TRIPLE B ACRES

praying for Iowa

Hello,

I finally made it back here!  I have just not had my mind on blogging lately.  We have been busy trying to finish up school for the year-- so I can have a break!

I love homeschooling but it can be very challenging to get it all done.   I have so many things I want them to do but never enough time to do it!  And it seems before we finish one thing I find something else that would be really great and want to do that, too! 

I am also praying daily for Iowa-- I am originally from Iowa and all of my family is still there.  All of my family is safe -- they live in Mt. Pleasant(where I grew up) and Iowa City & Burlington are part of my old stomping grounds!   I feel for everyone and know exactly what they are going through-- as we were flooded in Sept 99 by Hurricane Floyd.  We lost our home and I just remember the feelings of despair!  We were very thankful for our lives but to lose everything you work your whole life for is very emotional.   I had to call my mom & sister to come get us as we didn't even have a vehicle to drive.  My kids were 7,5 & 4 months at the time and we went to Iowa for several weeks.  We then came back and lived in a camper for 5 months until we were able to move into our home we live in now.  There is so much I want to do for these people now but I know that until the water has receded and damages are assessed there is not much we can do except pray.  I remember people asking us  "what do you need?" but until you can finally settle down and assess the whole situation you can't really think about what you will need; your mind is on just getting through another day.  Water, diapers, formula were some of the biggest blessings for us as we had a baby and we could not get to work for several weeks-- these items were a big financial blessing to us. 

On the homestead front we have come a long way with the new chicken house-- the fencing is done and the chickens are staying in the new barn but we have to finish putting up another wall before winter comes again.

I also finally made some goat's milk soap -- it doesn't look very pretty-- it wouldn't come out of the mold very well but it does smell good and I used some to wash my hands and it lathered real good. 

Today is 2 weeks so I am going to try bathing with it tonight-- I will let you know how it is!  For those of you who make soap what do you use for molds?  Do you grease the molds?  And how do you make pretty colors?  We are going to try some more soon.

 Until next time,

Be blessed ~~ Tina

Springtime

Good morning,

We have been having some beautiful weather.  It is a little cloudy & rainy today but I am thankful for it.  The garden is coming along good.  The flowers are blooming pretty.  I love this time of year! 

Yesterday I made a trip to Raleigh to the Homeschool Gathering Place (a homeschool used book store) with a couple of other moms.  I was able to find  a couple of things I needed for next school year.  I am not going to have to buy very much this year-- which is a very big blessing.  Just a few workbooks for Lee and William's Alg 2 program we are now using.  I have everything else I need.  I love/hate going to the bookstore because I love looking at all the books but I always end up buying too much because "that looks really good- I want the boys to read/ do this" and then I have way too much stuff and not enough time to do it!!!

My guys have been busy working on the new chicken barn & pen. It is coming along good.  I can't wait for it to get finished.  We are having to keep the chickens locked up inside the other barn for now since we put in garden.  I know they are ready to get outside again.

Daisy May was 'supervising' the building of the new barn until I called her name and she turned to look at me....................

Spice thinks he is king of the mountain!!!!

Hope you all have a blessed day.

Tina

Hummingbirds

We have a hummingbird!  We put the feeder out Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning we had this visitor. 

The hummingbird: God’s tiny miracle http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v14/i1hummingbird.asp

 We have been busy this week finishing putting in garden.  Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash- yellow & zucchini-, snap beans, butter beans and watermelon.  Can't you just taste all that fresh goodness!  It hailed here Tuesday evening-- I was very worried about the garden and new flowers we had just set out.  But most everything fared very well. 

William & I went to the community college yesterday and got information on dual enrollment for the fall.  High school aged kids 16 and up can take college courses for free-- you have to buy the books- while still in high school.  His plans right now are to get a degree in Animal Science from NC State.  He can take courses at community college and get a 2 year Associate in Science degree and transfer to state as a Junior when he graduates from highschool.  This is such an awesome opportunity. 

Now I just have to figure out how to pay for the 2 years at State!!!!

Until next time~ be blessed.

Tina

birds & flowers

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day.  We had some rain and it was very cool but I still had a nice day.  I was able to make it to church and still get home about 3:00 from work. Taft & my boys were in the process of fixing a big pot of chicken & pastry and cornbread to go with it.  Taft had called his mama & dad to come eat with us.  I took about an 1/2 hour nap and then sat down to enjoy my meal and it was very good!!  Taft is turning out to be a pretty good cook since I have been working weekends.  I guess they got tired of peanut butter & banana, bologna or egg sandwiches all the time. 

