Well, it's coming, ready or... well, I'm ready. I am just a few weeks from the big delivery of our fourth and final child, a son. I am just as excited and uncomfortable as most of my other kids' pregnancies (sans Anna's, since I had NO CLUE, and no other kids to chase after!). However, all through this pregnancy, we have fielded the same question time and again:
Is your husband excited to finally get his boy?
Answer: Yes (to those in Target who are looking at me like I'm a fool, as I tool around the store in the gigantic cart filled with kids and paper products).
However, the answer to those who are closer to us is: Well...
Shouldn't we be happy with what God already blessed us with: Three beautiful, smart, and healthy girls? Shouldn't Anna's love for the farm, as well as Josie's and Amelia's budding farm-girlness suffice for a farmer? Shouldn't the farm be a part of all of them, regardless of the gender of each child?
Answer: YES, yes, and YES!
We are so, so blessed. We are so, so lucky, and we are so, so excited to have our boy, however, in my short time as a farm wife, I am seeing the roles farm women play in their operations that are just as big, if not bigger, than their husbands. I am shocked at how easy farm life and the love of animals come to my eldest daughter, and know that she will, no matter where she is in life, always have a strong work ethic and a stack of life lessons that far outweigh those learned in a classroom. I am surprised at how Josie, our girliest (thus far) is so excited when baby calves are born, wanting to pet them, care for them, and love them. I know that she may not seem to be as comfortable with the down and dirty details of it all (however...she's FOUR, mind you), but I know that her experience as a farm girl will be embedded in her strong little personality. Even our littlest, just shy of two years old, loves to wear her boots when she checks cows with Dad. She too is growing up in an environment that makes me so happy to overlook the dustiness of our road and the craziness of our schedules. She is able to run and play and watch the miracle that is life and growth right out in her backyard.
And, I'm excited for this little guy. What will he be like? Will we dress him in John Deere green, cowboy boots, and Carhartts? Yes. Will he receive tractors and cows and barns and other manly, farmy gifts for years? Of course! But, will we pin all of our family's hopes on the farm to continue on his little shoulders, no. I have learned, just watching Joe as a parent to his girls that they are to glean the good stuff from his lessons on the farm and apply it to whatever they do, where ever they do it. They are to respect the land and its beasts, as well as those who work it, and if they decide to follow in his footsteps, fine. If not, fine. Just be a good person, be kind to others, do your best, and work hard.
Those are lessons that you can't find just anywhere, and I am so lucky to be married to someone and in a place where my kids can get this firsthand.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Wow
So, I have a small following. I have some really loyal readers, and I forget that those loyal readers are not necessarily just my mother (who most likely is checking for grammatical errors) and my friends.
News flash, Emily: People actually are reading this.
And better yet: getting something OUT OF IT!!
Holy smokes.
I got an alert from a follower (read, a cousin) that I was mentioned in a blogpost. Thinking that it was another friend's blog, I clicked on it, and got this! Whoo-hoo! I'm on a list with the likes of the Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, HERSELF, and Amanda Radke, advocate for Beef Producers everywhere, and a really good writer at that...not to mention the Food Mommy, who I think is someone all moms should read, or people who EAT should read for that matter!
So, so, so excited...for myself.
So, if you're a follower, thanks for reading, and if you want to make my day, mention me in passing...I'll feel great all day. Who doesn't love PROPS??
Thanks, Celeste!
News flash, Emily: People actually are reading this.
And better yet: getting something OUT OF IT!!
Holy smokes.
I got an alert from a follower (read, a cousin) that I was mentioned in a blogpost. Thinking that it was another friend's blog, I clicked on it, and got this! Whoo-hoo! I'm on a list with the likes of the Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, HERSELF, and Amanda Radke, advocate for Beef Producers everywhere, and a really good writer at that...not to mention the Food Mommy, who I think is someone all moms should read, or people who EAT should read for that matter!
So, so, so excited...for myself.
So, if you're a follower, thanks for reading, and if you want to make my day, mention me in passing...I'll feel great all day. Who doesn't love PROPS??
