A Story from the Ranch:
It was a gorgeous cloudy day and it had been raining off and on for a few days. The three Littles had been driving me crazy for the last few hours and so I decided to take them out on a quad ride while it was somewhat sunny.
We loaded up on the quad and off we went down the usual trail. I thought, "Maybe today we will venture out a little further." So, we did. We went over this wash back a forth going a further and further out. I noticed that the clouds were accumulating but it was still gorgeous. We went a little further, which was the furthest I had gone. We found a clearing and I thought that this would be a good place to get off of the quad and chase the girls around a little.
As I went to shut off the quad I heard my cell phone ring...it was the school, always answer calls from the school. I talked with them for a few minutes, no big deal, and in the process turned off the quad to be able to hear them better. As we were on the phone it started to lightly sprinkle. I thought, "As soon as this call is over, we better head back. So, I get off of the phone and go to start the quad...nothing. It won't start. I try again and again, and I can't get it to turn over. It's raining harder now and the lightning and thunder have accompanied the rain. I try to use my phone to call my DH for help and it now has rain on it, so the touchscreen won't work!
I start grabbing the kids off of the quad because now it is pouring rain, and we go running through the grass to get under the trees for some cover. The girls are a little nervous, (as am I) but I try to make it be fun. "God must've thought we were really stinky because He is giving us a shower! We are on an adventure!"
I dry my phone off the best that I can and send my DH a text, "Hide and seek, you're IT!"
He asks, "Seriously? Where are you?"
I send, "LOL! I'm right here." Of course, that doesn't help him a bit!
He says, "I can't hear your quad, start your quad and I can find you."
I reply, "It won't start. Good luck! We'll just be here waiting."
He answers, "I'll try to find you."
I decide to go and see if I can get this quad going again. I try and explain to the girls that I am going to try the quad, but all they see is that it is storming and they are soaked, and Mom is leaving. So, they start screaming and crying. I try the quad a few more times, and I get it started!! I ride quickly to the babies trying to reassure them that, "Mom is here, and it's okay." I'm hoping that my DH hears the quad. Then it dies. The quad quit again.
DH texts, "I heard you, and then you went away?"
I said, "Died again."
He then calls me. He asks if I can hear his quad. The next five minutes is a crazy game of "hot and cold" as he tries to find me, while I am just trying to get the sound of his quad closer to me. It's still raining and the girls are getting cold. I'm trying to get them excited about the rescue from Dad, "Do you hear him? He's coming to get us!"
He finds us, and of course, my quad starts right up. We go drive back to the trailer together, and the whole way he is trying to show me different landmarks and things that would help me find my way. If I were to take the same path today, I don't know if I could get back.
I have been lost several more times since then. It's funny to see my DH run into the trailer to get my cell phone every time I go for a walk or a ride. He sends texts to check in on me often, sometimes I get lucky and find my way back and other times I get rescued. We have a handheld GPS that I need to figure out, however, sometimes....being lost is fun.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Perc Test? Solar Ovens? And TIRES!
We have nineteen days until the big move. We want the kids to start at their new school this year. We are packing, organizing, getting free boxes off of Craigslist, giving things to Goodwill, and things are just all over the place. I am also trying to register the kids for school. As I fill out the paperwork...for 10 ten kids...I am realizing that I don't have something that I have always had...AN ADDRESS. Our land has never been lived on, we have parcel numbers but no address. That feels weird.
I called the county to see about getting an address assigned. I thought that it was going to be a simple process. We have a few neighbors, just look at the map and assign us the next number. Wouldn't that be lovely? No, it is NOT that easy. We have to call the county to come out and do a percolation test, followed by a septic specialist to come out for our septic tanks. After that we have to file an application to build a family residence with a plat map, and then after that is approved then they will supply us with an address. All of the sudden registering for school is a lot more difficult than it has ever been!
