Water wars 4-30-09

It has been getting warmer and warmer these days. It was 85 degrees the other day and a bit windy, but the kids were dying to get wet...well some of them anyway. Martin and Millie had a stand off with the hoses and sprayed each other, while Bella and Elaina sat on the porch with me and stayed dry. The little girls seemed to have a better time watching all the action.

Later on that evening after baths, I couldn't help but take some pictures of Elaina sporting her new top 2 teeth. After about 2 weeks of iritation, they finally popped through. She looked so cute with her little hat on and that big old grin. I think she could make the grouchiest person laugh when she smiles...it is so contageous

Working Cows 4-25-09

Working cows is always a fun event. I took these pictures over 2 different days and tried to incorporate everything that goes into "working cows".

We start by checking the cows the day before we actually work them, and talk about which cows are old and ready to sell, which ones are bred, which ones we were going to save for replacement heifers, which ones are going to be grass-fed beef, when they need to be wormed.....All that is actually done at least once a week, but for sure before we work them, that way everyone is all on the same page when they have pulled the cows into the lots. Pawpaw seems to enjoy the grandkids better than just talking "business". He leaves that to Mrs. Herzog and Stephen and says "yes" or "no" to a question they have for him.

We started the day at the farm and ate pancakes and bacon that Mo fixed for everyone. They were sure good. I think that eating at the bar like you see in the picture brings back lots of fond memories for Stephen, as he remembers eating pancakes there (when he was our kids age) with his brothers and sisters that his grandma fixed for all the grandkids.



Then we (the kids and I) loaded up in the little red truck while Mr. Herzog and Stephen called the cows in. They usually come pretty easy. The kids know how to call them as well, so we have a chorus going on as we are driving along.



Once the cows are in the lots, the guys separate the ones to sell, the calves to "work" (castrate the bull calves and ear-tag all the heifer and bull calves) and the ones to hold.



The kids really enjoy watching all the action as sometimes it can get pretty lively.



Here are the cows and calves that were loaded and ready to haul to the sale. We got to take them this time because we were actually hoping to do some "shopping" at the auction barn after we dropped off the load. We all still fit in the truck- just barely though. There are six of us that need seat belts (the baby in the tummy shares a seat belt with me:) and six seats in the truck. That was probably the last time we can all ride in Papa's truck...sad, yet exciting!


Unloading at the Auction Barn.

The kids and I got the load dropped off while Stephen went to go look to see if there were any nurse calves. We got there just at 11:00 am and that is when the sale starts. All the little nurse calves go through at the very beginning of the auction and we didn't want to miss a possible opportunity to purchase a baby calf. Just before we got to the auction barn Stephen was driving and asked me to pray for wisdom in picking out a calf. So we all bowed our heads and I prayed. After I got done, I thought while I was at it, I should have asked the Lord for a red heifer since that was our hearts desire. Well, to make a long story short, wouldn't you know, the Lord provided a beautiful little red heifer! She was the only one in and amongst a bunch of little Holstein calves. We were so excited. Stephen bid on her and won!

We brought her home, fixed up her little pen, and by the next morning, she nursed without a problem on Mable our Jersey cow. Now we can just milk whenever we want to and leave both the little calves (Mable's little bull calf along with the new little red heifer) out in the pasture to keep her milked throughout the day. We still get to enjoy the benefit of the raw, organic milk, as well as the freedom of not having to be at the house every morning to milk. We feel so blessed!

Baby Chick Update 4-20-09

Well, here is an update on the kids and their baby chicks. All of these pictures were taken a few different days, several days ago and unfortinately, as I write this (4-29-09), Millie's purple chick has died. We are not sure how it happened, but it "kicked the bucket" the other day. She has now adopted Elaina's blue chick and seems grateful to still have one to call her own. They all enjoy feeding and watering them and chasing them around when we let them out of their pen.

Elaina seems to admire them from a distance better than up close. Bella is always so easy and gentle with hers as is Millie most of the time. Martin's is always hanging on for dear life...poor thing.

