I've Gone Country A blog about a city girl learning a whole new world

Just days before time to pick up the kids we are hosting for the summer, I made a mad dash to the store for swimsuits.  We planned to pick them up from the Airport and head to the beach for a week.  Our family meets there once a year for some rest and relaxation.  Well it doesn’t usually end up being much rest but we stay busy in a fun kind of way.

Once I arrived at the store I got a little overwhelmed thinking about ages and sizes.  I had seen a picture of the kids and realized they were smaller than what I had envisioned for their ages.   I spoke to a lady near me telling her about my dilemma.  She offered some advice, which turned out to be very wise.

Once the sizes were taken care of I picked out styles and color of suits.  She was about to leave when she wished me the best.  I asked her to pray for us.  She stopped in the middle of her tracks and said “I will”.   We talked for a few more minutes.

She showed me her purse handle.

She explained that she had begun to tie some sort of ribbon or string onto her handle to remind her of the different people she had met.  People she had told she would pray for, regarding  matters on their hearts.  Each of these ribbons were very different, just like the people.  She said when she got home she would use a ribbon with a beach theme of some sort to remind her of the Ukrainian children that were joining us for the summer.

Of course I had to talk a few more minutes, I don’t meet very many strangers.

That’s when we found that we knew some of the same people.   It is so fun to meet someone that you connect with.  I loved hearing about the amazing things that were happening in her life, like a new book she has written.  I told her about this blog and asked if I could share her book here.

I think she came up with a very unique way of sharing God’s word through stamping cards and notes.

She explains in the book that you may use it for a Bible Study, devotionals, making encouraging cards to send to those in need, or just for fun.  Organize a stamp class big or small.  The groups can get together and discuss the devotional’s and Bible verses as they create.

The devotionals include Scripture references from the Old as well as the New Testament.

These cards are easy to make with step by step instructions.

A Go Green section helps you get creative with things you can find around your house to use.  For example: Buttons, paperclips, pieces of fabric, puzzle pieces etc.

There are many different kinds or cards to make using a wide variety of verses.  The book is beautifully illustrated and easy to follow.

For more information regarding Stampin’ Up! and their products contact Laurie Taylor at:

Joyfulstamping@gmail.com

A big thank you to Laurie for sharing her book with me.  Not only that, but for remembering to pray for us this summer.

When I think about another ribbon being tied on her purse just for us, now that makes me smile!

May God Bless her and everyone that this book touches.

Vika…..sweet….sweet Vika.

She’s just a little girl……

I remember the first night she dressed for bed.  I was in the kitchen and she came to find me after she put on her gown.  She gave me a great big hug.

That’s when I smelled it…..

She smelled like a little ole lady.

She had found some perfume that I had on an old perfume tray in the bathroom.  I suppose she just wanted to be a big girl.

It made me rethink that fragrance…hee hee.  Because it was after all MY perfume, and I would rather not smell like an ole lady.  Even if I am one!

I couldn’t help but smile thinking back on my own childhood.  I loved to smell my mother’s perfume especially when it was on her.  I thought she looked and smelled beautiful.  I also remember her blotting her lipstick on a folded tissue.  That was one of the coolest things ever.  Lip prints!  How awesome is that.  I was intrigued with make up, hair, perfume pretty clothes and high heels.

Vika doesn’t have those kind of memories as far as I know.  She is eight years old and has been in the Orphanage for three years.  That is pretty young.

One morning we were going to Vacation Bible School.  I looked to make sure she was buckled in.  Something didn’t look right.  I got closer to that precious little face.  She had used a yellow highlighter marker on her eye lids.  It was supposed to be eye shadow I presume.  I giggled and she did too.  It is a little hard to communicate being that neither one of us speak each others language.  I wet a cloth and removed it best I could.  I kissed her little head and told her she was already pretty.  I have no idea if she understood what I said or not….but I know she translated a gentle kiss to the forehead as love.  How do I know?  Because she smiled and hugged me so tight…….and gave me a big kiss back.

She is a busy little girl and she isn’t always that sweet either.  You know….she is human.  I don’t want to paint an all roses picture.  She has her momets….but so do I.  We all do.

The other day she was tired of playing outside and came in rubbing her tummy.   She usually accompanies that by saying… OMIE.. OMIE.  That is the way she tells me she is hungry most of the time.

I was making mashed potatoes for dinner.  She was so interested in what I was doing….she loves potatoes.