Through this process I have come to the realization that cooking is not going to be as "simple" as it has been. Simple as defined by we have a stove/oven that is electric, we have two large refrigerators as well as a stand alone freezer for food storage. At the new property we have one smaller refrigerator in the travel trailer and a stove that runs on propane, we also have one very small microwave that has popped the breakers a few times. I'm nervous about food preparation. So, I have done some research and I have more to go but we may be investing in a solar over and start dehydrating food for longer keep without having to use the refrigerator. Some people would really enjoy this process, they enjoy cooking and are energized by the preparation. I am not one of these people. I cook because if I didn't my family would die, that's the bottom line. It is purely for survival. The Joy of Cooking - I wish they could tell me where to actually find this "joy". Pray for me to learn to like to cook!! I am going to be very challenged in this area at our new place!
Now we get to tires. Have I mentioned before that tires annoy me? I truly dislike the purchasing of tires. I feel like they are too much money and every vehicle we have requires at least two of them. With all the vehicles, quads, motorcycles, dump truck, backhoe, etc., we have 70 tires - yes, SEVENTY. That's a lot of tires, and I think they all talk and decide when they are going to fall apart and cause us problems. Two trips ago a tire went flat on one of the trailers on the way there, and it was not repairable. Then upon arrival it's discovered that a tire on the backhoe just decided to burst while it was sitting there doing absolutely nothing. Two new tires this month. YUCK!
Okay, positives. We are learning. We are learning about solar power, places to buy our special tires, animal fences and corral panels, different trees and foods for the garden that we are going to plant, and the requirements for the county to do all of these things. It has been interesting to say the least. Although it's a lot of work and the information is overwhelming at times, it's going to be good once we are there, and the memories we are going to build will be worth it all.
Country Momma
I called the county to see about getting an address assigned. I thought that it was going to be a simple process. We have a few neighbors, just look at the map and assign us the next number. Wouldn't that be lovely? No, it is NOT that easy. We have to call the county to come out and do a percolation test, followed by a septic specialist to come out for our septic tanks. After that we have to file an application to build a family residence with a plat map, and then after that is approved then they will supply us with an address. All of the sudden registering for school is a lot more difficult than it has ever been!
Through this process I have come to the realization that cooking is not going to be as "simple" as it has been. Simple as defined by we have a stove/oven that is electric, we have two large refrigerators as well as a stand alone freezer for food storage. At the new property we have one smaller refrigerator in the travel trailer and a stove that runs on propane, we also have one very small microwave that has popped the breakers a few times. I'm nervous about food preparation. So, I have done some research and I have more to go but we may be investing in a solar over and start dehydrating food for longer keep without having to use the refrigerator. Some people would really enjoy this process, they enjoy cooking and are energized by the preparation. I am not one of these people. I cook because if I didn't my family would die, that's the bottom line. It is purely for survival. The Joy of Cooking - I wish they could tell me where to actually find this "joy". Pray for me to learn to like to cook!! I am going to be very challenged in this area at our new place!
Now we get to tires. Have I mentioned before that tires annoy me? I truly dislike the purchasing of tires. I feel like they are too much money and every vehicle we have requires at least two of them. With all the vehicles, quads, motorcycles, dump truck, backhoe, etc., we have 70 tires - yes, SEVENTY. That's a lot of tires, and I think they all talk and decide when they are going to fall apart and cause us problems. Two trips ago a tire went flat on one of the trailers on the way there, and it was not repairable. Then upon arrival it's discovered that a tire on the backhoe just decided to burst while it was sitting there doing absolutely nothing. Two new tires this month. YUCK!
Okay, positives. We are learning. We are learning about solar power, places to buy our special tires, animal fences and corral panels, different trees and foods for the garden that we are going to plant, and the requirements for the county to do all of these things. It has been interesting to say the least. Although it's a lot of work and the information is overwhelming at times, it's going to be good once we are there, and the memories we are going to build will be worth it all.
Country Momma
Monday, June 24, 2013
A Couple More Steps
We've taken a few more steps in the direction to our ranch and I wanted to take a few minutes for an update! We have added some horses!
We still have Blu and have been training with him for about six months now. Blu is in great shape and we have gotten a lot more experiences with horses. We are truly enjoying being horse owners! We are loving this so much that we have added three more horses!!
