Life has changed in our household. I've gone back to work! It's a temporary, part-time, interim call. A church near me is looking for a new Sr. Pastor and I am there until they find the person who is called there. I'm not acting as lead pastor, thank goodness, but I am covering some of the ministry areas that a new pastor will cover. Primarily, visitation and some transition committees. I work with a great collegue, we've known each other since she started here, so it's fun to colaborate with someone.
The transition to working has been more difficult this time. Even though it's 30 hours a week, there is so much more to balance. It's been a challenge. So, while the job is great, the home life is having positive and negative effects.
Positive.
1)Ian is going to preschool two mornings a week at the preschool in the church.
2)The kids are getting some good time with Daddy and grandparents.
3) I get some time away from home with grown-ups.
Negative effects:
1) I miss the kids (and they miss me!)
2) Less time with Dustin.
3) Laundry: It's never done and if it is done...it doesn't get put away. I don't dislike lots of things, but one thing that drives me crazy is living out of laundry baskets.
4) The nutritional balance of our family has taken a bit of a hit. (more premade, more take out or eat out, inconsistent eating schedule.
I didn't realized how much I would miss being home and I don't think I realized how much work I did during the week. So, now being a working outside the home mom, I'm struggling a bit. I don't think I'll take another interim call after this one, for quite awhile.
I'm thinking about making an appointment with my therapist in order to talk it through. I think I need to get some better ways of dealing with the stress and the change. I think it would make my health better and I think that would make my family health better too.
It's actually interesting that I see more negative effects than positive in our family life, and yet...I'm convinced that I was called to serve in this way right now. I am enjoying myself, even if it's a bit complicated when it comes to balance.
I'm home today and the kids are enjoying some time watching TV, while I'm getting my grocery list together. I was going to start confirmation today, but I've lost my voice from allergies and trying to teach confirmation seemed like too much for my voice. So, we'll postpone starting one week and begin with a fun event that was already scheduled.
So, there's the jist of it. I'm so very thankful for the opportunity, but now am very much praying for the patience and ability to start balancing life effectively.
More to come.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Pigs! We have pigs!
Monday night, we got our two new pigs. Hmmmm, odd that my last post was about beef and now, I'm moving onto pork, "The other white meat." Which isn't true, but great marketing.
Sunday night, Dustin and I put up the pig pen fences and Monday night, a red and white hog appeared. Ian is having a blast with Orville and Stan.
I realize that naming them is a dangerous thing because they could become pets in Ian's mind, but he loves to feed them and he wanted them to have names. I am not sure when it comes time to take them to the butcher how much we will tell him. Probably not a lot. He may be over them by then, they will no longer be cute pigs and instead will be ugly hogs. It's possible.
I may tell him what I told him when one of the calves that he named Dolly was taken to the sale barn. (For the record, if you have kids, get them attached to a good looking heifer that would make a good replacement and therefore, won't be leaving.) Anyway, when he asked about Dolly, I told him simply that Dolly had to go to a new home. I just didn't tell him the the home was someones freezer.
I don't want to shelter my kids from the truth of ranching and growing our own food, but I do think we have to be careful not to traumatize them in the process. There is plenty of time for them to understand the whole process.
Dustin was raised with this and it's a process of understanding. And as you get older, you start to understand what is involved. I don't want to scare my kids, but I do want them to understand that this is where their food comes from.
Of course, I love the idea of our own bacon, pork chops, and roasts and I will know exactly what went into them. So, let the new adventure begin. We have pigs.
Sunday night, Dustin and I put up the pig pen fences and Monday night, a red and white hog appeared. Ian is having a blast with Orville and Stan.
I realize that naming them is a dangerous thing because they could become pets in Ian's mind, but he loves to feed them and he wanted them to have names. I am not sure when it comes time to take them to the butcher how much we will tell him. Probably not a lot. He may be over them by then, they will no longer be cute pigs and instead will be ugly hogs. It's possible.
I may tell him what I told him when one of the calves that he named Dolly was taken to the sale barn. (For the record, if you have kids, get them attached to a good looking heifer that would make a good replacement and therefore, won't be leaving.) Anyway, when he asked about Dolly, I told him simply that Dolly had to go to a new home. I just didn't tell him the the home was someones freezer.
I don't want to shelter my kids from the truth of ranching and growing our own food, but I do think we have to be careful not to traumatize them in the process. There is plenty of time for them to understand the whole process.
