151/365 Toes.

Team Schlatter had to get the "toes" of two 4-H calves trimmed today.  I found this quote and it struck a chord with me today -- as our children grow so do the many life lessons we encounter each day.  Not sure I am ready for a teenager and a ten year old! (Photo by Clara Schmitz -- my niece)

150/365 Beauty.

149/365 Change.

Amazed at all the changes that spring is bringing to Team Schlatter.

148/365 Rain.

Between the rains this evening we caught another rainbow.

147/365 Finished.

Team Schlatter was able to deliver the newly made and painted gates to the sheep barn today.  Nothing feels better than seeing a project finished ~ the girls are very blessed with two very talented Dads.

146/365 Molly.

Team Schlatter was in North Liberty today helping cousin, Molly, celebrate her high school graduation.  Briana-Sue will be quite sad not getting to watch Molly on the track next year with Iowa City West.

145/365 Hot-Tubbing.

Rain or shine cousins will have a good time!

144/365 Strawberry Patch.

Team Schlatter's strawberry patch is in full bloom, and thankfully Papa Ron came over this week to build a new top to keep out unwanted guests!

143/365 Fire Pit.

Team meeting at the new fire pit, life is good for Team Schlatter.  Hot dogs and smores, and visiting with grandpa and grandma under a full moon, love summer nights!

142/365 Poppy Day.

Helping Grandma and Grandpa Schmitz with the poppy wreaths for veterans day -- a Team Schlatter tradition.  Thankful for past and present veterans.

141/365 Patient.

Amazing what God can show with a snapshot and blog, to an impatient mother.  Busted.  Team Schlatter's fast paced summer will have to find a way to slow down.

140/365 Rainbow.

I never grow tired of seeing God's promise stretched across the sky, reminding me that His promises are true, He is in control, and all is well.  

139/365 Knowledge vs. Imagination.

138/365 Chicks in Black.

Team Schlatter's chicken project is in full swing.  Amazing how these little birds change from day to day.  We have 3 birds that are black, and have been named the "Chicks in Black" rather than Men in Black!  Ben's favorite is Kuba-Kuba and Briana-Sue's is Shelly.

137/365 Made in USA.

Team Schlatter got a much needed water set tonight for our heifers and steers.  Briana-Sue and Ben are always reading labels to see where things are made.  To their surprise the new water was made in the USA, and even better in Houghton, Iowa!  Briana-Sue thought it was also great that the water pipe was a Charlotte pipe which is the name of her new heifer.

136/365 Soldier Jokes.

Team Schlatter finished up our 1st full year of home-school, and no one got hurt!  The photo today was taken by mom, but the caption was by Ben.  We were pretty sure Soldier was laughing in this one.

135/365 Opportunity.

Team Schlatter had some great teamwork going on at washing time tonight, makes us think we are doing something right.

134/365 Love Letter.

There's this boy that stole my heart, and he calls me mom.

133/365 Example.

Today Team Schlatter was reminded that tomorrow is not promised.  Let us be an example to our children, let us enjoy each moment we are given, but most of all let us be thankful.

132/365 Charlotte.

Team Schlatter welcomed another four-legged friend to the barn yesterday.  She has been named Charlotte, and I'm not sure who is most excited that she is here!

131/365 Flowers.

Mother's Day flowers from my loves!  New camera stuff too, blessed.

130/365 Mom.

+

Mom challenge.  A friend posted on her wall that as a Mother's Day weekend challenge we should count how many times we hear "mom" over the two day weekend.  Made me laugh, I often say I want to change my name for that very reason!  However I would not change it for the world :)

129/365 Weed or Wish?

What are you looking for weeds or wishes?  So easy to miss the blessings among the weeds.  Spring has sprung and Team Schlatter has some weeds to pull, how about you?

128/365 Annie.

Team Schlatter is proud to announce that "Annie" has made it home.  She is expecting her first baby this month, and her little mama Briana-Sue is very proud.  Picture today is by Briana-Sue.

127/365 Beauty.

If you want to know how important something is to you, have it taken away.  Day 9 of sickness showed me that my health is a gift and when I don't have it life goes on without me.  I have to take care of myself for the good of Team Schlatter and I don't always make that a priority!

126/365 Wash Bay.

What a blessing to have papa Ron home from Texas -- while I was still home with illness he plugs away at the new barn.  This is a photo of the new wash bay for the calves, must say it makes me want to get well soon!  

125/365 Chicken Fence.

Life went on for Team Schlatter as Mom is still sick in bed.  First step of the chicken project after purchasing chickens was making chicken fence!  Had to separate the old laying hens from the new birds.  Dad and the kids did a great job.

124/365 Chicken Project.

Team Schlatter is starting a new chicken project.  We are tracking our budget for home school, and will be selling eggs for our Haiti projects.  The project will allow us to learn the business of chickens, and how much money it will take us before we start making a profit!  We will also talk about marketing our eggs and pricing.  (Ben is sure people will pay $1 per egg for Haiti!)

123/365 Hot Tub.

Happy Friday for these two Team Schlatter members.

40 degrees + Rain + Hot tub = Happiness!

122/365 Dubious 3.

As many of you know Team Schlatter was blessed with many days of band members in our basement.  They have all moved on but will always be family.  MG and Scott along with another friend are doing small gigs together in Fargo.  Ben created a logo for their new band, The Dubious 3.

121/365 Birds.

Stuck inside today with this bug I've gotten -- sharing today a photo I shot last weekend at Rachel's walk in Muscatine, Iowa.  Amazing.