I pulled a chair up to the counter, picked her up and let her stand in the chair.  I started the mixer with her hand on mine.  Her little eyes grew wide as she made a varoooom…. varoooom…… noise.  I removed my hand and let her do it by herself.  She was so excited and just a wee bit scared.  I used the spatula and turned the bowl while she used the mixer.  We added more salt, pepper and butter to taste.  She gave the thumbs up when she thought it was just right.

I remember so vividly helping my mother in the kitchen.  The sights, the sounds, the smells and the wonderful taste of whatever we made.  I’m sure the things we made were not that special….but they are in my minds eye because a lot of love was sprinkled into everything my Mama made.

We were eating in the sun room that night.  Earlier in the week I had shown her how to fold the napkins.  I took the plates to the table and the next thing I knew Vika was hurriedly setting the table all by herself.  She was ready to eat those potatoes.

The potatoes turned out great.

I saw her grin from ear to ear as the boys gave me the thumbs up on them.  I told them Vika did the potatoes and their eyes widened.   VIKA?  As they pointed to them.  YES!  I said.   They said NOOOOOO…. I said YES!!!!!  All the while little Vika just giggled and smiled one of the biggest smiles I’ve seen thus far.

She is just a little girl so cooking dinner with me is not an every night thrill for her.

She still likes to do little girl things….

Like play with dogs.

Drive the go carts like the boys did.

Feed the chickens.

And climb a tree to reach the plums that are at the tip top.

Once she finishes all the other activities she comes back to the house to be a Mommy.

Where she sets her babies at the table….

Fills their plates with food….

And prays with them.  Thanking God for a list of blessings.

Feeds them when they need her help.

Sits down and eats at the table with them…..as a family.

Afterwards she enjoys a little cuddle time as she rocks them to sleep.

She’s just a little girl…

My heart hurts as I think about her going back to an orphanage.  Not going back to a house where she would have parents that would kiss her and tuck her into bed each night.  Not a place where she will smell her mother’s perfume and cuddle in her arms to be rocked.  Not in a home where she will spend time in the kitchen with her mother learning recipes that she will share with her own family one day.

I’m sure the Orphanage takes good care of her and all the children that come through their doors to live.  If it were not for the orphanages and the staff that operates them…. these children would have nowhere to go.  Vika and the boys are good kids, obviously loved best way they can be…. while in an environment where there are so many of them to show love and instruction too.  Our kids are  just one of many children all over the world that are in this same situation.

I think about their parents.  I pray for them.

At night Billy and I tuck her into bed.  She loves to be lightly tickled.  When she knows that only one or two tickles are left before we turn out the lights….she closes her eyes….and smiles.

I can only imagine that she is building memories…..memories that will go back with her to the Ukraine.

So on those nights when it is time to settle down and go to sleep…..I picture her closing her eyes and remembering those tickles.  Picturing us there with her.

Some times those thoughts are more than I can handle……..

Because….she’s just a little girl……

Over the past few weeks we have been thrown back into time.

Having three children in the house everyday has brought back a lot memories.  Memories of things we encountered with our own children.   Things you tend to forget until you see kids doing them again.

Like finding beautiful art drawn with chalk on the garage floor.

Seeing Teddy tucked into bed with love.

Watching a child use their imagination while playing.

Vika took an old decorative wheelbarrow off the front porch.  She cushioned it with a pillow and placed her baby gently on top.  An empty pillow case was used for her baby blanket.  She comforts the baby and tells her it’s ok….it’s ok baby.

Finding treasures in some of the most unexpected places.

Artur was very resourceful when he used his empty water bottle to store some hooks he found lodged into the wood planks at the pier.  One man’s junk is another ones treasure.

Of course I haven’t forgotten that boys love frogs….

But I might have forgotten that they like to put them on me….JUST TO SEE IF I WOULD SCREAM.

I passed the frog test though.  I didn’t scream……at least not this time.

I love how kids like to bring you things.  Maybe it’s because it is new to them….and they want to share it with you too.

Like a handful of leaves…freshly picked on an evening walk.

Or seeing the excitement in a boys eyes as he finds loose golf balls.

And feeling my heart swell when I watch a group of men golfers being kind….and share a whole towel full of  their old golf balls with him.

Watching kids be kids….enjoying time together.

Yep….it’s fun.

