I'M BACK! ---- Spring 2022

 It has been so very long since I updated my blog.. what can I say life is happening. We are in busy times with two growing boys, sports, church activities, homeschooling my youngest, moving, O my! The list could go on, I know this is the same for everyone with kids. It seems after COVID and shut downs life does seem crazier. 

We survived all the shut downs, testing and even COVID itself! It has been crazy, weird times lately. I hold tight to my faith and the Lords help even though that seems distant at times too. 

Now that we have moved to a farmhouse (what I always wanted), there seems to be so much to do.. Updates, painting, installing.. thankfully my dad has been my helper. Josh has been so busy with taxidermy. The boys help too if told. 😉

I will share some photos on here to show some of what we have been up to. I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter and a blessed time with family!

Saying goodbye to our old house. Our boys spent most of their childhood their, so of course I cried  saying goodbye. 

Hello to our new house! My goal is to paint it completely white this summer. 

Checking out our new woods!

One of the projects I did in the new house. We found this old wood  here. 

First year trying Solo Ensemble for our youngest.

Public speaking was a big part of Classical Conversations homeschooling this year, which was great!

End of the year ceremony for CC!

Last wrestling match, good job buddy!

He loved Cross country, yay!

Wrestling, its intense, especially as a Momma watching!

The 2nd day moving in I painted all the cabinets!! My motto,  Get it done!

So you are probably wondering will I homeschool next year? Well to be honest I would love too, but it doesn't work as well with just one child home. They need sibling interaction. Even if he had friends over every other day its just not the same. I really wish CC was around when the kids were younger. I would have definitely started their education with CC. Its wonderful for younger kids and having parent involvement. I also loved our community. They have field trips, moms nights and just celebrate families. It is wonderful! Look it up if your interested! I know its growing more and more every year!

I will keep you updated on that. 😊

Pets and why I am glad my kids are growing up with them

When I was a child I always wanted to have a dog, I am not sure what age I started asking for one, but I know I was always crazy about dogs and cats. Maybe I got that trait and longing for a pet from my Great grandma Wolff. I heard she loved her pets and also loved wildlife; watching and listening to the birds in her yard. I am quite sure I have handed down that trait to my boys too.

When my oldest was born we did not have any animals. I was sad about that, so when both my boys were young I decided we had to get a pet, so we looked and waited and found Rainbow Rosalie on Craigslist. We were so excited to find a kitty! She was lovely and born on a ranch! Rainbow is now 8 years old and she has been the best kitty we could of asked for, I call her my nanny for the boys. She helps me tuck them in at night, she comes running if they are crying and she always loves their kisses. I am so happy we have her!

Then a year later we decided to get a pet we could walk and play with outside, so we got Sadie Arianna, a Yellow Lab. She was so small and cute with lots of energy! It was exciting to have a dog as a pet and know she would be a fun addition to our family.
She was such a challenge as a pup we brought her to puppy Kindergarten in hopes that would help with her craziness, which it did help some, but she has always been her own boss and for the most part is a strong willed doggy.

We also added Charlie a couple of years ago, which is just the sweetest, easiest dog I have ever owned. That is why he is now a T.D.I.(Therapy Dogs International) dog. He always makes people smile and is so cuddly.
And by the way Sadie and Charlie are best friends. 💓

With all this said about our pets, I am quite convinced pets are a very important part of families, especially families with growing children.

These are some of the important things my kids have learned from our pets-

• LOVE- When our pets cuddle with us, check on us and bark at a new visitor they are showing us love. 
• RESPONSIBILITY- They have taught my kids how to care for others by taking care of their needs, feeding them, brushing them, bathing them. 
• KEEPING FIT- Our dogs definitely have helped with this. We try to walk them daily, which is healthy for all of us. 

My oldest also has a Bearded Dragon and a "summer pet" frog. Both are only his responsibility and have been great for him to learn more about each and how to take care for them. 

I wanted to share this info, even though I am sure most of you know this, but wanted to share our experience with pets and how we feel they help us. 

And if you don't have a pet, but would like to get one I hope this blog post helps you decide.

My Great Grandma Wolff with her dog, I believe. 

Myself with my dog, Precious. 

Here are some photos with our pets. 💙

Our Bella bunny too!!

Quarantine 2020

These have been interesting times lately. We have enjoyed the less crazy, more peaceful time to enjoy the small things. I have enjoyed more bird watching and reading. The boys have been finding new things to do also. Josh is still working, so that has kept him on his regular schedule. 

Going for walks and exploring has been our number one activity we have enjoyed during quarantine. We have found new places to walk, which has been fun. The weather has been strange, the first picture is around the first day of quarantine and then the second picture was a week later, then the third was a week later. Snow, nice out, more snow! Its so crazy! I think the snow is done for now, hopefully. The nice weather has definitely made it much easier during the quarantine. 

                           Some things we have been up to-

  Cleaning vehicles.

 

          Wrestling with dad.

Reading good books.

                 Hiking on new trails!

          Having church in our living room.

             Building with dad.

                         Checking out old spots.

        Planting and watching seeds grow!

    Camping in our backyard!

        Sadie being our watchdog while we camp. She growled a couple of times, which makes me wonder if the Bear was thinking of visiting!!!!

I hope you are all well and taking this unique time to spend it with your loved ones and make memories. I don't mind the quietness of this time. It is nice to get closer to the Creator and the nature He created!

Keep your face to the SUNSHINE and you cannot see a shadow.

Helen Keller

Summer is over.....Already?!

I know summer usually goes by quickly, but this summer was really quick and I think it is because it was a simple, but fun summer.

Here is a recap of our summer- 

                                               The first day of summer break

                                   Baseball camp

                                 
                                         Local library event about Raptors.

                             
                                   Swimming with friends

                           Kayaking

                              1st time riding on a side by side

                                  Finishing the Fair sign for 4H

                                    More kayaking

                              Camping

                                            Swimming

                            Strawberry picking with Grandma

                                 

                                A quick summer trip to Duluth and the water was amazing and not too cold!

                          A very bad storm that hit our community

      Picking up  after the storm

                      Going trucking with Grandpa (His first time, they went to Indianapolis)

                  Helping our friends at Natures Edge clean up

Our trip to the prairie

                   Outdoor movie theatre

       Swimming lessons

                           Swimming at the culvert

More camping

                 VBS!

              Helping at VBS

First day of school 2019!!

Whew....what a wonderful summer, now on to fall activities!