Update from our move.

     So, we've been here in the heart of Tennessee for 4 months. It's September now and the trees are slowly starting to show color changes. The mornings have fog and the grass is covered in a thick dew. The days are still quite warm though. Can get up to the 90's. 

     We are all learning to adapt and change since we've been here. With school starting we are really trying to get back to routines. I like more routine as long as I'm not having to go to a bunch of different places all the time. 

     My oldest is working hard to learn and understand advanced algebra and study for his first college test with College Plus. He's started an internship at the local radio station. They have now hired him to work the board during the football games on the weekends. 

He's also helping with goat milking and care each day, as well as, upkeep of the property. That means lawn mowing, bush trimming, and so much more. 

     My second, is doing well with school this year so far. But, of course he has an easier year. We haven't gotten his writing program yet so he has a little shorter day then he will normally. We've decided that he will study some farm things for science. Things like goats digestive systems and the best things to help them stay happy and healthy. To keep the 4 stomachs healthy is a balancing act. He's also going to learn about organic farming and what that involves. 

     He also, is caring for our goats and the yards. When you ask him his favorite part about moving here, he says the goats. 

     My youngest son started lessons with math, spelling, science, reading, and whatever else we decide. He also loves workbooks. He is really getting proud of himself with his reading but, is hard on himself about spelling. He spends much time running barefoot, everywhere. Climbing trees, trying to get the goats to let him ride on their backs like a horse, watching the bigger guys milk the goats and trying to talk dad into letting him ride on any tractor my husband happened to be using. 

     And then little girl, she is like a butterfly, flitting here and there. She loves workbooks. So, I have a bunch for her to go through as she likes. She also sits in on the science and reading. She will also, draw, color, run, play and whatever else suits her for the moment. Her and Great-Grandma color together often. Thu will sit at the kitchen table and color for the longest time. She is also barefoot most of the time and is following the big guys to the barn. She wants them to let her milk!!

     Husband is trying to figure out how all this is going to work. Creating a job and with it am income. He is spending much time with the big boys working in the yards and helping with the goats. (The goats are a family affair. We all have something that we do with and for the goats. There is much to do. From brushing, feeding, scooping poop, cleaning out stalls and water buckets all the milking and storing the milk. 

     Me.  I am learning to do many new things as well as balance and care for each of the people in this house. We were a busy family before with 6 of us but, adding Grandma is like adding a very large kid that needs full time care and watching. With the 6 of us around we all can help some. But, I am with her pretty much 24/7. Or at least am completely aware of where she is And what she is doing at all times. Yes even at night. So grandma is a new task. I also spend quite a bit of time cleaning. Cleaning clothes, cleaning dishes (no dishwasher), cleaning and sanitizing jars for milk, washing the dog (yes he's new). Also, training the new puppy. Making cheese, Keiffer, and soap. Don't forget 3 full meals a day for 7 people. After all of that; I'm teaching the kids, helping my husband with goat care (adding supplements, etc.), I can and do milk when the need arises. I also, have to come up with ideas to keep grandma happy, and content. She has lost so many abilities. She can no longer do puzzles or think through things like she used to. Movies don't keep her attention. To give her a task is much like finding something for my 4 year old to help with. She isn't capable of so many things. Even laundry (which is her huge obsession) is so difficult for her. Yet she doesn't know it. She will put anything in the machine. Stuff it full. Throw in rags with bleach on them with dress shirts. She will fold dirty clothes off of the floor. She will check on the dryer 20 times to see if the clothes are dry. She can't understand why half a bottle of laundry soap would be a Problem.  (I now make our laundry soap because of the expense). 

     To say our life is different is almost absurd.  Our life looks so different. And feels it even more. There are good days and bad days. There are so many days we think, "what have we done?!"  We have given up our whole life to come here. To do this.  What are we doing here? Well, were caring for a crazy old lady (and I say that knowing perfectly well that I will probably be just as bad), following God's prompting to come here and love her, take care of her and her property. To encourage her at the last part of her life to embrace what God has for her. We moved here to learn and teach out kids about things we could never have done in the OC, on the beach. We're all learning farm life. Learning how to keep going even when times get really uncomfortable or unhappy. We are all learning to let God lead us and listen for which direction he has for our life. We are learning what the word sacrifice really means. When we sing or read about being a living sacrifice, it is terribly uncomfortable and inconvenient. We are supposed to serve others even when it is not fun, even when you want to just yell and walk away. When the world would say you've tried hard enough, you've done more then anyone else would have; that we have to try more and harder. Being a believer is SO crazy hard sometimes. Being a follower is even harder. To follow him and HIS ways when it feels like HE has forgotten you, is at times, almost unbearable. But, you know what? HE stretches you. HE makes me be able to withstand more then I ever thought I could or want to. 

     So the update is we are doing OK. We can always use prayer. We have some interesting business opportunities and would love much prayer in that area as well as, pray for Grandma. That she will find joy and peace each day. 

     God is good all the time.