-31T22:40:00.003-06:002010-08-31T22:44:57.596-06:00I want to ask anyone that reads this post to please follow the link:<br /><br /><a href="http://joshuajoelhunter.blogspot.com/">http://joshuajoelhunter.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br />Ava Hunter is the granddaughter of the senior pastor of the church Patrick and I went to for over ten years in Orlando. The blog is written by Ava's dad, Josh. Ava was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer just 10 weeks ago. The family thought they would have 12-18 months with their daughter, but it now looks like without a miracle, Ava's time here on earth will be much shorter.<br /><br />Obviously, the Hunters want as many people praying for Ava as possible so I'd love for you to pray for her if you feel led. But I also think you will be touched and encouraged by this father's willingness to leave his child in the hands of God.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-5686125324130614220?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-70022730683809830152010-08-28T14:05:00.005-06:002010-09-01T16:11:25.980-06:00<div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Since we're really trying to get into this whole "country" thing, we thought we should </span><span style="font-family:verdana;">make an appearance at the county fair.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;">It wasn't a county fair in the sense there were lots of clowns and rides. It was free and mostly a chance for 4H kids to show off what they'd been up to all year. Several kids from our church were showing their bunnies, chickens and goats. We even got to see one girl who we love dearly participate in a horse show. </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;">The boys loved it. There's no such thing as too many smelly farm animals for them.</span></div><div align="left"><br /></div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Waiting for Miss Brianna to enter the ring on "Blue."<br /></span><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512047128195861202" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TH65qLVTitI/AAAAAAAABnY/PXprQp7DmyY/s400/IMG_2144.JPG" /><br /></span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /><p align="left">The boys liked the goats the best. And Caleb will use any reason to make a funny face. Or maybe he's commenting on the stink.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512047814931177746" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TH66SJnw4RI/AAAAAAAABoI/yo0VSK2yIDs/s400/IMG_2162.JPG" /></span></p><div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;">The boys got to pet a few bunnies. I felt guilty about all the bunny shooting at our house. But Patrick reminded me that what we really have around our house are rodents, not the cute, fluffy, floppy-eared pets that were at the fair.</span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512047811797942018" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TH66R98vfwI/AAAAAAAABoA/BjdeUAdNJM8/s400/IMG_2160.JPG" /></div><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;">This is Hanna. </span><span style="font-family:verdana;">She and Eli have a love connection. We would like to adopt Hanna but her parents told us no. Her bunny, Buckwheat, won Grand Champion and she gets to take him to State.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512047148224363618" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TH65rV8ePGI/AAAAAAAABnw/DsNBcuWtT2E/s400/IMG_2153.JPG" /></p><p align="left"> </p><p align="left">Daniel's little, best friend is Emma (Hanna's sister). These two are inseparable when they get together!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512047136264648162" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TH65qpZDdeI/AAAAAAAABng/2lKlOPBC1-Y/s400/IMG_2148.JPG" /></p><p align="left"><br /></p><p align="left">And finally, after a very, very, very hot day, we got to drink s<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">lurpees</span> under the shade of the grandstand and watch the horse show.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512047141191002594" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TH65q7vlqeI/AAAAAAAABno/pOSpwcWP8Nk/s400/IMG_2149.JPG" /></p><p align="center"></span> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-7002273068380983015?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-47036488248666970912010-08-24T16:14:00.002-06:002010-08-24T16:51:15.469-06:00<span style="font-family:verdana;">Lest we forget there are other members of this family beside Nadya... Patrick had a birthday recently! Turned 40<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">ish</span>. Plus a few.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">A couple months ago Patrick announced he had bought a ticket to see RUSH at Red Rocks and was going with a friend. (I know that might sound weird to some. My husband buying a ticket to a concert and not even asking me to go. But my tolerance for RUSH is 2.5 songs and then I ask if he can switch to something else.)</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I noticed the date of the concert fell on August 18 (his birthday) and my thought was, "How convenient. Happy Birthday, Babe!" So that was my gift to him this year.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509103885863675970" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/THREy7Og6EI/AAAAAAAABnA/k2i7v_QNB-0/s400/001.JPG" /></span></p><div align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;">He got this crazy spotlight from his parents. </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Patrick's comment, "This is going to great for bunny hunting at night!" </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Later he asked me if I thought Daniel could hold the light while he took aim.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">NO! </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Bunny Killer.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Patrick's birthdays tend for follow a theme. He gets a lot of golf related <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">paraphernalia</span>. This year he scored!</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> </span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509103928645743730" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/THRE1amjdHI/AAAAAAAABnQ/7I0Kf-jTkOQ/s400/008.JPG" /></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Hat and the <em>best-kind-of</em> golf balls from his Atticus co-workers.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Golf shirt and sweater vest from his brother and sis-in-law. Perfect for Fall golfing in Colorado!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">And the boys got him an hour lesson with a golf pro. Not that I (or the boys) think Patrick needs to take a lesson, but he's been saying for awhile that he needs to "tweek" a few things. I know he hasn't done it though because he doesn't want to spend money we might need somewhere else or take time away from our family. But we thought he deserved a little "Me Time."</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Happy Birthday, Babe! I'm glad you were born!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-4703648824866697091?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-77966330263318435742010-08-16T19:11:00.004-06:002010-08-16T22:13:07.952-06:00<div align="left">It appears the Plagues have visited central Colorado this year. We've had more <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">mosquitoes</span>, crickets and grasshoppers than I have ever seen hanging around this summer. And then today -- we have frogs! I was actually picking up a grasshopper that found his way into my kitchen with a tissue (I hate when they kick inside your hand) when Caleb ran in to tell me they had dug up a ton of frogs!</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">And sure enough, they were all carrying around several quarter sized frogs in their boxes. Well, frogs I can handle. These little ones are <em>sort of</em> cute. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">As long as the boys keep them <em>outside</em>.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506180830837896722" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TGniSusodhI/AAAAAAAABmg/UyZlxEX0N0A/s400/001.JPG" /></div><div align="center">Daniel showing Eli the frogs in his box. I'm not sure what Caleb was trying to tell me.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506180853556299682" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TGniUDVHx6I/AAAAAAAABm4/D1KQhF5SOAc/s400/006.JPG" />Eli had a difficult time catching a frog of his own so Caleb kindly shared.<br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506180845810702946" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TGniTmebWmI/AAAAAAAABmw/fu0lNY2AgGQ/s400/005.JPG" /><br /><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506180838601685522" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TGniTLnqehI/AAAAAAAABmo/btETVa5LFXs/s400/002.JPG" />Not sure how much squishing these frogs can take. Remember my post last summer about Caleb's earthworms? Hopefully, these frogs have a better fate and don't end up down the garbage disposal.<br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-7796633026331843574?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-76026926813514407102010-08-10T09:53:00.006-06:002010-08-10T11:10:15.025-06:00<span style="font-family:verdana;">Let's count the number of months we've been in our new home... 1, 2, 3... <strong>8 months!</strong> And I just got around to putting the first decoration on the bland, beige walls. It's actually not even hung yet. It's more <em>propped up</em> against the wall.</span><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;">But I have a good excuse. I was <strong>pregnant</strong>! And <strong>tired</strong>! And <strong>sick</strong>! Besides, my philosophy is that you should mull things over for a bit in your new home so you know what you <em>really</em> want to do with it. This might take a few months. It might take a few years... </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;">My biggest challenge has also been what to do with this fireplace mantle:</span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503822271651605762" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TGGBMhCtbQI/AAAAAAAABmY/416fUNyPIJ0/s400/003.JPG" /></p><span style="font-family:verdana;">I love that it is simple, not too ornate, but what in the world am I supposed to hang up there? It's blank and beige. It's big. It has this weird shape. I felt like once I figured out what to do there, the rest of the room would come together.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Most people have suggested a large, family portrait. </span><span style="font-family:verdana;">As much as I love my family, think my husband is handsome and my kids are adorable, I just don't like the idea of having a blown up shot of all our heads being the focal point of the room.