All Things Wonderful

This morning as I walked down the stairs I looked out our big picture window toward the lake and saw that there was morning mist there. I walked down there and two ducks were swimming and everything was peaceful. It felt like the perfect way to start my day.

Yesterday we got the entire 35 rows of the market garden planted. Here is the beginning photo and I hope to have a progress photo in a few weeks that will be covered in green goodness.

We also got the cucumber plants all planted in the greenhouse. There are over 70 plants in the dirt now. They will grow up the plastic fencing we have there and the it will be walls of cucumbers which sounds kind of magical.

I also took a shot of the strawberries this morning to use as a comparison shot in a few weeks.

Tomorrow is our first day at market. We really only have some plants to sell but it should be fine.

Farm Fun!

This week has been awesome. It has felt like one Saturday after another. I have been able to work in the yard almost every single day. Things are growing and that always feels so miraculous to me.The market garden is almost completely finished and I have LOVED every minute of raking, planting and watering. Only three more rows that need to be planted. So far we have rhubarb, 14 rows of potatoes, 3 different types of pumpkins, spaghetti squash, mystery squash that was growing but the label got washed off, carrots, broccoli, 2 types of cauliflower, basil, cilantro, and oregano. On Monday we will plant the beans, peas, and spinach.

 The plants seem to sigh of relief when they are put into the ground and take off. I found another baby pumpkin on a plant as well! The strawberries are doing amazing and it is fun to see them green up and poke through the plastic. I can't wait to see what the next few weeks will bring. I am excited to see a sea of white flowers that will turn into strawberries!

The hydroponic lettuce is doing well and I am still crossing my fingers that we will have some ready for market on Wednesday. Such wonderful things watching things grow.

Also since I LOVE side by side photos of progress here is the lettuce this morning and the lettuce last week side by side. So amazing what can happen in such a short time.

Newest Driver!

Today Bri became the newest driver in our household. I am pretty excited about that. I think she is too. We should have a car for her to use by the end of this week. After she got her license I took her to Vagabond Blues. I was surprised I had never taken her there before. Bad mommy! She got a snickerdoodle cookie that was bigger than her face. Good times!

Pumpkin fun!

This afternoon I got all the pumpkin plants transplanted and in the process found this little guy enjoying the sun and water. Pumpkins are my favorite! I got two complete rows done and then 3 giant pumpkin plants on the next row. I have been in heaven planting things and playing in the dirt. Life just feels so good. We have dreamed of owning a farm since our first year of marriage 22 years ago. I love that that dream has come true for us. I am so excited to see everything in a month. The strawberries are doing really well also.

Rows and rows and rows and rows

Yesterday starting around 9 am, I headed out for farm work. I worked in the greenhouse for a bit and then met everyone in the field. We laid drip tape, row covers and then starting planting and planting and planting. Carrie came to help which was so nice! After lunch we got more help. The missionaries even came out. We planted around 7,500 strawberry plants. I can't wait to see the sea of white flowers in a short time as the berries start to come on. It is going to be beautiful. It felt like madness though as we did all the work. My body is not super happy today. There was a lot of bending over, for sure! We still have some to plant but the biggest chunk is done.

Now to enjoy this day of rest! Whew!

Update

I've been trying to update for days but it has been rainy and when that happens the internet doesn't really work so great. Plus we have been busy! We have rows and rows of dirt ready for planting. I planted 10 rhubarb plants as the very first thing in the ground. We have 10,000 strawberry plants waiting to be planted tomorrow. Things are doing well in the greenhouse. I love everything about this life. We truly are living our dream!

Hats are in!

 Tonight we were pulling sticks out of the rows so we can plant all those strawberries.  Loving all this!

Seminary, Summer and Sleepover

Tonight my two seminary seniors graduated, Kali Jones and Dallin. I love my seminary class. They are so ornery and we get along so great. There has been a lot of really fun and great memories made this year. Like burning socks, pee-ness, rolo golden calves, interpretive dance, murder ball, and so much more. I will miss teaching this group next year.

Summer feels like it is in full swing. It's been over 70 degrees over the last few days and we are just soaking it all in. It has been SO WONDERFUL!