Dustin was raised with this and it's a process of understanding. And as you get older, you start to understand what is involved. I don't want to scare my kids, but I do want them to understand that this is where their food comes from.
Of course, I love the idea of our own bacon, pork chops, and roasts and I will know exactly what went into them. So, let the new adventure begin. We have pigs.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Silver is on his way to Streeter!
This morning my MIL and FIL agreed to take Silver the steer to streeter to the meat processor. Silver is a steer that from the beginning hasn't been afraid of people and he looks really good. When I say that, I mean he's fattened up nicely, was finished the last few weeks on oats and looks delicious! So, he made his way down the road. Silver was almost getting tooo familier with people. He didn't know how big he was so it was almost aggressive. I'm excited to see how the meat is. I know the meat cutting will be wonderful, they do a fantastic job, just want to see what he's like.
We've kept back about 5 steers for butchering. Some of them have been spoken for by friends who are buying the meat. I'm sure one will be for us. There is something very comforting about knowing where your food comes from and how it was taken care of and raised.
I also have a connection to the food. I helped raise it. I bedded his barn. I helped feed once in awhile. I named him. Okay, the fact that I named him might be a bit morbid for some. You name pets, but it was a great way to identify him beyond, #84. But, while I'm invested, from the beginning, I've understood the investment. I am taking care of you so you can be eaten. I'm very proud of that. I like being part of that process and chain.
I'm pretty careful with the kids though. I try to only get them attached to heifers because we have been keeping a few for replacements. So, they'll stick around awhile. But, I also know that my kids will be raised with the reality of having cattle. We have them to eat, to sell so other's will eat, and while I didn't grow up with cows, I was raised knowing this and it was just part of the process of life. We take care of animals, so they can take care of us, and in this case, we take care of them for food. It's a very cool tradition to be a part of in North Dakota or anywhere.
We are actually going to get a couple pigs this summer too. We'll fatten them up and slaughter them as well. It's hard to find people with market pigs, so getting our hands on them has been harder than we thought. I'm glad I'll know where they are coming from.
Eventually, I hope to have chickens again, but I'll only raise for eggs, not for meat. I admit, I have raised for meat and I hated the day we have to pluck and butcher. It was a pain. I just don't have it in me to do it all. I realize I'm being a big baby, I don't care. I hate butchering chicken, so I won't do it.
We've cut our own beef in the past, but it's a lot faster for someone who knows what they are doing and has the correct equipment and facility.
In addition to the garden, I'm excited to see how much food that we won't have to depend on a grocery store for this fall and winter. The amount of money I saved because I canned all my own tomatoes last year has got to be pretty high. We canned close to 200 pints and I use about 2-4 per week. Add that my MIL and my mom also use from the stock and I gave 20 to my neice and I should still make it until I get more tomatoes from the garden. Very cool.
Well, I have work to do, so I better get at it. The house needs a serious go over...It's not dirty, but the toy clutter has got to go.
We've kept back about 5 steers for butchering. Some of them have been spoken for by friends who are buying the meat. I'm sure one will be for us. There is something very comforting about knowing where your food comes from and how it was taken care of and raised.
I also have a connection to the food. I helped raise it. I bedded his barn. I helped feed once in awhile. I named him. Okay, the fact that I named him might be a bit morbid for some. You name pets, but it was a great way to identify him beyond, #84. But, while I'm invested, from the beginning, I've understood the investment. I am taking care of you so you can be eaten. I'm very proud of that. I like being part of that process and chain.
I'm pretty careful with the kids though. I try to only get them attached to heifers because we have been keeping a few for replacements. So, they'll stick around awhile. But, I also know that my kids will be raised with the reality of having cattle. We have them to eat, to sell so other's will eat, and while I didn't grow up with cows, I was raised knowing this and it was just part of the process of life. We take care of animals, so they can take care of us, and in this case, we take care of them for food. It's a very cool tradition to be a part of in North Dakota or anywhere.
We are actually going to get a couple pigs this summer too. We'll fatten them up and slaughter them as well. It's hard to find people with market pigs, so getting our hands on them has been harder than we thought. I'm glad I'll know where they are coming from.
Eventually, I hope to have chickens again, but I'll only raise for eggs, not for meat. I admit, I have raised for meat and I hated the day we have to pluck and butcher. It was a pain. I just don't have it in me to do it all. I realize I'm being a big baby, I don't care. I hate butchering chicken, so I won't do it.
We've cut our own beef in the past, but it's a lot faster for someone who knows what they are doing and has the correct equipment and facility.