My guys got me a bird bath.

I haven't had much luck with birds coming to my feeder this year.  For one thing it has been a very mild winter-- no snow.  But I did find this pair of gold finches on my feeder Tuesday morning. 

I love watching the birds come to the feeder.   I bought a hummingbird feeder Tuesday.  I would love to attract some hummingbirds they are so awesome to watch.  I got some flowers planted around my feeder and bird bath yesterday.

I have some flower seeds to plant -- morning glories, bachelor buttons and four o'clocks.  I also have some moon flower seeds but I am not sure where I want to plant them. 

They are logging the woods across the road from us.  I have very mixed feelings about this.  Since they have started logging it is really brightening us up giving us a more open feeling but I have seen how they leave some of these places.  They look a mess.  My biggest worry is that they will sell off this land in lots.  I am not sure if it will even perk.  We are very close to a creek and were completely flooded in 1999 by Hurricane Floyd.  We came back to this property because we could not find anything else that was "private".  Everything was being sold in lots.  We like having our own space and not having neighbors within an arms length.  

Before................

After..................

I don't know if they are going to leave the trees that are still standing or coming back.  They have machines over there today cleaning up what has already been cut. 

Got to go get things loaded up to go to our 4-H meeting today.  

Until next time~~ be blessed,

Tina

Been awhile

It has been a while since I last posted.  I just haven't found the time to sit at the computer long enough to catch up until now.  Last week the kids had their Livestock Awards banquet.  William was asked to sing and he chose to sing 'Farther Along'.  He loves to sing the old hymns and does a great job at them. 

He also sang this for our Homeschool Art & Talent Show last week.  All three boys entered photography in the art show.  Lee received a blue ribbon on his and William & Adam each received a red. 

William's .................

Adam's........................

Lee's...................

 We also had a birthday party for William--he turned 16--and Lee--he turned 9.  We had a pig-pickin.  For those who don't live in NC  -- we cooked a pig.  I don't know why it is called a pig pickin here-- growing up in Iowa we had hog roasts.   My mom, sister and 2 nephews flew in for the weekend to celebrate with us.  It was nice having them here.  They don't get to celebrate many b-day's with the boys. 

Our good friend Willie cooked the pig for us..............

Taft (my hubby--looking at me) and our friend Chris pickin their pig........

Not much left!................

The boys & their cakes -- our good friend Jeannie made them..............

William's................

Lee's.................

Our family loves music -- singing & playing-- so we had to have some karaoke!!!!

 some of the guys.................

some of the gals..................

and even a little dancing................

We had so much fun-- I love having family & friends over just to have fun.  I wish we could do it more often!

Before my mom & sister left we snuck in a trip to the beach!!! It turned out to be a beautiful day.  The kids had a blast -- even in cold water!!!!

I think things are finally slowing down now.  We have field day and the end of the year party tomorrow afternoon with our homeschool group.  Maybe now we can get back into the books strong and get them finished.  YEAH!!!  I am ready for a big break.  Although I am already trying to make a few plans for next year as our state homeschool convention is later this month.  I went last year for the 1st time and enjoyed it.  I plan to go back this year to purchase some of our books for next year.  

We still have to finish putting in garden.  That is the plan for next week.   I will be glad when that is done. 

Until next time ~~ be blessed,

Tina

4-H Gala

Last Tuesday night NC had a 4-H Gala to raise money for 4-H across the state.   4-H will be 100 years old next year and special 'We Are 4-H' song was written by a former 4-Her.  About 40 people (4-Her's, 4-H alumni, 4-H agents, etc) were asked to come to Raleigh and record this song.  William was selected to go.  He then got to go to the Gala and perform. 

This was a shot of the group practicing.........

This is a shot of the finale....................

It was a great night.  $226,000 was raised. 

Our local Relay for Life is this coming weekend.  Our church always has a relay team.  They held a yard sale this past weekend so last week we were busy cleaning out the barn and garage.  The barn and garage look so nice-- I just wish it was easy to keep it that way!!!  We tend to be 'collectors' -- we might need it one day!!

We are getting more rain today with a chance of storms tonight.  It is really helping our drought situation. 

