Returning :)

I can't believe it has been six weeks almost since I last posted. I'm sorry to have dropped off the face of the planet but to be honest it has been an overwhelming and extremely busy month. Let's see........ where did I last leave off???

KJ is growing so quickly --- I am losing my baby!!! He is definitely moved into the "little creep" stage as Tim calls it! He is pulling himself everywhere with an army crawl and is up on his haunches a lot, moving around and starting to get the idea of crawling on his knees. He is into EVERYTHING and anything that will stay still long enough for him to get hold of. Still no teeth which is a bummer -- I can SEE them just right under the gums but they won't rupture which has made him cranky. We have been battling ear infections with his gums so swollen. He has had three since the end of March; he and I are not sleeping real well which is difficult but the Lord is faithful to get me rest when I am needing it. He is talking simple words - momma, ada (dad), brub (brother), and Beck for Bekah. Gabrielle is bummed he still hasn't figured out what to call her. He is eating a lot of solid foods and really starting to be a little people. We enjoy him so very much!

Bekah is still doing preschool with our neighbor's little girl. They are having fun and keeping me busy as they learn. We took a trip out to see some spring lambs last month which was a lot of fun. She is my little lady and is a delight. She makes me laugh so often at her innocent love and enjoyment of life in general -- she totally immerses herself in life! I love to watch her. She is completely spoiled at church -- she is the only little girl; there are only boys! Everyone dotes on her and gives her FAR too much attention :)

Judah is doing well....... keeping me hopping and keeping me humble. His latest escapade included telling our guest yesterday about his dad's underwear in great detail and why he (Judah) thinks they are ugly. I vacillated between laughter and complete and utter humiliation as I kept trying to give him the "CUT IT" signal. Lovely luncheon conversation...........

My family is very good at keeping me humble.

Judah also is raising a little buckling. We got it from one of Gabrielle's friends to keep some fresh lines in our goat herd. He is a beautiful little guy and we named him Ramses. Judah has done really well overall in keeping him fed and tended. It has been sweet to watch Ramses follow Judah everywhere although I found it less than amusing when Ramses decided my new raspberry patch was tasty.

Zachy is having a great time with his friend Nevan. They enjoy each other's company at church and also enjoy spending as much time together as their moms can organize :) He is hopeful to get involved in some scout activities although we are reevaluating how we are going to proceed with all that. Our scout master is resigning and we are not clicking well with the gentleman stepping in. We'll see how God directs us in that in the next few weeks. Zachy spends as much time as he can outside practicing shooting his BB gun, biking, just being a boy. His brothers convinced him to grow his hair out and let it curl which pleases me immensely. I love his curly top although at a sleepover last weekend with his friend Sam he got dubbed Goldilocks which he didn't particularly care for.

Josiah is doing well with all his activities. We drove to Polson at the first of May and got one package of bees and a new queen. We split one of our established hives, added a queen and then set up the new one. So..... Josiah is the proud keeper of four hives of bees. We are petitioning Boy Scouts to reinstate the beekeeping merit badge. He would easily qualify and it would be a fun remembrance of two of his favorite activities :) He is enjoying scouts but again is struggling with the new scoutmaster. He is scheduled to go to summer camp by himself in July -- it will be a big step for him. He has always had Elijah in attendance. It will be a good experience for him and a good trial for him to try his wings, stand on his own, etc. He is growing like crazy; definitely entering a growth spurt. He has grown 1/2" in the last month and won't stop!!!!

Gabrielle is keeping very busy. She has become a hot babysitting commodity which is great for giving her a little extra spending money. She also is working like crazy on our garden and with the animals. She is striving in school and enjoys shooting competitions still. She is a busy girl. She has enjoyed some time with friends and hopes to spend more time over the summer with her girlfriends. It looks like our PEARLS group will be dissolving over the summer. I am saddened by the decision but also realize that to everything there is a season. The girls are treasures to me and I will miss them desperately. Learning to know them a little bit over the past four years has been a delight. They surprised and humbled me immensely with a gift of a new BBQ for our family in appreciation of my teaching. I was overcome.

Gabrielle had a neat opportunity last week to go back and crown one of this year's Honor Stars which was a special honor for her. She was glad to be able to reach back and bless one of this year's Stars.

Elijah..... where has time gone with him?!?!?! He cannot be possibly looking at finishing his sophomore studies, can he!?!?!?! He is working to get his Eagle Scout project underway. He would like to finish up with Scouts prior to his scoutmaster's retirement in the fall. He has taken on a big project, cleaning up two dumps in the McMaster Hills. McMaster is a huge land grant to BLM where my family enjoys hunting and hiking. I admire him for dreaming big and taking on big things. He will learn so much in taking on a big project like this. I am proud of him. Hopefully he will be able to navigate all the govt. red tape :) The ranger working with him seems like a really nice man. He also is looking forward to his next shooting match. He is constantly working on something........ you should see the pile of wood he split for us. It is well over ten cords - a HUGE stack! He is a go-getter. I am seeing him struggle through his salvation and his character. I wouldn't go back to that age for much of anything....... it is a hard time when you aren't yet grown but you aren't a child either. He is stretching his wings, making plans, and dreaming big. I am excited to see what God has in store for him but also struggling with letting him. It doesn't seem possible to have a son at this stage - where did time go?

I am keeping busy. We are just finishing up two studies for a summer break which although I enjoy the study very much I will confess I am looking forward to a reprieve. The flowers and dirt keep calling and there are never enough hours in the day to accomplish everything. My husband has been most patient with my losing battle against the laundry (especially at this time of year when my children discover they are part tadpole -- we are going through SO much laundry at present) but his patience has reached the point of waning.

Tim and the kids spoiled me on Mother's Day - it was very thoughtful and sweet! They treat me so well :) I have been sewing like a crazy person and FINALLY have our Regalia costumes finished up. I am so extremely grateful to Georgia who sewed Zachy's shirt for me, Sierra who put the eyelets in Elijah and Zach's shirts and Gabrielle who sewed my dress. I never would have finished without their help. Everything came out so nicely and I must brag a little on my daughter..... Gabrielle did a beautiful job on my dress. I was so blessed by her gift of time and effort to me.

I am excited for Regalia - it promises to be a great deal of fun!!! Sierra and Rebekah Y. came over and helped Gabrielle put together the dance cards and gentlemen's schedule cards yesterday. I am finishing up the new call cards and I have to yet reprogram Tim's MP3 - it ate my music list for some reason :( We have some food to prepare and of course just the getting ready but it is coming together and I am SOOOO very excited to see it happen! Our second Regalia!!!!!

As for our farm news we had another baby goat - a beautiful doeling. She actually is sold already - the family purchasing her named her Edelweiss which seems to fit very well as she is a beautiful off-white color. We have the garden planted, the chicks and turkey plouts are outside, spring is definitely in the air! It has rained more than normal this spring which has dampened some of our efforts but everything is so beautifully green and growing quickly. I love this time of year!

Well.............. I should get on to my responsibilities. KJ is calling my name and I must get back to my responsibilities. I will try to post pictures next week after Regalia! Keep checking back :)