Patience, Patience.

Sigh, I remember growing up when harvest began and ended in June....O.K. maybe July. Why does it seem like harvest is getting later.....and later.....and later. We started cutting wheat on June 30th and we are still not finished. The main reason is a storm last night that developed right above us, hung around for a while before deciding to hail and rain, then taking off like a jack rabbit. Seriously. We were on our last field so we still have about 160 acres left to cut. Oh well. We have had a good harvest so far. And the corn that got hailed right across the road WAS our best corn (that we were chopping for silage anyway...guess less ears of corn for the cows). My poor, poor petunias were looking so pretty and full, but just maybe there is enough summer left to let them fill out again. The best thing about the storm was the rainbow behind it. One end was in our corn field! Very cool!

So since it rained the kids and I went with Orrin to check some cows and possibly fix a draw because of a 4 inch rain a few days prior. Orrin did need to fix it and we saw some happy cows and calves and bull. The kids enjoy going on the 4-wheelers, however the handlebars got both Crash and Little Miss in the head due to cow paths/holes. The kids and I climbed on some rocks after stern warnings about snakes and staying close to Mommy while Daddy toiled fixing fence.

Orrin is very proud of his hulking bull. So he asked me to take pictures of it. :)

The boys immediately started to throw rocks at "imaginary" snakes, while yelling "I see a snake!!!" That always soothes a mother's heart.

Little Miss is starting to really be sassy. Anyone have experience with a little sassy 18 month old? She is at the stage where she can't (won't) say Yes but will say No with a please following it.

And she hits her brothers if they are bothering her (which having older brothers I can understand) but I was really hoping I would have a "naturally ladylike" daughter. Another *sigh*. But I still love my onery, annoying, loving, stubborn, sweet kids.

Scooter's T-ball fun

We decided to have Scooter play t-ball this year in town. Can it be that t-ball has changed so much since I played? Here they choose two teams of the same age group and they play each other....every game for four or five weeks. A little different but Scooter liked to go and play with his friends. The very last game, all the farmer dads were absent as wheat harvest was starting. Orrin had come to most of the other games and had helped on the field which Crash took full advantage of to stand on the field with him. Scooter will not wear tennis shoes so in the summer it is either flip flops or boots. So yes we had the child with boots and jeans playing t-ball.

I also had to take a picture of a beautiful sunset! I love how the evenings can become almost magical in the changing clouds and colors.

I almost forgot! Big news! Scooter (this is all about him apparently) is now riding a bike without training wheels! His training wheels look worn out. Orrin is sure they were slowing him down by catching on things and skidding on the ground. Now we just need to get Crash to learn to pedal!

Fishing with Daddy

Last Sunday afternoon Orrin decided he wanted to take the kids fishing at a pond nearby our house. The only problem was that it had been rainy all day. We finally saw a break in the weather....sorta... so we packed the kids in one of the four-wheel drive farm pickups and headed on the five mile trip. This is what the clouds looked like going there.....

Crash did what he does whenever we get into a vehicle around 5pm and CRASHED! Poor guy missed out on the whole thing! I was sorta glad that he did so we could leave him in the pickup (with the windows down so we could hear the bear when he awoke.) That and since it was so muddy I held Little Miss the WHOLE two hours we were there. So I was more than ready to go when we finally left.

Orrin and Scooter did catch two blue gills....with their hands. They had gotten trapped in ruts when the runoff raised the pond level. Thankfully they both swam off when released.

I sometimes forget how great all the opportunites of explore ponds was where I grew up. We would take my brothers' jet ski out to a watershed pond of ours and be able to tube or knee board on the pond! I also remember walking with friends to neighbors ponds and going swimming when I was in grade school. I will never forget the first time my brothers and I went tubing behind a three-wheeler and we went out on the frozen pond with the three-wheeler. Also the fun playing ice hockey with tree branches for goals and snow boots for ice skates. Oh yes we also went fishing. I took all that for granted until I moved to Northwest Kansas where the ponds look more like mud puddles to me. Did I mention we also lived near a creek and played hours upon hours in it? I don't know what my mother thought when we dragged ourselves home after these "adventures"! Ah rural life is great!

I wonder if we came home looking like this more than a few times? Scooter has to limit himself to the mud puddles on the farm for now.

