Casner Family Blog

Well, since the disappearance of the four chicks, we have been very cautious with Mac around. I have covered the chicken box with chicken wire, screen and a board. However, that does not stop a cat from trying. Matheau caught (and quickly took photos) of him trying to get to the chicks. Saturday, Mac burned a portion of his bum in his attempt, and I thought that would be enough, but after he did that, I caught him INSIDE the box with the chicks (that is when I added the board). So far, no more have been lost.

   

 

 

 

Saturday was Luke’s first soccer game for the season, very cold, but always fun to watch. Later that afternoon, Liz and I planted some lettuce, spinach, and onions. 

   

 

After our work, we went to find the grape hyacinth.

   

 

 

Today, allergies are still slowing some of us down, but time for school and work. I hope you all have a great Monday! 

After our heart-wrenching loss of the four chicks, my soon-to-be-sister-in-law, Amanda, sweetly volunteered to pick us up some new chicks. So, we have three new Americauna chicks in our flock.

 

 They seem to be adjusting fine. We had to get straight run, instead of just order females, so we should be able to see if we have any roosters in the next couple of weeks.  

 

 

Here is Martha, I named her after a story Hannah wrote about two chickens named Martha and Tex.  

Within about an hour they had disappeared. I think if we were to find one of the neighbor cats, he or she would have a very full belly. I really hope it isn’t our own Mac. 

   

and Abigail, Esther, Compassion, Anni, Owlie… there are sixteen new chicks at our house. More photos to come. 

 I missed a week…  Here is my most recent photos for the six one way project.

     

Luke lost his 7th tooth last week. (Please ignore the very blurry photo.)

      

 

  

Growing up, Easter always included an extra early church service to celebrate, and I can’t forget the brand new Easter dress.  So, to pass on the tradition, I have two dresses completed, I am still working on Hannah’s.  Allison’s is the dress in front. Lizzie’s ended up being two. Instead of making a slip for underneath, I made a second dress with ties in the back instead of a zipper (an idea from some of my japanese craft books.) I purchased Luke his clothes. I am afraid I am just not that good to tackle clothes for him yet. 

    

 

 Friday morning, the children and I spent a bit of time in reflection, reading and prayer. I can not put into words my desire to help ignite a passion for living life for more than just ourselves.  For our family, Good Friday and Easter are about more then pretty dresses and new clothes, they are the foundation of our faith. Without the love of Christ, we would not have Easter on our calendars.  Grandma Donna took the kids Friday so Matheau and I could go on a date to The Cheesecake Factory. Thank you so much, it was wonderful!! Besides time for eating, I worked on the girls dresses and some little projects I have had running through my brain. Here is the beginning of them.  

    

 Have a  wonderful Easter!! 

The sun is shining to welcome the first day of Spring. 

        

In February we started working through the book “My Garden.” It breaks down the gardening cycle in weeks, starting in January and ending in October. We first started this sunflower in an ice cube tray with water, wrapped in saran wrap in a dark closet.   

The book is full of fun garden projects to go with each week and tons of facts. Very fun. One disclaimer, if you are not a supporter of the earth being millions of years old, read through the first chapter beforehand so you can discuss with your children the difference and facts of a new earth and one that is millions of years old.

  

     Last week, with the celebration of Mark and Donna’s anniversary, it has had me thinking about love and marriage. Before Matheau and I were married I asked my Mom how you know if you are really with the right person. Her response has stayed with me for the last fourteen years. She said that love is a choice. Some mornings you just have to wake up and say, “I chose to love _______ today.”      I used to think that it is just easier for certain people to love or that they are just the “perfect soul-mates” and that is why their marriage is easy.  I don’t think so anymore, I think that some are just better at living less selfishly.  Love isn’t always an easy choice. It requires more of us then sometimes we want to give, and sometimes more then we think we can give. It is often inconvenient, far from romantic and full of work! And all of the work and selflessness, well, that is what makes love real and amazingly beautiful.

A while back I mentioned I was using a couple of patterns from Vintage Crochet by Susan Cropper to make a new purse. The yarn is from Elizabeth at hobbledehoy. I lined the bag with some vintage fabric I found downtown. 

  

 

Now if the sun would come back so I would have a reason to use it. 

We can’t wait to celebrate with you tomorrow. I hope you have a wonderful day!