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Some sort of artwork? We're not that artsy.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">But as I wandered the aisles of Hobby Lobby this week I found what I thought would be the perfect <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">piece</span>. And it was big enough to fill the space! And incorporated our family without being overwhelmingly<strong> FAMILY</strong>. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503810177949367682" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TGF2MkfZ_YI/AAAAAAAABmI/TZcLVwffwDo/s400/001.JPG" /></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Even Patrick, who could care less about the decor of the house, says it's perfect. Now to just get pictures of <em>us</em> put in it. I quickly stuck in some pictures of Daniel and Caleb, but the top row is of people much better looking than us! And it will eventually get hung in the middle, not propped.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503810186682030178" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TGF2NFBb2GI/AAAAAAAABmQ/LMT_JFOkJgs/s400/002.JPG" /></span><br /><p><span style="font-family:verdana;">At least I feel the creative juices flowing again. It might be because I finally figured out what to do with that mantle. It could also be that I watch about two hours of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">HGTV</span> daily while I'm nursing Nadya. Whatever it is, maybe the next time you come over we'll have a picture frame here, a shelf there, some splashes of color.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;">Maybe I can even talk Patrick into letting me buy a rug! </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-7602692681351440710?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-45204914401556592692010-08-03T09:48:00.005-06:002010-08-03T10:20:13.143-06:00<span style="font-family:verdana;">I was sitting on the couch yesterday, blissfully awestruck by sweet Nadya's sweet face (I'm so in love with her) and had a very guilty feeling come over me about all the other things I <em>should</em> be doing. I <em>should</em> be folding laundry. I <em>should</em> be cooking dinner. Actually, what was I going to cook for dinner since I <em>should</em> have gone to the store earlier in the day? The dust on the TV stand is about an inch thick. The dog needs a bath. But... I can't pull myself away from this little person who has entered my life and grabbed my heart.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Not that this hasn't happened before. It's happened three other times. This little creature that can't do a single thing for itself shows up and has the ability to make me go all goo-goo and forget about the rest of the world... for a few months at least.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I know the day will come when she no longer gazes wide-eyed with wonderment at me. She'll stop grinning from ear to ear whenever I show up in her field of vision. She'll eventually look to something other than me for nourishment. She'll insist on holding that spoon herself.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I know this to be <em>oh, so true</em> because I have three other babies that grew up too fast. The day will come when she gets her hand swatted for the first time and I'll get teary-eyed because it will mark the start of the end of her <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">innocence</span>.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">So for right now, I'm okay with letting the house be a bit messy, the meals I cook being subpar and rummaging through baskets of washed but not folded, wrinkly laundry for something to wear. I'm going to sit for awhile and enjoy being in love. All the stuff I <em>should</em> do will still be there waiting the day she jumps off my lap and walks away...</span><br /><br /><br /><br />"Poem for a New Baby"<br />by Ruth Hamilton<br /><br />Mother, oh Mother, come shake out your cloth,<br />Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,<br />Hang out the washing and butter the bread,<br />Sew on a button and make up a bed.<br /><br />Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?<br />She's up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.<br />Oh, I've grown shiftless as Little Boy Blue<br />Lullaby, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">rock-a-bye</span>, lullaby loo.<br /><br />Dishes are waiting and bills are past due.<br />Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo.<br />The shopping's not done and there's nothing for stew,<br />And out in the yard there's a hullabaloo!<br /><br />But I'm playing <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kanga</span><br />And this is my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Roo</span>.<br />Look! Aren't her eyes the most wonderful hue?<br />Lullaby, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">rock-a-bye</span>, lullaby loo.<br /><br />Cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow,<br />For babies grow up, as I've learned to my sorrow.<br />So quiet down, cobwebs, dust go to sleep.<br />I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-4520491440155659269?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-1867597869170272112010-07-31T22:35:00.005-06:002010-08-03T09:47:46.905-06:00<div align="center">abound in our house.</div><div align="center"><br /> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TFg3i-pEbtI/AAAAAAAABl4/14R1pw8FVwE/s1600/005.JPG"></a> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501207440304938210" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TFg3BTMcnOI/AAAAAAAABlg/QNrcnsDoIhE/s400/008.JPG" />my 'goofy, yahoo, someone is paying attention to me' smile</div><div align="center"><br /> </div><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501207433236067634" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TFg3A43GNTI/AAAAAAAABlY/PsKXW7pO_cw/s400/009.JPG" />my 'aren't I just all sweetness?' smile</p><p align="center"> </p><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501207423630251714" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TFg3AVE5FsI/AAAAAAAABlQ/lmH9Q0SJDa0/s400/010.JPG" />I was ready to smile, but then Daddy walked by</div><div align="center">and I got distracted.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501207401828251074" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TFg2_D249cI/AAAAAAAABlA/a3U7zx37ylE/s400/012.JPG" />my 'I'm so excited I can hardly stand myself' smile<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-186759786917027211?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-28285126123352492722010-07-11T22:35:00.002-06:002010-07-11T22:41:19.742-06:00Many people have asked where the name "Nadya" came from. It's not a common name and also does not fit in with the pattern of Biblical names we've chosen for our boys.<br /><br />1) I've had that name picked out for a girl ever since I found out I was pregnant with Daniel!<br /><br />2) Nadya means Hope. Our prayer is our children will bring the eternal Hope of Christ to a lost and lonely world.<br /><br />3) She is named in honor of our dear Russian friends, Andre and Nadya Furmanov who tirelessly work to bring the Light of Jesus to their dark part of the world. Nadya Furmanov is one of the most beautiful, gracious and sweetly-Spirited woman we know. Our Nadya has a fine example of godly-womanhood in her.<br /><br />4) Nadya is given the middle name Ann in honor of Patrick's mother, Ann Wilson. She finally has her girl! :-)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-2828512612335249272?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-2701863371725432792010-07-11T22:26:00.002-06:002010-07-11T22:35:17.565-06:00<div align="left">A few more pictures taken of Nadya and the boys over the past three weeks. It's hard to believe she is three and a half weeks old already. It seems like she is growing up so fast and yet, it's already hard to imagine what life was like without her.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="center"> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492872039257476546" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TDqaBGieDcI/AAAAAAAABjg/CVw5Rl7xuCc/s400/024.JPG" /><br /></div><p align="center"> </p><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492872360210116770" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TDqaTyLisKI/AAAAAAAABkI/77MJm_2WjDI/s400/005.JPG" /><br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492872354426513394" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TDqaTcon5_I/AAAAAAAABkA/-bHKsshNk-A/s400/002.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492872067402997170" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TDqaCvY4nbI/AAAAAAAABj4/3nHXBysMNSQ/s400/045.JPG" /></p><p> </p><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492872057558711202" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TDqaCKt0u6I/AAAAAAAABjw/jPe-iPbzofw/s400/043.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /></p><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492872026679129138" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TDqaAXrjtDI/AAAAAAAABjY/xX9TsmYnFVw/s400/013.JPG" /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-270186337172543279?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-84488203673822508442010-07-01T11:49:00.003-06:002010-07-02T09:19:39.997-06:00<div align="center">The first photos of Nadya Ann Wilson</div><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488996783047446322" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TCzVfgLODzI/AAAAAAAABis/yPtsDuG4YoM/s400/001.JPG" /> <div align="center">born Thursday, June 17th at 1:33am</div><br /><div align="center">7 pounds 4 ounces</div><br /><div align="center">19 and 3/4 inches long</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488996793096972290" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TCzVgFnNqAI/AAAAAAAABi0/63PkfUuMYVQ/s400/003.JPG" /><br /><div align="center">Ooh, it's such a bright world!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488996809966921954" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TCzVhEdUqOI/AAAAAAAABjE/tdtrbajVZg8/s400/009.JPG" /><br /><div align="center">Daddy... falling in love again!</div><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488996819046582322" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TCzVhmSFSDI/AAAAAAAABjM/oBS77Obfpn8/s400/008.JPG" /> <p align="center"> Diana Buckwalter, the world's best midwife. I love her!<br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488996802195698978" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TCzVgnghNSI/AAAAAAAABi8/yOuBERdFQ44/s400/005.JPG" /><br /><p align="center">We love her.<br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-8448820367382250844?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-34005735595724957412010-06-10T15:04:00.001-06:002010-06-10T15:07:29.476-06:00<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481254140376113778" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TBFTmYjB4nI/AAAAAAAABik/CbHUZZHB0Ww/s400/rainbow.jpg" /> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;">We had a beautiful sky last night after a storm.