Fun with Family

The last two weekends have been filled with family get-togethers or just spending time as a family unit. We had to go back to North Central Kansas for my *gasp* 10th year class reunion. It was a good time and I enjoyed seeing some of my best friends and their families.
On Sunday my brother Max and his wife Leann graciously hosted a swimming/BBQ party for our family and some cousins! It was great! My oldest brother, Milton, decided to still try some "older brother scare tactics" on me and I am glad to say, I did not go running:)


Even when he got this close! Yes that is his headlight, which is why he had to leave early, while he could still see!



This last weekend was the Herndon Ox Roast held in Herndon Kansas just straight north of our farm about 13 miles. I had never been and Orrin hadn't been as an adult. Since it had rained the day before there was no spraying or field work to do so for a change the men got to participate also. We had a "mini float" in the parade and with our Scooter(oldest child) pulling a wagon with a pedal tractor. The sign said "The future looks bright in Herndon" with all the kids wearing their sunglasses(on a very cloudy cool day!). I pulled a wagon with the other two kids in it and advertised for our VBS night at church which is coming up at the end of June. The kids had alot of fun. Little Miss(our little girl) was busy trying to steal candy out of Crash's(our second child) bucket so there was some tension in my wagon but otherwise went well! I couldn't believe the parade lasted so long....at least 45 minutes!



Crash "crashed" while eating corn on the cob. He would take a bite and slowly close his eyes, then open to take a bite. Sometimes even onery kids can be so cute!



*I am taking a clue off a fellow blogger and cousin by not putting my children's names but nicknames instead. Hopefully these will not change as to confuse you.*

Wonderful Day!!!

Ever have one of those days that makes you smile? I had one today. I guess the main ingredient anymore to having a great day is spending the day as a family. Add that we tagged along with Orrin as he worked, riding 4-wheelers, beautiful day to be outside, and pastures and it gets even better! Ended with a B-E-A-utiful sunset!



The boys new obsession is following cow paths in the pastures, which turns out to be a favorite thing Orrin and I both did as children too! We found a huge tree that had split making it perfect to climb on. The actual trunk was hollowed out and I made all my boys get in it for a picture! All around this big tree were turkey feathers. I excitedly told the boys that turkeys must come here to roost at night! When Orrin came over to see, he informed them a coyote or bobcat must have killed and eaten a turkey here. I was relieved they didn't burst into tears after hearing that happy ending:)



Orrin had to go around checking fence and he brought an extra 4-wheeler for me and the little ones. He also changed the oil in the windmill heads of two of the windmills. I admit that I was a little nervous with the kids there ready to watch their father fall to his death or dismemberment. I especially wasn't pleased when he TOOK a PHONE CALL on the top! I did not take a picture as I could just see the flash making him stumble or loose his grip. Ranchers risk their life just providing water to their livestock. Maybe I should have taken a picture and the caption would be "What have you done to put food on the plate of others?" He did tell the boys that until he says they are big enough to climb up the windmill....they can't. I sure hoped they listened! Notice in some of the pictures how dirty he was from all the oil! As ranchers in Northwest Kansas it is possible for the wind not to blow and pump water for cattle. Orrin and his father Kevin have been putting more and more submersible pumps in that eliminates wind issues. However floats still can be broken by cows that prefer to swim instead of drink so checking cattle out to pasture is a mandatory once a week but better it be twice a week chore in the summertime. People have lost whole herds by assuming everything was going right and it wasn't. Being good stewards is important to us as we also are very conscious of over grazing and stocking rates(how many cattle are in a pasture per acre, we try for 11 acres per cow). We also rotate cattle into different connected, smaller pastures to control the quality of forage or grass. It also helps to keeps tabs on the cattle, looking for any sickness, lameness etc.


Orrin and the boys in a washout that they found by following a trail!


My little girl and I enjoying the day with DADDY!!!

Where are all the nice people?

Everywhere! This last weekend my family traveled down south three hours to the big town of Burdett (I am saying that nicely as I am from a small town) for my husband's aunt's surprise 50th Birthday Party! We stopped in Hays as my sista Gwen and three of her kids were attending a Collegiate Rodeo. We talked a little then because she had some shopping to do we went along until we were in danger of arriving at the birthday party late! It was great! Alot of family was there so that is always great too! We spent the night at Orrin's grandmother's house. Since there are so many of us we get to stay in the north bedroom, which has a round bed, couch, and plenty of floor space. It cracks Orrin and I up though because the radio station that comes in the best at night(our kids always sleep with noise-radio, fan etc) is a 70's and 60's hits. So if feels as if you are in a time warp all night!


