Noisy Toy.

I mean...really.  Who thought they were a good idea?


They taunt you - shrieking of all things baby.


Back before I had Georgia, I swore I would never have them.  And then, by some horrible twist of fate (ahem, my sister Brynn), we still ended up with one anyway.


Insert - The Noisy Toy.

Sure, it looks cute and innocent, as it flaunts it's plastic structure and primary colors.  It lures you in with it's bright smiley face and it's flashing lights - but no, oh no.  Don't be fooled.  


For this toy will haunt you in your sleep.


Literally.


I woke up the other morning with this song running through my head:
     I feel silly when I play
     I feel silly every day
     Sometimes tired and grouchy, too
     But I feel glad when I'm with you!


Yikes.  Not exactly what I want running through my head at 5:00 a.m.  Sure, it doesn't sound that bad when I type it out - but it's the voice.  The female voice that sings this alluring jingle that really gets me.


Oh wait.  There's more! Try this one:
     Green grass, blue skies
     Flowers of red
     Smile because the yellow sun is shining overhead
     *Insert electronic giggle*


That one is Stuart's favorite.


And you know what the worst part is?  Georgia LOVES it.

She's always smacking the smiley face in the face so it'll sing her another song.  And it just won't stop!


What's so wrong with toys that just sit there and look pretty, I ask?  What's so wrong with toys that have little blocks to move around or plastic rings to pull on?  Is it such a crime to be entertained by non-noisy objects?!  Lawdy, have mercy.


I suppose I should be thankful that we've been able to skirt by with only one noisy toy.  It could be much worse!  Do you remember those old toys they made that looked like a plastic lawnmower or a vacuum cleaner? And when the baby pushed it around, it made the balls inside pop all around and make a TON of noise?  


Ah yes...it could be much worse. Those things are noisy!


However, I would still like to take this moment to thank my dear sister, my friend, for buying this toy for Georgia for her birthday.  Never has my home been filled with such wonderful electronic singing.


If I ever decide to put the batteries back in, I'm sure G-love will really enjoy it.


I'm kidding. 


I wouldn't do that to poor G-baby.


Or would I...

Our gift from God.

I don't know why I do it to myself, but sometimes I can't help but watch those danged 'ol reality television shows about babies.  What can I say?  I'm a glutton for punishment.  When my husband asked me why I put myself through the pain, I didn't have a good answer.  I love babies, I said.  That was my best defense.


After watching the emotional story of a young, teenage couple who chose to put their baby up adoption, the moment inevitably came where they had to hand the baby off to the adoptive parents.  


Now, just let me say - I think that adoption is a beautiful thing.  


Okay, so they are handing the baby off to the adoptive parents, and because they were worried about changing their minds, as soon as the baby was delivered, the boyfriend threw his arms around his girlfriend and hugged her, blocking her few of the baby.  They lay there, just having delivered their first child through blood, sweat, and tears...and they just wept.  "We can do this.", they kept saying.  "She'll have a better life...we have to do this."


The nurse held the baby up and said, "Look at your beautiful baby!"


But they didn't.  They just held each other.  Sobbing.  Weeping.  "We don't want to see...take her away."


Blah.


I have tears rolling down my face as I type this.  I can't even describe to you what my face looked like as I was watching this scene unravel.  I.  Lost.  It.  Big.  Time.  I'm talking like serious sobs with moans.  Alligator tears.  That funny squished face that you make when you're really, seriously, uncontrollably crying.


Georgia stopped playing with her plastic banana and looked up at me.  She laughed, ran over, and grabbed my knees...laying her head down.  Then she climbed into my lap and kissed my face.  Twice.

And I died a thousand happy deaths.


Again, I respect these teenagers for making the best choice that they felt they could for their daughter.  They were able to bless an infertile couple with the gift of a lifetime.  They were able to bless them with the child they could never have on their own.


But, my goodness.


My goodness.


The thought of giving that precious child that you so carefully carry all those months away...well, frankly, it rips my heart out of my chest.


I can't imagine not seeing her face every day.


I can't imagine not having her to hold.  To kiss.  To snuggle.  To love.

Being a mother is a calling.  God has called me to care for the every need of this child - emotionally, physically & spiritually - while she has been entrusted to Stuart and I.  Ultimately, I know that she belongs to the Father, who cares for her even more than this mother can comprehend.  But for her time here on this Earth, I will protect her and comfort her to the best of my ability, while completely relying on God's strength and parenting graces.


