The Inadvertent Farmer

Snow Covered Camel and other assorted Critters!

While the kiddos around here (and most of the adults) loved the break from the usual wet soggy Northwest weather, the animals on the other hand seemed perplexed and annoyed with it!

The big guy hates, HATES the snow.  He stands in his house glaring out, waiting for it to go away.  The only time he ventures out is when someone comes near the fence...he is hoping for a treat.

Sorry buddy, no apples...just my camera.

Your stinkin' camera does me no good...seriously I left the shelter of my house for a camera?  Where is my payment for this photoshoot?

I guess your payment is me putting up with you destroying the fences, eating my garden and costing a fortune in hay, grain, and worming medicine.  Really your payment is not being made into a very large rug for the family room!

Well....I've never!

At least take a picture of my good side.

Some of the critters are much sweeter in disposition...and cute to boot!  Baby Dolly Llama seemed to get a kick out of the snow, she loves to jump and run around in it.  She also gets it on her nose and then wiggles and shakes till she gets it off!

While the chickens hide in their house the ducks seem unaffected by the cold and snow...they make just as much noise as usual.

May we talk a minute about ducks?

I have never in my life had a group of animals make as much racket as a few ducks do.  When they hear us crack open the back door they start setting up such a fuss you would think they were being eaten by coyotes or something!  It is their subtle way of letting us know that they want to be fed first.

What is funny is that if they are indeed fed first the camel comes and leans menacingly over their fence and they are too afraid to go near their food bucket until he leaves...which of course is not until he gets fed. 

Maybe they are actually saying,

"Feed the camel first, feed the camel first so he will leave us alone!"

And finally there is one particular critter that has simply buried his head in the snow whilst praying for spring! 

So what about you?  Are you embracing the last remnants of winter...or are you praying for spring to hurry up and get here?

Cotton Candy Sledding

We have so been enjoying the snow!  I don't think anyone one of us has enjoyed it more than Sweet Girl.

I told her that she looked like a big scoop of cotton candy sledding down the hill!

Ready...get set

GO!

It cracked me up when I downloaded these photos and saw that she had her eyes completely squeezed shut the whole time she slid down the hill.

I asked here what that was all about...

"Well I can't stear so I might as well close my eyes."

Ok then...

 

We spent over 4 hours outside yesterday sledding...including from 8 to 9 pm sledding in the dark with daddy. 

We don't get it often but when we get it we enjoy every last drop of snow!

*****

I also wanted to thank each and every one of you for the kind words of celebration and support yesterday.

You guys pretty much ROCK!

 

big Big BIG news!

Hey everyone...I've got some big new for you!

First I'll start with a BIG thank you for all the support and prayers for my mom...she has been pronounced 'cancer-free'! OK they didn't actually say it like that, doctors don't go out on a limb like that!  What they actually said is "all your reports are negative"!  I interpret that as the big bad cancer is gone!

After blood clots, pneumonia, congestive heart failure, severe edema...not to mention chemo and surgery, she is doing wonderfully.

I give credit to God's healing hand and my mom's great attitute...and maybe a little of my homemade soup!

She has decided to do the radiation her doctors are urging her to do as a final way of 'sterelizing' the sight so no future cancer rears its ugly head, but it should have few to no side effects...so we're home free!

Praise the Lord & Way to go mom!!!

*****

Second bit of big new for you is that I was sworn in as a CASA! 

I got up in front of a judge and raised my right hand promising to to my best to advocate for children, be impartial (praying on that one), be thorough, and always above all else keep the best interest of the child(ren) I'm advocating for as my primary concern.

In our court system so there are so many lawyers, social workers, and judges who have to keep everyone's rights in mind...not me.  I just have to advocate for the most vulnerable of all the participants in the court...the kids!

I have recieved my first case.  I will be advocating for baby boy who has been seriously abused.  When I read the case I cried...a lot.

I pray for the strength and wisdom to be the best advocate I can for this little guy.

Thankfully he is now in a foster home that are taking great care of him, both his physical and emotional needs are being met with love and tenderness!

God bless good foster parents...seriously you rock!!!

*****

Lastly...

We have SNOW!  First real snow of the winter (yes it is about time!)

Look even Father Monk is smiling with delight!

So please excuse me while I go and put on my long-underwear and go build a snowman with my kiddos.

Have a super-duper terrific day...I know I will!

 

 

Happy V-Day

From me...

and the big guy!

Hope your day is filled with love and kisses...

Well love anyway!

Hello Dolly...meet the new baby!

I am finally formally introducing you to our newest baby.

Meet Dolly...yes Dolly Llama!

The two babies together...

Dolly is now a week old and doing very, very well.  She is nursing wonderfully and running around and getting into everything...you know just like a typical kid!!!

Althogther now...ahhhhhh.

 

She reminds me of her uncle that you guys helped name a couple of years ago...

Remember Oreo?

Ahhh I miss him...but he was starting to get 'interested' in his sister, ahem.

And since I allow no hankey pankey of that sort around the farm, we gave him to a friend that has taught him to be a pack llama for his family that loves to hike.  He is very happy!

Hope you all are having a tremendously awesome week!

 

Life in a Snapshot

Sometimes life is a series of random snapshots...

Power outage shenanigans!

 

Playing with my food.

 

Don't worry its just a BB gun and he's too little to pull the trigger...yet!

 

Reflections in BB's.

 

Newest cookie recipe...coconut, coconut, oatmeal...oh my! (I'll share next week)

 

Book 'em Dano!  Taking the prisoneer to lock up...

 

Farm Princess!

 

Newest Baby.

 

The end...because the 3 year old said so!

Have a great day! 

I'll 'see' you all tomorrow...

 

 

 

 

 

Things I have Recently Learned...

These are a few random things I have learned recently...

From my mom:

Cancer sucks.

Chemo sucks pretty much as much.

Our bodies are amazing!

My mom is stronger than she gives herself credit for

From my CASA training:

There really are evil people in this world.

There are more good people than evil people.

When sitting in a courtroom 10 different people can hear the same evidence and come to 10 different conclusions.

The only conclusions that matters is that of the judge.

Children get the short end of the stick in our judicial system.

There are people that give their whole lives fighting this particular injustice.

Foster parents are angels or crazy people...I have yet to decided on one or both of those conclusions.

I could not be a foster parent.

I will be a great CASA.

I will be a great CASA if I can keep my mouth from getting me fired.

From the farm:

Llamas have a loooong gestation period.

Getting rid of male llamas 10 months ago can still leave you with a little present!

Crias are the most adorable things on the planet...well next to my own newborns.

From whatever:

I just may be addicted to sugar...maybe...could possibly be...pretty sure.

I am for most definitely sure addicted to sunshine...which begs the question of why I live in Western Washington.

I love my life...although this is not a new realization but sometimes it is good to say it out loud!

From God:

He wants us to be 'hands-on' people

Life is NOT a spectator sport!

From my husband:

Sleeping with a 50 year old is way better than I would have imagined back when I was in my 20's!

Way!

From my blog:

I miss my blog and you all.

I will have to remedy this...

 

So have you learned anything new lately?