Well I haven't sat down and just updated for quite some time so I thought I would take a minute to do so.
The homestead is busy these days, moving chicks(meat birds), and cows around on fresh grass. Feeding critters several times a day. Milking two cows takes a bit longer then one. Checking sows and the one gilt for piglets. Keeping up with the watering and sprinklers, the tall uneaten grass and the raised beds. Playing in the kiddie pool and riding bikes and doing school with the kids. Actually I don't ride a bike, the kids do and I push little Miss G in the stroller. And then there are outings; to town, the beach, church and friends houses. Never mind the sweeping and vacuuming, dishes and meals, bread and cheese. We keep busy and we like it that way.
Then there is the unexpected.
This last week I went out to do chores and check for piglets and found a dead sow. Just laying there it the bush. I thought she was about 600lbs but Papa says no more like 800! Full of piglets, I think there were 7 or 8 inside her, a couple weeks from due as the has no hair and their eyes were still shut. 4 year old purebred Bershire bred sow. Just dead. I called Papa. We brooded a little. It's such a disappointment to find such a animal dead. We raised her from 8 weeks old. The night before she was following Papa around waiting for a scratch, begging really. This would have been her 3rd litter. Papa said there were. Some white barnacle looking things on her liver and that was all he could find that was strange! We cut her up into chunks and froze them. Chip will eat good this winter. Half filled a small freezer. What a waste!
But mostly we are doing good here on the homestead. The kids are back to school part time, homeschooling of course, and they each finished 2 PACES yesterday, their 1st two of the year which was exciting. We also have a new science course that we've started and they LOVE! Apologia science Flying creatures of the 5th day. We found that L and E were starting to forget stuff like how to write letters or numbers and sounds of certain letters after their almost 3 month break so we started some verbal review and now are starting school part time just to keep them learning and remembering and busy :)
Papa is back to hobbling about with a sore leg. Praise God it doesn't seem to be his back this time though his sciatica is still the thing most affected. He is seeing a new chiropractor in town who is also a bit of a physical therapist after our normal chiropractor didn't seem to be helping anymore. The new chiropractor says its in the muscles, not his back like last time, and whatever she's doing it seems to be working. His mobility after just one appointment was better then he'd had in weeks and it lasted until his next appointment and he got more mobility after the second appointment. We are both really hoping and praying that this does not turn into the 4 month painful drugged fall that he had last fall. I will keep you posted.
J spiked in growth again this summer and turned his winter chubby-ness into several more inches and size 5 boys feet! He is gleefully awaiting the day he is taller then me! J has made several new friends in our homechurch and completely enjoys our times with them. They are all homeschoolers to and I think it's good for him.
L got a sketch pad for his birthday and spends hours drawing in it and making up stories to go with his pictures. He tans very nicely and looks very brown with his hair bleached by the sun. L is really enjoying his school work and flys through the pages with precision. Adding is still a strong point along with very neat printing.
E is doing very well. She's been off her puffers for a couple of months and doesn't seem to have any problems with the summer pollen! She is eating like a skinny person and staying skinny much to her dismay. She is trying to gain 5lbs so she can go into a booster seat and sit in the back seat of the truck! I think she might just get there about the time J grows out of it!
R is our bubbly little girl. She got some new school books for her birthday and begs to do school with the others with her little books. I let her for a few pages a day. She and J3 are becoming fast friends again during the school days and I enjoy listening to the communication between them now that J3 is older and talking more.
J3, I'm pretty sure, has past R in the weight department and the way he's going will likely be as heavy as E in no time! We started toilet training him 3 days ago just after his 2nd birthday. He's taken to it quite well and only had one Opps yesterday. He loves the animals and we often see him hanging on Chip, who loves him!, or packing a kitty around. He also loves to be doing what everyone else is going and I rack my brain several times a day for little chores for him as he likes to be helpful when we are choring. He goes and does his chore then runs back to me and says 'mom mom' (his version of yes mom) and waits impatiently for the next chore!
Baby G is acting more like a toddler and less like a baby these days! Crawling, climbing, trying to cruise on the couch but it's too high so she cruises on Papa laying on the floor or a box or a kid or whatever she can find. She is eating 3 large meals a day and sleeping about 11 to 12 hour nights with a couple of day time naps. She is still toothless but by the looks of her gums when she gets her teeth she will get a few!
Anyway I've got to go! Papa is up, Baby G is up and it's time to get started on this wonderful day called Saturday :) Have a great day and God bless :)
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