Old stuff.......

Sunday, September 25, 2005
OK. I finally did it!!
I finally broke down and set up a blog page. I feel so........technologically "with it". My cousins will be proud, and my brother will just be amazed! (I won't admit to how many times I had to click the help button while setting this up, though. :) )

I have no idea what wise thoughts, if any, will flow onto this blog page, but I can assure you, there will be many things for you to laugh at. Does that surprise any of you?

I will begin by telling you that we hosted a wonderful Fall potluck for our home school group yesterday. It was a wonderful time with over 75 people roaming all over the place. That wasn't the amazing thing, though. We have enjoyed several months with very few flies around the house. In fact, I have used my fly swatter so rarely, that it had dust on it! (It was dust from sitting around doing nothing and not your daily dust of the west, either.) As we walked up to the house after saying goodnight to the last family, we were greeted by a black mass of flies on the porch. We had none until the lemonade started flowing, so we have concluded that lemonade attracts flies. Not sure how scientific that statement is, but we stand by it for the time being.

I think we'll move into the barn for a few days and open up lemonade stands there to see if we can entice them away from the house.

I must also tell you this afternoon I looked out the window to see one of our herd bulls running through the pasture. I couldn't imagine what got his blood boiling. Then, I realized that the "heifers" have been moved to the pasture just north of his. Ahhhhh, there is nothing like looking out your window and seeing romance in the air. Now, I just hope I wake up tomorrow and see the fence still standing.
posted by Prairie Momma @ 9:50 PM


Wednesday, September 28, 2005
I love mornings like this......
It is just wonderful to wake up to the rain drizzling outside. Maybe that's something only a "desert" person can say, but I just love to wake up to grey, cloudy, wet mornings. The air just smells better, and for some reason, it just refreshes you. I am becoming a true rancher's wife, though, in that I've noticed that no matter how much rain we get or when we get it, I say things like, "I wish it had come sooner." "I wish there was more." "Too bad it's getting too cold for the grass to grow." I used to just appreciate the rain, now I find myself talking like a pessimist....... So, this morning, I'm just going to be grateful for whatever amount God blesses us with. "You, O God, sent a plentiful rain, whereby You confirmed Your inheritance when it was weary." Psalm 68:9

I have to tell you a crazy incident at our house. I was folding clothes in my bedroom the other day when Caleb comes in very matter of factly and tells me we need more toilet paper. I told him there was a new roll in the bathroom and to use that. He firmly told me, "We need ANOTHER roll." Thinking that maybe the other roll had been knocked off the counter or dropped in the trash or something, I told him to just get a new one out of the cabinet. He turns to walk out the door, and over his shoulder he tells me, "Thank you. The other one is on fire." WHAT!! I went running down the hall and just as he says, the roll is on fire. Apparently, it was a bit toooooo close to the candle that Joshua insisted be lit because it "stunk" in there. I doused the roll in the sink and had to just laugh. Most people would have let you know about the fire first, but I guess Caleb thought a new roll of tp was more important. I love the sign that says "A mother of boys works from SON up to SON down." It is toooooo true around here. As if that isn't enough to keep my heart pumping, I find out yesterday that you can climb one of our trees and actually jump to the roof of the house. Well, maybe they can, but I'm not going to try, and as per Daddy's orders, they better not try again, either. From SON up to SON down - it is so true.
posted by Prairie Momma @ 8:35 AM 5 comments


Thursday, September 29, 2005
It's still comin' down
As of 6:30 this morning, we have had 1.75 inches!!!! OK. The rancher in me is coming out again, "This is nice, but we are supposed to be shipping cattle this weekend." Now, the nature lover in me is thinking "If this keeps up throughout the winter, we are going to have the best flowers next year!"

Thank you, Lord!!!
posted by Prairie Momma @ 9:06 AM 3 comments

Sunday, October 23, 2005
Wonderful weekend
We just returned from a wonderful weekend in Glorieta, NM. We attended a Leader's Retreat for our state home school organization, and our children enjoyed some Bible stories and discovered new friendships. It is always nice to leave a weekend encouraged and refreshed; eager to continue with this chosen lifestyle. I call home schooling a lifestyle because we don't just school at home. It has truly become a way of life for this crazy bunch at our home. It is nice to hear words of encouragement as we go against the flow of society. Of course, as much as I love those words of encouragement, I can honestly say even without them, we wouldn't choose any other life for our brood. We have discovered so many blessings we never imagined we'd have when we started 10 years ago. So, maybe I should say we spent a weekend getting our tank topped off.

