8.16.18 Tit for Tat

On top of all the work and activity of last week there were some pretty close calls here as well. All were accidents that children had been warned numerous times to no do. OF course mom/dad was ignored and so we learned the hard way.

Reed was swinging a hoe and clipped the corner of Afton's eye. She sported a pretty purple eye and a nice scab thankfully her eye was completely unharmed. 

A few days later Reed was completing his job of burning the paper garbage and his sister was doing her usual playing with a burning stick and flung a piece of hot plastic onto Reed's bare foot. He immediately screamed out and we got him in cold water. He remained soaking for the next 10-12 hours. The burn is healing slowly as they do.  

 Harold carrying Reed into the kitchen from outside to begin his day of soaking. Yes our house is a mess in progress. We are running very fast here and clean-up time happens daily but so does bringing more and more in to process. Accidents push the pause button then we resume working.  A long winters nap sounds dreamy!! So tit for tat good karma bad karma. Not sure which is the best description but hopefully they will be more careful and learn to listen a little more next time.

8.15.18 Harvest time

 The high heat has brought the crops into full ripeness. We have been working hard picking and canning our winter store. One added bonus this year is blackerries.

We ate our weight in blackberries. It was a delicious day peaches, blackberry, corn, and green beans yum yum! This is the best time of year. 

 

The kids were completely in charge or corn harvest this year. From picking to cooking and freezing they got it done. I was so proud and thankful for their ability and mostly willingness to get this project done.

8.14.18 Sale Day

The kids were ready to sell by the time it rolled around. They were dolled up and the pigs were shined ready to walk through the ring. The kids were not sad but rather excited to see what they would sell for. 

Sometimes the pigs were dressed up with balloons to improve their appeal to  the fair going public.

 The sale ring and the waiting process.

The younger boys had a great time watching the pigs sell too, The added bonus of climbing up and down the bleachers made the experience fun. The sale was interesting and sad. Some pigs sold high some sold low. The kids were happy with their experience. And we were really happy to be mostly done.

8.13.18 Fair

The fair seems to be such a distant memory time is flying here with each day more jam packed than the rest. We have literally been making several types of jam but that's another post. 

The kids took 6 pigs. 4 made weight and 2 did not. Heavy or not all required the same amount of care and concern during the hot long days of fiar. THe first stop after arrival and each morning was the wash racks. Some pigs enjoyed the bath and some did not. We washed them to pretty pigs with the help of VO5 strawberry shampoo and conditioner (it helps their skin??!) 

Again this proved to be a family affair. The kids did well working together getting their jobs done, and then because they are not accustomed to sitting around especially at 6:30 in the mornign they cleaned their fellow 4-H'ers pens too. My saintly mother housed and fed these busy bees for the week. I so appreciated her generous hospitality, and I did try to convince the kids they did not need to be on site before 6 but they persisted and my mom obliged their wishes.
The showing looked a lot like this.

 Addie got a showmanship ribbon. She was intent on the judge and trying to do it just right!

Our cousins came to see our piggies. This little one was watching pig demonstrate his soothing skills. He found that under the back leg is the sweet spot for pigs. Rubbed there and they will fall over in contentment. Who knew these muddy wild animals could clean up so well. Lots of scrubbing and brushing for the week made for pretty piggies.

Harold also entered some metal cutouts he had made this year. He got a first and two seconds.

The kids had a great time being with friends and enjoying fair food. It was a long long week of hot days and running back and forth. A lot was learned and experienced.

7.26.18 Teenagers

We are blessed to have several teenagers in our home. They are so vivacious. This week we were able to attend the temple with them. Harold had pushed for the outing and ultimately made it happen. After a much delayed dinner I was hungry! We headed to the Olive Garden which is rare for us -- after an unfortunate morning sickness episode puking down the freeway while the car slowed to a hurried stop,  we did not go there for over 10 years I made it home just fine last night. Nonetheless it was so good to share the time listening and observing these 4 stooges with my husband by my side. 

I really love the teen years. The kids are finding new talents and abilities, they are interesting, and funny, they are friendly and independent it is such a joy to be around them 80% of the time. I love the boy girl dynamic as they keep each other honest and open. I love the uniqueness of each of their personalities. And I love hearing about their adventures. They are insightful and sassy (from their mom) and I was thankful that Greg could watch them in action too.

