Meet My Family--My Mom

Now that I have more time on my hands, it's time to get back to normal farm life (if there is such a thing as normal farm life). It's also time to get back to normal posting and hopefully in the near future (meaning before the baby is born) I will be able to finish introducing all my current family members. So to continue from where I was...

Meet my mom...My best friend. The lady who gave up her dream of being a midwife to raise us kids. A woman who has spent more time caring, tending, and nurturing us and doing a wonderful job at it.

Yes, my mom is my best friend and yes my mom and I are two peas in a pod. Ask my dad, we both tend talk the same way, think the same way, and even sigh the same way. May sound great but we are both stubborn and hard headed (me being the worst of the two). And that is one of the many reasons that we get along so well. Now come upon us when we don't agree and that's something different.

But I love my mom dearly. She's the one who has spent countless hours teaching us endless amounts of subjects--history (even if some time frames took us three years to get through), math, English (or the best she could with a difficult child), spelling, science, animal husbandry, child care, and the joy of reading and learning. I can remember her spending hours trying to get me to spell correctly and to have my English half way decent. Now she still continues to do so, but she gave up long on the idea of me ever being able to do a blog post without having to call out "How do you spell ____?".

My mom is the one that after one try at fixing something computerized will give a call "Katie, come work your magic on this machine I've HAD it with this machine!!". She's the one who got me hooked on medical shows and has taught me all that I know about midwifery and continues to teach me.

My mom is the one who pushed me to start my business and who still pushes me when I am having low times, am out of creative ideas for my soaps and candles, or just need some help. Even to the point of sitting me down and saying "Katie the very next batch of soap had better be made SOON and it had better be ____!!"

Yes we do tease my mom because there are tons of times when it feels like the goats get more attention then we do....

Kid: "Hey mom I think ____ might be off, but she's acting normal so I would worry to much!" Mom: "What's her temp? How do her eyes, gums, ears, feet, etc look? Has she been eating and drinking? Is she up to date on her hoof trimming, pre/post kidding stuff, does she need some minerals, more alfalfa, how about upping her grain, or should we dry her off?" ect.
Vs. Kid: "Mom I'm not feeling the best." Mom: "Go take some Tylenol and lay down for an hour or two and see if you feel better then."

Yep, that's my mom. Panics when any of the animals even looks off, but knows her kids well enough that for certain ones of us she doesn't really think about if we complain that we are sick and for the others tells us to take a break. Though being her kid and living with her you sometimes feel slighted, esp if you not feeling well. That is until your better and realize how much she knows you and cares for you. :D

My mom is Mrs. Competitive (and yes, dad is Mr. Competitive) never ply a board game with the two of them, and please always be careful in what you challenge them to do (and they wonder where I get my competitiveness from!!).

I would advise you to stay away from her before a goat show and NEVER, EVER get in between her and her goat while one of us is showing it. (She doesn't show, as she doesn't feel comfortable doing so...And for some weird reason she thinks I do!!!) Please don't get her hooked on a new game, TV show, or even face book! As she might spend hours trying to better other people just for the fun of it. And I won't even mention Ebay snipping. lol

That's my mom, friend to many, midwife for others, Aunt for more then just her sibling's kids, Our mom and best friend!!

WOOHOO!!!

My life is slowly dropping into place after being off the property more then I was on it these past three weeks....

• My room is finally livable, not 100% clean and organized, but it is livable and I can find things. Hopefully within the next day or two it will be 100% complete. But that all depends on the sister who I am sharing a room with. I guess all I can say is that my stuff will be taken care of and that's all I can do right?

• I've caught up with all my old e-mails and blog posts. Which amounted close to four hundred things to read and a number to reply to. I didn't think there would be that many, but then I've never really been gone for close to three weeks with only two or three quick chances to get on the computer.

• I'm getting caught up in washing the laundry, not only mine but the entire family's. Thanks to someone giving us a dryer and Sears finally getting around to fixing the washer I am now able to do close to ten loads a day. It's so nice to watch the dirty laundry pile slowly shrink, while the clean pile slowly grows. If only I had the motivation to fold it and get it put away. (I HATE putting away the laundry!!)

• My "to read" list is only getting longer now, a sure sign that I am doing more reading. lol (Yeah, I know that sounds backwards.) Now I'm trying to decided if I want to continue in American history or move onto another time frame or another county's history to read. I've always enjoyed reading English history, so I am trying to decided if I want to go that route. Hmmmmm....What should I do???

