Hay Delivery 8.24.11

Well, we got our hay delivery.  That morning before the load came, Mr. Wallace (Ryan Wallace, Stephen`s friend`s dad) came by to work on Stephen`s AC in the truck.  He had come by the morning before to check things out and to see what the problem was and was scheduled to come back the next morning.  The next morning, he brought with him a dozen doughnuts for the kids.  He wanted to encourage them and thank them for their manners and so brought them a treat.  That was such a blessing and huge encouragement to all of us. We pray and ask the Lord for wisdom daily, and praise the Lord for His guidance in how to raise our little `herd` and want to give Him all the honor and glory!

Mr. Wallace with the kido`s enjoying their doughnut treat!

Here comes the hay!  We got a whole semi load of 38 bales.  We are hoping it will last us at least a month and a half and we continue to pray for rain.

It was quite an experience having hay delivered here.  The farm usually makes their own hay.  Stephen says he remembers Grandpa saying that back in the 50`s he had to have hay hauled in from out of state because of drought.

 Stephen borrowed Uncle Tommy`s tractor to unload the hay then stack it.

We love to watch James` expression, excitement, and concern as he watches the big truck pull in.

What a monumental day in our history.

New Caney and Lydia`s 1st Birthday 8.22.11

We had an opportunity to get together with Mom and Dad and Jerry and Erin and Piper on Monday the 22nd at Mom and Dad`s house in New Caney.  It was so good getting to be in my old house and watch our kids play just like I remember doing.

There are our 5 of our little ones playing on the jungle gym that dad built for us around 15 years ago- wow!

Lydia on the front porch.

The girls got filthy after playing on the trampoline and having the best of times.

A photo shoot at the fireplace with the Herzog Herd where I remember having so many photo shoots with the Giese Gang.

Dad took us all out to dinner at a Mexican food restaurant.  It was delicious and so fun to get to be all together!

Singing Happy Birthday to Lydia at the restaurant.

The next day she got to eat her little birthday cake we made for her and boy did she devour it!  She seemed to just love it and couldn't get it in fast enough.  Happy birthday sweet little Lydia.  We would not be the same without you.  You bring such joy to all and are a true delight!  We love you so much!

Stephen`s Birthday 8.19.11

A few days before Stephen`s birthday, I had the opportunity to take him out for the afternoon, spend the night at a hotel, and go back home the next afternoon.  Stephanie Forbes along with a family friend, Amy Puneky, offered to watch the kids for a night (thanks so much ladies!).  I had such a fun time planning things to do with just he and I.  This was the first time we had spent the night somewhere other than the hospital the times we have gone to have a baby, and since we had Lydia at home, we hadn't been out for 2 years and never on the occasion of just having a fun get away.  Stephen and I had a very great time and so did the kids from what I hear.

We went to Main Event and played 2 games of bowling and a game of laser tag, went to the mall and picked out a new baby outfit (we always pick out our new baby`s first outfit- and since we think it is going to be a boy, we got a sweet baby boy outfit), ate supper at the food court, watched a 3D movie (Stephen had never seen a 3D movie before), and went back to the hotel and ordered pizza (quite a fun thing to have a late night snack brought to your very door- something we country folks don`t get to experience).  The next day we enjoyed breakfast and exercised for a little while there at the hotel, then went to pick up our Azure coop order in Conroe and headed home.  We had such a wonderful time together!

Then on his actual birthday, he was working at Station 29.  The kids and I made him an organic carrot cake from scratch, got him some balloons and presents and headed to Houston for a visit.  He made fajitas for us for supper and they were just delicious!  It is always fun getting to see him and so fun bringing some surprises for him.

Our camera is having a hard time focusing, hence the lovely blurry picture, but nonetheless, there he is with all the kids at the station before opening his presents.  Happy Birthday Papa!!  We all sure love you so much!!  Thank you for your never ending sacrifice, provision, fun, and love you constantly pour out to our family.  We are all so blessed because of you!!

Working The Big Herd For The Last Time 8.13.11

The drought has been so bad here in Southeast Texas, we had to sell off about half of the entire cow/calf herd.  It was a sad few days indeed (for me at least) trying to figure out which cows we were going to part with, which ones we were going to save for the butcher, and which heifer calves we were going to save for the future.  After many hours and meetings and discussions between Mr. & Mrs. Herzog, Stephen and I, we were able to narrow things down.  

The kids always enjoy playing at the farm.  Mo found some dishes for the kids to play with and that kept them busy for a while while we discussed farm business.

We are so blessed to live here on the farm where Mr. Herzog and his brother and sisters were raised as well as Stephen and his brothers and sisters and now our little Herd is being raised.  We are so grateful to Grandpa and Grandma Herzog for the heritage they have left for us.  These hard times with the drought sure make us more dependent on the Lord, and so grateful for His provision of the water line we were able to put in earlier this year for the cows.

Here is the whole herd moving from across the road back to the lots to be penned, separated, loaded and hauled to the auction barn.

Here are some of us watching the event in the lots.  We are grateful to the Lord for the smooth easy time of working cows.  It can sometimes be dangerous and stressful, but things went great that morning.

Martin found himself a place to get a birds eye view.

Here go both full loads to the auction barn.  We borrowed Uncle Tommy`s cattle trailer, and were able to get everything hauled on just the 2 trailers full all in one load.  It was so sad to see them go.

We have been very blessed to go as long as we have without having to feed hay like so many others in the area have had to do.  We have been looking for hay for a few weeks now and everything reasonable is having to be hauled in from out of state.  We hope to get a load in from Louisiana in the near future.  For now we will be feeding some of Kevin`s square bales he offered until we can get some round bales in.  The Lord is faithful to take care of us and provide even in these hard times.

Summer 2011

Here are some updated pictures of the family.

 

 

 

Homemade Play Dough (July 2011)

The kids were recently introduced to play dough.  I held off on the whole play dough thing for a while, only because of the big mess I anticipated.  Well, not to long ago the kids and I made a batch of play dough.  They absolutely loved it!  We mixed colors to make new ones and everyone got their favorite color.  It was so much fun!  It made me sad for not having done it sooner.  It did make a HUGE mess, but it was so worth it!

James and his green lizard.

Elaina and her bright yellow sun.

Bella Jane and her purple basket of grapes.

Millie and her pretty girl with a pink dress.

Martin and his blue snakes.

Lydia was actually sleeping while we played with play dough, but I just had to put this picture of her in here.  James found the powder in our diaper box and dumped a ton on top of Lydia`s head.  She didn`t seem to mind and looked so precious.