Celebrating Easter

Trying to balance the fun of a holiday with the truth of it is always hard for me.  I haven't tried too hard to keep the Easter bunny alive around here so whatever surprise is pulled together for the morning is usually done with the assistance of a few of the children.  This year the family was presented with a basket full of bug nets, fairy wings, garden gloves and seeds.

No one missed the candy, they were too busy digging through seed packs trying to decide which crop would be theres.  I had to warn the younger two that the produce of their choice was not actually in the packet and not to eat the seeds.

We passed on egg dying this year because we already collect a colorful assortment.  In fact everyday is like an Easter egg hunt as they bring in eggs from the coop and where ever else the hens and ducks may be laying.

My favorite Easter tradition of making dresses for the girl didn't happen this year.  I still have the design in my head though and the fabric is washed and ready for me to draft the pattern, cut out and sew........maybe next spring.  This year we made due with one hand me down dress and $7 one from the resale shop, with the addition of new cardigans they looked adorable and it cost me very little sleep.

We are lucky to live close enough to celebrate holidays with family.  Here is Poppy taking care of Charles so I could enjoy Nanny's delicious ham dinner.
 

The kids dashed around with cousins looking for candy filled eggs in their backyard.  

Nanny apologized for the amount of candy they were bringing home but I told her that as much as I don't like to fill my children with sugar, just like trick or treating, it is hard to pass up on the fun of an egg hunt.  But we've had enough sugar melt downs that the candy bags were almost immediately put way out of reach, and the funny thing is I found an old bag of halloween candy when I put them up there.

After dinner at Nanny and Poppy's we gathered with a few of my siblings and their families at my sister Julie's grave.  It was just a few days before Easter 12 years ago that she passed away.  I remember our home being filled with flowers from friends and neighbors that weekend and more than anything the overwhelming scent of the Easter lilies.  To this day whenever the scent of that flower fills my surroundings I am reminded of the beautiful peace I felt at her passing.  My heart still aches for her at times but am comforted again and again at her grave site.  On her head stone is in scripted the verse:

Psalms 35:9

"My soul shall be joyful in the Lord, it shall rejoice in his salvation."   

 

And so my soul was once more reminded on this beautiful Easter Sunday of the perfect life and mission of Jesus Christ and his purpose in the eternal life of each and every one of us.  Happy Easter!  

Picture Perfect Moments

It has been a long week so don't let this lovely photo fool you.  

Paul's been traveling midweek for the third week in a row and I'm simply tired.  I've been doing all the milking and the truth is, by the end of the night and again in the morning I have to push myself out the door to do it.  But in the end I'm actually finding it to offer a short break and relief from the more noisy routine that happens inside.  

Maryanna is my morning milking partner and the way she sings to the animals (goats, chickens and kittens) simply melts me.  I caught this glimpse of her hugging the goats in the morning sunlight as I was mixing some herbs for the goats, I instantly dashed inside for my camera.  It was worth the dash, a bit of spilled milk and fresh grim on my camera.

I am finding this life on the farm, even with all the added work, supports me, it fills me in little moments as pictured above in a way that I personally could not find elsewhere. 

Last night when I thought I could not wash another dish, pick up another toy, mediate another sibling quarrel or comfort my crying newborn I lashed out on the phone to Paul, I said I simply could not handle it all on my own.  Of course he was quick to finish that call but I had to head out to do the milking anyway.  

Good thing because there is something about milking that sets my heart right again.  Maybe because if I'm not still the goats might kick and knock the milk over, maybe it is the warmth of their bodies next to mine or perhaps it is the mindless and rhythmical task of using my hands.  Whatever it is I'm getting more than just milk out of the process.  

It is cold here again, so cold that the wood stove is filled and burning.  The beautiful dogwood tree that was photographed just one post previous lost all its fresh bloom with the shocking drop in temperature.  I'm so glad I caught that brief moment on camera.  

A few nights ago as I was milking I noticed it was so cold that William had curled up in a pile of fresh straw to warm up, he looked as if he was ready to fall asleep, it seemed so natural that it didn't phase me at first but then I wished I had my camera to capture it.  

