To Market, To Market

The girls and I haven't been meeting for Breakfast study since before Christmas. This morning Allie and I went out and finished our Beautifully Surrendered study. We covered a one or two stories she'd not heard before - always fun. I read in the car while Allie went for a haircut.

I sold eggs to all who had asked for them this week (5 1/2 dozen). I had 6 dozen counter eggs from the past 4 days. It was time to put them in the fridge or call a local market I had talked with previously. They needed the eggs and were happy to buy all 6 dozen from me. They pay me $5 a dz (which is the same I ask from my personal customers) and mark them up $3 a dz. As we finished the paperwork a gal came in and bought 4 of the 6 dozen. The manager/owner asked if they could call me when they need eggs. I told her I ALWAYS have at least 1 or 2 dz I can part with, and I am only 4 minutes away.... I'm now researching the point where the IRS is going to want records. I've been doing the math and it appears to me that our chickens are more than paying for themselves. They keep us in eggs, and I sell extra eggs to pay for their upkeep. 

Transferred them to plain cartons

ACK - it's Thursday. We're having our January Family Dinner Celebration this Saturday. Stacia started making a birthday cake. Our birthdays this month are Jared, Annie and Me. We're excusing Jared this month, but Annie and I will celebrate. Stacia is making a cute ballet slipper cake which we hope Annie will love.  I am trying to come up with an EASY, no-fuss, menu. 

I took care of a few admin tasks for women's ministry and resisted taking a nap. LOL  Michael had a medical appointment. 

My Yays

We play the boo yay game....we share two yays for every boo...I'm not sharing my boo - but here are a few yays! LOL 

Today I played with these darling kiddos! We also had an impromptu tea party while Bre was at the dentist. 

I got home and discovered Stacia digging out her car. She is ready to get the winter tires put on so she can learn to drive the Vibe.  I think I got the better end of this deal. 

In a past life, we had homemade pizza every Friday night.  We moved to having Papa Murphy's most Fridays. Our schedule has been so wild the family has given me grace to get pizza on Wednesday for the nights where I simply can't pull a dinner together in time to make it to church.  Tonight, was one of those nights. LOL We'll do something else on Friday. 

A Fun Day to be Bachan

 This was a BIG Tuesday. I'd not been able to play with the boys for a few weeks due to the flu/crud which floated through their home. I don't believe I've watched the boys since Christmas.  They were excited to show me all the new things. I was excited to surprise them with LIVIE! More fun cousin time.  It was ironic to me that Danny's big thrill was a piece of paper and a pen.

This little trampoline may be genius for winter. I'm reserving judgement, but it sure was a lot of fun. 

Benny was excited to show Liv and I some new chase Youtubes. Liv was surprised you can get Youtube KIDS on the TELEVISION. Watch out CyRi. We liked the snowball fight with Grinch, the pirates chase and a Ninja one by Miss Linky. These were so fun Danny and Little Buddy joined us. 

THIS is the moment I heard Little Buddy begin to belly laugh. I hadn't heard him laugh like this before and it was contagious. I can't wait until I can share more of his sweet little face. 

Josiah and Carrie got back from Hawaii early this morning. It would be closer for them to pick up Olivia in town. We brought all her stuff with us. Arielle came home before they arrived, so Liv and I set out to complete some errands. 

We picked up a package at the post office. 

We picked up GG's meds at the pharmacy. 

We dropped off books at the library. 

We stopped at Dairy Queen for lunch. She was enjoying the play area and they texted they were on their way out so we waited. 

Olivia was so excited to see her Mom and Dad. She told me this is the longest she's been away in YEARS. We LOVED having Liv for an extended visit. We know how happy she is to be home with Mom and Dad. 

It was a fun day to be Bachan! 

A Monday with Olivia

 Allie began her second semester of college today. It's back to the grind. Stacia began her first college course today. Liv got a day ahead in school because her parents come home tomorrow, and she doesn't want to have to do school!! Her teacher was wonderful and sent daily work for her to do while she was at our home. 

I delivered 4 dz eggs to a customer and had a massage today. Thank you, Michael. 

Michael had an appointment today about future ministry he is pursuing. 