• Oh and another way my life is getting back to normal? I'm getting some sleep. :D I've been able to sleep in late twice this week and when I say late I mean late, as in close to 10 in the morning. I've been able to get to bed before midnight most every night and it's been lovely! I firmly believe that not getting enough sleep can do great harm to a person.

Seth & I

I love this picture...

Let's See....

Here's a quick rundown of how it went at the livestock show....

• I Worked Crazy Hours...

I ended up working 118 hours. In that 118 hours I served more cobblers, coffees, ice creams, cokes and milkshakes then I can count. Note I said work, that's not counting the hours I enjoyed the Livestock show with my family two Wednesdays, when I went to the Rodeo last Saturday, or when I spent six hours wondering around the place trying to figure out what to do while Christin watched her Alpaca show (I had already watched 20 minutes of it, that was ALL I could take!!).

• I Missed My Family...

I can't believe how much Seth grew up in the three weeks that I worked there, he is now making it known what he wants with words and not grunts or pointing. Noah and Judah missed me, they have started asking me less if I am going to the Rodeo and more if they can do things like watch TV or play a game with me.

• I Enjoyed Meeting Everyone...

It was lots of fun serving and meeting the people that I met. From fellow showers and farmers, to other vendors, workers, and Livestock visitors. As well as the volunteers. The repeat costumers were lots of fun and learning all about the different committees and work put into the Rodeo was a learning experience.

• I So Do NOT Want A Full Time Job...

I realize that in the three weeks that I was working I was off the farm every single day except for one, this past Friday. If I wasn't at the Livestock show I was at Market or church and even a couple times I was at the Livestock show after those events. I missed a number of Noah and Timothy's baseball practices, I missed watching the boys and Libby grow as much as they did in that three weeks. I missed helping the family with normal farm chores, getting ready for markets, kiddings, I missed Grace's birthday and 3/4 of Spring Training. I missed a lot and SOOOO don't want to do that again! And when if ever I look into a job again I will be keeping that in mind.

• I Fell In Love...

With the Espresso maker!! I would love making Lattes, Cappuccinos, Espresso shots, Americano, and even decaf coffee, all so I could play with the Espresso maker! I'm am now looking over the one we have and seeing what I need to get to make it function properly and/or just looking into buying an entire new one.

There you have it, now to get back into the routine of farm and market life, work on introducing the rest of my family to you, and work on my "To Read" list with the extra hours I now have in my days. (Yeah right!)

To-Do List

This is the list of things I need to get done before mom and dad get back from taking Grace, Sara, and Linnea to the Orthodontist. :D

• Take Christin to pick out her new Alpacas (with the youngest six children I might add)
  
• Flavor cheese (three flavors this week)
• Package & label cheese
• Clean the van
• Load the van for two markets
• Get the ice chests cleaned out
  
• Double check that the ice bottles are all frozen and/or freezing
• Keep the kids safe and happy
• Start dinner--I can't until they get home with the pizza
  

Who ever said living on the farm was "kind of laid back"? Y'all have a good weekend and hopefully I will be able to come on later this weekend to update life on the farm and work at the Livestock show. :D

As If I Needed A Reminder!!

Why do we have a Dairy? Why dose dad drive a bus? Why do I not have a job?

I hate driving in heavy traffic, I hate driving close to two hours to get to my destination which is really only an hour away. I hate getting honked at because I won't break the law and sit in intersection for who knows how long!!

All right now that I've gripped let's get on with life....

I ave really enjoyed working at the rodeo. I enjoy the chances I get to go see the animals, the quick shopping trips that I've made have been really fun (and I've been able to get all the girls birthday AND Christmas presents.) and getting talk with all the people who have stopped by has been probably the best part of the job.

The cobbler is good, though I think I have hit the bottom of what my entire family thought was a bottomless sweet tooth. Now, I think I would love to go find a a job making Lattes, Cappuccinos, and other sundry coffee drinks. That's been the BEST part of the entire job--Running the espresso machine.

Well, now that I've proven that I am still here and that all is going well at the Rodeo, y'all will have to wait until I get back next week to see how the farm is doing as I have seen very little of it the past two weeks.

I thought of letting some of the girls do quest post while I was working but they all turned the offer down, so you'll have to wait until I am spending more than my sleeping hours on the farm. lol

For Y'alls Info...

