I'm Back...

I'm back.

"What? Where'd she go?" I hear you saying...

Well, I was in Facebook land.

It was a deceptive time away in that I didn't know I was away.

But, when I finally came to the realization that I was using up my time there instead of building my home, my family, my faith, my REAL friendships, doing laundry, maintaining and improving my health...well, I finally has the courage to say, "NO MORE!"

So, in an effort to still connect with folks and update those who really really really want to know what the Haner family is up to (there may not be any such people, but I'm hopeful), I am going to update this blog and my Frugal Farm Girl Fixes blog as well. I'll link that up to this blog later.

KIDS: As an update, Addie is eight months old and the happiest baby you've ever known (quite a 180 from her first few months), she stands up and waves now. She eats A LOT! Kya has completed kindergarten math and is on to first Grade work, she adores drawing and writing her own poetry and will begin ballet this summer. She can easily read most first and second grade readers and I LOVE listening to her read aloud to the boys...

Wyatt is coming into his own with a tough exterior and a soft heart. We have implemented a more "just" discipline system for he and his brother, which involves allowing him to voice his thoughts (something heretofore unheard of---WHAT?! ALLOW A CHILD TO EXPLAIN HIMSELF???!!!! POPPYCOCK!!!) But seriously, it has changed his entire disposition and self worth--just being able to explain what happened and seek justice from us instead of the prior "toy time out" technique whenever a brotherly squabble arose. More on this later...

Caden is our "happy guy." He talks A LOT!!! He smiles, and often declares it time for a Haner "GWOUP HUG!!!" He is sunshine and light...punctuated by an occasional stormy two year old fit. :) He is ENORMOUS, often mistaken for a three or four year old, even though he is not even two and a half until MAY!

FARM: Our farm is taking shape. We have a new flock of chickens who will soon be replacing the old girls (sad, but necessary.) We are still not sure what to do with the old girls...breaking their necks and cookin' up some soup seems so cruel...stay tuned for the conclusion of this little dilemma...

We have planted artichokes, peas, broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, grapes, berries (logan, black, boysen, rasp, straw, etc.), asparagus, and I'm sure some other things I can't recall...our orchard now has nectarines, plums, pluots, limes, oranges, lemons, grapefruit...and something else. I am currently charged with making a master plan of the farm with planting dates, fertilizing schedules, and soil amendment charts...yeah, this is exaaaaactly why I had to quit Facebook...

HOUSE: The house is shaping up just swimmingly. I have added a mud room to the laundry room, with a chalkboard wall that contains our verse of the day, menu plan, and something I am thinking about (or should remember) about our family focus. Currently, we are working on frugal living, service, giving, and using our material wealth in a way that is pleasing to God. We have been so incredibly blessed, and want to make sure we continue to serve Him with our blessings...

MINISTRY: I will be reporting more information as I research this topic for Mommies in the Word, which will be meeting here on April 4th!!! This group of women blesses me immeasurably...a group of women who delve with me into the Bible to find answers to common queries...a group that laughs and embraces womanhood and motherhood...a group that regularly makes me cry for joy. To finally find a group of women to walk alongside me in this journey away from common cultural norms, toward raising kids with a good work ethic, servants' hearts, who love their siblings and who actually choose to spend time with family, and who know a very real and personal relationship with God, is INCREDIBLE. Most days, I feel like a failure on all these fronts, but coming alongside other women who are trying too, and knowing women who have done it and succeeded, helps with the daily grind. We can help each other see the fruit at the end of the tunnel, if you will. And it is good.

My camera cord is still hiding, so when it surfaces, this blog will be flooded with months of photos. Until then, dreary ol' words will have to suffice.

BLESSINGS!!!