I think I mentioned in an earlier post that a close friend of ours was diagnosed with cancer again (her 3rd time).  She left for Philadelphia yesterday morning to the Cancer Centers of America.  She is to meet with doctors today and tomorrow.  Another friend & I along with her daughter met at her house Friday night to pray with her.  She has chosen Psalm 71 as her focus.  Please keep her in your prayers.

Until next time~ be blessed,

Tina

TIME

I have survived William driving by himself!!  He drove himself & Adam on Saturday to our Baptist churches work day-- Operation In As Much.  Several of the Baptist churches in town got together and had a community day.  Groups were formed -- my boys helped out with 2 different construction projects-- they built wheelchair ramps at 2 different houses.  One group had  a cookout & Bingo at an elderly/handicapped apartment complex.  I had to see a patient at this complex later on Sat afternoon and she was telling me how much she and all of her neighbors enjoyed this.  I am not sure of all the activities going on but I know it was a big success.  One day, when I don't have to work weekends anymore, I will join in on the fun!  Sometimes I get down because I have to work every weekend (I get 3 weekends off a year) and then I think about how blessed I truly am-- I can be home with my kids during the week and still do a job that I truly do enjoy!  I like to think about what the Bible says about time:

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8: 

1)There is a time for everything, and season for every activity under heaven: 

2)a time to be born and time to die,  a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3)a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,

4)a time to weep and a time to laugh,  a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5)a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,  a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

6)a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7)a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8)a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

I know that eventually I will be in another time-- a time when my children will not need me like they do now.  I am very thankful I am able to be home with my children at this time in their lives. 

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

We had 21 out of 35 eggs hatch-- quite a variety!  They started hatching Thursday night and the last one hatched Sunday morning while we were at church.  Our friend, that we were hatching them for, came and picked them up Monday morning.  It is amazing to me how fast a chick grows-- the oldest ones already had some feathers starting on their wings.  I can watch chicks hatch over & over-- I don't know how anyone can doubt that we have a Divine Creator!!! 

The one without any fuzz on its neck is called a Turken (or Turkey neck or Naked neck)  they are some of the best layers we have seen.  They are funny to look at but great chickens.  We had 3 of those hatch.  I hope they are hens.

I pray that you will all have a blessed day.  There is a chance for more storms here today.  But it is supposed to finally clear out tomorrow.  As I have said before we still desperately need the rain but it seems like when it comes it stays for 3-5 days in a row.  I am ready to see the sun again.  We are just never satisfied!!! 

Until next time,

Tina

OLD & NEW BABIES

                                       TODAY IS WILLIAM'S B-DAY!!!  16 YEARS OLD!!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILLIAM---- IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE 16 YEARS HAVE GONE BY SINCE THE DAY YOU WERE BORN! 

He was born on a Saturday-- the Saturday before Easter that year.  He even waited until I got up Saturday morning.  What a wonderful day-- the birth of your first child!

He is planning to go get his license this morning.  I am excited about him getting his license but nervous -- I think I am more nervous about him being able to go out on his own (without me or his daddy) than him actually driving.  Is this a normal reaction for your children(especially your first)? 

My sister just called and said they felt the earthquake in the midwest.  They live in southeastern Iowa.  She said she felt her bed start shaking and couldn't figure out what was going on!   I remember being in St. Louis as a teenager with my 4-H group and they said we had an earthquake that night- but I didn't feel it.  I am thankful there have not been any reports of damage or injury. 

William bought 2 new Nubian does yesterday with some of his 4-H money.  He plans to show at the state fair.  These are 2 registered does bought from Hidden Haven Homestead.  They are beautiful and very well cared for. 

Dreaming Lisa (brown) and Gabrielle - Gabby for short-- (black)....

We also have biddies hatching right now.... two hatched last night...

and there are more with pip holes in them this morning.......

(this picture was taken through the top window so it is a little blurry)

WHAT A GREAT DAY FOR A BIRTHDAY!

