These days I am only milking two of my does. My hands and forearms are just giving out- and I won't even bring up my poor shoulders and back. getting old...Both of those girls are nursing twins, and yet I'm still getting a gallon and a half every morning. I'm very pleased. That leaves us plenty for kefir, yogurt, cheese, and buttermilk in addition to all that just gets made into chocolate milk around here. The neighbor kids know we always have that in the fridge.

My last doe finally kidded. She gave us a beautiful buckling on Monday morning. Poor little girl, just a yearling and she did it all aone and had a big boy. She's recovering and being spoiled in a private stall for the week.

Tori is blessed and thrilled and just plain floating around these days. The neighbors made a trade with her- LOTS of babysitting, including at the rodeos, in return for a gorgeous paint mare, perfect at 6 years old and well trained. I was a little surprised, because we place quite alot of restrictions and rules about her babysitting, but they agreed to all of them.

Two days later a new lady riding at the arena next door got her training certificate but isn't yet allowed to charge money for riding lessons, but will give Tori free lessons! I keep reminding her that jesus is letting her know she is loved, and never to forget where ALL good things come from! She doesn't need convincing, though, praise the Lord she is giving Him glory all by herself.

I met a rather nice lady on-line who just moved fairly close to me and who's life is so similar to ours. She is a "goat lady" too, and has mastered all my favorite cheeses! Oh how good God is. Now I have someone to teach me some things. You have no idea how long I have waited for someone like that. They are praying about adopting, and we are just starting the process- she was also at the Olympia Above Rubies retreat with two of her daughters. I don't remember meeting her, but I was there with my daughter too. The Lord is just plain kind to us. I am hoping to be able to meet her at her home next week.

Our apricots will be ripe in a week or two, and then we will be busy picking and preserving. I dehydrate or freeze, as I am a bit of a raw foodie. (not legal about it though!)

I need to tattoo my goats soon, and turn the spare room into a bedroom for my new son. I really would rather have him upstairs, so trying to decide whether to give him a small room upstairs or the larger room downstairs. Knowing me, I'll just get them both ready. I'm really praying for more than one child anyway. So are my children! We want them all, but since we can't bring home the whole of Liberian orphans, we will settle for those the Lord brings us

I am totally being the annoying old lady to the Judge (O.T. story) and begging the Lord several times daily for those kids. feel free to join me! I am also formulating two ideas for Proverbs 31 - style projects (my made up term) that will help generate money for adopting. There are lots of financial details you don't think about at first. Like dropping a hundred bucks yesterday on ordering certified copies of birth and marriage certificates. Yikes. Hadn't thought of that. We know there will be lots of other things as well.
I'm coming to see money as just a tool though. A tool to use for the Lord's doings. It's exciting when looked at that way, rather than stressful.

Well, it's time to get some practidal things done. Hope you all are doing well and  enjoying the sunshine and grubby children! Summertime is grand!