Spring rebirth on the farm

This spring has been very different than any since we have lived here(it's been 3 years!) There has been no late snow and we had a serious rain storm a few weeks ago that made the grass and the flies go crazy. Oh my, the flies! It's like a scene straight out of the movie, seriously. Walking through the cows paddock feels like taking a fly wing bath, it's pretty freaky.

Our free range chickens are supposed to help with the flies and we bought these amazing ducks, Muscovies, that are supposed to help keep the fly population down. We have 5 of them; Daffy(the drake) and his girls, Dolly, Daisy, Dorothy and Dorcas. Dolly is sitting on a nice nest of eggs under the barn and I can't wait for cute little ducklings! Daisy sat on a nest of 17 eggs and, after waiting 2 weeks after the required gestation period of 34 days, we had to throw ALL of them out. She is a bad sitter. Her last batch hatched out 7 and she lost all but 2 because she wouldn't sit on them! We only saved the 2 by taking them from her and raising them ourselves. I'm hoping for a better result from Dolly. 

Maisy, our Jersey cow, is about to calve any day now and things around here are pretty tense with the excitement of a calving. We are all praying Jonah is home this time; me for my sanity and the kids because Jonah has never been here for a calving. The way things are looking today, I don't think he'll make it with coming home Sunday evening. She's looking very close the last 48 hours. We shall see. Her last calf is almost ready for freezer camp. Geebshum attacked Jonah, and that's all it took. Who knew a steer could be such a punk? He's a mini Jersey so will be small but hopefully better than Charlotte(our 7 year old cow we slaughtered last). 

Speaking of slaughtering, I bought 7 Black Copper Maran chicks that I was planning on breeding to keep our flock replenished. Out of the 7 SIX of them ended up being roosters and the lone hen isn't even a Maran! After a month of being woken at 4:30 AM to SIX crowing roosters, we will be making some mighty good stew in the coming weeks. Let me know if you want a dinner invite;) I'll just be buying pullets from now on, no chicken breeding for me. I don't seem to have the luck with it.

We added 6 little piggies to our farm crew and they are SO cute! I have to keep reminding myself what they are for. Eventually, I would like to add a sow to our farm so we can have 3 litters of piglets every year. It would be a bit of structural work to get ready and there are so many other things on our to-do list that it may wait a while. 

On the home front we are busy as can be. I am looking forward to a school break this summer for the kids. I'm sure they are too. Farm life makes for busy days already without adding school. It'll be nice for the kids to have some down time. Sarah will be entering high school next year! Amazing that I will soon be the mother of a high school student... And a toddler who was just potty trained. I really love having kids of all ages. It makes life more interesting! 

On birth mom's

This is such a sweet picture to me. This is Canaan smiling at a song his birth mom, Nika, played for him before she said goodbye.

This is going to be a very vulnerable post for me to write. I have so many thoughts swirling around in my head and I hope I can write them down effectively.

My idea of birth moms did not start off very well. Without sharing details, the girls' birth mom was filled with hatred against us no matter how hard we tried to be kind and keep her updated on her girls' lives. When we found out about our infertility and decided to go the adoption route, birth mom's scared us silly. Open adoptions were fairly new to our way of thinking and as we sat through the meetings and continued to hear this term, we were adamant we would only do the bare minimum in sending letters and pictures. This was a decision and position filled with FEAR. It wasn't about what was good for the child and it certainly wasn't thinking about what was best for the birth mom. It was about US and our grief over our infertility and not wanting to share OUR child with someone else. As I write that it looks so silly! Without a birth mom's choice to GIVE us her child we would be childless! Anyways...

When we got the call that Malakai had been born we had only an hour to decide whether we wanted this baby boy to be ours. It was crazy! Kai's birth mom only wanted updates through letters and pictures sent to the ministry we used and she would pick them up periodically. It was "perfect". When we brought Malakai home and fell in love with him I wanted SO badly to show this beautiful boy off to the woman that chose life for him and my letters gave little details about the little boy he was becoming. For whatever reason, when Kai was about one, she decided to stop picking up the packages, wouldn't leave an address and changed all her numbers so that the ministry contact could no longer get ahold of her. For a while, I was a little happy. I was glad there wasn't going to be any competition but after a short time the craziest thing began to happen. I was SAD that this woman was missing out on our sons life. I was SAD that Kai would not have access to her to write her a letter or see what she looked like.

