Birthdays!

Everyone in my family has a birthday within 2 months except me.
Hannah's is first on Aug. 28- she's 12 now! Joshua's is today, Sept. 5th, and he's now 9! For their birthday with the S.A. grandparents, we opened presents in the morning then we toured the Alamo, ate lunch at the River Center mall. We went in a couple other shops, but were really tired, and hot, so then headed back to my parents house.
Today we gave Joshua a new bike. He loves it, and was very surprised! He had accidentally seen the bike a few days ago in the barn, and just assumed it was a friend of the boys'- Well, it was his, and he's says it's "AMAZING"! Thanks to Wes, and my parents who made it happen!!!

Our New (to us) Tahoe

A very sweet friend of ours, (thanks Karen) GAVE us her unused Tahoe! She no longer had a need, and it was just sitting around. She knew we were in need, and again, she came to the rescue! Right now, with David out of a job, having a car payment and full coverage insurance was just to much!
She is a true example of a christian woman, mother and friend! She is someone to look up to for a good example! She's always got a sweet smile, even though she'd been through the ringer, and always ready to help a friend in need!
I hope if life deals me as rotten a hand as it dealt her, I will come through it as well as she has, and continues to! Like she said, "you can't do it on your own, you have to rely on God!"

Our Personal Chef!

David had had an opportunity to help out at the Life Emporium here in Lockhart. He was the first on the CHEF SHOWCASE, where they invite local cooks/chefs to prepare healthy meals of their own, and add them to the menu! His speciality food was Sushi, and included a Tuna Roll, and his own creation, a Cowboy Roll, which included steak, smoked cheddar, tomato and onion with no Nori wrap, and is served with his own BBQ sauce. It was a hit, and he loved doing it!

Thursday Co-op with friends...

This summer we've strayed off our history path a bit, and are learning about the native americans that Lewis & Clark met on their trail of discovery. So far we've identified at least 21 different tribes, made authentic fry bread, crafted pinch pots & medallions, and had a great time researching the different tribes and the way they live, and then making a diorama that included what we learned. They turned out really well! We learned about their sign language, as well as their symbols and cave drawings! We made a story cloth using the signs we learned. Last week, after coop, we headed over to a Bamboo patch, and cut about 70 long pieces, removed the leaves, and cut them all to about 6 feet to fit into the car. Boy, was it hot! So, this week we all made our own usable Tipi's! They are great! We found the directions online, but they didn't work out too well, so we come up with our own, and love the results! The kids helped, and they worked VERY hard all day, and most of it in the sun! They assembled, painted, and set up their own tribes! Several neighbors drove by very slowly to see our indian village!
We gathered items we found as well as made, and used them to trade for the things we needed. It worked really well, and believe it or not, there was no fighting! 12 kids and nothing! They all get along well, and are a lot of fun to learn with!
Next week, we'll be making flutes and wind chimes out of all the leftover pieces of bamboo!

Well, Matthew is at A&M this week for Phase 1 Fire Training. He is absolutely lovin' it there!
Last night, Hannah went to Central's abbreviated camp session. They are focusing on Service. During their 3 days they will be helping to build a deck for an elderly man at church, vistiting the Dell Childrens hospital, and spending time at a retirement home helping do whatever they can for the residents. Should be good for them all! Joshua is very lonely, and a bit jealous! Most years, David is the director at the camp so Josh gets to stay. But this year is all different, and he's stuck here with me!!! I'll find something fun (and cheap) to do today and tomorrow with him! One thing I found is Glow Bowl at the Texas Union on UT. Bowl by black lights, lazers and music. Sure to cause and instant headache for me, but hey, it's under ground! What more could you ask for???
David is still job hunting- Not going very well. David Robert is still at home and unemployed. That has to end though! He is doing yard work occasionally, so is making some money. On the plus side, Matt did find a job, and he begins Monday. He'll be at the Vans store in the Outlet Mall in San Marcos.
Last night, while in Austin/Pfluggerville it RAINED! Lots of rain! Rained most of the way home too! Rained at the Wally World in Lockhart, rained at the auction barn, even rained at the TSC. Well, we turned onto our road excited to see rain, and it was dry as a bone! NO RAIN! AT ALL! Our block is cursed I believe!!! We missed it earlier in the week too! Rained all over Lockhart, but not at our place again!!! Someday, it may rain here! We did get the benifit of the rainbow on Monday night, along with a beautiful sky that inspired Hannah to grab the camera! She pretty good with that thing! She'll have some good ones for 4-H this year!
We're learning about Native Americans right now, so maybe we'll learn an official rain dance! Couldn't hurt, right?

He's DEAD!!!

He's finally dead! I'm so excited, but still cautious! I have been thinking it might be the work of more than just one!
We finally heard Sadie barking last night, so Matthew and I went out to look around, and there was another dead chicken in the pen! We couldn't see any critters, but definitely saw his handiwork! The netting over both pens was ripped! I had the feeling he was still close, because Sadie was still whimpering and running around, but we looked in the trees and in the field with no luck. So, we went in the house, and a bit later the dog was on alert again! This time the boys were both here, and they went out, and found him IN the chicken house hiding at the top. David did the shooting, and did a nice clean job! The skin is in good shape! The only disappointing thing was that the coon had a small-ish tail, but he is FAT on our chickens!
I'm hoping he was the only one, but we'll keep a good ear out for Sadie in the night!

Fun in the sun

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Just a couple of pics. The 2 at the pool was for Hannah's softball party. The others were at Joshua Pack meeting where they played flag football! It was HOT at both, but we enjoyed it all!