Grow where you're planted

           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...

     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...

    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 b...

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!

  To everything, there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven.  A time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 Almost any field you drove past this week had a tractor in it. Whether they were planting or working up the ground farmers had a busy week. Although most farmers now use no-till or low-till methods of crop farming to help with soil erosion among other things you will still see ground being worked by certain types of equipment. The saying "Make hay while the sun shines" also applies to planting. The past week was incredibly busy around here. I will confess it did not affect me other than running back and forth to the fields. Corn was planted, then sprayed, a few loads of pigs went out, and a new group of chickens had just come in. All while cows needed milked 3 times a day.    I know people can get frustrated when they're running late for work or where ever they may be going and get stuck behind a tra...

Flowers, jewelry, breakfast in bed. As Mother's Day approaches the focus on the perfect gift is everywhere. Even in my home  the question of  what do I want for Mother's Day  has been asked . This year it made me stop and think. While we  are told  as moms we deserve a day all about us  to be  catered to and given gifts maybe, just maybe there is more to it. Mother's Day is not always a day to celebrate. For some the day is difficult and painful. To the woman who longs to be a mother and is struggling with infertility. To the woman who lost a child or only held her baby for a few minutes. To the woman who never knew her mother. To the woman living in fear for nine months begging God for a healthy baby due to a high-risk pregnancy. To the woman who is pouring her love into an adopted or foster child To the woman told she can't have more children because she would be putting her life at risk To the woman who has lost her mother. ...

      The words "what should we do", coming out of my husbands mouth as he sat head down looking at the weather app on his phone. I kinda laugh, because let's be honest I knew he was thinking out loud, not actually asking for my  advice  when it came to if they should or shouldn't mow rye. The rye needed mowed now or its going to get old, but if we mow we risk it getting rained on for the next week. Neither option is exactly ideal and can effect the quality when it's turned into feed for the cows. Not long after this conversation I see the mower going past. He came home at 2 am the next morning, he had gotten it all mowed this also meant he had just pulled a 22 hour day. Thankfully it did not get rained on for a week, it was chopped and in the trench before the rain. The do we or don't we with the field work the last few weeks has been ongoing. The weather has been kinda strange for May. ...