T.E.A. Party of The Woodlands 4-15-09

Stephen and I have recently been involved in "The Woodlands Tea Party Society". It is so exciting to be a part of standing up with one voice with other fellow likeminded Americans. We have been going to meetings for the past few weeks in preparation for this rally. The big event was held on tax day, April 15th. There was a huge turnout...around 7,000 people! It was quite exciting. There were some key speakers like Congressman Kevin Brady, and Mattress Mac from Gallery Furniture, then just ordinary dads and moms that had something to say. Josh Masters band "Appointed" came in from TN and played some music for the event. They did a great job! Stephen got to wear one of the 'orange staff shirts' since he is 'on staff'. We even attracted the media. They came over by helicoptor which was probably the fastest way to get there since there was a traffic jam within a 10 mile radius of the Rob Flemming Park. The next event is scheduled for July 4th and we can't wait to see that turnout.

Easter 4-12-09

The day before Easter, Mo and PawPaw bought all the kids a little chick. They all picked a color they liked and couldn't put them down. I thought Martin's was going to die because of all the "TLC" it had been given. I told them that the little chicks needed to take a long nap, and a few hours later they were all doing fine. They have really enjoyed taking care of them. They love to give the chicks tons of feed, and take them swimming in their water cup. I keep telling them that chicks don't swim, but they are not convinced.

We took the opportunity to take some family pictures since a good number of us were together. Keith was able to come home for a few days, Katherine and Mick drove in for a few hours, Granny Smith and PaPa Troy came over, Mo and PawPaw and Kevin were here and then so were we. It turned out to be just a beautiful day, and it was so nice getting to sit back and relax.

Katherine and I posed with our babies for some pics. We took several pictures with our own babies, then we swapped kids and neither of them liked it very much. Nevertheless it was fun.

It's a BOY! Mable's Calf 4-9-09

Mable had her calf!!! It's a little bull calf. He appears to be born early this morning (April 9, 2009). He seems to be nursing well. Mable looks great and has lots to be proud of. She has enough milk for 4 calves it looks like, so after the colostrum is gone, we will be milking away. I can't wait!! We have all been longing for our organic, raw, "Jersey Cows Milk". We will be looking into getting a nurse calf to help Mable out. Don't get me wrong, we can't wait for the milk, but we may not be able to drink 3-4 gallons a day, but probably at least 1-2 gallons. Plus we will be making butter, ice cream, and learning how to make cheeses...How fun!

Cousin Mick 4-4-09

This is Mick Parker! He is 41/2 months and only weighs about 2 pounds less than Elaina who is 11 months. He is so cute and the kids just love him. They all want to take a turn to hold "Cousin Mick". We always look forward to their visits.

Fun in Houston 3-30-09 through 4-1-09

Stephen was down in Houston during the time his buddies were in the hospital, and I wanted so badly to be there with him. Stephen and I talked, and we decided that I would drive the camper down to Houston so we could be together. We ended up spending 2 nights down there. Stephen was able to visit the guys in the hospital. We prepared some food platters for the 2 waiting room crouds (the 2 men hospitalized were in 2 different hospitals), and the kids and I went in with him one time to say hello. During the other time we were down there, Stephen took us on the train ride at the zoo. The kids absolutely loved it! We had seen it going on its track that afternoon, and they really wanted to get a closer look. Boy were they ever excited when Papa told them we were going to ride it! We were all in our "Giese Green" as Stephen calls it, and I was so grateful to get to be down there with my sweetheart.

We played at the park down there as well. The kids really looked forward to getting to use up some of that stored energy (especially after sitting in 2 waiting rooms for a few hours).

Accident in Houston 3-30-09

While Stephen was at work Monday, he herd the news that Engine 7 and Ladder 16 were in an accident. Stephen is currently at Station 40, but just over a year ago he was at Station 7 which is where he had been for around 4 years. He had also spent around 2 months at Station 16 after he got promoted to chauffeur. All that to say, he knew very well all the guys that were involved in the accident. It was very hard in the beginning, not knowing the status of his friends. Word finally came that they were all miraculously alive!! Brian Edwards, the chauffeur on Engine 7, and Capt. Mayfield on Engine 7 ended up being hospitalized for several days. They will have to go through rehab and more surgery, so it will be a long road to recovery, but we are all grateful that the Lord spared their life. The lady in the white car came out un-harmed, all the firemen on Ladder 16 came out with bumps and bruises, but their was 1 lady on a bicycle that was hit that is still fighting for her life. Please keep them all in your prayers.