Blu is on the left, and Tinkerbell is on the right. Tinkerbell joined us in May 2013, she is a clydesdale/quarter horse. Blu and Tink get along wonderfully! They work in the round pen together, and they are in a turnout together now. When we take Blu to go work with him Tink is right on his heels. They are best buds!
This is Waffles, our belgian mare. She was our addition in June 2013. The day we got her we realized that she wasn't well taken care of at her last home. She was about six months from foundering and our awesome farrier is going to save her from this. She has made us earn every bit of trust that she has given to us. Waffles is out of shape and we are helping her get to a healthier weight and gain her muscle back. She will be a dream once we are able to rehab where she needs to be. Waffles is a love and we love having her!
Last, but certainly not least, is our new colt, Roman. Roman was foaled on March 23, 2013. This is a special day because it is the anniversary of the adoption for four of our kiddos. Roman had foliculitis the day after he was born. We had to give him daily baths which he was not too thrilled with. He is now weaned and we have a completely different colt. Roman halters, walks on a lead, ties, and loves to be brushed. He is growing so quickly, but he was so big at birth that he never felt like a "baby" anyway! Roman is spotted draft/percheron and is expected to be about 17hh. Big guy!
Although I haven't posted in awhile, you can see why! We have been busy adding to our family. There's a lot of other things that have been going on, but I have babies waking up from naptime, so it will have to wait. :)
Loving This New Life!
Country Momma
We still have Blu and have been training with him for about six months now. Blu is in great shape and we have gotten a lot more experiences with horses. We are truly enjoying being horse owners! We are loving this so much that we have added three more horses!!
Although I haven't posted in awhile, you can see why! We have been busy adding to our family. There's a lot of other things that have been going on, but I have babies waking up from naptime, so it will have to wait. :)
Loving This New Life!
Country Momma
Friday, December 14, 2012
Merry Christmas
Since the last update...
We are the proud owners of Blu, a draft cross, half percheron, half quarter horse. He is about 16 hands and has a wonderful disposition. We have a great trainer working with us so we can learn Blu while Blu also learns us. I had my first lesson the other day. The riding part was wonderful, it's the getting on and getting down that proves to be the challenge. I stood on a mounting block but it still felt very high, I placed my left foot in the stirrup and with a lot of time and hesitation I tried to throw my foot over and decided it wasn't going to work. My trainer said, "This is a big horse, you aren't going to throw your leg over like a cowboy in a movie! Jump to your stomach and then put your leg over." That was much more doable. Now, I wasn't graceful, or cute. I was a clumsy, clamoring, definite first timer trying to grab anything I could hold onto to ensure I wouldn't crash to the ground, and I did it! We turned left, and turned right, we stopped, and we walked. And then it was time to get down. Getting on was easier! I again just as clumsy attempted to move in ways that I have only seen Gumby move to get off this horse. I went to my belly, but I didn't estimate this right and the horn of the saddle went right into my stomach (ouch!) and then my shirt got completely caught on the horn as I jumped off and flashed anyone who was witnessing my first ride. But when we were done, we had gotten a little closer, and I felt a lot more like the Country Momma that I'm becoming.
We are also the proud FUTURE owners of a new foal that we have purchased in utero. Another draft horse that in expected to join this world in late March. Both the parents are absolutely gorgeous and we are excited and anxious all at the same time. A lot of work and energy comes with caring and training a foal, but we are up for the challenge. The dam for the foal is 18.1 hands and the sire is 16.2 hands, so the foal is estimated to be around 17 hands, one big horse. We like the draft horses that have the percheron in them. Their feet are so big and do not require shoes, less maintenance. We like that. We still have to have feet trimmed and shaped but it's not near as expensive as keeping up with horseshoes. So, the baby is a new exciting addition, expected in March and I can't wait to post pictures!
In the process of getting to the ranch we also have to pack. Have you ever packed 16 people? The last time we moved there was only nine of us, and now with 16 it's going to be different! We are purchasing a semi trailer. My DH is going to look at one today, and if it's the first of a few that we are going to purchase then I can start packing as soon as it's here. I am hoping that we get this trailer soon so I can take this packing on in shifts and not feel completely overwhelmed by packing everything in a short period of time. I am trying to come up with a very detailed list of what is in each trailer and a number system for boxes, things like that to make it easier if we need to find something in a hurry.
