The treasure valley is in full fall glory. We were blessed to attend two potato gleanings and gather our years supply.The kids are excellent potato gatherers. I remember being young and strong like Alena baby in one hand feeding the other hand working at whatever had to be done. The girls Marilla and Andrea are great helpers and best friends. 

Merle and Evander look very similar and also gathered a few bags worth. 

And the best part Aliza was here with us! She came for the weekend. Oh how we adore her presence. 

On yet another part run after potato picking we had time to kill so we played at the park. I'm not sure these younger kids have ever been taken to the park by their mother. Also because we were celebrating Aliza's being with us we shared ice cream from the store while we waited. 

Can you spot Millie reading?

A fun jungle gym. 

Reading with Aliza to gain some points. 

She accompanied me to the case lot sale. My back was so thankful for her strength. She zinged those 25 lbs bags no problem. So did I, but the 40lb rock salt bags were a bit much after the 60-80lb potato bags earlier in the week. At home Alia and Andrea learned to organize and put away the replenished supplies. 

 The world is changing fast right now. Prices are really soaring. I am thankful for opportunities to be prepared. As I read the Isaiah chapters and all the warnings about destruction I know that it is highly presumptuous to think my family would not have hardship and destruction. We are doing what we can to be ready and prepared for the days we live. So we play at the park for a few minutes, we ate ice cream, we worked and worked and worked some more and then we rested together. I'm so thankful for this group that is mine. And we attempted to mop the floor several times. Sometimes we got some clean tiles- then workers came in and it was no more, and sometimes the workers just played. That's life with kids always learning and stretching patience. All in all we are blessed. 

Repairs & Looking for the good

These last two weeks have felt like at least a months worth of problems. I have been working very hard to try to find anything that could remotely be good in the hard. This guy is super curious. Happy to make the same route everyday meaning investigating the same things I put away or don't. Leaving a trail of stuff yet he's happy and not crying when he's exploring so that's a win. 

These Dahlias make me happy. I see them as I look out the window. I don't see the neighbors harvesting, I don't see the weeds I see these pretty happy flowers and while I wish Addie was here to see them too because I grew them for her. I love their happy color.

Greg found this on a Sunday evening. Not a good find. This is on the main support beam that goes from one side of a pivot A frame tower to the other side. He tried several ways to pull it back together enough to get to an open spot in the field. So thankful each year for the 2 acres of test plots that are open with a road to them. We have had so many easier repairs because of that spot in the field. They got it to move about 50 feet then it would go no more. So they had to drive the loader tractor into it. 

The parts store could get the part- they told me when I showed up to purchase it. Thankfully my brother had one he's been needing to replace and had the exact piece at his farm. We went and picked it up after asking of course. And John was working for us so with his excessively large muslces they moved it easily. I just took pictures. 

Back at the farm haybales were stacked a backhoe was borrowed and they began lifting the pivot to remove the broken part of the frame and putting the new one in place. 

Millie is  ham. Bruce is getting a lot of experience in his youth. 

Also on Sunday the water stopped having pressure in our house. The pivot was first priority so we waited until Wednesday afternoon for that to be addressed. We went for parts and were instructed to wait until a thorough examination could be made. Thankfully the library is ok with some noise and so we checked out books and colored. 

Jake explored and left a trail of items from my purse. 

Silly little wax scribbles on paper was soothing to my very worried soul. It was nice to just control one thing and have it nice and right. 

They determined the pump to be the problem after the experts came and doubled the eyes on the problems. No problem to replace they had a pump we installed it later that night. It worked about 6 minutes and then just buzzed and no water came out of any faucet. The next day the experts came again and found the pump had failed again. Another pump was secured and replaced and we have had reliable water for a week. How thankful I am for such a convenience we take for granted. Showers, the ability to do dishes, laundry, flush toilets which takes a lot of water around 5 gallons. Remember my family was out in the field each day so getting clean needed more than just a spit bath. 

Thankfully our well is only about 140 feet deep so the guys can manage pulling with their own strength. 

We have a calf 5 days a week we have lost 4 now. We don't know why. This is Mark's calf from his cow herd. We love the perfect W on it's head. Somedays Reed has to go get a dead animal and dispose of it. One cow has died of a prolapse too. If each animal is valued at around 1000-2500 those are losses that are starting to hurt. Reed loves the young animals its a bit difficult for him to loose so many. 

With all my waiting around I've been working to feed Jake more solid food. He still likes to nurse a lot and is doing well transitioning to cow milk/goat milk mix. He's putting food in his own mouth- I believe that's a cookie. Obvious preference over the carrots. I'm pretty sure he ate all the cookie. 

