Could it be Spring??

Ahhhh... This poor little space has been neglected and partly because my poor camera had lost it's get up and go. Also, life has been going at the speed of light where priorities have yet again shifted and found a new balance. Seems like the only constant is change eh?

So without further a do... May I present to you new pictures from my birthday present. If I had a camera to take a picture of my new beauty I would take it and post it here but I think pics of my kids and life will just have to fill it instead. My most fabulous neighbor is also a photographer so low and behold, what did she have back tucked away in a closet somewhere? You guessed it, a pretty little Canon EOS Rebel that she had outgrown and was kind enough to think of me. So I took my sweet new friend out for a jaunt yesterday to try it out.

 Exhibit A: Luke

You must have a silly picture right?

Exhibit B: Kylie

Yes, a silly picture for this sassy girl... or probably more like "Mooooooom."

It was a grey overcast day but the temps called for upper 70's. What?? Springtime temps like that called for a mandatory day outside so after a quick workout at the gym, we headed off for Pilot Mountain.

I love going to the same place during different times of the year. Hiking at Pilot Mountain was much different than the summer time when the trees are lush. The kids love looking for signs of spring and we weren't disappointed.

We headed up to the summit to eat our picnic lunch. Jake's new face when he sees the camera is this crazy scrunched up face. He doesn't even say cheese but just squints. Guess it is a right of passage for every kid right?

People often give me grief for being so spontaneous and yes, some days I long for adult conversation and fun playdates for our kids. But on weeks that have been hectic, full of sibling squabbles and responsibility, I am ready to just get away and reconnect with the people I hold dear. And then I see her face light up...

And really laugh...

And imagination takes flight...

And I sit back and just take it in. I love when we are not hurried and I can allow them to just explore and play out in nature. We had no timeframes, nowhere to be so we enjoyed, and explored. I learned that Jake is a pretty good rock climber even when sister really wants to protect him.

And older sisters watch out for crazy little brothers even when little brothers are just fine ...

Who knows who Luke is attempting to be flying off this rock. I love it when he just becomes silly.

Oh no! He is falling off the rock wall!

Now both of them are in peril!

Thankfully all kids survived the rock face and have lived to tell the tale. I think Jake really wants to take up rock climbing though as he was seriously scoping getting under this fence and scaling the wall. Needless to say, he wasn't far away from my quick grasp! That is a long way down!

Even though it was grey and cloudy, it was a beautiful view.  We met some climbers that were going to play around on some cliffs nearby so the kids got to see their gear and ask a few questions. Yep, I can leave that climbing thing to them... Not on my bucket list!

What is on my bucket list is to learn how to use my new camera. It has a great zoom lens on it which allows me to get close up to objects. And lookie here, there are spring time buds! Now that we have seasons here in NC my kids love taking nature walks while looking for signs of the seasons. They would have fun spotting things for me to take a picture of and I can't tell you how fueled I was by their excitement.

This was the walkway up to the top of the overlook of Pilot Mountain. I have always thought it was really cool to walk up and can't imagine doing all of the work to get the rocks just so. 

Of course Jake out hiked the other two kids. He marched right up that hill no problem.

Luke became really excited about the birds that were flying right around us.

And this is Jake doing his Bee imitation... Buzzz buzzz buzzz... It is much cuter in person.

Maybe soon we will hit this trail that goes to the top of the mountain. It looked like a lot of fun but I want Jon to share in the joy of this as well!

Take a picture of those Mom!

Did I say my boy was fearless? If this was a video you would hear him grunting his way up this rock. He had a blast!

Did someone say weathered wood?? I thought so...

Since we have studied about rocks and minerals this year, the kids had a great time digging in the ground looking for quartz. Now we have bags of rocks rattling around in the back of the van, and in the house, and in their rooms, and on the floor... You get the picture.

Oh, did someone mention Spring??

When we were at the top of the overlook, we met a sweet family and children who were touring around Surry County. They go to a year round school in NC and were traveling on their time off. They mentioned going to Horne Creek Farm which was only a few miles away. I asked what the fee was and they said it was free. After our time at Pilot Mountain it was a unanimous cry for yes! Let's go! So we did.

Can I tell you that country roads make me literally giddy? And this one was no exception. Seemed like on every corner I wanted to jump out of the car and take pictures! Ohmy, look at that cherry tree full of blooms! Look at those horses! Barn! Old building with faded metal signs! (I really want to go back there by the way!) but my kids were getting to the point of "seriously mom, can we just get there already?" Gosh I love them... But I did take a picture of this sweet building.

