Happy Easter

This is the breakfast recipe from Pinterest

 I went to sleep at 2am and still didn't manage to get lunch on the table till 3pm today.  We got up and rushed over to feed Chloe's pup she was sitting and then came home to get ready for church.  I made another Pinterest recipe for breakfast and we rushed to an outdoor church service on The Square in Boerne.  It was lovely except for the tiny little bugs that kept biting me!!  They were biting Chloe, too.

We returned home and started getting all the food on the bar for  our guests.  We enjoyed many friends and family and I still managed to have food left over.  I think eleven pounds of ham and four tenderloins might've been a bit much.  I didn't much care what everyone else ate as long as I could have my lime jello mold.  Yummmmmmy!

The thunderstorm added an element of fun and happened following the egg hunt.  Baskets full of candy and five boys isolated indoors while the thunderstorms break a few trees seemed like a challenge.  During the crazy thunderstorm, wind and hail, we realized the girls were down at the barn and likely scared.  I drove down to retrieve them and spotted the STILL pregnant goats huddled together inside a large dog crate.  I was sad I didn't have my phone on me because of the photo opportunity, yet happy it avoided the deluge.  The girls were happy to be rescued and I was happy to take a quick warm shower and change out of the completely soaked clothing.

Everyone trickled out of the house including Chloe.  She went out for a sleepover and Brett was left to take a long relaxing tub to get all the mud off of him from his fun time outdoors with four other boys.  It is rare for me to have more boys at my house than girls, but today the girls were out numbered.  Good thing boys like bow and arrows, ponds, and mud.  Tonight as I tucked Brett in, his prayer was this, "God, thank you for sending your Son to die on the cross for my sins.  It was also good that he busted out of the tomb and went to heaven with you..."  Let this also be my thanks.  Goodnight Friends and may you boldly proclaim, "He is RISEN!!"

Traditions

BUNNY BREAD!!!

I decided to sit and write before midnight arrived.  The family reunion plans I had last night quickly changed to a surprise birthday party for a friend who needed us more than the family reunion.  Sometimes you have to make decisions to do something other than planned when it feels right.  The surprise party was a hit and it was four hours of swimming and tired and hungry children.  Brett has gotten out of his bed three times and I'm not certain he was awake for any of the kitchen visits.  He did, however, sit and help himself to the vegetables I was chopping for tomorrow's family lunch.  He didn't speak or make eye contact.  He sat down, picked up a cucumber and a carrot, ate them and then walked to his bedroom, turned on his light, crawled in to bed and fell asleep.  Three times I've turned off his light.  I have a feeling it will be a night full of Brett visits.

Chloe was so exhausted by the events of the day that she fell asleep while I was still in her closet getting her clothes ready for tomorrow.  She closed her eyes and drifted off in to dreamland.  I returned to my preparations for Easter.  We always have the same basic food.  Honeybaked Ham headlines at my house for every major holiday.  I think I eat a small piece, yet it is such a part of my family tradition it MUST be on the table.  Since joining Pinterest a week ago, I have also incorporated some of those recipes to my repertoire.  I selected a few recipes and while I was at the surprise party, my mom and sister-in-law baked one of the recipes up!  I was so proud of their bunny bread I am creating a new annual bunny bread tradition!!

Tomorrow is an incredibly special day.  The food I serve and the fellowship we enjoy in only a small part of the true celebration of the day.  The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the reason we celebrate!  As you sit with your family tomorrow and eat and visit, don't forget the gravity of salvation.  It is only because he died and rose again that we are able to be made whole and walk in eternity.  God Bless each and every one of you.

UPDATE:  For those of you who have been praying for Brent Wells, your prayers are working.  Everyday he takes steps toward recovery.  Brain injuries are tricky and slow to heal, but prayer is the best thing you can provide for their family.  Know that their family has been incredibly blessed by the prayers coming through heaven.  Thank you friends for your help!

I am thankful for the enormous blessing of Christ's death and resurrection (Day 100).  Goodnight Friends.

My Dream Swimsuit

I was at WalMart today and found the swimsuit of my dreams!  I have always wanted a toucan on my abs.  I actually did not purchase the swimsuit, but I'm very tempted to return to purchase it tomorrow.  

 Brett found these Butterfly Cakes at HEB and asked if I would buy them.  I replied, "No!"  He then preceded to ask me if he could have every other product on the shelf.  After a series of  vetoes, he asks annoyed, "Can  I have anything with the little girl on it?"  I laughed and walked out of the aisle as quickly as possible.