Until next time,

Tina

The MOM (& DAD) song

This was sent to me and I wanted to share.........

be sure to watch both videos

Be blessed~

Tina

Livestock Show

This has been a very busy week.  We had our Livestock Show & Sale on Wed & Thurs.  The boys both placed 10th in their classes.  This is our 2nd year doing this and we have definately learned a lot.  After talking to several different people we have figured out that we need to buy lambs from reputable breeders that are breeding for show lambs.  We have bought our lambs through the county both years and although they are good lambs they are not the highest quality stock.  The lambs that are placing 1st & 2nd are lambs that are started out from birth with high quality feed.  We also figured out that those lambs are about 4-5 months older and that can make a big difference in size and muscle quality.  I think this is a great learning experience for my boys.  They did make good money at the sale.  Lee showed his goat, Spice, in the Cloverbud show.  It really isn't a show -- the kids, ages 5-8, bring their goats in groups of about 10 into the show ring and are led around to stations where the kids are instructed and quizzed on 1) Parts of a Goat; 2) How To Care For a Goat;  and 3) Showmanship.  It give the younger kids a chance to get in the ring with an animal and helps prepare them for actual showing.  There were around 80 Cloverbud participants.  WOW!

William in the ring.........................

 William after the show...........................

Adam in the ring...............................

Adam after the show...................................

Lee waiting to get Spice weighed...........

Lee in the ring--our neice is standing just in front of him, too......

Lee getting his certificate and medal.................

 We truly enjoy raising our animals.  I wish all kids could have a chance to do it just one time. 

Our homeschool group decided to have Formal Dinner for our teens this year.  This is the 1st one.  I have never bought my boys a suit.  But they were required to wear suit & tie or at least nice slacks, jacket & tie.  We went shopping Friday morning -- of course the last minute-- and ended up buying suits.  JCPenney had them on sale.  Still expensive but not as bad as it could have been.  They were having a sale -- buy so much and get so much off.  The sales lady that helped us split up the items we bought into three separate bills so I was able to take advantage of the $$ off and saved $50.00!!!!

They looked so handsome!!!!

William.................

Adam...........................

Some of our boys-- all but one of these boys were showing lambs this week at the show & sale-- they clean up pretty good!!!!

Some of our girls.....................

The boys said they had a good time.  They had dinner, singing and a speaker.  And lots of mingling. 

Until next time~ be blessed,

Tina

Rain, Rain, Go Away (but don't stay away too long!)

It is still raining here!  I don't want to complain but I am ready for some sunshine!!!  It is just a very slow drizzly rain.  But everything is turning green!  The garden is coming up good.  It is getting about time to put in tomatoes, cucumbers & squash.  My mouth is watering just thinking about eating some fresh vegies!

My sister sent me this in an email and I can relate to some of them:

YOU KNOW YOU ARE LIVING IN 2008 when...

1. You accidentally enter your PIN on the microwave.

2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.

3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of three.

4. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.

5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail addresses.

6. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries. 

7. Every commercial on television has a web site at the bottom of the screen.

8. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't even have the first 20 or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go and get it. 

10. You get up in the morning and go on line before getting your coffee.

11. You start tilting your head sideways to smile. : )

12. You're reading this and nodding and laughing. 

13. Even worse, you know exactly to whom you are going to forward this message.

14. You are too busy to notice there was no #9 on this list.

15. You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn't a #9 on this list.

 We are off to a b-day party.  Have a great day!

Until next time ~ be blessed,

Tina

OUR WEEK

Testing is over for another year.  The boys felt like it went ok.  We should get the results in 4-6 weeks.  William is off to Raleigh today to sing the NC 4-H Song that has been made in honor of 4-H being 100 years old.  40 people from across the state - some kids and some adults - that are or have been involved in 4-H are going to sing and record the song today.  Then 32 of the original 40 will be selected to sing the song at the 4-H Gala later in the month.  The Gala is a $100 a plate fund raiser for 4-H -- I guess we won't be going!  But I do hope William is selected-- he does enjoy singing and I think this is a great opportunity for him. 

William will be turning 16 on the 18th of this month and he and Taft got his car running this weekend.  They had bought the car last year needing a new motor and they finally found one and put it in over the weekend.  We got it licensed and inspected this week.  He and Adam will get in the car and drive it up and down the driveway.  I can remember as a teenager when everyone pitched in to put $3-4 worth of gas in one of our cars and 'cruise' all night long!  Now I guess it would take about $20!!!  I don't even know if kids 'cruise' anymore.  I took one of my best friends and her daughter out for supper the other night-- to celebrate her daughter's b-day (she turned 20) and we were trying to figure out something to do after and there was nothing to do.  No decent movies to go see-- we did go to the bowling alley but they were having leagues and all the lanes were full.  We ended up at Walmart!!  I did find a couple of shirts and a pair of jeans I have been needing.  And I did buy a b-day present for William.  What do young people do?

The boys got their lambs sheared yesterday--

BEFORE......

