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!

happiness WARM puppy

 Finished a painting of my Olivia & Rose.  Titled:  Happiness is a warm puppy. (charles shultz)

 Isabelle and Ben call this carrying the Princess.

 Ben riding his bike!

 Ben falling off of his bike :)

A Random Deer.
The pups do not like the deer nor the turkey.  They bark bark bark at them.   They all stare at each other in a frozen stance for a while and then all animals go about their business as if they never noticed each other.  I love when the puppies are tired and lay on each other. So cute - got to get a pic.  I guess that makes up for that fact that we are going through a lot of papertowels these days.  Ben has a loose tooth. His first one!  We had taco salad for dinner.  My hands smell like onion.  Today, I stood out in the autumn wind and the bright sun, and I breathed in the earth and I was at peace.  I thanked the lord for my many gifts. I think we will all hit the hay early tonight, we are getting so worn and tired these days, on the verge of colds.  Tomorrow we need to get up early for dog training.  Can't wait to jump into bed tonight -  I started reading a book that I find very interesting:  Rin Tin Tin.  :)  Well, Ben wants me to go set his alarm clock, so I suppose I must go as there are other things to attend to as well.  Happy Weekend.

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!