I think I'm kinda like our chickens who cluck and coo and cry out when they lay an egg. I feel the same about these lively kiddos and how they are turning into the people we prayed and hoped they would for so many years. It was another golden summer night. Lots of laughing and listening. It's easy to talk with teenagers once they get talking we just listen and nod, and pay the food bill. But honestly we are blessed to have them in our home and look forward to the up and coming group that is closely following on their heels.

7.25.18

Another night spent haying. Minutes before we left we heard from a dear old friend who mentioned she had loved following the baler as a little girl. Her important job was rolling bales to the window row. We assured her that we have little girls, and a very energetic Reed who criss crosses back and forth to roll bales for HArold and Greg, who does the same. It was surprising to hear so randomly from her on this particular night. It made me smile as I watched my kids develop similar memories working together to get the job done. 

 I knew this would be an easier project when I watched the ease of lifting by the guys. They were all able to toss these bales. Another night spent together out in the beautiful world. While we don't delight in pine trees and streams we do spend a lot of time in nature. Years ago I read a book called A family Raised on Sunshine. Although it was a cookbook, I think there is a lot of truth to being in the outdoors. Whether it's hot or not, it's a major part of the earth experience and it's very soul soothing (In the 80's and 90's). 

This was for our neighbor who is still fighting cancer. He shares horse cookies (they look like gingersnaps) with the little kids to feed his 3 horses they love the animal interaction. 

We continue to chip away at teaching Livy to read. She is of course still an artist at heart and preference. We used salt writing to practice her words and she finished the time with a drawing of her and some of our family.

My super duper Addie lost a tooth during church. She is sure growing up and so enjoyable to be with.

And our super dad caught in the act of ministering or visiting a friend. He has always dutifully gone and taught and visited with those he was assigned. This particular stop never fails to lull him into a long head nod. Harold sent me this picture while they were out. Greg works hard long hot hours for us and thus these moments are honest attempts to be found doing good but needing a little more shut eye. We are thankful and awed by his endurance and stamina, he provides well for us and sincerely cares for many others too. I have been struck lately by just how different our lives are. Mine here at home raising our family and his out working and all the people who come through his doors. He is one patient guy.

7.24.18 Summer

After the sun finally sets and the earth begins to cool usually with a slight breeze we can finally start to breathe again. Yes we are living our pioneer heritage with little a/c. That makes treats like ice cream and cold water from the fridge true delights of summer. This night as we sat around outside - it was much better out there than inside, it was so nice to just have my children close around telling me stories and explaining their activities or thoughts from the day. It was one of those golden mom moments where everything is just good and peaceful. I took a picture just so I could remember that serenity found on that summer night. 

I have memories eating popsicles with my mom during the summer she was pregnant with my sister born in August. I enjoyed swimming or cooling off in the cattle trough we used as a swimming pool and sitting in the shade of our non-a/c house eating popsicles was delightful. My mom was not one for sweets so this was a special exception. Likewise this summer being 2 in 1 we are swimming more and eating ice cream often. I love it!!! Maybe my kids will also have fond memories of mom being pregnant through the hot summer months when they are grown.

We don't just sit and eat ice cream though. The big kids keep coming and going with adventures, work, and life so the junior crew has been on call with their chores. It is interesting how life slows down with the older kids gone. We just move a little slower don't bite off as much and really enjoy thinking a little clearer. Not that we don't miss the older kids like crazy!!! We do but sometimes the haste of keeping them busy and achieving wears our patience and energy stores thin. Thus a few slower days can be nice (not gonna lie though I really like when they come back and take over their jobs).

As we were driving out of our driveway to deliver the big kids to their next adventure Mark came roaring in with news a calf was stuck in the feeder!?! That is a rare occurrence but our aggressive bull is not so kind or gentle with the younger stock and one had spent the night wedged against the bars of the feeder. Super grandma with her experience and innovation managed the tractor with awesome dexterity and tipped the calf out of the feeder. Reed was hand feeding it that night. We are relieved to report it is still moving around and seems to be fine.

The little kids love to climb and go to the farm. This night was no exception. They had a great time watching the livestock and choosing which cow they want for their own.

It's hard for me to realize that each kid moves up in age each year although their spot in the family doesn't change. Reed is going into 3rd grade. He is still number 7 but his muscles and mind are growing and he can do bigger jobs like this. He is actually quite a conscientious cowboy and takes good care of all in his charge. Work a little, play a little, eat and rest a little these are the golden days of our summer so far. Thankful to have one more month before school starts.