Stray dogs, emergency rooms, chicken murder, drive in movies, apple pie, and pumpkins....

This week has been quite long. Our favorite chicken, Magnolia, passed away this friday, she had a very tragic ending to her sweet 10 months spent here at the Little Hillbilly Farm. We are all trying to be at peace over the circumstances of her passing, but it was quite unexpected and very unfortunate. She will be greatly missed. Magnolia Chicken loved to come inside the house and sit in her favorite chair. She was very tolerant of Caillou and Jasper's affection and would not protest when she was carried from room to room and offered rides in toy cars, and snuggles with sutffed animals. She loved to find worms, eat watermelon, and blueberries were her most favorite treat of all. She was a very good chicken. Caillou is very sad, he was very good with his chicken, we will be getting him a baby chicken tomorrow, hopefully this one will be as sweet of a friend to Caillou as Mangnolia was. Later that evening, was spent in the emergency room, I was cramping and spotting. But all ended up being well, I had my first sonogram and was able to hear baby's strong heartbeat, and see baby too! Baby is healthy and mommy is quite relieved! It was so wonderful to hear the baby's heart beat, it is such an amazing experience. All though I have done this twice before, I don't think the miracle of pregnancy will ever cease to amaze me and bring me to tears, hearing those first heart beats, seeing that tiny little blur on the sonogram screen, and finally getting to hear a baby's first cries. It is truly a wonderful thing.

Last night was Daddy's birthday. We spent our evening at the Drive-In. We are very lucky to have one about 30 minutes from our town. The kids enjoyed seeing Where the Wild Things Are, I would have to say, it reminded me quite a bit of my own little wild thing Caillou! The kids dozed off during the second movie, Fame. We had quite a fun evening and enjoyed some birthday apple pie while we watched the movies.

yummy!

Halloween is approching, we have been visiting many local pumpkin patches. Caillou loves the freedom of being able to run around and around, playing, and admiring pumpkins till his little heart is content. He is very excited to make pumpkin pies with the many little sugar baby pumpkins he has picked. We did grow one very large pumpkin in our garden this year, there would have been more, but the chickens found the growing pumpkins and watermelons to be quite a tasty treat! I still have yet to sew the boys costumes, I am hoping to be able to get the money together for some material this week, so I can start sewing! Caillou wants to be either a gnome of cat in the hat, and sweet Jasper is happy to be whatever mommy sews for him!

This is PattyCakes. This sweet little dog found us one day. We were at the end of a bike ride, and she ran right up to me and into my arms. After looking for owners and none to be found, she has found her new home sweet home here with our little family. She is a young dog, very sweet, wonderful with the kids, and very loving and snuggly.

Well, that pretty much sums up our week. Oh, not quite, my cell phone met its death in the toilet bowl yesterday morning, my camera also is not any longer working, so I will be saving my pennies for another one, I can't bear to think of being without pictures of my little ones, even for just a little while, they grow far too fast! Well, this next week will be a busy one, we are going to another pumpkin patch on tuesday. I hope to can some homemade apple butter, make pumpkin pies with the boys, and do some sewing and gardening. Have a great week Y'all!

p.s. to all my bloggy friends, I apologize, I am, horrible about leaving comments on your blogs! I love all your blogs and visit them all the time, however it just seems that right as I am about to leave a comment... someone goes on time out, a gallon of milk has been spilled on the floor, someone is being bitten, diapers have gone missing and there are 2 naked little savages running amuck in the house, or a rainbow streaked child comes to me covered in paint, someone has eaten a crayon, a playmate has drowned a chicken, cookies are on fire, morning sickenss attacks me, there is a small flood, a tunnel to china is being dug in the front yard, there is always something! But I love you all! I love the sweet comments you leave me, they do truly encourage me and bring me many smiles, I love to read of your families, craft projects, and many wonderful posts that inspire me and bring happiness to my days. One of these days, I swear I will actually be better at commenting, perhaps when the kids are in college!

Morning sickness....

I have not felt much like blogging lately. I have been feeling quite icky with morning sickness. Ha! It is a bit more like round the clock sickness. I have been doing my best to try and rest, but rest is something I get very little of around here due to a certain spunky little boy....Caillou. Caillou is ever at my side, even when I am in the throes of morning sickness clinging to my dear toilet bowl. Caillou is right there, squealing..." Oh my, that's a lot mommy" "EEEWWW mommy threw up" " Mommy is the baby getting out?" Then he makes his own little morning sickness sounds and gags and spits, always wanting to not be left out of anything, he is certain that he too is morning sick and his tummy also needs the magic lotion so he doesn't get stretch marks too. Do I dare tell him, that only mommy's get morning sick and that he most certainly won't be experiencing stretch marks any time soon... or let him enjoy his "sickness" a bit longer and have a greasy, well lotioned belly?