Isaiah and Judah's birth mom was dying when she walked 2 days through the bush to bring them to the orphanage. Her husband had died when she was pregnant with Judah and she had a difficult decision to make. My heart broke for her! Yet another woman choosing life for her children because she LOVED them. No selfishness involved but MUCH heartache and tears, to be sure. God was softening my heart(and weeding out the selfishness) to appreciate the sacrifice and love these women had in choosing to place their children.

The woman who seriously changed my idea about birth moms was Justus' birth mom, Shanna. We were not looking to adopt again so soon after Liberia but she asked to meet us, so we went. She was funny and open and personable. After that first meeting she knew she wanted us to be Justus' parents but WE had to decide if this decision was right for us( there was a lot of legal stuff involved and it was a hard adoption and we weren't sure it was the right timing). She wanted phone calls and letters and pictures and that was a lot more than what we had done before, I wasn't sure I wanted to talk on the phone or have Justus talking on the phone.

I got a phone call one day from Shanna and she said simply, "Listen to this." As I listened, my sons heart beat through the phone and I started crying. Amazing. Then she handed the phone to the doctor so she could tell me how things were going with the baby and Shanna, just as if I were in the room. Through her hard decision she was thinking about ME. I felt normal somewhat. I had heard my babies heartbeat before birth, just like any other mom. Normal. Shanna made that happen.

Miraculously, we were able to attend the birth and be IN the room when Justus was born. It was THE most amazing thing I have EVER experienced watching my child come into this world and take his first breath. It was something I never thought I would get to experience and it was so, so precious. Then, after Shanna had held Justus and cuddled him and nursed him(all things we had agreed on) she turned to me, looked me in  my eyes and said, "Would you like to hold your son?"  The following day I saw the grief, heartache and pain that came with a birth mom saying goodbye. I was crushed. I was broken. I was torn. Such sadness to contend with from one woman and yet such happiness and joy I felt at a son being born!

As the weeks drew on Shanna and I talked on the phone often. She loved how content Justus always was when she called. We talked about Justus and our lives and we became friends. Those phone calls eventually ended as she moved on with her life but we still keep in touch periodically. Today Shanna and I are Facebook friends, she is married and there is such comfort in knowing that if Justus wants to know more about her, all I have to do is send her a FB message. It comforts me that I can give that to Justus. He knows what Shanna looks like. He knows that he is a exact male replica(it's crazy!) of his biological sister. He knows he has 3 1/2 brothers who looks like 3 of his brothers. He KNOWS.

 You see, Malakai and Isaiah are at that age where they are wondering more. There is very little I can tell them. No picture to show. They hurt over it and, because of that, I hurt. I have found Malakai's birth mom on FB but hesitate to contact her. She has her reasons why she cut contact. I tell Kai it was because it was too hard for her. I tell him that she knew he was safe and taken care of and that was good enough for her but... I really don't know.

And now we come to Nika, Canaan's birth mom. This young woman has had a hard life. When she fell pregnant with Canaan she truly had no other choice than to place him. She had no job, no where to live, nothing. The foster care system had left her without anything and at 22 she was still struggling to make something out of nothing. I honestly, to this day, don't understand why she chose us as her family. She says it was because she thought having lots of brothers and sisters would be fun. She says she wanted white parents because those were always the nicest foster parents she had. It still boggles my mind a little. I think it's because God knew that this young woman would be sanctifying to ME. I have come to love this woman for who she is, despite the fact that her life is FAR different than mine has ever been. I have chosen to make her a part of my life and she calls me when she is desperate. I have done everything I can to be there for her. I care about her deeply.

