So they got their sleeping bags and set up “camp.”  It was cute to listen to them talk about what it would be like to camp alone, pretending they weren’t scared.  The funny thing is, the whole thing was Zac’s idea, but there is NO WAY he would have attempted it without Zoey, but she wouldn’t say yes without him acting brave, and so the cycle spins!

When 7pm came and the adults were in the house Zac and Zoey headed out to their camp, dressed in warm PJs, flashlights and stuffed animals in hand.  Brandon went out and “tucked them in” and all was silent, until we heard their little footsteps on the front porch a few minutes before 7:30.  They were done camping and had decided it was time to come in.  I asked them later what made them decide to call off the camping trip, they said they started hearing noises and one of them said they were scared, the other one confirmed, and that was it!  I was really proud of them for at least trying and I’m sure there are lots more front yard camping trips in our future!

First of all, as I say with all my kids at every birthday, how can Zoey be 6?  I remember that red little baby girl laying in my arms, just like it was yesterday.  My heart was full of thanks for the miracle of her life, but she was born into a time of struggle in life.  I won’t get into the details now, because I have before, but I feel like I am yet to separate Zoey arrival with all the drama and life circumstances that were present at the time!  All I know is, my life has never been the same since Zoey’s arrival.  She is a sweet blessing from God and I often wonder why God thought I was qualified to be her mom?  She is an amazing little girl and I am privileged to call her mine.

Zoey is growing leaps and bounds right now.  She has gone from the pouty, whinny toddler, to a beautiful, full of life little girl.  She loves school and soaks up knowledge like a sponge.  It is such a blessing to pick Zoey up from school because she will actually tell me about her day, the other kids do not.  She will recount for me the details of the lessons and discussions as well as who got in trouble and who did and said what.  Zoey is constantly paying attention to everything that is happening around her!

Zoey is an ambitious reader and learner.  I tease Zac that it is only a matter of time before she catches up to him, he laughs, but it is really true.  I think she will keep him on his toes during homeschooling next year.  I am so excited to watch their relationship change as they go from just brother and sister to learning partners!

Zoey is still deeply in love with animals.  She is in heaven now because we have rapidly gone from a no animal household to one who has a cat, a bunny, 4 chickens, and we will be getting 4 more pigs this weekend! She still reminds me, nearly daily, that she wants a horse, can’t she be happy with the progress we’ve made?   Zoey’s love for animals is a blessing to our home.  As I have mentioned before animals are not my favorite thing, but guess what?  God is using Zoey to change my heart in this area.  He is teaching me more about his creation and our family is benefiting from Zoey’s passion.  I marvel at times about what has happened here, and it is because of Zoey.  Now that we are animal “rich” Zoey literally bounces from one animal to the next.  When the bunny is done being held, she runs to the cat, when he is hiding, she pesters the chickens, it works out wonderfully for her!

Zoey also loves to help around the house.  She is highly motivated by being noticed or recognized so all I have to do is mention how helpful she is being and she tries hard to be even more helpful.  She is wonderful at helping with the laundry, cleaning up, getting things for me that I need, feeding the animals, checking on her siblings, cleaning up the shoe area, etc.  I am excited to begin teaching her more about caring for a home and a family as we enter this new chapter of homeschooling this fall.

Zoey loves her friends.  She reports to me daily about what she is planning or doing with friends at school, she has lots of ideas!  I love hearing about their games and imaginative play.  Zoey can be “a little much” sometimes and she is learning how to tame it down when her friends don’t like what is going on.

Talking is Zoey’s favorite past time.  Brandon and I joke that she would talk until she starved to death, rather than eat.  She has SO much to say, and SO MANY questions to ask.  Sometimes I have to remind her that if she wants an answer to her questions she has to pause between them so I can answer her!  Wow, it can be overwhelming for me at times.  Not only does she have a lot to say, she likes to say it VERY LOUD.  I often wonder how such a little body can make SO MUCH noise?

Parts of Zoey remind me so much of myself when I was her age.  She loves being with adults and isn’t really much into playing with toys or dolls.  She wants to be around the action.  She wants to be loved and appreciated.  She is a natural leader, but this gets her in trouble at times.  She wants to know what is happening and when and what to expect next.

Zoey has changed so much.  She still loves to think about herself, but she also does a wonderful job considering the feelings and ideas of others (sometimes she needs more help with this than others.)  She does a good job to not arguing with me, and generally she is respectful. When I think about how much she’s changed it blows me away…

Zoey’s Stats @6

Weight: 41 pounds

Height: 45 inches

Clothes size: 6, but she can still wear 5, I just need them for Ally so she got moved up!

