Meet My Family--Linnea

Meet Linnea, the one child who is WAY to close to me in personality. We both want things cleaned & when we start a project do NOT get in our way, as we will either put you to work or run you down trying to get the job done well and quickly.

To a point where she does it way to well. If she's cleaning the kitchen and you walk in to get your coffee--pour your coffee turn around to grab the sugar & milk--if your not fast enough or said something about it she's taken the cup poured out the coffee, washed the cup, and has it to out to dry in no time flat, as in before you've even turned back around.

But with this cleaning comes the wonderful bonus that if you share a room with her (which I did at one point) you will always have a clean room and only have to make your bed. Just be careful that you've put your stuff away when you take it out and all will be happy with a clean room to boot.

Same for a schedule we are to follow. It says eat at 8, 12, & 6. She has the food on the table and ready at those times, if not we have to wait and if you miss dinner for any reason even if your milking or saving an animal's life then oh well to bad, it says we eat at these times & if your not there your not eating!

And the topic of eating, she is a wonderful cook! She can make the best foods and has her spacial meals. About the only thing she can't cook are biscuits. Other then that anything and everything she puts on the table from Spaghetti to pies, coffee to cider is some of the best you will have!!

Oh she also has this thing against pants. She firmly believes that females (of any age) are not to wear jeans. She is so firm in this belief that if you don't do your laundry yourself and make sure that your there to move the laundry from the washer to the dryer to your room then she just might go through it, take your pants and hide them. I've lost more jeans & shorts this way then any other way! (Even when the dryer started eating my clothes!) It doesn't matter how they look or what our parents say (as they feel it is O.K. for us to wear pants as long as they are modest & in good taste). She feels that all pants are immodest and should never ever be worn by any females!!

Linnea is one of our War Between the States buff. She thinks she knows everything about the war and don't try to telling her otherwise or else you'll be in an all day battle to see who's knows the most. Now I will say that for someone her age (just turned 14) She knows a ton more then anyone else I know. (Well, that is except for Chris & myself when we were her age.) But ask her about the Ancient Greeks or American Revolution as she will most likely look at you blankly and say "Come again?".

She loves to reenact and pesters to death when she wants to go to a reenactment, she has her own black powder replica pistol. Given to her by one of our milk costumers. She's also got more reenactments outfits then myself, courtesy of Chris and I making them for her and none for us. She's even talked about wanting to do reenactments on her honeymoon, when asked "Ummmm...Don't you think your husband should have a say in that?" She replies with "Well, I will only marry him if he's likes reenacting, if he doesn't then I won't marry him and if he does then it won't be a problem!"

Of us girls she's got what I say has to be the most ridicules list of what her husband has to be for her to marry him.....He must be southern, but born in Scotland, he must be related to Jackson, own a big ranch and want to live and ranch said ranch.

Meet My Family--Sara

Sara, the current 16 year old in the family is also the rabbit person & other Nubian person in the family. She's shown both animals & won with both animals at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. It's thanks to Sara that we now need not only verbal permission but written permission as well to enter any raffle or giveaway that has something breathing as the prize! As it was Sara who won Miss Muffet at our annual goat show three years ago.

If pictures are needed ask Sara, she's great with a camera--She's the one who has taken almost half the pictures you see on this blog--just don't expect to see the camera back any time soon. She comes very close in tying me for most photos taken. My mom was a wee bit exasperated with us back in November on our trip & between the two of us we took over 1,000 photos. :D

She like the rest of my older siblings are very good with children & animals alike, as long as they aren't cantankerous. lol She can take the three younger boys for hours on end & keep them happy without a TV or computer. And for the first two milking years of her goats life that goat would only allow Sara to milk her.

Sara's an avid reader, there are times when you can't find her, go look in a certain closet, by the pond or any other great spot to sit and read. She can take a 200 page book and be done with it in a week, and unlike some of us enjoys reading books over and over again.

Of all of us she's the best at math, it's a wee bit scary!! She can to math problems that I had trouble with, and do them in a matters of seconds in her head!! While I sit there trying to grasp what she did and how she did it so quickly. But please don't ask her who Charlemagne was or who was the 14th of the US was, as she might be a little lost.