Nika changed EVERY single conception I had about birth moms. Her choice was one of the hardest of all. She was not supported. Her friends and community ostracized her and was angry at her decision. They said some VERY mean and hurtful things to her and still do after TWO years. They really don't understand. And yet, she still chose life. She still chose the best for Canaan. In the beginning I saw Nika often. It was hard for me, I won't lie. The adoption wasn't final and there is always a sense of vulnerability when that is the case. She has made some really bad decisions in the last 2 years and it is hard for me to watch. However, we have built up a relationship where I can tell her TRUTH and she won't run away.

Most of all I know that the periodic times we get together are building GOOD things in Canaan. There will be no questions that will go unanswered because I was finally willing to step out of my comfortable box and be a little uncomfortable for a while. I thought it would be forever, honestly, but it's not! Nika and I are meeting this coming Tuesday and I am EXCITED for it for the first time ever. There is no worry or stress involved. I want to see her, talk to her and give her a hug. After all, that is the LEAST I can do for her after the priceless gift she gave to me, right? I've come a long way in the last 8 1/2 years. If you are an adoptive mom, learn from my mistakes, you're child/ren will be better for it. 

Surprises!

This little boy is going to be TEN in a few months. I have a question for you all. If you had the choice would you rather 1) be told about the surprise a few days early(on your birthday) so that you could anticipate and relish thoughts of what is to come OR 2) Have the surprise happen all at once so there is no waiting or anticipation, just a BIG surprise.

Please comment and tell me what you would rather have. He has a surprise coming to him that he told us about shortly after this picture was taken almost SIX years ago. We thought his 10th birthday would be the perfect time to make this dream come true. I want to do it right and the best I can.

How to make Kefir

Kefir, pronounced Kee-fer(not Ke-fer like I had said it for 2 years before someone mercily told me the right way to say it) is an amazing fermented milk drink that dates back to use by shepherds, thousands of years ago, in the Caucasian Mountains. Kefir grains are not really a "grain" but a combined culture of yeasts and bacteria. The resulting yogurt-like drink contains 6 different probiotic strains and has been shown to have anti-cancer and anti-tumor properties as well as numerous other health inducing properties.

 

The grains look like milky cauliflower clumps and grow in size from the tip of a pin to the size of a child's hand(possibly bigger but maybe we eat ours before they get bigger?). Before we had our own cow, I actually kefired store bought milk. It didn't have all the benefits of raw milk plus kefir(obviously) but would still turn pasteurized milk into something LIVING instead of the dead waste pasteurized milk is. By the way, a little money saving tip for you? Don't waste your money on organic milk. Unless you are buying organic RAW milk, pasteurization creates the same end product no matter how it began. If you are concerned enough about your health to spend the money on organic milk, I would encourage you to seek out a local raw milk source. This may be quite a task though, with how our government is regulating such a "dangerous" product. You may start with going to to this website.

 

Off my soap box.

 

And now, on to the tutorial.

 

First, you begin with kefir grains. If you do not have any you can buy some online, on Craigslist(sometimes) and, if you live close to me, I'll give you some! Kefir grains are always growing(unless you kill them;) ) and there are always plenty to share.

 

 

Put the kefir grains into a clean, sterilized glass jar. I use a 1/2 gallon jar but you can do this with a pint or a quart just as easily.



 

Fill the glass jar to the desired volume with, preferably, raw milk(be that cow, sheep or goat).

 

 

 

Put a lid on the jar and set it next to your wine bottles, oh wait no, set it on your counter wherever you please. You will leave it here for 12-48 hours. The less amount of time you let it ferment, the lighter the flavor will be. We leave ours on the counter for about 24 hours.

 

One thing that you must be aware of is to ONLY use glass, wood or plastic implements when dealing with your kefir. Metal spoons or bowls will damage, and possibly kill, your grains. That would be sad, wouldn't it? :(

 

Only disclaimer is that I do use a fine mesh, metal strainer/sieve and it works fine.

 

So, you wait and you wait and you wait for the glorious kefir to be ready. Sometimes the kefir will separate into whey and solids. The whey is usually yellow, this is NORMAL and very good for you.

 

 

When you are ready, get a bowl, fine strainer/sieve and a plastic spatula or small wooden spoon. Pour the kefir from the glass jar into the strainer sitting over the bowl. Make sure you scrape any kefir grains that are sticking to the bottom. You want ALL of them to save for the next batch.

