Party Animals....

The past few weeks have been crazy both with work and birthday parties. Savannah and Isabella's birthday's are only 15 days apart, which leaves us partying for a couple of weeks :)

In year's past, Alana, (my Sis-in-law who used to work in a bakery) would decorate the girls cakes. She always did such a great job, and even though they were store bought cakes, they were still special because she would decorate them. When she left there, I still bought the girls cakes, but was always a little disappointed in how they looked. I even purchased a couple where you could hardly read what the name was...it was awful. And as a mom, I want things to look good, especially on their birthdays. So, this year, I decided to make their cakes. I made their cakes from scratch, but bought the icing as I haven't really played around with icing a lot or found any that I really like. (I am not much of a sweet tooth to be honest)

For Isabella's, I made a cow cake. She is OBSESSED with cows. Cats are cows, dogs are cows, even birds are cows. When we drive around in keswick, she knows where the cows are! (Farmer already ;) ) So after a couple of google image searches, I found a couple of cow cakes, and sort of created it into one of my own, and I must say, it didn't turn out too bad for my first ever "themed" cake! Here are some pics of her party...

I told her to say cheese....and this is how she responded...LOL

The Cow Cake...the spots are brown...they look darker in this pic, but I just thought that I should clarify, ha!
(Sorry that it is sideways...not sure how to fix that, fixed it in my pictures folder, but it wouldn't add it on here right....)

1st and 4th generation!

For Savannah's, I noticed rainbow Cupcakes on a blog that I follow found here. I used my own homemade cake recipe, but the results of the colors turned out great! Savannah was thrilled!  Here are some pics from her party...

RAINBOW CUPCAKES!

Present time! (I don't have many pics of present, as her back was to the camera. Well that, and Savannah didn't waste anytime :)

4!!! (Hard for this Mumma to believe!)

Mmmm, mmm, good!

Miss Lily enjoying her's!

When Isabella see's a camera, her automatic response is to say "Cheese"...even if her mouth is full!

It was so fun making the girls cakes for their birthday's, and wish I had started it sooner. They too were very excited which made it that much more special! I wonder what I will be able to create next...

I am gonna link up with

Enjoy!

Farmer Girl...

It really is hard to believe that I have been working on the farm for four months now. Everyday when I think that I have some things down pat, Frank or Joel throw something else at me to learn!! My summer duties are different then the winter ones. But I will start with what I did at first (because that is what I actually have pictures for)

On a typical "winter" week, I would work 4ish hours a day 4 days a week (Tues. - Fri.) Wednesday's was the day we always gave the cattle new bedding, which I was so very slow at, but I improved pretty quick (Which I am sure brought great relief to J! Ha!)

 The girls absolutely love the barn! Especially the calves. They like to go right in the pens with them and everything! And as you can see, the calves like them just as much!

Savannah will often go right in the calf suites....or shut Isabella in there. Now Isabella knows how to open the gates all by herself. And we have found her in there visiting!

Tali is our cow dog. She is an English shepherd and is doing much better with the cows. I train her any chance I get!

This is the young cattle barn. They are enjoying silage. In the summer they all get moved up to the home barn. I love it when they get moved up here. It's nice to look out the window and see cows!

I am glad that spring is over...and the barnyard doesn't look like this anymore. It means for a little cleaner fun for the girls :) Not that they mind the muck!

You know, they even trust me to drive the tractors around the farm. These next pics are of me getting silage for the cows. It is quite a procedure. Now that silage season is here, I am driving and handling silage much more so by winter I am sure handling theese bales will be easy breezy then....thank goodness!

I can honestly say, for probably one of the first times in my life that I love my job. I love the diversity of it, and the challenge and being able to learn all the time. I love being able to help out my family in a bigger way by working on the farm. I love my kids being outside a lot more (I am even tanned...for those of you who know me, know that I am white....always) I love working alongside of my husband!! There are still lots of things that I don't even know how to do, and I am far from being an expert at the things that I have learned. But the things that I am doing now, I can see my progress and that I am getting better. Just think...one day, when a piece of machinery breaks, I may know how to fix it!!!

Hopefully I will have some pictures soon of "summer" farming. These winter ones don't even show half the stuff that gets done, but they show you a glimpse of life on our farm. Farming in the summer is very busy though, as I am sure some of you have noticed by how often I am posting! My 4ish hours a day increase quite a lot some days :)

Blogs on the way...

Hi everyone!

I hope you haven't completly given up on me! I just wanted to let you know that I do have some blogs coming! They will include "Life on the Farm....", "My little singer..." and "My old little treasures..."

So stay tuned!

Tech Dependent...

Last Wednesday, in the whirlwind of getting home from the farm by noon, bathing 3 kids and heading to the Doctor to get Lily checked out (she had strep throat) I washed my cell phone. It went through the soak, rinse and spin cycle and although it came out nice and clean and shiny... it doesn't work....

This is the smart phone I had. Now if only it had a smart owner :)

So today I took it in, and it is being sent away to see if it can be fixed, they gave me a "loaner" phone which they put my "washed" battery in it so it isn't charging either.... grrrrr.

