What's happening?

Eric got to use his tractor to haul a heavy box through the yard.  It's a storage shed I bought to put under the carport.  It holds bicycles and other riding toys for the girls.

We named him Sticky and he was our friend.

Mowing Tan

Eric got the mower stuck.  I think he just likes to pull things with his tractor.

It's Not Easy

We haven't had the best luck with plants thus far on the farm.  We have killed two crepe myrtles, two plum trees, and two muscadine vines.  We have harvested EIGHT whole okra and one zucchini.  Eric sent off a soil sample to LSU.  Our soil is extremely acidic.  We need to get a tiller and mix in some lime to help fix that.  Eric is shopping for a tiller.

We do have some cucumbers trying to grow and one yellow squash that looks promising.  

FIFTEEN!

Hattie turned fifteen recently.  We had some family and friends over to celebrate.  

Hattie is looking forward to drivers ed and a learners permit this year.  She will be in 10th grade and really enjoys her phone with earbuds in place.  She is doing cross country this year and practicing A LOT this summer.  I'm proud of her dedication.  She doesn't want to quit even though it is so hot and she is tired for those 7am practices.  

We can't wait to see how awesome 15 is going to be and continue to see her grow to be a kind and loving young lady.

We Moved!

Eric and I have dreamed of having a farm for our whole married lives, that's 23 years.  We have finally moved in that direction.  We found a house with 5 acres and are beginning our journey.  The kids love it out here.  They weren't excited to all share rooms.  We downsized to three bedrooms, but the teens have admitted that they have grown closer since sharing a room again.  I just love sitting on the back porch, drinking coffee, and trying to see a deer, no such luck yet.  Millie and Lydda love to explore and do an occasional scream about spiders, ants, and lizards, but have gotten better at enjoying nature.  Eric and I are at peace here and can't wait to see what adventures come our way.  Baby chicks arrive this week!

Goodbye Sweet Sheldon

 We said goodbye to Sheldon earlier this month.  He was almost 11 years old and was a pampered and very spoiled pooch for his whole life.  He drove me insane most days, but loved all of us tremendously and we loved him.  Here are some of my favorite pics of him.

Extra Storage Surprise!

A dear friend gave us the most awesome gift basket for Christmas this year.  The basket was bought at Hobby Lobby and it was cardboard with lots of pretty Christmasy words on it and snowflakes on the inside.  Just loved it.  The things inside were also amazing but not part of my project.

Years ago we had gotten some end tables for the living room.  They had belonged to Eric's grandmother.  I noticed that the HL basket fit perfectly under the top shelf of the end table and it gave me an idea.  I went to HL and found plain cardboard boxes.  Eric and I each bought one so we could get 40% off of both.  Score!  I painted them my favorite color, Robin Egg by Rustoleum.  So love that color.  I didn't paint the inside of the boxes, just the inner edge.  I then drug the Cricut out of the closet and put a couple of sayings on them to remind us who we need and who is in charge of our lives, God.  I then filled them neatly (storage bags used) with some of Millie's favorite toys.  She LOVES to constantly play pretend with anything and everything.  I thought it would be easier for her to have it in the living room because frankly, her room can't fit anything else.

I started painting in the garage because the floor has so much paint on it already.

I moved to the middle of the yard to finish because Eric was convinced I was trying to make him grow an extra head from all the paint fumes since he was doing carpentry stuff in there.  The garage door was open, but I was holding my breath and running out of the garage each time I needed to breathe.

They are in their places!

See my hamper of socks?  I keep it there and the kids put on their shoes on the bench.  I have BIG plans for that space and can't wait to share.  Eric is doing some building for me.

She already dug into a box and is playing dress up with her doll.

I have an extra box that is painted and ready to find a spot.  I have plans for that one, but it will be a while before it gets done.