Thanks, Celeste!
Monday, April 25, 2011
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!
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!
Friday, April 22, 2011
The Great Turkey Burger Debate
It is obvious that Joe and I are pro-beef. We raise it; I race proudly for TEAM ZIP (when I'm running), and we enjoy eating it.
Joe is uber-sensitive to any sort of argument put out in the media or amongst friends in discussions when it's said that beef is unhealthy, unethical, etc. I'm getting more and more in-tune with this argument, as I at one time did buy soy-meat to cook with...Joe is clasping his chest and sputtering for breath at this admission.
Anyway, Hardee's in the Midwest is promoting a new turkey burger, showcasing its wonderfulness with a lovely bikini-clad Miss Something/Somewhere enjoying it. While I do not wish to offend the poultry producers out there, I have to call "fowl." Ha, ha.
When one prepares any meat type of burger, be it turkey, pork or beef, if it is prepared in the most healthful way (I'm thinking grilled...is that right?), aren't all of these types essentially providing the same amount of nutrients and general goodness? I understand that some beef is processed and packaged more lean, and there are reasons we need to eat a variety of sources of protein, but can't we all just be in this together?
Why must there be an "us vs. them" debate, even within livestock production? Why do I feel like I have to defend myself to another livestock producer? However, it does seem as if there's something billed more healthy on the menu in a restaurant, it's generally not beef. I dislike the way beef is marketed within the Hardee's corporation (actually, all Hardee's marketing is terrible, but that's another rant). Instead of a decent looking and well dressed person enjoying a juicy steak, Hardee's always shows a dude eating a hamburger, all the while wearing some crummy looking flannel shirt, sporting a scruffy beard, and the commercial nearly always ends with the burger being dropped onto a counter with a disgusting, squishy "plop." Where's the hot chick eating a burger? And why does the burger have to make that SOUND?
Last night, however, there was a small victory for us beef producers in the greater entertainment sector. On NBC's Parks and Recreation (which you all should watch, because although again I was skeptical of its Midwestern setting, it is so true at times, how could it not be funny?), anyway, the characters had a cook off between a turkey burger and a hamburger. While the cook of the turkey burger went to a fancy schmancy health food store to spruce up his burger, the burger dude (Ron Swanson...whom I LOVE), slapped his on the grill and served it up on a white bun. The crowd unanimously agreed with the taste of the beef burger being the best. I thought Joe was going to leap out of the couch in joy. Again, I'm not placing any blame on the turkey producers out there, it's just that some times what has always been a crowd favorite, should remain a crowd favorite, and shouldn't be under fire all the time.
It's raining...shouldn't we all stand together under the umbrella of peace???
Either that, or enjoy a good burger together and call it a day.
Joe is uber-sensitive to any sort of argument put out in the media or amongst friends in discussions when it's said that beef is unhealthy, unethical, etc. I'm getting more and more in-tune with this argument, as I at one time did buy soy-meat to cook with...Joe is clasping his chest and sputtering for breath at this admission.
Anyway, Hardee's in the Midwest is promoting a new turkey burger, showcasing its wonderfulness with a lovely bikini-clad Miss Something/Somewhere enjoying it. While I do not wish to offend the poultry producers out there, I have to call "fowl." Ha, ha.
When one prepares any meat type of burger, be it turkey, pork or beef, if it is prepared in the most healthful way (I'm thinking grilled...is that right?), aren't all of these types essentially providing the same amount of nutrients and general goodness? I understand that some beef is processed and packaged more lean, and there are reasons we need to eat a variety of sources of protein, but can't we all just be in this together?
Why must there be an "us vs. them" debate, even within livestock production? Why do I feel like I have to defend myself to another livestock producer? However, it does seem as if there's something billed more healthy on the menu in a restaurant, it's generally not beef. I dislike the way beef is marketed within the Hardee's corporation (actually, all Hardee's marketing is terrible, but that's another rant). Instead of a decent looking and well dressed person enjoying a juicy steak, Hardee's always shows a dude eating a hamburger, all the while wearing some crummy looking flannel shirt, sporting a scruffy beard, and the commercial nearly always ends with the burger being dropped onto a counter with a disgusting, squishy "plop." Where's the hot chick eating a burger? And why does the burger have to make that SOUND?