As a mother, I hope to be selfless.  It's not about my post-pregnancy body or my post-nursing-negative-AA-bra-size.  It's not about less "me" time, or having to sacrifice "my" social life.  It's Not.  About.  Me.


It is about raising this child to love the Lord.  It is about preparing her as an arrow to be shot forth for His glory.  It is about handling this responsibility with grace & glory.


Yes, I do realize that this doesn't really have anything to do with the story I told you above...but in reality, after watching this show, all I could do was smother her little face with kisses.  And cry.


Because she is our gift from God.


And for that, I am humbled & grateful.


*Tear*


...


There is a chance I may still have a hormone problem.


The end.

On Becoming Babywise.

Someone asked me the other day what the best parenting advice I'd received is.  And there's been some good stuff, that's for sure.  One of my favorites is:


If you don't want you child to act like the world revolves around them, don't treat them that way.


Good one. That's a good one.


One of the most useful tools I'd been "gifted" as a first time parent, without a doubt, has been this beauty:

Babywise.


Sweet, sweet Babywise.


Yes it takes effort, but none-the-less, an amazing tool.


After seeing my friend Natali easily lay her then one and a half year old down for bed (no tears, no screaming, no fussing), I was amazed.  How'd you do that? I asked.  I wanted to be able to do that!  


Enter: Babywise.


The basic premise is this: When your baby is born, you begin teaching them to take a full feeding.  Then, after the first few days, begin implementing a consistent eat, sleep, wake cycle throughout their day (always ensuring they receive a full feeding).  When they are really little, the feedings will be consistently 2-2.5 hours apart and as they baby grows older, the feedings will slowly stretch to 2.5-3 hours apart and then 3-3.5 hours apart.  Each day, you must work at keeping their routine consistent.  Eat.  Wake time.  Sleep.


Sometimes, this means laying them down for the "sleep" portion and letting them cry (ahem, coo) themselves to sleep.


Sometimes, this means letting them just play in their crib until they fall asleep.


Sometimes, (most often when they are little), it means flicking their feet to keep the awake enough to take a full feeding!  Full feedings are essential!


The goal of Babywise is this: Get baby to sleep through the night.  A sweet, ideal for any parent to strive for.


And let me just tell ya...


...it works!!!!!!

Georgia began sleeping through the night at 9 weeks.  Every night.  It was wonderful.  Eventually, as she grew older, we were able to drop her last night time feeding, and in a few more weeks, she had progressed to sleeping 10 hours a night.  For the past eight months, she has been sleeping for 12 hours.  Every night.  Straight through.


It's AWESOME.


Not only has she learned how to put herself to sleep at bedtime and naptime (thus avoiding the rocking, walking, driving, anything-to-get-the-baby-to-sleep routine), but she is also a happy baby.


People tell me all the time how lucky I am to have such a happy baby.  And trust me, I know I have been blessed.  But it's also been a lot of work!  Effort went into establishing her Babywise routine - she wasn't just born this way!  It took planning & consistent practice on our part.


As a first time parent, it was such a relief to not have to 'guess' what was wrong with her if she began fussing.  Based on her cycle and daily schedule, I knew if she was fussing because she was hungry or tired.  It completely took the un-certainty out of dealing with a new wee-one.  Babywise is based loosely on scheduled feedings (though they're not set in stone) and therefore, there it is not an on-demand feeding program.


I like this idea though for a few reasons:
  1.  If you teach baby to take a full feeding, they naturally will 'demand' to be fed within the scheduled time.  It doesn't take them long to fall into this routine.
  2.  It allowed me to nurse a set amount of times per day, consistently.  This helped me to avoid not having enough milk and/or becoming engorged.  My milk supply remained consistent, helping make breastfeeding a success.
  3.  I was able to schedule baby's routine around my life, not my life around the baby.  As much as I love little G-baby, I surely don't want her to grow up thinking the world revolves around her pretty lil' self.  


I tell you this because I love sleep.  And my guess is you do to.


I couldn't live without my sweet sleep.  Seriously.  I would just shrivel up into an emotional brain-fart and die.  One.  Needs.  Sleep.


So if you have a baby... or are pregnant (I'm so jealous!)...or are even considering one day procreating...I highly recommend that you read this book.  HIGHLY.