Jamie also got to spend the night from Saturday to today. This morning before getting ready for church her and Corban cuddled up on the window seat and I heard her say, "I love you BoBan." It was the sweetest thing because those two didn't get along so well when she lived with us. Corban wanted her to stay all week. I love that little girl!

Lettuce take a moment

Tonight we spent a good chunk of time transplanting the lettuce cubes into the hydroponic tables. We may have eaten some of it along the way. I will say that is some really good lettuce! The weather was perfect in there. All the fans were going. We worked until around 830 or so. Sun is going down a little after 1030 now. It was HOT yesterday. Over 70 degrees. I can see some lake time in my immediate future.

Two things

Farm shirts are in!!! I love the logo so much. I just need a sweatshirt now.

And Seminary was awesome today as we studied Ezekiel 47. I LOVE how the board turned out. The class was quiet and attentive today which almost never happens. I'm going to miss teaching these kids.

Our Grad!

Tonight we got to witness our Dallin get his high school diploma. We couldn't be more proud. He is an amazing young man. I've been struggling with the kids growing up and after the graduates were presented and they threw their hats in the air I watched him from across the auditorium. He was laughing and hugging his friends. He was excited. Then he turned around and looked right at me and we gave each other the "I love you" sign and inside I broke a little. Hooray that he hasn't forgotten his mom! I hope he never does because no matter where he goes in this world or what he does I will never, ever forget him. He holds a HUGE chunk of my heart! I adore him in so many ways.

 Here is he is with his friend Karl Greathouse. They were in Primary at church together all those years ago.

 Dal with his buddy, Tristan

I LOVE SATURDAYS!

Today was wonderful in so many ways. I spent hours in the greenhouse and Carrie came by with Maddie and we played in the greenhouse and went on the paddle boat. Matt was able, with the help of others, get the field ready to have the rows built. It's actually beautiful! He also used his new fangled toy that our friend Lyle built for him: the row shaper! It is the coolest thing. With in minutes Matt had three rows formed.

 The air is filled with the smell of fresh dirt. It is so great! I am going to sleep well tonight because I am so tired from doing so much today. We also got many loads of compost today. Things are going to be growing like crazy soon and I am looking forward to the entire journey.

Friday no school!

This morning dawned beautiful! In fact, I rolled over opened my eyes and say the green trees back dropped with a beautiful blue sky and I sighed in contentment. I love it here! I spent the morning in the greenhouse playing in dirt barefoot while I transplanted TONS of tomato plants and water other plants. Then I went to the lake with the kids and jumped in a kayak. I chased two ducks as quietly as I could until they discovered me and flew off. I laid my head back and closed my eyes while the sun streamed down on me and was so happy that this time of year has finally come. I imagine it is going to be a great summer!

Pre-mourning

Yesterday was Dallin's last day of Seminary. That set off a whole set of emotions. Basically those emotions felt like this face of Kenna's. I became so sad that these kids are growing up. It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't like them so much or if they were not such cool people. They seriously are the best people I have ever been around and it makes me sad to think that I will live a huge portion of my life without them under the same roof. Jerks! Dallin's mission papers are done and will be turned in Sunday. I am sure he will leave sometime this summer. Brittan is a senior and will graduate this time next year. And only 3 years after that Makenna will be graduating. In four years I will only have one child left at home. How did this happen so fast? What will I do with the rest of my life without kids to take care of? Sigh! I have a problem of pre-mourning.

The cranes are back! And I got a flat tire that Matt so nicely changed for me using the skidsteer. He's handy like that!

Come a LONG way!

Tonight Reahna married Dave Howard. She is such a different person than she was only a short time ago and I am I so happy for her that she is finding some happiness herself. They are trying to save money for a house so the wedding was small. They got married in Mom and Dad's living room and Garic officiated. Carrie took the pictures and Mom made the cake. She looked really happy. Dave is a great guy as well and loves the kids. I am very hopeful for her.

And I love these ladies. It is fun to have so many sisters- missing Tracie and Shawna in this one!

Lion King

Friday night Makenna rocked the stage with her version of Rafiki the crazy monkey in the Lion King. She seriously did so great and nailed the songs. She's got a great voice and I loved the crazy costume. She's super fun!