Life as I love it

Busy, is what us Kochs have been as of late.
Our Parents came back home from their vacation last Tuesday night, and the very next day we went to barkdust a large association. We ended up spreading a total of 80 yards amongst 46 homes. Thankfully we had a lot of help from some boys from Church. Thursday, Caitlin, Anthony, Papa and I went back and spread 10 more yards of bark, pulled out bushes, and pruned some things. Then Friday was our regular maintenance day.
Lots of blessed work! I love work though. -I just love it.

Anywho, you guys probably only look at my blog for the pictures..so I won't keep you waiting. :) Enjoy!-

Tuesday

We cleaned house for my parents to come home, and took a few pictures. :)

Wednesday

Work! It was such a fun work day! We had the help of Zach, Anthony, Josh, and Meshack--a very animated group. :)

 The girlie girls.

The guys.

We came home to a wonderfully scrumptious dinner, and a fabulous dessert made by my Grandmother.

Saturday

Saturdays are our spotless cleaning days. Now, usually, kids don't really LIKE cleaning. (shocking, I know.) So, this Saturday I was in charge, and I found a solution to that. I soon found the kiddos coming to me, begging me for another chore.

Awww, don't they look SO cute! Even little Nickolas is in line and saying, "Reporting for duty Ma'am!"

This is my beautiful Sister and Friend. She is always so kind and encouraging to me. I don't know what I would do without her!! I love her to pieces.

I made a list of naughty and nice points for the kiddos. They always love to see the good points fill the page.  (yes, yes...I do make weird names for things. :))

Nickolas was babysitting Tenacious Turk and Critter.

I painted a few more paintings. Personally, I like the one to the left. It looks like a field in early morning fog. *sigh* Which one do you prefer?

THE HUMILIATED FLAMINGO

This was the punishment the kiddos had if they were being snots while I was in charge. I set a bar stool in the middle of the kitchen with a big sign, and they would have to stand on it with one leg...like a flamingo. I don't think I ever had to use it, thankfully. Because if I did, I think I would either feel bad for them, and let them get off easy...or I would laugh till I burned 100 calories.

For their chores--  Here is how this thing works- The kiddos get to choose a chore, they take the sticker off and put it above their name, (meaning that it is pending completion) and if they think they are done, they come and have me inspect, and if they did a good job, they put the chore under their name and choose another one. The thing I love about this, is 1. they have competition to see who can stack the chores up the longest, and 2. they actually 'fight' for chores and ask me to make more so they can beat the other person, and 3. the work gets done! I just go around with a sticky pad and if I see a mess, I wright it down and stick it to the board, then they clean it up! (of course I do the 'deeper' cleaning after them, but I think it is good for kids to work.)

Can I have a big hand for Levi?!?! He spotlessly cleaned the dinning room in 20 minutes. Washed chairs, mopped, swept, washed the table, pushed in the chairs..etc. Good job!!

 Now that the fun of the chores has ended, I made a picture from an old piece of wood I found in the shop. This is when I really wish I had a cricut. I had to draw and hand cut the letters out. (that's why they are so un-even.)

*deep breath*

-wow- that was a long post! (or, at least it felt like it.)

I hope all was thoroughly enjoyed. :)

Thanks for reading,

Jessica

Hunter Safety

Hey Y'all. My goodness, I've been so "blog-absent" lately! Every night this week (except Thursday) Felicity, Marcus and I have been going to Hunter Safety classes and just tonight, we finally took our test! I was so happy it finally came! The test is super easy, so we all got A's. :)
We still have to finish the other part of the "test" next Saturday, at the range, where you are tested on muzzle control and safety.

Anyways...now that the classes are over with, I will now be able to make a few blog posts!!
Stay tuned. :)

As of late-

Life and it's pleasures have kept me away from the blog world for a while. I must say, it actually felt a little nice. There are so many other things you could do in the day! For now, I will catch you all up to date on the comings and goings over here at the Koch household.


Family get-together
We had a big family get-together before my parents left for Colorado. My Grandmother and Aunt Cindy bought us all Starbucks, and we sat around in the sun drinking it.

 Trinh and Huong.

 Cassandra and Anthony.

 Trinh and Huong, again.

 Grandmother and Nickolas.

 Caitlin, Aunt Cindy, and Felicity.

 Cute Jacob. :)

 Gardening.
We have done most of our garden in raised beds this year. Raised beds are *so* nice! Caitlin and I had the job of filling the boxes with new planting dirt. Yeah, we did it bare foot. :D

This is just a quick shot of Levi, who was trying to decide what to read.

 Double lemon cupcakes.

 This is when my parents were gone. (I think you could have guessed that yourself. )
Ice cream, soda, and movies. -Life is good.

 I worked on a couple projects as well. Not much, but I still enjoy it. :)

 Caitlin cleared the creek.

 Cute shot of Nickolas on his "get you."

 I made my first lemon meringue pie.

 Alainna and the "Robinson Crusoe tribe" have kept themselves busy by catching little critters outside.

 'LOVE' the expressions in this photo!

 Felicity and Caitlin painted a really good picture of a surfer.

 Grandmother framed Caitlin's drawing.

 Our adorable orange kitty we named, Critter.

 My little JQ.

 My Papa bought us a new paddle board from Costco, and we strapped it to the top of our van. That is one VERY cool van!!!

 I re-arranged my room. (and cleaned it. --imagine that?!)

 And, today, I finished writing a story I've been trying to finish for about 6 months.

Nickolas is a naturally born landscaper. ;) He loves anything 'mower.'

This is my favorite photo of all time! It is so cute!

 My parents left this morning to go stay a couple of days at the beach with the Bradleys.

We are taking it a little easier this time, and just picking things up today, then more spotless cleaning tomorrow. And, yes, we had a bit more healthy breakfast than the week before last. :)

Greek yogurt, banana's, and a caramel macchiato. 

That's about it folks! (or, all I have photos for.)

Other happenings-

-We went to the Berkompas' yesterday and had a fabulous time!

-The Seiferts, Geigers, and Macks came over for Memorial day.

Lots of volleyball, fun, and laughter.

-Papa took the boys fishing last week.

-Papa built most of our new green house.

-We butchered our last pig.

-I drove the car again!!!

I am so thankful for the life the Lord has given my family and I.

Thanks for reading!

-Jessica