As a young parent, I'm sure you hate it when people are constantly giving you "how-to" advice.  Well....too bad.  I'm going to be one of those people.


That's how much I love Babywise.  Available HERE.


As usual, I will now step off my soapbox.


Ahem.


The end.

She done did it. She's weaned.

She done did it.


Faster than a speeding bullet...


...without reservation...or remorse...


She's officially nursed for the last time.

When we initial began weaning about a month ago, I expected it to be a slow and gradual process.  I suppose it's a mixed blessing, having an easy-going child, because frankly...she could have cared less.


Breast milk?  Great.  Cow's milk?  Great.  Warm milk?  Sure.  Cold milk?  Why not.  Bottle?  Okay!


We slowly began phasing out nursing one feeding at a time, replacing it with raw cow's milk.  This slow transition allowed my body to adjust the amount of milk I was producing, thus discouraging any horrifically painful engorgement (sorry, there is no better word to use there...).  And it worked beautifully.  Me = no engorgement.  Although, I must say, I didn't anticipate that after nursing I would not longer be able to fit into any of my bras.  Because I now am a Negative AA.


Great.


When I sat down to nurse her yesterday morning (her only nursing feeding of the day), she began to squirm and cry a little.  So I offered her a bottle and she took to it right away, happily snuggling me good morning.


Wahhhh!!! Is it really over?!?!


I cried.  Really.


Because I am an emotional brain-fart.


Although, as my kind husband reminded me, "Eventually...we knew this would happen.  I mean, wouldn't that be weird if she never stopped?"


Why, yes.  Yes, it would.


Nursing has been such a special bonding time for her and I, and while I was ready to begin the weaning process, saying goodbye to nursing is saying goodbye to a huge chapter that her and I have shared together.  

Based on some rough calculations, I figured that we've shared this experience almost 3,000 times together over the last year.  That's a lotta nursin' baby.


None-the-less, I am thankful that we were able to successfully make it to a year.  I am thankful for all those hours I was able to spend holding and feeding her.  I am thankful for having a child who not only made nursing, but also weaning, an easy process.  


I am thankful to have a happy, healthy, and growing babe.


And while this next year of her life may not involve nursing (or funky-flapped bras...or breast pads...or leakage...or engorgement) I'm sure it will include many adventures.  


For which I am very thankful.


Even though I'm still a little sad.


But that just may be the incredibly volatile weaning hormones talking.


I may need help.


The end.

Homemade frosting & birthdays & babies.

Friday was my little pickle's birthday, as you are well aware since I've told you twenty times already.

And I'm still mourning, and celebrating, the fact that she is growing up so quickly.  While it's hard to see her grow out of her baby-ness, I am also excited for all of the new things she is learning and becoming.  She plays now.  And giggles.  And hides.  And chases.  And hugs.  And kisses.  And snuggles. 


Friday, at her birthday party, she began walking.


And I cheered. 


And I cried.


Then I begged my husband to have another baby with me.


...


Moving on.


Seriously, though.  I need another baby.  


For reals, I'm moving on now.


Her wonderful birthday celebration didn't come without some forethought to what baked goody we would enjoy! And while I tried to convince Stuart it would be fun to make some red-velvet cupcakes colored with beet puree, he insisted that I make something...less...beet-y.  So instead, I opted for a chocolate zucchini cupcake.  And while I wish I would have taken the time to soak the flour, I didn't.  It's a good thing Sally Fallon wasn't invited to this birthday party - she wouldn't have been pleased...

...although...I must share with you this killer frosting recipe I found!  I can't remember where I came across it...otherwise I would give them credit...


Never-the-less, this frosting was super easy and super delicious.  I was so thankful to have a healthier alternative to the typical powdered-sugar frosting option.  I will be using this for my go-to frosting from now on, as it far surpasses the coconut oil based "frosting" I have attempted before.  Which didn't taste good.  And didn't have a good frosting texture.  Bleh.  


I'm half-tempted to just mix up a batch and keep it in the fridge for when I need a lil sweet pick-me-up...because sometimes, that's just what I need.  Quit judging.

Vanilla Frosting
This recipe is a vanilla based frosting, though it could easily be altered to chocolate or orange or lemon or almond or cinnamon or whatever your heart desires.  Add a few tablespoons of cocoa powder or the zest of an orange, lemon, or lime, or even a teaspoon or two of almond extract or cinnamon!  Yummo.


