Preschool at Home!

Have you ever made a decision and then second guessed yourself about a million times? Well that's me these past 2 weeks. 

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, our oldest son Karson started Kindergarten in a public school. It was not an easy task because I have dreamed of homeschooling our boys. However, sometimes your dreams don't work out in your favor. Kevin just really wanted the boys in a public school. So, after many talks and prayer Karson has went on to public school. 

Then comes Kipton our youngest son who is four years old. Technically he should be going to Pre-K this year but Kevin agreed that he could stay home with me and do preschool at home. I was thrilled when he suggested this! I thought God was changing his heart on the whole homeschool aspect, but I think it was just Gods way of giving a little to me, and a little to Kevin. 

We still have one at home to teach, train, and discipline throughout each weekday. 

So for the past two weeks, we have been trying out our new schedule. Fitting in playtime with friends, chores, story hour, and lessons as well. 

They grow so fast. I have never been able to give Kipton that one on one time since he was the second child, and it's been nice. 

He is a talker for sure. I think by 7pm I have heard every story he has in that little brain and we are all ready for bed. 

He sure misses his brother during the day. For the first few days we were all dragging around missing him so bad. 

But we are adjusting and finding ways to keep busy while he's gone. We love 2:00 when it's time to pick him up. 

I pray this year is all about growth. 

Growth in math, reading, writing,  friendship, obedience, leadership, and growth in our Lord Jesus Christ. 

That is the most important aspect of it all. 

New Look!

Some exciting things have happened on my little ole blog.  A face lift! It is a perfect fit to my style, and Kelley from 3 Cowboys & a Momma is to thank! She is fabulous at blog designing and knew exactly what my style was before I even described it.  I am so thankful for this face lift.  Thank you so much Kelley.  For more about Kelley's blog designs and her gorgeous family head on over to her blog by clicking HERE! Hope you're having a great week.

Kindergarten

The first week of Kindergarten is in the books, and we all survived. School started Tuesday: August 5th and it just seemed too fast. But fast or not, it was time.

We had been practicing going to bed early and waking up early two weeks prior. So we were up at 6:20 getting ready. 

Daddy was off work, and Karson asked that he take him on the first day instead of mommy. (Insert sad momma) 

Little brother gave lots of hugs.

Then he was off, off to school for 7 hours! That is the hardest part for me. Its just too long!

Hugs for daddy, and he had to leave.

At 1:00 we had a parent meeting. Afterwards, our boy was finished with his first day. We got a quick tour of his room, chatted with his teacher, and came home to hear all about it.

That night our school boy slept 12 hours and was up at 6:20 the next morning, ready to go. 

I am so thankful for only one tear the very first day, and every day after running in. He loves his teacher and his classroom. He loves eating lunch, the playground, and gym class :)

He has 3 buddies, but only knows one name. He also asks why he can't ride the bus. Oh son, take it easy on mommy. 

Views around our Homestead

This past weekend has been just a blessed one.

Kevin had hernia surgery on Thursday. He was down and out all day Thursday, but by the next day he was up and ready to walk. He is healing up so well. I am so thankful! 

He has had some time off and has to rest! He also can't lift more than 3 pounds so I have been busy covering both of our chores around here. 

We went to Uncle Johns house on Friday evening to get Kevin out to walk and he enjoyed helping us pick some fresh vegetables. His garden is just amazing! 

Here is Karson playing in the freshly tilled dirt. The boys just have a ball there. 

We also got our first pickin of corn in our own garden this weekend! It was seriously like Christmas. This is our first year that our garden has done so well. I will never forget how Karson acted when he shucked that first ear of corn.

Bailey patrols the playground for me. 

Karson has also fished at our fishin hole every day. Uncle John gave the boys cane poles to fish with so they are enjoying those.

Our new Japanese Bantams are seriously the cutest things I've ever seen! They are so sweet and stick right together. 

They are so low to the ground. 

Mario (our new rooster) is doing well also, getting acquainted to his new crew! He doesn't go in the chicken coop at night. He roosts in a tree, while all the girls make it in around 7pm each night.

Some nights it's hard to get the girls to follow me in. It's a struggle each night. Normally food does the trick!

I think that's about all the news I have to share. It's the first week of school here in West Virginia, and I'm a mess. Our oldest son is off to Kindergarten :(

Have a great week!

Why different chicken breeds?

I am going to do a series of posts about different chicken breeds that I personally am familiar with. 

I hope your reading this because your interested in raising chickens. 

You won't regret it!

(Americana breed Rooster)

It's important to know the breed names and the type of chicken they are when deciding which chickens will be best for your homestead. I have many favorites, and love to learn more about each breed.

(Orphington Rooster ) 

There are many questions to ask yourself when choosing which chicken will be best for you.

Do you want a good laying chicken?