 

Next comes the most hard core work that is involved in the whole process. You need to stir and stir and stir the kefir through the strainer. Sometimes, this takes a while(a whole 5 minutes) but if you are only letting it sit for 12 hours it most likely will just run through.

 

 

This is what is pushed through the sieve into the bowl. This is what you get to drink and make into smoothies or a facial mask or give to your chickens or.... so many uses and all of them fantastic for you!

 

 

When all the kefir is pushed through, you are left with a clumpy glob of something. THESE are the kefir grains and what you will use to make your next batch. If you are beginning a new batch right away, transfer these into another glass jar, fill it with milk and begin the process all again(you do not have to wash the remaining kefir off, some say it is actually better NOT to wash them).

If you are leaving on vacation or don't want kefir for a while, you can put them in a small jar, cover them with milk and put them in a refrigerator. This will keep them for about a month. If you need them to last longer, there is a way to freeze them but I've never done that so you'd have to google it.

 

So, now that you have this amazing, fermented drink you may be asking, "What do I do with it now?" Well, that's up to you. You can put it in the fridge to make it cold then drink it with a bit of honey or agave nectar. Our favorite is to make smoothies. Here is our favorite recipe that we concocted:)

 

Winger Kefir Smoothie

 

         Kefir, about 4 cups

         2 frozen bananas

         1 frozen pineapple piece(about 2" by 4"?)

         1 small handful frozen blueberries

         1 heaping TBLS. raw honey

         1/4 C. coconut oil

         Handful of spinach or greens

 

      ***If we have extra kefir grains(since you only need about 1/4 C. to do the job right) we will throw a tablespoon or 2 into our smoothie for an extra immune boost. We do this when there is sickness going around as well.

 

Put this all in a blender and blend well. If you want something more like a milk shake, thoroughly chill the kefir. 

 



 

And that is how you make kefir.

 

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

What our day(amending to just the morning) looks like

The Justus pout. Same at 5 as it was back then however, it is not as cute now at all. You will have to bear with the old pictures. I am blogging from my iPad because Jonah has the laptop(oh, we'll, yes, I did break my laptop again. Jonah says I go through them faster than anything else;) He's right). This means that I can't download the pictures I have on my, er Jonah's, laptop for your enjoyment. I have a "How to Make Kefir" in pictures post planned but can't blog about it because the pictures are on my Jonah's laptop.

Anyways, back to my original thought process. Ahem.

Farm life started off nice and easy. We got some chickens. Easy peasy. We got a milk cow. Not too bad. Then we, all of the sudden, decided a WHOLE lot more cows, some pigs, ducks, a dog and a complete Hydroponic fodder system were the thing to do. While all this was quite a bit to get used to my whole, somewhat organized life went down the drain. My kids weren't getting in bed until 9:30 some nights(usually 7:30) and we would all roll out of bed whenever we felt like it. This meant chores and breakfast were sometimes not done until 10:30! When you're already that late in the day, homeschooling is not easy, at least it wasn't for us.Things were NOT working! It has taken a whole year to finally figure out how to do this and how to do it well, organized and without sacrificing my 2 and 5 year olds precious slumber needs.

One thing that has become amazingly wonderful and invaluable is the beginning of our day. Our alarms sound at 6:30 sharp(on Saturday we get to sleep until 7:30!) and we ALL have 10 minutes to make our beds, go to the restroom, get our Bibles and sit in the living room. Then, we spend the time from 6:40 until 7:15 reading the Bible(this year we've gone through Acts, Romans and are beginning 1 Corinthians and are including Proverbs each day) and in prayer. This, more than anything we've EVER done as a family, has been the most rewarding, productive and special time together. We used to do this after dinner each night. It wasn't the same. I encourage you all, start a family Bible time.