The quonset hut is nearly taken down. Only one day of work left and it will be completely ready for it's ride to the ranch. This has been quite the process to get the hut down and we have been blessed to have several family members to help take this monster down. Now we will haul it up to the property and start getting the permits to put it back up.
This time next year we will hopefully be living at the ranch. We will hopefully have the horses there, and have the four goats and three of them will be pregnant. The kids will be in school, getting ready for Christmas break that will be spent riding quads, watching for frostbite, and riding Blu. We will probably have a lot of hot cocoa and have had a few dealings with the weather that cause us to be snowed in or rained in because of the dirt roads. It will definitely be an adventure.
I wanted to give you an update before the holidays! We are very blessed by all that God has given us, and very blessed from all that He has also withheld. I am amazed daily by His blessings. May His blessings also pour out on you especially during this Holiday Season! Merry Christmas!
Country Momma
We are the proud owners of Blu, a draft cross, half percheron, half quarter horse. He is about 16 hands and has a wonderful disposition. We have a great trainer working with us so we can learn Blu while Blu also learns us. I had my first lesson the other day. The riding part was wonderful, it's the getting on and getting down that proves to be the challenge. I stood on a mounting block but it still felt very high, I placed my left foot in the stirrup and with a lot of time and hesitation I tried to throw my foot over and decided it wasn't going to work. My trainer said, "This is a big horse, you aren't going to throw your leg over like a cowboy in a movie! Jump to your stomach and then put your leg over." That was much more doable. Now, I wasn't graceful, or cute. I was a clumsy, clamoring, definite first timer trying to grab anything I could hold onto to ensure I wouldn't crash to the ground, and I did it! We turned left, and turned right, we stopped, and we walked. And then it was time to get down. Getting on was easier! I again just as clumsy attempted to move in ways that I have only seen Gumby move to get off this horse. I went to my belly, but I didn't estimate this right and the horn of the saddle went right into my stomach (ouch!) and then my shirt got completely caught on the horn as I jumped off and flashed anyone who was witnessing my first ride. But when we were done, we had gotten a little closer, and I felt a lot more like the Country Momma that I'm becoming.
We are also the proud FUTURE owners of a new foal that we have purchased in utero. Another draft horse that in expected to join this world in late March. Both the parents are absolutely gorgeous and we are excited and anxious all at the same time. A lot of work and energy comes with caring and training a foal, but we are up for the challenge. The dam for the foal is 18.1 hands and the sire is 16.2 hands, so the foal is estimated to be around 17 hands, one big horse. We like the draft horses that have the percheron in them. Their feet are so big and do not require shoes, less maintenance. We like that. We still have to have feet trimmed and shaped but it's not near as expensive as keeping up with horseshoes. So, the baby is a new exciting addition, expected in March and I can't wait to post pictures!
In the process of getting to the ranch we also have to pack. Have you ever packed 16 people? The last time we moved there was only nine of us, and now with 16 it's going to be different! We are purchasing a semi trailer. My DH is going to look at one today, and if it's the first of a few that we are going to purchase then I can start packing as soon as it's here. I am hoping that we get this trailer soon so I can take this packing on in shifts and not feel completely overwhelmed by packing everything in a short period of time. I am trying to come up with a very detailed list of what is in each trailer and a number system for boxes, things like that to make it easier if we need to find something in a hurry.
The quonset hut is nearly taken down. Only one day of work left and it will be completely ready for it's ride to the ranch. This has been quite the process to get the hut down and we have been blessed to have several family members to help take this monster down. Now we will haul it up to the property and start getting the permits to put it back up.
This time next year we will hopefully be living at the ranch. We will hopefully have the horses there, and have the four goats and three of them will be pregnant. The kids will be in school, getting ready for Christmas break that will be spent riding quads, watching for frostbite, and riding Blu. We will probably have a lot of hot cocoa and have had a few dealings with the weather that cause us to be snowed in or rained in because of the dirt roads. It will definitely be an adventure.
