6.22.20 A house of learning

Every summer for 14 years now I have poured over home school curriculum. I have read and discussed various options with home school moms. I have taught my children during summer months and breaks from school. I have double taught them when they just weren't getting it at school. I strive to enrich their educational experience and make sure they are learning about the world around them and the morals Greg and I value and believe in. This is a full time job. Some months and years I'm better than others. Somethings have just became habits, thank goodness, some things we need to re-establish as habits. 

With the many changes to education as we knew it I am maybe more seriously than ever considering and working on a plan to home school. Some will be easy and some will take considerably more effort. This lady the blur is enthralled with an algebra book. She has done 7 lessons in 2 days. She is happier when her brain is challenged. 

I am trying out a new math curriculum with the younger set. So far they are really engaged and enjoying it.

And the youngest set was so enjoying some horse and tractor magazines. We always encourage discovery learning.

No matter what we decide I know my kids are learning. It is part of our lifestyle. Life is good and I am so thankful for so many books and creative people who make life interesting.

6.21.20 A Big Scare

My super gardener showing off his harvest. Peas and little carrots. 

The first potatoes of the year. They were delicious!

Heaven in a bowl new potatoes and peas. The kids agreed this was a make again meal.

While we were getting ready to enjoy this feast we were talking about the Mark's new calf and Reed asked what new calf? I said Reed you know Mark's calf. He said what calf, his heifer had a calf? I said Reed stop joking you know there is a new calf. He shook his head seriously that he did not know. I asked him Reed where did these potatoes come from? He said I don't konw? I said Reed who grew these potatoes? He said I don't know.
Reed is not a joker. I told him to knock it off and be serious. He said I am I don't know. HE started to cry and I wondered what was going on.
After asking the kids they admitted he had seen the cow out and jumped off the four wheeler before it stopped. His toe got stuck and he rolled off hitting his head. Anna and I checked his eyes for dialation, his ears for blood and his scalp for a swollen spot. Nothing was wrong. We laid him on the couch with frozen blueberries under his head and waited for GRandma Saunders to come give a second opinion.
She quizzed him, he knew his name, his siblings, his mom, he didn't get his age right but he knew his birth date and figured out his birth year correctly with some mental math. She helped calm him down and suggested rest, more ice and watchign him closely for the next 24 hours.
HE got a blessing from his dad that he would heal and be fine.
After resting a while John started questioning him.
J- Do you remember how to drive the big van?
R- No
J- Do you remember you owe me $50?
R- NO!
J- Do you remember where your money is?
R- Yes!
Oh brothers! Reed smiled in that interchange and after sleeping for an hour, we woke him and he remembered a little more though we had to explain and answer if Mark's heifer had a calf atelast 10 times.
By the next morning he was back to normal. He did take a break for more ice on his head when it hurt. We were thankful all was well so quickly.

6.20.20 Sunday

Sunday is the one day we keep track of here. We observe it by doing chores, having a nice breakfast mostly together, then dressing for church. We have church with Lloyd and Sue then return home for lunch, rest, and watching church videos. 

Addie isn't prone to enjoy close contact with anyone here. I had to take a picture to document this very rare moment. I often need proof with my kids. I don't lie to them but they don't believe what they don't want to know. I love Sunday naps!

Our trees were sprayed a week ago and the chickens had to be caged so they wouldn't get sick. Thus all week kids have been chasing chickens and throwing them back int he pen. They fly so the throwing doesn't hurt.They have to be thrown to clean the protective wire covering that keeps them safe from predators.

 Later in the day we head back outside to do the evening chores. We check on stock and crops and determine what needs to happen in the coming week. Reed is showing off one of his new chickens we got some fancy birds this time. I love the head feather on this one. I can relate my hair is usually out of control all over too.

A major excitement on the farm is finding new calves. This one has been anticipated for quite a while. This is one of Mark's Christmas calves. She finally had her first calf a nice bull, unfortunately she is not a good mother and butts it away from her and kicks it away from her bag. We were all pretty concerned and frustrated until we tried another way.

Finding the fence cold we called for the cavalry. They came in style. Many legs make light work. Literally, the fence can be repaired in the daylight versus two doing it alone it takes well into the dark of night to restore electric charge.

