special nights

As a whole Kaleb and I don't get too much one on one time with our bugs. We're generally all together and we like it that way. The kids enjoy each other and are truly the best of friends, so it works. Yet, we also feel it's important for them to get some alone time, so we began "special nights" last spring. One night every week, one kid gets to stay up late and be completely doted on all by their lonesome.

It is awesome! If you have little bities I would highly recommend it. They are so different when it's just them, their personalities unquestionably shine!

We had Zain's special night this week and it was so funny. He was all over the map, dragging us from one activity to the next. We shot his beebee gun, which he totally schooled me at. I could not hit the target.  Then he remembered I had balloons, so we sat in my closet blowing them up and attempting balloon animals.

The man is sheer genius with some legos, so we built all kinds of transportation vehicles. He usually doesn't care for my pretend voices, but on this night he was feeling generous and told me I could talk in whatever utterance I desired- it was on! He built while I entertained with characters and backstories, while waging a full on battle. Kaleb jumped in on the fun too and eventually it turned into a laughing ruckus, Zain an awed bystander to our theatrics.

I love this alone time with each of them and always look forward to the next one. This week is Isaac, so it's a guaranteed good time. He's been planning for the last two weeks, and sets something aside everyday to use for his night. Oh how I love these special nights, and they are just that:)

week of woes

I like to show the happy. To write about seconds that mattered. Moments that crept up on us and became exceptional. The little giggles shoved in-between the big hullabaloo. I want to be able to look back someday, and not just be left with a vague recollection of it all but concrete proof of our journey. 

Swirled in between all of these wonderful moments, mixing effortlessly are struggles, hard times and every now and again a plain old bad day. I want to remember these times also, to retain an honest sense of it all. This week has been just that, a struggle, with a couple bad days thrown in for good measure!

Homeschooling started off so well, everyone was excited and we genuinely enjoyed it. This week has ended in tears and me questioning near all my decisions and know how.

Figuring out what direction to take the farm in, truly examining what we want and more important how to get there- has been hanging over Kaleb and I like a thick fog. It feels like we are fighting our way thru it blindly only to end up right back where we began.

Combine it with all your other basic mayhem and I am left bone weary. 

It's a brief minute, and I know that. Time to let go of the unknowns, of what I think should happen and live in what is. Because what is. . . is pretty great.

late night chores

Last week, that dreamy man of mine went out on a late night chicken run. We were in need of some more gals to keep up with our families raging appetites. He pulled up around 11 p.m. and had a haul of 21 new laying hens. To keep them safe and in their selected paddocks he needed to trim their flying feathers.

Apparently it's a two person gig.

So, me in my pajamas and farm heels (yes, my allotted farm shoes of choice are heeled sneakers, why is that strange?) headed out to the open pasture to work.

Of course, we had a little help. Kaleb and I acquired three new kittens for the big kids. A little token for a job well done on their first week of school (heaven help me). They named them Star, Bobby and Rose- which I actually thought was pretty cute.

I was just the teeniest bit nervous. It was so buggy and you could hear the call of coyotes near, and I just KNEW I was going to step on a snake or something of the like.

But, I tell you true, it was so fun! Hanging out with Kaleb is simply the best, even if it is the middle of the night and I'm clipping chicken feathers!

an iPhone and a holiday

We spent an idyllic day at the lake on Monday, basking in the sunshine and soaking up some family time. My parents rented a large pontoon boat and we jammed it full with 6 adults, 9 children, towels, life jackets, sandwiches, cookies and sunscreen. 

Aussie was the only one of mine who had been on a boat before, so they were beyond excited for this new nautical escapade. We cruised the lake looking for prime picnicking real estate all while letting the light freshwater spray cool us down. 

Before we could even entertain the thought of victuals, a little cliff jumping was in order. I was so proud of my little bugs! Without hardly even a hesitation they got right in there and jumped. 

It's been a while since I've been in adventure mode, I'm usually off feeding or rocking a baby somewhere, so when I got up my heart was seriously pounding, and it wasn't even that high.

We ate and swam, snooped around secluded beaches which we gave proper pirate names like cutthroat island and bloodfists battleground. Sweet little Eleanor slept dreamily as we coasted around new bends to see what lie ahead. Isaac continually at the helm on lookout duty. All set to a chorus of "let it go" sang by little voices blending into the wind. 

We headed home as the sun was setting, weary from the water, and just a little pink. A pile of neat stones and chapped lips our tokens of the day. 

The wild ones hearts were soaring at their own bravery and a day spent with cousins and grandparents. We all fell fast asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillows still swaying softly to the push and pull of the water.