Today is one of those days when I feel pulled so many directions. I haven't met a fellow mommy yet who has managed to maintain a one thing at a time life. Today is truly my "farm mommy" day.
First of all, it's our first day back to school after the Christmas holiday. This is the first day I have had to set my alarm for 6 days. Even though most days I was up before my alarm would have gone off anyway, it seems worse to be woken up by an alarm. Per usual, it was mom getting up to wake everyone up, too. This means lots of heads covered up by pillows, lights turned back off, and blankets pulled back up. Yet, we made it. Somehow we managed to be out the door early this a.m. Maybe it's because I was excited and got lunches packed last night before I went to bed. Maybe.
Anyhow, I got the girls dropped at school, Nolan dropped at Grandma's, then headed in to volunteer in Bella's classroom for an hour. I helped assess the kids on the dumb RTI pre-tests. Then headed back to get Nolie and went straight to the barn.
Here at the barn, we are testing for PRRS, a respiratory illness, by doing saliva rope tests. So much fun to wring pig spit out of ropes, but it's better than bloodwork. We are working with Dr. Noel today, who seems like a really great guy. We take pride in making sure that every animal in our buildings is healthy, so it is nice to get to work with a veterinary group who feels the same way.
The rest of my day is planned out like this. Head home, get lunch for Nolie, try to get him to take a nap while I do dishes, laundry, and continue to try to find places for all the new toys the kids got for Christmas. Go back to get the girls from school, head home, finish supper, bath time, bedtime, more laundry, catch up on dvr shows and try to stay awake. First day back to work this year is tomorrow.
Despite the craziness, I love getting to spend the time doing what I do. Until tomorrow....
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Monday, January 2, 2012
Gluten Free Grocery Shopping
Getting groceries with three kids under the age of 5 is always a total blast. Read: sarcasm. Now that the girls are getting a little older, it is slightly easier, but I am still saying, "Put that back", "No we can't get that", etc. Yes, I give them tasks to help. "Bella, I need you to remember these three things, and Mae you need to remember these three things". And, yep, it's me who puts it all in the cart anyway.
Adding to the fun is the fact that Mae has Celiac Disease and has to eat gluten free. She can't have any foods with wheat, rye, barley, or oats or any of their derivatives. I am quite adept at reading labels after two plus years of doing so.
Today, was an exception to all these things. I was armed with my coupon binder, a list, and two kids. John took Nolan and went to Rural King after they dropped us off at HyVee. Now, just so you know, I am going to brand name drop today. I am not being paid by anyone, but it makes me happy to find products for Mae that are safe, and on sale, so I am happy to share names of products!
Here are some of the AWESOME things that we bought today that are gluten free: Kikoman Teriyaki Sauce (this is #1 on my list because few, if any, chinese food items are gluten free), HyVee brand Soy Sauce, General Mills Chex cereals and Trix cereal, Udi's gluten free white bread (unbelievable!!!), Food Should Taste Good cheddar cracker crisps, Hodgson Mill pastas, HyVee brand mini colored marshmallows, flavored milk straws (which are just cool anyway), Betty Crocker fruit snacks (My Little Pony and Thomas the Tank Engine of course), Capri Sun, Jell-o, etc. There are plenty of other things that we bought (like fresh produce) that are gluten free, but I could go on forever. My point is, two years ago I spent over 4 hrs in the store almost in tears reading labels and trying to find ANYTHING that actually was labelled as Gluten Free. A short 24 months later, we are finding many products that are labelled as gluten free and are found in the "regular" food section, not the natural food section (where they can hike up the price more).
All this said, if you know someone who needs a little extra help at the grocery store, I am happy to help them walk through. I wish I would have had that person with me the first trip.
Adding to the fun is the fact that Mae has Celiac Disease and has to eat gluten free. She can't have any foods with wheat, rye, barley, or oats or any of their derivatives. I am quite adept at reading labels after two plus years of doing so.
Today, was an exception to all these things. I was armed with my coupon binder, a list, and two kids. John took Nolan and went to Rural King after they dropped us off at HyVee. Now, just so you know, I am going to brand name drop today. I am not being paid by anyone, but it makes me happy to find products for Mae that are safe, and on sale, so I am happy to share names of products!
Here are some of the AWESOME things that we bought today that are gluten free: Kikoman Teriyaki Sauce (this is #1 on my list because few, if any, chinese food items are gluten free), HyVee brand Soy Sauce, General Mills Chex cereals and Trix cereal, Udi's gluten free white bread (unbelievable!!!), Food Should Taste Good cheddar cracker crisps, Hodgson Mill pastas, HyVee brand mini colored marshmallows, flavored milk straws (which are just cool anyway), Betty Crocker fruit snacks (My Little Pony and Thomas the Tank Engine of course), Capri Sun, Jell-o, etc. There are plenty of other things that we bought (like fresh produce) that are gluten free, but I could go on forever. My point is, two years ago I spent over 4 hrs in the store almost in tears reading labels and trying to find ANYTHING that actually was labelled as Gluten Free. A short 24 months later, we are finding many products that are labelled as gluten free and are found in the "regular" food section, not the natural food section (where they can hike up the price more).
All this said, if you know someone who needs a little extra help at the grocery store, I am happy to help them walk through. I wish I would have had that person with me the first trip.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
New Year's Resolution
Year after year, we all make resolutions to improve something, try something new, or just to have more rest and relaxation. I have once again joined that bandwagon, and set a resolution. This year, I am going to try to post 365 blog posts. Ideally, I would do that once a day. Realistically, there will be days when I have to catch up on a few. As the title to my blog states, I am a Farm Mommy. I will be blogging about my life. Sometimes that is going to be simply about being a mom, others about just being a farmer, and sometimes a mix of both. Please help me stick to this goal. I need you to keep me accountable. I think that this could be a fun way for me to look back on the past year and see what we are really up to.
