Let There Be Chickens

Yesterday was an exciting day on the Clark Family Farm...the chickens arrived. After much preparation we were ready to bring our little egg layers home. We have 14 hens and 1 rooster (Fred). They will begin laying at the end of August and for the next two years we will have about a dozen fresh, organic eggs each day. We will be giving eggs away to family and friends so let us know if you want some!

The boys were so excited about the chicken and have been talking about them for a while now. I was not able to be here when they arrived but Mike captured these first pictures. Liam (our little animal lover) was so excited. The chickens are a bit timid now but are warming up to having the boys around. I am guessing by the end of the week they will be eating out of thier hands. I guess there will always be excitement around here.
The hen's laying boxes

The roost (made out of old tree limbs)

The boys with great grandpa John. Yes, Liam is that excited.Fred the Rooster

The girls

On another note, we also have our garden underway. We were thrilled when we saw the amount of land we have and knew right away that we wanted to have a garden. We have all sorts of veggies planted...tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, peas, peppers, romaine lettuce, broccoli, squash, onions, chives, dill and parsley. We are looking forward to a summer filled with fresh veggies.

Garden with the hen house in the backgroundRow of tomato plants

The garden

So if you are every in Coldwater stop by the Clark Family Farm...

Last Day of Preschool

Last week was Samuel's last day of 3 year old preschool. He has really enjoyed school this year. Miss Lisa has been an amazing teacher and Mike and I feel so lucky that Samuel was able to experience his first year of school with her. Samuel has learned to love school and learning. He is already looking forward to 4 year old preschool next year. He will be at the same place with many of the same kids and a new teacher. I am sure he will do great!

Here are a couple of snapshots from his last day. Some of his buddies (Kaden, Samuel, Chase)

The whole gang!

Samuel getting his certificate from Miss Lisa and Miss Michelle.

Quick Update

I know it has been a long while since I have given updates on the boys so I thought I would fill you in quickly...

Samuel just finished his first year of preschool at Sonshine Kids. He loved school and did so well. We are so proud of how grown up Samuel is getting. This fall he will be starting soccer and is very excited that daddy will be coaching! Currently Samuel loves singing, counting and anything to do with Star Wars.

Liam is quickly approaching 2 and all that comes with it. He is becoming a very independent and stubborn little boy. He definatly has some of his daddy's acting talent, he can even turn on the "you broke my heart" response. Liam is starting to talk a lot more now which has made life a whole lot easier on everyone.

I know they were quick but at least you got something. In the next couple of days I will post a few pictures of Samuel's last day of preschool and tell you all about it. For now the tears still come when I think of it...soit will have to wait!

Preschool Progam

Last week Samuel had his final spring performance for preschool. If you remember the Christmas concert did not go so well. He sat on Miss Lisa's lap in the aisle and would not go up front. As you can see that was not a problem this time. He marched up front and sang his little heart out.

Afterwards, we went with some friends (also fellow preschoolers) to get ice cream. What is a spring concert if it is not followed by ice cream!

Little Quiet Branch County

Oh where have we moved!?!

Yesterday was an exciting day around here. Mike got up and while making the morning pot of coffee noticed a car parked in the middle of the field. He figured it was a bit wierd but went about getting around for the day. When he let the dog in and was heading out the door he noticed it was still there and it appeared as if there was someone in the car. He called the police to report it and headed off to work.

At 7:15 I woke up to flashing lights outside the window and quickly realized that there were 3 cop cars blocking the entrance to the neighboring parking lot/field and that there was an additional three parked near the car. The police were taking a lot of pictures and writing down quite a few notes. About noon the crime scene investigators showed up and began digging a bit deeper. Around 2:30 they removed a body from the car and the car was hauled away around 4. Mike was questioned by a detective last night about exactly what he saw and the timeline that everything happened in. They also asked if we had heard or saw anything suspicious!

So far it is reported that they are treating this case as a homicide and more information will be released after an autopsy is done. I will admit that I am a bit unsettled and a bit more cautious around the house. I don't feel like we are in danger or anything but am a bit creeped out by the fact that a body was found less than 500 feet from my house. Here we thought we were moving to a quiet, little boring town in southern Michigan. Who knew!?

For more info...
http://www.wwmt.com/articles/coldwater-1362416-body-tuesday.html
or
http://www.thedailyreporter.com/homepage/x1194169550

Sunshine...Family...Ducks

Well the weather has seemed to finally turn around here in Michigan. This past weekend was beautiful with blue skies and lots of sun. On Saturday we went up to Lansing to see some of the Clark family. We also collected two car loads of "stuff" that was in storage at Mike's parents. I don't know how we possibly lived the last four years without it.

On Sunday, we had a family cookout at my parents to celebrate Grandpa John's birthday and Nana's birthday. Liam is obsessed with the ducks and geese that are often in the pond behind their house. After lunch, Papa took the boys out to feed the fish and the ducks. They had a blast. Nate and Matt (cousins) were also there and entertained the boys for most of the afternoon. We completed the afternoon of fun with rides in the golf cart. I can't wait until summer!

A new adventure

Sorry posts have been so few and far between lately. I have been a bit busy working on starting my own photography business. I have finally decided that it is about time that I start living out my passion. Over the past year of so I have found that not only do I like phototgraphy, but it is where I come alive. I have discovered that there is something within me that is only accessible from behind a camera. A feeling that it is all worth it, everything. I have realized that through photography I am able to capture those precious moments in life that I long to hold onto but that seem to pass so quickly. Recently I have grown restless, it is not enough for me to only capture moments of my boys. I want to share these moments with others. I want to give others these memories to hold onto forever, so jenn clark photography was born.

I still feel like I am very much in the beginning stages and to be frankly honest a bit terrified of where it all may take me. I just know that in this moment if I don't run after what makes me feel alive I will never be content with what is left. So I am putting it out there, holding on and enjoying the ride. I would love for all of you to ride along with me. So, check it out. Let me know what you think. I would love any input you could offer, good, bad and even ugly. If you see it worthy, please pass it along to others and spread the word, jenn clark is a photographer!

Here it is www.jennclarkphotography.com

Deacon Robert

Last night I had the pleasure of welcoming my new nephew into the world. Angie was a rock star and delivered him naturally and drug free after less than 12 hours of labor. He is a healthy and alert baby boy. We are so excited to have him here!

Deacon Robert
April 17, 2009
7:32pm
9lbs 4oz

20.5 inches

Spring?

Well the weather here is getting tolerable. There have been several days when the sun is shining and it is warm enough to be outside. The boys love heading out to play. They run and run and run. Samuel loves riding his bike around the drive and in the field. Liam loves chasing the dogs, looking for the cats and playing with his truck. Here are a couple of pictures of the boys outside playing...finally!

running away from mommy

sometimes they love each other...sometimes

cheesy as ever!

playing soccer or picking clovers?

riding bikes together

looking and waiting for the catsThese days of nice weather have reminded Mike and I how nice summers in Michigan are. We are looking forward to spending lots of time outside this year. I am sure that will translate in to lots of pictures too!

Lately

Sorry we have been so sporadic recently. I have been really busy the last couple of weeks working on some of my photography. I have found that I really, really, really love photography and am currently deciding what that means in life. Since the beginning of the year I have had four shoots all with either friends or family and have both loved doing it and am getting good results. So what does it all mean...???? I will keep you informed. In the meantime, I thought I would share a bit of what has been consuming me over the past month.

Enjoy~