</span></p><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-3400573559572495741?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-78625161092630976412010-06-10T14:59:00.000-06:002010-06-10T15:00:48.697-06:00<div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481252743116586290" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TBFSVDWZfTI/AAAAAAAABic/bpFMxzhi57g/s400/KidsinFiremangearatJune10parade.jpg" /><br /><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-7862516109263097641?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-22954450459751932352010-06-10T12:06:00.005-06:002010-06-10T12:31:40.341-06:00<div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> I have so enjoyed getting ready for this baby.</span></div><p align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;">After the three boys spent their first years in the same safari themed nursery, I felt a change was in order.</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;">I am not all <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">girly</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">girly</span> so didn't want to go with pink. Plus, the fact we probably aren't done having children made me keep it a little gender <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">neutral</span> with feminine details!</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;">So, here's a look at what is waiting at home for Pistachio.</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 318px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481208530498260082" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TBEqHigwjHI/AAAAAAAABhE/eM3tCuE5Wk0/s400/002.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 359px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481208545305212002" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TBEqIZrAtGI/AAAAAAAABhM/dRdnx0TQ0qU/s400/003.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481209038811250210" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TBEqlIIBPiI/AAAAAAAABh0/ZJuRCIEdKqU/s400/008.JPG" />I had to improvise a little with the bedding set.</p><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Target was out of stock with the crib set, so my dear friends that threw me a baby shower in Highlands Ranch bought me the toddler bedding set. The comforter and sheets are the same size as a crib mattress.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">I purchased a cloth shower curtain that matched and made the bumper, curtain valance and a few matching details.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 254px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481209046163903618" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TBEqljhB1II/AAAAAAAABh8/XtfRhRMnn0k/s400/010.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 341px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481208555273234690" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TBEqI-zkqQI/AAAAAAAABhU/PZKBGv_AMJM/s400/004.JPG" /></div></span><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Details...</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 303px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481209219659828866" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TBEqvp1rjoI/AAAAAAAABiU/P2p85p1rzSg/s400/013.JPG" /></div></span><p align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;">A framed poem from Patrick's mom.</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;">She found this when she was expecting Jeff (her first) before knowing it was going to be a boy.</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 263px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481209064090480546" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TBEqmmTDr6I/AAAAAAAABiM/PzN_ykaw32I/s400/012.JPG" /> I've never hung a flower hook up in my house before!</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span> </p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 292px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481209056609463858" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TBEqmKbcbjI/AAAAAAAABiE/4A1Kvg8iZXc/s400/011.JPG" /></span></p><span style="font-family:verdana;"><p align="center">I took the old mobile and added new, matching <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">danglies</span> to it.</p><p align="center"> </p><p align="center"></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481209023287777954" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TBEqkOS72qI/AAAAAAAABhs/T7JymCateYw/s400/007.JPG" />Psalm 8:2</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">You have set your glory above the heavens. </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">From the lips of children and infants <em>you have ordained praise</em>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> </p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 211px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481208579373243106" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TBEqKYldmuI/AAAAAAAABhk/HezjDjjojrI/s400/006.JPG" /></span> <div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> Our prayer for her, that this will become her heart's desire.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /> </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 396px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481208570245062546" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TBEqJ2lIn5I/AAAAAAAABhc/ycp7lP81VCU/s400/005.JPG" /> <p align="center">Left over from the safari themed nursery. It was given to me by my mom when I was pregnant with Daniel. It will always hang in our nursery.<br /><br /></p></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-2295445045975193235?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-31984540769595226292010-06-09T10:56:00.006-06:002010-06-09T11:11:48.882-06:00<div align="center">Once, while visiting Patrick's parents his mom showed me</div><div align="center">baby dresses she had received while pregnant with her boys.</div><div align="center">Back then there were no ultrasounds and so friends gave a little for each</div><div align="center">gender. I remember thinking, "Oh, please, oh, please, let me have</div><div align="center">those precious outfits if I ever have a daughter!"</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Yesterday I got a package and inside...</div><div align="center"><br /> </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480819715457134130" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TA_IfhnHrjI/AAAAAAAABgk/35Dk9PUynMI/s400/005.JPG" /> <div align="center"> All hand-stitched.</div><div align="center"><br /> </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480819687482733394" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TA_Id5ZgM1I/AAAAAAAABgU/Dla9sNfvih4/s400/003.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480819698126810882" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TA_IehDP7wI/AAAAAAAABgc/TfvvDm5E1Mg/s400/004.JPG" /> <p align="center">Delicate details.</p><p align="center"> </p><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480819672774411410" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TA_IdCmxBJI/AAAAAAAABgM/xcGgGtuvRFI/s400/002.JPG" /></p><p align="center">A favorite. Yellow silk.</p><div align="center"> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 385px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480820011419504834" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TA_IwwKDEMI/AAAAAAAABg0/C87VWw5YR1k/s400/007.JPG" />A complete outfit.</div><div align="center">Petticoat. Dress. Booties. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Blanket.</span></div><div align="center"><br /> </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480820027277429010" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TA_IxrO3yRI/AAAAAAAABg8/mi-CiOeQANg/s400/008.JPG" /> <p align="center"> Precious.</p><p align="center"> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-3198454076959522629?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-51426518156296932702010-06-08T22:06:00.002-06:002010-06-08T22:07:20.745-06:00<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TA8TXMtcOwI/AAAAAAAABf4/6MfNrA1KZHg/s1600/051.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480620560802921218" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TA8TXMtcOwI/AAAAAAAABf4/6MfNrA1KZHg/s400/051.JPG" /></a> 'nuf said.<br /><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-5142651815629693270?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-44538833781398458952010-06-08T21:46:00.003-06:002010-06-08T22:05:23.630-06:00<div align="center"> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480616752860959218" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TA8P5jBVEfI/AAAAAAAABfg/gbe5PzrYZvU/s400/030.JPG" />Because they pick up bugs</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480616785794561106" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TA8P7dtT9FI/AAAAAAAABfw/VFVkr6DSxOE/s400/037.JPG" /> and share them with their little brother.<br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480616768474396370" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TA8P6dL3NtI/AAAAAAAABfo/szZIB5P134U/s400/033.JPG" /> Because they pester the dog<br />(which the dog tolerates and for that I love <em>him</em>).<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480616157197454642" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TA8PW4AFTTI/AAAAAAAABfI/qGdXerO4Bjc/s400/047.JPG" /> <div>They smile at their mommy.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480616118473290530" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TA8PUnvhcyI/AAAAAAAABew/JypzWEFepKU/s400/040.JPG" /></div><div>Because they have bruises from riding the tricycle </div><div>straight down the hill and into the fence.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480616146031766146" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TA8PWOZ-aoI/AAAAAAAABfA/v9ufwPi22dY/s400/045.JPG" /></div><div>They make the same silly faces. </div><div>Over and over and over.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480616740113605378" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TA8P4ziH4wI/AAAAAAAABfY/t0gNkHO10cw/s400/055.JPG" /></div><div>Because no one gets more wildflowers</div><div>picked for her than this mommy.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480616130513582402" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/TA8PVUmJuUI/AAAAAAAABe4/zN4l_gUoC6U/s400/041.JPG" /></div>And because they are as sweet and innocent and pure<br />as sitting on a hilltop on a summer afternoon.<br /><br />And because they're mine.<br /><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-4453883378139845895?