Everyone getting acquainted with the calf.

And if you are awrnry you get locked in a locking stantion. Thank goodness for these. My sister in law had the same problem but they are using a rope to restrain the mean mother cow. This is much better and safer for hands and legs and calves. This calf was so smart see the angle it can't get kicked. This calf is a big deal to Mark and Reed who is rapidly catching up to Mark in being able to identify and pair the cows. This will become an important detail in the next post.

Mark stood there watching and petting the cow trying to calm her. Reed ran interference keeping other cows from her and the calf. So morning and night Mark locks up the mother and brings the calf in to eat. This is so much preferable to milking her then giving the calf a bottle.

I came home to these beautiful flowers from a ward member. Aren't they vibrant. And cherries arrived from central Oregon. I hate the pits everywhere but we sure love the annual treat.

John being a goon on purpose. He always works to get a laugh.

And the final sweet surprise Addie had dinner ready and waiting. Pancakes, bacon and brownies. Afton was showing off her silver dollar pancakes. I love these sweet Sundays. It was so nice to be part of the action this day. Usually I'm at home with the baby but the weather was nice enough and he is bigger and can handle leaving home for a while. It's nice to see what the rest of the family is doing. 
We also blessed Merle this day and had a nice family lunch with our parents, grandma Lasley, and Alena & Bryce's family. I could not find the blessing outfit and got no pictures of Merle in the rush of putting everything else together. His blessing was sweet to hear and abundant in the spirit that was present. He is a strong special guy with a great life ahead. I'm humbled to be the mother and keeper of these children in my home. They are valiant and good with strong spirits and bodies. We are truly blessed.

Pearl Harbor 2020

Unfortunately history is a weak subject for most students in America. They do not remember or know what life was like during the wars. I remember my grandmother talking about ruining her older sisters nylons. This was a major offense as they were hard to come by. I have read about the war years. It just dawned on me tonight as I was explaining the stress of trying to restock my depleted but never enough food storage, and trying to get lasting necessary items like educational curriculum, and a piano in my home for teaching and training these kids that we had our Pearl Harbor in March. 

We did not realize that it had happened it wasn't as fantastically pointed and picturesque as bombing almost the entire American navy. The pictures were mostly people a world away in Italy and China. The Ocean was separating us from their reality. Thankfully we were able to go on in our agricultural life. We agreed with the idea of keeping our neighbors and grand parents safe. So we followed the law and stayed home. 

Yet as time has drug on the headlines and experts have retracted and changed the list of have-to-do to stay safe and shifted into blatant hypocrisy. I am realizing life is fundamentally going to be different for the foreseeable future. I'm not sure how we move on from this. I'm not sure it can be peacefully solved. It makes me sad, crazy, angry, and depressed to have to keep trying to explain to my children the answers are not what we hoped, this is not going away, and whether we believe it or not we will abide by the law. But that doesn't mean we won't have to make changes. 

These pictures were illegal when taken and are still a bit rogue. Kids over the age of 12 gathered in a group over ten in number are just ripe for endangering whole communities. Or so they say. These activities of seeing the smile or frown on the face of another human are so insensitive, we must wear masks. And hide and stay apart. The very essence of humanity is not safe anymore. The best maybe most important part of growing up is disappearing. No travel, no trips everything virtual at a distance. Or at least in law or decree. But the random gathering of kids in one shared experience namely school will greatly alter their lives. Maybe for the better as I see time and and again how kids and teens are exploited as voices for the future by adults just using them for photo op's and youthful energy. My kids are sad. They are having a hard time understanding why life has changed. Because there ins't a one event to rally around it's hard to imagine what is happening is for real until we go places and see yes people are really all masked up and enforcing social distance, and the school is off limits for everyone. This is the enforcing of the new way of life.

These were the very people that make school fun, awful, memorable, and educational. The teachers were put in their homes and forced to try a new style of teaching to an unresponsive audience and then the work they did was given a pass. Ridiculous and shameful to treat hard working heartfelt people in such a callous manner.

