There's something squirrely going on around here...

I have to chronicle this adventure before I forget it, because it is just unbelievable to me! When the weather started warming up, we noticed that there were a couple of squirrels up in the chimney. They would squeak and we'd gawk at them, they were very cute. One day we were outside and I noticed little rocks were falling from the roof. It was like a rockslide! I looked up and there were those squirrels, chipping the mortar from the chimney! As we were staring at the squirrels, we realized that there were FIVE baby squirrels living up in the chimney. And then one started making his descent. He slowly climbed down the roof and made it to the gutter. He went in the gutter, and then THREW himself over the edge, off the roof, and down into the bush. Robby, Nathan and I were standing there in amazement seeing this little one leave his nest. The squirrel immediately headed towards us and just started scampering around at our feet! The boys were so amused, giddy with excitement, running away and then towards the squirrel. Finally, they both squatted down next to the squirrel, very quietly, and the BOTH PET HIS TAIL! Before I could even utter the words, "DON'T TOUCH IT!" They had both pet the squirrel and were overjoyed. Before we knew it, this little squirrel was following each of them around and would not leave. Nathan got on his big wheel bike, the squirrel climbed his leg and onto his lap and was ready for a ride! Eventually, Scott came out to see all of this and was equally as excited as the boys. Here are some of the many pictures of this adventure!




Scott helped a couple get off the roof



And Robby new just what to feed them


Nathan was so comfortable with the squirrels that he would let them climb all over him! At one point, one went up his pant leg and really, he was fine with it! Scott is a lover of animals, especially ones that seem to need a home. As much as I loved playing with the squirrels and watching the boys in their fascination over them, a part of me just did not like seeing these wild critters using my children as a playground. Scott had big ideas for how we could keep these as pets, even potty train them. Yes, potty train them! We set them up with a little house made from a pillow and told the boys we would let them stay there until they were ready to find a new home on their own. They were fine that. The squirrels hung around for several days and would follow us around the yard. There were one or two especially friendly ones and then a couple that hadn't quite gotten enough socialization and they were not quite as friendly. We had a good time while it lasted and eventually they all left us.

Spring has sprung!

There is nothing better than those first few days of spring when the weather reaches 50 degrees and feels like paradise! The air is clean and fresh and the sun seems brighter than ever before; the first day the windows are open and the air is blowing through the house and the kids can play outside. This is the first spring in our new house. Part of the reason we chose this house was because of the backyard. There is a lovely patio and a large fenced backyard with a great playground set, sand box, and a rope swing on the tree. It is just fantastic. The family room in the back of the house has many windows, including a large bay window that faces the yard, just perfect for keeping an eye on the little ones as I toil away in the house. Robby and Nathan love the freedom of being able to go out and explore on their own with no one keeping watch on their every move. I love peeking out the window from time to time to see what type of adventure their having or what they are exploring. I like hearing them giggle with each other and scream over the spider in the sand box. I love spring!

Mary, Mary Quite Contrary....

How does your garden grow? Our garden is slow-going. With rain the past seven days, I have not wanted to set out our seedlings for fear that they would not withstand their new environment. But, the boys and I are very excited that what we have started from seeds are really growing well indoors. We planted this in small plastic cups and set them by the window. We have all been good about keeping an eye on them and making sure they have plenty of water. Now we're waiting for a stretch of a few dry and sunny days to get the outdoor garden started. Here's what we've done so far:



It was a long 10 days before we actually saw the fruits of our labor. 10 days is a very long time for a 3 and 4 year old! But they did it. Both Robby and Nathan waited patiently and watered diligently. And finally we had our first sproutlings! I was just as excited as the boys were. And since the boys weren't exactly careful about getting just one tiny seed into each cup, we actually ended up with 3-5 plants in each cup! Here we are growing Roma tomatoes, Cherry tomatoes, Watermelon and Echinacea. I hope this is the beginning of a long and bountiful harvest season! Still awaiting their planting, we have snap peas, carrots, lettuce, bush beans, colored peppers, more tomatoes, and a peanut plant that Nathan picked out at Sappington Farmers Market. He was SO excited about this plant. I hope we have some success as peanut farmers!

Tiny little farmer toes (Nathan)

What I've been doing

Cooking, cleaning, gardening, organizing digital photos, reading, and parenting. What I have not been doing--BLOGGING!

The reason I wanted to start the blog was because of all the nifty things we're up to. But the busy-ness of life and super fun stuff is keeping me from the blogging. I will find balance, I will. Then, I will blog!

The truth about me

When coming up with the title and concept for this blog, I was trying to figure out what I am all about and what exactly I am moving towards. So, in the blog description, when you see: Grace filled, God led, All Natural, Conscious Living, the truth of the matter is that I am really only half of those things. I considered sticking in the words, "trying to be" or "working towards" because I do not want to be seen as someone who falls short of the ideals or comes off as a hypocrite. All of those things are what I want more of and what I am striving for. In reality, I would love to be more grace-filled, especially with my children. I would like to be more God-led, especially with myself and trusting in those leadings. And oh how I would love to be ALL Natural. When in fact, we are surrounded by unnatural things in our environment all the time. But our family is making our way to the more natural, especially when it comes to our health and nutrition. And conscious living really sums up what I want our family to be about. I want to make decisions that are carefully thought out and prayed upon. I want to raise children who are free thinkers, who don't just do this or that because that is what everybody else does. This road may be harder, but in the long run, I believe it will be more satisfying.

The beginning of the blog

There is an old song that goes like this,

I'm a little bit country,
And I'm a little bit rock 'n roll

Have you heard that one? I don't know that song really well, but when I think about who I am and what this blog is going to be about, that's what popped into my head. The reason being is that is the sort of thing going on in my head and in my life. Except it's not one person who is country and one person who is rock and roll. It's one person, ME, who seems to be a walking contradiction! In my head, here's how the words go,

I'm a little bit crunchy, and I'm a little bit christian! I look like a conservative christian mom, but I'm a bit of a hippie on the inside!

This blog is going to be used to tell the tale of how I and my family live a christian life with crunchy tendencies. Trying to move towards grace filled, God led, all natural, conscious living.