Do you want a good broody hen? (momma who will sit on eggs)

Does this type of chicken like to be pinned up, or will she become very bored and need lots of roaming time?

Is this chicken good with other chickens?

Is this chicken friendly, and good with children?

(Leghorn chicken)

There are hundreds of different breeds available for purchase. Some of the breeds that we personally have raised are:

 Rhode Islands, Buff Orphingtons, Bantams, Leghorns, Japanese Bantam, and Plymouth Rock.

(Rhode Island Red)

My personal favorite hen is Plymouth Rock or Buff Orpington. I love the "big stock" chickens. 

Basically the "big stock" name comes from the chicken looking very hulky and big. It's not nessesarily that they have ate a lot, but rather their breed that gives them this appearance. They waddle when they walk, and I just love their personalities. 

(Plymouth Rock & Buff Orpington Rooster)

The Rhode Island Reds are very common in the agricultural stores in the spring. When you see 100 little baby chicks at Tractor Supply or Southern States, chances are that they are Rhode Islands. They are good layers, but it takes about 7 months for them to begin laying. Rhode Island rarely sit on their eggs. They are not know for being good broody hens.

(White Leghorns, Rhode Island Red, Americana Rooster)

We have also had the bantam breed. They are very small and friendly. They are easy to catch because of their short stature. Our boys love our bantam. 

(Bantam)

What is your favorite chicken breed and why? 

Amish

This summer, I made a deal with myself. 

I need to be reading! 

After I graduated college 3 years ago I was pretty burnt out on reading. But, I always tell the boys if your not reading and learning your brain will turn to mush. (Ok maybe a bit much but hey!) 

I went to the bookstore and wanted to find a good series. I also wanted it to be up lifting and inspirational. I have always been interested in the Amish way of living. So I picked up this book. 

Plain Pease written by Beth Wisemen. I couldn't put it down and read it everywhere. 

While watching the boys swim in the pool...

I then went to the next in the series Plain Promise. Love reading on the front porch in my swing, in my favorite spot :) Is it just me, or do you have "your spot" in different places around your home? I do.

Sitting by the creek while my boys fish, I read! 

Its very peaceful to read outback by our garden. I watch the boys and their daddy work on the barn. The chickens are pecking and the cat is curled up at my feet. 

I have mentioned to Kevin I would love to go to an Amish home and have dinner. You can actually do that, I've looked into it. Amish families do host others into their home as a means of making money. I am really thinking that would be a great trip for Kevin and I next Spring as an anniversary trip for 8 years.

In the back of each book are Amish recipes. They are all so unique. I made the chicken wraps one night for dinner. My whole family loved them, which is rare for everyone to agree. 

If you are looking for an uplifting series to read, pick up one of these books. They are so easy and fun to read.

I think the reason I love these books so much, is to know more about their simple life.

Enjoy!

A Barn Update

We have been working on the barn every minute that we can. Our goal was to finish it before Kipton's birthday, but that just wasn't enough time.

 We ran out of wood so we ordered more from the saw mill, so that set us back 1 week. We saved half of what it would have cost if we would have bought our lumber from Lowes. We were very pleased with our wood. 

Last night Kevin built the chicken coop door.

He has never built a barn before, but my dad has given him pointers and helped him along the way. He is always willing to learn. I am so thankful for that.

I was nominated to do the painting on the outside. My mom helped me a while, and it was appreciated because it was a lot of painting. The paint we chose was black barn and fence paint from Tractor Supply.

Once it gets on your skin, there is no getting it off.

The boys, were covered :)



I got three big walls finished. Then it rained, and splashed mud up all around the bottom. I was so upset, and then Kevin reminded me that it is just a barn. :)

This is the stall we also finished today. Going into the chicken coop area.

We decided to put wire on the top to give them a good breeze. We have to be VERY careful to make everything raccoon proof. I wanted to make it all wire, but it is just too risky. We are very cautious about every part of building due to the raccoons we have here in WV.

We always have helping hands. The boys LOVE work. 

When I told Kipton to wish on his birthday cake, he wished out loud to go to work. :) 

That's just how much they love work.

The sure do get it from their daddy. He just works and works. 

We have been waiting to tear down our old chicken coop. Now is the time. Kevin sold it on Facebook, and it's bittersweet but we are happy to have this nice area for chickens, and goats, and some cows. 

Our next step is to build the roof.

This step may take a while. We are doing a TIN roof, and have to order it. Before we can order we have to build the roof  with wood. I'm not exactly sure of what the plan is on that, but I know Kevin and my dad have all the details planned out.

Kevin has fell off the roof once during this project. He's also scheduled to have a small outpatient surgery next Thursday. We may be at a stand still on the barn for a while, but that's OK. He needs time to rest and heal. Please keep him in your prayers.

Just some things....

I never want to forget my three special guys, and how much I love them!