Yet as we wait... t/he dot dot dot is the catch. Always waiting on what the government will deem okay, proper, and important. No decisions we make are okay or truly in our power anymore. Thus, I work to fortify my home to build my defenses and have my life more as I choose. There were many sacrifices during the war years. No new vehicles or nylons. Little sugar or fats. Darkened windows on homes, mothers and women had to work to make the war supplies needed. Money was conscripted for war bonds. Our grocery stores are not restocking as we thought they would. Our freedom of movement and choice are still limited while the lawless do as they please and destroy what we worked hard for. I'm not raising my arm, but I am watching and aware life is different. And it will take all I have and lots of Heavenly help to pass through this battle victorious. It's gonna be a long siege. God be with me and also with you.

6.18.20 Training up the next set

I think I have pretty great older kids. I'm happy with how they are turning out anyway, but i can't get too comfortable or prideful in their abilities lest this younger crew just grow up wild. So I've been daily reminding myself to teach and train them. This is no easy task and takes a lot of deep breathing to stop the frustration and sometimes they just get in trouble because they need to be taught there are consequences for not listening and obeying the rules.

But for the most part they are pretty good too. Aunt Brenda made this hat for Bruce. It is so cute on him and fits perfectly. 

These girls worked hard getting the yard cleaned up from the big windstorms. There were so many branches on the lawn and it was a lot of work. They are of course showing how strong they are. I work with each differently. Millie is pretty consistent staying with the job. Livy is easily distracted but works well with instruction and working right along with her, which is good for me to stay engaged as well. Truth be told I'm probably the most distracted worker here. From watching kids and thinking about the farm, politics, school, health etc I get started and find the next big thing and rarely complete projects, well except dinner I almost always complete what I cook.

They are learning to work in many areas this year. This is a small part of their garden effort with Reed and Grandma leading the way. Hard to imagine the tomatoes to the top of the poles but it happens every year.

The magnificent roses. Rain has made all the plants just perfect. Then the next wind rain storm comes and they are decimated, But they are gorgeous for a few days.

My best baby holder, so she says. And truly she has a knack for calming Merle. She bounces him gently and walks with him. Some people are just able to calm babies. Bruce of course is begging for his turn.

A picture of Merle just happy to be safe and held. He's a happy guy when he is held, he's not so pleasant when he is set down. I realized a few days ago I really hate hearing my babies cry so I mostly hold them or have one of hte kids hold them. It limits our productivity but oh I hate hearing them sad.

Unfortunately, Lia has turned into my nemesis. If I have Merle resting happily somewhere she inevitably finds him and pinches, bites, or pulls him. here she is seconds away from stomping  him with the cow. She's pretty intense. Sometimes she will rest on one side of my lap with him nursing on the other and they will both go to sleep. But usually I'm keeping her off him and calling for a big sister to come love her individually. 

Another round of sibling dynamics brewing here. Someday I will look back and understand better who these young kiddos are and will laugh at the continuation of their relationships. It is tricky to manage the various ages here and to even contemplate all that should be happening let alone what has to happen each day. I'm very grateful for the older siblings that are here and fill in very specific gaps. Life is good.

6.19.20 Masks

Thank goodness for Addie's mask making. We put them in the closet to wait for the next time we actually all went somewhere. Mostly the kids have been at home for the past 3 months. We did need to work on some immunizations. We found out upon arrival that masks were required for entry. Thus the kids donned much too big masks and we were escorted into our room. It was startling and sad to see the adults literally jump back if we got too close, to only see eyes of all those we interacted with,

The kids of course dropped the masks about 1 second after this picture. What have we become? A no touching no smiling society afraid of each other? That is sad. 

For round two we were better prepared bringing the child size mask. She of course only wore it for a few minutes. She shouldn't have to wear one longer than that.

And when we go home we discovered a cow in hiding. Can you spot it? Oh these lvoely ladies have a great pasture but always love to get out if they can. For some reason leaves are a particular favorite treat.


Can you spot the problem no bottom wire a hole literally big enough for a cow. Her pasture mate was lazily lying inside the fence chewing her cud watching the fun show of humans chasing a cow around the trees. Round and round we went.

