Mama Kay

I still can’t believe that Emma is walking already! She is the earliest walker of any of our girls by at least 6 weeks.

Here is a video clip of her:

Enjoy!

I will enter your gates with thanksgiving in my heart and I will enter your courts with praise

I am thankful for a relaxing weekend with friends and family in the much cooler forest.

I am thankful for my husband who is able to drive us safely to go camping pulling a pop-up trailer.

I am thankful for the cool breezes, beautiful butterflies and blanket of stars we experienced this weekend.

I am thankful for air conditioning (especially when it is 112 degrees outside!)

I am thankful for my own soft bed to come home to.

I am thankful for my wonderful in-laws who make swim lessons an extra, special event for our girls.

I am thankful for baby smiles, toddler kisses, preschooler helpfulness, and big girls who can really help out in such a meaningful way.

I am thankful for a generous church member who gave our family the exact swing set our children have wanted from Costco for years.

I am thankful for crockpots cooking dinner.

I am thankful for all the recipes that are so easy to find on the internet.

140. 5potato’s first steps

141. Her beautiful laughter

142. 1potato’s willingness to watch the baby while I get a shower

143. summer break

144. a houseful of books waiting to be read

145. ideas swarming in my head with the potential studies of the new school year

146. grace

147. a beloved husband

148. Land’s End’s modest swimsuits for the girls

149. access to whole foods to feed my family with

150. hope for a future on a few acres of land

Our CSA farmer retired last week. We were sad to say goodbye although we are happy for them that they are moving to a more rural area where it is cooler and I’m sure they will be much happier.

The girls and I went out to the farm last week to say goodbye and pick up our last produce, milk and eggs. We were also able to pick up 2 chickens since they can’t take them with them. Our friends (who live less than 2 miles away) have about an acre of land and do not have an HOA! They already have a horse, goats and 2 chickens.

So we asked if they could house 2 chickens for us so that we could continue to get fresh eggs. They graciously said “yes” in return for a loaf of my homemade bread every week.

The chickens seem to be adapting to their new home although they haven’t laid any eggs yet but then again its been 115 here and who feels like doing anything when its that hot!

Now if we can just figure out a way to get a milk cow…

21. Books—knowledge, ideas, friends, teachers, and adventure all waiting for me to absorb
22. The Bible—the best book of ALL!
23. blogs
24. a husband that shares the detail of his daily life with me
25. fresh baked homemade whole wheat bread
26. community supported agriculture—where I can connect with a farmer and get marvelous vegetables that are raised with love and without chemicals.
27. parents who loved me and took me to church where I found Jesus
28. sisters I can call friends
29. the best in laws
30. the internet—makes my life easier—I just registered my car in less than 10 minutes & didn’t have to email anything!
31. essential oils that heal our bodies without using chemicals
32. whole foods which God created for our benefit
33. quiet time to spend with God in the morning
34. circle time where the girls and I can have fun together and talk about God
35. photos that record the joy and growth of our family
36. time with Paul every evening
37. music that soothes my soul and refocuses my mind
38. running water that cleans and refreshes
39. the women at Heart & Home that have shown me so love & taught me so much
40. new friends