In addition to the garden, I'm excited to see how much food that we won't have to depend on a grocery store for this fall and winter. The amount of money I saved because I canned all my own tomatoes last year has got to be pretty high. We canned close to 200 pints and I use about 2-4 per week. Add that my MIL and my mom also use from the stock and I gave 20 to my neice and I should still make it until I get more tomatoes from the garden. Very cool.
Well, I have work to do, so I better get at it. The house needs a serious go over...It's not dirty, but the toy clutter has got to go.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Spring and Plateaus
Dustin's started seeding soybeans. Corn is done, except for a little silage corn (35 acres) left, but the planter had a breakdown and parts aren't in until today. Silage corn won't be a big deal. So, life is beans, beans and more beans.
It's very different not being out in the field as much as I use to be. It's not a bad different, just strange. I also have found that I can stay busy even without doing field work. There's plenty that I need to do in order to keep things moving. Bookwork, field lunches, and the normal stuff. Laundry, kids, house...And now gardening. I am excited that I am enjoying gardening. It has always been something that I need to do after I have a long day in the field and the truth is that I've just wanted to go to bed by then...When I have the time to be out there and keep up with it, it's quite relaxing for me. I'm having fun showing Ian the things that are coming up. I've also yelled more than usual because he tends to walks on the plants, but hey, mother of the year I am not. It's getting better and the older the kids get, the better. Ella prefers to just find a spot with a shovel and dig, so that works too.
I've hit a weightloss plateau, which sucks. So, I'm hoping to start getting up at 5:30, then I could walk and get home and showered and dressed before the kids get up and if they did get up, Dustin would be around. I am hoping that helps. I've been stuck at the same weight or losing and gaining the same half pound for about 6 weeks. So, with gardening and walking, it should go better.
So, there's the news...Beans...we live, eat and sleep beans.
Later.
It's very different not being out in the field as much as I use to be. It's not a bad different, just strange. I also have found that I can stay busy even without doing field work. There's plenty that I need to do in order to keep things moving. Bookwork, field lunches, and the normal stuff. Laundry, kids, house...And now gardening. I am excited that I am enjoying gardening. It has always been something that I need to do after I have a long day in the field and the truth is that I've just wanted to go to bed by then...When I have the time to be out there and keep up with it, it's quite relaxing for me. I'm having fun showing Ian the things that are coming up. I've also yelled more than usual because he tends to walks on the plants, but hey, mother of the year I am not. It's getting better and the older the kids get, the better. Ella prefers to just find a spot with a shovel and dig, so that works too.
I've hit a weightloss plateau, which sucks. So, I'm hoping to start getting up at 5:30, then I could walk and get home and showered and dressed before the kids get up and if they did get up, Dustin would be around. I am hoping that helps. I've been stuck at the same weight or losing and gaining the same half pound for about 6 weeks. So, with gardening and walking, it should go better.
So, there's the news...Beans...we live, eat and sleep beans.
Later.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Seeding, Farm Safety, the Garden and Why I Can't Wait until June
I know I have been missing for awhile. As soon as seeding starts, I have things to do. Although this year is a bit strange, I'm not planting corn. This year brought us to a new place as a family. We now have a hired man. My father-in-law is not able to really do much on the farm any more and truthfully, he shouldn't. With two kids, it was getting hard for Dustin and I to do it all on our own. I'm not as available as I use to be and it was going to be too much for Dustin on his own. Having extra help is wonderful and B has become just another member of the family. He's also doing a great job planting corn, the rows look straight and he's getting the planter figured out. But, I admit, I'm not use to sitting on the sidelines in the sping. I still have plenty of things to do at home and I'm hoping this may be the best garden I've ever planted and that I will be able to keep up with it, so that has been fun. All I have left to get out is one more row of carrots and then get the vines planted. Cukes, sqash, zuchinni, and pumpkins. I also have to get somewhere to get asparagus roots, raspberry bushes and stawberry plants to put in another bed. I'm so excited to have space to put some of those things in permanently!
If I can keep up with a vegetable garden this year and we get the deck this summer, I'm looking forward to starting to add flowerbeds this fall (at least get them ready with a few perennials for the spring). I want to take it a little bit at a time so I can keep up with everything. There's a lot to keep up with in the vegetables alone this year because it's new breaking and to get grass and weeds under control is a chore.
