Blogging in general

Hi everyone!

Today I made the time to 'refigure out' how to download pictures from my camera and blog again.  Moving from Ireland to Kansas required a lot of adjustments, and I've been a bit 'behind the curve.'  

Since my blog was originally meant as a journal of our time in Ireland, I wasn't sure what direction it should take now that we have returned to the States.

Or should I even blog?

I think I'll continue to write here, but I guess I'll just write about our life in general.  I'll continue writing in a 'family newsletter' sort of way and report anything particulary interesting.  

God bless each of you for reading this and taking an interest in our lives!

Driving Test Day

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Anna and Beth spent a couple days studying hard for the driving test paper exam.  Although Anna appears skeptical, she and Beth both passed the test!  Now they need to do 50 hours of driving in order to take the road test.  This has been a huge milestone for them.  Hadassah wanted to take the exam, too, but I told her she had to wait.

 You see, Beth is 16, Anna and Hadassah are 15, Ezra will be 15 soon, and Nehemiah is 14- basically ALL the right age to start this driving adventure.  However, to preserve my sanity, I decided I'd let them test according to age and go as a pair- oldest first, thus Beth and Anna.  From here out, they will go 2 by 2.  I figure,  if it worked for Noah, it'll work for me.

Our latest adventure...

Chicks!

Maggie peering in at the newly hatched Bantam chicks.  Beth in the background doing laundry. 

We ordered 15 from Murray McMurry's hatchery, and yet there were 3 bonus chicks in the box.

With much loving attention (see first picture), they are surviving and thriving in their first week.  They will eventually move out of my kitchen and live outside where they will freely roam.

Home sweet home!

We are back home!

Good ole' Paws nearly did a backflip when she saw us pull in the driveway!  I was wondering if she would still remember us after 9 months, and she sure did!

Yes, we safely arrived back in the States on June 17, 2014.  Our return flights were fairly uneventful, except that 7 suitcases were 'lost' en-route.  Thankfully, the airline found them and delivered them to our door a few days later.  We have been home almost a month now and are doing well.  My brain still has to think what side of the road I should be driving on, but other than that, it's going ok.  I walked around our property and decided to take some pictures of our place, when lo and behold.....Nehemiah goes by!   Hi Neh!

It was a beautiful evening in Kansas.  Here is a glimpse of our raspberry patch (right) and vineyard (left).

There's an amazing abundance of grapes this year.

Our 2 year old fruit orchard is doing well, thanks to God's blessing.

Now we'll walk towards the second pond.

Wolf's workshop and pool-to-be in foreground.

Anyway,  a few pics....it felt good to finally be 'home.'