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!

6.7.20 Sunday is a special day

My mother in-law brought home a huge collection of old Friends. She is generous in sharing them with us and we had the privilege of reading some of them today. I happened to have the one that introduced the song Saturday is a special day... it's our get the work done day. 

Sunday is a special day we spend most of it all together in the house resting from the labors of the week. There are forays to the farm, and maybe an adventure to visit family or a long time ago we use to visit friends, but mostly we are all together for one day. That's an interesting challenge and opportunity. As I write my two oldest sons are playing catch inside with a children's throwing set. It's fun to watch them and I guess I should stop it, but I like them inter-acting with each other. So many of the pictures I post are more about emotions or moments. Small pieces of time where the feeling love and harmony or sheer overwhelming parenthood is experienced. For instance the picture below my youngest kids showing their lack of shoes. Poor Bruce has left his shoes somewhere on the farm or his other pair is half covered in mud thus he is making do. No matter he is resourceful a flip flop and a girls bog. Both are shoes. I've been looking online for weeks and his size are sold out everywhere. 

 My banana guy. He eats 2-5 a day usually covered in peanut butter. He's so fun to talk with he has a zany command of life, history, sports, politics etc. I love his understanding of the world at large. He is gaining new skills as our lead tractor driver spending hour upon hour dam r' diking the corn rows.

We also found that john is in fact taller than Greg today. It's so strange to have your kids taller than you the parent. Mark, Addie, Reed, and Alivia are all on the chase all growing a lot right now.

He is also a yard sale fan. At our most recent outing he found the missionary game. The little girls had a rare opportunity to play with Harold. He enjoys his siblings and is a kind oldest brother. The kids had a great time gaining act of service and obedience that are part of the game. Again a moment of love at home.

 Not all about Sunday is great, there is plenty of strife and stepping on toes but all in all life is OK all together.

6.4.20 Addies birthday

Addie is thorough, thoughtful, and specific. I was delighted to find her wishes ready and waiting the night before her birthday. Anna is our breakfast cook most days and Addie had made it easy for her wishes to be met. 

Sausage and eggs even the utensils are ready and waiting.

Crepes with strawberries and cream and chocolate sauce. Addie made the batter before bed it was resting and curing in the fridge.

Along with a brisket that was set to marinate. She cooked it in the Traeger the next day and it was perfectly delicious!

Her cake was Texas Sheet cake made by Aliza. This is my few shots of her with candles. The big twelve years old. She is fabulous and getting more impressive with each passing year.

Her next project was making masks for the entire family so we coudl attend graduation. Our town/county/state are serious about the COVID-19 scare and masks are required for entry in all state funded buildings. We worked together completing these in various sizes.

My Addie who works to learn and make sense and know about the world around he. My super organized and in control kid who is on top of all happenings here. She loves to know and have life run smoothly. We love her.

6.3.20 Saturday

After the fun of cousins day, the kids wanted to try some rock painting at home too. They had really enjoyed getting to paint at aunt Ruth's house. Here at home they had to use fingers which was no problem. 

 We were so thankful to get strawberries delivered to our door by my sweet fruit delivering dad. We hurried and turned those strawberries into delicious jam. The kids love to listen to stories. We listen to a radio show called the apple seed that shares stories from professionals. They are delightful!

The machine guys, blending the berries. I found a huge bowl of strawberry mush ready for sugar a few minutes later. Yum!

This was the huge motivator driving the crew. Swimming! The first of the year at aunt Annie's. Even though the sky overhead was overcast the water was great.

Harold's first time at the pool he had a great time. Here he's about to toss Afton, which was a shock to her but she bobbed back up. A lecture was delivered and hopefully all learned a bit. Afton that she can come to the surface, and Harold to be careful.

 I strongly love the littlest kid being in a life jacket. She had a great time watching and getting her feet wet once.
We came home to this. A tree down. We were so thankful that it was tipped on the big lawn totally missing our car, the house, and the main power line. The only damage was no internet for the night.