In case you haven’t heard…we are hosting three Ukrainian children…. all brothers and sisters….for the summer.

That is one reason I haven’t written in a while….WHEW….it’s been a while since we had three children in the house 24/7.

We picked up our extended family last Monday at the airport.  They were very tired….it had been a 30+ hour trip.

As you can see the little one on the far left…doesn’t look happy…..

Her little eyes filled with tears and she stayed close to the interpreter she traveled with.  She didn’t know us at all.  My heart hurt for her.  It hurt for all of them.  I could not imagine my own grandchildren going around the world.

They are brave….they are sweet….they are smart…they are well mannered.  We are blessed.

Once the interpreter introduced us to them we hugged the children.  They were a like little statues.  Not many kids want big people hugging them that they do not know.

Ahhhhh…..but it didn’t take long.  I told the interpreter to let them know we were going to the beach.  They would meet some of our grandchildren that were close in age.  SMILES….SMILES…..SMILES.

We headed to the escalator to go to the car…..the little girl slipped her hand in mine.   HEART MELTDOWN!!!!!!!

We loaded up……

Billy and I took a peek into the back seat…..What a picture…. They didn’t look tired at all.

But….within minutes…..they were gone.

We drove a short distance and decided not to add anymore miles to their tired little bodies.  So we stopped at a hotel for the night.

The next morning everyone was bright eyed and bushy tailed.

Off we went.

The kids were bubbling with excitement.  They talked to one another.

Billy and I….well we talked with one another….

Do you remember the Bible story of the tower of Babel?  Well it is found in Genesis 11:4-9.

Well we were hearing a lot of Babbling……

And THEY were hearing US Babble.

I couldn’t help but instantly think of that Bible story.  It does truly sound like Babble when it isn’t a language you understand.

We tried different words with one another and we did a lot of hand motions.  I was surprised at how well that works.

YET….when there is really something important to explain or tell one another we all struggle with finding words.

Thankfully there is now google translate….that helps.  But even then….there are times that you just can’t understand totally what the other one says or wants from you.

If you aren’t familiar with the Tower of Babel story….I encourage you to read it.  It is very interesting.

I imagine the next time you are around another language you too will reflect on it.

Because of the language difference that was brought on the people….I can totally understand how …even today….with all our technology….it hinders us from becoming too big for our britches.

It surely is frustrating…..yet humbling.

We had a great time at the beach, but the kids were excited to learn they were headed to a farm.

You know…….love doesn’t need translating…with people or animals.

Meet Artur…..

Vlad…..

and Vika.

Let the fun begin!

Last week we had just returned from a trip, upon entering the pasture we found that we had a baby born while we were gone.

Punkin is the mother…since we were gone to Idaho when it was born….we named the baby girl Ida.

She is a cutie and Punkin is a great Mama, taking care of her every need.

She is black most everywhere except her back feet which sport white socks and her tummy has a little tuft of white as well.  While we were looking the herd over.  I noticed that Joy was thinner and her milk bag was HUGE.  I watched her as she disappeared into another part of the pasture.  In a matter of minutes we heard her bellowing.  There is a certain sound a cow makes when she is anxious about her young.  Immediately Billy and I followed the cries until we found her.

We found her standing by the creek.  She continued to make that awful sound.  Billy and I hurriedly looked for what we felt sure was a calf in trouble.  We didn’t see anything.

Finally we heard a little Moooooo.  We walked toward the sound but still couldn’t see anything.  Once again another little Moooooo sound.  Meanwhile Mama was just a bellowing.

THERE IT IS…..we both saw it about the same time.

Before I could even get the lens off my camera….  Billy was in the water.

If you look closely you can see the black calf standing to the far left….hugging the side of the creek.

Mama was on the other side and was still bellowing.  Billy lifted the calf up to her.

It wasn’t an easy task.  The bank of the creek is steep.

And the fact that the baby weighs 50 to 75 pounds makes it a real work out.

Finally the baby got to its feet and walked…. up the embankment.

Mama immediately came up to it.  WHEW…now….thank goodness that ended well.

Well….at least we thought so.  That baby was ready to nurse.  But Mama would have no part of it……..

She was trying to get away from the baby.  She pushed the calf away with her back leg and almost pushed the baby back into the creek.  Thankfully Billy was still in the water and nudged it back up onto the bank.  We continued to watch for a few minutes hoping they could work it out.  Time and time again she pushed the baby away.  Yet…she would bellow for it.  The baby would run up to her, attempt to nurse…but she would push it away again.

