Taking a little trip

It has been quite some time since we have been able to visit with my family. We live in different states and with the way the economy has been in the last year and a half, traveling hasn't been in our budget. I really don't know anyone who has traveling in their budget these days. Anyway, we are taking a trip to see our family. I've been planning to go to my home school conference also. My family lives in the same city as my conference which will be perfect, because the children will be able to stay with them while I am at my conference! Their days will be filled with fun and excitement and so will mine. Home schooling parents usually spend their days totally around their families...of course we know this is what we are called to do. So once a year, (or every two years, in my case this time), we have an opportunity to be 'fed' and 'inspired'. I am so looking forward to spending time with my friends and family and taking time apart and gaining some insight from pioneers of the home schooling field. I would like to post about our trip, but I am not going to make any promises...Hee-Hee!!

My Brothers...well, one of them :)

Last week I had a wonderful surprise! My little brother, Billy, came to visit me. I'm one of four children and I am also the oldest. I have 3 younger brothers and we are each about 3 1/2 - 4 years apart. I always loved being the older sister and still do. I think I have the best brothers any sister could ask for. They always took care of me growing up. They may have been younger, but they weren't smaller for very long. He was working and had to make a trip up here to Alabama. He and his best friend , Chris, came to deliver a huge motor coach to Florence and decided that they were close enough to come visit us. They live in St. Cloud, Florida. Chris is a driver for some music bands like the Eagles, Journey, and some others I can't remember and I don't even think they like rock music. Take a look at the photos....did we say "Redneck". I love it! Yep, absolutely! That's my brother and I love it! He's real and so is Chris. If I needed them, they would come ASAP! They have a heart as big as can be and are so sweet. We had such a good time with them while they were here. Even if it was short. Anyway, I just wanted to share a little piece of our day with you and say how proud I was to have my brother, Billy, and his best friend, Chris, come to visit me.

How 'bout this ride!! Next time you guys will have to take us for a spin around the block. Don't let the exterior fool you they are reeeal tough guys! The kids just love their Uncle Billy Billy took pictures of everything at my new place. Even the trees...what in the world?!?!

My Little Goat

How bout this...we have a goat! He is so sweet and lets the kids lead him around on a rope. We got him so he can help us clear up some of the pasture. This morning I looked out and saw that he was in the pasture with the horses. They didn't seem to mind being together. He can get out of the fencing, so we will keep an eye on him. He's very friendly and calm. He eats sweet feed/corn mix and any branches, leaves, grass we give him. We usually tie him out on a lead and he eats around. It's gonna be a 4-H project for the kids. We'll see how it goes.

My 'lil chick

Ok, I just have to post this little picture of my chick....she is so cute and when I hold her she lays down on her back and stretches her legs out, lays her head back and then goes to sleep. I named her Broody. She is a Rhode Island Red and she is about 10 days old. She is very calm and loves to eat her bits of feed. She's so quiet as she scratches around getting her food.

Chickens are really very easy to raise and except for food and water, they pretty much take care of themselves. Just grow and eat. Well, I guess if you consider that coop we're building, you might say it's alot, but it's more fun than not. More coming...

My Chicken Coop

This is just a quick post...here are a few photos of our chicken coop. Because I love y'all so very much, I came in just now to get this onto my blog...hope you like 'em! I'm so blessed to have you wonderful people in my life, encouraging me on like you do! We set the frame on a few flat bricks to get it level on every side. Of course, I want my little chickens to have a special place to nest and roost! :) Here we are adding the sides and back.

The flooring is made of 2x6's and 1" plywood, braced underneath by add'l 2x6's. Then we placed on the frame and started on the roof.

I wanted a little screened window for my chickens to have some fresh air. So Grant made this frame and then we stapled black chicken wire onto it. We also added a screened window to each side near the top. This is a close up of the window in the front of the coop. It has black chicken wire for a screen. We will make a little flap on hinges that can fold down to allow fresh air to circulate. Then fold back up when it gets colder. Here we have the back wall, front wall and one side wall done. We are just about to start on the last side wall. Then we will work on the door and the egg window door. The egg window is at the back of the coop. You can see the cut out shape. The door will be attached with sturdy hinges. I love doing this sort of thing. I used to help my Dad build stuff when I was little. We built our own house and I even helped dig the footer, lay roofing tile and most of the stuff in between. I learned a lot helping him. Thanks Daddy!