Now here is my favorite product at HEB.  First I thought hemp had something to do with marijuana.  Then, it seemed to have something to do with rope or clothing.  Finally, it has made its way to the beverage category.  Hmmmm, interesting.  Also wondering if the hemp seeds they sell at HEB will grow me some green and fresh marijuana??  Yeah, I didn't think so.  Disclaimer:  Not a fan of mj or any other drug, for that matter.

This afternoon I was visiting with my STILL pregnant goats.  Pip likes to put her head to my stomach so I can rub her neck and back.  Belle hates to share attention with her sister pushing Pip away to receive my undivided attention.  Pip decides to get behind me and put her head against my butt.  Normally they wouldn't be an issue, but today I was wearing a dress.  Her horn went straight into my crack and made me jump about five feet in the air with my dress flying and still attached to her horn.  I was very thankful to have had no neighbors in clear view of any of that scene.  I'm sure they heard me scream!  I loved on the girls a little while longer and then fed them and put them in their smaller area in case they have any babies before I wake up.  I hear dawn in a popular kid delivery time.  Dawn is not a popular wake up time for me, so unless I hear her screaming I will likely wake up closer to 8.

 Chloe is dog sitting again and we will have to rush over and let the pup out and  feed him, too.  I haven't decided if Coconut is a girl or boy, but he doesn't like to do anything but sniff me the entire time I am at the house.  I tried to throw toys or balls, Coconut did not even flinch keeping her/his nose to my pant leg.  This is the easiest petsitting job of all time.  Chloe feeds the dog and I stand and get sniffed for half an hour.

Tomorrow is our big family Easter picnic.  It will likely be a fun time with everyone laughing, running, playing, and eating.  I have a great family!!  It will be nice to see people I haven't seen since last year, or was it the year before?

 I am thankful for the beautiful weather although rain had been in the forecast, the sun prevailed (Day 99).  Goodnight Friends.

The Flowering of the Cross

As the students and parents walked the steps to the stage and carefully placed individual flowers on the cross, classical music and hymns played in the background.  The mood was somber and the faces around the auditorium were pensive and some eyes filled with tears.  The Head of School spoke briefly to remind us of the reason we celebrate Easter.  Living in the world and seeing the cute little baby chicks and bunnies with a plethora of jelly beans in all of the spring colors, we can often forget why we celebrate.  Below I've included some scripture to ponder and to gently remind you of why we celebrate and it is truly a time of celebration.  Rejoice for he is RISEN!!

1 Corinthians 15

New International Version (NIV)

The Resurrection of Christ

15 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. ² By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

³ For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance^[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, ⁵ and that he appeared to Cephas,^[b] and then to the Twelve. ⁶ After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.⁷ Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, ⁸ and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
⁹ For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecutedthe church of God. ¹⁰ But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. ¹¹ Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.

The Resurrection of the Dead

¹² But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³ If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.¹⁴ And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. ¹⁵ More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. ¹⁶ For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. ¹⁷ And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.¹⁸ Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. ¹⁹ If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.
²⁰ But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. ²¹ For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. ²² For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. ²³ But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes,those who belong to him. ²⁴ Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. ²⁵ For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. ²⁶ The last enemy to be destroyed is death. ²⁷ For he “has put everything under his feet.”^[c] Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. ²⁸ When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.
²⁹ Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? ³⁰ And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour?³¹ I face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. ³² If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised,

“Let us eat and drink,
    for tomorrow we die.”^[d]

³³ Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”^[e] 34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.

The Resurrection Body

³⁵ But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?” ³⁶ How foolish!What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. ³⁷ When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. ³⁸ But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. ³⁹ Not all flesh is the same: People have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another. ⁴⁰ There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. ⁴¹ The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.
⁴² So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; ⁴³ it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; ⁴⁴ it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.
If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. ⁴⁵ So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”^[f]; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. ⁴⁶ The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. ⁴⁷ The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. ⁴⁸ As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. ⁴⁹ And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we^[g] bear the image of the heavenly man.
⁵⁰ I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. ⁵¹ Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— ⁵² in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the deadwill be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. ⁵³ For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. ⁵⁴ When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”^[h]

⁵⁵ “Where, O death, is your victory?
    Where, O death, is your sting?”^[i]

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁵⁸ Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

I am thankful for the opportunity to pause and remember the reason we celebrate Easter (Day 99).  Goodnight Friends.

