Farm~School~Life

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A New Beginning

Hi Y'all! I haven't blogged regularly in over a year! I can't believe that it's been that long!

Lots of have changed in the last year and I can't wait to share it with you!

Before I dig into an update, I want to welcome all those who might be new to my blog!

Thanks for stopping by and learning more about our faith, farm, and family!

A little background info...my husband and I are 11th generation farmers...I always said 10th but we have learned in the last year that I calculated wrong. We have a family owned and operated dairy in South Carolina. There are less than 50 other dairies left in our state!

We farm along with my husband's parents and our 4 farm kids.

For years I worked full time off the farm however in November I quit my job to stay at home and help on the farm! Talk about a big adjustment!!

So far I am loving it! Now I'm not saying my house is cleaner or that I'm caught up on laundry or that I have started tackling that long list of "things I want to do". I am saying that I get to spend more time with my family, I am happier and I am doing what I am passionate about.

My days consist of school drop offs & pick ups, feeding babies (human and bovine varieties), washing dishes, doing laundry, squeezing in time to read my Bible and churn out a few stitches, baking and chasing after little ones. I wouldn't have it any other way...even though it also means you may find me in the milk parlor more than the house, many times covered in poop & baby vomit and there aren't as many dress up days for the Princess Farmgirl.

So welcome back! I can't wait to get back to blogging on a more regular basis...

now tell me what you would like to read about?

Our faith?

Our farm?

Cloth diapering?

Sewing Tips/Tricks?

Pattern Reviews?

Recipes?

Dairy Farms?

Kids clothes?

Until next time

5 in 15

Every year I develop a list of things I want to do.

Some years it's a list of 25 things...

last years was 14...

this year there are 5 things I want to do.

None of them focus on blogging...

these are all very personal goals that I want to accomplish in my life and my family's life.

That doesn't mean I don't plan to blog...

it just means we are going to take some time to truly focus what's important.
I have goals for the blog but honestly they are lengthy and probably not that interesting...not that my personal ones are either but you know...

So what are my 5 in 15?

1) Study God's word more.

Study by myself, with my family and with friends. I need to dig deeper and soak up all he has to offer.

2) Be thankful for my blessings.

As the year wound down I began to hear myself (and others around me) complain more and more about what we didn't have or our circumstances. After reflecting it made me realized that I need to be more thankful for the life God has given me, even if it's not how my mind planned it.

3) Rid our life of excess.

This means excess clothes, toys, debt, and commitment, among other things. Our lives are so full of stuff we can't find what's important. I want to simplify our life so that we can truly enjoy the things that matter.

4) Sew because I want to...not because I have too.

I love to sew but the only time my sewing machine gets used is when I need to complete an order. I want to take the time this year to sew those items on my list I have been dreaming about.

5) Complete our family yearbooks.

I did Wyatt a year book for his 1st year. I started on his second and never finished. I would love to be able to complete one book for each boy for each year and a family book as well. I also want to complete our family cookbook which I have been working on for about 5 years now...

So there you have it...

my 5 in 15.

Do you set goals you wish to accomplish each year?

Share them in the comments below!

May God bless you & keep you!

Caci

Farmlife Friday: Stock Show Life

We are a stock show family.

We spend days, weeks and months

training kids and animals to work together as a team.

Kids have to learn how to set an animal just right to make them look their best,
the animals have to learn to trust the kids and listen to them.

We spend weekends and holidays traveling 100's of miles

to look at, judge, purchase and show stock.

In our family it's not just one kind.

We show pigs,

lambs,

2005

cows (beef & dairy),

and the occasional chicken.

Many folks have asked why we do it...

and some days I can't tell you why...

it's hard work,

cost lots of money & time,

some days you get hurt,

& it can make everyone a little grumpy from time to time...

but on more days than not I see why in the boys eyes...

it's the patience and responsibly learned

the friendships gained,

the work ethic,
the determination,

the compassion it teaches

the togetherness that it brings,

the tradition that lives on,

You see this isn't a game you can leave at the field,

this is a way of life for your entire family.

It takes everyone doing their part to make showing livestock fun.

I love that our boys can continue showing livestock...

they are at least the 4th generations in both families to show.

I pray that they grow to love the show ring and the work it takes to get there.

Until we meet again...God bless you & keep you!

(We're off to another show)

Caci

#Farmlife Friday

To many folks surprise farm life doesn't just include what's happening on the farm.

In our farm family farm life is our life...so it includes everything that is going on...

from new calves being born,

teeth being cut,

to starting new journeys... all of it is part of life on the farm.

Last weekend the boys and I had to work on fence.

Some of the beef cows kept visiting the neighbors who apparently didn't want house guest :)

The cows always seem to inspect my work when fixing fence.

The boys enjoyed splashing around in the creek and playing in the sandy bottoms.

Wyatt's hens have started laying eggs consistently. We have 16 chickens now as one of our hens have wandered off. Of the 16, four of them are old enough to lay. We are getting on average 3 eggs a day. Our other 12 should start laying around the 1st of October. Not really sure what we are going to do with 16 eggs a day!!

