Bittersweet Goodbyes

The day that seemed so far away in the future has finally arrived...our babies have left the nest.

I console myself that at least they haven't flown the coop!

I keep thinking and saying things that make me feel old.  Things like, "My, how time flies!"

We adopted 3 kids!

Jacob has always wanted to keep goats and several of the other children share his love for goats also so we've been watching craigslist for goats for a good while now.  This spring our farm has burst into greenery demonstrating our need for more help to tame the land therefore we decided to just take the plunge and get goats before Jacob left home for college.  At the factory where Steve and the boys were working there was someone who's neighbor had some kids he was selling so after a brief discussion weighing the pros and cons the boys decided they would use some of their earnings and buy some goats for our family.

Adventures in Butchering

ALERT!:  Please note that this blog post is about our experience as a family butchering our home-raised hogs.  There are graphic photographs and descriptions contained, read at your own discretion.  Please also note, that no hogs were harmed in the making of this post.  Yes, two were killed and butchered, but no hogs were harmed.  They lived a very good and happy life and just had one bad day.

Remember back in December when we brought these two cute little piglets home with us?

April on the farm

I haven't done any writing for such a long time.  It has been so overwhelmingly busy at our house I've only had time to tread water.  Our precious and dear baby was born the last day of February safe and sound.

Rest in peace, Sweetiebelle

Poor Sweetiebelle. 

Her health just continued to decline.  We had several people over to look her over and give us their advice on how to help her.  Most often we were told to butcher her.