Then there was last night, the night that I made it very clear to Paul over the phone that I had enough of his traveling for now.  I stepped outside to do the milking and on the way back the moon and sky were so brilliant, I would have snapped a photo of it but I didn't have my camera and I don't know how to use night settings anyway.  So I will simply try to share with words that picture perfect moment, how the clear night sky filled me and how it was the stars that reminded me that I was not as alone in my struggles as I had thought.  It was as if they were appearing out of no where.  I sat there with Henry and we drank it in until I remembered James had been left inside with a fussy baby.  With a still heart and peaceful breath back into me it took little effort to get both Henry and little Charles settled down for the night.  

Clara on the other hand was still resisting sleep.  Instead of fighting it I invited her to keep me company while I finished the dishes. As reward when I was through we bundled up and took another drink of the night sky.  She had much to say about what we observed but I was too tired to remember the details.  It was another picture perfect moment that will simply be recorded with just a few words.

My life is not perfect, I suppose I could pretend it was by only posting beautiful photos but the truth is I have many ugly, boring, cluttered and out of focused photos to prove otherwise.  Besides, it is not a collection of photos that make up a beautiful life, it is moments themselves, whether recorded or not, because it is the moments, and how we choose to respond and appreciate them, that make up who we are becoming.  And who we were, are and are to become make up a life worth living, picture or no picture that is what makes life beautiful.      

Welcome Spring!

It is hard to believe just two weeks ago we were wearing snow boots and attending to the wood stove.  Now the windows are open, the ceiling fans are spinning and it seems we've jumped right into early summer.  It may not last but we are enjoying it.  

The girls have moved most of their day outside packing little suitcases full of toys, crayons and coloring books, then with a little blanket roll under their arms they are off.  Usually a few chickens, a cat and a younger brother follow as they settle into their favorite shady spot in the front yard.

We bagged our usual family home evening routine this week and called for foot races in the hay field instead.  They all decided it is hard to race in farm boots and they all slept very well that night.

It is hard to put into words all the senses of spring, if I could record the sounds here I would, the birds, the toads, the crickets, bleating goats, laying hens, purring kittens and playing children.  All owning their unique call in the celebration of life, it sounds like heaven.

But I will say as someone new to farm life I'm finding the smells to own their own pungency that are quick to remind me of my senses.  The flowers and grasses are quite pleasant and I suppose it may take time for the smell of animal to become familiar enough to be called pleasant as well.

The overnight change in season had me feeling unprepared like one of the  foolish virgins.  My children were tossing all sorts of hats, mittens and snow clothes aside in search of their favorite sneakers and tie dyes.  What I normally would call "the big switch" became the big bomb.

Maryanna rediscovered her skirt with petticoat and found it to be the perfect uniform for practicing head stands and cartwheels - watch out Cupcake!  

And now it is time to set some boundaries for our friendly bunch of hens.  It is hard to stay away from children who offer so many hugs and handouts but the chicken poop on the front porch and scratching in the flower beds have got to stop!  The top of Paul's weekend to do list involves several rolls of chicken wire.   

With the chicken area well defined we'll be ready to make movement on our summer garden plans.  The boys drew me out a map on graph paper, the girls have been sifting through garden catalogs and I am simply trying to balance out the possibilities and the realities, both of which are great.

I suggested to Paul that we build a small play structure in the middle of the garden to lure in helpers, he suggested we keep things simple, and that is actually how most our possibilities and realities work themselves out.  And whatever comes of it we all feel giddy with anticipation. 

So here's to a new season and our first springtime on the farm.........

Farm Fashions for Spring

I never thought I'd ever be shopping for clothes at Tractor Supply.  

Paul was there a few weeks ago picking up supplies for the lambs and let me know there was a huge rack of Women's clothing on clearance.  He sifted through the racks with me on the other end at home and  my first response was "don't waste money on something I won't wear, I don't wear clothes from feed stores".  He kept insisting and since the shirts were only $7 he said he was bringing one home anyway.

