Country Living

I love living in the country!  The quiet nature and clear sky are a privilege that many in this country do not get to enjoy.  Don't even get me started on the sun rises and sun sets, they are INCREDIBLE!  Many "city folk" think the country has green grass and they give it a try.  County-western songs have told the story of the small town girl/guy that left to make a fortune only to be unhappy and eventually came back home.  They paint a very pleasant and wonderful story about country living.  My small community has had an influx of "city folk".  They come from California, Colorado, or the east coast searching for the less hectic life.  I love meeting new people and finding out where they come from.  But my most pressing questions is:  Why did you decide to move HERE?".  I love it and I wish everyone had the same feeling that I do about living in the country.  But with the pleasure of simple quiet living, there is also some drawbacks that you don't find in a metropolis (but I like it that way).

Enjoying our country living with sledding.
(A great use of the calving sled)

First is running water.  No, we are not a third world country without any modern plumbing.  We do not dip water out of the local creek nor use an out-house (that is a building with a hole in the ground out side for your....um.....business).  Some are lucky to have a well where they can pump the water directly out of the ground, but that requires a long pipe to reach that far.  Around here, some areas are so rocky that drilling down would be a nightmare.  Also the water level may but up to 2000 feet down.  The best thing for most people is to have a cistern.  This is a holding tank in the ground that you can fill with water that you haul from the watering spot (usually in town) with your truck or trailer.  I am lucky to have my father around, because he fills our tank weekly and I never have to worry about running out of water in the cistern.  He never makes a trip to town without loading up the tank to fill our cistern, there cistern, the neighbor's cistern, or the livestock water tank.  I learned at a young age to conserve water when ever possible.

Horses waiting by the water tank.

Second, Fast Food.  You are kidding yourself if you think you can get off from work, run some errands, pick up your kids and have food prepared for the hungry mouths without planning.  The two favorite food prep items for a country mother is the large freezer and a crock-pot.  The phase "bulking up" doesn't refer to athletic training in the country, it is a phrase used when getting supplies at the monthly or bi-monthly trip to the "big city".  The only drive through windows in our town is the bank and the liquor bar, a fast meal for a hungry family wont be found at either spot.  So you adapt, you learn to plan and make meals fast.  The defrost setting on my microwave has been used many times when I forgot to set something out the night before.

Third, Privacy.  This is my favorite.  Newcomers feel they are being invaded and feel offended that "everyone" knows their personal business.  Trust me, everyone knew your business before you even arrived in town.  We are just curious, were not trying to be rude.  We think, maybe this new family would be the perfect fit for the fair board, Sunday school program, or Chamber of Commerce.  Don't try and hide because that just makes us talk more.  In a one horse town (actually there is probably 12 horses in town) we like news from the outside.  I am glad to know that when my children grow up, this whole community will be watching out for them and for me.  If they get into trouble, I will know long before they even make it home.

I think it is easier to see God's creations in the country.  Of course anywhere can become busy and noisy creating distractions from what is really important.

   

Time With Kids

My adorable children

I love my kids.  I LOVE my kids.  I LOVE MY KIDS!  Some days I need to continue repeating those words just to keep from causing damage to them or my things.  I want to practice patience and proper discipline when I am with them, so they have a good example to follow.  But these days I just want to mimic the tantrum they are throwing.  Laying on the floor screaming at the top of their lungs gets my spine tingling so it should do the same for them if I acted that way, right? 
The Head of The House and I are very busy.  I am a working mom with a professional career and my kids spend more waking time with care givers.  I am very fortunate that my care givers are GREAT! (it helps they are also their grandparents)  I hear stories in larger cities of suboptimal caretakers that are extremely expensive I and feel very fortunate.  Because I am only with them in the early mornings and late evenings (the crabby times,) I try and make the very best of it for a learning experience.  I hate being late for anything, but getting two small children up, eating breakfast, dressed, packed for the day, and out the door without forgetting something while also making sure I have been cared for is a LARGE CHALLENGE.  Any mother would understand.  I feel rushed every morning which makes starting my work day interesting.  I am privileged to have one half day at home with them each week.  Wednesday morning is my time to keep the kids, do any house work, and work on any personal projects.  I have high ambitions for every Wednesday morning.  Each week I get so discouraged because I mostly just keep the house from getting destroyed.

Today, I was determined to bake some treats during my Wednesday morning.  I cook in large amounts and freeze or store any extras because utilizing my time is limited and it is nice to have the extra available.  I decided to make my cookie bars because they are usually quick, good, and only require one oven time (versus cookies which require 12-15 minutes per pan).  I can't do anything in the kitchen without the small curious and "very helpful" children in the middle of everything.  Learning not to keep the egg carton open while cracking an egg is lesson learned a while ago.  Small hands grab anything and mimic your every motion.  I was able to get through mixing all the ingredients with minimal mess.  I then got the pan into the oven and the timer set without any small fingers getting burnt.  This was a wonderful accomplishment.  As long as I didn't look at the dirty dishes in the sink I was having a great time with my children.  While the treats were in the oven, I had 15 minutes to entertain and wait; no problem right?  Wrong!!!  My trouble came when I had to go to the bathroom.  Taking the children with me to the bathroom has many other challenges so I decided to leave them in the kitchen instead.  I put The Girl down from the counter where she was sitting so she wouldn't fall. 
When I came back from my 5 minute reprieve, I was aghast at the site.  My 15 month old, The Girl, had pushed a chair over to the sink counter and was playing with the dirty dishes and water in the sink.  My 3 year old, The Boy, was on the counter pulling the 101 cookie cutters out of the container and throwing them all over the floor. 
They had done so much damage in such a short amount of time, completely enjoying every minute.  The laughter would melt your heart, unless you are the mother who has to watch your personal time be destroyed with more work.  I counted to 10, took a breath and grabbed my camera before using the mess as a teaching moment on chores, although I did most of the work. 

The mess I returned to find.  

Even this post has taken me all morning to type.  I have had to stop many times to wipe noses, stop fighting and screaming, clean up poppy pants, and cuddle with my "momma's girl".  I know that this time will be gone before I know it and they will not be this age forever.  I LOVE MY KIDS, I just need to repeat it a few times. 

Giving It My Best Shot!

Welcome, (or I should say welcome me into blogging)