Then and Now...

While we were at the Sufficiency of Scripture conference in December, we were able to see our dear friends Alan and Katie Smith.  Katie has been such a wonderful blessing and encouragement to me since we first met in 2005.  She is such a special friend and I am so thankful for her!

We were blessed to be able to attend Alan and Katie's wedding in April 2006.

Alan and Katie Smith then...

...and now with their beautiful family!!!

Many blessings to you all!!!

The Fleshman's Baby Shower

A few Sundays ago, our church had a baby shower for another family in our fellowship, the Fleshman's, who were recently blessed with a baby girl.

The decorations.

The Fleshman Family.

Opening gifts.

The dessert table.

The cake.

Work Day On Our Property

A few Saturdays ago, daddy and several men from our church helped a family unload who      
had just moved from Ohio and are living about twenty minutes west of us.  After unloading the moving trucks, the men came over to our property to help us with a few things.  Daddy and the men were able to move two chicken coops to the back of our property and trim several trees as well.  We appreciated the help! Here are a few pictures from the time spent moving the chicken coops.

Moving coop number one...

Getting coop number two moved into place...

That was a big project that we couldn't have done by ourselves!  We think the chickens will really enjoy their new home amongst the trees as well!!

A Warm Day in February...

A few weeks ago, we had one day where the weather was beautiful here.  It was sunny and the temperature was much warmer than it had been in a while.  Since we had been cooped up in the house for so long (it had been too cold to go out) all of the kids decided to take this opportunity to play outside.  They had a great time!

Building a stick house.

Now for the rest of the story...  Seth and Sienna came inside complaining of stomach pains.  We ended up finding out that they had been spinning and spinning and spinning (you get the idea! :) on the tire swing outside.  That was the day they discovered (the hard way) that they get motion sickness!!!  Unfortunately, they also got chilled playing outside and ended up running a fever off and on for a couple of days.  They got over it pretty quick though, so it all worked out!

Outdoor Explorations

Shenandoah enjoyed the warm day too!!!  Here are a few pictures that we took of her outside.

Shenandoah went on a walk to see what she might see...

  

Shenandoah attempting (amidst being scared) to make friends with the dogs.  They are so good with the little ones.

  

Turk

  

Sabrina showing Shenandoah Turk.

Our Trip Part Three: The Conference and Other Pictures from Our Trip

We had a great time as a family and are so thankful for the opportunity we had to go.  The conference and fellowship we had while there was such a blessing and encouragement.  Here is an assortment of pictures from our trip last December.

On The Road

The back seats.

Sabrina

I busied myself with my Latin.

In Ohio

It snowed! Seth and Sayer watching the snow.

Baby with her baby. :)

Across the river. Isn't that a beautiful view?!

By the elevators.

During one of the messages.

The Mysterious Islands Premiere

Watching "The Mysterious Islands".  It is such a great movie and we really enjoyed seeing it on the big screen!!!

The Mysterious Islands team on stage.

On The Way Home

Shenandoah

Our last meal out on the trip.

Shenandoah in the car.

The St. Louis Arch - we drove right by it!

We were happy to be able to stop by the Ocker's home while we were passing nearby and meet Calvin Valor!!!  He was born while we were in Ohio.  He is such a cutie!!!

Storage Room Shelves

A couple of weeks ago, daddy (with Sabrina's help) built shelves in our storage room.  They turned out great and we spent the next few days re-organizing our storage room, kitchen and pantry.  It feels good to have it done!  Although I don't have any pictures of the finished product, here are a couple from the day they were being built.

  

  

Daddy working on our storage shelves.

Daddy and Sabrina cutting wood for the shelves.

Misc. Pictures From the Past Month

Here I have combined a lot of different happenings from the past month.

"Keeper of the Home"Day.

 On Fridays, we sometimes try to do a different kind of handwork or something to prepare us for taking care of our own homes someday.  A couple of weeks ago, mommy got each of us girls a new cross-stitch to work on.  The boys wanted to do something too and mommy surprised them with modeling clay.

  

The boys made animals with modeling clay.

  

Me

  

The girls working on the cross-stitches.

Times in the Cochran house...  

  

Shenandoah loves to play at the toy kitchen.

  

School days

Haircuts

Shenandoah loves her oatmeal with blueberries.

   A Cochran Family Night of Cooking 

After watching one of the new "Homestead Blessings" DVD's, our family became hungry for a homestead breakfast (for dinner)!  So, everyone pitched in and had fun preparing it together.

  

The little girls at their stations.

  

Stasia and her apples with onions.

Preparing to cook.

  

Sabrina did the pancakes.

  

Daddy and the green smoothie.

 Stasia also made fresh orange juice.

Shenandoah liked the fresh juice!

Playtime...

 

 Our family recently watched an old black and white movie about the Air Force during WWII.  It was very good and as you can see, it influenced the children's play for the next several days!

  

Sayer and his plane.

  

Aproaching the enemy!