Today, please join me in welcoming Britt from "The Fisk Files".
Britt & I met through the blogging world, and I know you are going to love her just as much as I already do! Her blog is a beautiful place to land - You are especially going to love her gorgeous photography~
I'm thrilled to have been asked by Elizabeth to do a guest post! I've absolutely loved getting to know her via her precious blog and am honored to be a part of it today!
When debating what to write about, the first thing that popped into my mind was a day-in-the-life post. So, here goes...
We are a ranching family raising cattle in the southwest, so no day is really "typical" although a combination of certain tasks are completed daily. For those who have not spent much time around agricultural operations, it can be seen one of two ways: a dream life, or a daunting life. Neither is true. While it has its ups and downs, the work is hard but the rewards are priceless.
On most mornings we're awake with the sun. Getting breakfast on the table and the little guys fed, and then Jeremy is out the door to begin his work. This time of year, the mornings consists of feeding the cattle and checking to make sure those having calves are getting along okay.
The boys and I at times have the pleasure of going with Dad in the mornings to help him make sure everything is alright, while gaining a better appreciation for the land and His creation. We don't spend the entire day together, as Jeremy has many things to do that can't quite accommodate the little ones at this point: fixing fence, riding horses, building pens, doing odd jobs around the ranch and helping the neighbors with their work when necessary. So, the boys and I head home for our normal routine...
Which, when weather permits, includes a lot of outside time (even when that means digging in mom's flower bed).
If the weather doesn't, though, we still have fun playing together inside:
Sometimes we even have it together enough to bake something. We like to take things to people who are sick or lonely when we can, as part of a Church ministry. And, while it doesn't happen as often as it should, they boys love it when it does.
This is all typically done while this little guy takes his morning nap.
On the days we don't have a project, the older two watch a couple (or more!) cartoons at this point.
This life allows us the opportunity to all be together for lunch, which is such a blessing as we all love the mid-day break to see Dad. So, that's typically our big meal for the day. The boys like to help with that, too!
Lately we've been trying to get our freezer stocked with meals for when Sophie arrives, so lunch prep has taken on a whole new meaning.
Sometimes we even make it to one of our favorite spots - our local coffee shop - which has the best lunch!
Then, on most days, I'm lucky to get close to three hours when they're all napping at the same time. A dream...one in which I often grab a cup of this...
...and do a little work on the computer and around the house (laundry, phone calls, cleaning, etc). Time quickly passes and before I know it, the boys are up and ready for a snack.
When dad gets home, the real fun begins. Whether it's coloring eggs (as it was this week)...
getting in the car to hit up one of the local school playgrounds...
helping with a project at the shop...
burning off the tumbleweeds so our garden will be ready for planting...
or just being together in any form or fashion...
...the boys embrace life, and we love them in it!
Our days are not too different from others' days. We just have a larger backyard. While we're not getting the boys to different lessons or playgroups, they have each other. While Target is two hours away, we make do with what we have. I've mentioned in previous posts, that I completely understand that this isn't the life for everyone. When the wind blows at 40+mph for days on end, when the rain just won't come, when the cattle prices drop making the living tough, and when sometimes personalities at work clash, I would argue it isn't the life for me either.
However, when I see these little boys with so much time with their Daddy, idolizing his every quality, when I can send them outside and only worry about snakes and spiders getting them, when I can see the bonds form between brothers so close in age, and when we can offer the boys such an early look into caring for the land and appreciating God's creation, I wouldn't have it any other way.
The work is tough. Most anything worth doing is. Having three, three and under, is tough. Four, four and under, in June will add even more craziness...
...but with that craziness comes an unspeakable joy found nowhere else.
Life here, somewhat in the middle of nowhere, gives us plenty of time to think, love and be together.
With the struggles of raising small children and depending so much on nature, so many things could "go wrong" - but, more often than not, even those hardships become what makes it all "so right" - for us, anyway.
Come share in our journey!
The Fisk Files:
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This is perfect, Britt!
ReplyDeleteLove this! I love looking into people's lives.
ReplyDeleteReally cute day in the life post! Bears fans?
ReplyDeleteI just love that your days are very close to mine! My Target is two hours away too.
ReplyDeleteAnd we are part of the elite 3 under 3, 4 under 4 crowd Britt! Although, let me think...ok....I had 4 kids 4 yrs and under, 5 kids 5 years and under....yep my math is still on track. ;)