We led them away from the creek so the baby wouldn’t fall in again.

The Mother just didn’t get it….she kept going to the creek bed and bellowing for the baby.  She would look into the water for it.

Meanwhile the baby was exhausted…. looking at the  umbilical cord the baby was not very old.

She’s a girl….and she looks a lot like Ida.  She also has white socks on her back feet.  One difference she has though is a cute little white line across her forehead.

NOW WHAT?????

Billy and I walked away and hoped the Mama would realize that it was her baby.  After talking with other farmers, they said the water probably washed enough of her scent off that the first time Mama just got confused.

Finally she came up to the baby….

It was looking like a go…..

The baby went for it…and tried to nurse.

BUT…Mama wouldn’t have any part of it.  She kicked her to the ground…over….and over.  It was hard to watch.

Then she walked away…..

I just get mad at Mama’s that won’t care for their babies.

Some of the younger cows came over to her and just stared…..they stood for the longest time…just looking at her. (The one in the middle is tug….maybe he remembers his Mom doing that to him).

Now Billy and I only had only a little while to decide what in the world to do.

If we feed it the colostrum that it HAS to have within hours of birth…then Mama will more than likely really reject it for sure.   BUT THEN AGAIN….we are already witnessing that happening.  It is so frustrating.  There she is with everything that baby needs…and she won’t let her have it.

We put them in a fenced area together.

It would be dark before long and if she didn’t get the colostrum through the night hours she would die.  So….we headed to the house to check and see if I had some in my stash.  I try to keep some for times such as these.  But I didn’t have any….so I googled a homemade recipe and hoped for the best.

Back to pasture we went with bottle in tow…… just in case we needed to use it.

When we arrived we found that…the Mom was gone.  In our haste we each thought the other one had chained the gate.  So much for that.

The mom is staying with the herd and wants NOTHING to do with her beautiful….healthy….baby girl.

And so it begins…….

May was miserable this time last week.   Or at least she looked miserable!

Bless her little heart she would waddle when she walked.  The day before she delivered she even hesitated to get up when I entered the gate.  Normally she heads to the feed trough….just in case I happen to bring her a treat.

Finally, she wouldn’t even climb up the ramp to her favorite spot in the goat house.  I checked on her several times during the day, knowing she wasn’t acting normal.   About 3:30 she started showing signs of labor.  I ran home to gather a few things just in case she needed any help.  Billy always laughs when he sees me grabbing labor and delivery supplies from my stash.

Last year May gave birth to 4 goats.  It was extremely cold that night and we didn’t know she delivered until morning.  Only two of the babies survived, one was actually born dead.  I don’t remember anything being visibly wrong with it.  I have read a good bit about animals since we have started the farm.  Most encourage you to keep track of hard deliveries or any birthing trouble in hopes that you can try to prevent something the next time around.  All that to say, I wanted to be around this time when she gave birth.  Just in case I might be able to prevent losing another baby goat.

And I admit….I love to watch the miracle of birth.  It is just amazing.

After gathering my supplies I headed back to sit and wait.  She looked at me like ….Oh boy…she is here for the whole duration.

Actually May has always been aloof.  She keeps her personal space.  However, since we took her from the farm and put her closer to the house, she has allowed us to get closer than ever.

After a little while I could tell we were getting closer to delivery time.  Goats talk to their babies.  At least that is what the books call it.  They make a certain little noise when they are in labor.  It is pretty neat.

Apparently the babies heard her….because things started moving right along.

I didn’t have plans on handling the babies…unless she really needed it.  Besides, I wasn’t sure she would even let me touch the babies.  I didn’t want to add any undue stress to the situation.  I was also leery that she wouldn’t accept them if she smelled my scent on them.

She had a little girl first…..

This one had the coloring of her Mama.

Then she had Baby number two…..a little boy, but he was stillborn.   That is the part of having animals that is the hardest.  I was glad that I was present during this delivery though.  If I had not been I would have always wondered if there would have been something I could have done to have saved him.  I know now that there wasn’t anything I could have done.  I did note the problem and actually took a photo on my cell phone so that I could show a veterinarian.  There was a development problem with its tummy.  Maybe he can shed some light on how to prevent it from happening again.