I HATE driving in the rain, I would much rather drive all night then two hours in the rain.

Just thought I would warn you, as I'm going to be on the road a lot in the next two weeks and it looks like we might get more rain, esp. this week. So, if your in the greater Houston area and see either a big blue van or a small blue station wagon going 20 miles under the limit while it's raining you know it's me dealing with my phobia of driving in the rain.

Now, That's Funny!!

As I was walking next to the flowers at Central Market yesterday I heard a lady ask her husband.....

"What is this thing that woman have with flowers? I don't get it!"

And she was asking this of him! I almost laughed out loud, it was too funny! lol

Chocolate

“Remember kid, with great chocolate comes great responsibility."

~Larry-Boy~

Update....

I'm still alive!

I've been at Reliant Center more this week then my own house, (I even spent the night Tuesday night with a goat friend!!) Last night when I saw Noah I realized that it was the first time I had seen him since Tuesday afternoon, since when I came home Wednesday night all the youngers were asleep and were still happily snoring away when I left yesterday morning. Boy did I miss them!!

Much to my surprise I learned how to make Espressos, Mochas,Cappuccinos, and other coffee drinks and I have not broken the Espresso maker and people are coming back for more!! It's tons of fun making them, it's almost enough to make me wish I could do this all the time every day! lol

And I get to go to Austin tomorrow with mom!! It's been months since I was able to go (As in back to September since I was able to go) and I can't wait to see this market at it's best, I can't wait! After that it's thrift store shopping and maybe swinging by the Capitol! Promises to be tons of fun!

Now, I am off to help get ready for market and then leave for Reliant center. I hope everyone has a great weekend and that glorious weather!!

"And Can It Be That I Should Gain"

"And Can It Be That I Should Gain"

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Still the small inward voice I hear,
That whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near,
That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

A Year Ago Today

A Year ago today I started this blog. I will tell you that there are a few people who were surprised that I started one, due to my inability to spell and lack of grammar skills. There are just as many people surprised that at a year latter I still have it the blog and post at least once a week (if copying and pasting counts for anything lol).

In the past year y'all have learned been read about many things from the adding of a new family member soon, to the survival of a old family member. You've learned all my sibling's name and ages as their birthdays have come and gone. You've watched us grow as a dairy from one market a week to five markets a week.

You've learned about my addictions, the things I enjoy doing in my spear time, about what makes me me. You've learned what some of my favorite hymns are, what things I spend time searching for.

Through the past year I've enjoyed meeting new people and seeing the countries, states, cities, etc. that visit my blog. And I can't wait for another year of it and pray that y'all have enjoyed it as much as I have! Thanks for reading my blog!!

Oh Boy! A Little Bit Of This, A Little Bit Of That...

And so last night the 2010 Winter Olympics ended, with from the little that I saw was one of the nicer, least weirdest closing ceremonies that I have watched. All ready I am missing the games, on my way home today I was thinking "I can't wait to get home, grab some food, coffee and the remote to watch some Olympics." Only to remember that they are no more (well, at least for the next two years). Then the next thought was to think about the sports that I missed such as Luge and the very little bobsledding that I go to watch. But then there was the skeleton that I was able to watch for the very first time, now that was something!!

__________

The rodeo starts tomorrow, and with the start of the rodeo is the start of me being in the house very little for the next three weeks between working there, enjoying the livestock show, markets and church. I shall be out of the house every day of the week for the next three weeks, and I am all ready sick of driving thanks to spending well over four hours in the car today.

__________

We had another goat kid today. Nothing out of the norm, if you just think of it as a kidding, except in this case it was slightly out of the norm for two reasons--1) Sweetheart (the does' name) had quads!! A first here! and 2) I get to keep one of the does, which means I will own my first LaMancha. Which my mom is happy about after four years of saying Nubians are better I finally and succumbing to the charms of the 'Manchas. lol

__________

Let's see, is that all? Well, that's all that I can think of except for if it keeps raining we will very soon have to build an ark as it's been raining (or snowing) almost every single day for the past week and a half and I can't walk from the trailer to the house without soaking the hem of my skirt six inches (all right so I am exaggerating, but I couldn't help it as that line from "Pride and Prejudice" popped into my head.)

Yup, that's all for now. Everyone have a great week!!