I wanted to give you an update before the holidays! We are very blessed by all that God has given us, and very blessed from all that He has also withheld. I am amazed daily by His blessings. May His blessings also pour out on you especially during this Holiday Season! Merry Christmas!
Country Momma
Friday, August 24, 2012
Learning Stuff
My DH has taken the 10,000 gallon water tank up to the property. It was a definite journey since he took double the time to drive to the property with his giant "Oversize Load" signs on his suburban with various flags. He left at 1am so he wouldn't hold up any traffic and be as least amount of a nuisance to others as possible. It was incredible to say the least. To give you an idea of the size of this you can see in the attached picture that this is a 650 Case backhoe, a regular suburban and the black circle, that is the water container that the backhoe just pushed off the back of the trailer.
Now we have also gotten a new goat. Mister Dashell was found on craigslist, where else? However, I noticed a cough when we got him. We thought, with the rain lately he probably has a little bit of a cold, no big deal it's not like he was a baby goat the owner's said he was ten weeks old. The next day he was worse, so I took him to the vet. The vet takes one look and says, "He's not 10 weeks, no way. He's 3 weeks old tops." (We learned that horn growth says a lot about the goat's age, let alone the umbilical cord was still attached!) Also, Dashell has pneumonia and since he is sickly he has no fat or muscle on him and we have to give him two sub-cutaneous injections a day. My DH does this while I hold him still. It's a whole new world. We were going to breed Dashell with our other goats but since he has started his life so sickly we have decided against it. He will be a wethered (fixed) male and will run with the does as soon as he gets well. We have another two weeks of antibiotic injections. Here is our loving little Dashell...he's great at taking his meds, and in the second picture he has his butt in the air like a dog and his tail is wagging back and forth. He is a LOVE!
Through this we learned that we have to separate sick goats. Dashell also has two parasites that we have to treat the other goats for because we didn't separate him from the start. Lessons learned. We are also realizing that it will be good to have a stock of dewormer and other animal supplements available on the property since we will be no where close to a veterinarian. We are researching all the things we will need on hand keeping close mind to expiration dates, storage requirements and anything else that we need to know.
Some added goat pictures. Here's our three girls, Abby, Bailey and Capri. Abby is the most friendliest and the other two are warming up! First pic is Abby and Bailey getting into the hay, the second pic is them leaving the hay after getting in trouble. :) Then Miss Capri who is the prissiest goat, and then a pic of what we usually see them doing, grazing and hanging out side by side.
I am also doing other research to find out more about meal planning, gardening, storage for all of it. I've looked into canning, but it looks like a lot of work. I have fallen in love with Pinterest and all of the ideas that it offers, I've just got to put it into practice. I'm trying to start freezing meals, but I am wondering if I'm going to need another freezer. I'll post a picture of my freezer after I start this process. What a process!
Currently we are taking down a quonset hut that we have purchased (from craigslist). This building is 25 feet wide and 70 feet long. This is going to be a temporary living quarters at the property. One more week and the hut should be disassembled and we will hopefully be beginning it's transport to the ranch in September.
There's a little update from this Country Momma!
From Raising Faith Ranch! (We named the ranch!!)
Now we have also gotten a new goat. Mister Dashell was found on craigslist, where else? However, I noticed a cough when we got him. We thought, with the rain lately he probably has a little bit of a cold, no big deal it's not like he was a baby goat the owner's said he was ten weeks old. The next day he was worse, so I took him to the vet. The vet takes one look and says, "He's not 10 weeks, no way. He's 3 weeks old tops." (We learned that horn growth says a lot about the goat's age, let alone the umbilical cord was still attached!) Also, Dashell has pneumonia and since he is sickly he has no fat or muscle on him and we have to give him two sub-cutaneous injections a day. My DH does this while I hold him still. It's a whole new world. We were going to breed Dashell with our other goats but since he has started his life so sickly we have decided against it. He will be a wethered (fixed) male and will run with the does as soon as he gets well. We have another two weeks of antibiotic injections. Here is our loving little Dashell...he's great at taking his meds, and in the second picture he has his butt in the air like a dog and his tail is wagging back and forth. He is a LOVE!
