Happy Birthday Dude!

Yesterday my little boy turned ONE! 

I know everyone says "Where does the time go???", but really where does it go! My little dude has grown so fast and I am LOVING the little farm boy he's becoming! 

He LOVES dirt, tractors, animals and anything outdoors! The apple doesn't fall very far from the tree, I guess! I look at him and I'm amazed at this little miracle that God entrusted to us! Both he and his sister give Al and I such joy!

Little quirks about the birthday boy! 

• He LOVES to streak through the house and squeal while we chase him!
• Soil ... what little boy doesn't love soft, freshly plowed soil! 
• He has a "thing" for toilet paper! Every chance he gets, he's got a role and is shredding it... like a mad cat!
• He will know more about computers than me when he's three. He already has a girlfriend... Her name is Siri. 
• The boy can bust a move! Almost every time a "bouncy" song comes on the radio, he's shakin' it!
• He point to something he wants. I guess he figured it was easier to tell us what he wants instead of screaming...
• Green beans don't stand a chance. They are gone before they touch his tray.... if you catch what I mean!
• He adores his sister! So much so that the occasional head butt is necessary to get her attention to play! 
• His favorite game is "catch me if you can". It seems to work really well when snagging one of sissy's horses when she's not looking! Then its a mad dash before she tackles (gently might I add!)

Happy birthday funny boy! 

                                   Rhya  (about 1 1/2 yrs)                               Isaac 1 yr

Rhya (about 1 yr) and Alan

Isaac (1 yr) and Alan

Chili Pepper

Last week we had a slew of calves born which Included a set of twin bull calves. These guys are a little on the early side and small! Rhya has taken a GREAT interest in these two and named one Chili. I guess she got that from "Horseland" (a t.v. show she watches on Netflix)and little Chili is far FAR from being a horse! At least the spice is the correct color! 

So after she picked Chili, we only thought it would be best to name the other Pepper. They both have enough "kick" to stay alive this long and we have our fingers crossed they make it! 

Seeing Rhya's interest in caring for these two makes me wonder what she will be when she grows up. Flashing back to when I was her age, I wonder if my parents thought the same thing? I'm sure they did! I remember when my dad gave me my first cow! A black angus I chose to name Rosie. I loved her! She wasn't very friendly but that small fact that she was mine was enough to make a 5 year old happy! I wonder how many kids that age would have loved a cow for a present? Not to many I presume? 

From an early age my sister and I were taught the facts of farm life. These animals were given as gifts from God for food, milk, clothing etc. So when it was time for Rosie to go to the butcher shop, I let her go. I was sad but it had to be done. I distinctively remember pulling "Rosie burgers" out of our freezer and being thankful for the tasty burgers! This is how I was raised. To be thankful for the food we are so blessed with raising and my children will learn this very same lesson. 

We just sent one of Rhya's "pet" heifers for homemade hot dogs, hamburger and steaks. Every time she eats a hot dog she remarks about how yummy bella is. One particular lunchtime Rhya said "Thank you Jesus for Bella". OH MY HEART! She said this with conviction and I know I need to be more serious when thanking our savior for what he provides! I am amazed at what a little 3 1/2 year old can teach me! Its moments like these that reassure me that I'm teaching her right... at least in one area! 

Chili and Pepper will meet this same fate in a short while, when their much bigger. Every year we have calves come and go but their always a few that just stick to your heart. I am hoping that when the time comes Miss Rhya will view it the same as she is with Bella... With a thankful heart!  

Crickets

As I was sitting in Isaac's room getting him ready for bed, I couldn't help but notice the chorus of nightlife outside his open window.
The birds quiet down at night and the crickets start singing. Oh, how I love the beautiful sound when trying to get my little (soon to be ONE) baby boy to sleep.

In the quiet of Isaac's room I have plenty of time to think while waiting for him to finish nursing/bottle. How peaceful the sounds of night life are. All the animals have quieted down for the night and the cool spring breeze that flows through his room creates a very relaxing oasis. I can't help but think how blessed our little family is.

Food on the table, roof over our heads and our family nearby to lend a helping hand. What more could a young farmers wife want?

We're still here!

We are still here! Busy, getting older, going nuts...

Here are a few updates:

• Isaac started walking about a month -2 months ago and now he thinks he should be running EVERYWHERE!
• I started a weight loss program to lose weight (duh) and get my hormones back to rights. It is a difficult program and NOT for the faint of heart. You can find more information here at  The Rejuvenation Center. Its located here in Lancaster and the staff are wonderful! They have helped me every step of the way. Though its not cheap it is well worth the input! I have lost over 20lbs so far! Whoot Whoot! 
• Rhya was accepted for preschool in the fall and she can hardly contain herself! 
• As a reward for not wetting her bed, Rhya was allowed to get her ears pierced. She is thrilled... She was a pro... No tears at ALL... sadly she associates beauty with earrings... This is something we are slowly working through.
• My house is a wreck... normal for spring time when we all would rather be outside pulling weeds than inside washin dishes. 
• Its foal season! Mabel (my mare) is due within the next month. Yeah! We have waited a loooooooooong time!!!