After Bible time we have 10 minutes to get chore clothes on and get outside for our chores. I go out while the littles watch PBS Kids and I check on them every so often(this is different when Jonah is home and during the summer they will come out with me). The delegation of chores is this(it all happens simultaneously):
- Mom and Alana work on pulling barley fodder out of the system together. Alana situates what to feed in the morning and night while mom washes the trays the fodder grows in and sets them aside. Alana then goes and feeds the cows while Mom finishes what needs to be done with fodder(which takes another 20 minutes or so).
- Sarah and Malakai get the milking machine ready and everything that they need and roll it out to the barn in a wagon. Kai lets the first cow(whoever wants to get milked first will just walk in the stanchion) in while Sarah gets the machine attached to the pump and gets their minerals and grain ready to be fed. They will milk one cow and then the other, which takes a total of 15 minutes. They roll the milk back to the garage where it is strained into sterile glass jars, dated and refrigerated immediately. Then, it takes them about 10 minutes to wash the milker thoroughly.
- Isaiah feeds all the cows their hay and makes sure everyone has enough water. This is a BIG job during the winter when it is freezing and we have the hoses off and covered. He has to hand haul buckets of water to satisfy 9 bovines. Anyone that is already done with their chore will help him with this as well.
- Judah feeds Cali, our dog, lets the chickens out, and throws some feed to them and the ducks. Our chickens and ducks are free range so they eat very little commercial feed. They subsist on the left overs of barley fodder from the cows, scraps from the house and kefir as well as lots of bugs and goodies around the yard.

Since this post is getting very long I will conclude with telling you that we next come into the house, make breakfast(usually oatmeal with peanut butter, honey and banana) and then spend about 30 minutes cleaning up from our morning before school starts. The day consists of school, reading aloud some amazing books, playing outside, recleaning the house and then back to chores in the evening. Evening chores are a bit less stressed since Isaiah, Alana and I do our chores around 4:30 and Sarah and Kai milk hours later. This will change as it stays lighter in the evening though. Dinner is usually at 5:30, we do some more read aloud after another clean up and then bed time for Judah, Justus and Canaan comes at 7. Sarah and Kai go out to milk then too. With the 3 littles asleep in their beds I fall on the couch to catch up with my emails.

Man, I'm tired just writing that all out! Anything else you just must know?

In the beginning...

First off, I LOVE this picture of my kiddos in the walls of our house. This was the beginning of a dream, the beginning of what is now our (even crazier) life. If my lack of blogging is any indication, my life has gone from crazy to insane. Thank God my parents taught me a good work ethic! I pray I am doing the same in my children.

I thought I would refresh my blog by a run down of what we do around here, how many animals we have and what our days look like.  Over this week I'll be updating how the kids are doing as well, in case any of you care!

Currently, we have accumulated quite a few cows;) Nine, to be exact.

We have Gretel, our very first milk cow, who we love, despite her stubborn butt head attitude. Hopefully, Gretel is newly pregnant and will calve in October. We still have Fräulein, Gretel's calf but are hoping to find a good home for her with another small farm since she doesn't fit in to our 'program'.

In December we brought home Maisy and her steer calf, Geebshum. Geebshum will be going to freezer camp later this summer and Maisy produces some mighty tasty raw milk. She is pregnant and due with a heifer calf this June.

Then we have our beef cows, Pia, Georgie, Norah, Penelope and Barbie. The first three will be a part of our breeding program and the last 2 will be beef when they are big enough.

Our piggies; Larry, Moe and Curly are now in our freezer and in 4 other friends freezers providing some mighty tasty pork. We learned a LOT this year about pigs and are looking forward to having another go at them this spring.

Our hens are great, in the winter phases where they don't lay very many eggs. I just purchased some chicks(of a special breed we are hoping to breed and sell in the future) that are CRAZY birds. I am hoping they mellow out a bit as they age because right now they are driving me crazy!

Daffy, Daisy and Dolly are our Muscovy ducks who I love. Dolly hatched out 8 ducklings a few months ago but only 2 babies survived. We have yet to name them since we're not sure if they are drakes or not. I was hoping for some duck stew this winter, but it was not to be. It's too much work butchering 2 ducks alone!

Last, but not least, is Cali, our Livestock Guardian Dog. We are so happy with her that we are looking at adding a few more to our farm in the near future.

Look for more posts in the near future! My goal is to blog at least twice a week.