We're Growing More Than Vegetables On This Homestead - We're havin' a Baby!!!!

The burning question is not will our "Better Late Than Never Baby" be a boy or a girl, but will it be another redhead?!!!

12 weeks today! Due date is May 11th. 

Even after Michael and I had given up and accepted that we probably weren't able to have more children, the kids never stopped praying for another sibling. They are over the moon about it! It took 7 years, but here we are, when we least expected it. God has a plan and we know it is good.

To say we were shocked is an understatement, but it was a good kind of shock. Our lives will be drastically changing and we are adjusting to the that fact that we are going to be losing some freedoms we were just now beginning to enjoy again. We know it will all be worth it and the blessings will far outweigh the freedoms we are losing.  We look forward to welcoming this bundle of joy in May!

God Bless,

Jackie

Mission Road Homestead Happenings - Summer through Fall 2014

What a crazy summer and fall on the homestead! Michael was gone quite a bit this summer for different military trainings, so much of the work of the homestead fell to the kids and I. It is so nice that the kids are older and they really proved to be a great help, especially in our huge garden. The above pic is of Hailey's happy face as she saw her day for the first time after one of his absences. She sure is a Daddy's girl! Here are a few projects we worked on this summer/fall.

Under Michael's supervision, the kids helped him make lead bullets for his black powder deer hunt he has coming up in November. Michael got his first elk with a bow this fall. He was very excited! It was a young cow and the meet was the best I've ever tasted.

Got this pillow at yard sale and sewed buttons on it in the shape of a "W" (first letter in our last name). Put it in our vintage/retro the camper.

The previous owner of this place had a friend stop by and give us all the owner manuals for the appliances in this place. Does this manual date our range or what? Crackin' me up! It even matches my table.

This was one of the concepts we really have been working on in our home. Our two fiery redheads can get on each others nerves pretty quickly.  I wrote this out on our scripture board so we could get this phrase memorized.

We got to go camping with my in-laws, and a niece and nephew, at Olive Lake. The kids caught crawdads until their hearts were content. Josiah had a great time teaching his cousin, Jacob, how to hold a crawdad without getting pinched. He got it figured out pretty quickly ;)

Hailey was catching them like crazy, too. Gorgeous place to camp! Hailey even swam in this frigid high mountain lake. Crazy!

My niece, Layla, sharing her watermelon with a very happy Champ.

I made 10 lbs of haggis for the Celtic Festival. Turned out better this year, but I still want to make some adjustments in the flavor.

This is part of our huge garden. Unfortunately, I got it in late and it frosted early, so didn't get quite as much from it as I would have liked, but definitely got enough to get us through the winter. I freeze almost everything. The kids and I would go out and weed about 30 minutes five times a week in the mornings before it got hot. Michael worked fast and furious whenever he was home to put up a deer fence around it. Very necessary for around here.

Champ and Hailey's cat, Cuddles, have come to an easy truce. Champ is patiently waiting for the cat to throw his ring for him. I don't think Cuddles got the memo ;)

Some garden produce. Had good luck with the watermelons and broccoli at our new place. The broccoli and cauliflower were huge! Watermelons were sweet and super juicy. Lots and lots of zucchini as well.

The biggest garden bummer was that the Armenian cucumbers I planted were just coming on when it frosted. I only canned 13 jars of pickles when we normally do somewhere around 50. Oh, well. I just HATE store bought pickles! 

We were blessed with free tickets to see the Pendleton Round Up this year. What a treat for our family!

The kids enjoyed their ride on the mechanical bull.

Josiah's 11th birthday happened in Sept. He insisted on make his own camo cake. It turned out really cute. He made a battle scene on it and then took it to Latin class to share with his classmates. It was a hit!

Michael has been busy with trying to get the deck railings sanded and stained before winter. The difference is astounding! The part closest to the camera is what he has left to do, the rest is done. He took the whole railing apart to do it right. Wow, what a big job! He has also been working on wiring and insulating the shop when we have money for materials.

We thought we'd try to sell some of our pumpkins, gourds and milk soap by putting a sign up on the busy road at the end of our driveway. I guess this must not work very well in this day and age because we've had zero customers so far. Going to have to think of something else next year. Oh well, you don't know until you try, right?

Things are settling down outside and we are starting to look to indoor projects that don't cost a lot. I really want the flooring replaced even though this is an old trailer. It will be awhile before we start building our house and in the meantime I don't like the health risks associated with this 40 year old carpet. 

Hope all is well with everyone and that you are having a wonderful autumn! 

God Bless,

Jackie 

La Grande Celtic Festival 2014

 I'm about a month and half late with this post, but better late than never. The 2014 La Grande Celtic Festival just keeps getting bigger and better every year. This is the fourth year we've attended (3rd year of participating). Unfortunately Michael had a military training that weekend so only the kids and I were able to go. Thank goodness for my big Celtic family, or I never would have survived the weekend. In the photo above, the kids and I are in the clan parade, representing Clan Lamont.

 There were more activities for the kids this year, which was something I very much appreciated. The kids spent hours mock sword fighting.

Where on earth do boys just get to be boys anymore? They were in heaven playing with these foam swords that looked real. 

 We all enjoyed our dear friend, "Billy the Mick's" sword demonstrations. He drew quite a crowd this year.

The Boise Irish Step Dancers did an amazing job of entertaining us. What a talented group of young ladies who are clearly very committed to what they do.

The Highland Games moved the Sheaf Toss into the Celtic Village, which made for some really nice entertainment for the vendors and clans.  

The Boise Highlanders on parade. Sharp looking group!

The Gothard Sisters entertained us again this year with their beautiful voices, instruments and dancing. They are always a favorite and some of the nicest girls you'll ever meet.

Our friends, Cora and Tony, were a HUGE help to me this year, especially since Michael couldn't stay to help. Cora is our official breakfast maker and Tony is my official tent repair guy. You gotta watch these two, though!

As I was cooking haggis which takes about 3 hours, I found this Jacobite outside my tent, standing there with this sign. I ended up feeding him, but you know what? He disappeared when it was time to do dishes ;) Sneaky Jacobites!

On Saturday night, we fed around 50 people homemade haggis and corned beef and cabbage with all the fixin's.

Here I am serving haggis and corned beef. The smell was tantalizing! It is always fun to see what people think of haggis the first time they try it. They either love it or hate it. Personally, I hate it!

Josiah and our friend, Dennis, playing sword fighting with rubber swords. I don't think Josiah or Hailey wore shoes the whole weekend!

Cora and I in our feminine Celtic attire. It is so fun to dress up and feel perfectly normal because lots of other people are dressed up, too. I love it! It is like informal re-enacting.

Billy giving his "Freedom" speech. The boys were getting into it!

Hailey participated in the Highland Games this year. She is doing the stone toss in this pic.

Loved this little guy doing the hammer toss. His daddy is in Afghanistan, serving our country. I can't imagine how proud his is of his little man wearing an Army shirt and his clan colors. All three of his boys were dressed like this. Too adorable!

Hailey doing the hammer toss. Josiah chose not to participate because he would rather be playing at the sword fighting station.

The bands, "Tiller's Folly" and "Men of Worth" got together and played at the end of the festival. They are both amazing. Great way to wrap up a fantastic weekend.

Hope you enjoyed just a few photos of the many I took during the 2014 La Grande Celtic Festival. We look forward to attending next year and hope to see more old friends as well getting to make new friends.

God Bless,
Jackie