New Life

Daisy

 needed us, so we woke up early and threw on mismatched clothes, didn't bother combing our hair. We drove the hour and half to rescue her from the cold. She sank deep in our covers that we had

brought along and our hearts seemed to beat in rhythm with an orphaned lamb.

It always brings out something when we rescue an animal.

 The farm grows a little warmer and we all know that spring is just around the corner but right now its still cold outside and we have to bottle feed a day old lamb and she depends on us for a bottle every three hours.

      

Cooper and Channie-Mae make pallets by the fire and stay up late to do the midnight feeding.

Animals on the farm have always taught us more about dying to self, working together as a team and building sibling relationships. 

      

The very next day two little ducks make their grand entrance.

Between Daisy and the ducks we have suddenly become quite busy. 

It's a bustle of activity and we have 27 chickens who will move in on Monday.  

Cooper has earned money to buy these two and I chuckle at his over protectiveness. He has read everything he can find on the love and care of ducks. Who knew that his 13 year old heart could be wrapped so quickly.  No other time in his life will he be as free as he is now.

So, free he is to love ducks.

I like the pace the farm has. It seems to stretch child-hoods out, slow things down as we schedule our days around the rising of the sun and the pink sky's.

So today he is 13 and a duck lover and I love the tenderness that these two bring out in him. 

I love the long days of childhood out here.

So,

  

Welcome to the farm Puddle and Hiccups 

Cullen, started a tad-pole habitat with the help of Josie and so for the afternoon we read all about how to make them feel more at home. He patiently went back and forth to the pond grabbing water or rocks and plants with roots. Rain-boots a mess as they went. I had no idea these little visitors that will one day turn into bullfrogs that provide the outdoor springtime orchestra that I have heard my whole life required so much attention.

  

Their songs always remind me that the times are changing and another season is being set in motion as they make their way out of the winter mud and sing their love songs.

I love this season as I have loved every other one but they seem to come on quicker and I remember to slow down. I have learned to embrace the seasons and enjoy them because I know that this season will pass and oh I just want to savor every moment I have with these guys.

The kids

The pigs

The cow

The lamb

The dogs

The cats

The ducks

The chickens

(and yes, the tadpoles too)

The wonder of it all so new to them and after all these years of parenting so new to me.

They each bring something to the season that's always different.

Their reactions to growing things and loving things make me want to grow more things

and provide more things for them to love.

  

Memories of blankets on a hillside, all of us looking up at the pink sky's or playing in a small sand pile. 

 Living within the bowl that the Lord has given and letting them experience a rich life of things that

live with them here.