Carhartts were on sale too, he knew I'd love the lined purple vest for only $14 but wasn't sure the size - I told him definitely a large.  He brought the goods home (in the same bag as the tail docking supplies) and I actually loved the fit of the button down, I liked the vest too but it was too big.  So what did I do - I sent him immediately back to pick up 3 more shirts and the vest in a smaller size.  Which brings me to confess not only did I shop for clothes at the Tractor Supply, but I sent my husband there as my personal shopper, I love that he also grabbed a pink Carhartt hoodie without even having to ask my opinion.

The rest of my look for spring was completed with the online purchase of some Rosie workwear overalls.  These are an essential part of my milking uniform (I'm still working on aim) and will be great for the garden.   The Bogs I picked up last summer on clearance at DSW a few days after securing a contract on our farm and the garden clogs were my moms that she found in an old box during her last visit to MI.

Now the last of the accessories that make this all work is the stack of folded baby wraps, only a few of will be reserved for farm and garden work because they are sure to get soiled.  

And here it is all is together on my way out for morning milking - farm wear has taken my wardrobe well beyond the usual mom wear.   It is surprisingly fun and essentially functional.  

Feeding Time

Feeding times are what rule our family's new rhythm.  It's forcing me out of bed early and demanding that everyone else is also up and playing their part.

My part has been more than demanding moving from nursing Charles, cooking breakfast, milking goats, bottle feeding baby goats and back again to nursing my own baby.  Childcare mixed with goat care is certainly an interesting process but we are smitten with these sweet animals and finding so much joy in their care.

I've already described my feelings to a few friends........I've never been more stretched and tired in all my life yet I've never been so alive.

Peter is feeding "Yagi" above and William is feeding "Sachi".  They are nicknamed the "greedies" because they finish their bottles so fast and jump all over in hopes to steal from the other two, Princess and Zara, who have a harder time taking the bottle.

Princess and Zara have been mostly successful in nursing but we like to feed a bit of the milk back to them to be sure they are getting what they need.  But getting those two to take a bottle is harder so it usually falls (literally) in my lap.

Here I am trying to make it work with Charles in a sling.  It was as awkward as it looks but Princess finally took what she needed and Charles slept through the whole process.  They may be developing a special bond to each other.

Charles cries a lot when he's not being held so sometimes it is easier to just keep him wrapped to me while I'm concentrating on goat care, even during the milkings.  But I have recently become more demanding in having the oldest brother exercise his patience in caring for a crying baby, it has been good for all of us.  James is developing the magic touch with his youngest brother and they are definitely developing a special bond.

From one feeding time.......

.....to another.

Feeding time is not just for the one offering and the one consuming, it is a peaceful time where the other younger children and other animals like to gather.  Here are a few of them not too far from my seat quietly enjoying feeding time on this unusually warm day.  I love when they are all so still and near, it is rare. 

Here is Clara and Pickles and then Henry soaking up some sun.

Off to bed, the baby goats only require 3 feedings a day but Charles is nursing round the clock every 3-4 hours so if I'm not busy feeding someone it would be wise to rest.

Guess Who?

It's Arabella, the 3 year old Nubian goat that just joined our farm this weekend.  She is here with her two babies and another doe, Yuleme, and her two babies.  Our friends needed to find an immediate home for these ladies and we were more than happy to help them out.

Of course we transported them in the back of the family van.

And my kids think the kids are irresistible.  They have named them Princess, Zara, Sachi (Japanese for bliss) and Yagi (Japanese for goat).

These animals have taken our farm experience to a whole new level, there's too much to say about that now.  So how will we manage?

With one very willing to learn and do farmer Dad.......

and a newborn baby wrapped on my back.  Let the milking adventure begin!

This Little Piggy

It feels like Spring!  Here's the happenings from this week so far:

This little piggy dug a hole



This little piggy started a water fight (in 50 degree weather)



This little piggy did laps on his bike

This little piggy hand fed some animals (and later reported that the kittens loved the deli meat she found in the fridge)

This little piggy discovered it was more fun to be barefoot outside



This little piggy played basketball



This little piggy followed his Daddy into the pasture (in his baby Carhartt's)

While the littlest little piggy wet "wha, wha, wha" then took a nap with his mommy in the sun