Going Batty

 We are learning all about BATS in school right now in our Zoology - Science Unit.

 All of a sudden, Olivia is letting Isabelle read to her.  It's been so nice!

 My very special little:  Ninja Turtle!  Ben got to wear his costume to Cub Scouts this past week.  He did lots of slides...good thing his costume has knee pads.

 This is a fun treat plate I made with Paleo Snacks (gluten free - grain free).  Banana Muffins and Granola Bites.

 Here we see Mr. Ben helping me make Pumpkin Pancakes for breakfast.

 Miss O hanging out in a diaper box with a dolphin in her hands and a band aid she placed on her head for an imaginary ouch.

 This is a beautiful Sunrise that I watched recently.  How amazing to see God's world wake up.  Peace and beauty everywhere.  Wonderful way to start the day.

 In the early morning - a Dark Eyed Junco in a nearby tree

Rose and I on our morning walk.   I walked the dogs twice yesterday, once in nature (am), once around the subdivision (pm).  They kind of tire me out.  :)  Happy Friday Everyone!

step into the light, everything will be alright

 Ben snuggling Scout.  The puppies are growing so fast already!  I can't believe that they have already been with us for two weeks.  Their personalities are shining through and it is exciting to see them develop.  It is so fun to see them interact with the kids and with each other.  They are a handful no doubt....but quite honestly, I am quite enjoying it.  Sure they are trouble, but sometimes in life....trouble is what gets us to become awake when we have been sleeping for too long.  Trouble is what opens our hearts and our minds to the possibilities that await.   I like that they are trouble.  I hope that they won't be too much trouble. Only time will tell. :)

 Speaking of Trouble - Olivia (playing in the bird bath) and Rose (chewing something).  Both causing trouble and not listening to come in when called.  Misc. Notes:  This crazy circus just keeps on growing!  oh well, can't say that I am bored.  I do kind of secretly hope the fish dies so I can gain some counter space back.  These days have been a whirlwind.  I invite the cool breezes that whisper to me that Autumn is coming.  I love that Olivia calls sponge bob: bob bob.  Ben has learned to ride his two wheeler officially.  Isabelle is dancing like a fool to her ipod music.  Our school is having its ups and downs.  I always feel like we are not doing enough, but maybe we are.  Noah is on a business trip and I hate when he is away.  I feel anxious and sad.  I hear the cool wind outside.  I hear an owl.  I hear the puppies chomping on their food.  I hear Olivia saying: up up up up.  I think her butt might stink.  got to check into that.  We had baked sweet potatoes and turkey for dinner.  Olivia is now singing and I can no longer hear the wind or the owl.  Isabelle just thanked me for dinner, how sweet that girl is.  There are books spread all over my counter as we did school upstairs today for a change of pace.  I think that worked pretty well...but really what do I know?  I do know that I have some very muddy shoes and clothes to clean for Ben since he played in the creek and collected clams half of Sunday.  My little wild boy.  Olivia just stole all the ice packs out of the freezer.  Wonder what her plan is.  Every day I think about how I want to paint, but every day ends with me never making it that far...maybe I do a sketch of an idea...but that is as far as I get.   Maybe tomorrow will be different.  Maybe tomorrow, I will get further.  Create.  Create.  The word echoes through my soul...and I know I should listen....I know I should...but, the end of the day, beats me every
time.

Olivia eating a Paleo / gluten-free chocolate cookie and loving it!  For those who think that my children get no treats or "special" snacks...they do.  This is a homemade cookie that is made with great healthy stuff that won't hurt their tummies or make them feel sick.  I feel good giving it to them and they enjoy eating them.  Isabelle helped me make these!  She was so excited because she loves to cook/bake and she loves trying new recipes.  I think about what is best for my children every moment that I am awake and breathing and alive. This is my job.  I am not cheating them or mistreating them. My children are not on a diet.  They are not restricted food if they are hungry, they are just restricted of food that we don't feel is best for their precious growing bodies.  I feel so good giving them healthy meals.  My children have so many wonderful choices/opportunities and I am so excited for them.  I sure have a lot to learn on this (not so easy) journey, but the more I learn, the more I understand and the more I look forward to this path and our next meal together :).

Pumpkin Tree

 A Creekside View.

 A Boy and his Pup.

 A Gnome or Fairy hole.  I am really not sure which one it is yet.  Will have to do some investigation to know for sure.

 The kids (with their friend) drawing under a tree on a beautiful early evening.

