What I wanted to talk about...but really shouldn't...

This morning on my drive to school (all of 8 minutes) I thought about what I REALLY WANTED to write about today. 

Then I thought...should I really?  What if it ruffled some feathers?  What if it seemed very unchristian of me?  What would people think? 

So, with that disclaimer under my belt...I'm gonna talk about something else.  Something much less controversial...Christmas decorations.

Now, don't start getting all crazy thinking, "What in the world is she doing...baiting us like that?  She should just say it!"  I know, I know...maybe we'll save it for another time.  I mean, after all, all the followers I do have...I'd like to keep, and maybe grab a few more in the meantime.  So, I'll keep it under wraps until I just can't handle it any longer...and then I just MIGHT let it out.

So, back to Christmas decorations.

You know we're all talking about it.  It's been in the stores since, what, Easter?  I mean really.

Grace won't stop talking about it.  "Can't we just put up the village?"  she'll plead.  NO.  I'm standing FIRM this year. I put up the village TOO EARLY last year and it drove me crazy!

Thanksgiving weekend we'll haul all 10 Rubbermaid boxes up from the basement and get to town.

I envision Christmas music in the background and a movie playing on TV (maybe like ELF or NANCY DREW? ) (That's what we watched last year...)

But, since Brent will be home that weekend...all weekend...I might hear, "What are you listening to?  or "Why do we have so many boxes?"  We just try to ignore all his comments.

So, as usual, I'll put my vintage shiny brites on the tree and the green wreaths with red velvet ribbon in the windows.  I'll have a tree on the landing, one in the living room, and one in each of the kid's rooms (small of course).  Then, I might add one or two of these touches...

or THIS in my windows (although I have a friend who makes vintage looking ones with sprinkles, and those would look better.)

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My front porch might resemble this...but the last time I put "wrapped" presents out, our old dog destroyed them.

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The inside of my house will have some of these small touches too.

(I just like the polka dots and the vintage trees)

or...my new favorite past time...making things with book pages, like this garland,

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or ornament.

I would like to use my large white frame for something like this...

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and maybe one of my many windows for this

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After everything is all set up, the stockings are hung by the non-existent chimney/fireplace, etc.  I will wrap my presents and label them something like this (my Cricut comes in awfully handy).

I realize this is jumping the gun a little, but what the heck!  It's coming and we all know it.

What do you all have in mind?

A rare moment captured on film.

 
In this picture it ACTUALLY looks like Grace and Evan are enjoying themselves.

In actuality they were.  For once...in a very long while.

They've been sparing partners as of late.  I don't know if it's the age that they are (almost 11, almost 12...only 13 1/2 months apart), if it is the fact that they are both on student council this year and have to do stuff with each other, or the fact they they are boy and girl...I just don't know, but they have not been very nice to each other lately.

We had to have a talk with one the other day about sticking up for each other at school.  The place where it is the hardest to avoid peer pressure.  We know, we get it, we've both been there.

But we tell them over and over and over and over that you will have him/her as your sibling FOREVER.

Yes, we know it's a long time. but really...
What we really mean is WHEN WILL YOU START BELIEVING US?
However, Saturday, my parents were over helping Brent install electric to our barn, so the kids were forced to be outside together.
Since Evan recently learned to drive the four-wheeler (his right of passage) we suggested maybe they ride that.  It was a beautiful day after all.

Surprisingly enough, the fighting gloves came off, and they chased each other around the yard, and even rode it together.

This lasted a good 30 minutes, and then they were fighting over how to play volleyball.

Sometimes I wonder if this will break me...the endless fights...the hatred passing back and forth...the competition.  I hope and pray everyday that SOMETIME in their lives they will be friends.  Good friends like my sister and I are. 

For now, I guess I'll take it in short bursts.  It's all I've got.

Scenes from a Farm

A couple weeks ago we brought the sheep home.  I don't know what it is, but it just always makes me feel better to know they are on our land.  Right out past the back yard.

All summer they were down the road grazing on another man's property.  It helps to keep our pasture from getting too sparse, and it's nice that we're able to do that.

The sheep crack me up whenever we go out to see them.

They stand perfectly still as if we're gonna run at them any minute.

They are much more used to Brent, though, because he's the man always giving them new pasture.  It really is true that sheep are followers.

I did get close enough to Lily and her baby today though,

and the ewe the kids aptly named "Licorice" because of her black lips.

When she was a baby, her lips were totally black, and the kids and I joked that she was our "Goth" sheep!

The trees around us have all lost their leaves, and the barn stands large against the blue sky.

Our hens are settling in with the 8 new birds we got about a month ago,

And I realize fall is quickly coming to a close, and we're getting ready to tuck the animals in for the winter.

The ewe's boyfriend "Rambo" will be coming to visit soon, and we'll have to get out the heated water dish for the chickens.

I'm feeling a little sad about the close of this time of year, but anxious for all the new babies in the spring.

Have you tucked in your animals yet?

Linking up to Verde Farm's linky party tonight.