Wild and Wooly

This is Brett today wondering "what is
wrong with my outfit?"  He asked
that I please post this photo
on my blog, so enjoy.

When I picked the kids up from school today my son was especially crazy.  He ran like a wild animal at the grocery store and then got home and ran like an untamed stallion.  I'm not sure why he was exceptionally hyper today, but I know I was incredibly annoyed.  Homework and dinner took four times as long as normal, but when bedtime arrived he fell fast asleep.

My mom arrived this evening reminding me of the days when I was wild and wooly.  She said some days were just as I described.  At the grocery store today Chloe turned to me and suggested hand cuffs no longer be used on criminals but instead tether them to Brett.  I laughed.  I cried a little inside.  Later he destroyed her rock art outside and I heard her scream, "I hate you!!  I wish you were never born!!"  I immediately ran out to call them both inside to address both problems.  His was a physical one and hers was a problem of the heart.  When I hear her scream these terrible things at him I realize it is out of frustration and not being able to deal with his wild side, but I also know those words have a deep impact on his little heart.  If I struggle to maintain composure when he acts crazy, I imagine she has a tremendous difficulty doing so, as well.

I volunteer for a group that talks to "at risk" teens about Teen Dating Violence and Bullying.  One of the things I mention is the importance of using our words to build people up and not tear them down.  Besides this being Biblical, it is a great concept that is making a comeback.  For years our moms would say, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me!"  LIES!  Pay special attention to Proverbs 12:18 which I highlighted for effect.  All of this chapter has wisdom for our hearts, thoughts, and actions as Christians.

Proverbs 12

New International Version (NIV)

12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
    but whoever hates correction is stupid.

² Good people obtain favor from the Lord,
    but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes.

³ No one can be established through wickedness,
    but the righteous cannot be uprooted.

⁴ A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown,
    but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.

⁵ The plans of the righteous are just,
    but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.

⁶ The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
    but the speech of the upright rescues them.

⁷ The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
    but the house of the righteous stands firm.

⁸ A person is praised according to their prudence,
    and one with a warped mind is despised.

⁹ Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant
    than pretend to be somebody and have no food.

¹⁰ The righteous care for the needs of their animals,
    but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.

¹¹ Those who work their land will have abundant food,
    but those who chase fantasies have no sense.

¹² The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers,
    but the root of the righteous endures.

¹³ Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk,
    and so the innocent escape trouble.

¹⁴ From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things,
    and the work of their hands brings them reward.

¹⁵ The way of fools seems right to them,
    but the wise listen to advice.

¹⁶ Fools show their annoyance at once,
    but the prudent overlook an insult.

¹⁷ An honest witness tells the truth,
    but a false witness tells lies.

¹⁸ The words of the reckless pierce like swords,    but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

¹⁹ Truthful lips endure forever,
    but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

²⁰ Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
    but those who promote peace have joy.

²¹ No harm overtakes the righteous,
    but the wicked have their fill of trouble.

²² The Lord detests lying lips,
    but he delights in people who are trustworthy.

²³ The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves,
    but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.

²⁴ Diligent hands will rule,
    but laziness ends in forced labor.

²⁵ Anxiety weighs down the heart,
    but a kind word cheers it up.

²⁶ The righteous choose their friends carefully,
    but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

²⁷ The lazy do not roast^[a] any game,
    but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.

²⁸ In the way of righteousness there is life;
    along that path is immortality.

I will never be perfect, for certain, but I hope to figure out a way to avoid all gossip.  Sometimes in conversation I might talk about someone else and without trying to gossip, it happens.  My heart feels sadness over these things.  Truthfully, I would likely tell the person to their face, but it had no place in conversation with anyone else.  Every day we make choices and my hope is that we choose our words and our subjects wisely.  We live a crazy life and there are many things we cannot control.  Our tongues are ours to control.  It is my mission to use my tongue to bring healing instead of heartache.  Won't you join me?

I am thankful for children who constantly remind me the importance of holding our tongues(Day 98)!!  Goodnight Friends.

Update:  I have not received an update on Brent today, but I did receive a message concerning my friend's aunt who we prayed for a while back.  She fell from a golf cart while she was being driven to her car and suffered severe head trauma.  She was moving her arm and leg today which was miraculous as she had been in a complete coma since the injury a month or so ago.

