Visit to Station 34 (6.18.12)

Just recently we had an opportunity to visit Stephen at the fire station. We got our chores done around the house and hit he road. We stopped off at Brookshire Brothers to get some Blue Bell ice cream for dessert. We made it safe and sound and had a great time getting to see Stephen and to visit with all the guys. Thank you all!

Lydia enjoyed the spaghetti supper Papa cooked!

The kids all got to get wet and play in the house line right before we left. They all had a great time!

Chief Smith handed out badge stickers to all of us.

We all had a nice time getting to visit. We were so excited to be there and enjoy our time with Papa at work and eat the spaghetti supper he cooked for everyone.

The Morning Milking 6.22.12

We have had our Jersey cow, Mable, for a little over 4 years now. We have really been blessed to have such a great milk cow! We usually get anywhere between 1-2 gallons a day. With our growing family, that is just right. She is a nice, calm, easy going cow for the most part.

Just recently the kids have started doing some of the milking. They usually come out with Stephen and I when we milk and "help" but now they can do the entire gallon all by themselves. Stephen and I still go out with them for the whole time to help when they need it (tying Mable up, handling the calf...) but between all of the kids taking turns, they get her milked!

We love our fresh milk every day! For us, not buying store bought milk is wonderful and we are just grazing her, so we don't have to pay for feed. She has been a wonderful asset to our family and we thank the Lord for her!

James's 3rd birthday! 6.13.12

Our little hambone is growing up! I can hardly believe he just turned 3! He is such a quiet, sweet, tender little boy. He and Elaina and Lyddia are all good buds. They do things together a lot. James and Martin are also good buds. The 3 boys share a room, and all have such a close bond. He loves to make Stephen and I "emergenC" drinks after our workouts. He loves to go with Papa to work around the farm. His heart hurts at the thought of killing a bug. And he loves to go to the farm to play. When he works in the garden, he likes to snack on onions fresh from the garden. He loves to eat "graynola" as soon as he wakes up. He looks so precious when his hair is combed. And we are still trying to get him to use the bathroom behind a tree and not in front of one. He always brings a smile to our day and is such a joy to have in our family. We lo e you James Wyatt Herzog!

Playground @ DBC

Not to long ago at Dacus Baptist Church, they got a playground. After church one morning, we all went to try it out. The kids enjoyed it :)

Millie's 6th birthday! 6.10.12

Happy birthday Millie! You are such a joy to our family and to so many others! Your smile comes from deep down inside and radiates through your eyes. You have such a cute "girly girl giggle" and laugh at everything...even if it isn't funny or you are annoyed, you still find something to laugh about. You are such a big helper in our family. I love working with you in the kitchen and doing everyday chores. You understand what it means to be beautiful in your heart and strive to do so. We are so grateful to the Lord for giving you to us. We all love you so much!

I had a blast getting to take Millie out to lunch for her birthday. We ate some pizza from the Pizza Shack in Montgomery. We had a great time visiting and I read her Proverbs 31:10-31 and we talked about the virtuous woman and things she could do to follow her example. I enjoyed so much those precious moments and her sweet spirit.

That evening we went to the farm for dessert. The kids and I made double doozies for dessert. They were so delicious! (fun fact: Bella and Millie were both 5 after Bellas birthday for a month and now Millie and Martin will be 6 for a month before Martin turns 7 in July!)

Mo's Birthday 6.5.12

We just celebrated Mo's birthday! The girls and I decorated with Sarah at the farm while she was in town for a little bit. Sarah made supper and the girls and I made the cake. We had a very nice time. Mrs. Herzog aka Mo is so special to all of us. We are grateful for the time and influence she is in our families life.

Picking' Corn 6.1.12

We had a great time working at the farm in the garden. I am so grateful we are able to raise our children on the farm and teach them good honest hard work... And love it! Work is fun and we have the potential to get so much done. Sometimes with distractions (like playing or eating the corn and other veggies out of the garden) it takes a little longer, but it is so much funner and creates great memories!

Flowers

These were some beautiful flowers I admired every time we drove by to work in the pasture or check cows. Stephen so sweetly stopped and gave me an opportunity to grab some shots.

I just love this picture with the hay barn in the background.

My precious family all posing behind the flower bush.