Farming on a New Level

 We added a new species to our animal farm today.

Worms.

I just kind of chuckle inside when I think about it; that feeling of giddy joy that kind of starts under your chest and moves up to your cheeks and makes you smile. It's not because I love worms, but I love the enthusiasm of those who have lead us to have worms. 

Brother B, our fishing mentor, is a little appalled by our usage of hot dogs as fish bait. He has brought us several cups of worms. They kind of usually just die in the fridge. On Sunday he told me that we needed to get them a good home so they could grow and reproduce and we would have a good supply of worms for all of our fishing attempts. He brought them by on Monday and today we did a little research and put them up in carbon rich hotels...inside of our fridge. Luckily we have two fridges and they can live in the other fridge.

I think it also makes me giggle because I'm spending my days out in the pasture watching all the little calves running around and hoping and praying with all of my heart that they are nursing and getting enough to eat, but I also now have a little colony of  worms to hope and pray they thrive as well. 

The farm live; the homesteader's dream is romanticized. I don't think there is any way to really know and understand what you are getting into when you choose to live in the country until you get there. I did not plan on living on a farm when I grew up. I don't think I even really planned living on a farm 3 years ago.

I remember the first time we visited the property we are on now. We came out to see the animals for Joel's birthday because he loved sheep and farms. We spoke with the owner who became a dear friend and I just marveled at all that she did for her animals. I could not fathom doing any of that myself. Sure, living on property sounded kind of dreamy - so much nature, but caring for animals, not me!

Circa 2021

And here I am, on the same property 3 years later watching her cows mother their babies, learning to identify them all by their udders, and trying to understand what makes a calf healthy and what is cause for concern. I trim goats hooves, keep the chickens vents clear, and see snakes on my porch. No big deal. But it is a big deal! It is becoming a part of me and it is beautiful.

Having the calves hit the ground in the last week and a half has caused a lot of worry and stress. I feel overwhelmed and inadequate, but I am learning. Encouraging notes from Rebecca that remind me that this experience is for my learning and growth are helpful. I feel strengthened. I have been reminded that we felt sure about moving here and that we can do all things with the inspiration and guidance of the spirit. I have also needed the reminder of my hopes of living on this wide open space. I hoped to be outside, with my family, close to the earth, learning and growing. This is a beautiful place with gorgeous skies and green fields. It is hard. I am a newbie (evidenced every time I ask an employee at Tractor Supply for something as well as all the conversations with Rebecca). But I am having good experiences, enjoying the world Heavenly Father created for us and witnessing His hand through beauty and tender mercies.

Also, I still have kids. We had a flood last week and one of our "chicks" got into the water and had a hard time roosting again. Alyssa thought she was dead and then she blinked! Alyssa scooped her up and Alyssa and Taft spent an hour blow drying her. The things we do for animals around here....

More cute kids...

Evan used the bathroom while I was outside...watching cows...and "needed" me to wipe his bum. I never came so he fell asleep in front of the toilet.

Alyssa makes cookies most Sundays. She often includes her brothers. They are so cute together!

The things we do for cows...

It's time for calves!

On Friday Taft noticed only 6 of the 7 cows were out front grazing. They are in a relatively small area right now, so this was surprising. We went for a walk along the perimeter and saw a white face! This was huge because we knew that the baby claves would be white baldies, which have white faces. We watched for a second and decided we should run and tell everyone. When we got back a few minutes later, there were 2 white faces! Momma 9 had twins! This is a first in the farm. 

Momma had a girl who Joel named Butterfly and a boy who we called Jack, Bruce, Blackie and finally Bruno. They are so soft and sweet. We have been working to make sure Momma 9 knows where they both are. She usually seems kind of content with just one though she has accepted both of them. There has been a lot of grain dumping, Gator riding, and calf lifting to get everyone together throughout the day to ensure both calves get 3 feedings. We finally have Momma and the calves in the pony pen, a smaller pasture righ by the driveway which gives us full view without too much walking or intrusion. 

I am thankful that everything is working out with the twins. I'm praying and divine intervention happens. Sometimes it is through the cows, sometimes it is through ideas. I knew moving here that I could not do this without God's help and I see that. Unfortunately our animals still die. We have lost a few chicks to predators. But we are learning so much and gaining experience.

The boys are riding their bikes more. We have a driveway that is about 1/3 of a mile so they ride up and down the driveway. Joel and Kent got new bikes for Christmas and haven't rode them much. It makes me happy to see them outside, sweating it out and getting a lot of good biking in!

We are enjoying a break from school right now. It gives us more time to read together because I'm not so caught up in doing the "school" stuff. It's a good reset. I am thankful for it!

Erik was deployed last week for 4 nights because of Hurricane Beryl, the first hurricane to hit land in the US this season. Fortunately it was not a FEMA disaster, meaning most local organizations handled everything on their own. Houston still has a major power outage issue though. I was also a little bummed we didn't get the original 5 inches.of predicted rain in our area. 

We did get a beautiful Monday last week though. It was breezy and cloudy so we went fishing. The last 5 minutes and 4 hotdogs all the kids caught a fish! We're only getting catfish though. It's pretty exciting when you real one in! Evan was jumping up and down saying "I caught a fish, I caught a fish, I caught a fish!"

Oh man, I think I'm done and then I see some more gems of pictures.

Meet Philbert. He is the chicken coop toad.

And Kent...what a hick!

Also we saw our neighbor's field get hay baled. It was a big moment to see the machine suck up hay and poop out such beautiful, round hay bales. I think it is so beautiful to see them all rolled up out on the field!