Musings

Is anyone still reading?  Our blogmanship has clearly taken a dive, but not because we’re indifferent.  Life is busy and priorities shift.  The pendulum swings. But, we’re still here.

So…as of December 1, we are all fine and well.  The guys have put much effort into the retail store and it is beginning to take hold and take off.  That’s good news.  School is going well and we’re making solid progress.  A frustrating algebra problem here and there causes my blood pressure to spike, but overall, discussing Egypt, the first known civilization, reading about Moses and Aaron, and learning about apostrophes makes every day exciting (and a huge thanks to Caleb who saved the day today when he solved an algebra problem that had me stumped!).

Chris is preparing for another college exam which will give him 21 hours of credit.  He’s contemplating his future and praying about where God wants him.

Young men + driver’s license = another spike in mother’s blood pressure.  I’ve only screamed once and it was legitimate.  That’s all I’m going to say.

Girls are enjoying life as they practice piano, sing harmony, play the violin and recorder, cook, read, and work on school.  They are forever busy and always looking for a project.

As December rolls in much too quickly, we think of the end of the year and how God has blessed us in 2008.  He has provided and guided every step of the way.  We also think of advent and God’s fulfillment of His promise — a Savior.   We hope to focus on this season through simplicity and uncluttered agendas.

~ Christy

We’re still here!

Well, I’ve  asked my brother to blog on here, but since he hasn’t gotten to it yet, I though I would just say that we’re still alive. Check back later, and hopefully someone will post.

TTFN!

~Camille~

Pigs…

the pink kind!

This year Daniel wanted pigs for his birthday. So, who were we to turn down such a noble request? Making a long story short, he came home with two 85 pound female pigs yesterday. (I don’t know the technical names or breed) Needless to say, he is pretty excited with his new agricultural endeavor. I could update on everything else that has been going on…but…I’m not. Ha.

Excusable!

You might say that the current state of blogging on my part is inexcusable. I, however, would differ with you vehemently. You see, at the moment we are juggling somewhere between thirty two and thirty three balls. Blogging, the proverbial 34th ball, would likely prove too much for our meager carnival skills. 

This may be the busiest our family has ever been. Sure, there are times of exhaustion when we string together a run of 5AM-11ishPM days, but we can take rest in the fact that every moment spent at work is a moment spent building the Kingdom. 

I’ll avoid getting into the gory details, but just for kicks lets run through whats been goin’ down in C-Town:

-running a restauraunt (5AM-10AM)

-running a retail store (10-6PM)

-schoolwork for all (but not all for schoolwork…[we're always learning, so I can't put a timestamp on this one])

-weakly attempting to keep that whole farm thing afloat (uh, whenever we’re not somewhere we are)

-preparing for a big wedding (in the nooks and crannies of our time)

The hour is relatively late, so appropriately my mind fails me at this time (there’s that interesting word again), but the general purpose of this here post is to reassure those far off that no, we’re not dead. (I think. Let me check.)

Tardy

tardy: moving slowly, sluggishly

Tardy is what we have been lately with updating our blog. We’ve been too busy to take pictures, etc. so here I am letting you know we are still kicking (for now ). We have been working in town most of the days lately but have been very productive.

Also, we plan on moving our blog private very soon. Please, please leave a comment if you would like to be included in the subscription list. This will help my work immensely instead of having to contact specific persons. Thank you.

Polyface Farm Field Day

Last weekend I was afforded the amazing opportunity to travel with some great friends to visit Polyface Farm in Swoope, Virginia. It was a productive time of education, inspiration, and, of course, good times. Its hard to remember a day where more information was stuffed into my weak mind. Following are some pictures that do absolutely no justice whatsoever.

Our extremely capable and thankfully jovial pilot…(that is to say, if anyone had been grumpy during our time of travel, things could have gone bad….)

 Arriving early at Polyface…

“Helping” with chores

Beautiful sunrise

Two decent sized hoop coops…:D

A few chicks in a small brooder…(poor picture, sorry)

About as good of a view as can be taken of Polyface unless in an airplane, but, this still is a small part of the farm.

Perhaps the driving force behind the ability to stay awake from 3:30 AM Saturday morning till 5:30 AM Sunday.

 

Due to noxious fumes on the interstate we were forced to take a rather large detour which resulted in many extra miles, hours, and laughs. I had a great time. Obviously.

Random Pictures

Here are some pictures of things we’ve been up to lately.

Dad working on Grandparents back-porch…

Watering and working in the garden…

Having guests…

And finally sold the Isuzu!

Beaverdam Creek CSA

We recently received our first Community Supported Agriculture basket from Beaverdam Creek. It was a great assortment of beautiful, organic, homegrown vegetables. Having eaten some for dinner last night, I can very surely recommend that you get your own share. We are looking forward to more of these totally nice baskets in the future!

We are deeply grateful for this family and their continued commitment to excellence and high quality products.

Additional quote…

Last, but certainly not least, this immortal quote that I inadvertently overlooked yesterday:

“Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains or slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take but as for me; give me liberty or give me death!”

-Patrick Henry

Think about it.

Independence Day

If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.

-Samuel Adams

Any people that would give up liberty for a little temporary safety deserves neither liberty nor safety.

-Benjamin Franklin

Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.

-John Adams

Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God.

-Thomas Jefferson

Today we celebrate our country’s independence. While certainly our country has lost much of its morality, godliness, and common sense, we are still without a doubt the finest country in the world. No other place on earth offers the opportunities nor freedoms we have here. Sure, we complain about taxes, unjust wars, current political candidates, and abortion; some of us have ceased to see the many privileges of being an American.

However, our founding fathers are likely turning in their graves at the current state of liberty. The previous paragraph notwithstanding, we are losing liberties like I lose iPods. The situation is probably more serious than most people realize.

All this to say, we probably need to slack off on the complaining and step up our prayers for this great country.

Anyways, have a good Independence Day, and Caleb, please, please stay away from pyrotechnics.