You will need:
 - 2/3 cups honey
 - 3 egg whites
 - Pinch sea salt
 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 


Step One:  In a double boiler (or a smaller pan placed in a half-filled-with-water larger pan), using an electric mixer, beat together the honey, egg whites, and salt.  Whip it.  Whip it good.


Step Two:  Keep whipping the honey/egg mixture as your bring the water in the bottom pan to a boil.  This will take a few minutes.


Step Three:  Once the water is brought to a boil, continue mixing for another five minutes.  Then, remove from heat.


Step Four:  Mix in your vanilla and continue to mix with the beaters until peaks form. Or until you like the texture that you see.

Step Five:  Ta-da!!!! Frosting.  Shiny.  Sweet.  Marshmallow-like.  Wholesome.  Sinfully delicious.


This was the perfect topping to these dark chocolate cupcakes.  Mmm.

As you can see, Georgia quite thoroughly enjoyed it.


Isn't it a rule on your baby's birthday that they are allowed to get as messy as they'd like while eating their cake?  No one even cares if there is chocolate smeared in their ears and between their toes.  They just look so dang cute...when in Rome, I say!  When in Rome, on your birthday, get messy while eating your cake!

A good time was had by all...

G-baby and Brooks...

Kyson...my baking help and bowl licker...

Papa and two of his grandbabies...

Grandpa Larson...

...and a stuffed hippo from Auntie...


And did I mention cupcakes with frosting?!

What a special day it was!  Maybe next year, there will be another little one's birthday to celebrate!...


Sorry, I couldn't help myself.  Blame my uterus.


And enjoy this frosting!

This post part of Real Food Wednesdays!

Happy 1st Birthday G-Love.

365 days ago, I was laying on a bed.  Oozing from my freshly stapled scar.


How's that for an opening sentence?!

Let's take a step back here...


365 days ago today, after a restful nights sleep, I awoke at 4:00 a.m. to the most unique pain I had ever experienced.  Menstrual cramps?  No.  Sharp pains?  Sort of.  Unique?  Yes.  That's the only way I know how to describe them.


365 days ago today, as I lay in the bathtub breathing through my consistent contractions, my husband offered to read me Lord of the Rings.  Umm...no thank you.  Not exactly what I consider relaxing...though I appreciated his wanting to help.  I can only imagine how helpless a man must feel in this situation.


365 days ago today, after a few hours of laboring at home, I called my parents to tell them we were just going to swing by the hospital to see if I was "actually" in labor.  I told them we would call them as soon as we knew.  Needless to say, they arrived at the hospital before we did.  They're prompt like that.


365 days ago today, I had to mentally check into my "happy place" (which is the cottage from the movie Babe), as a needle was shoved into my spine while I sat in a freezing cold surgical room.  Ya.  That was fun.

365 days ago today, warm tears of anxiety and fear ran down my cheeks as the doctors quickly prepared me for the surgery.  All I could do was keep my gaze on Stuart, who calmly assured me all was well without saying a word.


365 days ago, as I lay on the table aware that I was being surgically opened, I had (literally) never been so terrified in my entire life.  It's like something out of a horror movie.  Really. If you missed the details that landed us here, read G's birth store here.


365 days ago, when the doctors finally delivered the 5 pound G-baby, I had never been so relieved, and elated, in my entire life.  This amount of enthusiasm and excitement is impossible to write into words. 

365 days ago, I got to see the look in my husbands eyes as he saw his daughter for the first time.  It was the happiest look I have ever seen.  And because I am an emotional brain-fart, all I could do was cry.  Go figure.

365 days ago, my baby took her first breaths.  Is there a better sound in this world than hearing your newly born baby cry?!


365 days ago was the first time I understood what people meant when they said, "You'll never understand until you have a child of your own...".  They were right.


Sure, it involved a big belly.  And swollen feet.  And heartburn.  And weird veins in my legs.  And a scar.  And a catheter (bleh).  And lots and lots of needles.


But I would do it one billion times over to have this little wee one in my life.  


Happy 1st Birthday to my sweet little stinker.  Who I love so much it's impossible to comprehend.  I pray that we would be blessed with many years together, that Stuart and I might prepare her as an arrow to send forth for the Lord.  

Okay, now I'm getting all choked up.


