The Jump Rope Girl

She's been practicing with her jump rope for weeks.

It wasn't too long ago that her and I stood in the kitchen, me bent down, my eyes level with her tear-sparkled eyes.

It took her awhile to get the words out...

"Mom, I just think that... well, I think that maybe... maybe people won't like me as much because I can't jump rope as good as Halee."

"Oh sweet girl... the truest friends will always love your heart, waaaay more than your jump-roping skills. And you know what little one? You have one g_o_r_g_e_o_u_s heart!"

She kept practicing. 

She keeps practicing.

She smiles this glamorous smile when she jump ropes.

Today at lunch she made an announcement to the whole table...

"I'm getting good at jump roping, but even more beautiful is my heart."

The most innocent assurance out of the mouth of a beautiful little girl... that she knows who she is and she knows what matters in this world.

Growing up souls for eternal purposes...

No curriculum necessary... 

Just life, and a jump rope, and a few kind, life-giving words in the kitchen.

Sweet days at the one room school house.

The Innovator {Recess Today}

The treasures were having trouble deciding who could ride the golf cart at recess.  I told My Siah that I was sure he could probably come up with a way to fit everyone and include everyone. 

He stood there for a minute in deep thought. 

Then he said, "I think you're right Mom," and he ran off. 

A few minutes later he comes inside to get me and I follow him out to the stable and he shows me this... He had attached the bike trailer to the golf cart. He had turned the golf cart into a six-seater... "You can come too Mom!" He told me. 

LOVE!!!!!!!!!! The Lord has made this kid innovative. I_LOVE_IT!

The kids found a few red strawberries left in our little strawberry patch. They're small but irresistibly sweet!

Siah and Hal have been reading through the book of Mathew each morning after breakfast...

During morning lessons the littlest one camps out here, just waiting for someone to open the door and let him out!!!

Soul Man, trying to keep up with his brothers...

It's hard to believe that in a few short years my Siah will be driving. I can hardly stand the fact that he's already nine. The years are going by WAY to fast. I'm soaking this boy up. 

The Soul man found a nice shady spot...

And then... well... someone came and started licking his head.

The Soul Man has some learning to do...

Lesson One...

Don't hit the goats with your stick...

They will buck you with their horns.

It's been a gift to see my Siah take his little brother under his wings. He gladly takes 

The Soul Man wherever he goes and watches out for him. He's gonna be  truly amazing Papa someday; and then again, he has a truly amazing example walking beside him as he grows.

We are getting closer to have a full-fledged walker on our hands...

Recess W/ The Farmhouse Sisterhood

Today is the Cowboy and my 14th Anniversary. 

He held me long in the kitchen before leaving for work.. I love when he holds me long. :)

Its been a sweet day with the kids at the one-room-school-house. 

The girls asked if I could put the soundtrack from Isabelle on during Recess.

I said sure.

Two minutes later they came downstairs all fancy and stuff.

They turned the music up loud and I captured the two of them with my lens. 

I love the joy of the farmhouse sisterhood...

{I love taking pictures but I don't understand lighting. I LOVE the lighting in these pictures. I wish I knew how and why the lighting was like this in these pictures. I've been working at understanding my camera for the past 6 years. The learning is slow, but fun. And capturing moments, real moments, of my treasures and our life here in this place makes my heart smile. :)}

Its our 14th wedding anniversary.

I love living life with my man... real, messy, stunningly beautiful life. :)