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-62775532994861010422010-04-16T11:31:00.006-06:002010-04-16T11:53:05.540-06:00I'm giving into the pressure to post a picture of my baby-belly. (Mom, Jenn, hope you're happy now!) So, here I am at almost 31 weeks. As all three of my babies have showed up earlier and earlier, (Daniel on his due date, Caleb a week early and Eli two weeks early) I keep thinking in the back of my mind I only have 7-8 weeks left. But I realize that is a <em>dangerous</em> mindset to have! <em>Nothing</em> about this pregnancy has been like the previous ones so this little one will probably show up four weeks late!!!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460789777223635090" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S8ifXrB_0JI/AAAAAAAABeo/c9_aav0eLuA/s400/030.JPG" /><br />I'm also convinced I will go way past my due date because we now have almost an hour long drive to the hospital. I am going to be so stressed about "making it", I'll never relax enough to go into labor!<br /><br />After two ultrasounds we are fairly confident we are having a girl, although a little voice in the back of my head says, "They could be wrong. They could be wrong." Remember, we have over 80 years of history against us! But here are some of our first <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">girly</span> things. Patrick picked up the pink dress the other night and just shook his head. He muttered something about us entering a completely foreign world. Well... considering that <em>I'm</em> a girl I think I can handle it.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460789754111461666" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S8ifWU7oCSI/AAAAAAAABeY/qtutRkqG9Dg/s400/027.JPG" />This is the outfit I went out and bought the day we found out Pistachio was a girl. And it's probably the outfit we'll bring her home from the hospital in. I love giraffes. The boys' nurseries were decorated with giraffes so I had to continue the theme.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460789745646551954" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S8ifV1Zbw5I/AAAAAAAABeQ/TuPRj9g-jh4/s400/028.JPG" /><br />Very excited as we start the countdown and suddenly realizing all the thing we still have to get ready!!! Ah!<br /><div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-6277553299486101042?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-49296185955468181802010-04-16T10:56:00.003-06:002010-04-16T11:23:22.319-06:00Eli turned TWO on April 2nd.<br /><div> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460780844369298706" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S8iXPtjjxRI/AAAAAAAABdY/HByCJl_bY-Q/s400/017.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460780852735696578" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S8iXQMuQ3sI/AAAAAAAABdg/deZfnwW-L0U/s400/018.JPG" />We celebrated with a feast of pigs-in-the-blanket, french fries, ceasar salad, fruit salad and cupcakes!</div><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460783727944953410" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S8iZ3jtkbkI/AAAAAAAABeI/dPTVHFMnuPY/s400/026.JPG" />Okay... Eli is going through this phase (that the other two boys went through as well) where he does not like having his picture taken. So he looks mad in all his pictures! But he really was happy we were celebrating him!<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S8iXRm1JpVI/AAAAAAAABd4/m_VFPYrHURI/s1600/021.JPG"></a> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460783719571513250" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S8iZ3EhL36I/AAAAAAAABeA/33zca_uYznU/s400/023.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460780860664734978" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S8iXQqQsZQI/AAAAAAAABdo/-yGepHewbgQ/s400/021.JPG" />Happy, Happy Birthday, Eli!! You bring so much joy into our lives. You are a constant reminder that God's ways are always so much higher than ours as we could not have imagined the blessing you have been to us. </div><div> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-4929618595546818180?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-88724759706908228372010-04-16T10:41:00.003-06:002010-04-16T10:55:49.405-06:00These are some random shots of the boys playing outside this Spring. Just outside our yard is the Dirt Patch, their favorite spot of all. There are all sorts of roads and tunnels being created. Even a parking lot for all the trucks and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">construction</span> vehicles. Recently, Patrick dug a hole in the Dirt Patch large enough to swallow Caleb and Eli. When I asked Patrick if the hole has a purpose, he said, "No, Daniel just asked me to dig a hole." Ah... so blessed to live in a spot where we can dig a hole "just because!"<br /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460777349721509378" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S8iUES-mTgI/AAAAAAAABcw/tdfMSjyuQfY/s400/004.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460777337992655282" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S8iUDnSOMbI/AAAAAAAABco/_fXPzzRu6TM/s400/002.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460777849821418258" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S8iUhZ_tUxI/AAAAAAAABdQ/sUwq-h13-NI/s400/014.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460777391308072514" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S8iUGt5m5kI/AAAAAAAABdI/fTa8alm1RFU/s400/012.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460777372137897234" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S8iUFmfFPRI/AAAAAAAABdA/9JaIzzclKxY/s400/007.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460777365083631666" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S8iUFMNNsDI/AAAAAAAABc4/9IqHjYDczKk/s400/006.JPG" /> <div>Booster can jump the fence. He just knows we're watching right now. Notice the stack of tumbleweeds up against the fence? One of the boys' favorite activities is dragging tumbleweeds from all over the pasture and putting them in a huge pile. I don't get it, but it entertains them!</div><div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-8872475970690822837?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-46232542056132725322010-04-01T10:07:00.005-06:002010-04-01T10:58:24.870-06:00The story of how Booster came into our lives will go down in the annuals of Wilson history as just plain funny. Thirty years from now, we'll be sitting around with our children's children and start off with, "Remember that time we couldn't adopt a homeless dog?" We'll all laugh and then one of the boys (all grown up at this time) will wistfully say, "Yeah, but we ended up with Booster and he was the <em>best dog ever</em>..."<br /> <br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455203880946534242" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S7THBt0mh2I/AAAAAAAABcQ/nfNPsOixJFo/s400/019.JPG" /><br />Patrick and I never had a dog before kids because our lives were so busy, we knew it would not be fair to the dog. Once we started having kids (and they started asking for a dog) we lived in a house with a postage stamp sized yard, and we didn't think that would be fair to the dog either. But! The instant we decided to move to the country we started thinking about dogs... No dog has been more researched. After six months of research we decided the Labrador Retriever was best. Really? Six months of research and we end up going with the most popular breed in America? It was kind of anti-climatic.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455203129012550210" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S7TGV8pkekI/AAAAAAAABbo/QScg-09YcWo/s400/061.JPG" /><br />So how does one go about getting a lab? A puppy was<em> not</em> an option. I have three boys, age five and under with a baby due this Summer. I do not need to add training a puppy to the mix. We didn't want to just go to the pound and pick out a dog. I'm all for rescuing shelter dogs, but not when I have a two-year-old whose face is right at teeth level and no guarantee that the dog would be okay with him. So... that left us with a Lab Rescue. These dogs are in "foster homes" so they are well known. They were just as concerned with where their dogs went as were about the dog that came into our home. So after finding a rescue that was okay with us having young kids...<br /><br />I filled out a lengthy application.<br />We did a phone interview.<br />We had a home visit.<br />And then we were told we couldn't have one of their dogs?<br /><br />Huh?! The reason was because we planned to "keep the dog in a confined area" whereas their dogs needed to be fully integrated into the family and should be allowed to watch TV with us and sleep in our rooms, if not our beds. Yes, they actually said that. The <em>confined area</em> they were referring to is our very large mudroom and kitchen. Our thinking was that with small kids crawling everywhere, we just did not want to deal with the mess of dog hair everywhere. (If you have an indoor dog, there<em> is</em> dog hair all over your house. You won't convince me otherwise...) I understood where the rescue was coming from, but I also pointed out we have 13 acres of free range, rabbits galore for chasing, three rambunctious boys dying to have a dog and the fact our entire family is home all day, plus with us homeschooling, the day will not come that our kids are gone all day. After talking to another rescue they were okay with our situation, it would just be a matter of finding the right dog for it.<br /><br />I was really heartbroken. I know it sounds silly in the grand scheme, but we were praying hard for a dog. Every night, the boys prayed for their dog. And in all the researching and getting ready for one to be in our family, I remembered all the pets in my growing up years and it brought back many fond memories. I actually cried when the rescue denied us. I felt lost at where else to look. In my mind, a puppy or shelter still were not options.<br /><br />Then someone suggested I try <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Craigslist</span> where people "re-home" their pets for a small fee. I typed in "lab" and up popped Booster. A 3-year-old lab/golden <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">retriever</span> mix. He belonged to a family with six kids. They were needed to re-home him because of neighbor issues. After talking with them, we felt comfortable with the issues and scheduled a meeting. They brought him over on a Saturday morning. It was a perfect fit. They left him with us that day and now Booster is part of our family.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455204083568763266" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S7THNgpgYYI/AAAAAAAABcY/tgdzTks5Q-I/s400/099.JPG" /><br /><br />And the coolest thing? Booster belonged to their 8-year-old daughter. When they realized they would need to get rid of him, she started praying he would go to a family with little kids who lived on a farm. Proof God cares about even the simplest of prayers.