There is a Time for Everything

I have been planning in my mind over these last few weeks about what topic my next post would be about and then I came across another bloggers post. I learned a new term after reading it: "farm widow." Farm widows are the wives of husbands who farm and are left alone most of the time during planting season because their husbands are busy getting crops in the ground. The particular blogger who wrote this post doesn't like the term (and either do I), but I'll get back to that in a minute.

A few weeks ago, the start of a week was particularly stressful for my husband - things just weren't working out as they should and he was trying so hard to organize everyone so he could get the seed drill and corn planter into the fields. And then I had a ton of yard work I needed him to help me with, and the kids weren't helping matters with the fighting and getting into all sorts of trouble. This was all happening after I had a previous rotten week (potty training spiraled downward, things broke, pets died and kids got into mischief).

So the beginning of that week we were texting back and forth. I think I had a question for him about an invoice or something. He told me how his day was going (which remember, was not good), and he asked how mine was going. I felt bad things weren't going good for him and replied that we were fine at home (but obviously I was pulling my hair out). I never bothered to ask him when he was going to get fertilizing the lawn (from the bags we bought two years ago - still sitting in the same spot), or that I needed a limb moved, or ask him I needed a garden tool rack built or that Jacob had 3 accidents already that day. It just didn't, and doesn't, seem right to bother him with these insignificant things. So maybe significant to me but on the grand scheme of things (ie. hundreds of acres of seed that needs to be planted), not at all important.

Now back to "farm widow." The obvious is that it's like saying your husband has died. I can't believe that some people use this term for that reason. It can also most definitely be interpreted the wrong way and it's so disrespectful to your husband. Besides, I am the one who married a farmer and I don't do the field work, so what else is to be expected when planting season is here? But hats off to all the women out there who help in the fields, plus look after the kids and paperwork, or even do all that and have off-farm employment. I guess my point is that the farm husband is out there working hard to support his family and it's never an easy or simple job. There is great passion, sweat, blood and perseverance put forth. How could I get in the way of that?

After being married to a farmer now for almost 10 years (on June 3rd!), I know that things get done all in good time. Usually things are timed in such a way that it all works out in the end. And if not, then it can always wait for another day, or even another year like those bags of lawn fertilizer. I think I pestered him about that on more than one occasion last year and I've only mentioned it once this year. I don't think he needs a reminder about that job because 1. the bags are sitting beside the back door where he can see them and 2. if it gets done, it just means the grass will grow much quicker and I'll have to cut it more often!

Always remember to love and support your husband through planting season. 

Jacob waving to one of our hired guys.

I'm reminded by this scripture verse:

What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. Ecclesiastes 3: 9-13

Where Have I Been?

So WHERE have I been? That's an excellent question. And I've been here, busy with mommy, wife and farmer-"ish" things.

In October I turned 30 and my husband and I took our first long distance trip together - to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan to visit my aunt and uncle and cousins (who we hardly ever see because flying within Canada is unbelievably expensive). I've been on an airplane before, but not my husband. That part was easy. Navigating the airport and getting to the terminal we were supposed to be at was not. But we made it there and back safe and sound and had a great time exploring "Toon Town." Thanks to our awesome family for trading kids around and baby sitting!

The Prairies

Figure skating lessons started up again shortly after that for Jenna. She's improved so much since starting four years ago.

Jacob and I finished up music class in November and a took a break over the winter from it. We just started a new spring semester a few weeks ago. Even after being away from class over the winter, Jacob picked things up again very quickly.

Also in November, Jacob started a new block of speech therapy. He has made such amazing leaps and bounds with his speech. Communicating with him now is 100 times better. Tantrums are to a minimum, and he's more patient when trying to explain or ask me something. Over this past March break we got him potty trained! It took a few weeks but we think he's got a good handle on it.

December and January was filled with Christmas celebrations with our families. Throughout the winter I did a lot of downhill skiing on Jacob's daycare days. We're so lucky we live close to a great resort. And illnesses were luckily kept to a minimum so I was able to ski about 8 times over the season.

Christmas Day 2015 - Dad and Jacob went for a ride

Any X-Files fan was excited in January when Season 10 was broadcast. Although only 6 episodes were aired, it was great to see my favourite characters back on TV. Over the next few months, before the kids got up and after they went to bed, I watched the entire series from season 1 to 9 on DVD. There was quite a few I had never seen and It was exciting to watch my favourite episodes again.

In February and March, the routine was fairly normal. I kept busy billing out snow removal invoices. Buses were cancelled off and on over February and March. It seemed like only on the days Jacob had to have speech therapy. And if the buses get cancelled, then so does his speech therapy. And we missed his last session 5 times over those two months because of weather. It was actually quite crazy if you think about it - buses were cancelled due to bad weather every Wednesday for about a month and a half! And then our area had a major ice storm hit the end of March. We lost power off and on for a few days, but for no longer than 5 hours at a time. That's incredible for a family that lives in a rural area. We had neighbours without power for 3-4 days, and even homes within town for much longer than that. It was very touching to hear stories of neighbours helping neighbours, and even strangers helping strangers in their times of need. We were also lucky we didn't lose many trees from the heavy ice but we heard about and saw lots of damage to homes and property. The clean-up is still ongoing.

The ice on everything made for some beautiful scenery the days following the storm

Near the beginning of March I was lucky enough to experience pneumonia. What a horrible week I had - unable to get off the couch or sleep or eat well. By the Thursday I had had enough and the doctor put me on some strong antibiotics. I got well enough in time for March break thank goodness. March break came, and the weather was off and on, but Jenna had an amazing time at a week-long outdoor adventure camp. She made friends, created things, and got muddy. We finished off the break with a trip to Ripley's Aquarium in downtown Toronto and went with Jonathan's step-sister. It really is a neat place with lots to see and learn!

....but she had fun!

Ripley's Aquarium, Toronto

And here we are now, nearing the end of April. I have been busy the last two weeks with the wonderful world of accounting. Over the last 10 years, I have been doing our book keeping all by hand and our accountant recommended we switch over to a computer program. It's been a learning curve, but I think I'm getting it now. It should make things a lot easier for everyone now.

Our seasonal hired help has come back now and they have started working ground and planting a few days ago. Seeding time will be our busy season until harvest and we're hoping the weather cooperates at both times,

So that's it, that's what's been going on here. Warmer weather is here to stay, and I can't wait to get out in the garden, planting flowers and watching things grow.

This awesome weather is here to stay!