Rain...Rain...Rain....

Here in the Midwest it's been an incredibly WET Spring. Not just little sprinkles, but downpours, hail, lighting shows, and constant severe thunderstorms rolling through. Not just one storm, but one storm then another and then another....you get the picture. I went outside to capture some pictures as yet another storm was approaching.

 I don't know about you, but that is more black than I prefer in the sky...

The great force in these storms in simply enough to make you think of God's power. It's enough to make you tremble, but stand in awe and the same time. What a powerful God we serve.

Our house was right on the line of the storms. The cast difference is amazing. I'm not sure the pictures do it justice.

I love this shot! I love how the sunshine is so bright next to such darkness. It was a reminder to me that God is in complete control, and that alone gives me an unspeakable peace.

Don't worry I was safe inside before the storm actually began....(that message is mainly for my nervous mama. LOVE YA MOM!)

Happy Birthday Lance!

Ten years ago today......yep TEN years ago today, I became a mama for the first time! Lance is my first born, and he came into the world in the early morning hours. That very same day a tornado came through town, and there I was in the hallway nervous for the safety of my first born. The Lord protected us and we were kept safe, but talk about an eventful first day as a new mom!

This morning he opened some of his "B-day loot".

He was super excited about this game from grandma & grandpa Gaerte.

Happy B-day Buddy! I can't even wrap my brain around the fact that your ten! I don't know how the years have flown by so incredibly quick. You've grown into quite the nice young man, and I am proud of the good example you try to be the your younger siblings. The Lord has given you a love for reading, a great compassion for others, and a thirst for knowledge and facts. I am excited to watch you grown in the Lord and see what His plans are for you. LOVE YOU BUNCHES!       Mom

Playing Around....

It's been raining way to much around here, so when we get some sunshine we are spending every minute of it outside messing around! I captured a few shots this past week to share.

 This picture captures all of Julia's orneriness!

Caleb & Zach kid-proofing loving on the kittens. 

 Lance the man!

My main man, spraying the yard for those yucky dandelions.

and it's looks like rain again...ugh!

I think once summer comes there will no more rain left....

Wildflower Bouquets

I've been enjoying FREE bouquets of flowers from the woods and fence rows in the last couple of weeks. I thought I would share them with you!

Now if it would only stop raining, I could plant my cutting garden! I don't think I'm gonna hold my breath though...the forecast shows more rain, YUCK!

Rocking Chair Overhaul..

I bought this little rocking chair at an auction probably 5 yrs old for a buck or two. Ever since then I have wanted to paint it, but just never got around it to, and until I had a little girl I never had any motivation to do it. Since I had a little "watermelon" paint leftover from Julia's "new" desk I used it on the chair!

This chair is not as bright pink as the desk, which is fine since they won't be used together but will be in the same room.

I'm not sure if you can tell in the picture but this chair looks like it's been rubbed (aka distressed a bit). I didn't actually use that technique on it, but that's just how the paint looked once it was on....and I was thrilled! Since I only spent a buck or two on the chair and then used left over paint for the project this was a FREE overhaul! LOVE IT when that happens....

Seed Swap 2011

This morning I went through all the seed packets I have and discovered that I have lots of goodies to get in the ground (if it EVER stops raining long enough to dry out). Honestly, I have to many to use them all up for myself (many of the seeds I have are for perennials). So I am kicking around the idea of a little seed swap....what cha' think? Nothing fancy or complicated just swapping some seeds amongst anyone who wish to participate.
Here is how I picture it working in case you want more details.
#1 I will list the seeds I have up for swapping.
#2 If your interested in snatching them, leave me a comment on what your wanting. Be sure to leave your email address so I can contact you) Feel free to request as many things that you would use!
#3 First Come. First Serve. I have a ton of some things and little of some so feel free to request whatever your wanting even if others already have, if I'm out I'll be sure to let you know.
#4 If I receive any seeds for myself that will be a bonus...I'm willing to give them out without getting anything in return. I just want to see someone use them up so they don't go to waste.
#5 If you have any seeds your wanting to send me, I'm most looking for flowers I can use in my cutting garden. Again leave a comment and I will get with you.

THE LIST

Veggies/Herbs

#1: Butternut Squash *gone

#2: Spaghetti Squash

#3: Lemon, Genovese, Opal Basils *all basil are gone

#4: Cilantro *gone

#5:Rosemary *gone

Flowers

#6: Pink Columbine (full shade to part sun) perennial

#7: Purple Columbine (full shade to part sun) perennial

#8: Purple Liatris (I think full sun) perennial *gone

#9: Orange Coneflower (full sun) perennial

#10: Zinnia-various colors (full sun) annual
#11: Black-Eyed Susan (part to full sun) perennial*gone

Let the SWAPPING BEGIN! Feel free to share my link with anyone you think might be interested.
I'm linked to Homestead Revival Barn Hop!

Bookcase Makeover!

We have had this bookcase...stand...whatever you'd like to call it, around since we were married. I've threaten many times to trash it and somehow my husband has always found a reason why I shouldn't. Since moving to the new house I got this idea on how I should give it new life with a little makeover. This is what I decided to do......

The first thing I did was rip off the cardboard/super thin piece of plywood!

