Where Does the Time Go???

Well, hello y'all! It has been quite a few months since my last blog post. Yep, we are still alive...we didn't fall of the face of the Earth. So much has been going on that it seems like I have hardly had time to sit down, let alone write a post. I honestly don't know where to begin.

The last time I wrote the house was almost jacked up and ready to roll from the old location to the new one. Since then, it has been relocated and set on the new foundation. The addition has been put on too. Lots of interior things have been going on and with that have brought many headaches along with it. (As with all house building/reno projects I am finding from conversations with people along the way. :) ) While all of this has been going on, we have been trying to do as much as we can by ourselves and that has some monetary benefits but also the downside is it takes more time and slows the process a bit. (Yes, I will have to post pictures of the progress...I promise I will!)

Here is one pic of it at the new location with the addition on the back. Oh, and in the picture with Tank is also something else that has changed...we now have another member of our family, in the puppy form, Jake! I have discovered raising a puppy is a lot like raising a toddler. That is a whole post all by itself.

Crops have been planted and looking really good. Lots of calves on the ground too (and of course, like any calves, they have already found every hole in the pasture fence into the corn fields!). First cutting of hay has been cut and finally baled (after about 8 inches of rain washed it off). We probably need to be getting the 2nd cutting done soon...but can't seem to find the time. There never is really enough time for anything, is there? Oh, the joys of farming.

Hay finally baled. The big white monster is in the background.

Corn up tall and tasseled. 

To add to our already full plate our current/old house in town was struck by a huge hail storm on the 30th of June. The hail was ping pong ball sized and lasted for 20 minutes. Town received 5 inches of rain in that time period and left a huge mess. We now have to replace siding, roof, gutters, windows, and personal property outside and have water damage repairs inside to do as well.. So, looks like the new house progress will be slowed yet again so we can focus on getting those things done to fix her back up. Always something, right?

A/C unit with hail damage

Swingset flipped and grass pulverized by hail storm.

Some of garage siding damage.

Kiddos have been home from school for the summer and I think we have been busier than during school time due to activities, vacations, sports, etc. I am a little anxious for school to resume so we can get back in to a routine but will miss their crazy little tan booties too.

Boys after a haircut. They sure do look alike!

I am pretty sure Little Man is ready for the boys to go back to school, the other day the older 3 were all fighting, rough housing and bickering; he looked at me like HE was exhausted and said, "Mama, when does school start?" Somedays I am sure I think the same thing. One thing I am ready for is grocery shopping without all of them. It is so much easier and quicker shopping with one that can be contained versus having 4 of them. I am sure Wal-mart hates to see me come in with my "herd". One seems to go to fast, one is lagging behind, one is sneaking stuff in the cart and the other is emptying my purse. Ah, memories...seriously tho...it is like herding cats during a rainstorm too.  Ha!

Well, this was just a quick post to see if anyone was still out there "reading" and to test if I could remember how to do it. We are still alive and kicking. Another post yet to come soon... :)