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455203851420714290" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S7TG__1GRTI/AAAAAAAABcI/b8MrXmp68h0/s400/086.JPG" /><br />And... Booster pretty much has free access to the entire house. Yes, we went soft! He has to endure daily brushings. I always tell him, "If you're going to be an indoor dog, you got to get brushed." But it's really because he is so well-behaved. Doesn't jump on us or furniture. He confines himself mostly to our dining room/entrance area. He does come lay in the boys' bedroom when we are saying good night and tucking them in.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455203793474360274" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S7TG8n9nE9I/AAAAAAAABb4/2Ee_jphexO8/s400/074.JPG" /><br />He is incredibly gentle. The boys lay all over him. He lays down next to the table when we eat, but never begs. He quickly learned Caleb was the one who drops the most food so that's who he lays next to!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455203762129373426" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S7TG6zMYiPI/AAAAAAAABbw/r0szhZdgrm0/s400/077.JPG" /> <p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455203113830707794" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S7TGVEF78lI/AAAAAAAABbY/usGhaSa36Po/s400/051.JPG" /></p><p>He is well-loved.<br /><br /></p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455203123804142818" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S7TGVpPyfOI/AAAAAAAABbg/yVyGS4D8Rrw/s400/062.JPG" />The boys bring out their "lovies" (blankets and stuffed animals) and drape him with them.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455203107588545746" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S7TGUs1sHNI/AAAAAAAABbQ/GyUGAKMNVCs/s400/014.JPG" />He loves to go for walks and is great on a leash.</p><p>And yes, there is dog hair in our house now. It just means we vacuum a lot more and have the added chore of brushing him daily. But you sacrifice for family members, right? </p><p> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-4623254205613272532?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-89260237717374635012010-03-31T10:26:00.003-06:002010-03-31T10:54:41.375-06:00One of my plans since going country is to raise my own chickens, or at least have laying hens so I can collect my own eggs. (The actual <em>raising</em> of the chicks will be a project in another year or two.) The advice I keep getting over and over in regard to my countrified adventures is, "Start slow. Don't do too much at once or you'll end up hating it." So my goal this year are to start a small vegetable garden (yet to be started, but we're under frost warning until Mother's Day!) and get chickens.<br /><br />I admit my enthusiasm for the chickens has waned a little as I've researched types of chicken coops, providing electricity for chicken coops, cleaning chicken coops and keeping chicken coops safe from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">raccoons</span>, coyotes, hawks and our dog! But yesterday re-inspired me... Our neighbor brought me seven of her little flock's freshly laid eggs.<br /><br />At first I was captured by the color. They are so pretty! She had come over for an impromptu Easter egg hunt and I actually thought she was bringing dyed eggs for the hunt. I've never seen eggs other than brown and white. But these were pinkish brown with speckles and tan and a beautiful light blue.<br /><br /><div align="center">BEFORE...</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454835592272554818" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S7N4EfmQK0I/AAAAAAAABa4/vZnMtJ3midw/s400/021.JPG" /><br /><br /><br />I've also heard how yummy fresh-from-your-own-backyard eggs taste so I was very excited to get up and scramble them this morning, although I felt a little bad about breaking those beautiful shells open. Especially the blue ones. Apparently, I'm egg color prejudiced. This morning I heard Patrick up before me and making himself breakfast. My selfish thoughts were, "Don't eat the fresh eggs!" and "I always appreciate it when he makes us all eggs, but <em>please</em> don't mix the fresh ones with the grocery store ones!" (I wanted a pure taste.) I know, probably not the best thoughts to have at 7:30 in the morning.<br /><br />He made oatmeal.<br /><br /><br />The eggs have much thicker shells. And the yolks are a much darker yellow. Thankfully, no baby chicks inside. (I remember, when we were in New Guinea and my mom would get eggs from the nationals in the tribe, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">occasionally</span> there would be a little chicken fetus forming inside, but my neighbor doesn't have a rooster so not much chance of that!)<br /><br /><br />The true test... the taste!<br /><br /><br /><div align="center">AFTER:</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454835599294330146" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S7N4E5wX9SI/AAAAAAAABbA/JC742RDi8DM/s400/024.JPG" /><br /><br /><br />Well... the eggs tasted more like... eggs! They tasted like grocery store eggs, just more so, which might make you think they tasted "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">eggy</span>" and that might not be good, but this is totally in a good way. Maybe less bland? A more dense flavor? I'm not a foodie. There's probably proper terms for what I am trying to describe. They also tasted "buttery" even though I did not use butter. I really, really liked them so again I feel my enthusiasm for researching and purchasing a chicken coop coming back.<br /><br /><br />The bacon on the other hand... I'm sure it came from some hormone, antibiotic injected hog off an assembly line type slaughter house. But I'm okay with that. I like bacon. But I have <em>no</em> desire to raise a pig!!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-8926023771737463501?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-60876199692413262842010-03-02T15:11:00.009-07:002010-03-02T16:16:42.160-07:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S42bI5vMBdI/AAAAAAAABaY/shAgpS5rBXI/s1600-h/pikespeak1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 198px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444178101800797650" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S42bI5vMBdI/AAAAAAAABaY/shAgpS5rBXI/s400/pikespeak1.jpg" /></a> <div><div></div><div></div><div>We love Colorado. One of the things we love is that even when it is freezing cold in the winter, unless it's snowing, the sun still shines bright! That was until this winter... We have had very little snow, but it's still been <em>cold </em>and it's been <em>cloudy</em>. Not a good combination in my book! So when we woke up to pure blue skies and 60-degree sunshine this morning, it was, "Everybody OUT and STAY out!" Thankfully, we have lots of fun things to do outside in our own backyard.<br /></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444168074473215842" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S42SBPB_l2I/AAAAAAAABYo/pIrox87L0OY/s320/IMG_0098%5B1%5D" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444168058237953938" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S42SASjNJ5I/AAAAAAAABYg/klPXgJwFhSM/s320/028.JPG" /></div><div>We are also blessed that Patrick works from home and he had an extra long lunch today. We got to go for our first walk as a family since moving into our new home. How sad it's taken us that long! But again, <em>cold</em> and <em>cloudy</em>....<br /></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444168587205047682" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S42SfFGydYI/AAAAAAAABZI/9DcAjKCiC5g/s320/034.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444168098361255458" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S42SCoBWJiI/AAAAAAAABZA/cJMoA18_G9Q/s320/033.JPG" /></div><div><em>I </em>feel super blessed. If you know me at all, you know I'm still a little horse crazy. And our neighbors have a pair of super sweet ones that came running when they saw us walking down the road. Sadly, all we had was kisses and lots of affection for them. I plan to give our neighbors a call to see if they'd mind us giving them some treats.</div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444168082717214034" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S42SBtvhBVI/AAAAAAAABY4/1bYzizniiaY/s320/032.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444168075491477794" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S42SBS0xCSI/AAAAAAAABYw/UzWCuOxug64/s320/031.JPG" /></div><div>And no sunny day is complete without a picnic on the back porch.<br /></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444168604972838802" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S42SgHS9b5I/AAAAAAAABZg/BIG7gfWQ_Zw/s320/039.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444168597402701650" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S42SfrGGT1I/AAAAAAAABZQ/nDQ37xkK1CI/s320/037.JPG" /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444168600754992162" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S42Sf3lWNCI/AAAAAAAABZY/f5ZPOiOYEtg/s320/038.JPG" /> <div>A picnic on the porch Daniel and Caleb promptly moved up into their playhouse.<br /></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444168912232064898" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S42Sx_7RJ4I/AAAAAAAABZw/Ei-t2z0YM3A/s320/044.JPG" /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444168904007163842" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S42SxhSTH8I/AAAAAAAABZo/H-8tCjecPm8/s320/043.JPG" /> <div>As I was basking in the sunshine, watching the boys run around, being the wild, crazy boys God created them to be, I remembered a conversation Patrick and I had with a pastor shortly after we moved to Colorado. We were looking to become members of a local church and discussing with him how we could get involved. We were also very concerned that we not miss our "calling" for being in Colorado. He looked at us and said, "How do you know God didn't bring you here just to bless you?"</div><div> </div><div>Today I thought, "Wow, God has so blessed us by bringing us here."<br /></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444168932144853250" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S42SzKG2MQI/AAAAAAAABaI/6lBAoYKjavs/s320/047.JPG" /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444168921922992786" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S42SykBw-pI/AAAAAAAABaA/PheEOhA6Lwg/s320/046.JPG" /> <div>Yes, we are serving God. We continually check our calling and make sure it is in line with His. We are starting to see the reasons God suddenly moved us out to Denver four years ago... and now out to the sticks... but how amazing that He brought us to a place that we would <em>love</em> and our family would <em>thrive</em>. </div><div></div><div> </div><div>Truly blessings beyond our imagining....</div><div></div><div> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-6087619969241326284?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-28701691402415660932010-02-08T14:00:00.005-07:002010-02-08T14:18:24.471-07:00It appears the Wilson men are quite capable of making girls. They've just been holding out on us. Here are some shots of Princess Pistachio<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435980815466112930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S3B7wCeyJ6I/AAAAAAAABXg/TvCBoYkU9TM/s400/ultrasound+001.JPG" border="0" /><br /> I know there were several people praying we would have a girl! (You know who you are!!!)