Busy, Busy Farm!

Our farm has been a busy place these past couple weeks!  We started seeing the changes last week, when Grandpa got out the combine and started tuning it up.  He knows everything about the farm equipment and does all the work himself (as opposed to some farmers who hire it out).  Matt has a lot to learn from 'the Boss' as we affectionately call him.  This week, Daddy has been home to work in the fields.  Today (or technically yesterday) was a 14 hour day.  It's hard work, but Matt really enjoys it.

Inside, we've seen some changes too.  I have been adjusting to the single parent lifestyle.  I have spent more time praying, as God is the only one who can give me enough energy for these two when I'm running on little sleep.  Thank you, Lord, for the energy to enjoy the day!

Claire and Henry have been helping me plan meals, grocery shop, and prepare the feasts.  They are nothing special, but it's hot and filling food and it's forced me to meal plan...something I should be doing anyway.  Grandpa Dodge, Grandpa, and Daddy had lasagna and salad tonight.  I put some extra special ingredients in the lasagna, to which no one noticed.  Matt knew I 'spiced up' the recipe, but asked not to know the specifics.  It was tasty and he wanted to eat it without thinking about what was in it...lol.  Gotta sneak in some more veggies here and there!  Luckily, Grandpa Dodge eats whatever you put in front of him.  Grandpa makes special requests like "don't give me as much salad as him," to which I ignore and tell him he would have been better off not saying anything because now he's getting more salad.  Daddy has learned that he is going to get tomatoes on his plate whether he likes it or not.  It's my kitchen...I'll run it how I want!  (Yes, I'm feisty.  If you come over though, you are a guest, so I'll be nicer.)

Helping Mami in the kitchen!

"This one looks good.  Look at how strong I am, Mama!"
This was an impromptu pumpkin picking party at Ivan's.  Daddy rents his land from Ivan and Ivan always has a little produce stand.  We were on the way to the field to deliver water.  We definitely needed this excursion...it had been a long day.  Nothing like a little outing to turn it right around though.

"Yessss!!  Mami is finally letting me work on the computer." 

Typical Saturday During Harvest!
Matt has a free moment unloading the wagons so we went out to visit him.  The corn flows out of the wagons, up the auger, into the bin, up the auger, into the dryer, into the next bin.  Thought I'd add that little farming tutorial for all those who don't know what goes on around here...lol!  :)

Mama's Little Man

"I'm working here...no pictures!"

Black Bean Enchiladas...yummy!

Look closely and you'll see Daddy's little helper!
And for all those who haven't heard this story...Claire comes in from the field (combining with Daddy and Grandpa the other evening), asked me if I missed her, told me she missed me, and told me she worked hard for three miles!  Then she asked me if she could have a cookie.  Matt had come in the house that morning and had a cookie.  She wanted one at the time, but I'd told her that he got one because he'd been working hard for three hours and we didn't need one.  Apparently Claire has a memory like no other since nothing else was said all day and she remembered!  Only got miles/hours mixed up!  She enjoyed her cookie...  :)