William's.......................

Adams.........................

Lee checking out all the wool..................

AFTER..................................

Now we have to get them finished for the show. 

Lee is busy working with Spice for the Cloverbud show.......

Until next time~~ be blessed,

Tina

Rain, Rain, Rain

We have been getting rain!!  Thank you, Lord!  We need a lot of rain to make up for our drought conditions.  We need a hurricane without the wind to come through!  Yesterday was cold -- 45 and rain-- but today was 65 with rain-- not as tough to handle.  Lee had a cub scout camping trip Friday night and a thunderstorm went through about 1 am.  My husband woke up cold & wet.  He keeps saying he is getting too old for sleeping on the ground-- but he enjoys being with the boys.  Lee is our youngest and it won't be much longer before he will be camping on his own.  I know Taft will miss being with him. 

The boys started school testing today-- they test tomorrow & Wed, also.  They all said they felt pretty good about the testing today.  They don't stress out about testing.  I just tell them to concentrate and do their best. 

William & Adam are busy getting their lambs ready for the show & sale next week. 

 Adam & General...........................

 William & Prince..........................................

We take them to get them sheared on Friday-- what a difference that will make!

My sister sent me this sign for my birthday and  I finally found a place for it.  I love the sign!  It prioritizes our life-- FAITH-FAMILY-FRIENDS.

FAITH:  He replied, "Because you have so little FAITH.  I tell you the truth, if you have FAITH as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move.  Nothing will be impossible for you."  Matthew 17:20

FAMILY: She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her FAMILY.  Proverbs 31:15

FRIENDS: Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his FRIENDS.  John 15:13

Thank you, Tracy.

Until next time~ be blessed,

Tina

5 Things Tag

Just for fun- I saw this on another blog......

5 Random facts about myself: 

1) I have 3 boys  2) I drive a van  3) I love living in the country 4) I am a home health nurse  5) I grew up in Iowa

5 Weird things about myself: 

1) I like staying home with my kids (some people think this is weird)  2) I let baby goats and chicks stay in my house when needed  3) I like cheese & crackers with mustard for a snack  4) I like OJ mixed with 7-up or Sprite when I am sick-- (OJ for the vitamin C and the bubbly makes it go down better)  5) I have a dishwasher but do dishes by hand

5 Things on my desk: 

1) computer 2) phone 3) bills  4) my Bible  5) camera

5 Places I have been:

1) Illinios  2) Florida  3) South Carolina  4) Kentucky  5) Tennessee

It has been a beautiful day here.  78 degrees by the bank clock in town today.  Our 4-H club has been asked to help on a community service project at a historical site here in our town. 

http://www.edgecombearts.org/bbh.htm 

The 1808 Blount-Bridgers House, “the Grove,” is a national historic landmark. It is home to a permanent collection that celebrates the 200 year-old material culture of Edgecombe County and the creative achievements of Tarboro-born artist, Hobson Pittman (1899-1972).

They are starting an herb garden and need help with preparing, planting & maintaing the garden.  Some of our group went today and helped prepare the soil for planting.  They plan to have it planted by mid- April for a Spring Garden Symposium. 

I am ready to get the rest of our garden in but I probably need to wait until mid-April at least.  It is supposed to be back in the 50's over the weekend.

The kids have testing next week.  Our homeschool group makes it easy for us to test by having a testing committee to order and set up all the testing.   Each mom and/or dad assist in some way-- test administators, proctors, nursery and playground monitors.  For most of the children and adults it is an enjoyable time.  The children test and then are able to spend some time together. 

The following week is the 4-H livestock show.  That will take up most of our time that week. 

So, hopefully after that is all done we can relax a little and finish the garden.  I am ready for some fresh vegies! 

 Lee asked me if he could go outside and finish his math-- but he got a little help.....

Isn't it fun to live in the country!!!

Until next time~ be blessed,

Tina

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter day.  Our weather turned cooler.  But we may have 80 degrees by the end of this week.  We desperately need rain. 

My husband had the day off yesterday and he & the boys started on another barn.  Our original barn, built Jan 07, was designed as 1/2 chicken coop and 1/2 for 4-H lambs with space for food & equipment storage. But then we got goats!   We now have 3 grown goats and 3 babies.  The boys built stalls in part of husbands old shop and they are working well but they have decided to build another barn just for the chickens and use the original barn for the goats.  They are also busy placing electric fencing through the woods surrounding our house to give the goats more space to run. 

