These Days

I received an email this week from a dear friend who said, in no uncertain terms, that I needed to update my blog. She was right!

It's not that I've not thought about it, or that I haven't wanted to, I just haven't taken the time to do it. For one thing, I really have been practicing what I preached in my last post. I've been home, and focused, and very content. More so than I can remember being in a very long time. Less phone, less computer, less in-the-road, and I love it! Not only that, I've been very, very BUSY!

This time of the year is always trying for our family. Mark's greenhouses are in full swing, so he, in essence, has two full time jobs. He's tired from working long hours, and I'm tired from doing the home thing without him... This season, though, we've added a whole new dimension of busyness!

Without further adieu, here is what we've been up to, in pictures.

Meet Violet, our Jersey Cow.




Of course, now she has to be milked. Twice a day, every day, rain or shine. It's worth it!

And of course everyone wants to learn! What fun!!



Sam & his buddy, Noah.



Just getting into a routine with Violet the cow, when what do we find waiting for us one morning last week? Esther, our youngest doe, with her new baby, Peter!


The kids came in jammies to watch.

I know, not the nicest shot of Esther's posterior, but hey, this is real life we're dealing with.

Even Kim came to watch! Actually, she was with me through our whole kidding season. Thank you, sweet Kim!

The very next morning, I find Masayla like this.

Which led to this.

Which led to these...

And this! Triplets! Two bucklings and a doeling, our only one so far. Good job Masayla!

Do I look tired yet? It was just the beginning!

The NEXT day would find our sweet new doeling, Ella Grace, in our house struggling to survive.


The next day, we buried little Ella. Thank you to Kate & her friend Hannah for such a beautiful grave.

Violet paying her respects. We stick together on this farm.

And the day after THAT, our third and final doe to kid, our power-milker Madeena, gave us twins! A boy and a girl, who we promptly named Redeemer, as without her, we would be without a doeling for this season.

In these last weeks, I've learned the true meaning of weary, and I've learned the value of friends who come to my rescue. I've learned that farm life is not romantic, and yet I wouldn't go back to our life before.

It's about far more than fresh eggs, milk, butter & cheese. It's about character and hard work. It's about learning as you go, and it's about falling into bed at night knowing you've pushed yourself past your limits on so many levels.

I'm beyond thankful that we are able to give our dear children this life. I say it often, but I feel that we are blessed among the blessed. Maybe this farm wife thing was no accident after all...

Blessings to you,
Em