In the realm of farm safety...everyone is fine! That's good news. Dustin and I were also given the oppotunity to speak at an event sponsored by our local John Deere dealership. The topic this time was farm safety and it was an event for women, which was supposed to be taught by women. I wanted Dustin there to do some of it and it worked really well. I was happy with how it went. It's amazing and sad how much we know because of our own accidents, but they happen.
There is only one day left of corn, so hopefully, baring a breakdown, by tonight, we will have all the corn in. We'll start beans the day after tomorrow. Tomorrow we'll get the alfalpha in and some orchard grass for hay. Then...beans, beans, beans. The adjusters came to look at the winter wheat yesterday and said it looked really good. We are happy with it, so glad they thought so too. We'll have that sprayed by air as soon as the wind goes down. The rest of our spraying we'll do ourselves, but want to keep seeding and avoid tracks in the wheat. We'd like to get the rest of the crops sprayed before they come up.
So, then we should be into June...and then time for some fun. We go to Ron White in Fargo. Then we will be going on a Farmer's Union trip to MSP for a few days. I'm so excited to get a few days away with Dustin. It will be fun, a chance to get to know people on the TAG team, and a fun get away. I'm so excited. I can't wait...
Now to plan a little family vacation. I'm thinking Medora and/or the Black Hills. We'll see what we can figure out.
If I can keep up with a vegetable garden this year and we get the deck this summer, I'm looking forward to starting to add flowerbeds this fall (at least get them ready with a few perennials for the spring). I want to take it a little bit at a time so I can keep up with everything. There's a lot to keep up with in the vegetables alone this year because it's new breaking and to get grass and weeds under control is a chore.
In the realm of farm safety...everyone is fine! That's good news. Dustin and I were also given the oppotunity to speak at an event sponsored by our local John Deere dealership. The topic this time was farm safety and it was an event for women, which was supposed to be taught by women. I wanted Dustin there to do some of it and it worked really well. I was happy with how it went. It's amazing and sad how much we know because of our own accidents, but they happen.
There is only one day left of corn, so hopefully, baring a breakdown, by tonight, we will have all the corn in. We'll start beans the day after tomorrow. Tomorrow we'll get the alfalpha in and some orchard grass for hay. Then...beans, beans, beans. The adjusters came to look at the winter wheat yesterday and said it looked really good. We are happy with it, so glad they thought so too. We'll have that sprayed by air as soon as the wind goes down. The rest of our spraying we'll do ourselves, but want to keep seeding and avoid tracks in the wheat. We'd like to get the rest of the crops sprayed before they come up.
So, then we should be into June...and then time for some fun. We go to Ron White in Fargo. Then we will be going on a Farmer's Union trip to MSP for a few days. I'm so excited to get a few days away with Dustin. It will be fun, a chance to get to know people on the TAG team, and a fun get away. I'm so excited. I can't wait...
Now to plan a little family vacation. I'm thinking Medora and/or the Black Hills. We'll see what we can figure out.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Picture Post
So, in addition to the cake. We moved the party to the shop because of rain, which was the best and allowed for Ian and Ella to play on the new swingset, which was made for Ian's birthday. It was the best day! Good friends and family, good food, and great kids! What a wonderful time we had, but I'm still partial to the cake being the highlight!
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
My Boy is 3!
Yesterday, my dear son, Ian, turned 3. Now, don't think I'm terrible, but we haven't told him it was his birthday yet. His party isn't until Sunday (when all the friends and family could come during the day) and so he just wouldn't understand that he's three, but not celebrating yet.
But, I know, and I'm amazed at my little man. For some time now, I have realized that he is a little boy intstead of a baby boy. He's also developing the defiance and limit testing that this stage and age bring.
I am amazed at how much he now knows. He really is a quite bright little boy and I don't think I'm just saying that, I'm not the only one that notices. Although, there are a few sayings that he says that I have to laugh at...It sounds so funny. They are:
1) "This won't do mommy." What? Really. This won't do? Where do you come up with this? If I figure out what show he has picked this up from, I will report, but so far, it seems to be from somewhere else, possibly me? No, I don't think I talk like that, do I?
2) "Oh Mommy, this just makes me so upset." This is what he says when he is not getting his way. I admit, the attempt to make me feel sorry for him is a bit lost because of the delivery of this line. It cracks me up, which is not the desired effect. But, sometimes it does break my heart. Sometimes, he says this when his dad goes out to the field in the morning or when grandma visits and then has to leave. He says, "I miss him/her...this just makes me so upset." Then, I melt.
