We have four kids now!

Four young goats that is!

In early March, we bought these four baby goats that were just 7 days old. They are going to spend the summer happily browsing through the brambles and brush that we need to clear in a couple of overgrown fields. Goats like to eat that sort of thing. Even before they entered the barn, they had been named: Cinnamon Roll, Bubba, Fawn and Blackie.

Being so young, we had to teach each one how to drink from a bottle but they were quick learners. Twice a day, for 4 weeks, Abigail, Samuel, and Ethan have mixed formula and fed them. The warm spring weather has provided quite a bit of play time as well. Abigail has even trained them to race her:

What was impossible when we lived in town, in now such a simple decision on the farm. These animals have provided a great lesson in responsibility, have brought a few friends to visit at chore time, and are a fun addition to our days.

Happy Spring! From our family... and our new kids

Our chapter in a very long story

This story began in the winter of 1776. Washington (yes, General George Washington) had captured Hessian soldiers at Trenton on December 26th. These mercenary soldiers who had been fighting for the British were marched to the Shenandoah Valley for internment. It is during this time that they built several homes from the local stone. (history provided by current owners)

Our family has been blessed to live in one of those houses for the past year.

In the 1800's a building that had been a town tavern was brought to the farm and added to the back of the house. Decades and decades of updates have resulted in this kitchen and a great dining room:

One of our favorite parts of the house was the library. Our homeschool books and family albums filled the shelves. The ladder was so much fun, until it wasn't. From the computer in this room, many blog post were written.

As you walk down the staircase in the house, the treads are all worn down. So many times, we've wondered who has lived here and what their lives were like.

Actually, as we were moving out last week, a family stopped by. The husband had lived in the house in the 1970's, proposed to his wife on the hilltop, and they wanted to show their children the place they had heard about for years. History is so interesting.

Our stay here was just a year, yet it was such a blessing. We completed our first year of farming, gardened for the first time, practiced reading, writing, arithmatic, and learned just how expensive it can be to heat an old house during a cold winter. It was a wonderful place to dwell.

Date Night

"You, me go all alone?"

How could I say no to that sweet request, or actually several sweet requests over the past few weeks?

So, last week, Ethan and I went on a special date... all alone!

We took a few photos together since we were all dressed up (in the outfits that he had chosen). Then we went out to dinner together. I can't believe I neglected to take a photo of this sweet boy, all dressed up, eating peanut butter and jelly. I was just too busy enjoying the moment. And the conversation.

We walked over to the bookstore after dinner.

Books were read, stories were told, trains were played with, a couple gifts for friends were purchased and photos were taken. Ethan likes to be in front of the camera, but not as much as he likes to be behind it...

To finish our evening, I treated my date to a scoop of ice cream. While he ate his treat, I told him the story about how his daddy met me in an ice cream store. He thought for a long time and then smiled. Then he told me that when he was grown up, he would be in an ice cream store and meet me there too. I assured him that I would like that very much!

The highlight, the very highlight of my evening...

As we were leaving the bookstore, I told Ethan that we should hurry because I was very cold. Did he hurry? No. He stopped right in the middle of the sidewalk. Then, he took off his coat, gave it to me and told me that boys do that for girls. Now, my sweet husband always makes sure I have my coat when we leave, so I asked him how he knew this to be true.

"I saw a boy do that at a hotel." Big smile.

I have no idea where or when, but my four year old saw a man act with chivalry and wanted to do the same. Isn't it amazing that we can teach our children constantly from the moment they are born, and they are still observing and absorbing from people all around them. If we could only remember the power we all have through example... good and bad. If I could only thank that man, whoever he was, who briefly, unknowingly contributed to my son's character.

If I could only remember that carving out purposeful time with each of my children reveals so much about the condition of their heart and blesses mine so richly!

Our American Girl

We recently celebrated a very special occasion... our sweet Abigail turned 10 years old! How quickly a decade slips by when your days are filled with baby talk, multiplication facts, bike riding and make believe. One day we were holding a tiny, blanket wrapped, baby girl and in the blink of an eye we are teaching her to drive, discussing politics, and hearing where she wants to go to college. Everyone warned us, but there was no way to fully understand until we experienced it... time flies by!

Although Abigail is growing up, we are so thankful that she is not trying to rush it. We discuss choices in clothes, friends, hobbies... often. One blessing is her love for her American Girl dolls. Kaya was a gift when she became a big sister the second time, Josephina was a surprise for her 8th birthday, and wonderful accessories have been collected over time. These dolls have been so cherished, and are so worth investing in. That's why we were happy when Abigail wanted to spend some of the money she had earned in their farming business to buy the Elizabeth doll.

