The Peeps Are Here!

Our newest peeps have arrived! They are so, so cute! They *peep-peeped* the whole drive from the post office to our house! After getting ours situated in the shed, we took the rest out to my mom's house. She ordered some, as did a couple of her neighbors and my uncle!

It will probably be a difficult task, keeping the children out of the shed...for they are already in love with these little gals!

Madelyn picked out one of Grammie's chicks and decided she loved it *most* and snuggled it under her coat, close to her, to keep it warm on the drive out to my mom's.

We get Comet chickens. They lay nice, brown eggs. They won't lay for a while though. They are newly hatched and honestly, just as *cute* as can be! (Be glad you can't smell through the computer screen, though...they are awfully stinky! ;)

Chicks need a cozy, warm spot to grow with special food and water...

We are hoping they all do well and survive these days of youngness. They can die if not cared for properly! We love our new girls...our "family" grew by leaps and bounds today!

I hope you each enjoy the weekend ahead. We are looking forward to enjoyable days....I'll be sure to share all about it ~ next week!

Also...please pray for the families down south who have lost so much....everything they owned and even their loved ones. If you feel so led, please consider donating. There are many different places you can do so, but the one place I trust and have donated is HERE. This is a time where we need to stick together, as Christians and Americans and do for each other. We don't need to government stepping in....let's show them how we take care of each other! :)

Thank-you so much for visiting.

Warmly,

Katy

He must increase, but I must decrease. ~John 3:30

A couple days in photos...

Madelyn holding her cousin, Eloise, while at my mom's house for a bit, yesterday (I was quite blessed to get an ample amount of snuggle-time in with this little one too!)...

Lovely books, below, gifted to me from a dear woman at church. She found them at a library booksale and told me that when she saw them, she thought of me! She also bought me some yeast (for my bread-baking) and wrote out an absolutely beautiful card that almost brought me to tears!
Madelyn, at two different times today, knitting...

Books I found at the thrift store, yesterday (I am always so thrilled to find good books at such low prices!)...

I found this Yankee Candle at the thrift store, as well! It was burned once before, but basically brand-new. These large jar candles usually sell for well over $20. This one, I bought for $1.99! The Lilac Blossoms scent is perfect for spring, too!


The children doing some schoolwork. Each are reading...


***You may notice Jaxson is quite amiss in these photos...he was off "working" with Pop-Pop at the garage today! ;)

Memory journaling...


Proof that even the most *seasoned* bread-baker can over-cook a loaf of bread (although, it was, luckily, still edible...just a bit tough on the exterior!)...


Xavier, helping me with my bread-making, by greasing the bowl...


Ahhh....two fresh loaves of bread...

A look at a spot in the kitchen...

Flowers, picked and arranged by Madelyn...

A new-to-me lamp, from my mom, glowing softly as the rain falls outside...


Night sets in...


We are getting ready for our new peeps to arrive tomorrow! I have gotten all the things needed and Chris is preparing a spot for them to grow, in the shed. A simple supper of sandwiches, on fresh bread, tonight...and time spent together as a family! :)

So glad you had some time to drop by! I know there were *many* photos today. I like to remember my days...as time goes by, one second at a time, but still, seemingly, ever-so-fast. I will one day enjoy looking back at times spent when my children were young! :)

Rest well! Pray much!
Warmly,
Katy

He must increase, but I must decrease. ~John 3:30

"All that is gold does not glitter....

...Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost."
~JRR Tolkien

I am reading The Lord of the Rings. Usually, I am not one to enjoy such stories...but 10 years after they first released, I finally watched the LOTR movies and, surprisingly, really enjoyed them. I decided that it was definitely worth reading the book! And, so I am. Tolkien is a wonderful story-teller! He is very descriptive and imaginitive. I must admit, though, I am glad I watched the movies *first*...otherwise, I would be completely lost with the book. Of course, the book is *much* more descriptive and full of much more of a story...but the movies give me a base to imagine from, since I am not always good at doing that myself. :)

I am excited to also share that the laptop, a friend helped us build, got delivered this week! How fun it is to be able to have something wireless and portable. We are not much in the *tech-y* way around here...so this is quite a treat. I basically got the laptop for homeschooling purposes, though. It will be nice to be able to input homeschool tracker info on here, as the work is done (rather than writing it all out and then bringing it upstairs to the desktop to type out). I *will* admit, though, that I like my desktop computer better! ;)

We enjoyed a nice, simple Easter celebration...at church and then with supper at Ma and Pa's house (Chris's parents). The doorway gets quite jumbled with shoes, at Ma's house, when the whole family is visiting...