Last night, however, there was a small victory for us beef producers in the greater entertainment sector. On NBC's Parks and Recreation (which you all should watch, because although again I was skeptical of its Midwestern setting, it is so true at times, how could it not be funny?), anyway, the characters had a cook off between a turkey burger and a hamburger. While the cook of the turkey burger went to a fancy schmancy health food store to spruce up his burger, the burger dude (Ron Swanson...whom I LOVE), slapped his on the grill and served it up on a white bun. The crowd unanimously agreed with the taste of the beef burger being the best. I thought Joe was going to leap out of the couch in joy. Again, I'm not placing any blame on the turkey producers out there, it's just that some times what has always been a crowd favorite, should remain a crowd favorite, and shouldn't be under fire all the time.
It's raining...shouldn't we all stand together under the umbrella of peace???
Either that, or enjoy a good burger together and call it a day.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Fidgety
There are a lot of similarities between the farmers around here and me. I am constantly fussing about and with something. Currently, I have a baby quilt on a rack, on my bed, ready to hang up. Poor Joe has about nine thousand hooks to hang in various places in our house (remember the Seinfeld episode..."Imagine! A series of hooks!" We're there.). I have furniture to move and paint to roll. I'm constantly rearranging drawers, changing pillow placement on couches, fluffing something. Something always needs to be put away or fixed, in my eyes. It's a nervous habit, I guess.
However, it's also a farmer's habit. It is raining again today, and although just last week the guys were tinkering in the driveway with the planter, lamenting on the lack of rain, it's now the third (or fourth) day of rain, or the potential, cooler temperatures, and one can hear a bit of grumbling. The grumbling at my house is coming from my husband who has been instructed with chalk lines and a power drill placed on his pillow (not really) to get to work on the honey-dos while the weather is crummy. I'm not naggy...I just have to jump on my chance to get some stuff done while he's in the house! Other grumblings include the fact that now it is after the "magic day" of April 15th, and there should be something going on around the countryside. Other farmers in our family (i.e., my father-in-law) have worked ground and even planted. Friends have called Joe, asking him the ever present question of the season, "What have you gotten done?"
Answer: Nothing, ground-wise. A lot, fidget and fuss wise.
That's not entirely true, and I would be in big trouble with my editors (aka, my dad, uncle, and Joe) if I didn't recognize the fact that the planter is unfurled and ready to roll, the Turbo Chopper 4000 is hooked on and staged like a runner at the start line, and the seed, fertilizer, etc. have been delivered. We are all ready to run our race; Mother Nature is just not necessarily cooperating.
Which leads us to the fidgeting.
I'm hopeful that the rain, although welcome for sure, stops and the temperature goes up to at least 65 degrees...for all of our minds. Kids need to be outside; farmers need to have a glimmer of hope that they will get out there and get going for planting season; and I have a garage to clean...with another series of hooks to install!
There's always something!
However, it's also a farmer's habit. It is raining again today, and although just last week the guys were tinkering in the driveway with the planter, lamenting on the lack of rain, it's now the third (or fourth) day of rain, or the potential, cooler temperatures, and one can hear a bit of grumbling. The grumbling at my house is coming from my husband who has been instructed with chalk lines and a power drill placed on his pillow (not really) to get to work on the honey-dos while the weather is crummy. I'm not naggy...I just have to jump on my chance to get some stuff done while he's in the house! Other grumblings include the fact that now it is after the "magic day" of April 15th, and there should be something going on around the countryside. Other farmers in our family (i.e., my father-in-law) have worked ground and even planted. Friends have called Joe, asking him the ever present question of the season, "What have you gotten done?"
Answer: Nothing, ground-wise. A lot, fidget and fuss wise.