I have a couple of prayer requests for those who pray....

1) Alice, who goes to my church and is a good friend is having trouble with fluid in her lungs-- she is a cancer survivor but has been having some problems over the last year.  She spent the night in our local hospital but they sent her home tonight because they cannot help her here - she needs to be seen in Chapel Hill but was told there are 300 people waiting for a bed!  That is hard to believe!  They hope to get her up there by the end of the week.

2) David, my b-i-l is having some tests done on friday-- his bilirubin has come back high and they want to do some tests on his liver.

Finally this was emailed to me and I thought it was interesting.....Find out how popular your first name has been over the past 100 years, just click below and enter your first name.   http://www.birthdayalarm.com/name .

Until next time~ Be Blessed,

Tina

HAPPY EASTER!

HAPPY EASTER!

WHAT A WONDERFUL MORNING!

CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES, HE WAS BURIED AND HE WAS RAISED ON THE THIRD DAY  ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES.  1ST CORINTHIANS 15:3-4

HALLELUJAH!! 

FRIDAY NIGHT A LOCAL FARM HAD A 'WALK WITH JESUS'.  THEY HAVE FIXED ONE OF THEIR FARM PATHS INTO A WALK WITH SCENES OF THE LAST WEEK OF JESUS' LIFE ON EARTH.  THEY ARE LIVE SCENES WITH LOCAL PEOPLE AND LIVE ANIMALS AT EACH SCENE.  IT IS A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE.  AT THE END THEY HAD BLEACHERS SET UP ON ONE SIDE OF A POND AND A TOMB MADE ON THE OTHER AND COMPLETE WITH SOUND EFFECTS WE SAW JESUS RAISED ON THE THIRD DAY.   IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL NIGHT-- FULL BRIGHT MOON WITH STARS EVERYWHERE.  COOL BUT NOT COLD.  IT WAS A WONDERFUL NIGHT TO SPEND WITH MY FAMILY AND EXPERIENCING THE SPIRIT OF JESUS ALL AROUND US!

WE COLORED OUR EGGS FRIDAY MORNING..............

LEE DID IT BY HIMSELF THIS YEAR-- THE OLDER BOYS HAD GONE TO HELP A FRIEND MOVE SOME HAY THAT MORNING.  MY MOM ALWAYS HID THE EGGS WE COLORED FOR US TO FIND ON EASTER MORNING SO I HAVE CONTINUED THAT TRADITION WITH MY KIDS.  I ASKED THEM THIS YEAR IF THEY STILL WANTED TO HUNT EASTER EGGS ON EASTER MORNING AND THEY SAID "YES".  I AM GLAD-- THEY AREN'T COMPLETELY GROWN UP YET!

I STARTED ABOUT 4 OR 5 YEARS AGO HIDING THEIR EASTER BASKETS AND LEAVING CLUES FOR THEM TO FIND.  THEY REALLY ENJOY THAT.  THEY RUSH ALL THROUGH THE HOUSE FROM CLUE TO CLUE UNTIL THEY FIND THEIR BASKETS.

THE EGGS AND BASKETS ARE HIDDEN AND I AM JUST WAITING FOR THEM TO GET UP. 

I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY AND ENJOY YOUR CHURCH SERVICES. 

UNTIL NEXT TIME~ BE BLESSED,

TINA

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY

GOOD MORNING!

HOPE YOU ARE ALL WEARING YOUR GREEN!

SINCE MY BOYS WERE LITTLE THEY HAVE BEEN WAKING UP TO ST. PATRICKS DAY BREAKFAST.  ANYTHING THAT CAN BE COLORED GREEN - GETS COLORED.  I HAVE TO BE AT THE OFFICE EARLY TODAY SO THIS YEAR IT IS MILK, SCRAMBLED EGGS AND TOAST WITH BUTTER.  OH YEAH, I USED GREEN EGGS, TOO!

I HAVE GOT TO GO GET THE BOYS UP TO ENJOY THIER BREAKFAST-- I HOPE THEY FORGOT TO WEAR GREEN TO BED LAST NIGHT SO I CAN GIVE THEM A PINCH!

I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT GREEN DAY!