Augusta Belle's Pregnancy Photographs

The Pregnancy Diary of 

Augusta Belle Stricker

Pre-Pregnancy

December 6, 2012

January 26, 2013

March 2, 2013

March 13

March 27, 2013

My mother sent me a note tonight mentioning the full moon this evening.  I wonder if tonight will be the night??  I am thankful for being able to experience the circle of life with my children through the keeping of farm animals (Day 98).  Goodnight Friends.

Answer to Prayer!!

Dearest Friends,
I just received news of some amazing progress on Brent Wells!  The message reads,

"I am in tears of gratitude!!!  Awesome news!!!!!  When doctor lowered meds Brent sat up in bed, eyes open, moving his arms and legs all over!!!!!!!!  Doctor said that was incredible and amazing!!!  Doctor said he was NOT expecting that reaction at all and said he was only expecting a finger to move.  Haha!!  Brent never does anything halfway!!!  Brent was even trying to close his eyes when the doctor was holding them open...totally purposeful action by Brent.  God is answering prayers!!  Please continue as there is a long road ahead of healing but he is making GREAT progress!..."  

I am in awe of the power of prayer!!  Thank you to all of you who have been committing this request to prayer.  Continue to storm heaven and let this be a example of the mighty power of our Heavenly Father!!!

I am thankful for the miracles at work in the lives of the Wells family today.  May God receive the glory!! (Day 97).  Goodnight Friends and may this great news inspire your faith.  You are loved.

End of the School Year Rollercoaster....WHEEEEEEEEEE!

Today was mostly dedicated to the Beauty and the Beast, Jr. presented by the students at my school.  Although I enjoy musical theatre, I was not involved in the production except for today as make-up artist.  My kids thoroughly enjoyed the performance and I was proud of the students and all of the faculty, staff and parents involved in the enormous production.

I had very little time to spend on the farm.  I walked around and visited with everyone still frustrated with the goats for not having their babies.  I imagine it will happen soon enough and then I will wish I had less little ma-mas wandering around making messes.  It sort of reminds me of when I am pregnant and want to have the baby and then when I have the baby I want to put it back in for a little longer so I can get some sleep.  Uncomfortable sleep is better than no sleep at all.  I'm sure Belle and Pip will understand this dynamic soon enough.

The pony is doing great since he started taking his medication.  He acts like a young pony galloping about and being naughty.  The other day he sneaked a bite of the goat's alfalfa.  After he secured a bite, he took of running in the opposite direction to keep me from scolding him.  It is like having a fluffy, 800 lb Brett.

The chickens are doing fine.  Everyone seems to be getting along and we are getting to the point where the baby chicks need to be released from the nursery to find a place in the pecking order.  Sadly, I don't enjoy watching them get pecked so I haven't agreed to let them out yet.  Thadd is annoyed with my hesitation.

This weekend has been incredibly busy and I know Thadd has not enjoyed my being busy.  Unfortunately, this entire next two will be full of activities and busyness.  The school year is almost over and it is rolling down hill faster and faster each week.  Oh and by the way, have any of you figured out how to get your children to clean up their messes, wash the toilets, do laundry and feed the animals?  If so, please contact me and share your secrets.  What?  You better not have just said, "That is YOUR job!" or we can no longer be friends.

Still ahead we have all of the AP exams, Senior Thesis Presentations, Easter, Prom, 2 talent shows, talent show auditions, TAPPS State finals for EVERYONE and a partridge in a pear tree.  There are several other things, but those are the only ones causing me stress.  Yikes.  I just imagine this time of year to be that part of the rollercoaster ride when you climb, climb, climb, climb and then DROP and your stomach goes to your throat.

I am thankful for this week to begin as we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ(Day 96).  Goodnight Friends.  I added additional Beekeeping information to last night's blog in case any of you decide to join me on the adventure.  Click here to read the info.

UPDATE:  Brent is doing well.  They have taken him off of some of his medications and his body is stepping in and doing its job.  They are planning to bring him out of sedation early this week so they are more able to understand the extent of the damage and create a plan for recovery.  Continue to pray for his family as they try to return to something similar to normal.  This is not a sprint, but a marathon.  It will require us to pace ourselves and pray daily for them as they travel this incredibly difficult road.  My prayer is for God to lighten their burden with His love and grace.  For their sadness and pain to be turned to gladness and healing.  Thank you for traveling this road with this precious family.