abc's and counting to 3

   AnnElise has really spoiled us with being such a great sleeper since we did the "sleep training" thing early on. She's gone down to 1 nap a day which really helps me out with doing errands and being able to work out without rushing back to get her down for a nap. Its all about keeping with the schedule, which I've let her create on her own. Its so nice staying at home with her. She naturally sleeps about 12 or 13 hours at night and a 2-3 hour nap mid day. Some days are really busy visiting with family and friends, which gets her off schedule. For her, sleep begets sleep. When we get off schedule like last night visiting with my brother and his gf and having a family reunion today during her nap, it makes it harder on her. I put AnnElise down for bed tonight right at 7, she was so tired, but also a little giddy/wild. When she gets off schedule, she takes longer to go to sleep and usually wakes up earlier than normal. She's still going strong. Talking and singing is her favorite at bed time. She counts to 3 and then does something fun when she gets to 3. I think she's been jumping around in her crib, from what it sounds like. She can also say ABC's thru D, and currently singing "Jesus Loves Me" which really makes me proud. I can't make out the words very well that she's singing, but its the right tune!!! My kid really knows how to entertain the angels. I'm sure she has many watching her every night to see what fun things she's doing. Its pretty amazing watching her learn, talk, play and grow everyday. Its hard for me to imagine loving another kid as much as I love her. I guess every parent may think that way when preparing for another one to arrive. I'm really hoping and praying that Daniel and I are doing everything right so that our next one is just as fun and amazing and free spirited as AE. I really look forward to having another baby. Mostly b/c I feel more prepared about what to expect with newborns.
   I was so scared to bring AE home. I'd never changed a newborn or given one a bath, or even read about how to do it. I never made it to that part of the book. I thought I had more time to look over all of it before she arrived. I don't care what anyone says, it doesn't come naturally to all parents, especially the nursing part. I had to learn a lot and quickly with her. I'm more excited to know that this will be a little easier even though it'll be different, but as my friend, Markia, would say I'm going to be a legit parent with raising 2 kiddos! Maybe I'll get a black belt in parenting:)
   So far, my pregnancy has been super easy. The hardest part is carrying around that extra weight again. I'm also bumping my belly into everything as I try to squeeze  through tight spaces or bend over to pick up the mess of toys and books left out every day. Definitely chasing her is harder. I think AE is ready for a sibling to play with, but she's probably not ready to give up the attention we give her. While we're super excited to meet our new bundle, I'm enjoying the extra time I have to sleep a lot more, and run errands with only 1 kid to entertain. This pregnancy seems to be going by much faster and I know the end will be here before I know it whether I'm ready or not.
  

30 weeks belly pic update!

For the Daddies!

 We would like to say "Happy Daddy Day" to our favorite guy! Luckily we have 2 extra days to get a gift ready for him since he's working today and tomorrow! Maybe it'll be extra special. We are very grateful for everything he does for us. Daniel is a great daddy to AE and sugar daddy to me. We couldn't have asked for a better man and thank God everyday that he gives us with him.

Daniel holding up AnnElise so she could see the RC Cola/ Moonpie Festival parade! We had a fun day yesterday with the best weather a pregnant girl could ask for. 

     I would also like to say Happy Father's Day to my mother since she has filled both mother and father roles for us since I was very young. Hug the fathers in your life every chance you get because you don't know when the next chance will be.

Ephesians 6:4

The last several days in pictures...

We found out these sweet tasting berries were mulberries, and there are tons of them right in our backyard. 

AnnElise goes straight to the tree to eat her weight in them, stem and all.

Duke is getting much bigger, and loves to play with the soccer ball.

Buttermilk begging to die, she wasn't going to last much longer in this 96 degree heat.

John holding her down, and Daniel coming in with an ax to the neck. 

The messy, hard part of killing your own food.

These are the new additions to the farm. We got Margaret Ann,  the white one, on Saturday. Daniel just caught the brown billy goat, unnamed right now, less than an hour ago. 

     So far, all of the animals (8 chickens, 1 dog, and 2 goats) seem to get along and are all fenced in together. I wonder how long it'll take the goats to escape. Daniel has put in a lot of time, blood, and sweat (no tears, though) to make the fences goat proof.

Buttermilk

    We had some good friends over from down the road to kill and eat our chicken, Buttermilk. Daniel did the killing while John held her down. She was quite tasty, but a little tough. Perhaps we let her age too long. The Jones' were a little anxious about eating a chicken that they raised, but everyone at least tasted her juicy fried goodness. Of course, she was battered in Buttermilk. The kids thought she looked too tasty to pass up, plus the other option was my poppy seed chicken, which somehow didn't turn out as good as it usually does. I believe everyone should know where their meat came from and how it was killed. I was the only other one that watched the killing and even took pictures. The poor chicken was ready to die, it looked miserable with its fat self panting in the heat.
   Since the George Farm lost an animal, we thought it only appropriate to get something else. So now, we also have a goat, a very fast, agile goat. Everyone we've asked about goats has told us that if they can get their head through then they can get their body through. So far, our goat only gets its head stuck with the horns. I spent 10 minutes one morning before church trying to get that stupid head unstuck without getting my fingers squished off from it fighting me. It has officially escaped once just a few minutes ago, but we quickly got it back in. Daniel's trying to get a billy goat to accompany her. It looks like we may need to get a cat as well with all of the mice sightings around here.
    Daniel dropped off the Groens at the airport yesterday, we were sad to see them go, but I'm sure their family is very excited to have some time with them. I think their time here has been packed full of visiting with everyone. Next up, Harrisons come in for furlough in less than 2 months!!! We really miss our Tanzanian teammates. Groens, if you're reading this, be safe, and know that we are praying for you and your efforts toward Neema House. Enjoy your family time, and cooler weather up there.