I worry a lot about the direction the world is heading the daily evil that is abounding unchecked and worry about what life will be. However, chasing cows and addressing problems is a nice return to the now. No matter what is going on out there there is still a lot of good and need right here. So we keep going around the trees in life and are thankful for the safety we enjoy and pray it continues. 

6.9.20 Growing and goals

In between all the hustle and bustle and working the constant words I hear are "can I hold Merle?" 95% of the time the answer is no! Especially if the question is posed by someone younger than 8 years old. But sometimes the younger kids get their hands on him. He is good and held appropriately for a few seconds then we switch back. Bruce is still delighted to have a brother. They look related I think. 

Mark took a rare turn too while we were doing scriptures one night. The human body is so amazing to go from Merle size to Mark size in a matter of years. Just awesome!

My guys they aren't all together very often but they sure impress me when they are. They are so very different and yet similar. Who knew I would be so blessed?

Another bagel run. John would make these everyday if I let him.

Reed decided to try roast on the Traeger. Easily one of our happy finds from quarantine how easy that machine is to use. We all love it. While the roast smelled divine it was rubbery and not that great we won't be doing that again.

My sleeping baby nemesis. Why must they touch sleeping children??? 

While we haven't done well writing plans for specific goals during this shut down we have accomplished many new desires learning to cook, reading more, learning some new problem solving skills. I've never been good at the writing down part of goals, unfortunately I haven't done well correcting that while teaching my chidlren either. Nevertheless, they are still growing and being challanged. Some are more willing than others to grow but life is good, we are well enough.

6.8.20 Farm Workers

There's a lot of work happening on the farm on any given hour or day. There's a job or three for everyone who lives here. From cooking and dishes, to irrigating, to repairing machines, there is a lot to do be done everyday. The little kids don't get a pass. Their hands can do a lot of meaningful work. Lia is not one to be left out and loves/demands to go with Greg whenever she gets close enough to get locked on. 

Currently he's working to find and diagnose the strange sound coming from our utility loader tractor. This is a huge job taking the tractor completely apart at the rear axles. 

With a happy helper who carries off bolts and tools as fast as he can set them down, I'm sure this project will be a success. Mostly this is one patient dad who tenaciously works through problems one step at a time taking time for hugs and holds that make this lady super content.

Elsewhere on the farm we found large washouts probably gopher damage. Nonetheless, pipe cannot float when full of water so the kids were instructed to fill the holes with the ever present rocks. Here's a small picture of what they have done.

 Millie showing off her fidget spinner shaped rock. Someone else found a heart shaped rock. Greg even commented how amazing the variety of rocks are they are all shapes, sizes, and varieties. And they are plentiful. One child remarked they had picked up all the rocks! That there were no more to be found.... that gained a laugh truckloads of rocks have been removed from that field and yet there are still almost more rocks than dirt.

 The farm bosses fresh from irrigating. John diligently plodded along through the dam r' diking on the south side of the farm and it is complete! That was a long strenuous job either Addie or Reed rode with him most the time with the job of watching for corn being covered and then getting out to uncover it.

A night of irrigating this lady is a hard worker. She sticks with the job.

Enjoying the good mud and no one to say no.

Aliza took a turn feeding some cows. This was a laugh out loud moment me trying to help her maneuver onto the hay bales. Sometimes life is just funny.

Merle is always along for the ride which limits my contributions, but at least my eyes can see what is going on and I can lend morale support.

Bruce loves to be with the big guys for some reason he was cleaning mud off the tire cleats. Maybe the least harm he could be doing with a hammer?

John helping Bruce.

All in all everyone sleeps well here once we finally convince them to go to bed. There has been a variety of projects and needs this year. Some are new ways to be together, working through mechanical problems. In college I studied team building. I learned there had to be a problem to unite people, to give them a reason to be part of the team.  I'm pretty sure the farm gives enough problems and reasons to be part of the team. As we tried to discuss this last night we had the few naysayers who claimed to prefer to work alone, but mostly what I hear is the request for help on any of the given days work.
The kids are lucky to have lots to do and lots that is required of them. Lucky because they know they are needed and gain confidence from solving the problem and seeing positive results from their labor. Corn growing taller, machinery working again, huge room sized holes filled and level, even just laughing with mom. Life is good!