A Puppy Named Jaz!

Our gdaughter has waited quite awhile for this puppy. She has been saving her money for over a year to purchase it! Saturday I got the pleasure of going with her and her parents to pick out just the right puppy for her. Just look at Mallory's face...it says it all:)

Check out my photoshow HERE to see a couple of more pics of Jaz. By the way, don't you just luv the name:)

Here is a little info on "What It's Like to Live With a Rat Terrier":
Whether you’re a high-energy person or need a companion to keep you moving, a Rat Terrier could be the perfect pal. They have enough intelligence and energy for three dogs, yet their diverse genetic background helps them maintain an even keel. In other words, Rat Terriers are not the type of dog to bounce off the walls—in fact, they are more than happy to cuddle on the couch.
If you spend a lot of time outdoors—whether for work or pleasure—your Rat Terrier will always follow, proving to be an excellent worker and dedicated friend. Easy to train and eager to please, Rat Terriers can help on the farm, in the field or in the yard. And if you have a rat problem, they can be amazingly helpful. Or if you just need a hiking or jogging companion, they can do that, too—happily.

Rat Terriers are fun and loving playmates for children. They have gentle, fun-loving personalities and they know when to adjust the energy level. Their solid terrier instincts can make them slightly territorial, but they are generally good with strangers. However, they do have nose when it comes to intruders—they will bark and alert the family if they sense a threat.

The PERFECT dog for Mallory!

Happy Anniversary!

Todd & Jenny are celebrating 6 years of marriage!

5th BB egg today...

That's right! I checked this afternoon to see if there were any more eggs laid by Mrs BB. As I approached the birdhouse, to my surprise, Mrs BB flew out and their were 5 BB eggs:) This is also the first time in several days that I have seen Mr and Mrs BB. They are staying closer by their birdhouse now. Mrs BB may be starting to incubate her eggs.

Couple of more BB facts:

*BB eggs will be incubated for 12 to 14 days, and the time from hatching to flying from the nest is just 19 days!

*The BB house can be opened to check the eggs or the young until they reach 13 days of age. From the 13th day after hatching onward leave them alone to keep them from prematurely leaving the nest.

I'm wondering if Mrs BB is finished laying her eggs. I'll check back tomorrow unless she is sitting on them. We will be gone for the weekend so they will have to get along without me! Ha, ha:)

This is such an amazing and learning experience to observe - the wonders of nature...of God's creation - unfolding! WOW!

(Check my email from yesterday to read more BB facts & see some BB egg pics)

Beautiful Blue Bluebird Eggs!

How delightful it has been to observe our bluebirds in our backyard! I was a little concerned a few days ago since I had not seen Mr or Mrs Bluebird. I speculated that they had met up with a predator and were dead. I was sad:(

I decided to take one more look at their nest and to my surprise I saw 3 blue eggs! But NO Mr or Mrs Bluebird (BB) in sight! I speculated that Mrs BB had laid her eggs and since she had not returned to sit on them she must have been killed. I was sad:(

I decided to do a google search on "unhatched bluebird eggs". Here is some more info:
*Bluebirds only lay 1 egg per day.
*Bluebirds usually lay 4-7 eggs in all (called a clutch).
*Incubation does not begin until all eggs have been laid, so they will hatch at the same time.
*The nest may not be regularly attended until that time, so do NOT assume it is abandoned! Many times people think a nest is abandoned when it is not! The incubating female is either secretive or is not on the nest as often as you would expect (e.g., because outside temperatures are warm.)
*Incubation typically lasts 12-14 days. The female may wait about a week to start incubating the clutch if weather is still cold.
*The bluebird eggs are rather dull when first laid, but get slick and shiny when they are close to hatching (about 10 days) after being sat on, turned regularly by the mother, and rubbing against each other.
After reading this info I decided to go check the nest again...to my JOY another egg in the nest making the count 4 BB eggs:)

So now I KNOW that Mr and Mrs BB are around patiently laying their eggs and watching their nest. Now I must wait patiently:) I will check the nest tomorrow to see if there is a 5th egg!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Amy!

So Cute Baby Girl!

SO Beautiful Woman, Daughter,
Wife & Mother (inside & out)

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!
We love you & so thankful you are our girl!
You make us proud!

Look Who's 12!

Our gdaughter, Mallory, turned 12 on April 28th.

Click HERE to see her birthday photoshow. Enjoy!

Below is just a fun photo I made of Mallory!

National Day of Prayer

No ocean can hold it back.
No river can overtake it.
No whirlwind can go faster.
No army can defeat it.
No law can stop it.
No distance can slow it.
No disease can cripple it.
No force on earth is more powerful or

effective than the power of prayer.

(Linn Carlson, DaySpring writer )

The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.
James 5:16 NRSV

Prayer is America's hope. Today, May 6 is the 59th Annual Observance of the National Day of Prayer. Join with millions of people around the world in prayer for America. Be a part of interceding for our nation, leaders, communities and families. One prayer, one heart at a time, we can change our nation!

The LORD is Good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him...

Nahum 1:7 NIV

Bluebird Delight

Mr. Bluebird (bb) came to check out our backyard - specfically our bb house about a week ago.

And to our delight he stayed and brought with him Mrs. Bluebird!

We have learned much about bbs since a sparrow killed our first Mr. bb that came to claim the birdhouse. That was a sad day when I found Mr. bb dead inside his house - pecked to death by a house sparrow:( I learned then that house sparrows are not native to America but were brought here on a ship way back when; that they are NOT on the endangered list; and that they are the number 1 enemy of the bb! The bb experts told us that if you are not willing to trap and kill house sparrows then DO NOT put a bbhouse on ur property for u are just setting the bb up to be killed!

So I googled and here is what I found out: European House Sparrows are more than just a nuisance to Native Bluebirds, they are a threat to their very lives. House Sparrows will kill Bluebirds and their babies and build a new nest right on top of their lifeless bodies. Keep House Sparrows away from your bird houses with this EASY, tried and tested method. I have used it on mine and IT REALLY WORKS! Create a web to protect the house from sparrows. House Sparrows have poor eyesight and, when they feel the fishing line with their feet and wings, they will leave. The web will NOT bother the bluebirds one bit, they have good eyesight and can see it, and will avoid it. It will not harm bluebirds in any way.

Warren went to work to put a fish line web on our bb house and so far so good! Below is a pic of our bb house.

Mr. BB has been busy watching and guarding his house while Mrs. BB builds her nest with some help from Mr. BB! We have delighted in watching them and keeping a close eye on any sparrows that might come around! Hopefully in a couple of weeks we will have some bb eggs and baby bb!

Click HERE to see my BB photoshow. Enjoy!