<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435980831603379906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S3B7w-mNTsI/AAAAAAAABXw/J8ds_yqIYt8/s400/ultrasound+008.JPG" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435980823784218450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S3B7whd-X1I/AAAAAAAABXo/QwFzRBtPWJE/s400/ultrasound+007.JPG" border="0" /> I must admit I'm still in shock. For awhile I really wanted a girl. I'd get sad when I was at Target and saw the adorable, girly clothes. Or I would think about how close I am to my own mom and really want that with a daughter of my own. But during my pregnancy with Eli I got completely okay with the thought of us having a house full of rambunctious boys! I would say, "The world needs more godly men and God must think us capable of raising them." So I'm still pondering the idea of having a girl and what that means for our home.<br /><br />Pink. Lots more pink I suppose!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-2870169140241566093?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-21687169405032405572010-01-28T11:04:00.003-07:002010-01-28T11:19:19.472-07:00You find a spool of packing string and drag several 50 foot long "snakes" around the house.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S2HTTvDxeuI/AAAAAAAABW4/yV5BdQioBuM/s1600-h/152.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431854961588796130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S2HTTvDxeuI/AAAAAAAABW4/yV5BdQioBuM/s400/152.JPG" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431854484357138066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S2HS39O4RpI/AAAAAAAABWw/2Y_ggsnFTxo/s400/155.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431854969211127490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S2HTULdFBsI/AAAAAAAABXA/r6m5hObY8VU/s400/153.JPG" border="0" />Later, Mommy untangles the snakes from chair legs and cuts out trapped toys from the web, and possibly frees a child or two.<br /><br />Then you gather up every blanket and pillow in the house to build a fort!<br /><br /><div><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431854468376710610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S2HS3Bs2TdI/AAAAAAAABWo/vJ1RSmkE6qA/s400/162.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431854457400833010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S2HS2Yz_s_I/AAAAAAAABWY/EXNyN3vXRLk/s400/159.JPG" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431854466938917074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S2HS28WDUNI/AAAAAAAABWg/9ZoHg0WQmko/s400/163.JPG" border="0" />After you've had your fill of the fort, you jump on the roof to bring it crashing to the ground! Without realizing your two-year-old brother is still playing under there. The screams bring Mommy running from the next room. Ah, life with boys! </div><div> </div><div> </div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-2168716940503240557?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-621216438297153202010-01-26T21:23:00.007-07:002010-01-26T21:58:59.598-07:00Since we're now country folk, we had to attend the National Western Stock Show, which is held yearly in Denver. Now, this is a <em>big</em> deal. Competitors come from all over the country. It lasts fifteen days. So for two weeks Denver is taken back to it's heyday of ranches and cattle drives. It's also held during the <em>coldest</em> fifteen days of the year, which is why we have never gone in the past. But we found ourselves with a warm day when Patrick was able to leave work and off we went.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431274645983808354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S1_Dg69zS2I/AAAAAAAABWA/qHGaCbl1kCc/s400/096.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="center">Our first stop was to eat lunch while sitting in the grandstand while watching a 1-year-old <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">heford</span> show. The irony: we were all eating <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">bbq</span> beef brisket.</div><div align="center"> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431274639389028370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S1_DgiZe8BI/AAAAAAAABV4/D6GVywmsSKQ/s400/095.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="center">Pretty much the biggest tractor the boys had ever seen. They, of course, asked if we could get one.<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S1_DA7VcSvI/AAAAAAAABVw/8GYrAU5ldqU/s1600-h/120.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431274096327150322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S1_DA7VcSvI/AAAAAAAABVw/8GYrAU5ldqU/s400/120.JPG" border="0" /></a> There was a very nice petting zoo with goats, sheep, pigs, ducks and an alpaca.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431273302475433074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S1_CSuAcZHI/AAAAAAAABVI/xarST_YA9ig/s400/126.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431273290539502306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 285px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S1_CSBisiuI/AAAAAAAABVA/wDJgN2XQJp8/s400/125.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431273275914158098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S1_CRLDvgBI/AAAAAAAABUo/RsFawcZPC1g/s400/121.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431272456445897474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S1_BheTSKwI/AAAAAAAABUg/3LWcp6axGOg/s400/128.JPG" border="0" />Eli absolutely loved petting the animals!!</p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431272442911800162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S1_Bgr4gO2I/AAAAAAAABUQ/jDmGZR5Ar5A/s400/131.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">And trying to feed them sawdust off the ground.</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431272448536262834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S1_BhA1euLI/AAAAAAAABUY/MFbJQ4RR7Q0/s400/129.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br />Daniel and Caleb got to go on pony rides. They loved it and are also asking for a pony now. Someday...<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431274069739661234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S1_C_YSfZ7I/AAAAAAAABVY/XU3tCcWa8Y0/s400/104.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431274059804768034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S1_C-zR09yI/AAAAAAAABVQ/xFg6O5wghqg/s400/103.JPG" border="0" /><br /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431274085580229170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S1_DATTLSjI/AAAAAAAABVo/bBLiyaJ5vPA/s400/117.JPG" border="0" /> <div align="center"> Eli didn't get to ride a pony and you can see from his expression what he thought of that!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S1_BfnfP0OI/AAAAAAAABUA/ZcXVceSpDhw/s1600-h/137.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431272424552255714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S1_BfnfP0OI/AAAAAAAABUA/ZcXVceSpDhw/s400/137.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S1_Aq36KhnI/AAAAAAAABT4/65_LpEnK0hQ/s1600-h/138.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431271518427055730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S1_Aq36KhnI/AAAAAAAABT4/65_LpEnK0hQ/s400/138.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S1_AqT3EodI/AAAAAAAABTw/MwkZdIgzrHU/s1600-h/139.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431271508750410194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S1_AqT3EodI/AAAAAAAABTw/MwkZdIgzrHU/s400/139.JPG" border="0" /></a> This picture's just funny!</div><div align="center"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S1_Ap_Ho_5I/AAAAAAAABTo/SpNzcHZpoeI/s1600-h/141.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431271503182757778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S1_Ap_Ho_5I/AAAAAAAABTo/SpNzcHZpoeI/s400/141.JPG" border="0" /></a>Daniel is standing in front of some Scottish Hilander cows. They are from a ranch just a few miles from where we live.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431271489879110834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S1_ApNjzdLI/AAAAAAAABTY/2OB18_kVcMU/s400/142.JPG" border="0" /></div><div><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S1_ApT1aktI/AAAAAAAABTg/4576T16xu7w/s1600-h/145.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431271491563590354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S1_ApT1aktI/AAAAAAAABTg/4576T16xu7w/s400/145.JPG" border="0" /></a> And finally, this horse really is that big. He's standing at the same level as Patrick. I have never seen a horse this big in person. He was beautiful and so sweet!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="left">We had a lot of fun at the show. The boys want about fifty different animals now. I think we'll start with just a dog for now...<br /> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-62121643829715320?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-20961289610516851402010-01-24T22:23:00.004-07:002010-01-24T23:20:05.355-07:00I must admit I watched today's NFC Championship game with some ambivalence. You see, I'm a Colts fan. But I'm also a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Favre</span> fan. I've never been a Packer fan. Certainly not a Jets or Vikings fan. Just <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Favre</span>. The first football game I watched in its entirety was the Packers win against the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI. So, I've been a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Favre</span> fan longer than I've been a Colts fan.<br /><br />So, I did not relish the idea of having to choose between cheering for the team I pull for all year or the old quarterback, most likely taking his last shot at the big one. But by the end of the third quarter, I was pulling for <em>you</em>. I wanted <em>you</em> to go all the way. I wanted the Super Bowl, still two weeks away, to end up with a made-for-TV-movie ending with everyone doing the slow clap that gradually speeds up and gets louder with you finally being hoisted onto your teammates' shoulders, all the while, you looking around the crowd to meet the eyes of your beloved wife. But that's not what happened...<br /><br />I imagine that even now, less than a few hours since the Vikings' loss to the New Orleans Saints, sports talk show hosts, analysts and bloggers are discussing the big question: Will Brett Favre retire? And if he does, will he stay retired? They will analyze and criticize. They'll mention the final play in regulation time, citing that even a rookie knows better than to throw a pass back across his body that usually results in an interception, which it did for you. They'll forget to mention the many other fumbles of the night by your teammates, a couple of which were in the redzone that should have resulted in points, not turnovers. They'll have experts discuss if your ankle injury was the reason you chose to throw that ball, rather than run it a few yards to get it into field goal range. And most of the country will decide... it's time for the big horse to go out to pasture.