I didn't really realize how much I used it and how much I depended on my phone. I put my grocery list on there, all the numbers of people that I need to contact were in it, my calander is in there. My music and alarms and some pictures were all on there and it was how I kept track of time when I was out and about. I think the thing that is upseting me the most is how much I depend on that little tiny piece of technology. I mean, 20 years ago smart phones didn't even exist and people survived. So I guess I will too.

These are a great tool, but I always get a little nervous
when I hear the word "Recalculating"

I am realizing that in this day in age most everyone is dependent on technology in some way whether it is cell phones or TV or internet or GPS....whatever it may be, and I am not sure how I feel about all that yet. Technology is great and we can do great things because of it, but the little saying "less is more" keeps popping in my head. I mean, how much is need  and how much is want? I am having a little bit of a learning experience through just that question. Do I really need my phone? Or internet? Or a GPS...which lately they seem to have a mind of their own according to the news... I can't say that I have an answer. And I am sure that it is different for everyone. I do know that I feel ridiculus for feeling "sad" about a ruined phone. Life could be so much worse.

I am learing that I can survive just fine without one. Well that, and to check pockets on laundry day...

So are you Tech Dependent or is it just me?

"Blacewets"....

I am sitting here on this Easter Monday, (sitting when I should be baking...Monday is bake day) and the girls are having a great time cutting paper and decorating Bracelets or "Blacewets" as Savannah calls them. They are laughing at each others creations. I love how they cut the bracelet and then they measure to see if it fits. It is no surprise that after cutting so much paper that the floor is now scattered with little bits of it...no worries. Savannah just hauls in the garbage can from the kitchen. "There we go, Lily" she says. Lily is encouraging Savannah the whole time, telling her to keep trying, asking her opinion on what she is doing. Oh....wait now...lights are being created.....and hats....and mini-hats....oh and skates. Of course all of these things are just little cut-ups of paper. They don't look anything like the real thing. I love their imaginations. I love holidays where the girls can play and have fun. I love how well they get along. I just love 'em!!!

Well I better get to my baking. Bread, chocolate chip cookies and molassas cookies are on the agenda today, with shepherds pie for lunch :) Have a blessed day everyone, and take time to enjoy the little things in life...like paper "Blacewets" :)

The Saddest Day...

Life is often so busy and so complicated and usually all brought on by ourselves. Sometimes it seems that the more kids you have the more complicated it is. The higher up the "ladder" in your career the more complicated it is. The more things you are involved in the more complicated it is. 

God sent Jesus to us, and he walked amoung people not a whole lot different then we are. After all, they were sinners....and I am pretty sure we all are too. He was tempted and challanged and He taught through it all. Today we are still learning about His journey here on earth, as short as it was.

Today in church the pastor talked about the Words of Jesus, particularily the Words he spoke on the cross. Jesus taught many things, forgiveness being one of them. And interestingly enough how in the last moments of Jesus' life, the thing that he taught about forgiveness he modelled even more beautifully. After many hours of pure torture; from brutal beatings, to His crown of thorns, to carrying His cross.... one of the last things He says is "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34) He could have been there, hanging by nails, bleeding, and so exhausted and turn on the people, He was a perfect man dying a criminals death, yet he asked for the Father to forgive the sins of the people. He died, and took away our sins. My sins.

Life is complicated. If you are seeking for it to be a little clearer, or want to know more of your purpose in life, the answer isn't all that complicated. Believe. Believe that God sent his Son Jesus. He lived and taught us the way we should live. He died on the cross out of love for all the people that were, are, and yet to be. I am so glad that the story doesn't end there. As I saw on a facebook status today, "The saddest day is almost over, the greatest day is yet to come." ~J.H. :)

No such thing...

I always have this desire to do things perfectly. I like this about me most of the time, challenging myself to give it my all, to stay focused and do it (whatever it may be) well. But, as shocking as this may sound, I am not perfect. The way I parent isn't always perfect, the things that I say aren't always perfect, they way I act isn't always perfect, the way I lead isn't always perfect. I'm not always the perfect wife, or daughter or sister or friend. I am definately NOT a perfect housekeeper.

There has only ever been 1...ONE person before me that lived a perfect life. Jesus. And as a follower of Him, I live, and breath, and serve and strive to be more like Him. I choose to keep a positive attitude (Which I am not always perfect at) I choose to be optimistic (Which I am not always perfect at) I choose to see the best in people (Which I am not always perfect at)

I thank God that he is perfect, and that He sent His son so that we could see how we should live our life. I will never be perfect, but I can serve, worship and love a perfect God. And God directs, supports, helps, forgives and loves me perfectly, Inspite of my imperfections. There is no such thing as perfect people!!

Never let 'em see you when you're breaking

Never let 'em see you when you fall

That's how we live and that's how we try

Tell the world you've got it all together

Never let them see what's underneath

Cover it up with a crooked smile

But it only lasts for a little while

[CHORUS:]

There's no such thing as perfect people

There's no such thing as a perfect life

So come as you are, broken and scarred

Lift up your heart and be amazed
And be changed by a perfect God

 

Suddenly it's like a weight is lifted

When you hear the words that you are loved

He knows where you are and where you've been

And you never have to go there again

[CHORUS]

 

Who lived and died to give new life

To heal our imperfections

So look up and see love. Let grace be enough

[CHORUS]

 

By a perfect God [5x]

 

Be changed by a perfect God

Be changed