Through this we learned that we have to separate sick goats. Dashell also has two parasites that we have to treat the other goats for because we didn't separate him from the start. Lessons learned. We are also realizing that it will be good to have a stock of dewormer and other animal supplements available on the property since we will be no where close to a veterinarian. We are researching all the things we will need on hand keeping close mind to expiration dates, storage requirements and anything else that we need to know.
Some added goat pictures. Here's our three girls, Abby, Bailey and Capri. Abby is the most friendliest and the other two are warming up! First pic is Abby and Bailey getting into the hay, the second pic is them leaving the hay after getting in trouble. :) Then Miss Capri who is the prissiest goat, and then a pic of what we usually see them doing, grazing and hanging out side by side.
I am also doing other research to find out more about meal planning, gardening, storage for all of it. I've looked into canning, but it looks like a lot of work. I have fallen in love with Pinterest and all of the ideas that it offers, I've just got to put it into practice. I'm trying to start freezing meals, but I am wondering if I'm going to need another freezer. I'll post a picture of my freezer after I start this process. What a process!
Currently we are taking down a quonset hut that we have purchased (from craigslist). This building is 25 feet wide and 70 feet long. This is going to be a temporary living quarters at the property. One more week and the hut should be disassembled and we will hopefully be beginning it's transport to the ranch in September.
There's a little update from this Country Momma!
From Raising Faith Ranch! (We named the ranch!!)
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Our FIRST STAY-cation! Part 2
We got there late on Thursday night and we stayed until Monday afternoon. It rained off and on the whole time. It was wonderful! We all worked together and had a great time. The kids had television withdraws for the first day and then started using something I think they had forgotten about....their imaginations.
I loved watching the kids enjoy nature around them. There was a lot of mud and so the kids made Brownie Soup...a step up from the mud pies I made when I was young. They played "drive-thru restaurant" which was hilarious. I think the funniest part was when Lily ordered, "Two Dr. Peppers the largest size you make," just like Daddy does. Nathan (9) was the cook and came up to me totally exhausted, he said, "Lily (7) just ordered three of everything on the menu! Even though it is pretend, I'm stressed out. Now I know how Burger King feels when we pull up!" Carissa (5) was inside and I heard her say, "Costco will be closing in 5 minutes please get your food and items and head to the nearest register. Thank you for shopping at Costco." It was interesting to hear how the kids played and I am sure that moving from city life to country life this will change drastically over time. I really got to enjoy the kids and just sitting back and watching how they play.
My DH was able to get the chicken coop off off the trailer and then the trailer and the dump truck got stuck in the mud. The dump truck and the trailer took two days to get them out of the mud. It was a lot of work but we were able to do it together.
We learned that the baby propane grill takes over 45 minutes to grill hot dogs for our family. We will be investing in a new-to-us grill to go to the ranch the next time we go to spend more time with family and less time cooking.
Our lives move at a much slower pace while we are at the ranch. We didn't worry about the time or about how dirty the kids were getting. The kids played in the rain and had mud ball fights. In fact, they went off exploring and kept in touch with us by using the walkie talkie. ("Come in home base, come in!") They loved the freedom and we loved feeling relaxed about it.
My stepson learned to ride a quad! That was a huge accomplishment and we are very proud of him. He is really growing up, at 13 his voice is beginning to change and he is starting to want to take on the more manly jobs. He was Dad's helper the entire time and loved it. I know he will probably be taller than me his next visit and a little more mature. He is becoming quite the young man and it was a blessing to see him light up with such excitement over everything that he did with his dad.
Since we've gotten back and the kids have asked to go back up there several times. Vivi (11) has said, "Mom, it's just so comfortable there. Everyone is so much more relaxed. When can we go again?" It makes me feel good that our first time staying up there was a success and that the kids want to return and have some more fun. If this is a preview to life there, I am so excited!
