Baby Calf

Daisy gave another calf this morning!

This is abut an hour after s/he was born. Such a wobbly cutie!!

This is Frank's last calf that we'll have. He sure did throw some good looking cows!

A Busy Month

The month absolutely flew by.

These two sweethearts are growing so fast.

This young man turned 12.

We had a mowing emergency. The goat weed (our arch enemy) was going to seed. Husband and I worked together to mow all of the pastures. It took almost 2 weeks mowing an hour or two here and there per day for each of us. It was hot, dirty, and buggy work. The goal for next year is to mow twice during the year (running a herd of calves on the land) and see if that cuts down on the weeds for 2014. Farming is definately best played proactively, not reactively.

We completely ran out of meat, and butchered our beever. Not exactly the right time of year for that...but we work with what we've got. Over 300 pounds of ground, roasts, and steaks in the freezer. We also rendered the tallow.

The oldest and I had a Mother/Daughter ice cream date.

Husband and some of the children have been working hard cleaning out  and organizing his shop. They've also been doing quite a bit of wood working projects.

I've been working at expanding my soap business.

Husband and I had an anniversary: 16 years now.

Since we school all year, we don't have a big deal about going "back" in August. In fact, we had quite a few off days. A week at the beginning of the month for art camp, plus quite a few other days off for the cow butchering and other items. We will be starting new subjects or new books in about half the cases. We will have one more week of the "old" science to go before the new book. I suppose we're easing back into a new quarter.

Seems like each day has been crammed to the brim as we've tried to make the most out of each week.

My plans and remembering the goal

I really ought to know better than to make plans and goals for any time frame! My goals for this week were to get caught up on some miscellaneous items, replinish my store's soaps, get caught up on business stuff, prepare some school things for next quarter, and a little time of quiet and just "me" time. None of that actually fully happened, least of all the quiet and alone time :)

The one day I thought it might, #1 asked to come with me on errands. I sort of pretended I didn't get the hint. As it is with young people, it was important enough for her to ask Daddy, who then offered to petition me with the request.

Being all to aware of how hurtful it can be to be turned down, and how horrible comments suggesting that I need to be alone can be: she came. And chatted. Then after we got home, the younger girl chatted and chatted and chatted. Did I mention there was a lot of chatter that day?

One of the challenges for me is meeting the emotional needs of 7 people daily. Little ones need hugs, biggers need hugs and smiles and talks, husbands need hugs and smiles and talks and time and attention. And then.....me. I need to meet my emotional needs. Refill and recharge.

There was a time when I could run full speed constantly without a break. I don't find that nearly as easy as I did years ago! Good thing for a nursling- breaks are mandatory. Good design- that was!

It's possible that I'm a little sensitive about the subject, but I never want my children to feel like I'm too tired for them. I don't want them to feel like because of anything else I'm doing, or because of anyone else in the house, I can't do something with them. True, it isn't always possible to meet every need, but most times it is possible. I bristle to have it suggested that I'm too tired, or that because of the baby I can't do this or that with them. Those statements (and variations) can build a lot of resentment, and make little people feel that they aren't as important or valuable as whatever or whoever is "taking their place".
Far more important than providing a roof over their heads and food to fill their tummy is filling that emotional need.

 That's what creates the bond, filling one another's emotional cup. As several people are quoted: "A child may not remember what you taught them, people may not remember what you said or did, but they will all remember how you made them feel".

The little art campers

Despite the fact that smiling for the camera seemed to be an impossible feat, these two had a good time and had nice artwork to show.

Week off

A week off of school- yipee!!

#2 and #3 are having a morning week at art camp this week, so I decided it was a great week to just call off the rest of school and get caught up on some things.

Yesterday I did some gardening items, plus primered the rocking chairs and another chair, plus rebatched some soap. Today I've been getting a start on organizing my recipes. That will be a lot of work! I also got caught up on laundry, sewed a little for my store, washed a few of the windows, started making a menu, and tried to get a little caught up on my work work. 

Of course, we did a little of this too:

Family updates

The Baby is doing great. He was as big at 4 weeks as #1 was at 3 months. He's still very much a newbie even if he doesn't fit the size. He's settled into a pretty good night time routine of every 3 hours or so. He sleeps by himself as often, or more, than he sleeps with me. He's beginning to smile at us.

#5 thinks he is one of the big ones now. He must accompany Daddy or Momma for outside chores or trips on the mule. If not, his feelings are terribly hurt.

The spring garden has been ripped out and the fall garden planted. We're gearing up to attend at least one farmer's market this fall. Planting gardens, propagating and potting plants and making soaps are keeping the rest of us busy. We made plenty of time to eat some good watermelon!

Baby bliss

My husband commented that it's been over a month since my last post. What can I say other than I've been in Baby Bliss.

The long awaited baby boy was born on June 14th weighing a whopping 9 lbs, 14 oz. (I think I have bragging rights for life now!)

In all his new squishy, dewy newness- ahhhhhh!