Okay, now I'm crying.


*Sniffle*.  


Happy birthday, my love.

The Stink Face.

Though I'm not quite sure where she learned it, our daughter has mastered what we affectionately call "The Stink Face".


Behold.

Nose scrunches.  Lips pucker.  Eyes glare.


Adorable, right? Well...at least we think so.  However, we've found that while The Stink Face used to be reserved for dinner time and such, it has now made it's appearance everywhere.  At the grocery store.  In the office.  At church.


Oh look at your sweet little baby!  What a doll!


(Georgia puts on The Stink Face).

What the wrong with your child??!?!?!  God forbid!!!!  Take her away!  (The mothers yell this as they use their bodies to shield their children's eyes from the horror).


I keep telling G-baby to put her best face forward...

....and this is all I get.


Where has my sweet child gone?!


The one who used to look like this:

Ok, fine.  Baby alien is not much better than stink face.


Maybe she's a genius and this is her way of communicating that she loves me?


Maybe this is her way of telling me that there is something rancid and squishy in her diaper?


Maybe this is how she will choose to smile?


But you know what?


I love her so much that I don't even care if this is how her face is stuck for the rest of her life.


Though future love interests might.  Although, come to think of it, I'm sure that would make her protective-father quite happy...

...don't you love how things just work out!

Homemade Baby Goods & Nasty Hormones.

Damn these weaning hormones.


Sigh.


They've gotten the better of me these last few days, much to my dear husbands dismay.


Maybe it's because I can smell fall around the corner which always makes me nostalgic...maybe it's because G-Baby's first birthday is next week...maybe it's because she's decided to wean quickly...or maybe it's just because I am emotional brain-fart...


...but whatever it is, I am no match for it.  

Fine, hormones.  You win!  I give up!


So instead of becoming clincally depressed over a failed mail-merge file and a rancid chicken (don't ask...), which I would (ahem...) never do, I've decided to focus my baby-blues into something productive for you.  


A few extra homemade goodies for anyone out there expecting a wee-one.  *Sniffle*.  My wee-one is so big now, she barely needs me anymore.  I pray your child still needs you drastically - for your hormones sake.

Homemade Baby Powder
This baby powder recipe is gentle, easy to assemble, and it works wonderfully.  There are no harsh chemicals or fragrances, so it works on the most sensitive of babies.  I rub this all over G's legs, stomach, and diaper area after her nighttime bath.  It's therapeatic for all parties involved.


Step One: In a large ziploc bag, combine together: 
 - 1/2 cup arrowroot powder or potato starch
 - 1/4 teaspoon lavender oil (or relaxing oil of your choice)


Step Two:  Work the oil through with your fingers.  Then, allow the bag to sit for 3-4 days so the oil can become distributed through the powder.  Voila.  Easy, all-natural baby powder.  And it works wonderfully.


Basic Baby Oil


Simple mix together 1/4 almond oil and 10-15 drops of lavender oil (or oil of your choice....I love lavender).  Another super easy alternative to store-bought baby oil.  Cheap, easy, and free of any chemicals.

Diaper Rash Treatment


Truth be told, we have not had any problems with diaper rash thus far.  However, when G is about to pop a tooth, I've noticed a few little red, irritated areas.  This recipe for diaper rash treatment works wonderfully.  I'm going to sound like  a broken record here...but there are no chemicals, additives, or crazy ingredients to be found.


Mix together 1 teaspoon of coconut oil and 5 drops of tea tree oil.  Apply to the affected areas as needed. 

Baby Lotion


Use coconut oil.


How's that for a recipe.


Truly, whenever G has suffered from dry skin at all, I just rub in a generous amount of deliciously raw coconut oil.  It is anti bacterial, anti fungal, anti inflammatory, and does a killer job at moisturizing.  Could.  Not.  Be.  Easier.


Baby Wipes
When we're at home, we've often opted to use washrags as diaper wipes.  Because we already cloth diaper, it's no extra trouble to throw a few washrags into the diaper pail and wash them with the rest of the load.  I purchased organic cotton washrags, then simply stored them in a plastic tupperware and topped them off with a homemade soap mixture.  


Simple mix together:
 - 4 cups water
 - 2 tablespoons Dr. Bronner's castile soup
 - 1 tablespoon almond oil
 - 2 drops tea tree oil
 - 5 drops lavender oil


Then, pour this mixture over your tupperware of washrags.  These are a great and easy alternative to store-bought wipes!