We are also finished with the steers for the year. All the extra cattle have been shipped to their new homes (who knows where), and we now only have our 110 momma cows and 80 calves to care for. We are hoping for some mild weather for at least a little while so that we won't need to start feeding until mid-December. Rebecca, Sarah, and Joshua are already eyeing which heifers they are considering for the fair next year. The girls are busy with some sewing projects and quilt classes. Joshua and Caleb are deep into books and plans for catapults, trebuchets, and any other contraption that will hurl some object larger than a pea across the yard. YIKES! I think I like the girls' sewing projects better. We are calling it science here, and who knows what wonderful lessons will be learned. I just hope we don't have to learn any glass repair along the way.

In a couple of weeks, my third child will enter the double digit ages. I can't believe it. I want to cry - not for the sorrow or dread of the teen years, but I cry because these wonderful years are just going by too quickly. I wish I had rotten kids sometimes because it would make it easier to see them grow up. God has blessed us far beyond our wildest dreams, and we have felt so honored and privileged to be the parents of these young people. I must admit, I wish they were not as daring and prone to injuries, but the fun memories are even worth those few moments. Going back to my first thoughts today, we did make the right choice, and we are reaping the benefits of our lifestyle. I will just learn to cherish these moments, store them as precious memories, and anticipate the Plans Our Creator has for these gifts He's loaned us for a time.
posted by Prairie Momma @ 3:08 PM 2 comments


Wednesday, November 02, 2005
We're going to Tahoe!!
John won a trip to South Lake Tahoe, and he invited me to go with him. I have no idea where in the world that is, but any weekend away with my honey will be great no matter where we end up. Anyone have any suggestions or info, please let us know. Otherwise, we shall look like a bunch of rednecks enjoying ourselves.

Speaking of rednecks......I love watching the quilt/sewing shows on our local PBS station on Saturday mornings. I usually end up watching it by myself or with Joshua (yes, he is the one that will sit and watch with me). On one particular show this last Saturday, the hostesses sons were guests to show how to convert a plain country table into a sewing table. They used masking tape to make some of their markings on, and then used some other "Heckendorn" style items to make this table, and Joshua looked at me with surprise and admiration and said, "Mom!! They're rednecks like we are!" I just had to laugh as I couldn't decide I was glad my son thinks rednecks are wonderful or if I should start to pity his wife........I'll take the first one for now. Of course, I know he's a redneck when he gets excited about the different colored duck tape they now have available. It will coordinate with almost any decor if you shop carefully. :):)
posted by Prairie Momma @ 10:39 PM 7 comments


Monday, November 07, 2005
Big day at our house

(Joshua with his heifer, Joy. Ladies, he's already starting a herd!!)

Today, my little man turns 10. He naturally wanted monkey bread for his breakfast in bed. Some things may never change no matter how old he gets. I'm glad. After he finished, we just snuggled and remembered that wonderful day 10 years ago. I know this is one thing that my children will never outgrow. They love to hear the story of their births. I think it re-establishes in their hearts and minds just how special they are to us. I've been reading articles lately that have talked about the importance of celebrations - big and small. I believe God wanted us to celebrate so that we do remember all of His provisions and blessings in our lives. I know it works for us.
posted by Prairie Momma @ 10:52 AM 4 comments



Monday, November 28, 2005
It's beginning to feel a lot like winter....
WOW! We were just commenting the other day about how warm it has been. The boys were outside playing football in long sleeve shirts (no jackets) Thanksgiving Day, but as of Sunday morning, we are freeeeezing! Our wood stove has been running non-stop since late Saturday night. That doesn't sound like such a big deal except that we are primarily using our wood stove to heat the house, so the back bedroom (the room we share with the boys) is soooo cold. One thing about it, the boys do not toss and turn and throw their covers off - neither do I for that matter. Right now as I type, it is 21 degrees F outside (actually 10 degrees with the wind chill factor). So much for the sunny southwest. However, it does put everyone in the holiday spirit around here. Even John ordered an extra bale of hay for the horses last night - and I am sure they said thank you.

Speaking of the barn, Joshua has found a Cooper's hawk in our barn. For those of you that know of his love for birds, this was a great thrill for him. In fact, he has gladly gone out to feed, even in this chilling weather, in hopes of seeing it again. He's certain the hawk is there feeding on the doves in the barn. This sighting sent him to his bird books (yes, that word should be plural), and he has informed us of all the details of Cooper's hawks as well as others. He is now trying to figure out how he can catch it and keep it as a pet. Hmmmmmmm I keep telling John we need to start watching more TV so that he doesn't have time to be creative. :)
For those of you wondering about our catapult - well, they ran into some technical difficulties. Mainly, they broke the throwing arm the first time out. The head of the project (Joshua) how now hired a consultant (Dad). They are looking into the matter and trying to find a way to correct the matter. We'll keep you apprised of any new details as they become known to us.

As I head out to finish the last three days of school before our winter break begins, I pray that each of you will find the time these next few weeks to just enjoy a nice cup of tea, someone to snuggle with, and a quiet moment to remember the gift of Christ this season.
posted by Prairie Momma @ 9:04 AM 3 comments