Grow where you're planted

  This tiny little bathroom has become my favorite part of the house. I love a before and after! This little powder room was actually once a hallway closet underneath the staircase in the foyer. I love the uniqueness of it and peoples faces when they first see it. It seems so tiny because the ceiling is low. Most men in our family need to duck through the doorway. Because it is so small is was a very cheap little project. I had left over paint from the kitchen and the one light had not been working well so I figured why not. My husband was kind enough to hang some ship lap and patch some holes. After a fresh coat of paint it was complete. 

       There are a million memes, comments, and thoughts on 2020. For some, the year was harder than others. For all the jobs lost, overworked, and stressed out health care workers, teachers, and parents turned teachers. For all those whose jobs may have gone unnoticed but suddenly the rest of the world realized were most important. I'm sure many are ready to kiss 2020 goodbye. We were one of those who people suddenly realized had essential jobs. Remember trying to get milk and eggs at the store and you were told to limit how much you got. Meanwhile, we watched thousands of gallons of milk dumped right into a big pit of you know what. Like the rest of the world, we tried to make sense of it all and had many questions.       Not all of 2020 was bad however, many learned the value of spending time with family and friends, something that was maybe taken for granted. The importance of helping out someone in need, or seeing the person stocking shelves at the grocery store in a whole new

           As I look around my house toys are everywhere, shoes are strewn about, hats with names of seed companies hang on chairs, and another load of laundry needs put away. I can't help but hope and pray someone doesn't show up at the door, on second thought who cares. It's the middle of harvest and the last few days my house has been a revolving door. Between carpool drop off and pick up, lots of little kids in and out, a husband stopping in to grab lunch not having time to take his shoes off, and milking cows,  keeping my house completely free of any toys or dirt is literally impossible. No matter how hard I try.      The week ended with a bang. Corn was combined, stalks shredded, bailed, stacked away, and the smell of freshly hauled manure filled my house, despite all the candles burning. The kids took turns riding along with Blake and time spent in the barn with me.      Savannah was kind enough to point out several days while climbing in the car after school that I

     Fear, unknown, constant changes. Not words I typically think of when talking about going back to school. Never did I think I would consider homeschooling, but I found myself doing just that. I have the mindset to do what works best for your family and children. Nothing against homeschooling and props to moms who can do it, but for us, that was never something we considered before. While realizing I'm so blessed to be in a spot where I can be home and choose from any of the options our district gave,  it was not an easy decision to make. Once we made our decision guidelines changed and once again we found ourselves wondering if we made the right choice. With some offering in-person, or online a combination of both, or online only its overwhelming. I feel so much for families who both parents are working full time, for the teachers and administrators who have to constantly change things and make decisions only to have to turn around and change things again. Not to mention the gu

    Blood, sweat, and tears are not just put forth by the farmer himself. What you don’t see is the Blood, sweat, and tears in the form of silent strength, love, patience, and encouragement given to him from behind closed doors. Put forth by the woman who loves and supports him.      Although this may not be as evident as the man you pass in the field planting crops, filling silo at 1a.m., or helping a cow in labor it is a very real, and silent part of many family farms. Like her husband, she pours her heart and soul into a lifestyle she loves and respects although it may look different it’s still part of what keeps her going. Focused on keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes. Helping one child with schoolwork while getting the toddler out of the snack cabinet for the tenth time because supper is on the stove almost ready, the baby who had her up all night is clinging to her fussing because he's teething only to get a call saying "hey hun I won’t be in till late&

Summer heat, no picnics, barbecues or big celebrations. Today was a day full of combines, straw bails and feeding calf’s. As I looked across the field this afternoon with the realization that while most are celebrating and enjoying the Fourth of July while we’re working, I had to smile. What could be more American than a wheat field, kids with a hose and the July sun. We are blessed and thankful for those who keep us safe. We even got a chance to catch the fireworks tonight. We will keep working for the cheese on your burger and the ice cream filling your cone. Happy Fourth of July!