Bumper to Bumper traffic....

Have A Great Weekend Y'all!

Little Hands....

In our home, I have been spending a good deal of time inspiring creativity in my little ones. Honestly, I need to do very little to inspire their creativity, all I need is to provide them with the proper materials, and their little creative spirits and imaginations take flight. It is a great deal of fun to watch what their little hands create. It is a great mess at times too, but if I stay calm and patient, and decide not to worry about the mess, we have sooooo much fun. I try to offer little interference with their projects, and let them make things the way they want to make it, of course I step in when someone is eating a crayon or licking the paints, but for the most part I let their little creative spirits direct the projects. Caillou loves it when I paint his hands and he makes hand print paintings. Jasper loves carved potato stamps and paints. And they both enjoyed painting pumpkins the other day, what color???? ORANGE, apparently the pumpkins were not quite orange enough for their liking! I have been making a scrap basket for the boys, fabric scraps, little balls of yarn leftover from projects, large crochet hooks, lacing cards, little things to keep their hands busy, so I can sneak in a few rows of crochet on a blanket without them going nuts with my ball of yarn, running away with it, unraveling my blanket all the while! Caillou calls his ball of yarn his "egg" and sometimes his "baby" he starts off holding it very nicely and then the unravelling begins, and he exclaims "what a mess!" It is often time difficult for me to actually do any of the many creative projects I have dreamed up, but when I do get the time to work on one of "mama's projects" I thoroughy enjoy the hum and whir of my sewing machine, or the relaxing motions of crochet. And my favorite thing to hear is " mommy made that" Sweet Caillou, oh how I love you for admiring mommy's handiwork! Well, Goodnight everyone, I think I will try to do a some of "mama's projects" before I grow much more sleepy!

A Blue Monster Birthday....for BLUE MONDAY

I like chocolate Mama!

Happy Birthday Blue Monster
In our house we have monsters. There is the Blue Monster, a funny creature I sewed for Caillou when he was 1. And there is the Hairy Monster. The Hairy Monster, is an authoratitive figure of sorts. He lives in Boo-Bah's purse, and is always only a phone call away, when Caillou starts acting up. The Hairy Monster, is a friendly monster, but he is also a "don't mess with your Mommy sort of Monster" The Hairy Monster is spoken of daily, Caillou gets great enjoyment from telling tales of the Hairy Monster, however he isn't to eager to actually ever meet the Hairy Monster!!!! Ever so much attention is paid to the Hairy Monster, so we thought that perhaps the Blue Monster was feeling left out and was in need of a celebration. So we made some treats, blew up some balloons and hosted a monster shin dig!

Please Visit www.smilingsally.blogspot.com

Thanks Sally for creating Blue Mondays!

happy, happy, happy news

Well, I couldn't keep my happy little secret to myself any longer. A new little bundle of joy is coming our way at the end of May. I found out last friday, it hardly seems real to me yet! I am sure it will feel very real once the morning sickness kicks in! I am ever so happy to know that in no time at all I will have three little sunshines cuddling on my lap, three little loves to cherish, adore, and love with all my heart and soul. My children are my all and all and everything, they are the source of all my happiness, love, smiles, laughter, and joy. I am so thankful that our Heavenly Father, has blessed me with the opportunity to grow, give life to, nurture, and adore another one of His precious blessings. All though my life is often times uncertain and there are ever so many rainy days, a little more sunshine has been sent my way, and I know that with God on my side, and my sincere and joyous love of motherhood, that all will be well. I am so happy to once again look forward to becoming a mama to a new precious life. I cannot wait to hear those first cries, and hold this sweet baby in my arms. Good Night and Sweet Dreams

please keep baby in your prayers.