We are fast approaching Isaac's first birthday! I am so excited to be watching him grow and yet it grips my heart to know how fast time is going! He is forming into quite the young man! Testy like his sister, hard headed like me and wants to figure out how everything works like his daddy! He also has CURLS!!! If he was a little girl he'd be sooooo cute with pretty bows! I am not looking forward to when he needs a haircut!

My oldest sister in law is getting MARRIED this may! That is also fast approaching! We are so excited for her and her soon to be husband! 

My sister and her husband are expecting their first baby in august! I am so thrilled to finally be an Aunt!!!!!!! My niece or nephew is going to be spoiled and is already oh so loved! It doesn't matter if they live in a different state or not!!!! 

That's all for now folks!

Our crazy busy life.

It's been a while ... Balancing farm life, two kiddos and setting up my own photography studio has really kept me on my toes!

I have also decided to take control and LOOSE RHYAs BABY WEIGHT!!!! It may take me a while but I'm hoping with consistency I can loose this extra 30 -40 lbs! I was fortunate to loose all of Isaac's baby weight within the first few months after he was born. I have started walking/jogging a mile at least 4-5 times a week and other fitness routines through the Xbox the other days! I absolutely do not like jogging so that is a stretch for me. Even though I don't like it, I'm finding I am looking forward to the "me" time! Even if it means a a little sweat!

The photography studio has been a HUGE blessing. My dad had built an office space above their garage back in 2002 for his business. They decided that since they didn't need the space they were going to rent it out as an apartment. After much thought Alan and I decided it would be the perfect place to grow my business. We ironed out details and started the transformation process! We still have a lot to do but I had my first official newborn shoot this past Thursday and am sooooooo excited to edit!

The kiddos are crazy as always! Rhya's new favorite word is WHY! Oh how I am getting tired of that word! Why this and why that! I know it's because she's learning but man oh man does it get old!

Conversation between Rhya and I earlier today.

Me: Rhya we need to wash your boots, can you put them by the sink?

Rhya: Why?

Me: Because they are dirty and need washed.

Rhya: Why?

Me: When you wore them outside they got really dirty.

Rhya: Why?

Me: You needed to wear shoes outside because it is cold.

Rhya: Why?

Me: When its cold we wear shoes so our feet don't get cold.

Rhya: Why?

Me: Do you like having cold feet?

Rhya: No...

Me: I rest my case

Rhya: Mommy why you resting my case?

Me: I give up...

Rhya: Why?

That was only one conversation out of many!

Well that's enough updating for today! More to come (hopefully soon!)

Here are a few photos of the studio, kids and more of the kids!

An Interview with a Three Year Old

A good friend of mine has a daughter that is only a few months older than Rhya named Emma. These two are two very different peas in a pod! If you knew the girls and saw them play together you would completely understand! They are best friends in the making. Emma's Momma over at The Farming Momma interviewed miss Emma back in June when she turned three (You can read Emma's interview by clicking on the link provided). I thought it was a cute idea and a way to follow her likes and dislikes over the next few birthdays! Here is how it went!

Me: "Rhya, what is your favorite color?"
Rhya: " My color is my favorite."

I asked her again thinking maybe this wasn't the best idea!

Me: " Rhya, what is your favorite color?"
Rhya: " Purple"

Yeah! She actually likes a color! ha ha !

Me: " What is your favorite food?"
Rhya: " Ummmmm... APPLESAUCE!!!!!!!!!"

She yelled applesauce... hence the capitol letters!

Me: " What's your favorite movie?"
Rhya: " Butterflys!!!!"

I have no idea! Theres no movies about butterflies in our house...

Me: " How old are you?"
Rhya: " Aunt Kate is in the dark... Not dark anymore.... I'm a month and a half"

Yeah... thats how she answered that question...

Me: "What's your favorite animal?"
Rhya: "Mable is an animal."
Me: "Is mable your favorite?"
Rhya: " Yeah..."

Me: "What is your favorite toy?"
Rhya: "My cereal."

Ok... We don't play with our cereal in our house... just thought that detail should be in there!

Me: "What is your Daddy's name?"
Rhya: " Daddy's food... Daddy's yummy."

(WE DON'T EAT DADDY'S IN OUR HOUSE EITHER....)

Me: "What's your name?"
Rhya: "Rhya."