A day full of blessings. Life is good.

6.2.20 Cousin Fun Day

My sisters think fun! They are creative and energetic. 

This day was highly anticipated here, when it finally came the kids could hardly wait. I unfortunately was distracted with farm stuff but we eventually made it just in time for the sack races. Some kids were better at hopping than others. Bruce was not a fan but he walked his way through it. 

On to egg throwing. This was fun as many of the kids match up in age. The oldest James and Livy lasted the longest with the egg eventually covering Livy.

Then the tug of war. This team of cute girls against...

This team of determined boys and a few girls.

Then the water fight. Interesting to see who fought and who played elsewhere. Afton only wanted to water the flowers. Thank goodness for Addie who kept filling buckets for the kids to splash water on each other one cup full at a time. Addie is the best with younger kids. She notices what needs to be done, takes care of them, and smiles. I'm so thankful for older daughters who help fill the void while I take care of babies.

Livy and Natalie were happy to just soak in the water.

And the best for last watermelon, hotdogs, and chocolate pudding cups. A perfect party to kick off summer.

Thanks for the fun in the sun!

6.2.20 I love you...

One of the sweetest stages Bruce has come into is his habit right now of telling me " I love you mom for having a baby!" Sometimes he shortens that to " I love you mom." Melt my heart!

There is beauty in siblings, someone to fight with, share the load, and share the fun. I'm glad they have each other too.

These two are often found cuddled up sleeping, well every few days or so. Both enjoys the presence of the other. Oh the adventures that await.

We are blessed.

6.1.20 Memorial Day

This year the schedule was changed up a bit and we celebrated or commemorated memorial day on Sunday instead of Monday. The upside to this change was the men were part of the cemetery ritual. This was educational as my dad knew so many of the people in the cemetery. It was interesting to walk through the rows and rows of deceased people and hear him share remembrances. Most thought provoking was when we almost literally stumbled upon a classmate of his from 8th grade who had committed suicide. Standing there with my recently 8th grade graduate and thinking how sad to feel so hopeless to end life at that age. A few rows up was a classmate of my mother's who also chose suicide. Again pondering on the very recent graduation of my daughter I thought how terrible that would have been. We moved on and wound our way to the one grave we all dread and yet work toward my nephew David. This year grandma brought bubbles for the kids. 

This is not a spot of many tears anymore, well at least not in the large group. The kids know he is there and they look forward to seeing his tractor. They speak with confidence and awe of him being with Jesus. It is a sacred spot and one that jerks parents back to vigilance and gratitude for the hard work of raising kids.
I love the time to think on people who touched my life. People who for moments or a lifetime, made an impact on my life. Sometimes I try to explain who they are to my kids and sometimes it's too hard to explain, or they are too busy enjoying the variety of flowers, decorations, art on stones, or just the freedom of lots of grass and cousins.
As usual the flowers were magnificent. One of the lasting thoughts of my grandmother is her collection of perennial flowers that delight year after year. I remember wisps of conversations had while dead heading, or on quiet evenings playing in her yard, or times spent walking that same cemetery with her placing her simple yet artful displays on people she loved and respected.

Afton was intent sharing bubbles with Grandpa Lasley. He would have smiled with delight to be remembered and included. Afton is sensitive that way she loves people and she makes sure they know she loves them. Children are so good at sharing love. I am fortunate to have them for so many years at this sweet age.

After a peaceful stroll through history we had a lovely BBQ at my brothers and made some new memories and soaked in the blessing of being a family of good cooks who are walking together through life. Family is good.

There is beauty all around. One of the interesting parts of the quarantine or lock-down or rules enforcing social distance is the opportunity we have had and the continual return to our family history. For a myriad of reasons and situations fore bearers have been brought up and discussed in family meetings and Sunday church. It's been good to hear of their strength and unique life adventures. It's been calming to think they may be concerned and helping us along on our journey. I'm so thankful for time to think to be led and to learn as needed. Life is good and this although very different was a nice change.