I spared you from having to see the pictures….but if you did…then you would know why I want to be close when the animals are delivering.  AND why I have my little stash of delivery items!

Baby number three was another girl!

She has interesting colors on her.  She almost looks taupe with some black.

If you look close you can see the birthing bubble, right before the fourth baby was born.  It is amazing to watch.

Last but not least baby number four joined the rest.  It was a boy!

He has black and brown on his little head.  He is the biggest of all of them…and a real cutie.

In the excitement and pure business of it all, I failed to notice that the first baby had something wrong with its eye.

Billy is here with the girls about two hours after delivery.  Now that is just precious!

You can see the girl on the right looks like her eye is just closed.  It didn’t look swollen or anything it just look closed.

I got Billy to hold her still so I could get a close up thinking I would have to now show the vet this problem too.

Upon taking a better look……it appeared to be fused shut.

I came home that night and searched through my goat book.   I googled everything I could think of to see what was wrong.  There just wasn’t anything that really sounded like our problem.  She was nursing fine and didn’t seem to be bothered by it.  I was worried that she might be blind and that her mother might reject her.

But…..she fit right in……

You can see her little eye here too.

The babies are like little puppies.  They have a cycle consisting of  these four things…..cuddle, nap, eat and bathroom break…. repeat….. at least for the first few days.

Whenever I go to check on them….she is the first one to come and greet me.  Yes….she has already stolen my heart….well they all have.

They are exploring  and have already attempted to climb the walk board.  They are funny to watch….. plopping on top of one another.

But before long…they are tuckered out so they curl up and fall fast asleep in no time.  Playing is hard work you know.

I called the vet and was pretty sure he was going to have to come look at the eye.

The very next time I went to check on them….her eye was open!  Everything seems to be just fine.  I don’t know…maybe it was like a puppy’s eyes.  I just know that she looks just fine now.  So fine in fact that she was too wiggly to get a picture.

What a wonderful surprise.

So….we had a few bumps in the road.  But things turned out pretty good, especially when you think about her carrying 4 goats at one time.

May has been so sweet about letting us hold the babies.  I am hoping that she will become friendlier herself.

I do know that she sure is being a good mother

I imagine having her little girls eye open up made this special day….all the better.

I see her resting while they rest, just like new Mom’s have to do.

May has been blessed with three healthy babies and seems to have been celebrating that all week!

Happy Mother’s Day…..May!

Clementine had a baby a few weeks ago and has been a very good mother.

The calf takes a lot of naps, just like a human baby does.

When she curls up to sleep…… you can hardly see her in the big field.

You may remember that we had another calf born in March.

Her name is Bella.   It seems that these two have become very good friends.

They stay together while their mothers graze nearby.

Sometimes they even rest in the cool grass together.

They are not able to hug like people do….so cows often rub their heads together.  Showing kindness to one another….just like we do to our friends.

Cars often stop while traveling down our road to watch the cows.  Sometimes they put on a show….like they did yesterday.

Did you know that calves run and play?  Just like kids!

I have mentioned this verse before….but this is the very reason why it comes to mind so often.

Malachi 4:2 (Contemporary English Version) But for you that honor my name, victory will shine like the sun with healing in its rays, and you will jump around like calves at play.

They even play king of the hill.

Or maybe it is queen of he hill, in this case.

After a few minutes, they head back to their mothers.

That is where they feel the safest.  They are still learning about trust.

They probably watch me as much as I watch them, wondering why I am in their field.  The more time I spend with them, the more they trust me.

The mother cow makes a humming noise when she talks to the calf, but only when it is newborn.

After a few weeks, if the mother wants the baby to come to her, she will make a big MOOOOOOOOO sound.  And the baby will come running.  Each baby knows the sound of their own mother when she calls.  They sound a lot alike to me, but somehow the baby knows the call of it’s own mother.  And the mother knows the cry of her baby calf.

Animals are interesting to be around, they are very lovable and fun.

Maybe they think the same thing about us.

We love our animals and spend a lot of time with them….. so we always give them a name.

We finally have one for this cutie.

A friend of mine is an elementary school teacher.  She shared the pictures of Clementine and the baby calf with her class.

They thought we should name her…. Darling…..  As in the song …. “Oh my darling, oh my darling, oh my darling Clementine.!” 

What a perfect name.

Welcome to the farm……Darling!

A big thank you goes out to Mrs. Hearn and her 3rd grade class at Hazel Green Elementary School!