Before Kevin's surgery we had big plans for a backyard homestead this year, so he and I made some raised beds ahead of time in March, knowing he would be out of commission for a while after the operation. Then Grampa Gary, being the blessing that he is, trucked in lots of great soil and manure from a local farm and helped me fill the beds. We have lots of them! In fact we have done 3 truckloads full, and we still need more dirt/manure. Nothing like biting off more than you can chew ;) In the mean time, while Kevin was home recovering from surgery, he kept me company (snuggled up in a lawn chair with cozy blankets to keep him warm and comfortable) while I shoveled dirt and planted some strawberries. I was happy to do the planting, while he and I chatted and the girls played in the yard. When Grampa came to visit on Sunday, he kindly informed me that I had planted them much too close together. Woops! Live and learn I guess. That's what this whole experience has been, lots of living, and a whole lot of learning/screwing up along the way.
We've had such amazing weather that I have been so busy in the Garden all spring, Hence my absence from the computer & the blog. By the time I shower off all the dirt at the end of the night, I just don't have the energy to hop on the computer. We've both been falling asleep with the girls, and just barely waking up before them in the morning. I'm sure some of that has to do with the fact that It's still a bit rough and uncomfortable for Kevin to get around, and I am in my 3rd trimester. Yay, only a couple months to go ;) Chloe hasn't even arrived, and already I can't sleep well, I'm up every hour or so to go to the ladies room in the middle of the night, more of why I am so exausted.
The seedlings we started made some more progress. I'm so psyched! They are really coming along. A tad bit leggy but that is to be expected considering we are not using lights. We are using natural light. Not for any crunchy reason (though I like crunchy reasoning) But simply because lights mean more money, and we just can't afford them right now. So we keep rotating them so they all get their fair share of the rays. Grampa gave us these great shelves that collapse for easy storage when you are done :) And they are light enough that I can move them really easily. Now my counter tops are free again. For a while there I was really missing clean counter tops with all the trays taking up space. I had no place to work. I kept telling myself it would all be worth it this summer when I had fresh flowers to pick for my table. But yet again, Grampa saves the day! Yay! I have my kitchen back and I even have enough room on those shelves for more trays. :) Oh happy happy day! Praise God, and Thank you Grampa!
Yay! We have a camera. Grampa found out about our "No Camera Dilemma" and is letting us borrow his until we save up for a new one. What a guy! I am so psyched. You can imagine we all had a field day taking pictures yesterday. Lily even took some great pictures. I can't believe we haven't been able to record our memories via photos since thanksgiving when our camera bag was stolen along with our digital camera, video camera all our videos and memory cards. I shouldn't have left it in the car especially without locking it. I am sick over it. It makes me so sad I didn't get pictures of the last few months. In hind sight I should have just gotten a few disposable cameras, as much as I hate the idea. Wish I had thought of that sooner. Oh well God provided anyway, and we are so thankful. Grampa's camera even takes short videos. Praise the Lord! Blogging will be so much more fun too. I don't like posting without pics. It's like a book or newspaper without pictures. Here are a few of the shots from yesterday. 
And Lovely Lily eating some cheerios. 
Some shots from jr photographer Lily-
Hailey is getting big too. What a good pooch. 
And I will end this post with a picture of a very happy mommy, taken by Lily, 3yrs. Thank you Grampa, for saving the day, once again!
