Memories of Memorial Day

Okay, so I'm a week late, but between a newborn, a nearly two year old, two very busy older children, and NO INTERNET for the past few days, I need some grace.

Anyway, life on the farm is at a bit of a frustrating stand still, as the heat, humidity and rain are great for the corn crop, but frustratingly terrible for some one trying to make hay...i.e., Joe.

So, we've spent a lot of time together as a family, which is great, and one of those times together was Memorial Day. Joe and I have shared many Memorial Day memories, from his childhood memories of picnicking with his family, mowing hay, and subsequently baling it. My memories include watching my dad shoot his gun in the honor guard with the American Legion, tumbling in the Memorial Day parade...either freezing or sweating, and watching Dad frantically try to mow his roadsides before Memorial Day, because "that's just what you do," but my most memorable Memorial Day was the day we lost my Grandpa Mac.

It has been seven years, but my grandpa is a topic of conversation often, as he was a cattleman. He loved Joe, was proud of me for picking someone who was "worth something" (he never minced words), and loved that Joe shared his love for livestock. Unfortunately, we lost Grandpa right before we found out we were expecting Anna, and he never got to see Joe in action as a cattle farmer.

Grandpa was a World War II vet, and the irony of the date of his death was that it occurred on the "true" Memorial Day, and although I was truly miserable and happy to deliver Jack early, he was due on this date as well, May 29th. I figured if I made it to my actual due date, it would be a fitting tribute to my grandpa.

He would have loved my kids. Anna and her quirks, her tomboyish attitude, and her love for animals; Josie and her sass would have gotten a harsh look, but her spunk would have made him proud. And, just this week, Amelia's new phrase is "Check cows, Daddy?" Grandpa would have loved this, and would have especially been touched by the picture Joe took of the two girls looking over a pasture, where Grandpa kept his cows.

Grandpa would have loved that we didn't name Jack something "weird" that we would regret, and would have probably given us a lot of advice raising this boy! Again, not a "word mincer!"

In farming, we're not out to be rich or famous. We're not out to be anything but good stewards of the land. This path that has been laid by not only my Grandpa Mac, but Joe's grandpas, my other grandfather, my dad, Joe's dad, countless uncles, aunts, grandmas, mothers, etc. We are walking along the same road, along the same fence line, in the same fields as generations before us. I am new to this world, but it is not new to my family line. I need to remember that.

A day like Memorial Day is one of those times that I am reminded of how lucky we are to be in this profession.

Birds and the Bees

If you're friends with Joe on Facebook, this will seem redundant, but for those who are not, his last status update recounted a recent event including Anna, her "town cousin," and a bull. After our family Easter egg hunt, Anna's little blond cousin ran up to the fence line where "Pappy" had a bull and a few cows near the edge of the yard. She innocently poked her hand through the fence and said, "Hi, cow!" Anna, who had run up with her, without skipping a beat, corrected the citified cousin stating, "That's not a COW, it's a BULL. Look at his {rhymes with falls}!"

Oh boy.

Joe's 86 year old grandfather, who heard the correction nearly died of laughter. Joe was so proud. I was MORTIFIED.

Honestly.

However, it got me to think, why shouldn't she correct something that's obviously incorrect in an absolutely blunt and truthful way? I have read a lot of debate and been a part of discussions recently about not lying to our kids. While it is probably not the most appropriate thing for us to equate certain events that are leading to the birth of our son with what the bull is now doing to the heifers in heat (cow porn is happening across the road...it's very lovely, let me tell you.), isn't it okay to explain to Anna, in language and verbage that is appropriate to her about essentially the birds and the bees when it comes to the cattle in which she feels somewhat responsible for?

I'm not telling you to run out and teach your kids about reproduction using beef cattle, but when it comes time for our "talk," I feel like Anna will have at least a basis of science that will help her understand at least the mechanics of it all.

At least, that is what I'm telling myself. However, the first phone call I get from a parent from the kindergarten class that is complaining about Anna's bluntness, I might have to pull the plug on this scientific sex ed!

Reflections on a Birthday

Today is our oldest daughter's, Anna, birthday. I am a big birthday gal. I love parties, presents, balloons, treats at school, all that fun stuff, but I truly believe that upon having a child, the birthday concept took on a whole new meaning.

As a many mothers do, I have a grueling labor story in my pocket, to be used during those tumultuous teenage years. This long story includes being sent home from the hospital, after laboring for nearly 24 hours, only to labor for 12 more, hard, painful hours, drug-free (not at the end...I'm no martyr!). A total of 36 hours. Yikes. I think I should be getting presents today.