Good at least she knows her name! ha ha ha!

Me: "What color is Daddy's tractor?"
Rhya: " Blue."
Me: "Are you sure its not green?"
Rhya: " Oh yeah... its green."

Me: "Who is your best friend?"
Rhya: "Emma!!!!!!!!"

Oh how she loves her dear friend!

Me: "What do you want to be when you grow up?"
Rhya: "Strong and mighty."

Seriously... she said that!

Me: " What makes you happy?"
Rhya: "Daddy!"



Rhya has grown into such a wonderful, talented and caring little girl! Soaking up knowledge everywhere she can! She loves her little brother with all her little heart and it makes us so proud. When Isaac is screaming in the car Rhya will talk to him and say "Its ok Isaac, its ok... we're riding in the car... its ok." Oh, how it warms my heart.

Why I will NOT be reading "50 shades of Grey" or watching "Magic Mike"

PLEASE NOTE: I am not trying to offend anyone or step on toes... If you take this offensively I am sorry. I felt as a christian woman I needed to write how I felt about this touchy subject. 

Just a few questions :

As a christian, is porn ok? 

What about going to a strip club?

 Or cheating on your partner? 

Not OK??? I thought so... 

Sorry to say the "50 shades of Grey" an erotic book series is what most people are labeling "mommy porn"... in a book... you don't have to see it to imagine it in your mind so technically their right. Once you've read it you can't get rid of it... the words are stuck like glue. "Magic Mike"a movie about male strippers is also being labeled under that category... 

 Now I haven't read the books or seen blockbuster movie and I will admit I was tempted to see what all the fuss was about. I am so thankful I did not bend to that temptation! 

"IT’S THE SAME THING. 

The only difference is, women can put it on their coffee tables, carry them around with them in their purses, read them on their kindles, and it is just a part of polite society.  Liberating…. (tongue in cheek)

It is p o r n.  It is written to appeal to women’s s e x u a l appetites.  It is expecting our husbands to live up to this made up, make-believe man in a book and taking our affections away from our husbands and onto another (fake) man.  It is emotionally and in some cases, physically draining on our marriages.  It’s detrimental.  I don’t care about the reviews that say it’s “bringing marriages closer” or about the “50 Shades of Grey” baby boom…..it’s taking your physical desire away from your husband in your own mind.  It is finding your pleasure in something else other than your husband. 

OR, in the cases of single women…..it’s finding your pleasure in an unnatural source.  

It’s still p o r n."

To read more "From Chaos to Grace"

What bothers me the most is how I am seeing/hearing of christian women falling in LOVE with both movie and books! 

Where are your/ societies standards??? 

Would it be ok for your husbands, boyfriends, brothers, or fathers to see a movie about a female stripper for the third time? 

We would be very angry and hurt. So don't you think that maybe, just maybe the men in our lives are feeling this way? Who wouldn't be upset when the person they care about is mentally "cheating" on them?

Mothers out there... What kind of example are you setting for your children? Especially for your daughters? 

 

Here is an excerpt from a blog post I read not long ago and agree with completely! 

"I am surprised, though, at how completely accepting Christian culture is to both of these works. I’ve read a few dozen different updates from Christian women regarding “50 Shades” and “Magic Mike,” and the verdict? They love them. I mean they really looooove them. They can’t stop talking about them.

(Quick, like a bandaid:) This is not okay.

Christian women need to reject both of these works, and instead, use our voices in support of what is good, right and true. It is our responsibility, as daughters of the Heavenly King, to remain set-apart from the poisons of our culture, to rebuke temptation, and to celebrate and honor righteousness.

Some Scriptural Support

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

If your enemy thinks he can snare you with something as “acceptable” as 50 Shades or Magic Mike, you better believe he will take advantage. Don’t let the culture’s acceptance and celebration of these works confuse you, or put you off your guard.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-9

(Emphasis my own.) Do not conform to the patterns of this world. In other words, just because everyone else is reading it/watching it, that doesn’t make it acceptable.

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” Matthew 6:22-23

Is what you’re putting in front of your eyes healthy? Is what you’re putting into your imagination healthy?"   Melissa Jenna from http://www.melissajenna.com

Click here to read more from Melissa Jenna.

So why will I not read "50 shades of Grey" or watch "Magic Mike"???

~ It would demoralize my husband as well as myself.

~ I do not want to fill my mind with more garbage... theres enough in this world. 

~ I do not want to open a door that will be hard to close. Filling your mind with un pure thoughts are wrong and are addicting... like drugs and food. 

~ It is SINNFUL

So I leave you with a few bible verses to chew on and digest... 

Matthew 5:28 

"But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

1 Corinthians 6:18 

Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.