We went to church with Nana and Grana(Orrin's mom) in Larned and I got to see a woman that I went to school with in Sylvan and her family. Her parents from Sylvan just happened to be there too so got to chat with them for a few minutes. Then it was back to Nana's to have Lasagna another cousin and her family brought out. We then went back to Rozel to the 50 year old Aunt La's house to talk with her family, her daughter Nikki who is why Orrin and I met. It was great but as always we chatted way too long so we got home way too late on Sunday night. Here is a picture of the kids with their great-grandmother Nana



Monday morning we get up and drive two hours into Nebraska to go to the dentist...with kids. Orrin and I had our appointments and then we went to our usual eating place in North Platte.....Taco Bell/Long John's Silvers, strange combo but we can find alot of food that the kids like and about the only place you can always get corn-on-the-cob. Went through the drive thru and went back to a small park by this big Nebraska State office close to the dentist we use.
We start to sit at a picnic table and it is cold and windy. The kids don't want to eat and we don't either! So we decide to let the kids play and they can just eat in the car on the two hour trip home.
Side note: we left our car running because after Orrin got done and I went in, the kids were in the car and I had turned the accessory on so we could still listen to music and Orrin just got the kids out and didn't turn it off. We had a dead car by the time I got done. Luckily the dentist hadn't left for lunch yet and she jumped us with her Caddy:) I told her to add it to our bill :)
So the kids are playing like crazy in the park. I finally can't stand all the trash, socks, gloves etc...lying around this little park and start picking up. Orrin tells me to "Quit touching other people's stuff!" I ignore him and keep tidying up. We finally leave and head home.
Once home Orrin starts feeding cows, got a load done when he parks the feed truck by the house to tell me "I just got an interesting phone call"
Turns out I had left my phone at the picnic table in that park and someone had turned it in to the police station. GET THIS, someone named "Investigator Shane" had enough time to try to find whose phone it was! He asked Orrin if he recognized the number 0- No let me check-it is my wife's phone. INS-OK we can send it to you, what's your address O-Oberlin KS INS-Does your wife live in North Platte? O-Nope we were just at the dentist this morning!

So someone was NICE enough to turn my phone in to a person NICE enough to try to find out whose it was!!!!! Plus I was NICE enough to pick up other people's trash....proof what goes around sometimes comes around NICELY!!!!!! However at this time I don't have my phone yet :)

My Mom's shoes

Last week I spent some time in my mom's shoes. YIKES!

For those of you who don't know, my parents live on a farm and ranch. Their house is dubbed "Grand Central Station". I have three older brothers who also are back farming/ranching with my Dad so they are coming and going all the time. Right now there is only one hired hand that is living in one of my parents houses close to GCS. Oh, did I mention I also have a sister that lives only 9 miles away?

My super mom watches her grandchildren when her schedule allows it, which means every Monday and Wednesday during the school year. This year on Mondays Mom had a 4yr boy, just 2 yr girl, 5 month girl, and three month girl. On Wednesdays, same kids but not the 3 month old. All the girls get picked up by their mothers who are teachers at Sylvan and they only teach half days and the boy waits for his three older siblings to get off the bus at "Grammie and Papa's" Sometimes other cousins like to get dropped off too, then get taken home with their fathers or until their moms come back and get them. So there are alot of kids around....alot.

I should also mention that I have another sister who lives by Wichita. She and I are the only ones not living within 20 miles of my parents and since she moved from Kansas City to Wichita she is now 15 minutes closer to our parents than I am. If you are counting that is six total, three girls, three boys of my parents.

Now I come to visit and help out as my Dad got an infection in his leg....cellulitis and was in the hospital for a week. He is O.K. but is still receiving two IV treatments a day still and this whole process is in the third week. O.K. so I come to visit as MY house was going to be a hard place to be with kids as our plumbing was getting totally replaced by Orrin's Uncle Larry. Thanks Larry! We have awesome water pressure everywhere now.

I come with my THREE kids and add a little spice to the mix. As if it needed any. Mom also makes hot meals twice a day for anyone and everyone that happens to be around or if they aren't promptly makes them a lunch. OY.

I did survive three hours by myself with seven kids four and under. I kept saying to myself...if people with multiples can do it...so can I. Here are the run down of ages...two 4 yr boys, one almost three yr boy, one almost two yr girl, one 14 month girl, one five month girl, and one three month girl. I was to have help from another sister-in-law but her kindergartner was sick, but on Wednesday I had her awesome help.