BE BLESSED ~ TINA

Camp outs and gardening

Another weekend almost done-- I am on call until 8 am.  But for the most part it is done.  The computer is getting easier to manage.  I am learning where everything is on it.  It was cooler here today after a thunderstorm last night and some still very needed rain.  My husband, Lee and Adam were supposed to be camping last night but both campouts were cancelled due to the weather.  Lee is a Bear scout and they were to have their annual camporee.  They were there all day but as the day went on and it started to rain the leaders decided b/c of the weather coming in it would be best not to camp.  Lee was disappointed but had a good time otherwise.   He earned a compass reading badge.  Adam was on a boy scout hike & campout.  They hiked 4 miles to a camp site.  They did not stay either b/c of the weather.  He did get some pictures..........

taking a break....................

William put in some garden Friday & Saturday afternoon.  Cabbage, peas, onions, potatoes, lettuce & spinach.  He has been doing a lot of the gardening for the last couple of years and is trying to do it all organically this year........................

Our homeschool group has a section at the art show at our Children's Museum & Art Center.  Lee's age group has had some of their art work on display this month.  Lee entered some photograhy and we went to see it on Thursday.  There are some very talented young artists.

William & Adam will have theirs displayed starting week of the 24th.  They have both decided to enter photograhy also.

Goldie says come and join us again here at the Triple B!........

Until next time~ be blessed,

Tina

CUB SCOUTS ON THE FARM

We had Lee's cub scout group over last night.  William gave them all a tour of our little 'farm'.  They collected eggs and were amazed that they found brown, white and green eggs.  They played with the goats.  The goats got a little upset that there were so many around them and it worried them some.  William milked Goldie with the boys watching.  Most of them had never seen a goat or any animal milked.  William skimmed some milk for the cream and the boys took turns shaking the jar and made butter.  They tried the butter on some crackers.  Before they left they had a snack of homemade chocolate chip cookies and goats milk.  Several of them even asked for seconds on the milk.  It surprised me.  Even the moms tried it and liked it.  One mom bought a dozen eggs. 

I love watching the expressions of the kids and adults when they see and taste things for the first time!   People have been raising their own animals for milk, eggs & meat for hundreds of years.  But the last hundred years or so we have become very dependent on grocery stores for all of our food.   My goal is to become less dependent and more self sufficient!   I like knowing where my food is coming from.  And I like the fact that my boys are learning and understanding that they can raise a lot of their own products to live on. 

Until next time~~ Be Blessed,

Tina

OLD PHOTOS

I have been going through old photos that my mom and sister brought with them when they came at Thanksgiving time.  They brought 3 big rubbermaid containers full.  I love history and reading about history and these photos are my history.  My grandparents (mom's parents) have both passed away.  My mom was an only child so we were especially close to her parents as we (my brother and 2 sisters) were their only grandchildren.  My dad's parents are still living but they have 20+ grandchildren and I don't know how many greats.  They are both in fairly good health although we had a scare about 5 or 6 years ago when my grandpa went into heart failure and came very close to dying.  The doctors didn't have much hope.  All of our family was there except 2 grandchildren-- 1 had just had a baby and 1 was in Marines and over seas at the time.   He has recovered and doing well. 

The pictures I am going through are from my mom's side.  I have found pictures that are mid- late 1800's.  This picture is on tin!!!!   I have read about this but have never seen one--it is labeled Grandpa Cooper and Aunt Lena-- I think it is my great, great, great Grandpa. 

 I have found a picture of Aunt Lena and her family but none of Grandpa Cooper & his family.

This is a picture of Grandpa Cooper (I don't know his first name-- I am trying to get my Aunt Helen, hopefully she will know his name)

This is a picture of my Great Grandma Ercil as a young child with her parents, Alva & Edna. 

This was her as an older child and her family........

And here she is married to Howard Lee (Feb 11, 1920)...........

Then came my Grandpa (Robert "Bob" Dean Lee)........our youngest son is named after him Robert Lee Whitehurst-- we call him Lee.....

Here he is married to Eve Billingsley on Feb 24, 1950.........

Then came my mom-- Deborah Ann Lee...................

her high school portrait........

then me!

That is my 1/4 of my history.  I hope I can find some more pictures of the other 3/4ths!  I want to leave this to my children to enjoy!

Lee's cub scout group is coming tonight to see the goats, rabbits and chickens.  William is going to milk Goldie while they are here because I am sure most of these children have not seen a goat milked.  We are baking cookies to give as a snack along with a glass of goats milk.  I need to go finish the cookies and getting prepared for them. 

Until next time ~~ Be Blessed,

Tina