So...up until this post, I had 16 previous posts. I owe you 364 more this year to bring that total to 381.
Happy New Year 2012 to all of you! I'm headed back to spend precious time with my family before we go back to school and life sweeps us away again. Gods blessings for a healthy and prosperous New Year!
So...up until this post, I had 16 previous posts. I owe you 364 more this year to bring that total to 381.
Happy New Year 2012 to all of you! I'm headed back to spend precious time with my family before we go back to school and life sweeps us away again. Gods blessings for a healthy and prosperous New Year!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Stationery card
A Wonderful Year Christmas Card
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Thursday, November 10, 2011
Thankful for Seasons
Here I sit looking out the window, saying thanks for changing seasons. I realize that I am the minority here, but there is something magical about how year after year, we see the same changes. In the early spring, we see small sprigs of green tulip leaves poking through the snow, letting us know that Spring is on it's way. And now, I see the most vibrant red maple leaves, reminding me to bundle up because Winter is nearly here.
Also exciting, are the holidays that come along with the changing of the seasons. We get Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas back to back, which although the weather is getting colder, our hearts seem to get warmer. It's my favorite time of the year. I love the feeling you get from giving a great gift, helping those in need, and simply by spending time with your family.
Christmas tunes are echoing through our halls, and although I was brought up to wait until Thanksgiving weekend to put up the tree, I can't help wanting to sneak down to the basement while everyone is sleeping and put it up. I love seeing the kids stockings hung in anticipation of being weighed down with fun toys and snacks, and the growing collection of Christmas stories we put under our tree until they are covered up by presents. I love getting to play the big man in red, too. Listening to the kids secrets to each other about what they hope Santa will bring, and making those wishes come true.
So, yes, I love the changing of the seasons. There is truly nothing more exciting than quietly falling snowflakes creating our White Christmas.
Also exciting, are the holidays that come along with the changing of the seasons. We get Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas back to back, which although the weather is getting colder, our hearts seem to get warmer. It's my favorite time of the year. I love the feeling you get from giving a great gift, helping those in need, and simply by spending time with your family.
Christmas tunes are echoing through our halls, and although I was brought up to wait until Thanksgiving weekend to put up the tree, I can't help wanting to sneak down to the basement while everyone is sleeping and put it up. I love seeing the kids stockings hung in anticipation of being weighed down with fun toys and snacks, and the growing collection of Christmas stories we put under our tree until they are covered up by presents. I love getting to play the big man in red, too. Listening to the kids secrets to each other about what they hope Santa will bring, and making those wishes come true.
So, yes, I love the changing of the seasons. There is truly nothing more exciting than quietly falling snowflakes creating our White Christmas.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Stationery card
A Wonderful Year Christmas Card
Create unique Christmas cards with Shutterfly.
View the entire collection of cards.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Thankful for Time
As I was cleaning in my silent home, I began to ponder how fast it seems that life is happening. I know that everyone warned me that as soon as we had kids time would fly, but no one told me how exponentially quickly time would fly. So, here is today's revelation:
I was born in Evanston, IL. I remember my home on 5th Ave. in Des Plaines, IL. That was a couple decades ago, but still. I remember them, and still consider myself a city girl at heart. But there I was today, wearing oversized army green coveralls, standing in a building full of crying piglets pondering how fast time flies. 15 1/2 years ago I met this farm boy. I chuckled at the fact that he had grown up on a hog farm. I chuckled because there was something intriguing and interesting about this farm boy that I didn't know I would ever find attractive. Growing up I had always pictured a Parisian flat with my business suit clad husband rushing out the door to an important meeting. But here I am 15 years later, standing in a new hog barn surrounded by 1200 animals, being grateful for God's plan.
You see, this weekend, my kids are gone. And, since it is November, John is also gone in a tractor somewhere. This leaves me in an infrequently quiet house to ponder. So here I sit, avoiding all the chores that need to be done, saying thanks for the most amazing blessings. I have an amazing farmer husband, three beautiful and mostly well-behaved children, two dogs, some farm cats, and a great new business.
So, Father Time, please continue to tick away the minutes, but allow me a few days in the midst of it all to sit in this occasionally quiet house and give thanks for my blessings. And, as to the speed at which time seems to go by, allow me a clearer view at what is really important. Allow me to enjoy each passing moment and store it away for another one of these quiet days.
I was born in Evanston, IL. I remember my home on 5th Ave. in Des Plaines, IL. That was a couple decades ago, but still. I remember them, and still consider myself a city girl at heart. But there I was today, wearing oversized army green coveralls, standing in a building full of crying piglets pondering how fast time flies. 15 1/2 years ago I met this farm boy. I chuckled at the fact that he had grown up on a hog farm. I chuckled because there was something intriguing and interesting about this farm boy that I didn't know I would ever find attractive. Growing up I had always pictured a Parisian flat with my business suit clad husband rushing out the door to an important meeting. But here I am 15 years later, standing in a new hog barn surrounded by 1200 animals, being grateful for God's plan.
You see, this weekend, my kids are gone. And, since it is November, John is also gone in a tractor somewhere. This leaves me in an infrequently quiet house to ponder. So here I sit, avoiding all the chores that need to be done, saying thanks for the most amazing blessings. I have an amazing farmer husband, three beautiful and mostly well-behaved children, two dogs, some farm cats, and a great new business.
So, Father Time, please continue to tick away the minutes, but allow me a few days in the midst of it all to sit in this occasionally quiet house and give thanks for my blessings. And, as to the speed at which time seems to go by, allow me a clearer view at what is really important. Allow me to enjoy each passing moment and store it away for another one of these quiet days.
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