After the well was working and the pivot moving, although it required constant watching, restarting, and realigning to get a pass or two on the youngest corn the water finally turned off on Sunday. A nice long run of water this year which we needed. The guys switched to the shop to work on the combine to check it out. That big machine full of so many chains, gears, bearings, belts and assorted other parts needed some work. Thankfully they have skill and guidance. This year we have been able to get parts in about two days. Often in the same day. The guys put the stuff on as soon as I get it here. There's a lot to do and some learning curve with this new shop crew. But the speed with which we have secured parts is a miracle. The farmers around us are finding wet corn.

 

And Greg battled a fever all week. Doc says it's just a virus. It's a mean ailment. Aches and low energy. My sister in-law recommended "feel better fast" tonic. Sounded worth a try. When it came the lid had broken and all the magic was soaked into the shipping wrappers. The old standard Ibuprofen kept him going. 

And going, as he combed through the combine checking and watching the many moving parts and synchronies. He's skilled and good. We found some shop managers in the midwest who shared some important repair tips and pages and pages of the repair manuals. 

So while the amount of problems has been overwhelming we are blessed day by day. The kids are learning valuable lessons and spending time with their dad who never gives up. I make cookies, and zucchini bread, and do dishes with my renewed running water and do homework with kids. The teachers have had the blind audacity to complain my kids are behind. The church leaders complain they weren't ready to teach their sunday school lessons. I smile and grind my teeth and think they are getting educated on enduring work. They are seeing faith in action. We are praying hard for miracles to get through this harvest, to even get to this harvest that our crop will still be there from heavy bird damage and maturity concerns. So while they can't quote the lessons from the manual, and we have to work hours on homework to fulfill the ever changing requirements that's life. You do what you can and you rest a bit and face another day. 

But we have seen blessings. We trust in God and His ability to make all things work for our good. We trust each other and will get through.

My siblings are great to me. My sisters listen via text and phone calls and encouraging me onward. There is great relief in family bonds.

My own dear brother called when I was worried sick. His calm and confidence cheered my heart and pointed my faith in the right direction again. Those calls mean the world. Mark has a similar effect and demeanor. He gave me similar counsel Monday when we talked. He encouraged me to be positive and loving it will all be ok. So it is and will be. We are blessed. 

Days go by

Summer is changing to fall coats and sweatshirts are coming back out. Kids found these giant zucchini they called babies in the garden. Our chickens were thankful. 

Merle was awarded student of the week after his second week of school for working hard no matter how hard the assignment is. He prefers being outside but is a good sport and will do his homework and study at home each evening I remember. He also got bottom teeth so has a full row on the bottom for the first time in 5 years. 

Came home from the family reunion to find Reed baking. I was surprised. He informed me Aliza had instructed him last year and he knew what he was doing. Well a man will never go hungry that knows how to farm and cook. Way to be self-reliant. 

 Usually Reed in is the shop fixing things or around the farm managing crops and livestock. I demanded they hunt mice so took traps and peanut butter to the shop one evening. Merle sure loves being back in the mix. It was a long slow summer waiting for his bones to heal. Now he is well and ready to be helping on the farm. While we may not enjoy sit down dinners together my kids adore or are blessed with long hours with their dad learning to solve problems and be strong. 

Andrea is a bit stir crazy being the only talking and walking kid at home. So I'm working to teach her how to do things. First up cleaning the bathroom. She is very good at this job. As long as we keep Jake away this is a successful project. She is a go getter. 

Why are toilets so entertaining for little people? Yuck. All hands were washed thoroughly. 

Reed on his way to church. I was taking pictures for aunt Brenda showing the bag she made him years ago is still in use it houses his church stuff. He's busy and it's nice to have his stuff ready to go with just a grab. He's a good man and very capable. We are sure thankful for his abilities. 

And this random picture came through on facebook so I figured it better get in the record. Addie with her school records. We took for granted how hard that is. Happy for her and the application of working hard that we preach and live all the time at our house. 

We have been blessed by a dear friend with an abundant raspberry patch. We have picked so many berries we even made pie with them. Jake is a huge fan of raspberries and loves to eat as many as we let him. He also enjoyed the rope swing Lia helped him play on. 

The earth is amazingly abundant. We are thankful for time and generous sharing. We share what we have when we have excess and always strive to be willing to serve. As Andrea told Grandma Saunders we make lots of pie and give them away, sometimes we even get some. That was over stating a bit but we are thankful for dedicated pie makers in Millie, mom, Andrea, and sometimes even Reed. End of summer is gluttonous and good. We are blessed. 

Livy enters high school

Livy is trying out cross country. She is working from the ground up building her endurance and strength. This is a huge stretch for her and yet she keeps showing up and finishing. We are so pleased with her ability to endure to the end and her willingness to try new hard things. The team is as Reed observed "The nicest kids in school." 

Her first race was a nice 100' on asphalt with a finish at the pool. A full hometown crowd was surprising to her. She had two full practices before this. I was so proud of her for making it the whole two miles. Millie was waiting at the finish line. Livy went around talking to fellow racers after she recovered. 