I had mentioned in THIS post about my mouth/wisdom teeth/gums pain. I was able to get into the dentist today and he confirmed that I have an infection in my gums. He said it was probably because food was rotting in areas that can't be reached by my toothbrush (or even by his hygentists, there). So, after writing me a prescription for an antibiotic to get rid of the infection, he recommended that Chris and I discuss the possibility of me having the two wisdom teeth on my right side, removed! I'm a bit nervous about the prospect of that...but I don't think I want to go through this infection repeatedly (which the dentist said would probably happen if I don't have them pulled). So...I guess we'll see what Chris thinks!

Today is quite humid, in Western PA. It has rained a bit, sun shined a bit, and I think some thunderstorms may be on the way. We've been dealing with quite a lot of rain the past few weeks. I don't like to complain...but I am really looking forward to some enjoyable, sun-filled days, hopefully soon!

My sister-in-love invited the children over to play with their cousins today...so after taking them there, this morning, I went to my dentist appointment, had lunch with my mom, picked up my prescription (for my antibiotic) and then came home to do some housework. I was delighted to see, when I arrived, that my Mrs. Meyer's order had arrived...I was excited to try out one of the dishsoaps, since this time I bought two new scents that I haven't tried before! So, I quickly rain some hot water and made a sweet smelling sudsy dish-bath with the Rosemary dishsoap! Doing dishes is much more enjoyable when you use a sweet-smelling soap! After some housework...

I made bread for the week...


and worked on some knitting!


The children are now back home, again, after a full day of play and fun with their cousins. They are watching a newly-received (from Grammie and Pop-Pop) Bambi movie, now...while enjoying some rest after a *busy* day! ;)

I need to work at getting supper in the oven and make another laundry switch! I hope you each had an enjoyable Easter with your loved ones...a resurrected Christ is of the utmost importance to celebrate! How He loves us, yes!? My heart is overwhelmed at His sacrifice for, most undeserving, me.

One last, sweet and memorable, photo to share before I go. Madelyn reading to our good friends' daughter, one day when they were over...

Until, Lord willing, we meet again, wishing you beautiful days....full of love and blessings to overflowing!
Joyfully,
Katy

He must increase, but I must decrease. ~John 3:30

Christ Has Risen

Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake
Come and rise up from the grave
Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with Him again
Come awake, come awake
Come and rise up from the grave

O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
O church, come stand in the light
Our God is not dead
He's alive! He's alive!

~ Matt Maher (Christ Has Risen)

Amen and Amen!
Love,
Katy

He must increase, but I must decrease. ~John 3:30

"My favorite weather...

...is bird-chirping weather." ~ Terri Guillemets

I am so happy to be able to say, that after many days of rain, the sun shone through, brightly, yesterday and delighted our hearts with its warmth and light! The children spent many hours, outside, playing after schooling was completed! I spent time cleaning, baking, knitting and reading. I wish we would have taken the time for a walk, as it would have been a great day for one! :)

Some photos from our day...

Hand-me-down jars, from my mom...
(Aren't they pretty!? I love the blue!)


I made soft pretzels and pretzel bites for snacking. You can find the recipe HERE if you are interested in making them too!

My constant companions, Jack-the-cat and Ruthie!

Some of the *girls* (they have found another way of escaping the chicken run...so we keep rounding them up and putting them back in! We need to see their escape route! They are smarter than they look!)...

This lovely is working hard, laying an egg...

I am not sure when our peeps are to be delivered...but I can't wait to get them! We have had our girls since they were peeps, years ago, but Chris basically took care of them. This time, *I* am going to be the chicken-raiser-upper! I have ordered THIS book so I do everything right! (Although, I have, probably, every country living/homesteading book ever made...but what is *one* more, right!?) We will be getting 15 and it is my goal to have each of them grow to be wonderful egg-layers!

The children enjoyed riding their bikes at the back basketball court...


Goodness, I remember the days their little legs couldn't even reach the pedals on a bicycle. My, how they grow!

I was able to get clothes out on the line to dry (and look, there's Jack and to be sure, Ruthie wasn't far away either!)...

And Madelyn hung clothes on *her* line, as well...

And, a beautiful day wouldn't be complete without time spent playing in the "dirt pile"...

From a distance, it looks like a giant *mess*...but if you look closely, the children have things set up, certain paths and areas they call their "own"...


Oh, look....it's Jack-the-cat, following me...

And my Ruthers, too. Truly, I go nowhere without my little parade! It makes me sad that Stu (I miss her terribly) used to be part of that, last year, and now isn't. :(

From inside the house, I could hear the boys singing songs and reciting lines from our church's passion play. So, out I went, camera in hand and here they were...

(That white band on X's head is a "crown of thorns")...