<br /><br />But whether you stay or go, a decision that I hope you make with your wife and with God, I will be cheering for you.<br /><br />You don't play for the money. You're a multi-millionaire many times over and I'm sure those Wrangler endorsements will keep coming.<br /><br />You don't play for your ego. We've seen you struggle with an addiction to pain killers.<br /><br />You don't play because you're an elitist. We've seen you as a husband whose wife is battling cancer, a disease that effects rich and poor, famous and nobodies.<br /><br />While you play <em>for</em> your fans, you don't play <em>because</em> of them.<br /><br />You play because you love football. Pure and simple.<br /><br />It's seen in the fact that you just cannot leave even though we all keep telling you to go! I see it when your team's defense is on the field and instead of resting on a bench, you are on the sidelines, pumping your fists and hollering your lungs out. It's seen in the chest bumps and high fives you give to men half your age at the end of a great play. And it was seen tonight in the look of utter sadness when Hartley's kick went through the uprights, ending your trip to the Super Bowl.<br /><br />It was not a look of disgust, regret or anger. It was sadness. Because I think you knew then, you were standing on a football field as a professional player for the last time. I think you missed the game already.<br /><br />Sports writers will continue to deliberate. We'll all wait. Some of us will be happy if you return. Some of us will roll our eyes and sigh, "Oh, brother! Not again!" And there will be talk that if you retire now, you'll be going out while you're down. But absolutely not. I'd like to mention you got further than 28 other starting quarterbacks did this season. Tom Brady did not go to a conference championship. Tony Romo and Eli Manning did not go to a conference championship. You did. You are at the top with the likes of Peyton Manning.<br /><br />So here's to you, Brett Favre. You <em>are</em> America's quarterback.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-2096128961051685140?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-646452653324259002010-01-13T16:43:00.000-07:002010-01-13T20:00:54.590-07:00<div align="left">These are pictures I took around our property while on a walk with the boys on a beautiful, sunny day. I was also having fun playing around with different editing techniques. Enjoy!</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426375002232289490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S05bUHodeNI/AAAAAAAABRw/QUScOUftb5c/s400/064.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center">Looking up our driveway</div><div align="center"><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426376735967097330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S05c5CTDMfI/AAAAAAAABTA/ka_JhjR-JZM/s400/112.JPG" border="0" />Daniel put his handprint and name in the snow<br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426376731324741538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S05c4xAOd6I/AAAAAAAABS4/_JbJun-fyVs/s400/105.JPG" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426376725621129602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S05c4bwYQYI/AAAAAAAABSw/tgPjQkWcRzY/s400/102.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426376718843527442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S05c4CgeQRI/AAAAAAAABSo/TwvLOGr2JCQ/s400/091.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426376299984313138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S05cfqIp2zI/AAAAAAAABSY/zQ4cCyI01B0/s400/089.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426374979806709202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S05bS0FyRdI/AAAAAAAABRY/K3jrkhuvoUA/s400/051.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426374989443596210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S05bTX_Zf7I/AAAAAAAABRg/j439bNXi_oA/s400/052.JPG" border="0" />Fences always make good subjects<br /><br /><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426376291598534754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S05cfK5VCGI/AAAAAAAABSQ/MYHS1f30Rfw/s400/085.JPG" border="0" />Our address<br /><br /><div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426376286500533538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S05ce353tSI/AAAAAAAABSI/VcwN1mKJX7g/s400/077.JPG" border="0" />From the road in front of our house</div><div></div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426376279186219218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S05cecqAINI/AAAAAAAABSA/SkMoCITPHBU/s400/072.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426375011825605874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S05bUrXr3PI/AAAAAAAABR4/paLLdIq4its/s400/070.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426374994206427426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S05bTpu8iSI/AAAAAAAABRo/5KU3qrI4tTs/s400/056.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-64645265332425900?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-24448393312455013472010-01-13T16:01:00.000-07:002010-01-13T20:08:02.292-07:00<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426363780214650738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 311px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S05RG6W9d3I/AAAAAAAABOo/MSKGlwiNka0/s400/034.JPG" border="0" /> <div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426366916967035186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 281px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S05T9frAcTI/AAAAAAAABPQ/zMTjo77P1ns/s400/042.JPG" border="0" /></div><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426372025903206962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S05Ym38T0jI/AAAAAAAABRQ/9mFAQKK1vk0/s400/040.JPG" border="0" /> <div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426366909117710098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S05T9CblPxI/AAAAAAAABPI/qbKFjsrZ7sQ/s400/047.JPG" border="0" /></div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426366931356502530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S05T-VRuSgI/AAAAAAAABPg/E9OZWbfPzAU/s400/049.JPG" border="0" /> <div align="center"> </div><div align="center">I call this photo "Dances With Tumbleweeds"</div><div align="center">I love the look of pure delight on both their faces.</div><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426367438087306210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S05Ub0_wu-I/AAAAAAAABPo/ie7o6bsBBTQ/s400/050.JPG" border="0" /> </div><div align="center"><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426366928610331506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S05T-LC_C3I/AAAAAAAABPY/4p9Mg5BFveE/s400/048.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426367916678649618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S05U3r41FxI/AAAAAAAABQw/YfwDhAsYT2o/s400/115.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426367912436616706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S05U3cFczgI/AAAAAAAABQo/ib22iImULGM/s400/094.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426367901742903394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S05U20P3sGI/AAAAAAAABQg/KM79mBGJF34/s400/084.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426367886151010018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S05U16KeRuI/AAAAAAAABQQ/Vdmi5P7NDS8/s400/067.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426367458584996482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S05UdBWyqoI/AAAAAAAABQA/_WoEjJ5dGf4/s400/066.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426367453350101970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 303px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S05Uct2sg9I/AAAAAAAABP4/lySJhibW9hI/s400/063.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426367444827763602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S05UcOGz85I/AAAAAAAABPw/jychgmIogRg/s400/060.JPG" border="0" /> </div><div></div><div>The following are shots of Caleb closing a gate behind him. We have several gates on our property and we are already getting the boys in the habit of always closing them. Of course, Caleb insisted on doing it himself!</div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426368277846050322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S05VMtV2RhI/AAAAAAAABQ4/g7auO9fLrFk/s400/118.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426368285805983506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S05VNK_pNxI/AAAAAAAABRA/Pvr9skkSkIs/s400/119.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426368291023782290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S05VNebqgZI/AAAAAAAABRI/M8eH0zmbzrc/s400/120.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426367894612133010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S05U2ZrwxJI/AAAAAAAABQY/Ra3DrrO-_Vk/s400/078.JPG" border="0" /></div>bye-bye!</div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-2444839331245501347?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-54468363545906363952010-01-13T15:59:00.000-07:002010-01-13T16:00:54.481-07:00<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S05QbQxQEHI/AAAAAAAABOg/rGGS5mHaZlk/s1600-h/025.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426363030316257394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S05QbQxQEHI/AAAAAAAABOg/rGGS5mHaZlk/s400/025.JPG" border="0" /></a> Potty-training has begun. But not even that will keep us inside on the 60+ degree, sunshiney day we are having!<br /><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-5446836354590636395?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-22459848956760248072010-01-09T11:36:00.000-07:002010-01-09T12:58:46.490-07:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S0jOyVEPLyI/AAAAAAAABN4/R7d7KAl3-rs/s1600-h/blog2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424813115211460386" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S0jOyVEPLyI/AAAAAAAABN4/R7d7KAl3-rs/s320/blog2.jpg" border="0" /></a>I've noticed people generally fall into two categories with decorating and un-decorating their Christmas trees.<br /><br />Category 1 - The tree goes up before or around Thanksgiving, but is cleared out along with cleaning up Christmas dinner. My sister is in this category. She proudly declared all over Facebook on December 26th that her home was decoration free! I have another friend who did the same thing, but she shall remain nameless...<br /><br />Category 2 - The tree goes up mid-December and comes down a little after New Years. We fall into this category. What usually determines the timing our tree comes down is when we are no longer plugging in the lights, although if left up to Eli, the tree would probably stay up all year. Every morning for the past month he has toddled out of his room and pointed up to the tree saying, "peeeeeesss!" His way of asking for the lights to be turned on. First thing every morning and heaven forbid if they get turned off during the day!