Monday - - -
So as of Sunday evening, Mama Cow #153 wasn’t accepting her calf #173. She just didn’t get this mothering thing. Monday morning the calf had another bottle, and then when Kate and Ben took the calf to join the rest of the herd a little later, Mama seemed interested and allowed it to nurse. Huge success. Another check in the afternoon found the calf with the herd, but it wasn’t clear if Mama was caring for it. So Monday evening, Dad & I hunted it down; it was in the ‘nest’ where it was born. Uncertain if it had nursed, we tried to give it a bottle which it did not want. When the calf bleated, Mama was there in a flash. Another huge success which showed that yes indeed, Mama was bonded! And when Dad & I backed off, calf nursed right away. So we’ve been checking all the cows a few times each day, like we do even if we don’t have a slow-learning mother, and the three calves are usually prancing around spry and healthy. So we know #173 is growing fine and will continue to thrive with his mama. And we don’t need to bottle feed it, hooray for that!
First two calves with cows. So cute.
Unsure if #173 is eating anything -
until Mama came to the rescue.
Monday evening Jesse was harvesting beans right around our house. Kiowa seemed to like her combine ride.
*thanks for the picture Echo*
Saying hello to Brandi -
and Diamond.
Tuesday - - -
We’re pretty determined that Brandi will never fear the 4wheeler, so she gets a ride every day or so.
Wednesday - - -
We don’t do much grilled cheese in the summer, so it’s been a favorite lately since days are somewhat cooler.
Yes. You do see a picture of Brandi in the house again. And she is not in anyone’s arms. She is actually on the floor.
Thursday - - -
I don’t know who took these px or where I was when this was happening, but I think they’re pretty neat.
After riding with Levi in the truck Thursday night, Echo & Kiowa stopped by to see the cats. (and us 
That’s known as the playroom, but cats like to hide in there from Brandi. Oh yeah, and you know how the cats were taking over the farm after Rascal disappeared? Well, not so much anymore. Brandi’s doing a great job keeping the cats in line and out of sight. (mostly)
So after we had grilled cheese without tomato soup last week, and the kids really did manage to survive it (although it was quite a hardship), I didn’t hear much complaining about helping me do a big batch yesterday. I know Campbell’s makes a pretty good soup, yes, but the kids haven’t figured that out yet! And anyways I like my homemade much better.
Productive morning of work, then lunch and afternoon blessing of friends.
Busy baby girls: Kayley 8 months, Kiowa 10 months, Kenzie 11 months.
Weston’s all about trucks while Cheyenne plays dollhouse. No surprise there!
Yesterday was gray, cool, and rainy, so Brandi got the run of the garage after I pulled the van out. She still plays hard and sleeps hard. Just like a baby. Which, technically, she is. If we calculated right, she’s about the equivalent of a one-year-old human baby.
Friday while I was fixing supper, Tori had lots of help giving Brandi a bath.
Yep. That’s my laundry room sink.
Never thought I’d see the day that a puppy would move into our house,
and get a bath in my sink,
but I’ve never yet seen a dog that smells this good either. I’m still a bit befuddled how the kids got Dad to let her stay inside for the entire evening. I mean, no, she didn’t stink; she actually smelled like dog shampoo, but she’s still a dog.
But she’s a very good little dog. Very smart. Already knows a few commands which Tori has been teaching her. Actually it’s pretty amazing what she can do already.
Yesterday’s accomplishment.
That’s it. Thankful for so many blessings this week – health for loved ones, safety for all – especially farmers, special times with family, new friends, peace in our nation – just to name a few. God is so good.
Count your blessings, Name them one by one.
Count your blessings, See what God hath done.
Count your blessings, Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings, See what God hath done.
Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else. Deuteronomy 4:39
.