I grabbed Liv when I got home, and we went out for our Baachan Christmas date. Yeah - it's been a SEAAAASON! We found some fun welcome home gifts for her parents and she and I stopped for drinks and a treat for her at a local cafe.  Livie had some rather deep thoughts on her mind to discuss and it was an honor to be the one she decided to chat with this Monday. 

Look what we saw when we drove into our driveway! Moose 1 and Moose 2. 

Well, hello there! 

Allie had to work. Dinner, games and chats from Hawaii rounded out our evening. 

Annie is FOUR!

 It's seems like YESTERDAY  2-year-old Annie was INSISTING she was "almost 3."  Today, she turns FOUR!  Those who could make it met at BreZaak's to celebrate her special day. Annie wanted all things Ballerina and Princess. 

📸via BreAnne

Bre had put out kisses with ballerinas on the bottom, a cookie cake, and cupcakes! The temptation was almost more than Little Buddy could handle! 

Bre thinks of everything and had a table with crafts and little tattoos ready for the kids to enjoy. 

"Happy Birthday to you!"🎶

Bella, Benny, Annie, Josiah, Danny

Annie had lots of help opening gifts. 

Our dynamic two-year-olds! 

Josiah (BreZaak's) Danny & Little Buddy (CoRielle's)

All the cousins - Annie is in the back by Danny

Benny was darling when he came in. He ran to Annie and said, "Annie, I was four. I'm five now, but first I was four."

Benny, Bella and Annie 📸via BreAnne

📸via BreAnne

Cuddle time with Trudy 📸via BreAnne

📸via BreAnne

All the Aunties at the party📸via BreAnne

Liv, Bella, Annie - the girls minus Trudy 📸via BreAnne

It was a fun party for a sweet girl! 

Friday the 13th

We had a brilliant Friday the 13th. 

Livie got up and finished school. She and I brainstormed about what kind of cookie she would like to bake. We made peanut butter cookies with chopped up Resees on top. 

Guess who has a golden birthday coming up? 

Allie is still on break and was able to play with Liv while Stacia finished school. They all busied themselves with games and conversations. 

Allie opted for what we call "introvert time" in the afternoon. She guessed (correctly) this would be her last opportunity to get laundry done, do a deep clean of her part of the room, declutter - in short prepare to start the next semester of college on Monday.  Bre and the children had invited me over to play. I showed up with cookies, a cousin and an Auntie.  The kids were fully occupied while Bre and I had a chance to JUST BE TOGETHER. 

Liv and Josiah

Gideon, Josiah, Annie and Auntie Stacia

Bre and Trudy

Since I have no photos of Saturday, I am going to simply blog it here. 

We dropped Millie at the groomer and Stacia, Liv and I went on to celebrate the upcoming arrival of Baby J. After the baby shower, we picked up Millie from the groomer and headed to Jamin's for a bit of movie, hot tub and pizza.  It was a full day. 

Olivia is with Us

We have Livie for the next bit as Josiah and Carrie visit Hawaii for a belated honeymoon. 

She brought school with her and before the day was over Stacia, Allie, and Michael had all pitched in to help. Michael was called in for math assistance. 

Stacia and Liv finished school around the same time.  Both seemed happy to have a partner for snow play. I'm not sure why Liv looks like a prisoner in this photo, she was excited to get outside. It seems our snow is far too dry to build a snowman...I suggested mixing it with water, but they didn't take me up on the plan. 

Allie joined Liv for hot chocolate and snacks when they came inside. They spent a fun afternoon hanging out.

Meanwhile, Stacia tried to nap. I assembled a big salad and stuffed some bell peppers with meat and cheese. Michael got home from his appointment, and we headed over to Life Group. It felt like we haven't seen each other for quite a while - I guess it was just the holiday break - in any event it was fun to catch up. 

Liv had a hard time falling asleep and came back up for cuddles. We made plans for the upcoming days, talked about our favorite Bible verses, and then called Michael in to find out his favorite verse. This led to Livie asking Michael, "Why can we trust the Bibe?"  She picked the perfect person to ask. 

We filled many minutes as Michael answered that question from history, from lit, from archaeology. LOL About this time I realized, CyRi should be landing in Hawaii. We had all thought Liv would be asleep by the time they landed. Since we were awake, we texted. Carrie face timed back on Liv's i pad.  That's all Olivia needed to drift off to sleep.