Love, Mama

Dear Caillou, Thank you for singning to me lots of lovely little songs today. I especially loved your version of the Farmer and the Dell ( the plumber and the wall, the plumber and the wall, hi ho to harry go the plumber and the wall) You are absolutley darling my little one. I had lots of fun with you at the park today, and planting flowers with you in our garden. But Caillou my dear, I did not like it when you attacked me in the wal-mart. It made me very sad when you were hitting me, and that mean old lady in the motorized scooter, yelled at me " you are an atrocious mother" Caillou.... why couldn't you have bitten that lady instead of me? Oh well, I love you anyhow, even if you did make me lose one of my earrings, my only real gold earring that I own, and bent my glasses during your rage. But I love you still the same, sometimes when I get mad, I feel like biting people too! If I were as cute and short as you, I would probably feel brave enough to do it too. Well, my love, I just wanted to write you this little note to say how happy I am to be your mommy, even on your less than civilized days. And even if old ladies at wal-mart think that I am atrocious, I know that you think I am wonderful, and love me madly. xoxo my little one.... Love, mommy. P.S tomorrow let's bake cookies.

The end of summertime...

Well y'all fall is officially here. It sure doesn't feel like it though in our little town. We have been going through a heat wave with the temperatures reaching 100 and something degrees. Heat wave of no heat wave, we went on a nature hunt this week. Caillou filled his little bucket with leaves, daisies, dandelions, rose petals, pinecones, and even two little crab apples. We are greatly looking forward to some cooler days. I can hardly wait to load up the boys in the little bike trailer, with our quilts, toys, a little hand work for mommy- crochet or such, our picnic basket full of yummies, and ride with the wind to the park. I know many a relaxing day will be spent that way. I am very excited about the next few months to come. I really do love the holidays, especially planning and preparing for the holidays! I am eager to be able to cozy up in a warm sweater, and snuggle my little ones in blankets, hot cocoa and cream of wheat mornings, and crisp cool breezes, pumpkin patches, and Christmas lights, rain storms, and a warm kitchen full of the aroma of baking cookies. And with all this excitement over fall and winter, I can't help but start thinking about springtime, and how excited I get to start planting seeds! I have already begun working on Christmastime projects. I am crocheting a blanket for Caillou, in shades of aqua, yellow, and lime. I have a quilt planned for Jasper. And many ideas of cute whimsical little creatures are floating throughout my imagination. As much as we enjoyed all our lovely summertime adventures, we are quite happily welcoming in the fall and winter seasons, and have many wonderful adventures ahead of us I am sure!

A boy and his chicken....

September fun....

I love my boys, duh... you have all heard it before. But I do! We have been having lots of adventures. Yesterday we had a special trip to the Wild Animal Park with my best friend Sarah, and her two little ones. Caillou did quite well, he walked the whole time, and only had a few time outs. He is very very quick though, and I did find myself having to remove him from the flamingo encounter, and catch him after he crawled under a small fence during a baby alligator show. We went for an ice cream afterwards, and then to Target. I should have know better than to go to Target, but I selfishly wanted to look around the store, I love to go places..... Caillou was in melt down mode. My arms today are bruised up and down from the many bites he gave me during our target trip. Nothing I do, seems to effectively get through to him that biting is not okay. I worried that he might have a future in Cannibalism, because as he is biting me he is saying "I want to eat you mommy" These are no soft, playful, love bites, but long, full forced, skin pulling, drawing blood bites. I was so disheartened I threw up my hands and told my mama that Caillou needed to live in an institution! Somedays I feel so at a loss to help my little boy overcome his emotions, and gain self control, sometimes I feel like giving up. But as I watched my little one sleep last night, the thought came into my mind very loud and clear " every moment counts" I cannot give up on my little biter, not for one half a second, I cannot say one unkind thing in the heat of a moment. Every second, every moment counts. Even if my little one does want to "EAT ME" as he says, I am his mother, I will not give up. I will love this mischief out of him. I will talk a little softer, cry a little less, and perhaps invest in some steel sleeves to wear.

Feeling crafty....

Mama's looking at books, we could be here a while!!!
Today MY mama, (Boo-bah to the boys) and I went to the book store and the craft store. We looked at lots of delightful, bright, cheery books full of wonderful projects, and scrumptious little cupcakes. At the craft store my mama added some more supplies to my crafty collection.... Thanks Mama!!!
I have been in a very creative mood as of lately, okay, I am always in a baking, sewing, crafting, I want to make something sort of mood. But I have actually been quite productive, and doing more than just ooh and aahh over other people lovely creations... In the past two weeks I have made the boys blue velour robes from an old blanket. I finished up their little jackets, and 4 long sleeve shirts, and have been crocheting little bathtime wash cloths for them. I canned some nectarines too! I have so many projects going through my mind, and never enough time to do them it seems. And just as I get one project checked of my to do list, I think up about ten more! Before the end of this week I would like to can pickles, chunky applesauce, and maybe some blueberries. I also want to get started on my Christmas projects, and make some Halloween decorations too!