Oh, Sara is also the only girl of us children to have surgery. Make that two surgery and all before she hit the ripe old age of five! One on her crossed eyes, which did nothing and the other on her brain which did wonders! Yes at the age of four Sara had a brain tumor and thought it was thankfully it was all taken out, we still to this day have to pay a little price that she had a brain tumor. For that day when she had surgery not only did her brain tumor leave, but much of her depth perception went with it. lol

Oh, and like our entire family she is very prideful, and the main thing that Sara is proud about? The fact that she is taller then any of us girls and mom. (For once I'm not the tallest!) And those days she wears any type of heel, makes me feel like a shrimp!! lol


There you have it, Sara the math wonder, avid reader and photographer, wonderful child & animal care taker, but slight crossed eyed and lacking in depth perception which is slightly scary considering her height.

Meet My Family--Grace

Grace is the closet to me, which is a laugh considering how different in personalities we are. Grace is very quite, laid back, and has a wit that could kill.

Those things aside, we are very alike. We both like chocolate, coffee (though she does drink more tea then I do), baseball, the same style books, clothing, food, TV shows, & music, and generally get along very well.

Grace is the horse lover, she wanted horses when we lived in the city. In fact she was SURE that she would one day own at least one horse. It took her two years once we moved to the country but then she went all out. With in ten months of owning her first horse she owned three, one of which was a pony that she was either going to have to send to a trainer or break herself. Being the passive aggressive type that she is, she said she was saving money (and she was) but not as fast as she could since "other things just always seem to come up". She ended up doing what she wanted to do in the first place---Train him herself and has done a very good job of it so far.

Being the very direct person that she is, she always has an answer for that question that most young people don't have at her age or have a hard time answer--"What are you going to be when you grow up?" Grace: "At this point I am training to be a Vet tech, but if I KNEW--As in God told me--that I wasn't going to get married and have a family I would be a Vet. But since that takes so much from your family at this point I am just trying to be a Vet tech, which will help me with any of my animals and be an opening into a job if I ever need one."

Yes that's Grace always ready with an answer for any question you might have for her. Sometimes it's not always the most series answer to the question. As I already mention she has a wit that can hurt. I've sat there watching her talk to someone and have her crack a joke about them or herself that from anyone else would have been insulting, but from Grace it makes everyone laugh and makes you know she likes you a lot. :D (I pity any man that comes around to call on her that she might not like!!!)

Miss Grace is not only very good with animals, but with children as well. She can always make them laugh and is very willing to stay up with cranky or sick children if they want her to. She's spends many hours playing, reading, or generally taking care of them.

Be warned though, if you ever meet her it will take awhile to get her out of her shell. If you know her now and she cracks jokes, teases, or even talks to you you know if you've made the cut in her estimation. (In fact not only do I pity any man that she might not like that comes calling on her, but comes calling on any of us girls!! lol )

Oh, and PLEASE!! Never say anything bad about her horse, family, or product (as she is the one during all the pasteurizing and cheese making currently) I would highly suggest that you stay away as she can give you a look that could boil water!! And if it's late at night I would again highly suggest that you either not talk to her or offer to cover what ever she's doing so that she might go to bed as she's worse then a momma hen with chicks!!

That's Grace--Quite, laid back, yet oh so caring, considerate, funny and lovable. But very dangerous when tired, or offended (With wit her main choice of weapon). She's one great person to have as a friend!!

"Lead me not into temptation…"

Or in this case, library book sales. Those brown bag sales are the WORST! Ten dollars a bag, and you cram as many books in there as you can. My goal? Never to have a bag with less then 20 books per bag, it's just HAS to be worth my money for me. Especially since I always have to leave 75% of the books there.

Does anyone remember me talking about this last year? (To jog your memory here's a link :D ) If last year's amount of books bought sounded high wait until you hear this years! But, then again I went in knowing I was not going to be buying less then two bags, since again I was also looking for gifts (I always tend to think a couple birthdays or Christmases ahead of myself. :D ). But this year I was also looking for books to sale on half.com, so I knew I would leave with more then last year's.

And I did! I was doing great, two bags and just over 40 books (I stop counting once I've reached 20 books per bag) and then I saw them two books from a series that I have been wanting for years! These books rage from $10 to $20 each and there are four books in the series. I couldn't believe it, two books in one bag and I would be saving myself well over $20! But, then the back wouldn't have even been 1/4 of the way full and I still had a slight bit of room in bag #2.