That's not entirely true, and I would be in big trouble with my editors (aka, my dad, uncle, and Joe) if I didn't recognize the fact that the planter is unfurled and ready to roll, the Turbo Chopper 4000 is hooked on and staged like a runner at the start line, and the seed, fertilizer, etc. have been delivered. We are all ready to run our race; Mother Nature is just not necessarily cooperating.
Which leads us to the fidgeting.
I'm hopeful that the rain, although welcome for sure, stops and the temperature goes up to at least 65 degrees...for all of our minds. Kids need to be outside; farmers need to have a glimmer of hope that they will get out there and get going for planting season; and I have a garage to clean...with another series of hooks to install!
There's always something!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Oh My
I just read this post from Crystal Cattle's blog, and it lead me to read this article from the Chicago Tribune. And it lead me to form this opinion:
When has it become okay for the public school to make every decision for a child, and take out all responsibility for a parent?
As a former teacher, I feel like I'm pretty in-tune with what's going on at my daughter's school. I know what questions to ask, what to look for if she starts to slip, what "social" really means when it's addressed at parent/teacher conferences. However, that is by my own doing...and my daughter's teacher's lovely, detailed, weekly newsletter. It is MY (and Joe's) to read nightly with her. It is MY job to check her papers, ask her questions about her day, and drag out any (seemingly) minute detail of the day. However, according to my teacher friends still in the biz, there are a lot of state and district and even federal programs that have been implemented that are taking away a teacher's ability to just teach (in some cases), and, in my opinion, let the parent do a parent's job. It is important to me to trust my daughter's teacher, as I tend to hope that you would trust my farmer husband, but shouldn't parents be able to decide with their kids things like what they eat for lunch?
This is getting ridiculous.
My blogging friend, Crystal, makes a really good point about how this may affect the agriculture industry in the long run. She writes, "When will the school district decide that they should adopt Meatless Mondays, because someone fancies it will be a good idea?"
Good point.
What about the kids with special food allergies? I read that some of the concern was that the kids were wasting food, but isn't offering one choice that the kids already don't like defeat this purpose? How are test scores supposed to meet state and federal guidelines and standards when kids are hungry, left with no choice but one during lunch time.
My father-in-law would call this "ignorance gone to seed." My husband says its just another example of how our society believes that we are sheep without a shepherd, unable to make our own decisions about basic needs.
We have a pretty good relationship with Anna's lunch choices. She makes them based on what's offered, and while Joe some times disagrees with this, I believe that we are allowing her to make a big girl choice, but I still ultimately get the say in what's put in her tummy that day. Joe's experience with school lunch was essentially catering. His cooks lovingly prepared a family dinner for its roughly 35 students. I went to a bigger school, and had a little worse food, so I had the option to bring my lunch when I didn't want to eat chipped beef on toast. I had a choice, and although kids in my school didn't always make the best choice, I don't attribute their weight gain on the fact that they were able to bring Doritos in their lunch.
Honestly.
Doesn't this almost sound funny? I am trying to be educated on this, and know as much as I can, but it's almost ridiculous how one little thing can lead to more and more mandates that will take the parents' responsibility out of schooling their kids and will cause a big, big problem in the long run.
Read this article in the Tribune. Read Crystal's post, and let me know what you think. Maybe I'm just too sensitive about food, kids, and school!
When has it become okay for the public school to make every decision for a child, and take out all responsibility for a parent?
As a former teacher, I feel like I'm pretty in-tune with what's going on at my daughter's school. I know what questions to ask, what to look for if she starts to slip, what "social" really means when it's addressed at parent/teacher conferences. However, that is by my own doing...and my daughter's teacher's lovely, detailed, weekly newsletter. It is MY (and Joe's) to read nightly with her. It is MY job to check her papers, ask her questions about her day, and drag out any (seemingly) minute detail of the day. However, according to my teacher friends still in the biz, there are a lot of state and district and even federal programs that have been implemented that are taking away a teacher's ability to just teach (in some cases), and, in my opinion, let the parent do a parent's job. It is important to me to trust my daughter's teacher, as I tend to hope that you would trust my farmer husband, but shouldn't parents be able to decide with their kids things like what they eat for lunch?