We thought we took a few wrong turns as the Garmin was a bit off - wow, that never happens! Sheesh... But we finally arrived and ya know, we were the only people there visiting the farm!

Right when we pulled up, we heard thunder... Yes, my kids grew up in Florida where we had thunderstorms every day but now? They are terrified. Thus the reason for Luke's face in this pic. Luke hightaled it back to the van where I was but I calmly told him to go back to the building. He listed off his reasons for why that was a bad idea yada yada yada but yes, I pulled the mom card and told him to obey. What is a family trip when you have an easy peasy memory. Almost getting zapped at a Living History Farm? Well, that is what childhood memories are made of.

Dark clouds approaching. 

Inside the visitors center is a nice little display of the period items that would have been in an early 1900 farm. These were just regular citizens of the area, not famous people at all. I loved all of the quilts displayed.

Child + wall = mandatory photo op. My kids now know the drill.

And a weathered fence? Heaven.

And have you forgotten? It is spring time!

Of course, being in NC, you must have a tobacco farm. This is the house where they dried the tobacco.

Note Jake was nowhere near Kylie and Luke. He found a dirtpile to the right. I knew there was a reason why I dressed him in a red shirt!

Him catching up to us from said dirtpile excursion.

Gosh this kid is too cute to be upset at long.

Especially when these too goofballs get together. Here is Kylie being goofy to a.) make Jake laugh and b.) keep him going. Remember we were on a time crunch. There was a storm approaching!

The homestead. This family had 12 kids! 11 boys and ONE girl! Wowzers... Kylie said she would not want to be her. The kids also learned that the children on the farm only had to go to school 4 months out of the year during the winter when there was a lull in farm chores. Yep, my kids thought that was pretty cool.

The corncrib and ack, I forget the two story building.

Ahhh. These sheep make me happy. 

And so does this little baby lamb Velvet. Her mom didn't take to her so she has to be bottle fed and loves people! Kylie and Jake enjoyed spending time with Velvet. Luke was still rather concerned about the storm so he oversaw the whole operation.

They hit it off no problem.

Kylie was even able to feed sweet Velvet!

This donkey was so funny. I never really imagined farm animals to have spunk and personality but this guy would follow Luke all over. 

The wind started blowing and we all knew what that meant. It was fixing to rain and we had to run back to the van. Wish we could have looked around more but it will save something for next time.

 It was a beautiful piece of property which we will definitely come again. They have events throughout the year that are either free or very reasonably priced. They have been hit hard by budget cuts so I would feel good about spending my money there to keep it afloat.

The rain came just as we got into the van. On our way out we saw these flowers and was reminded again how the rain provides nourishment and refreshment to all of the new growth out there. Did I tell you it was spring? ;) While I feel that we kind of skipped over winter, I will take God's cue to nourish our souls, our relationships and our families by spending time and getting to know them. To start anew, fresh and pure just like Spring.

Silence...

Been quiet around these parts... One reason is because my camera is dead and without it, well, I am pretty depressed! Yes, that is a drama filled word but this woman needs her camera. I studied Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs in school and I think I missed the day they talked about the camera but I know Maslow must have hit on it. So basically, I have layed low in our house and just gone about life as normal. No fun activities for failure of documentation. Yes, it is that bad. I love my camera. Just sayin'.

Just the other day my wonderful neighbor (have I told you she is also an awesome photographer too?) said that she has an older camera that she has not used in ages and felt like it was time to part ways. My heart skipped a beat and I couldn't believe the words that were coming out of her mouth. Well, I held it yesterday and it was love. Things are looking up and my husband thinks I am now on the upswing of my depression! I joke but he was laughing so hard at my excitement! So, after a few little tweaks of the camera, passover of some hard earned cash this camera will be mine and life can continue. Thrilled.

Other things that have been filling my mind is the thought of Lent. Not ready to go in depth but I am quiet and content at the places I have been of late. God has been meeting me right where I need Him and for that I am thankful. Any momma knows that finding quiet with children can be challenging so the ability to be fluid and flexible during this season is key. Little less time in front of a screen and more time filling the cup of relationships. Pouring into these children and family who look to me for guidance. Pouring into my home but also turning around and being filled. Sometimes my cup gets empty and I forget the giver of Life but I am thankful for forgiveness and isn't that what Lent is all about anyway? Forgiveness? And drawing near to Him who gave so much for us.

Quiet, listening, silence so we can hear. So we can feel with our hearts. Overwhelming at times but so needed. Praying you find some quiet so you can draw closer to Him, the author of your life!

Dash out the door - Hurry Quick!