I really hope my Mom stays in good health forever so I won't be called on to fill her shoes for over that three hours. But if she can do it, I can too. Just not as well. :) She is an awesome farm mom and now grandmother.


My Dad's leg in the hospital two weeks ago.



Let's spend some time coloring!!!! My three kids and a nephew and niece!



You are never too old to play dress-up in Grandma's clothes!!! Who else loves polyester???!!!!! See I wasn't busy all the time!

Accidents Happen

Well, accidents happen to everyone. We have had our fair share on this farm however this weekend has been pretty accident-prone.
First off I want to say that this is NOT our semi or trailer but it is our bales (which much to Orrin's dismay have not been weighed yet to calculate the price per ton) and it is very, very close to our house. Oh and I forgot...that's our fence we have to fix now. So it is someonelse's mistake but definitely our problem. We now have to glorious duty of helping with putting it back on its wheels with our equipment and our time. Joy. We don't like it but nor can we just say "Sorry, your problem." Argh...the guilty conscience is a mighty weapon to rural, Christian people.
We have to keep repeating to ourselves....treat them how you would want to be treated!
Everyone has accidents...my big one involved my middle son and it got him hurt. One of a mother's worst fears is hurting her child. I was making Unbaked Peanut Butter Cookies, a staple while I was growing up and it involves boiling corn syrup and sugar...so a hot stove. When I was moving the hot pan from the stove to the counter to spoon the cookies onto parchment paper is when it happened. A previously uninterested son chose that moment to see what was going on and put his hand on the freshly vacated burner. His hand was burned and I felt it was my fault by not keeping my eye on the stove. My pride of making yummy cookies for my children was gone and in its place was a sick feeling. I wonder if this is how God feels when he sees one of His children sin? I hate the feeling of failure and am always disappointed with myself, however I can't seem to make myself "hover" over my children to ensure their constant safety. I know that I can't always be there and they must learn some lessons on their own. I have a feeling that I could have reminded my son a million times that the stove was hot but it took him getting hurt to always remember that lesson. Is that how God deals with us? When we sin He could take away the consequences but when we have to face them...it impacts us so much more. We remember! So accidents happen because we forget or don't heed the warnings but in the end it makes us remember so much better.
Well, that's it for Deep Thoughts by Beth. :)
Unbaked Peanut Butter Cookies
1 c. sugar
1 c. corn syrup
2 c. peanut butter
6 c. corn flakes
Mix sugar and syrup in a saucepan and bring to a rolling boil. Remove from heat and add peanut butter and mix well. Mix in corn flakes. Drop from a teaspoon on waxed paper or parchment paper.
Below is a picture of my friend's little boy and my little girl enjoying Polly!

Starting out

I guess I have entered into the world of blogging. I know several people with blogs from what their families are doing to what issues most concern them. I believe that I will be a mix of things from the F's....Faith, Family, Farm, Friends.

Today I am waiting for one of my best friends to come visit my family for a few days with her little son. Although he is only seven months old, I look forward to exposing him to his first baby calf. We have two bottle calves right now that we feed twice a day. Both were born twins and Orrin pulled them off so their sibling could stay with their mom. We hope we have to feed these two throughout the calving season because otherwise another calf would have had to die. These are "adoption" calves. We are saving these calves for a momma cow who has lost her calf.

I have decided to name them Polly (the Gelbvieh calf-more redish/brown) and Molly (the Black Angus calf). You know....Polly Holle and Molly Holle!

Orrin gets a little frustrated at them, and I do too! They both demand to be fed but can't quite figure out that if they concentrate on their OWN bottle instead of the other calf's it would go smoother. Instead I end up coming back in the house covered from the hip down in calf slobber and smelling of milk replacer. But they are so cute so I forgive them!

Calving season is going well as evidenced by us having two extra calves. Some years we are calling neighbors and scouring the sale barns for baby calves to buy to put on a cow that has lost her calf. It is then a whole ordeal to get the cow to accept the new calf. Orrin has found the best way is to skin the dead calf from shoulder to hip and then tie the skin on the new calf with twine. That way there the new calf smells just like the dead calf. We make sure to put the cow and new calf in a stall together so they can bond quicker. It is easier for some than others but we try hard to give each cow a chance to prove herself as a mother.

The weather isn't cooperating well today. It has continued to snow most of the day with a wet heavy snow. The ground is not frozen so under the snow is a layer of mud. The good thing is the temperature is not so cold nor is the wind blowing. We can't wait for it to dry out and be sunny and warm!