This is getting ridiculous.
My blogging friend, Crystal, makes a really good point about how this may affect the agriculture industry in the long run. She writes, "When will the school district decide that they should adopt Meatless Mondays, because someone fancies it will be a good idea?"
Good point.
What about the kids with special food allergies? I read that some of the concern was that the kids were wasting food, but isn't offering one choice that the kids already don't like defeat this purpose? How are test scores supposed to meet state and federal guidelines and standards when kids are hungry, left with no choice but one during lunch time.
My father-in-law would call this "ignorance gone to seed." My husband says its just another example of how our society believes that we are sheep without a shepherd, unable to make our own decisions about basic needs.
We have a pretty good relationship with Anna's lunch choices. She makes them based on what's offered, and while Joe some times disagrees with this, I believe that we are allowing her to make a big girl choice, but I still ultimately get the say in what's put in her tummy that day. Joe's experience with school lunch was essentially catering. His cooks lovingly prepared a family dinner for its roughly 35 students. I went to a bigger school, and had a little worse food, so I had the option to bring my lunch when I didn't want to eat chipped beef on toast. I had a choice, and although kids in my school didn't always make the best choice, I don't attribute their weight gain on the fact that they were able to bring Doritos in their lunch.
Honestly.
Doesn't this almost sound funny? I am trying to be educated on this, and know as much as I can, but it's almost ridiculous how one little thing can lead to more and more mandates that will take the parents' responsibility out of schooling their kids and will cause a big, big problem in the long run.
Read this article in the Tribune. Read Crystal's post, and let me know what you think. Maybe I'm just too sensitive about food, kids, and school!
Prep Work
Since we live about 30 minutes from a mall, "good" Target, etc., and since I have a kindergartener who needs to be picked up off the bus, a preschooler with class for just three hours, and a toddler who needs a nap, my morning today has been jammed already with prepping, list making, coupon getting for our pilgrimage to the big city for a shopping trip. I have to time my day in according to all schedules, a lunch date with a friend, and store openings. It seems like a lot of work for some Easter dresses and toilet paper.
This is quite a lot like the spring prep work that is going on in my driveway. Our planter is stretched out, arms opened wide so the guys can re-do hoses and fiddle...or so it seems. My dad has been to Farm King for hoses and various other necessities. Joe has been for parts in between working calves and doing his normal chores. A group of men were here yesterday helping my uncle the others get the planter all ready. Even my cousin, who is 10, got in on the action yesterday.
Ready...
Set...
So where's the go? Why haven't we started? Like any operation, there are differing opinions in whether or not we should have unfurled the Turbo Chopper 4000 and started to work up the ground yesterday, or wait until today or tomorrow. There's still a lot to do as far as prep work goes. A lot like getting all your coupons in order as to get the best deals on Easter dresses or spring flip flops or toilet paper, in my world.
My hope is that fingernails are not bitten to the nub in anticipation, and that everyone keeps their wits about them when we do get started.
Here's to hoping.
This is quite a lot like the spring prep work that is going on in my driveway. Our planter is stretched out, arms opened wide so the guys can re-do hoses and fiddle...or so it seems. My dad has been to Farm King for hoses and various other necessities. Joe has been for parts in between working calves and doing his normal chores. A group of men were here yesterday helping my uncle the others get the planter all ready. Even my cousin, who is 10, got in on the action yesterday.
Ready...
Set...
So where's the go? Why haven't we started? Like any operation, there are differing opinions in whether or not we should have unfurled the Turbo Chopper 4000 and started to work up the ground yesterday, or wait until today or tomorrow. There's still a lot to do as far as prep work goes. A lot like getting all your coupons in order as to get the best deals on Easter dresses or spring flip flops or toilet paper, in my world.
My hope is that fingernails are not bitten to the nub in anticipation, and that everyone keeps their wits about them when we do get started.
Here's to hoping.
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