Holding down the farm.
Okay what a crazy few weeks.
For those unaware, aside from the farm we own and operate a trucking business. We recently had to let go one of our driver employees. This left an open seat during one of our busiest times. So that meant one thing-that Jon was needing to hop in the truck and drive. Therefore, the littles and I stayed home and held down the fort. This is the first time that I was left home alone with the boys since Waylon was born. This first week Rylee was gone, but I was grateful to have her help in the following weeks. Something about having someone just here with you is comforting. However, even though Jon was gone, that didn't mean that our chores could be passed as well. he did his best to get everything done that I would be unable to do on my own, and I attempted to take care of the rest.
If you don’t have littles and have never tried getting them out of the house early or on time then I don’t know how to explain it. It is not the easiest, especially to two little boys whose ideas of fun is to headbutt each other. But because it was so difficult to get out the house early for morning chores, my Mother-in-Law graciously helped me by feeding everyone in the morning. That took so much stress off of my shoulders. Also because Waylon has been battling the same cold for several weeks and wasn’t sleeping well. I usually ventured down early afternoon to get started on my milking and afternoon feeding. I kept my expectations low-especially the first week. My kids have never enjoyed being in an office setting-even with having whatever toys in there. It makes it difficult for me to get anything done, especially if I am alone. So I decided to not even do any paperwork aside from payroll that first week.
Instead, we spent a lot of time outside. I poked around outside in the garden while the kids dug in the sandbox or Lane dug holes for my plants. And before long-Jon was home and we were ecstatic.
Now just repeat for 3 more weeks, ha! During those last 3 weeks I ended up having to deal with more pressing items. Our irrigation water was turned on and we started to lose pressure in our pivots-that’s not good FYI. And irrigation pumps are not my thing, okay? But a valve was opened to get us by u until Jon came home to fix it. Then my milk cow LuLu bloated. Thank goodness she is halter broke and somewhat decent to work with. She was a little more willing to deal with me because she needed help and knew I was helping her. I passed a tube into her stomach to let some of the gas out. Gas buildup can cause bloating in cows and can even cause death. but after the tube, I took her on a little walk and let her stand on a hill-hoping to allow her to burp to get more gas out naturally. And it worked!
Our turkeys also came in the mail. Upon opening the box there were casualties. But er had fresh water, food, shavings, and lights waiting for them. Waylon had full access to the backseat (yikes) while Lane and I set the turkeys up.
And lastly, a heifer that we had pulled in because we were worried about her calving on her own decided to calve. I was on my way to meet our friends at the feedlot to pair out our cattle when he called asking me to bring some chains. Baby was stuck and mom was over trying to push. I think I called Jon and told him that he couldn’t leave anymore! But all was good. She was delivered by the time I got to the corral and baby was healthy!
I was honestly nervous to take it all on alone with the kids but I learned that it is doable. I have very fussy babies. Lane was a colic baby and while Waylon was a generally happy baby, he has been needing extra attention lately causing me to divide my time majorly. But I do notice the more that I have the boys inside, the harder it is on me as well as them. To combat them I either gave them a snack, bath, or the most favorite-sunshine. We spent quite a bit of time in the ranger poking around. Waylon is happiest causing around outside and Lane loves to drive. So I just put some music on and drove around the farm checking things out.
I have much more confidence in myself to be able to handle most things when Jon is gone now but we definitely do enjoy all the moments that he is here. Grateful that he is able to go out and drive but even more grateful that he is able to be home and I have that luxury of working alongside him daily.
