Fathers Day

Fathers day was wonderful. Leon took Havilah and Asaph fishing in the morning. We all enjoyed a pancake breakfast and then Ephraim went out back with his 22 and hunted our nuisance of a rooster. Because it was running, It took 7 rounds to end his 4am crowing outside out window habits. He was carried by most of the family out to the woods where he would be found by a very thankful coyote or cougar.
After this we went to see the lawn mower races in Spirit Lake. We were able to find some needed items at our favorite local thrift store and then walk around town and see all the interesting Spirit Lake people.
Our town is not the quaint, sweet town that you might imagine. The main street downtown is heavily influenced by the biker shops, a biker tavern etc. While walking the street we noticed a lot of smoking, drinking, and tough acting folks. They are definitely all friendly. No one's going to give you a dirty look. We heard no swear words. Folks are smiling and moving politely out of the way for our family to pass through. Strangers will talk to you like old friends. You are sure that if you lost one of your children in the small crowd, they would stop everything to help you look for them.
Then we went home and made hamburgers. After this, most people went outside and rode the bicycles on our new jumps that the neighbor helped us build with his tractor. They were real sorry when they heard that their dogs had killed our cat and were actively trying to get our other cat also. They gave us their blessing to shoot the dogs if they came onto our property again. Their dogs had been a problem so, this was a relief.

After a couple hours of riding bikes Leon decided we should all go together back to Spirit Lake to fish some more. It would be 7 pm and sprinkling so we thought the fish would be biting. It was fun. We didn't catch anything except for Havilah who accidentally caught a boat who was docking for a minute where she was fishing. The rest of us were a little ways down the shore where we felt we had the liberty to laugh heartily as we watched the scene.
Before we left, Ephraim decided to jump in where the water was deep. It was cold and raining. The rest of us were wearing our heavy coats or sweatshirts. Then Asaph did the same thing. So we took a little scenic tour driving around the lake for a while with the heat cranked up, eating our left over pancakes that I had brought.
Finally we drove home. Leon rolled his window down and held ready as we pulled up to our house. The dogs weren't there. Once inside we had our fellowship time and went to bed. It had been a truly great day.

little bits

We had a busy but wonderful weekend. We enjoyed 3 families visiting Friday, Saturday and part of Sunday. Then we went to Faragut and played and talked. We spent some extra time sleeping the next couple of days trying to catch up.
Monday was Simeon's eighth birthday. We remembered him in prayer. Tuesday was Asaph's 10th birthday. I took all the children out to the park and we all shared 2 ice cream cones. It was fun.
Naphtali is sad that 3 of his ducklings (unhatched) had been killed. We think our snugly, favorite kitty Arthur was responsible. Now Arthur has to stay inside for a while but, we are all a little mad at him.
No news on the adoption.
The little one inside is doing well. This has been the most comfortable, trouble free pregnancy I've had yet. It seems that the healthier my lifestyle and diet becomes, the more joyful and comfortable my pregnancies are. We are looking forward to a peaceful home birth.

chicklings

Havilah put a chicken egg under Naphtali's duck (Ducky Duck) who is sitting on duck eggs. Last night the chicken egg hatched. There's no use trying to get anything done around here today. The children want to sit on the stairs outside and watch the mama duck care for her little chicken. We are waiting for the ducklings to hatch also. Naphtali says he doesn't mind if we eat the ducks when they are grown but, it will be fun to watch them for a while.
We are down to one cat (our favorite). We are not sure what happened to Mouw but, we are glad that she is gone. She was deprived of oxygen at birth and would never really be a pet or let us tame her.
Leon is taking Ephraim, Asaph and Naphtali on a fishing retreat with Colin Campbell (Above Rubies) this weekend. The girls, Nehemiah, our unborn and I are having our own girls retreat right here. We plan to watch girly movies, eat easy food and sew.
I am looking for ideas from other moms about how to enjoy these last two special months before the baby comes and also ideas on easing those last hours of labor and delivery that are so difficult. Maybe you have a herbal tea that helps with after birth pains or something that you found to help you relax during transition. Please let me know.