Sometimes kids fall asleep in the most uncomfortable places.   But, as long as Ben has his very loved blankie cow with him, he is just fine.  ----- So another weekend begins.  Lots planned already including a family wedding and dog training.  I love that it's really starting to feel like fall already.  Trying a whole lot of new recipes around here lately (might have something to do with two new cookbooks that I've bought (Everyday Paleo Family Cookbook and Practical Paleo).   I know there are tons of recipes online, but there is just something about having the actual book in your hands.  The kids love flipping threw them and picking stuff out to try as well.  They have also been helping with preparing some things so that has been (a bit more messy).  So successful new stuff has been:  Pumpkin Pancakes (biggest hit), Tuna Patties (with a lemon garlic aoli sauce (another super favorite), Broc/Cauli Chowder w/ bacon (parent favorite, not so much with the kids), Smoky Bacon Wrapped Chicken Thighs (also a winner!).  Oh yeah, and Pumpkin Custard was great too!  My coffee is gone and I have a list ten miles long to accomplish this am so I better get a move on.  Sounds like a heard of elephants got loose (puppy one and puppy two).  Have a beautiful day!

school fools & double trouble

Science Girl.  Our lesson yesterday.  This girl sure likes to take notes....must take after her mom.

 Science Boy...learning about Dodo birds (extinction) and such.

 We have started our ART wall!  I think we would all love to do art all day long...and quite honestly, haven't got to do it so much yet...so I declared today a fun Friday.  Focus being:  Art, Read, Play.  Repeat. :).  My other reason for declaring this day is because we all needed it.  It has been a challenging week as far as I am still trying to figure out routine...and what works and doesn't work...biggest challenge being, keeping Olivia happy and involved as much as possible.  We took a lot of puppy breaks (and probably a lot of potty breaks as well) this week and trust me, sitting out in the grass with the sun and and the breeze and just playing and laughing....that is exactly what we needed.  All in all, I think we all learned a good amount of great stuff this week...and I need to just breathe and know that it is o.k and it is enough.  We have done enough for now :)

 Paleo Brownies - I got this recipe from a friend, these are super healthy (there is even zucchini in them as the main ingredient) and to top that off they taste pretty darn great.  The first time I made this, I screwed it up because I used too dark of a chocolate, just didn't taste right, so this was my attempt #2 and I would say:  total success.  This dish should be fun to clean...

Double Trouble resting together.   These two are of course quite a handful....yet, a pretty wonderful handful at that. I did write the message on our kitchen chalkboard today to say: 2 puppies 4 sale!  But, nobody liked that.  So, I guess we will keep them for another day.  The great thing is the kids are really learning to keep their toys off of the floor!

went for 1 came home with 2

 Rose - This is our gentle beauty

 Scout - This is our playful pal

 Rose & Scout

 Scout & Ben

Family (circus - haha)

Since the move, I have had it in my head and in my heart that we would be welcoming a puppy into our mix soon.  Well feeling settled and like something is missing....finally the day had arrived.  We went to our favorite breeder to get a GSD puppy.  We went for one, we came back with two.  I know!!!!! Call me crazy!!! Call me insane.  I know.  It's o.k.  I accept.  I felt crazy, saying....Yes.  Yes, we can take two home.  Especially, knowing how I had such a hard recent past with our last dog, Lance.   But, I also know this.  I know that Lance was sick for a long time and he had a hard life and in turn we had a hard life because of it.  I also know that not every situation is the same.  I also know that we learned alot from past experiences.  Alot.  Things that we plan to do differently in the future.  I know a puppy is much work.  I know that two puppies is much more.  I don't care.  I welcome this circus.  This chaos.  This mess and this noise.  Right now, today - I say YES.  YES, let's invite these puppies into our home and our hearts.  We have so much more room here among other things, we have a new start in so many ways to give and get in return, wonderful relationships and experiences with these special animals.  So much to give and so much to get.  We let two puppies come home with us because we plan to raise, train and love them as a family.  We have plans and intentions and goals and dreams to help and to better lives.  ALSO - For those who don't know, Noah travels alot for work, these companions will give me the security that I need to know that the children and I are sleeping peacefully and safe at night.  I admire this breed (German Shepherd Dog) so much.  They are so beautiful and strong and amazing.  This is among many other reasons we choose to take these animals into our lives.  Yes, heartache and trial is bound to happen ----but life does need to happen and this is life.  I want to just live.  I want to say yes to the crazy.  I want to take a chance. So, crazy this may be - but that is o.k.   Welcome to our family Rose and Scout!  Speaking of crazy...Yes, I just brought two puppies home to a family of 3 young children, Yes, I am homeschooling and Yes, we do the Paleo diet (lifestyle) for the most part.  That is us.  That is who we are.  Off the beaten path.....the road less traveled.....and that's o.k. and in fact, it is more than o.k.   Goodnight friends and family.....i LOVE YOU and I can't wait for you to meet our pups!