Shoe size: 11-12

Favorite Foods: tomatoes, cucumbers, peas, carrots, watermelon, berries, oranges, mashed potatoes, mac ‘n cheese, fried eggs, chips, dessert, toast

Food “not so favorites”: most meat, mushrooms, soup, dinner

Favorite Activities: talking, animal time, art and craft activities, imaginative play with friends or siblings or animals

Zoey, your life brings me life.  How did I know you would live up to the meaning of your name so well?  You are so full of joy and love, it blesses me daily!  I am proud to be your mom, you are a wonderful daughter and have taught me many lessons in your 6 short years.  I look forward to our relationship growing as you continue to become the girl and then woman God created you to be.  It is a blessing to watch you fall in love with your Creator and I am privileged to walk beside you as you do.  Your love for life is contagious, thanks for sharing it with me.  You will always be my first baby girl, thanks for paving the way and sorry for when I mess up, because it happens a lot, but what a forgiving daughter you are.  I love you into eternity, Mama

Zoey @ 1

Zoey @ 2

Zoey @ 3

Zoey @ 4

Zoey @ 5

Zoey @ 6

Brandon built our amazing coop all himself.  He designed it, so it’s a “Ferens Farm” original!  (For those of you who have been reading a while our blog used to be called ferens farm, when we had no farm animals, but we changed it to ferens family and the ironic thing is, now we have a small farm going on, but I digress…)  The chickens seems to love the coop and so do the kids and I.  Daddy did good, again!

The chickens (and bunny and cat and Ferens Family) love company, so when are you going to come over and say hi and check out our farm?

So why is my blog being neglected?  One reason is my blogging time is being directed to Fresh Is the Taste, which I love to blog on as well.  But the main reason I’ve been silent is, I’m preparing for my “Job Description” to expand.  Beginning in September I will be homeschooling Zac and Zoey full time!  I’ve been spending most of my free time working on preparing for this job.  I just finished an online course about homeschooling, and it was good, but took me a lot of time to do the work and remember how to be a student again.  I am also trying to figure out what homeschool group to join and, the biggest task of all (which I haven’t gotten done yet), is deciding what curriculum to use for schooling next year.

Teaching my kids “formally” is a daunting task when I think about it.  It feels like so much pressure, so much responsibility, so much I could mess up!  But then I think, what are the chances I am going to mess the kids up more than sending them to a random stranger, 5 days a week, 7 hours a day could?  None!  I am totally “qualified” to teach them by the mere fact that I am their mom.  I have taught them so much all ready.  Lets think about what I have taught them, and continue to teach them, in the following areas: how to sleep, how to eat, how to comfort themselves when needed, how to listen, how to talk, how to interact with others, how to share, how to love God, how to be thankful, how to go to use the toilet, how to obey, how to think about others, and so much more!  Am I qualified to be their academic and life teacher?  YES!  Is it overwhelming and scary? YES, YES!  Will I have to rely on God every step of the way? YESSSSSS!  But can I do it? YES!!!!!

So this is what I am thinking about these days, food and training my kids!  As much as I feel empowered to teach my kids, I am scared.  I am stepping out in faith that it will work, but I know it will because I have the Almighty Creator of the Universe helping me, so what else do I need?

Two Fridays ago I had the boys at my house.  Unfortunately Austin is not included in this swap, so he stays at home with me regardless of what kids are at what house.  Anyway, he was super excited that the big boys were going to be with him.  The boys were excitedly playing together bouncing from one activity to another, Austin was trying super hard to keep up, I was staying attentive to what was going on, making sure Austin wasn’t bugging the boys.

All of the sudden the marble run pieces were in the living room, Austin LOVES the marbles, I was interested to see how this would play out.    The marbles opened up and Austin was so excited.  He moved into play and was met with a few protests from the older boys.  Austin got frustrated, put his hands on his hips, looked at the boys and said, with a slight hint of tears in his voice, “I’m two and three and a half!” This was his way of saying, I’m big enough to do this!, and I was trying with all my might to suppress my laugh.

Oh sweet Austin, you will grow up all too soon!

Zoey and “Tweety”

Zoey and “Cuddles”

The very patient cat, also known as “Kitty” “Silly” and “Sylvester”

Is there a theme as to who is holding the animal in each of these pictures?  All the kids are interested in our new animals to a varrying degree, but there is one who loves them above and beyond everyone else, can you tell who that is?!?

Oh yeah, I almost forgot, we have a monkey too:

Too much partying for Austin!