So what should I do? Go through the bags and resort the books, hoping to get them all into two bags or go back through the books and maybe I would be able to find a few more gifts or personal gifts? I asked Christin and she agreed with me--Fill the third bag!!

And so we went searching, filled the third bag and then I was dragged towards the door, with Linnea rolling her eyes at the weight of the bag she was carrying and Christin muttering threats along the lines of "If you look, touch, or even THINK about buying another book I might personally thrash you!! All these books and no place to put them! What is thinking? Or is she thinking?!?!?!"

We paid and left, the girls grumbling and walking slowly under the weight and I walked along talking about the books, and how I wish I could get more! As soon as we got home I dumper them out, sorted them and then counted them. Only to look up and realize I really did not have space in my room for another 66 books!!

One of these days my family will get the shirt that they keep threating to get me. Until then I'll just quote it on my blog.
"Lead me not into temptation…especially bookstores"

Meet My Family--Christin

Next in the "Meet My Family" series is Christin. Since I figure y'all all know me by now---
Christin is the closet to me in age & yet she's the farthest from me in personalities. Where I would be happy sitting in a room reading, she has to be outside jumping from a tree. Where I'm happy watching a baseball game she thinks it's oh soooo boring and "can't you find a real sport?"

Christin is very talented; from a very young age you could tell that her drawings were something special. She could take a science and make it fun or somber all in her paints. When for years her gifts were one drawing, painting, or sketch of something that was important to you.

Now as she's grown older her gifts have changed from sketches to full out outfits. This is defiantly a case of the student surpassing the teacher!! I few years ago I taught Christin how to follow a pattern and she took off from there! She might see a shirt and a skirt pattern that she likes & turn it into a dress. She might see a dress in a toddler size, look at it & turn it into a dress for herself or me. She is very talented, but beware, if you have an item of clothing that she REALLY likes. When she asks to borrow, you should probably double check that's she's not going to take it apart before handing it over! lol

Christin LOVES to work--On tasks that only she can do and do well. Need a fence put up? Christin can do it and do it well! Need a bike fixed? Give her 24 hours and she can tell you what parts you need, where to get them and most likely how much it will cost. Need goats checked for babies? Well, she'll do that anytime after 7 am and before 12 am, other than that you had better get up yourself. But at least in that time if she finds a kid she'll tend to it and the mother's needs.

NEVER, EVER get in an argument about any of the Narnia books or movies, you’re bound to lose! Want to be challenged in a test on the War Between the States? Yup, she's one person who can give you a run for your money. Oh, never arm wrestle with Chris as she might break your arm, when she gives you a hug is prepared for a MAJOR bear hug.

FYI--Chris can cook, but she will readily tell you she's not to keen on it and not the best in the family, (unless it's southern style biscuits, then she's the queen of it!). She's not a coffee drinker; much prefers her tea over coffee ANY day. She likes sour, tart, or weird tasting things but won't get within ten feet of licorice unless she has to. She does not like chocolate, unless it's our chocolate milk. And she's one of the most disorganized people on our family. She's the one that owns the alpacas, that has three bags of alpaca fleece stuffed under my bed, and she's notorious for being late, no matter what the circumstances, time of day, month of the year, be it just her or the entire family going 98% of the time she's the last person in the car.

And that's Christin for you...More surprises in one package then there should be in any package but then that's my family for you. :D

"This Is My Father’s World"

"This Is My Father’s World"

This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: the battle is not done:
Jesus Who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heav’n be one.

This is my Father’s world, dreaming, I see His face.
I ope my eyes, and in glad surprise cry, “The Lord is in this place.”
This is my Father’s world, from the shining courts above,
The Beloved One, His Only Son,
Came—a pledge of deathless love.

This is my Father’s world, should my heart be ever sad?
The lord is King—let the heavens ring. God reigns—let the earth be glad.
This is my Father’s world. Now closer to Heaven bound,
For dear to God is the earth Christ trod.
No place but is holy ground.

This is my Father’s world. I walk a desert lone.
In a bush ablaze to my wondering gaze God makes His glory known.
This is my Father’s world, a wanderer I may roam
Whate’er my lot, it matters not,
My heart is still at home.

April 21, 1836

On April 21, 1836

The Battle of San Jacinto was fought. The Texan army of 910 men under the command of General Sam Houston launched a surprise attack on the Mexican army encamped at San Jacinto. The Texans overwhelmingly defeated the Mexican army of 1,200 men under the Command of General Antonio López de Santa Anna.