It's good to do hard together. She traveled this last week to Nyssa and Catherine Creek for the true mud, hills, over trees run. And she survived! 

She also went dair judging and was the lone placer from our chapter. She was the 10th overall. Way to represent. Those art eyes are great at seeing the small stuff that is critical for judging. 

We told her just pick the pretty cows. She did and had a good day. Livy likes life better with Millie around but so far she's doing pretty well solo. 

So here we go with another high school youth. She's making her own way and finding her core. Love this lady and her courage. Trying to teach her that she is far stronger than she realizes. She has a group of friends and does not eat lunch with Reed and his guy friends. A few friends makes school infinitely more enjoyable. Prayers answered we are blessed. 
 

Canning

One of the last gifts Addie gave was helping us can pear and peaches. She is fast and knows how to get things done. It has been a hard adjustment to not have her energy and know how. I notice daily the huge amount of organizing and cleaning she just whirled through the house and did. Wading through our messes I concur with her we need to get rid of a lot of stuff. She was also right that Jake just wants to be outside. He cries because he is sick of inside. A playpen in the yard may be happening soon. We fought about that often that I couldn't just leave him outside but alas I'm finding she was right. He stops crying and is pretty happy out there watching things. It's black widow season though so we do have to kill those before just letting him explore with the tonka trucks. 

These two have stepped up and are becoming pretty proficient at food preservation as well. One thing about our house is day after day of canning the skills become second nature. 

I love the peace and confidence that full jars bring to my mind. We worked hard this year to make sure each jar looked golden. We waited a day longer for ripening due to energy and ability of mom, and then worked slower and quicker to lessen the sitting time the fruit had in the waiting water. I was very happy with how the end jars looked. We had very little problem with jars not sealing. I packed almost everyone and was very careful with fullness. 

Andrea is the head jam maker. She squishes the raspberries and then mixes in the sugar and clear gel. This is her task. Then I fill the containers to lessen spillage. 

One Saturday Anna announced she would like to can some fruit. We invited her over and after Reed's football game we pealed pears with her. It was nice to be in the kitchen together. Also nice to remind Livy how to can. She is mostly at the shop so she doesn't have the hours of kitchen time Afton and Millie take for granted. The girls really enjoyed visiting with Anna. 

We also canned beans. Lia is learning the sizing and process of that product. 

Afton has been promoted to canner watcher. She is learning about weights and timing. She has also found that "watching" the canners allows for a lot of reading chapters too. 

We enjoyed pizza one night and Lia made hers heart shaped. 

John came the same Saturday as Anna needing help with his FAFSA. We also got that complete I hope. He hasn't heard back on that maybe it didn't work?

I was very tired after all of this and sat down to snap beans. People say oh I could never.... I do what I can and I'm most often found in my brown recliner. Yes I strive to move more, lift heavy, and eat healthy blah blah blah. Canning checks all those boxes and then some. 

And then after this hugely long day Jake was sick with a fever for a week and didn't sleep well and just wanted to be held and nursed all the time. Then we went to Salem and rushed home to go to Jerome. No wonder in a mere 8 days I was the sick one. Alas life goes on, what are days and nights for but to wear yourself out in the service of your fellowmen (family). I'm thankful to can and I'm thankful when it's over. We have apples left but all the in-house jars are full. We are so blessed with many helping hands and lots to do each day. We don't say we are bored very often in August and September. Life is good. 
 

Jake

When people hear we have 15 kids they are dumbfounded. They really have no words for a few seconds. Then we repeat because they say what did you say? Well #15 is growing up. He's developing. Somethings faster- like teeth he has a lot of teeth quicker than the others. And somethings slower because we fail to take time to let him work out a skill. So here is the night he first gave himself a drink. I was so pleased because he should be doing this all the time. But the crying and the bustle means I don't just let him figure it out. But he can. I have proof.

And then the next day his foot got smooshed by Millie and we were back babying him while he suffered through that pain. But he could be ok for minutes at a time as seen in this picture at the doctors office where he was playing with the chair. 

And then some weeks pass and he's back to playing. A box is a centuries old favorite toy. 

And we found some zucchini that were as big as him. It's always a good time when siblings are around you never know what they will come up with for entertainment and education. 

He spends time riding in the car and he hates it! But sometimes his sisters sing to him. Songs like Dead Skunk in the Middle of the Road. Yes I thought it was odd and made up but no it was on YouTube with instrumental back up. It's actually quite catching and funny. Greg loves to kill skunks with our minivans so its slightly a family thing. 

 

And when people hear we are a large family they say man I wonder what dinner is like at your house. This is what it's like everyone out working me and the little kids hungry and eating together. It's pretty lame. 

So that's Jake currently. He's growing he's starting cow milk, he's crawling a lot. He's mostly better from the summer off and on sick. He's climbing and very curious. He loves outside and being with his dad. In all he's becoming a toddler. We are thankful and so blessed.