When Courage Rises...

It happens often that I wonder about our effectiveness with the learning style/approach we have chosen here on the farm. Responsibilities, animal husbandry, genetics, business skills and more seem to count, yet shouldn't we be doing that other subject? What about outside classes? Lessons? Teams? (because I forget who is teaching my children ) and I still fear man...

But tonight the farm is still in the swirling winter white and I have yet again witnessed the extraordinary courage and faith of my children. When faced with the pending death  of yet another goat (they are always more dear than just inventory) a decision was made to act immediately once we watched her final breath escape. There was no one here but us, and Josh courageously performed an emergency c-section on his sweet friend in a heroic attempt to save her kid. Knowing that she was two weeks early, it was a long shot...but worth it. Who wouldn't try to save a life? Or three? Yes, three kids were found inside.

Without turning back, we ran desperately though the snow to bring our little ones to the NICU by the wood stove in hopes of survival. Heat, massage, slinging, and my first mouth-to-mouth resuscitation proved unsuccessful, and in the end, all that remained was another life lesson lingering among all that needed to be cleaned up.

There is much to think on, many questions to ask, and perhaps surprising to some, processing with God on His plans and purposes. And back to all that we learn here on the farm, I wouldn't give these days away to anyone else. I'm here on the farm with my children (with my children is the key, not being on the farm) and that what we are learning is vital and real, and that what we have is immeasurably precious. 

And the courage Joshua had today was the courage of a man...taught by the Lord.

Project January, 2011

The very first project/crisis of the year was preparing for the bi-annual Celtic Ball, which was our first ever. Last minute preparations all came together as the twins busily sewed on buttons in the overhead light of the car while we drove through snowy roads to reach the ball. Does this resonate with anyone??? Joshua decided to make a vest, which we managed fairly well, until the button holes went in on the WRONG side! We discovered our mistake, and decided to simply sew the bottons over the buttonholes and trust that no one would be looking that close! Meanwhile, Caleb thought it would be just great to have a "matching" vest with big brother. No problem, since we had enough fabric, so yesterday, we began the project. Hair was pinned up, hems were adjusted, zippers fixed, and the last buttonhole on Caleb's vest was completed just moments before we left. THANKFULLY, I didn't need much time for myself, so a quick change of clothing, thread and needles for the road and whisking up the baby was all that was left.

Be watching for pictures...we had a wonderful time learning "Cahleigh" dancing in a very family friendly, modest, God-honoring way. And all the buttons were on!

It Must Be Said...

The neighbor's hill is quite a walk for a three year old, but I watched Natalie toddle home all by herself. Impressed that she had the fortitude to make it home on her own, but simultaneously saddened by her immerging independence, I opened the door and got the whole story.

"Anna's being inappropriate! "

"She's fussing about the sled."

Oh. What to do? There was a day when I would have expounded great wisdom on the virtue and necessity of not tattling. Perhaps I still should, but today I grabbed the camera instead.

"Be sure to share, and have fun!"

We are enjoying the mild temperatures and doing our best to get outside for fresh air each day. At least the children are outside!

Big brother Caleb has been busy at work building tunnels for the little girls. Isn't it the sweetest when they play so nicely together, and no one is fussing?

Here's a question...I soaked Great Northern beans overnight, then cooked them in chili for several hours. They were still hard. Today, the chili went into the crock pot for another six hours, and they are still hard. I'm not a fan of hard beans, though I thought the taste of the chili was good, so what should I do? I have enough for another meal, but no one is excited to see it served again. Any ideas?