Spring is in the Air

It's almost the weekend. 
Planning and juggling the weekend in my brain...
Willem plays basketball out of town.
Merit is hoping to go to the girls varsity game tomorrow night. 
I need to clean the coop in a bad way. I need to pull all of my old sunflower stalks out of the garden too. 

And, of course, I am hoping for moments like this... just moments at home. Quiet moments. 

I am headed to the Favored Farmhouse soon to drop off some fun stuff! 

And SPRING is in the AIR! 

Out on the farm

 Glimpses of spring ...

This girl is so good! 

She is a fun sister, a beautiful daughter, a sweet friend! 

Animals know they can trust her. 

She is such a gem.

 Chicken goodness

Chicken Heartache

My afternoon yesterday had me irritated and discouraged. Thankfully this mornings sunshine, coffee, and a new day has me feeling encouraged...

But just a bit on yesterday. 
There is a house not far from here that attracts the strangest of people. 
No garbage pick up for these folks when they can put their garbage in their yard or in the back of a pick up truck. The current tenants had three dogs. They roam and get into mischief... they have two now. The man believes one of them was shot. 
I get home yesterday to see one of these dogs with one my chickens in his mouth. This house is not super close to ours. So this dog traveled to get into some chicken trouble. I hollered and yelled and tried to get him to drop my injured chicken. He ran with it. I followed him into the neighbors yard, he finally dropped it, white feathers flying everywhere. The chicken tried to run away and he picked it up again. Feathers and blood covering the dogs mouth. 
I can describe my feelings as highly agitated and sad. 
The neighbor lady helped me in this seemingly pointless fight. 
The dog is a strong young pup and oh my lands we could not keep it away from the chickens. 
I drove to the garbage yard house. I knocked on the door and a man answered. Without swearing at all I told him of the unfortunate situation and demanded he go get his dog from my yard. 
I think I woke him up for a nap. 
Our convo was the least pleasant of encounters I have had over the past few months.
Fast forward.
I had two badly injured chickens. A man who did not seem sorry, but beat his dog in front of me. (Side note, I blame the man far more than I blame the dog)
Two hours later both chickens had passed. Strangely, I wanted to knock on the garbage yard door and make him aware of the outcome. I still do. 
I also want to take him to Judge Judy.
There is more to this story but I have re-entered my discouraged state so it is time to switch gears.


Thanksgivings:

10 cent thrift store early reader books that I can share with Oren and the other kinders I love

Vance's willingness to cook dinner

The sunshine! 

Some people go on vacations to get away from life's stresses - I honestly am quite refreshed by things like watching Hazel ride horse or going on a long walk with friends, or a fun dinner out. I feel thankful for this. 

My chickens, the ones I have left

Garbage pick up

Batido and Tamales

Homemade tamales and batido - our weekend all around has been good but Saturday afternoon was a highlight. 
Hazel's darling, friendly, polite friend Jennifer invited Hazel to her birthday party, just verbally. I hesitated taking Hazel there -- there was no invite or call from the parents. Jennifer's parents don't speak English. 
Hazel could not stop talking about it and was so excited! Jennifer gave Hazel her address. So we packaged up a cute, fun gift. Shopping for ten year old girls is the best! And Willem and I drove Hazel to Jennifer's house. Neighbor kids were there, Mexican music was playing... this girl of mine was SO excited!
I picked her up two hours later - well, I tried to - she BEGGED not to leave! They invited me in for tamales and batido! Oh my lands! A small house, FILLED with people, music playing, DELICIOUS food, smiles all around! Two women spoke a bit of English and we got by and I loved the comfort, laughter, and food! It was the best. 



We had a great Friday night of basketball too - 

 It was senior night! What a fun evening!

Sunday - church - a wonderful service

A hike with Vance - sun shining!

And dinner - our whole fam - at Inca

Today, cleaning and organizing 

We may even redeem the kids personal pan pizza certificates again. "Book It" is a fantastic motivator here. 

Today’s fun !

Oren Paul! What a cute old man!

Look at these 100 year olds on the 100th day of school!! So much fun! 

Teaching 5th grade today! 

And we had a little time for Valentine bookmarks!

Oren’s art always makes me smile!!!

a guitar, I believe

The Grinch and Max

Tuesday Morning

On Sunday's hike Oren found this "garage" for his cards. :-) 





I am researching camera lens' today. What an expensive hobby, so very fun though. 

I have many loads of laundry to tackle. 

Merit is not feeling good. Hope he turns the corner soon! 

We purchased new lunch boxes for Hazel and Oren with different compartments. I cannot tell you how excited these kids are about their lunch boxes! It is the cutest thing. Hazel wanted to go to bed early Thursday night. She wanted Friday to hurry up and get here so she could use her new lunch box! And because she had an after school art class that day! 

Today I have to decide how I am going to help and what home duties I will tackle and what will still be there tomorrow, waiting for me. :-)  Well, the rest of it will all be there tomorrow, waiting for me. I am so thankful for opportunities to volunteer and sub in the classroom where I can SEE I am making a DIFFERENCE. I am so thankful for this part of the world we live in too where the sun shines often and there are so many opportunities to hike and explore. 

Some days it takes a lot of effort to rise above discouragement. I am so thankful for scripture.


Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. 
Deuteronomy 31:6

But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; ... Isaiah 40:31

Today is going to be a great day.

More from the weekend...

Woke up at 6:30 a.m. tired to the bone, exercise today should help that.
Blue sky and sunshine will also help - it's cold and gorgeous! 

I forgot how beautiful Chelan is! Saturday Vance, Willem, Jayce, and I headed to Chelan for Smash's tourney. These boys have improved so much. 
Merit babysat Oren and Hazel. They enjoyed hide and seek at a park, fun at the arcade, and relaxed at home. 
Our high school boys and girls played at West Valley Friday night. I watched the JV boys (tough, close game!), the varsity girls who are on fire, and our varsity guys. 


Smash

A winter's hike!

A winter's hike and treasure hunt too! 
The prize at the end... bath bombs and hot wheels! 

 Fresh air with great company...
Willem was in Chelan (great tourney!) Merit was in Seattle. 
Vance and I hid clues and the littles ventured out on a good long hunt.

Happy Monday

Check out this amazing Lego Masterpiece!

I love consigning at the Favored Farmhouse! It is such a fun little "job" - and each time I go in, I am inspired.

some fun at ULTA

Connie the cat! I spin on the spin bike, she keeps me company! 

Weekend Fun!

Willem headed to Pullman yesterday for a WSU basketball game! He and his Smash team went! So fun! 

Vance and I enjoyed a hike yesterday and today. The weather is gorgeous today. 

Hazel made kabobs for our afternoon! Yum. We have all sorts of super bowl snacks in the works. 

Oren has a "restaurant" on the deck. The pretend and play is so fun. 

Merit had a good weekend of basketball!