This Little Piggy

Let the 2012 4H swine project begin.

This litter of pigs is extra special to Brooklyn. Their mom was her champion Berkshire show gilt in 2009. She is hoping for good things for this little piggy too.

We were wanting a litter bigger than four, but we'll take what we get.

Speaking of piggies, I love pruney, baby toes.

 Faith would live in the bathtub if I'd let her. If someone is taking a bath and she is not invited, she is personally offended. I once had a little, pint-sized visitor jump in the shower with me. Fully clothed. In fact, watching me write this post, she is begging for a bath.

I could be nice and finish this while sitting on the porcelain throne so she can splash away, but I'm too cozy warm under my favorite, velvety blanket. Besides, Baby Girl had a bath this morning.... FIVE minutes before we were to head out the door for church. A big sister left a bowl of cocoa crispies on the counter "out of reach" of toddler hands. Even though I was irritated, I regret not snapping a picture before the chocolate pebbles were washed from her hair. (Does anyone else have more mishaps than usual on Sunday mornings??)

                   These little piggies sure find themselves in all kinds of mischief.

                           
                           They are also the reason the house often resembles a pigsty.

There is a secret that I know that helps me endure, even enjoy, the long days of messes, noise, chaos, and disarray. Besides the overflowing love I have for my delinquents angels, I know how quickly those little footsies grow and become the feet of big kids then teenagers.

In the blink of an eye, my first born baby turned into a young man. In less than a month he will be 17, the age his father was when we started dating.

My picture of the week isn't of good quality. It was taken through the window as I was watched my son drive away.

He wasn't alone; he was taking with him, his brother and three sisters. I'm one of those people who watch a loved one go until they are no longer in sight. Friday watching the truck until it was a little speck in the horizon did something to me. It made me all the more aware of how valuable time is and how I have little control over what happens to my treasures. I feel so fortunate to be able to stay home full time with them and I don't take it lightly. I know this is the plan God has for this time in my life and I am enjoying it to the fullest.

Fair Days

 Just gonna warn you...unless you absolutely love seeing pictures of this family (Mom),
 you may get a little bored with this post. We all had a great time at the fair. Some days were a little more stressful than others but that is to be expected with 6 kids, 5 calves, and 8 pigs!!
Austin and Brooklyn left Tuesday after the swine show for a conference in Ashland, OH. They planned on leaving around 1:00 but Brooklyn's barrow won champion Berkshire so she had to show in the grand drive. I bet there never was a girl who wanted to lose so badly. :-) Dakota enlisted her friends to help out with all of the extra chores. I'm pretty sure she had the best time at the fair this year. My niece Jo Anna is in the Horse and Pony Club. It was nice to get to watch her show her pony! It was also fun for Emmaly and Corbin to ride the carnival rides with their cousins. Here are the awards for all of my kids' hard work:
Austin: Reserve Champion Angus Steer, Reserve Champion Angus Heifer, 4th place crossbred gilt
Dakota: 1st with crossbred gilt, 3rd with Berkshire gilt, 3rd crossbred barrow, 7th place cross barrow, 2nd place- cross heifer, Blue Honor- misc crafts, Blue- wearable art.
Brooklyn: Champion Berk Barrow, 5th Overall Barrows, Reserve County Born and Bred Barrow, Reserve Champion Berk Gilt, 3rd-cross gilt, 1st place- cross heifer, 3rd place- beef feeder calf, Blue Honor- misc craft, Champion- wearable art.

Bored yet??? These are stats that grandmas and aunts want to know! I'll give you the rest of the week's story in pictures.

The lake view from the ferris wheel. 

Our tack area was the happening place to be.

 I'm happy that we have the opportunity to be able to let the kids be in 4H every year. And I am also happy that it is over for this year!  Well....I guess there is state fair. :-) Good times and good memories made!