The laundry when we got back....nightmare. I am looking forward to having a washer and dryer at the ranch to be able to bring home clean laundry!
Future Focused!
Country Momma
I loved watching the kids enjoy nature around them. There was a lot of mud and so the kids made Brownie Soup...a step up from the mud pies I made when I was young. They played "drive-thru restaurant" which was hilarious. I think the funniest part was when Lily ordered, "Two Dr. Peppers the largest size you make," just like Daddy does. Nathan (9) was the cook and came up to me totally exhausted, he said, "Lily (7) just ordered three of everything on the menu! Even though it is pretend, I'm stressed out. Now I know how Burger King feels when we pull up!" Carissa (5) was inside and I heard her say, "Costco will be closing in 5 minutes please get your food and items and head to the nearest register. Thank you for shopping at Costco." It was interesting to hear how the kids played and I am sure that moving from city life to country life this will change drastically over time. I really got to enjoy the kids and just sitting back and watching how they play.
My DH was able to get the chicken coop off off the trailer and then the trailer and the dump truck got stuck in the mud. The dump truck and the trailer took two days to get them out of the mud. It was a lot of work but we were able to do it together.
We learned that the baby propane grill takes over 45 minutes to grill hot dogs for our family. We will be investing in a new-to-us grill to go to the ranch the next time we go to spend more time with family and less time cooking.
Our lives move at a much slower pace while we are at the ranch. We didn't worry about the time or about how dirty the kids were getting. The kids played in the rain and had mud ball fights. In fact, they went off exploring and kept in touch with us by using the walkie talkie. ("Come in home base, come in!") They loved the freedom and we loved feeling relaxed about it.
My stepson learned to ride a quad! That was a huge accomplishment and we are very proud of him. He is really growing up, at 13 his voice is beginning to change and he is starting to want to take on the more manly jobs. He was Dad's helper the entire time and loved it. I know he will probably be taller than me his next visit and a little more mature. He is becoming quite the young man and it was a blessing to see him light up with such excitement over everything that he did with his dad.
Since we've gotten back and the kids have asked to go back up there several times. Vivi (11) has said, "Mom, it's just so comfortable there. Everyone is so much more relaxed. When can we go again?" It makes me feel good that our first time staying up there was a success and that the kids want to return and have some more fun. If this is a preview to life there, I am so excited!
The laundry when we got back....nightmare. I am looking forward to having a washer and dryer at the ranch to be able to bring home clean laundry!
Future Focused!
Country Momma
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Our FIRST STAY-cation! Part 1
Instead of going on our usual vacation for a roadtrip to Yellowstone, or a week in Southern Cali we decided to stay at the ranch. My stepson was in town visiting and very excited to go to the ranch so we decided to make a special trip for him before he left to go back to his other home. With one extra kid we have to drive two vehicles. So my DH was driving the dump truck with a trailer and a 25-foot chicken coop that we had bought for the ranch with two of the kids, and I had our 15 passenger van with a trailer and two quads on it with 13 kids. So off we went. The van I was driving went much faster than the dump truck and the kids and I arrived much sooner than my DH, in fact he was over an hour and a half behind us.
So, when I got to the dirt road one mile from the ranch and the tires started spinning because we were totally stuck in the mud, I knew I was in trouble. I called my DH and he said he would be there as soon as he could but it could be up to an hour and a half. My poor city kids were already freaking out in the van talking about, "When there are no lights people can see you, but you can't see them. What if there is a mountain lion waiting for us!" I knew I couldn't just have them sit there, they were getting scared. I decided to take action. I don't know why I thought I could do this, but I did. I unstrapped the quad and took it off the trailer and decided that I was going to drive the kids two at a time through the dark and the mud to the trailer that my DH took up there two weeks before.
There I went...I was so nervous. I left the oldest there and grabbed the next oldest to take her to the trailer to get things set up for the rest of the kids. I drove super fast (for me) and this was the first time I was driving this quad on something other than a city paved road. It was bumpy and the mud was flinging! Mud chunks were flying off the tires and hitting us in the head and sticking into our hair and then twirling around getting more stuck. It was an adventure! I dropped off the first kid with all the specific instructions about taking off your shoes outdoors and locking the door, and then back I went as fast as I could to get the next kids.