Then I made sure I turned on a few fans...then took my bottle of spray paint and went to town! I decided to use an ivory color. It's going in Julia's room which has Lavender color walls. They extra fun thing is that I used spray paint that is intended for outdoor use on plastic so it's super durable and I got a textured kind called shimmer so it was ivory with silver glitter! FUN!

This is what it looked like after 2 coats of "Shimmer" paint.

I used left over bead board (left over from the kitchen island makeover) for a new backing and painted it a dark gray (left over paint). Then I roughed it up just a bit...

I think it's safe to say I gave this furniture a new lease on life! I LOVE IT!

Animal Update......

Our meat chickens are now 5 weeks old and still growing like weeds....except better cause we get to eat these....this is what they looked like when we brought them home.

Meat chicks are yellow...Layers are golden brown...

Meat chickens now....

Layers now!

I can't even believe how quickly they grow. They are such an easy animal to take care of and a good one for the kids to care for! Can't wait till about August till we start getting some yummy eggs!

Here is Midnight: 4-H pig #1

Here is 4-H pig #2, doing what any good pig does...playing in the water hole!

Last but certainly not least our little kittens. They are about 6 weeks old now and starting to eat real cat food....so they will be finding new homes in the next couple weeks. Aren't they precious?

Miss Julia....

This past weekend we got to go to my sister's first baby shower! Julia wanted to get all "girled up" (if that is even a word!) Which meant she wanted her picture taken....of course I am all to happy to do my part.....

This picture is a tad blurry, but she was thrilled with her .25 journal she got at a garage sale Friday.

I got a shot of her "pretty hair"....it's so fun having a girl!

Garage Sale Find & Make Over

I've been hitting a few garage sales here and there this season looking for pieces I can make my own. I found this charming little desk for $5 last Friday!

I bought this piece to go in Julia's room so this color just won't do......so I pulled out a can of oil based primer and gave it one coat, then it looked like this.

It was super humid on the day I did this so I let it sit extra long to ensure it was dry.

Then I gave it two coats of Krylon "watermelon" spray paint. I put the little white drawer knob back on and then distressed it just a little so some of the white showed (Which you can't see at all in the Picture). Now I just need to find a cute little chair to put with it. Julia is thrilled with it and has big plans for writing in her new journal at her "new" desk! All together this desk cost me about $25 with paint and all.

My Littlest Man Turned SIX!

Yesterday, May 15th, my youngest little guy turned a big boy six years old. He's such a fun living, easy going guy who loves to do whatever his BIGGER brothers are doing.

He started off his morning with opening some presents from us.....he really wanted some new boots!

His first decorations for his new room....

Sunday evening we enjoyed cake and ice cream with our family.

Which also included a few more presents!

Super Heros To the Rescue

The other morning the boys all went to get dressed, and when they appeared the looked like this. Did I mention that they all went quietly outside hoping to not be discovered...I found them and thought it was a picture moment.

Then they might have bribed me to take another picture of them in the grass.....

They might have also bribed me for a little super hero battle time before continuing on with our day.

 

 While SUPER heroes were battling it out...this is what Julia wanted to do...cuddle and sit with her little horse.......I'm always amazed at how vastly different boys and girls are. But don't let this deceive you, she is always ready to get in there and rough house with the boys.

The Day Has Finally Arrived

We have been waiting for our good friends to reach the final leg in their adoption journey for some time now. We have prayed and prayed and prayed some more for all the details to finish up and fall into place. This past weekend their over two year journey came to completion as they brought their sweet daughter, Adia, home forever from Ethiopia. Words can't even describe how incredibly adorable and sweet she is, we are so glad to have her home. My whole family along with many others were at the airport to greet them and welcome them home.

This is my favorite family photo I captured. Adia took immediately to her BIG brothers!

I think it's safe to say these cousins have many good times ahead of them! Doesn't this make your heart melt?

We are so happy to have shared in their journey of bringing Adia home, and look forward to watching her grow and learn of the Lord's plan for her little life.

What a Glorious Day!

When you wake up and as you get your breakfast you see this,

 then you also discover that our 2nd mama barn cat had her babies. I don't have any pictures though...my camera has decided not to even turn on. I'm not sure what to do I can't live without my camera!!!

 Then we got to enjoy a little of this......

PERFECT lite flying weather yesterday! We took advantage of every minute of it! Spent the entire day outside (with the exception of our school workbook time) playing, mowing, reading, and whatever else we could think of. I also planted and potted up a bunch of flowers a couple days ago, I'll show you pictures......well maybe if I can get my camera going again!

Who Says School Can't Be FUN?

We are finishing up the end of school year and I think I can speak for everyone and say "We are ready to play for the summer!" Here are a few shots just so I can have proof that school time is fun around here....even though they forget very quickly sometimes...smile.

Julia reading to Bitty Baby Sarah.

Look at that smile! I think he's happy to be in the sunshine doing his work.

Notice the winter coats...the sun was warm the temperature not so much. These two were having a ball working together. Caleb thought it was great to work with her and she thought she was big stuff writing on his paper. Love these moments!

Hopefully we can shed the winter garb sometime VERY soon for good. In the mean time, we'll soak up every bit of sunshine we can get as we finish up our school year!