With the rally cries of "Remember the Alamo, Remember Goliad!" preceding them, the Texans were able to successfully surprise the Mexicans in a battle that last 18 minutes. While 630 Mexicans died and another 730 captured the Texans lost 39 to death or wounds. The greatest lost to the Mexicans, though did not happen on the day of the battle, rather it was the next day when their President and General Antonio López de Santa Anna was captured while trying to escape to Mexico incognito. Thus ensuring the Texans would have the freedom from Mexico that they so desired.

Happy Birthday!!

It's Emma's 12th birthday today and I can't believe she's that old!! I remember when she was born, (not just the day, but down to the very minute when she was born) and it always amazes me when I realize she's as old as she is. (Tends to make me feel old. lol )

When she was born I didn't think that before she reached the teen age years we would be living in the country and she would be the Miss. Emma of the stray dogs, injured animals, and craziness. I never thought that that little four year old who wouldn't let anyone but mom, dad, or myself hold her would want to be a butcher when she grew up. I never thought that the kid who hung onto me so tightly people thought she was my child would be the only one who would be out in the back with me as I butchered or did necropsy. She's one amazing and weird child and I am so glad that she's my sister and I get to live with her and have her in my life. (Even if she does drive me crazy with her antics!)

Jobs I Hate

Have you ever signed up for a job, thinking it would be quick and easy, something that even though you may not like you do it any ways because it's quick, easy, & and way to bless someone? Yes, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about as everyone has done a task like what I just mentioned. Either to just get the job done with & out of the way or to bless someone, we've all been there done that.

Well, I did that a couple months ago. Mom was needing help making phone calls about goats that we were selling and she couldn't find the time with a dairy to run, children to teach, and being pregnant at the same time. Sure thing, even though I hate making phone calls I could do them for her quick and easy, get the goats sold, gone, and be done with it. And that's what I did. Made the calls, sold the goats, and finished with the task, thinking I was done with it for good.

Yeah, right!! Never in this business. lol A couple days ago mom handed me a sheet of paper with about a half dozen names and numbers. All people that I was to call who wanted to buy goats from us. So as I cringe inside with the thought of having to make yet another phone call. I say to mom "Sure thing, no problem, anytime! Just give me the list and I'll get it done!".

Right around after my 6th phone call today I had two thoughts....The first being that I should have started saying "Hi, this Katie from Swede Farm Dairy Sales.". And second was that much as I greatly appreciate Alexander Graham Bell's invention, there are times when I wish it wasn't around and call #7 was it!

Yes, I can be (and tend to be) sarcastic. Something y'all don't see to often on the other side of computer world. And now at the end of a day where I've spent a good bit of it on the phone I'm thinking that right now is a perfect time to grab a cup of coffee, a bowl of ice cream, and a good book. Yup, that sounds like a great idea, I'll do it right after I get Seth down for bed, until then y'all enjoy your evening! :D

How Great Thou Art!

How Great Thou Art!

O Lord my God! when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed:

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul! my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul! my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin:

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul! my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration,
And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul! my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

What to Blog?

I am currently having writers block! Oh, that's nothing new, I've lost count of how many times that has happened while I've been blogging. Truth be told it's something I've battled with my entire life! Shot, my mom had the hardest time assigning my writing assignments, knowing that it would either be weeks (or maybe even months) before she saw the paper or tons of moaning and groan as I stayed up nights trying to get my thoughts from mind to paper.

That link between mind and paper was broken and would never fix it's self, leaving me hard pressed to fix it. Sadly it's just not to be, I'm to live with my spelling and English short comings. And the lack of what to write will always be something I am deal with. The truth of the matter is that more often then not I have to go searching for something to post about and asking my family for something to post about is a weekly occurrence.

In all honesty I think that might be one thing that keeps me from even looking into going to collage (besides the fact that that is not the path God would have me take at this point), the idea that I might have to write a paper about anything intimidates me more then I care to admit! Yeah, I know it's silly. But it's true! I can't even write a paper on baseball, goats, or my family without it taking weeks, sleepless nights, and believe it not sometimes tears to get it completed!