It was cold and I figured out that I had to breathe in a downward fashion so I wouldn't fog up my glasses. I learned certain spots were bumpier than others and began to navigate around them. I made this trip 6 more times. Back and forth, back and forth. I began to relax, and enjoy the trip. I was becoming the Country Momma. I had a problem, I found a solution, and I was making it happen! :) I wasn't as stressed and even began to laugh and feel empowered by the experience I was gaining by the moment.
By the time the last two kids were the only ones in the van (the oldest and the baby) I was relieved to see my DH pull up with the dump truck at the end of the road. He came down to the van and because the mud had dried while I was hauling the kids he was able to get the van unstuck and drive it to the trailer. I went and picked him up with the quad and drove him back to the dump truck. Then he drove the dump truck through the mud and made it to the trailer. (He is obviously a much more skilled driver than I am because I would've gotten the dump truck stuck too!)
Although it was a little scary and stressful. I did it. I made it through our first challenge. I was proud of myself, I figured it out. My DH was so proud of me also for taking care of the kids and making the most of it. The kids thought it was great, they loved it. Even now I will overhear them talking, "Remember when mom drove us fast in the night and the mud was flying all over? That was fun!"
Some of the lessons we learned were; always wear your hair back when riding the quads to avoid what we now call "quad hair," the country is very dark at night especially when it is overcast, and if you are ever feeling like a target just make sure you remain a moving target!
More to come...
Country Momma
So, when I got to the dirt road one mile from the ranch and the tires started spinning because we were totally stuck in the mud, I knew I was in trouble. I called my DH and he said he would be there as soon as he could but it could be up to an hour and a half. My poor city kids were already freaking out in the van talking about, "When there are no lights people can see you, but you can't see them. What if there is a mountain lion waiting for us!" I knew I couldn't just have them sit there, they were getting scared. I decided to take action. I don't know why I thought I could do this, but I did. I unstrapped the quad and took it off the trailer and decided that I was going to drive the kids two at a time through the dark and the mud to the trailer that my DH took up there two weeks before.
There I went...I was so nervous. I left the oldest there and grabbed the next oldest to take her to the trailer to get things set up for the rest of the kids. I drove super fast (for me) and this was the first time I was driving this quad on something other than a city paved road. It was bumpy and the mud was flinging! Mud chunks were flying off the tires and hitting us in the head and sticking into our hair and then twirling around getting more stuck. It was an adventure! I dropped off the first kid with all the specific instructions about taking off your shoes outdoors and locking the door, and then back I went as fast as I could to get the next kids.
It was cold and I figured out that I had to breathe in a downward fashion so I wouldn't fog up my glasses. I learned certain spots were bumpier than others and began to navigate around them. I made this trip 6 more times. Back and forth, back and forth. I began to relax, and enjoy the trip. I was becoming the Country Momma. I had a problem, I found a solution, and I was making it happen! :) I wasn't as stressed and even began to laugh and feel empowered by the experience I was gaining by the moment.
By the time the last two kids were the only ones in the van (the oldest and the baby) I was relieved to see my DH pull up with the dump truck at the end of the road. He came down to the van and because the mud had dried while I was hauling the kids he was able to get the van unstuck and drive it to the trailer. I went and picked him up with the quad and drove him back to the dump truck. Then he drove the dump truck through the mud and made it to the trailer. (He is obviously a much more skilled driver than I am because I would've gotten the dump truck stuck too!)
Although it was a little scary and stressful. I did it. I made it through our first challenge. I was proud of myself, I figured it out. My DH was so proud of me also for taking care of the kids and making the most of it. The kids thought it was great, they loved it. Even now I will overhear them talking, "Remember when mom drove us fast in the night and the mud was flying all over? That was fun!"
Some of the lessons we learned were; always wear your hair back when riding the quads to avoid what we now call "quad hair," the country is very dark at night especially when it is overcast, and if you are ever feeling like a target just make sure you remain a moving target!
More to come...
Country Momma
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