Show Day, Animal Fun, Friendship

Grandpa's trip here came and went in a flash...then it was a busy Friday preparing for an animal show for the kids on Saturday.  Our son enjoys bringing his cavies to shows and seeing how they do but most of all he enjoys playing with friends or meeting new kids who love animals as much as he does. Its the same for our daughter, its great to show, do well but its even better to have fun, hang out with friends, be silly, visit and meet new people, learn from other peoples experiences raising animals. Its enjoyable for myself and my husband to sit back and see both our children at these events, outgoing, excited, incredibly happy.

Animal Judging first....then showmanship.

Growing, learning from great experiences with wonderful friends.

{this moment}

{this moment}

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{this moment} ~ A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Checking the fishing line...how grown up he is becoming! Love this kid.

....Fishing Trip - day 2

So I didn't get to take a full vacation from work but at least I was able to arrange to have half days off and get my work done in the morning and then be able to play and relax the remainder of the day. So myself and my daughter stayed home in the morning as the three boys, my son, dad and husband went out to fish - bites they said, a small fish, but nothing worth keeping over at the lake. The afternoon brought a trip again to the river...beautiful day, light breeze, not too hot...a mean goose, great conversation and lots of laughs- it was a fun time!  Sad today to see 'Grandpa' leave but luckily we have another trip in store next month for our daughters 14th birthday to Cali to see everyone.

Blessed to have any extra time, even a short time with my Daddy! Looking forward to a short month away when we'll be out with him and the rest of the family again...

Grandpa's Here! Fishing Trip - day 1

We love fishing...or should I say myself, husband and our son do...our daughter not so much but we so appreciate her still coming along to be with the family, explore, hike, read and enjoy the time together. We were so happy that their Grandpa, my dad was able to come out for a few days and enjoy the sun and fish with us.

 Day 1 of fishing = no fish caught = but great time with everyone!

Love our family time!

Sunday Family Church at the River

We've mentioned we don't go to church every Sunday, but we do guide and teach our children about the Lord, pray together, praise him together and learn about him together. Today we spent another morning outdoors for family church time- at the river, enjoying the water, sand and beautiful sunshine. Before the busy of the day finishing up preparing for Grandpa to come tomorrow, we took the morning for praise- reading from the bible, singing and discussing this morning the lesson of forgiveness. An important lesson- For siblings its sometimes hard to let go and forgive each other, but also we talked about asking God for forgiveness when you make mistakes. We talked about growing and learning from your mistakes as well. We are constantly striving to be the best we can be and God is with us, guiding us, supporting us, forgiving us all the way. We also enjoyed some play time- building sandcastles, throwing a football around and our daughter read a bit too...love the beautiful gorgeous day!

Blessings to you and your family this Sunday, may your day be filled in worship, song and amongst family and friends.

Testing New Phone-Camera, Duck Eggs, Pigeon Eggs!

Well, the newest camera had taken a flying leap off the counter months ago so I was using my old camera which has now decided to automatically turn off sporadically at the most inopportune times..like when I'm snapping a photo. Needless to say its been frustrating not having a working camera- the kids enjoy taking pictures, capturing moments as much as I do...so being that we had talked about adding a third line to our cell phones for the kids/and house, I just got a phone with a good camera to use for now- and I can happily say I'm quite pleased as it takes better photo's than my old camera did! Although my husband had a good laugh at me, as this is my first 'fancy' phone...yes I'm stuck on the old non-touch screen, can feel the buttons, doesn't do anything phones- it was truly hard for me to jump into getting a new phone...but I'm learning and adjusting to it :)

Spring is in full force around here..babies are coming this month...May, just a few days in has brought our son's pigeons laying two eggs and beginning to sit on them in her nest...and our duck finally laid the last of her eggs and has begun sitting as well. Duck laid 11 eggs, same amount as last year although we already had the first one be a dud as she laid it in the wet near the pool and then they cracked it. The last 10 are all in one nest, doing great and she's carefully sitting and turning them. Daddy Duck of course is protective, when feeding this morning came charging at us, warning us to not get to close. We love to watch their behavior change as it becomes baby time.

Finding it hard to steady my hand when taking pics one handed :)

 Writing his comic-book story..

 Can you see all 10 hiding?? :)

Exciting spring waiting for babies to hatch!

A work trip...Farm Tour, History of Swords & Knives

Work took myself and the kids on a trip out of town this week, 3 1/2 hours away...the car ride was peaceful..seeing the cattle out in the fields go by, catching glimpses of nearly 12 deer...what a wonderful sight. Stopping by a feed and grain store to view baby chicks, baby turkeys, baby rabbits and a few pigeon, chicken and other pens..getting idea's for our own. A tiring but good trip spent together...

Our week started wonderfully  with a trip to a friends farm- a tour, seeing plenty of animals, birds, and their greenhouses. The kids enjoyed spending time with their friends as did we, relaxing, and learning. A joyous experience with friends.

Our son has been enjoying the book below, which entails pictures and descriptions of knives and swords in history. It's inspired us to look closer at several models in several era's of time.

Both of the children have taken to writing stories, our daughter's are typed out on the computer, chapter by chapter and our son has more of a comic book approach with visual pictures and less words, both are extremely creative and funny in fact. I'm completely impressed with both of their skills and creativity. As I type, our daughter reads on the couch and our son has already been working on his story for the last hour...no tv, cartoons, just quiet concentration, relaxing.

Into the weekend we come, thankful it is Friday today after having been on the road all day yesterday. A Library trip, some grocery shopping and cleaning the home is in store to prepare for their Grandpa's arrival next week.