Yup, I'm slightly miserable. Yes, I sound hysterical even to myself. Yeah more often then not I'll laugh about it and move on with it. Yup you got it....That's me, if you haven't met me yet here the first bit of introduction for you...."Hi, I'm Katie. I'm the oldest of soon to be 12 children, live with my family working on our goat dairy. I can't spell and my English is horrid!"

Yes, I crack more jokes at it then any other person here and I roll with it. That is until I sit here noticing that I've not posted much more then hymns on market days and then I feel slightly pathetic.

If only I could fix that link. But then I guess if I could fix that link I could fix many things in a child's school life and be famous and rich. But then we all know that's not going to happen! lol

General Order Number Nine

General Robert Edward Lee’s General Order Number Nine

Hd Qurs Army Northern Virginia
10th April 1865

General Order
No 9

After four years of arduous service, marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude, the Army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to yield to overwhelming numbers and resources.

I need not tell the brave survivors of so many hard fought battles who have remained steadfast to the last, that I have consented to this result from no distrust of them, But feeling that valor and devotion could accomplish nothing that could compensate for the loss that would have attended the continuance of the contest, I determined to avoid the useless sacrifice of those whose past services have endeared them to their countrymen.

By the terms of the agreement, Officers and men can return to their homes and remain until exchanged. You will take with you the satisfaction that proceeds from the consciousness of duty faithfully performed and I earnestly pray that a merciful God will extend to you His blessing and protection.

With an unceasing admiration of your constancy and devotion to your country, and a grateful remembrance of your kind and generous consideration of myself, I bid you all an affectionate farewell.

R E Lee
Genl.

Update

I'm sorry I haven't posted much, life has been just a wee bit busy lately. lol

Just to let y'all know (since I've been meaning to tell y'all this for days now,) Seth is doing great, got home Friday night and is loving it. He hated being 'locked' inside for two days straight and hated not having his animals and siblings. He's out when ever and how ever long he can be and knows that everyone missed him and is working that for all it's worth. lol

Also on the note of Seth the big boy turned 2 yesterday, I can't believe he's that old!!

GrandDavid is still in the Hospital and we honestly don't know when, (or if) he will be out.

We have babies EVERYWHERE!!! We are at thirty kids (goats) running out in the back, five piglets were born Sunday morning, waiting for an Alpaca to be born at any minute, and we still have goats due any minute now.

Oh, and if y'all want to see the best Bluebonnet fields every I would suggest that y'all head out here to 362 this weekend, for a chance to see some!!!

"At the Lamb’s High Feast"

"At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing"

At the Lamb’s high feast we sing,
Praise to our victorious King,
Who hath washed us in the tide
Flowing from his piercèd side;
Praise we Him, whose love divine
Gives His sacred blood for wine,
Gives His body for the feast,
Christ the Victim, Christ the Priest.

Where the Paschal blood is poured,
Death’s dark angel sheathes his sword;
Israel’s hosts triumphant go
Through the wave that drowns the foe.
Praise we Christ, whose blood was shed,
Paschal Victim, paschal Bread;
With sincerity and love
Eat we Manna from above.

Mighty Victim from the sky,
Hell’s fierce powers beneath Thee lie;
Thou hast conquered in the fight,
Thou hast brought us life and light;
Now no more can death appall,
Now no more the grave enthrall;
Thou hast opened Paradise,
And in Thee Thy saints shall rise.

Paschal triumph, Easter joy,
Only sin can this destroy;
From sin’s death do Thou set free
Souls reborn, O Lord, in Thee.
Hymns of glory and of praise,
Father, to Thee we raise;
Risen Lord, all praise to Thee,
Ever with the Spirit be.

You Know Your From A Large Family When...

It takes you close to two hours to fall asleep because there is no one else in the room with you.

You are surprised to find out that there's a bottom to the laundry hamper in the bathroom.

You need someone to teach you how to cook scrambled eggs for one person.

Your surprised it takes more than one meal to fill the dishwasher.

You find that you can eat out for less then $50.

If Y'all Could Pray....

It would be greatly appreciated! Right now is a very stressful time for our family for many different reasons.

We have our grandfather in the hospital very sick. Seth (2 next week) is in the hospital with Viral pneumonia. We've had the stress of losing two goats in the past week. Mom is at the Hospital with Seth and an older child to help her. And dad is busy driving a busy, buying feed, or visiting with mom. That leaves the older children at home to take care of the animals, children, and getting ready for markets on Saturday.

So, if I don't post much in the next week, y'all know why!