However, since we are in the height of calving season, I got to thinking about the differences and similarities of the whole birthing process we mothers endure. Our heifers (those who are first time moms) are inexperienced, scared, dumbfounded at times, and unable to comprehend the fact that they just gave birth. Aren't first time mothers some times like that? Don't we wonder how we got to where we are (okay, that's not what I meant...), wonder if we're going to be able to care for our babies the way they need to be, because we have no point of reference? Joe's first-calf heifers need a lot of assistance, and I think back to when I was even just expecting Anna. My mom and dad called me all the time, checking on me during my third trimester. I am now in my third trimester of this, the fourth pregnancy, and once in a while, I'm asked how I'm doing. Not that I'm complaining, it's just that we all have a level of experience now.

Joe has had to teach many a new cow-mom how to nurse. This is something else that I understand a little better. When we first had Anna, I was diagnosed with mastitis, which is pretty common, but painful. Joe diagnosed it before the doctor, and as annoyed as I was with him at the time--how dare he compare me to an ANIMAL?- we're all built similarly, and consequently, now that I'm living the livestock life, I see those similarities.

Not that I want to be referred to as an "old cow," as I some times am. So romantic.

Anyway, we are enjoying a great day, thus far. It's early, and Joe's already been out to check a mama who had twins, trying to get her to realize that two calves came from her. . . something we human moms don't have to worry about. Anna's been up since dawn, actually pre-dawn, excited for her presents, the sticker she will receive at school, and lunch at school with Dad. Life is good today.

My hope for our now big, little girl is that she will continue to enjoy many, many years of birthdays, but also see that even though we make a big deal with presents and parties and such, she will understand that we are all God's creatures. Because our family has a love for animals, I hope that all of my girls will always see that, regardless of the species, each life is as precious as the next.

Happy birthday, Anna Grace!

Calf Watch 2011

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Calf Watch 2011.

Sounds exciting, doesn't it? However, I'm just like the national news reporting on some storm that turns out to be nothing, in that calving season, although exciting and busy, isn't necessarily the biggest news event on the face of the planet! However, around here, we're all about adding to the stress and excitement of our lives (see the upcoming events of the birth of our son, planting season, all the while starting our plans for an addition to our house, because what goes the best with pregnancy hormones??? Answer: CONSTRUCTION!).

Anyway, calving season is upon us, purebreds first. Meaning, these are the cows that Joe has purchased that are 100% Simmental (red) cattle. This group of cattle will be potentially used by our daughters (and son) as show cattle. I have been told that ever since we had our first child, we would be showing cattle. Yes, my family will be a family that lives 95% of our summer in an RV (Joe's dream vehicle...well, that and a dualie diesel pickup truck) at various county fairs, showing cattle. I don't know the details of what it entails to prepare and then subsequently show cattle, but I'm sure I'll learn. I do see, however, my role during this time as being the one who procures meals that don't consist solely of cotton candy and fried candy bars on a stick, as well as outfitting our kids in cute "show" wear...whatever that looks like.

I'm digressing.

Anyway, we are on calf watch currently. This morning, as we were readying Anna for her first day back at kindergarten since winter break, she announced to me that she hoped the purebred heifer had her calf today because Daddy is going to be gone for the next couple of days. When I asked her why, she explained that the purebreds are cattle that Daddy and she will be working with when she gets older, and that this calf is important to her because it might be one that will be her responsibility some day.

Seriously...this kid is the reason I need to know more about our way of life.

Anyway, I should have titled this post, Purebred Calf Watch 2011 because this means Joe has to run down the road to the calving barn at least four times a day, whereas Commercial Heifer Sim-Angus Calf Watch 2011 means the cows we will be watching are Simmental and Angus cattle that have been bred together. This group will be made up of a bunch of first time moms, 20 total, that will calve in a three week span. Yikes. Then, there's Sim-Angus Cow Calf Watch 2011, which is a little better, as these are the more experienced mothers (I crossed over from being referred to as a "heifer" to just a "cow" by our third child. Romantic, huh?). Sim-Angus Cow Calf Watch 2011 will mean all Joe has to do (well, not ALL he has to do, but as far as waiting for the calf to be born...)once in a while is look out our south windows at the pasture across the road and see if there are any front feet sticking out the back of the cows.

Jealous?

And you were complaining about your husband watching too much football.

Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion of the first birth during Calf Watch 2011.