3 years, really!?!

Ummmm...no clue where 3 years have gone! I guess I do, but wow it is still crazy that I haven't posted ANYTHING in that time span.  Well, nothing like the present to get started back.

Well, some things have changed and some have stayed the same.  We have more chickens on the farm now, still have Gus and Tucker, have lost 3 blue/red heeler cattle dogs in the last 6 months, and gained another blue heeler in the last month.  His name is Scout and he is the dad of the 1.5 year old we lost last month.  I will post a picture of him later.

I am completing my 1st internship for school counseling as I type this post.  I have one more to complete this summer!!!  And I am ecstatic to be at the end of this journey.  I remember the January after losing Kade when I made the trek to Montgomery to enroll in this program.  It has definitely helped me stay sane while dealing with such a loss, however it too has just about caused me to lose my mind! LOL!  I will say that I finally have an advisor that knows what she is doing.  Amazing since I am in my last semester.

I have been thinking and praying over the last few weeks about my renewed interest in blogging.  I am praying for God to lead me to the real purpose of this blog.  I feel him pulling me a certain way, however I still have no real clear idea of what He is trying to show me.  I pray for clarity and a spirit that is confident in the road ahead.  In the meantime, I will share pictures of life on the farm and miscellaneous happenings!

Friday

Yeah, that is one of the new residents here on the farm. She has a few more that I will introduce you to in the next few weeks. I am so excited for these babies to be here. We have them in their temporary facilities at the moment and are in the process of designing their fabulous coop. I have poured over http://pinterest.com and googled several images. You can check out my Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/hootiehoo . It has a few that I have pinned on there. Want to get it finalized and started.

Also, we are in the process of designing my "chick cave." I want this space to be so girly, so shabby chic, so creative, and extremely functional. It will hold my crafting supplies, sewing machine, gift wrapping station, and whatever else I can find. This project is going to be a work in progress. But, it has started...the addition to the barn that will stash the equipment currently occupying my Chick Cave space has been scheduled. Woohoo!

School is still going...taking 3 classes this semester and loving the new campus. The professors here actually are preparing us for comps. It is a big change from the previous campus I attended.

So, what projects do you have going on right now? Or what projects do you have waiting in the wings to be brought to life?

Okey Dokey!

O.k. getting back to business after a much too long hiatus...but much needed. Looking at a new way to organize the blog even as we speak. Thanking God for the much needed rain for many reasons. I have alot going on right now and that is why I am going to try to reorganize the blog so I can cover many topics without having to include a bunch of random information in one post. We will see how that goes. Topics that I will be covering is my walk with God (so excited about a few things going on in that area right now), farm life, the chick cave, Compassion International (very passionate topic), coupons, and of course my dogs (Gus is pictured above). So, that is where I will focus for right now. Hopefully Monday I will have the organization completed and up and going. Wish me luckk!!!

Wet Weather, Finally!!

AHHHHHHH!!!! The sound of rain beating on the roof and the flow of water on the fields.....good stuff!! Thank God for answering prayers for rain. Tucker, in the pic above, is recovering from a little "ahem" surgery. He has being doing very well since Monday. Gotta go check how the water is running out by the new hay barn. Praying for more rain, we still need a ton more to get us out of this drought. Have a good Thursday!

Just a little update:

• School - in my 2nd semester of my master's degree program. Wow!! It really is an endurance challenge. I haven't written APA style papers in about 11 years, but here I am writing them on a regular basis. Overwhelmed at times, but still rewarding at the same time. I could go on and on about this aspect of grad school, but I'll save that for another time.
• Daughter - Amazing!! I have been so blessed with all that has transpired in the last 7 months. Sure, it is crazy for me to say that, but at the same time my daughter and I have gone to the depths of HELL and have ended up closer than ever before. At one time I thought the relationship was broken beyond repair. I prayed and prayed and prayed some more for God to intervene and allow both of our hearts to heal and come together to sustain us through the rest of our life. We have to lean on Him and have faith that He is in control and will guide us through the trauma and make us better than ever on the other side. I'm very thankful for my faith in God and all that He is.
• Work - Feeling better about being more in tune with everything involved with my job. My mind is calming and am able to focus more clearly. Very thankful.
• Gus & Tucker - Oh goodness!!! They are a pure southern hot mess!!! These two boys are a joy to have. Gus is still my little buddy and sounding board. He still gets to hear all of my tears, my laughter, my talking to myself to help figure things out...I think I need to get him a counselor!! Haha! Just kidding...but really I probably need to.
  
• Couponing - I've cooled on it just a little bit due to responsibilities with school this summer. Still have my binder and still clipping. I love saving money and I love finding the good deals. Focus just isn't 100% there right now.
• Pool time - Well, that is a little interrupted right now. The hay barn is being built and the workers are in the process of building it, so I can't be laying out in the pool right now. So ready to get back out there.
• Farm - Babies, babies, babies everywhere. Those little things are so cute. Dealing with a drought is not very fun when these mommies and babies depend on good nutrition to grow into the very best they can be. The Lord has blessed us with a couple of small, and I emphasize small, showers this past week. It has helped, but we need much much more to recover and have enough hay for this upcoming winter. Hopefully, I can get that chicken coop once the hay barn is built. But, I am going to wait til the Fall to tackle that project. It's just too hot right now.

Father's Day is this Sunday. Don't forget your dad or the wonderful dad in your child's life. Daddy's are very important and I don't take the fact that mine was such a great part of my life lightly at all. I am so thankful for my dad! He's the best!

7 months

7 months ago today I had to say goodbye to you. 7 months ago I memorized every freckle on your face. 7 months ago I kissed you for the last time. 7 months ago I stroked your hair for the last time. 7 months ago I gave you back to your heavenly Father. I miss you so much boo boo!! 7 months can witness a lot of change in someone's life. You can discover how truly strong you are and how heartbroken you can actually be. It is absolutely amazing. Your headstone was set last Wednesday and it looks amazing. It fits you so perfectly. I can picture you in the woods scene depicted on your headstone enjoying the deer, turkey, and waterfall. You loved the outdoors. Mother's Day was the hardest yet. I just wanted to touch you...at least the day I lost you I could touch you and kiss you. Oh, and I received your memory blanket last week. It is breathtaking and is priceless to me. Every baseball jersey, t-shirt, dress shirt, jean, pajama pant, and boxer short brings back so many precious memories. You were the best son ever and I am proud to be your mama!! Love you little man!

Couponers Can Help!

above image: A Full Cup

Attention all couponers!!!! Use that stash to help out fellow Americans by making donations to tornado victims. I will be gathering my donations and scouring stores for great deals to add to my donation box over the next week. You know you won't be able to use those 100 tubes of toothpaste you have scored lately any time soon. So why not give back at least one time!?! Challenge yourself to see how much you can donate and come back here and leave me a message and/or a pic of the great donations you are able to make.