Goat Pen!

I am so excited about my goat pen! I am going to get a goat and start milking soon! Over the holidays, we visited a goat farm and learned a TON about milk, cheese and soap!
As soon as we returned home from our 3 week trip, Creighton and I got to work on our fantastic pen. Standing at 50 inches, this pen should be tall enough for the goat(s) to be unable to jump out....we will see about that. And we are planning to line the bottom with a hot wire. This will deter those nasty predators from digging underneath!

Here are a couple of photos of our progress. More later when we get our new goat!

New Year's Resolu.... (ahem) goals

Do you have any goals for 2013?

Here are mine:
1. Do at least one hands on activity per day with the children.

Now that we are homeschooling, we finish with our work early in the day. The children do a lot of outside play, but still, there are times when they tell me they are "bored". Interestingly, anytime I suggest an activity or craft - they are all ENGAGED. They like spending time with me! I need to remember this because I am told this phenomenon will not last much longer.

2. Exercise 3x per week.

I have gained 15 pounds since moving to Tuscaloosa. With the change of pace and no longer working in a high energy job, I need to kick it into high gear! I used to do yoga 3x a week! And look at my arms just a month before I moved to Alabama!

3. GET OUT MORE

I didn't ever know this about myself. I have a tendency to isolate. There are times where I look up and realize I have not left the house in 3 days. My husband recognizes it and encourages me to get out of the house. #2 and #3 will be accomplished because Creighton has offered to hang with the monkeys 3x a week so that I can go exercise. I am super excited about Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 10-11:30am!

4. Stir up community!

When I talk to other moms, whether homeschool or public, I am often surprised that they feel isolated too! Last fall, I hosted a once-a-month friday playdate here on the property from 3:30 - 5:30. So many moms appreciated getting together just to let kids run and climb and play in the creek. Then - I got bogged down with reclusion, and stopped doing it.

So this goal challenges me to step out, reach out and LIVE OUT the community that we are all called to!