What a blessed WET weekend!  God sent us rain!   I am so thankful!  We had over an inch.  It fell off and on all weekend.  

Other happenings over the weekend.  I discovered our old beef cow had died. She was either 12 or 13.  For several years she has sounded like she had a bad cold all time.   I have no clue if that got her or something else.  It looked like she was walking along and just fell over dead.   That meant her 1 month old calf needed a new mama.  Sat. kids and I worked the cows to the pen and then caught the baby.   This baby has never been touched before so it was .... interesting.   Once we got her in the pen I offered her a bottle.   She swallowed some of the warm milk, but didn't really go for it.   I separated cows and waited until Sunday morning.   I decided Baby would be the cow I tried her on first.   Since Baby is pretty bomb proof.  If she has feed she really doesn't care what or who removes milk.   We worked the calf over there and waited.  I was surprised that the baby smelled her a minute then attacked!   Once she attached she drained Baby.   Last night I used Vallie.  Again the baby did great.   I hope to adopt her to Vallie.  I have done it before so should be able this time.  

J is doing great!  Yes, she does some things that drive me nuts.  She does some testing, but no more than what is expected.  The most unexpected blessing is her joyful spirit.   We had a great talk on Sunday morning.   I shared some of the things I knew she was doing that bugged me.  Such as telling/encouraging the littles in worldly ideas.  I bluntly pointed out that in the group she will be around this would not be looked on nicely.  That she would either not be invited or would have to stay with me so that the littles didn't get that stuff.   We talked more about that and just lots of things.  Porch swings are wonderful!  One of the things I ask her is what she wants/needs from me.  I was asking lots of her, but I want to know what she wants and needs from us/me.    She thought a minute and said, "Just keep doing what your doing."   Even if you don't like it?  She nodded her head and said, "I need it."    Bless her heart!   I hugged her some more.   She also said she was trying to figure out why God put her with us.  I ask why?  She said she never dreamed she would get a good family.

I know it is so hard for her.  Keep praying for her everyone.  I can't imagine being where she is.   Yet she is such a joy!  Her spirit is so full of love and life.   Given her past and her being uprooted and moved to a very strange environment she has so much reason to be angry or bitter.  I don't sense it at all.  Confused, scared, unsure  those I feel.

Today MN is off to work with her brother.  I am sure J was taking note that MN worked hard to get today's school work done.  It was hard!  She was so torn between wanting to play and hang out and getting it done.  Mom cuts no slack on that.  If it isn't done then she doesn't go.  

J did get a few eye opening experiences yesterday.  First off she had this beautiful nightgown on for church.  Oh, not a night gown?   Hummmm I seriously thought it was!  I veto it, but decided to allow her to ask Dad.  So she goes to dad and says mom said it was OK.  Wrong thing to do!  Busted!  No appeal!  Change NOW!  Along with a stiff lecture from dad about we don't play that game!      At church she kept playing with her Bible instead of listening.   I warned her once and she said she was listening.  She was taking a quiz in her new Bible.   So I just reached over and took the Bible.      Mean mom!   Last night about 8:15 I told the girls they had 15 minutes to get ready for bed.   J looks at me and says "All of us?"  Yep, did "all of you" talk way late last night after we ask for quite upstairs?  Little girls nodded while J took the "not me" approach.   Wrong answer!  It was amazing.  Last night the talk tapered off into quite MUCH earlier.  MJ got to stay up until 9    J's face was priceless when she realized she was going to bed at 8:30.    I had warned them the night before. 

Today J starts homeschool.  I am sure it will be an interesting shock!  I should have the last of her books tonight.  For today she is going to Read her Bible and come up with 2 thoughts/questions out of Romans 10. That's where we are studying in church.  Then do her journal and read a chapter in Lies Young Women Believe.   She is also going to have to re-read and find 3 thoughts/questions in the first chapter of Do hard Things.  Math and Grammar will start tomorrow.   We are also going back to the posted chore charts.   Swimming won't happen if school and chores aren't done.  I may also roll people out of bed MUCH earlier if they don't do school correctly tomorrow

Other plans today.... laundry?  If it isn't raining.  Well even if it is!  I just will holed off washing jeans.   I need to make some granola.  We are out!   We have been out for 2 weeks so a double/triple batch would get ate.  

I guess I need to stop writing and start being mom and accomplish stuff.  All have a blessed day!