Also, yesterday evening, good friends and their children came over for a visit! We had such a nice time of fellowship and laughter! At one point, the men-folk dissappeared! We had no idea where they went (apparently Madelyn knew but kept it very hush-hush)...a bit later, Chris and Joe came back with icecream for everyone! What a treat! (Although it makes losing weight a tad more difficult! ;)

Chris was up early this morning (very unusual for him!) to go to the Good Friday breakfast, held in town. Then off to work. I will be busy with schooling, housework and finishing a knitted dishcloth for a friend. Tonight and tomorrow are the last nights of the Passion Play our church puts on. I pray they go as well as they did last weekend!

I hope to be able to spend time dying easter eggs with the children, tomorrow. Although we don't *do* the easter bunny here, we still have fun dying eggs, participate in egg hunts and celebrate Christ's sacrifice and resurrection! **Oh....and just look at THIS neat way to dye eggs, from Chickens in the Road!

Quickly, before I go...a quick prayer request. I have been dealing, for about a week now, with pain in my right (top and bottom) wisdom teeth/gums. I hoped it would just go away...but hasn't and has really been bothering me, greatly. The dentist told me, previously, that I shouldn't need my wisdom teeth out, so I am not sure if I am just battling an infection or what it may be!? But it is terribly painful. I can't open my mouth too much without it hurting. It makes eating and talking difficult. Prayers are *very* much appreciated....thank-you! I plan on calling the dentist, on Monday, as their office is only open the first half of the week...I just have to make it through the weekend!

I hope you have a truly enjoyable weekend. I hope you are able to spend it with the ones you love the very most! As always, so glad you dropped by for a visit. I leave you with this Irish Blessing...

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

May God be with you and bless you:
May you see your children's children.
May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings.
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.

May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home
And may the hand of a friend always be near.

May green be the grass you walk on,
May blue be the skies above you,
May pure be the joys that surround you,
May true be the hearts that love you.

Joyfully,
Katy :)

He must increase, but I must decrease. ~John 3:30

Round About My Home...

Tonight, Chris and I attended our first Seder Meal and foot washing service. It was beautiful and of course, I cried. Realizing how much Jesus humbled himself for us, in all that He did, is such a glorious example of how we, too, should act. I have far to go...but desire, greatly, to live as more of a servant in love.
We also enjoyed wonderful fellowship with great friends, afterward. We were the last to leave the church...then stood in the dark parking lot, talking and laughing...until we couldn't bear the sting of the cold wind that was whipping by us! Like-minded friends are such a beautiful gift and we thank God for the wonderful friends He has given us!

Quickly, I have a few photos to share from home. This first one, though, was taken at my dad's garage, last week. Madelyn is wearing a new headband her aunt made her! Isn't it cute!? :)


Here at home, while the winds blew hard and rain beat down, at times, it was smelling sweet, inside! Here I have a pot of water with a few drops of clove essential oil, simmering! It smells just wonderful!

Outside, the wagons are tilted up to keep the rain from collecting inside. Those two wagons get *a lot* of use, here! That poor, rickety fence there is not of my doing. It was put up by our neighbors. While outdoors today, she met us at the fence to chat...and although having done so before, reminded us again that she has that fence up in order to help keep the leaves from their side of the yard from going into our side of the yard. Her heart is sweet...I couldn't tell her that in all truthfulness, I would rather have the leaves in my yard than her fence! I worked at raking some of the leaves away from the fence, today. It was blustery...but it was nice to be outside, when it wasn't raining!

Xavier's pile of crosses. My boy...knowing Easter for what it is, he builds crosses. He puts nails on either end where the hands go and even makes a small peg at the bottom to stand on. He has made all sizes and will even...gulp...pretend to crucify Jaxson. (They pretend they are Jesus). X will hit a nail off to the side while Jaxson pretends to cry out in pain. It may seem quite gory to some...especially to those who are un-believers...but I know my boys' hearts are in the right place.

The garage (and look, the grass is really turning green! Although, there *are* still many spots of mud! I am optimistic though, beautiful days will be here soon enough!)...

Flowers are blooming around the house...

Bread baking...


Chris's parents kept the children while we went to the Seder meal at church. When we picked them up, Jaxson came out and handed me this jar of flowers that he had picked at "Ma's house". I told him how much I loved them and *thank-you* and he replied with, "It was nothin'."! A humble spirit...just what I needed to hear tonight. :)

So now, I must draw to a close. I have taken my contacts out and my glasses are on, and with each blink my eyes feel dry and pained...ready for sleep. It's nearing 10 pm for me, late in Katy-time. It's been a bit of a short post, for me. I just don't think I can stay awake any longer!
Thank-you for visiting! Have a great Thursday!

Kindly,
Katy :)

He must increase, but I must decrease. ~John 3:30