My two little men...

My sweet baby Jasper, always wearing a smile. Taking in the world, with curiosity and wonder. I adore you, I cherish you, my world would not be nearly as sunshiny without you in it. I remeber as if it were yesterday, finding out that you were on your way. I was as happy as a person could possibly be. I remember holding you for the first time, enchanted by your bright blue, beautiful eyes. I was instantly in love with you. I remember being amazed by your patience, always content, and peaceful, watching your mommy with eager eyes, but never complaining. An aboslutley perfect baby, in every way. I love how you snuggle, and smile, and laugh, and always have a twinkle in your eye. I love how you always are wearing a little grin, your lips pursed together as if you have a wonderful secret to tell. I love how you are always happy, if I could only use one word to describe you it would be "happy". Even when wild brother is running around you screaming, and toys are flying through the air, you sit their happy, clapping your hands and smiling adoringly at me. I am truly blessed to have such an amazingly sweet and beautiful child as you are. I love to wake up each morning to the "thud thud" of you jumping up and down in your crib. I even adore your late night wake up calls for milk, you are so peaceful guzzling mommy's milk, and brushing your hand through your silky hair. I love watching you crawl though the house at lightning speed, chasing after big brother, hearing your high pitched screams of happiness. You are perfect Mr. Jasper, and I cannot imagine my world without you in it. You truly are mama's little sunshine.

My darling Caillou is nearing 3 in a few months. I can hardly believe that my little boy is growing up so very quickly. It seems as if it were only yesterday that I was sitting in Del Taco eating large quantities of nachos with my mama, and wiggling uncomfortably in my chair, as Caillou kicked at the insides of my belly, making his presence known. I remember so very clearly, laying on the operating table, and feeling the doctors tugging and pulling at my insides to deliver my 9 pound 4 ounce bundle of joy. I remember his first cries, I cried as well, his sweet newborn cries was the most beautiful sound that I have yet to hear. His cries announced that he was here, full of life and ready to make his mark in the worlds, his cries also represented the birth of a mother. Me, a mother, those sweet cries belonged to MY baby. I remember laying on the operating table, being stitched up from my c-section, and all of a sudden exclaiming " my heart burn is gone!" I remember bringing him home from the hospital and laying him in his crib for the first time, wearing pale blue knit overalls, and a soft little hat. I remember his first smile, first coo, first laugh, is seems as if it were all but a moment ago. I remember his first word " mama" he was four months old, and he was addressing our dog! I can clearly recall at 10 months old picking him up in my arms, and whispering into his ear " you are going to be a big brother my little one" he was the very first to hear of mommy's exciting news. I have so many memories with my little man, pony rides, story books, strawberry picking, hammock naps, stomach flu sheets, candy hunts in the yard, library visits ( being kicked out of the library too!), cookie baking, dirt digging, bubble baths, finger painting, sweet "I love you's" and tumultous noisy tantrums, soft toddler kisses, and painful toddler bites! I have many many sweet memories with this little man. As I write this post, he sits next to me eating chese crackers, holding puzzle pieces, and is telling me of his love of ham and eggs. He is a strong, free spirited, lively little boy. Sometimes this wee boy is nearly the death of me, after a day of his mischief, I look as if I am on my last legs. But as I put him to bed, exasperated, exhausted, and often times feeling like quite a flop of a mother, I know that he is the best part of me! He is my heart and soul. Naughty or not, I could not survive a single day without him by my side. After he has settled down into bed, and finally drifted off to sleep, I cannot help but sneak into his room, and play with his wild hair, and whisper into his ear how much he means to me. I pray for him, to be healthy and happy, and also pray that he will not bite his brother or hit mommy. I kiss him goodnight, and wait for another day with my little sunshine to come.

THESE BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS WERE TAKEN BY STEPHANIE MILLER OF STEPHANIEMILLERPHOTO.COM IF YOU ARE EVER IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA AND WANT SOME WONDERFUL PICTURES TAKEN, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO HELP YOU GET A PHOTO SHOOT SCHEDULED WITH HER.

