Farming
Sharing our life on the farm: struggles, wins, losses, benefits for family and teaching our children what it's like to feed the world and good work ethic.
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There’s Something Special About Farm Kids
I’ve said it time and time again—there’s something special about farm kids. They truly are a breed of their own. And if there’s one week that proves it, it’s fair week. Fair week is a time when farm kids come together and live in a world that feels entirely their own. At the county fair, you’ll see them up early, wearing boots and shorts, caring for their animals. They make sure the animals have food, water, and a clean place to rest. They walk them for exercise and prep them for their upcoming shows. Some kids are laser-focused—locked in, maybe a little frantic—as they get ready to enter the show…
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Keeping The Spark Alive
Keeping the Spark Alive with a Roadside Flower After eighteen years of marriage, it’s easy for the spark to fizzle a bit. Life gets busy—we’re wrapped up in parenting, work, farming, housekeeping, and, let’s be honest, just trying to survive until bedtime (or sneak in a nap). Somewhere in all of that, we can forget to pursue one another. Every now and then, my husband gently reminds me to reflect on whether I’m still pursuing him. He doesn’t do it with words. He does it with a daisy-looking weed. (Daisies are my favorite.) The other day, we were at our farm when he got back in the truck holding a…
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Success
What Does Success Really Look Like? What does it look like to be successful? Did they just wake up one day being good at everything, with a big new house and a pool table in the basement? Is it brand-new cars with every bell and whistle imaginable? What we usually see is the end result of someone’s hard work. And yes, sometimes that result does look like a new house, a new car, or luxurious vacations. But not all success looks like that. What if success means financial freedom? What if it’s a dependable, new-to-you car? What if it’s simply being happy or content with your life? I’ve learned that…
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A Heart To Serve: Where My Journey Began
I didn’t always have a heart to serve others. In fact, anxiety often made it hard to look beyond my own needs. But thanks to the steady example of my husband, I’ve learned that serving others is part of who I am—and who I’m called to be as a follower of Jesus. Christian Service Doesn’t Have to Be Grand Serving others doesn’t always mean doing something big or public. Sometimes it’s the small, quiet things that make the biggest difference. At our church, we use a Meal Train to support families who’ve had a baby, surgery, or other life event. I sign up the moment I see it. Bringing a…
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When Failure Feels Constant
“How many times a day do we fail—whether in life, parenthood, or marriage? How many times have we unintentionally let others down? I don’t know about you, but I don’t have enough fingers and toes to count them all. I fail constantly. I feel like I fail as a mother when I’m on a time crunch or working on something, and I snap at my kids for asking me to do something they could do on their own. I fail as a wife when I don’t put my husband’s needs before my own—or even before the needs of our children. I fail when… I fail when… It’s a constant battle.…
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The Hidden Blessings of Farm Life
Farming may not always come with financial gain, emotional ease, or mental rest—but when we shift our focus, it’s clear: this life holds a treasure trove of blessings. Farmers work long, hard hours. The work is constant, and the rhythm of life often depends on the weather forecast. From sunup to sundown, the farmer is in the field, and family time can feel like a luxury. But unlike many other jobs, farming allows our kids to tag along. They ride in the tractor or combine, making memories inside the cab. He may be away from home, but the farmer is never truly far from his family. Our children don’t just…
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The Stress of Farming
Farming isn’t easy. There are breakdowns—mentally, emotionally, and physically. And for the farmer’s wife, it’s even harder watching it all unfold, knowing you’ve both been doing everything you can to keep the farm running. There’s the physical breakdown. Getting the call or text saying something’s broken and a parts run is needed is nerve-wracking. I have to drop what I’m doing and race out of wherever I am so my farmer can get back up and running. How many places will I need to go to find the part? Will John Deere still be open? Will I need to go to Menards? Where do I even start? Sometimes, even my…