This morning I was enjoying my morning cup of coffee, checking my facebook and all of a sudden I see the North Carolina Home Educators post about field trips. They were headed to Rising Meadows Farm for sheep shearing! What??!!

If you were to be a fly on the wall at that particular moment you would have witnessed three kids vegged out in front of the tv and Jon still asleep! No food had been consumed as of yet but this Momma let out an all call for everyone to get up and get ready! We all threw on some clothes, Jon wandered out from our room dazed and confused, I quickly filled him in on the plan and a quick breakfast was eaten. We were off...

Now, I would love to tell you that we made it there and there were rainbows and unicorns but alas, we got lost. Note to anyone going to Rising Meadows Farm, there is another William Dairy Road in the country in Greensboro... not Liberty! So we entered the new address in the Garmin and we were off again. Needless to say we saw some interesting sights along the way. One being a huge house totally out of touch with the rest of the neighborhood. Looked like a dollhouse mansion. Jon's theory is that someone won the lottery and spent all of it on this house!

30 minutes later, we finally made it. Rolling hills, sheep, chickens and barns... Ahhhhh... A couple from New Zealand came to shear the sheep. It was amazing to watch him work. He was able to clip all of the wool off of the sheep in one big sheet.  They didn't use the clippers like you see some do, but used large scissors instead. They said it calmed the sheep and left some wool on their skin to keep them warm.

Sorry about the pics - if you remember in the last post, my camera died and my phone is about all I have... 

Jake was trying to climb over the fence to get to the nice sheep. They loved being petted!

Luke admiring all of the sheep who were either waiting their turn or already sheared.

Such beautiful pasture land!

Kylie in front of the many bags of fleece. You could buy them there to clean, card and then spin. 

After we finally made it, we had a great time. The people were super nice and informative. Next time we go out there though I hope it is a tad warmer! The wind was cutting!

Recovering...

Anyone who has been keeping up with us on Facebook has known that we were knocked over with a fun case of strep. The whole.family. Thankfully the antibiotics did what they do and worked wonders. It is sooo great to feel alive again! The natives were restless (ok, I was getting restless with the natives!) and we still hadn't had our 24 hours under the medicine so we ventured out where people were few. The Piedmont Environmental Center has been a favorite quick go to for outdoor fun since we have moved here. Small trails, the Greenway and the Tee Pee!!! 

It had been down for awhile so when the kids spotted it, they were so excited to be able to check it out again. 

We had a quick picnic inside and enjoyed being inside away from the wind.

We finished Little House on the Prairie last week so being inside a Tee Pee naturally called for a war dance. The kids had a great time chasing eachother around the fire pit area.

Love it that there are a few little animals we can check out inside. The people are always really nice to talk to us and give us a few facts. 

Nothing like a little boost from a big brother to check out the "nake!" (snake)

I don't know what it is about my crew but they love to re-create the familiar. When we first moved here we discovered this huge map of North Carolina. It explains all the areas of our state and so now each time they reteach me about the topographical highlights of NC. 

His newest pose. For all pictures... ;)

We haven't been hiking that much this winter it seems. Well maybe not here so we were happy to set off to go see the sights. There is a beaver dam down by the lake that we like to check out so it is easy to get the kids to venture forth!

Love the trees without leaves! 

Found this little treasure on the way. Doesn't it look like a heart? Perfect, just in time for Valentines Day!

So beautiful! Loved the way the light was hitting the other side of the lake. 

Thank goodness Mr. Jakers had a safe distance from the water. 

Totally cracking up because about 5 seconds before this picture, Luke was looking at tracks in the mud. Of course Jake found some too! Haha!

Already finding signs of spring. Wait, did we have winter?? I will really work hard at not going on and on about how we haven't had any snow... Sigh...

Logs across any small amount of water have to be crossed!

And at this point we were wondering where we were! We were a bit more adventurous as I normally stick to one trail (or at least have the little handout map!) but I decided to get all "Jon" on this hike and wing it. The nice part about hiking in winter is that the view around us was more bare and I could see where we were in relation to the center. I think in this picture Kylie was having her moment as the sun was setting behind us and I was of course saying we might have to camp outside!

And at this point, my camera decided to give me trouble. My lens is crazy stuck but thankfully it worked for one last picture of Kylie rescuing Jake. He had a brief moment where he wanted up and of course Kylie does whatever he wants! LOL! Needless to say the backride didn't last long. Jake is a pretty good hiker for his age overall!

We made it back to the car safely and it was before dark. We had such a great time getting out without infecting anyone! Thankful for my little adventurers and my goal is to get them able to go farther as they get older. We have so many wonderful places to explore here and I hope this summer brings some really great trips!