We bundled her purchase with her birthday and celebrated at American Girl Place. The store's three stories are filled with dolls, clothes, furniture, books and every shade of pink! Our girl was so excited and her brothers were so supportive. We all had dinner, followed by cake and peppermint ice cream in their restaurant. There are even special chairs for the dolls.

Abigail was most excited to purchase her Elizabeth doll, who just happens to look exactly like her. As we were looking at her beautiful pink gown and talking about her story, we realized that Elizabeth moved from far away when she was about 10 years old to live in Virginia. These two blond hair, blue eye girls have a lot in common!

As a special gift, we signed her up to take a class in their "Doll Hair Salon". They learned the proper way to care for their doll's hair and even how to do a couple braided hairstyles.

It is a blessing to watch Abigail grow up and a privilege to spend these days with her. As her interests grow and mature, we pray that she will seek God's will for her life and build on the solid foundation of His Word!

It was appropriate that our American girl, chose the patriotic Yankee Doodle for her first piano recital this past weekend! After taking lessons for just three months, she was nervous to play in front a room full of people, but did a great job.

For our family and friends living far away, that we wished we could have invited, here is a short video of her performance. (look closely, she's right behind the harp!)

Cabin Fever

Virginia has received a lot of snow this winter. A lot of snow.

Storm after storm, inches into feet, everything has been totally white for weeks.

Locals say this much snow is very unusual for this area. Thankfully.

Some facts from our winter: Weather.com is now a good friend. A tractor is a blessing when your lane is over a half mile long and snow packed. A warm house and library books keep everyone happier. Even if public schools are closed for weeks, homeschool kids don't get snow days off.

The hardest part of this weather is not being able to spend time outside. The snow is just too deep! Here is a comparison between last July and last week:

During the biggest snow, we hiked to the top of the pasture hill to go sledding...

but the snow was so deep that the sled just sunk in. We had to pull the sled back home!

We retreated to the kitchen. I made homemade chicken noodle soup for the first time and a batch of our favorite cinnamon rolls. Comfort food takes on a whole new meaning when you are snowed in and can use the meat that you produced last summer!

On the first day of sunshine, we tried sledding again with much better results!

We are trying to make the most of winter, and keep thinking that all this moisture is sure to bring a beautiful spring. Really, really soon.

Montana Made

Being surrounded by a blanket of white snow that is two feet deep creates some challenges. Roads must be plowed, paths must be shoveled, equipment must be uncovered, chores must be done, and driving is dangerous.

Even before we were married, I admired the way Brent handled winter weather. He had warm layers of clothes, drove a four wheel drive truck with tools and chains in the back, and was always the first one into work on a snow day. When I once slid off an icy road, he dug me out and then loaded my trunk with cases of ammo for extra weight. It is not just his abilities, its his willingness.

Maybe his attitude was learned during his early childhood in Montana. Maybe it is a challenge that he personally enjoys. Either way, I am praising God today for the gift that I have in my husband.

And for the fact that we are warm inside, safe and secure, and getting closer to spring.

Brent, on the tractor, clearing roads during the snow storm. Feb 2010

While We Were Away

Having driven 2,ooo+ miles, seven times (7X!) in the last 2 1/2 years, the thrill of a cross-country road trip is beginning to fade for our family. Even though we try to change up the route a little each time, in order to see a little different slice of America, it is still miles and miles of freeway. One fun highlight has been this hotel:

This was our 3rd stay at the Great Wolf Lodge and the kids just love it. They get to sleep in bunkbeds and swim in the enormous indoor water park. A nice treat on a long trip!

Once we got to Arizona, the kids received an early Christmas gift. Uncle Greg and Aunt Greta invited them to spend the night at their house. Then, they all took a private lesson with a golf pro on a pretty Phoenix golf course. Abigail, Samuel and Ethan all had a great time and were giggling with fun stories when they came back. What a great gift!

Staying a night in Phoenix has numerous benefits... visiting family, favorite restaurants, fun shopping, and being able to swim outside in December!

For Christmas, Grandma Grace gave Samuel and Ethan costumes to dress up like Davy Crockett. They were thrilled!

To make that even better... on the drive back to Va, their kind-hearted Dad pulled off the freeway in Tennessee, drove an extra 40 miles, to take them to:

Samuel and Ethan at the birthplace of Davy Crockett

Its a good reminder that sometimes there are wonderful surprises waiting for you... even on a road you have traveled many times before.