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S0jOzFLWjQI/AAAAAAAABOI/SdAOT82isJk/s1600-h/blog3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424813128126205186" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S0jOzFLWjQI/AAAAAAAABOI/SdAOT82isJk/s320/blog3.jpg" border="0" /></a>This was a strange Christmas for us given that we closed on our new home Friday, December 4th, moved in on Saturday and then Patrick left on Sunday for a week long business trip. The next weekend we decided to go get our tree. For the past eight years "going to get our tree" has meant a trip to a tree lot in frigid temperatures to pick out a live tree. However, I made the suggestion that because we were already so stressed and tired from the craziness of the past three months and that we would be going to Idaho for Christmas we go ahead and get a pre-lit, fake tree.<br /><br />Patrick looked at me as though words of blasphemy had just come out of my mouth.<br /><br />I reasoned with him that we'd still get a live tree next year and how fun would it be to put the fake one we used this year in the basement next year! Two trees! How great would that be?! So he relented and off to Walmart we went. Have to say, we were all a little underwhelmed, but it was very nice not having to trim anything off the bottom because we miscalculated how much we should have asked them to take off while we were at lot. Patrick insists that our fake one was still crooked, but I didn't see it. But the fake one sort of grew on me. My arms didn't get all scratched up trying to put on lights. You simply plugged them together and wah-lah.!. White, glittery lights!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S0jOy0bVKdI/AAAAAAAABOA/4Ocn9OPJsM4/s1600-h/blog1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424813123629820370" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 234px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S0jOy0bVKdI/AAAAAAAABOA/4Ocn9OPJsM4/s320/blog1.jpg" border="0" /></a>And the best part came yesterday when I took the tree down. (How come putting up the tree is always a "we" effort, but taking it down is an "I" effort? Actually, Caleb and Eli stepped into help, but I imagine this means none of the ornaments have their hooks attached anymore.) No dead needles needed to be vacuumed up. We didn't have to drag it out to the curb. Our curb is 150 yards away from the house now! Although, I did have to have the boys sit on the box to get it closed. Maybe Walmart never intended the tree to go back in its original box.<br /><br />Just as I was ready to settle in my mind that a fake, pre-lit tree is the way to go for Christmases in the future, Daniel walked up to me and very sweetly asked, "Can we get a real tree and put all different colored lights on it next year?" Okay... depsite the extra work involved, I admit we are are "real tree" kind of family...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-2245984895676024807?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-74898811420653041742010-01-09T10:33:00.000-07:002010-01-09T10:48:33.413-07:00I stole this poem from another blog, who actually stole it from another blog, but I thought it embraced the high calling of Motherhood:<br /><br /><div align="center">Women sigh for fame.</div><div align="center">They would be sculptors, and chisel out of the</div><div align="center">cold stone forms of beauty to fill the world with admiration of their skill.</div><div align="center">Or they would be poets, to write songs to thrill a nation</div><div align="center">and to be sung around the world.</div><div align="center">But is <em>any</em> work in marble</div><div align="center">so great as her who has an immortal life</div><div align="center">laid in her hands</div><div align="center">to shape for its destiny?</div><div align="center">-JR Miller</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="left">The original post can be found at <a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/2010/01/noble-mothers-in-sacred-homes.html">A Wise Woman Builds Her Home</a> if you'd like to read it. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-7489881142065304174?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-58893082883877865752010-01-06T15:24:00.000-07:002010-01-06T15:43:34.539-07:00Patrick and I decided shortly after Daniel was born that we would <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">home school</span> our children. Since Daniel turned five last September and would have been at the proper age to enroll in public-<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Kindergarten</span> we started freaking out that maybe we should "officially" start the home education process. After talking with other homeschooling families and doing research, we decided to wait until at least the Fall of 2010 to start anything official. We kept hearing (and research shows) that boys actually do so much better in the long run when not in formal education until about age 7 or 8.<br /><br />But one thing we noticed this Fall is that Daniel seems very ready to read. Without much prompting from us, he is beginning to blend sounds and figure out some words by sight. One of the wonderful things about homeschooling is that we get to pay attention to what he is ready for at what time, rather than him struggling to keep up or having to stay behind with twenty other children.<br /><br />So his Hooked On Phonics <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">curriculum</span> arrived in the mail and he couldn't be happier! He actually did a Happy Dance!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423757705706610402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 284px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fONcxhlQTOg/S0UO5aRuHuI/AAAAAAAABNg/63fd5y22Apc/s400/024.JPG" border="0" />Patrick and I are both big readers. We usually have two or three books going at one time and I can't wait to see this whole, new world open up for Daniel! Although, he did ask if Mommy and Daddy would still read to him once <em>he</em> knows how to read. I assured him we would keep reading to him as long as he wanted us to...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-5889308288387786575?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-88671923344436237692010-01-05T15:27:00.000-07:002010-01-05T15:42:28.845-07:00That is what I am finding out it takes when you live this far out. While Safeway and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Walmart</span> are a convenient five miles away, there is still a lot of things not available unless you drive into Castle Rock or Parker, both which are about 40 minutes away. The advice I get from my country friends is make one day a week errand day and if you forget something, figure out a way to deal without it!<br /><br />When I lived in Highlands Ranch, I rarely planned out my menus. I'd think about two or three meals, run to the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">grocery</span> store a half mile away and pick up everything <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">I needed</span>. Sometimes I'd run out at 4pm to pick up things for dinner that night! Or it no big deal to pop into <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Walmart</span> or Target to pick up a thing or two. Now it's not so easy. So we find that we are making lists of things that need to be done and picked up and seeing how much we can squeeze into one trip "into town." And I planned meals for a week! I imagine I'll get to the point of planning for two weeks, but for now this is a step in the right direction.<br /><br />This is what I got done today in the course of FIVE hours!<br /><br />* Drop off and pick up Patrick's <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">dry cleaning</span> in Elizabeth.<br />* Pop into the local gym to get a one-week trial membership (which didn't happen because no one was around to help out).<br />* Go through Sonic drive-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">thru</span> and grab lunch for the boys.<br />* Run into Best Buy to pick up office stuff and a new computer mouse.<br />* Shop at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Walmart</span> for household items and any nice looking produce. I'm also learning to just grab two of everything. If I need dish detergent. Grab two bottles. If I need toilet paper. Grab two boxes. We're going to use it eventually and you don't want to run out on <em>non</em>-errand day!<br />* Go to Sprouts Farmers Market to pick up the rest of the produce I need (since <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Walmart's</span> produce is always a little iffy) and all-natural meats, rice pasta and gluten-free baking products -- all stuff that I have not found in our local supermarket.<br /><br />The boys got home tired and <em>way</em> past <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">naptime</span>. I got home tired! And I still haven't put groceries away! But the pay-off is that I shouldn't have to go into town for anything again until next Tuesday - Errand Day.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-8867192334443623769?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7161415786551968910.post-70911893009169165572010-01-04T11:00:00.000-07:002010-01-04T11:16:21.940-07:00Okay, I know some of you reading this are already laughing at me.<br /><br />What in the world am I starting another blog for? I never did anything with the old one!<br /><br />Well, that's where new beginnings come in. And there have been a LOT of those in the Wilson household over the past several months. So I figured that with the start of a new year, I would start with a new blog to chronicle all of these new beginnings. Especially, all of the new things we have to learn as we <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">transition</span> from our lives as suburbanites to "country gentleman and lady." I say gentleman and lady as I have no intention to raise my own sheep, sheer them, spin their wool to turn into material to sew my own clothes. However, we have ideas of some things we'd like to dabble in - growing vegetables, raising some chickens, owning a shotgun or two... Hence the name, The <em>Semi-Homemade</em> Homestead. (You really can't have a Made-from Scratch Homestead when Super <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Walmart</span> is only five miles away!)<br /><br />So hopefully, I'll keep up with this and you will enjoy the musing of a wanna-be-country-girl who still laughs that waving at <em>every</em> car coming toward you on a dirt road is a steadfast country rule!<br /><br />So here's to plenty of waving at complete strangers in 2010!!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7161415786551968910-7091189300916916557?l=thesemihomemadehomestead.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632440021434256677noreply@blogger.com3