School started this week and the farm baby has been having a blast riding in the silage truck...

well that is until he gets covered from head to toe in silage and then he pitches a fit. I think he's loving his only child time. Those sweet curls you see above are no more :( The baby got his first haircut Wednesday.

I am always amazed at how much a hair cut can change a person. It is official we now longer have a baby. He is quickly growing into "Big Boy" status.

Speaking of big boys...the farm boy started 1st grade on Wednesday. (Side note: Wednesday was a very emotional day for this momma). He was excited to know many of the others in his class but nervous about a new teacher and new expectations.

The Farm Boy was getting settled in at his table on the 1st day.

It floors me how much he has grown up in the last year. I can't wait to see how he flourishes in 1st grade!

Needless to say this week has been busy and full of re-establishing routines.

The Farmboy wasn't very happy about "having to quit work" to return to school but all good things must come to an end. So as we say goodbye to summer we pray that all of you will have a blessed school year!

Until we meet again,

Caci

#Farmlife Friday

Periodically throughout the year I take a couple of weeks off from blogging.

I do this for a couple of reasons but the main one is to refocus.

Blogging doesn't make me any money and requires a fair amount of time,

but I really enjoy it. It allows me to express myself and share a little about our life.

With that said over the last couple of weeks I have really thought about what I wanted to share on the blog and have a developed a schedule. Today kicks off the first new feature #Farmlife Friday!

On Fridays we will be sharing all about what is happening around our farm.

Over the last few weeks things have been super busy.

Farmboy's hens started laying their first eggs.

Since they have started laying the hens need more room so

the Farmer & Farmboy have been working on building a bigger coop.

The Farmboy has also been working with his show lambs and calves

to get them ready for the upcoming shows

Sunday afternoons have been devoted to catching up on naps

and hanging out with the Farmer at the barn.

These farm kids really love to help during milking times as well.

We are winding down our last few precious days of summer,

hoping to grab a few more afternoons at the pool before school starts back.

So what has your family been up to?

Until we meet again!

Caci

Wrangler Wednesday: Farmers love to learn...even on vacation

So this past weekend the #farmer, #farmboys & I took a mini vacation,

thanks to our milk cooperative.

View from our hotel room

We attended our 1st Summer Break...in Amish Country.

Now some of you may think we spent the 4 days eating ourselves silly,

touring Amish Farms, and visiting the world's largest Coo-Coo Clock.

However that's not exactly how it worked out.

Lunch with my handsome hubs

We did eat.

And the crazy farmboys

The farmer's favorite part of our trip was the toll booths (WV) and the tunnels (VA) along I-77.

We did get to explore some very scenic parts of Ohio

Amish Countryside

Visit a popular town park...which puts our playground to shame

Carousal at Tuscora Park

The Farmer & Farm Boys at Tuscora Park

Celebrate National Ice Cream Day

Enjoy some great family time together

Meet lots of new folks (yes, all dairy farmers)

Farm kids enjoying the pool

But the purpose wasn't solely for fun, but also education.

1 of the 4 small groups at Andreas Dairy Farm

You see this is organized by our milk cooperative to allow young farmers (18-40)

to visit other dairies and learn how they operate.

Some had niche markets such as making maple syrup

What are those dairies doing differently?

How are they keeping cows cool?

Farmer & Farm Baby checking out the cows at a farm

How do they handle fresh cows (cows who just had a calf)?

What are they feeding their cows?

Barn Quilt at Steam Valley Farms, Steel Family

And the whole family gets to attend...which is great since it's hard to get away from the farm,

especially as a whole family.

Farmboy enjoying a snack break at Steam Valley Farms

We also were able to spend time with other folks just like us,

who work hard each day to supply others with safe, wholesome milk for their families and ours.

Who value their cattle and their land...

You see on this tour

there were 120+ people...

I didn't see one factory farmer.

I saw moms,

dads,

and kids

who all make up family farms

from Georgia to Pennsylvania.

Each farmer was attending so they could learn more,

get new ideas,

and fellowship with fellow farmers.

the Farm Baby only lasted half a day on the tours

Unfortunately the Farm Baby & I missed out on everything after lunch.

He was in desperate need of a nap...

which turned into a sleep fest.

He slept 13+ hours between Monday afternoon & Tuesday morning!!

When the Farmer & Farm Boy arrived back from the evening activities

I took the boy back to the pool.

Where many farm families sat around watching the kids play

while they chatted about everything from cow comfort to #momlife.

You see farmers make up a very small portion of the U.S. population (less than 2%),

so when we get a chance to visit with others like us...

we tend to play catch up because

you most likely won't see them again for another 6 months to a year!

Overall we had a great trip.

The Farm boys did great on the trip,

but were super excited to be back home

and out of the car.

The farmer had some much needed time to relax.

He was headed to the farm within 30 minutes of getting home.

As the farm wife & mom,

I still have a mountain of laundry to catch up on,

have to return to our normal routine today.

But wouldn't trade a minute of it.

Until we meet again...

Caci

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A New Beginning

5 in 15

Farmlife Friday: Stock Show Life

#Farmlife Friday

#Farmlife Friday

Wrangler Wednesday: Farmers love to learn...even on vacation

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