Baby Shampoo/Body Wash


Castile Soup.  For both.


Man, these are just getting better and better aren't they?  If you've never used castile soup, you can read my post about it HERE.  Castile soap is a wonderful, organic soap that is made with olive oil.  It's gently, free of additives, chemicals, dyes, and fragrances, and works phenomenally on delicate baby skin & hair.  I pretty much use this soap for everything.  From shampoo to hand soap to household cleaning chores.


You can eliminate the need of having to buy these extra products by just keeping a few staples on hand that also serve double-duty! Coconut oil for cooking, homemade deodorant, homemade moisturizing cream, etc. and tea tree oil in your natural first aid kit!  I'm not going to tell you about all the horrible things that are in popular store-bought baby items, as I promised my husband I wouldn't become "that" blogger.  But what I will tell you is that these easy, frugal, and quick recipes can accomplish all you need and more.


And that's all I've got to say about that.


Not really.  But my husband will probably read this...so I won't tell you that Johnson & Johnson's baby shampoo contains carcinogens.


See?  I wouldn't say that, because then you'd think I was some crazy, radical, loon.


And we wouldn't want that.

Give these products a try and let me know what you think!

Instead of this post.

Instead of writing this blog post, I am out savoring my last few weekends of summer.


I'm gathering green beans and tilling soil.


I'm going to weddings and eating barbecue in the sunshine.

I'm grilling corn and picking berries.


I'm pushing my baby in the swing.


I'm staring at my tomatoes...hoping...praying...that they'll turn red before the first frost.


I'm shooting daggers with my eyes at everyone who has red tomatoes.


I'm toilet-papering their houses, too.  And throwing green tomatoes at their cars.


I'm kidding.


I'm assisting Stuart in bottling his recent batch of beer...well, more like observing really.


I'm hangin' with my brother-in-law, J-Man. Aka: Jerry.  Aka: Jeremy.  


I'm eating my third bowl of freshly grown peaches and cream.
No, I'm not exaggerating.


I'm buying corn from my car window on shady street corners.  It sort of makes me feel like a drug-addict.


I'm walking around barefoot.  In the dirt.  


I'm sitting by the window, sipping some kombucha, soaking up the sunshine on my face.  Just because I can.  Because it's summer.  And it's ending.  And frankly, I'm not quite ready for that yet.


So instead of writing this post, as you can obviously tell, I have a lot of things to keep me busy.  Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to get the tongue started in the slow-cooker for tacos tonight.  Umm, ya.  You heard me right.  We're really jumpin' in the deep-end with this one...but Jerry swears they're good...so I thought, why the heck not.  Let's give it a go.  Tongue tacos.


You know I love you too much to not tell you how they turn out.  Trust me.  It will be documented.  Me and my D70 won't let ya down.  Aren't you glad you have me here for such news coverage?!

Have a wonderful Labor Day!

Baby Votes.

Yes, I bought a Nikon D70.


No, I haven't accomplished anything since receiving it.


There is laundry to do.  There are floors to sweep.  There are grocery lists to make.  There are blog posts to write.  There are gardens to weed.  


What I have done, however, is take a lot of pictures of my little peanut. What?! Quit judging! She's cute!  She's the perfect little model!  I can keep her from eating things off the floor and hone my skills at the same time!  


So today, we're going to have a "pick your favorite photo of my cute baby" contest!  And no, my pictures aren't spectacular yet.  But I'm learning!


You must vote.  That's a rule.

#1.  I like to call this photo, Mermaid Wannabe.

#2.  I call this photo, Lush.

#3.  I call this photo, I'm Extra Cute In Sepia Tone.

#4.  I call this photo, Round Head.

#5.  I call this photo, I Covet Your Blueberries.

#6.  I call this photo, Love Bug.

#7.  I call this photo, The Squishy Face.

#8.  I call this photo, Bed Head.

#9.  I call this photo, God Has Blessed Me With A Beautiful Baby.

So there you have it.  You've officially seen all that I have accomplished in the last 48 hours besides brushing my teeth and washing my feet.  


It's a rough life here on the homestead, I'm just glad I'm here to pull the weight for everyone.


Happy weekend my friends.  Go take pictures.  Eat food.  Drink wine.  And give thanks!