One of my favorite conference talks refers to a story about a husband buying a four wheel drive pickup and then taking it to get wood for his family. The pickup gets stuck in the snow. The man decides to do his work and loads the pickup with wood. When the pickup is loaded the pickup easily gets out of the snow and the man returns home. It was the load that allows the man to get out, without the load the man would have remained stuck unable to move.
This year we added more to our load. We had baby 13, we took over the day to day on the farm, we moved into homeschooling because our governor forced it and now we have chosen to continue. All of these choices added to our load.
Most days I feel like the flat tire pictured here. Covered in mud/baby spit up mom stuff, flat and worn out. Yet, I am amazed at how much my kiddos have grown and how capable they are and how much energy they have even with all the load. I cannot fathom what I would do with them without a lot to do.
Unfortunately, the ripening timing was a bit off and some of our fruit was ready when the family reunion started. Aliza and I dutifully worked through 50 jars or so while people assembled for the fun weekend.
The harvest is here. I have been having nightmares and worry about this event for months. But here we are and it is going well. Greg has a relieved attitude and the acres are getting done. The first night he came home at 11 that was the earliest in months. Unfortunately since then it has been much later but like I said the corn is getting harvested and each day is one day closer to done.
So we increased our load and while I think we might be getting crushed like grapes we are also stretching and gaining confidence and courage. The guys at the shop are holding their own and getting work done. They are working through school and managing. They are learning to be more thorough, to follow the rules they were taught like use a torque wrench not just guess, to read the manual and to keep going. Mark & Reed worked all summer on repairing the tractor and then the combine. They have learned a lot about farm mechanics. They walk tall and proud. The girls hold the fort down here. I honestly don't have much to do as my Super Addie has swooped in cleaning, organizing, and cooking with energy I just marvel at. Aliza and Anna work elsewhere and are working on a few college classes.
Oh be still my heart these sweet boys. Just a random shot one night. Bruce won't go to bed alone so if his brothers are out working, like they were this night fixing the combine, he sleeps on me or in my bed.
The harvest is here. I have been having nightmares and worry about this event for months. But here we are and it is going well. Greg has a relieved attitude and the acres are getting done. The first night he came home at 11 that was the earliest in months. Unfortunately since then it has been much later but like I said the corn is getting harvested and each day is one day closer to done.
They are all capable, confident, and tired. That's not bad. John related when we discussed the birth of Christ how it would be his worst nightmare to have no time to sleep with the sun blaring for two straight days. We are tired but tired is good when you have had a day of necessity. Being needed, being part of the team and stretching is good for us all. Not that we won't relish some slow days when this is all done, just lazily building fence and watering 500 cows everyday, so nice to just back off. Ha ha.
I sincerely hope this path of lots to do all the time teaches the lessons we hope to impart and we survive the extremeness of it all. So far it's ok, the homeschooling is ok. My little nature lover with a empty husk at the cornfield. Life is good we will survive!
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