3) "I don't think so, Mommy." This may be the statement that gets children beaten in some households. Not this one, so don't worry, but when you tell your three year old to pick up his toys and you get a defiant..."I don't think so, Mommy." You will definitely try to figure out if he knows what he is saying or wondering how your three year old became the home of a 16 year old's attitude.
So, while these are the ones that make me laugh, there are others that make me glow and shine with pride.
1) "I like you mommy." Recently he has gotten big on saying this instead of "I love you." I actually take it in a wonderful way. I always love him, but on some days...I don't particularily love my toddler. But, on the days that he says, he likes me. I realize that some day, this is what I want my teenage and then adult children to be able to say about me..."I don't just love Mom, I like her"
2) "Can we read another book?" I am thrilled that my son likes to be read to and knows so many of his letters by sight and knows their sounds. I'm thinking he will start reading early and I'm so proud of this.
and last, but not least.
3) "Mommy? Can you hold me?" Independence has brought less of this, but I still get to hear some version of this once in awhile and I cherish it every time.
So, these are my current thoughts on my eldest. He's growing up so fast (I know, everyone says that). He will be able to start preschool next year. How did that happen?
So, hopefully, you will get party updates on Monday, or so. At least a picture of the chocolate Octonaut cake that I'm going to attempt and the swing set. The swingset is turning into a ridiculously large thing...It's more of a castle for kids with a slide and swings and a sandbox, but I'm sure they will love it. Dustin and Ben designed it themselves and because the lumberyard was out of 10 footers, they had to buy 12 footers, so instead of everything scaled at 5 or 10 feet, it became scaleds at 6 and 12, which made a huge, crazy difference. I can't wait to see his face.
So, happy birthday Ian, Mommy loves you! and Mommy likes you a lot too!
But, I know, and I'm amazed at my little man. For some time now, I have realized that he is a little boy intstead of a baby boy. He's also developing the defiance and limit testing that this stage and age bring.
I am amazed at how much he now knows. He really is a quite bright little boy and I don't think I'm just saying that, I'm not the only one that notices. Although, there are a few sayings that he says that I have to laugh at...It sounds so funny. They are:
1) "This won't do mommy." What? Really. This won't do? Where do you come up with this? If I figure out what show he has picked this up from, I will report, but so far, it seems to be from somewhere else, possibly me? No, I don't think I talk like that, do I?
2) "Oh Mommy, this just makes me so upset." This is what he says when he is not getting his way. I admit, the attempt to make me feel sorry for him is a bit lost because of the delivery of this line. It cracks me up, which is not the desired effect. But, sometimes it does break my heart. Sometimes, he says this when his dad goes out to the field in the morning or when grandma visits and then has to leave. He says, "I miss him/her...this just makes me so upset." Then, I melt.
3) "I don't think so, Mommy." This may be the statement that gets children beaten in some households. Not this one, so don't worry, but when you tell your three year old to pick up his toys and you get a defiant..."I don't think so, Mommy." You will definitely try to figure out if he knows what he is saying or wondering how your three year old became the home of a 16 year old's attitude.
So, while these are the ones that make me laugh, there are others that make me glow and shine with pride.
1) "I like you mommy." Recently he has gotten big on saying this instead of "I love you." I actually take it in a wonderful way. I always love him, but on some days...I don't particularily love my toddler. But, on the days that he says, he likes me. I realize that some day, this is what I want my teenage and then adult children to be able to say about me..."I don't just love Mom, I like her"
2) "Can we read another book?" I am thrilled that my son likes to be read to and knows so many of his letters by sight and knows their sounds. I'm thinking he will start reading early and I'm so proud of this.
and last, but not least.
3) "Mommy? Can you hold me?" Independence has brought less of this, but I still get to hear some version of this once in awhile and I cherish it every time.
So, these are my current thoughts on my eldest. He's growing up so fast (I know, everyone says that). He will be able to start preschool next year. How did that happen?
So, hopefully, you will get party updates on Monday, or so. At least a picture of the chocolate Octonaut cake that I'm going to attempt and the swing set. The swingset is turning into a ridiculously large thing...It's more of a castle for kids with a slide and swings and a sandbox, but I'm sure they will love it. Dustin and Ben designed it themselves and because the lumberyard was out of 10 footers, they had to buy 12 footers, so instead of everything scaled at 5 or 10 feet, it became scaleds at 6 and 12, which made a huge, crazy difference. I can't wait to see his face.
So, happy birthday Ian, Mommy loves you! and Mommy likes you a lot too!
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