My little Kitchen

My house is quite small, but I really do adore it. I have all these ideas for it if someday I actually owned this little old house rather than rent it. Plans to build a room here, build another there, make another little nook for me to hold school in for my little ones. I would build a solid wood fence on the sides of the house, and a white picket fence in the front, a gazebo out back with fancy twinkling lights to enjoy summer evenings with the kids, and of course a sewing room would be added on to the house as well! But, fantasizing about things, don't make them come true. For alas, I am poor, and probably will remain that way for the rest of my life. Each year, our income grows smaller and smaller, and my hopes for a home of my own diminish a bit more. I pray that we will be able to stay in this little house for as long as we can, I love it, and do all that I can to give it a feeling of home for the boys. My idea of home is something sunshiny, bright, cheerful, welcoming, full of heartfelt everday homemade touches. Old fashioned, vintage goodies, little second hand treasures, quilts, flowers, and a modge podge of homemade goodness fills every crevice of my house. I hope you enjoyed a peek into my kitchen.

Our day...

We haven't been up to too much new around here. I am pulling weeds and extending my garden area. I have aspirations of planting a fall garden, and a spectacular garden next spring. I canned 4 quarts of nectarines tonight, it would have been 5 quarts but one of my glass jars exploded! We have two new little baby chicks living with us. Well, we have had them since they were 1 day old, and they are about 3 weeks now. Caillou named them Eunice and Mamoo. We spent a day with Boo-Bah today (my mama). Mama bought me some darling little fat quarters that I am very excited to create with. We had a yummy lunch, and Caillou and Jasper played at the park for a bit. This evening I went out with two missionaries from my church. We went to visit a man named Tim to see if he would like to learn more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Tim was drunk, had a shot gun, and a grudge against Mormons. It was a very, very interesting evening. Goodnight Y'all....

pickle relish and pint sized furniture....

A week ago, I began building the boys a table and two chairs. I am happy to say that it is now finished. The boys love it, and are having lots of fun eating lunch at their little table, playing with playdough, and doing lots of reading and arts and crafts. I put many a coat of verathane on the table top, so it is very glossy, and cleans up very easily. I have been in a very homemaking, nesting, creative sort of mood lately. Okay, I am always in this mood, but I am actually getting things accomlished, so I am feeling quite pleased. This weekend I made homemade pickle relish. Now I am in quite the mood to do some more canning. I have a very large bowl of nectarines ripening, and getting ready to be canned. And I think I want to do some cinnamon spiced apples, and perhaps some blueberry pie filling. I sewed a skirt for myself this weekend, and began sewing two soft blue robes for the boys for wintertime. I am making them out of an old blue blanket from my childhood. Tonight Caillou helped me lay out the pattern pieces. He tried his best to be helpful. He handed me straight pins as I needed them, and threw scraps away for me. His favorite job was to take the pins out of the pattern pieces, after a piece had been cut, and stick the pins into the pincushion. It would have been much quicker, and a bit more relaxing if Caillou had not decided to be mommy's helper, but it was a sweet feeling to have my little one beside me helping me to make him something. All the while saying "I want to help mommy, I a weallly weallly goood boy." My pattern pieces are a bit more torn than usual, and the fabric is cut a bit jagged and crooked, but a lasting memory will be stitched into these little robes. I can hardly wait until the cold weather comes and I can wrap up my little guys, in bits of my old blue blanket.

Burgers and nudity....

Today, Caillou ran though Burger King stark naked. The wonderful Mr. Caillou is in the ever so delightful process of being potty trained. He is doing really good with keeping his diapers dry... he had just finished eating his slice of hershey pie and loudly announced " I need to go pee-pee" So we march onwards to the potty, and while he was doing his duty, I was rinsing out his shirt and shorts in the sink, which were covered in chocolate. Before I could get him into a fresh diaper and clean clothes, he took of at lighting speed, bare bottomed, wearing nothing but a smile and sneakers and ran throughout the burger king. A couple of teenage boys found it hillarious, announcing there was a streaker at burger king. And my mama and papa laughed wildly and Jasper clapped his hands. It was an interesting evening, one that brought a smile to everyone's face and laughter to everyones lips. My days are crazy, and usually never free of some form of chaos, but I love it. Whether it is the wild moments or the simple times, motherhood is the best! Trying and tiring, but more rewarding and wonderful than anything else I have yet to experience. P.S. During Caillou's naked running marathon, he was singing the theme song to "Bob the Builder" Have a wonderful evening, y'all!