Mommin' Through Life

It always seems that as one thing happens in life, it begins a domino affect.  Never knowing how long the trials and triumphs will last.  Some days, we feel like we know exactly where our lives are headed and then at other moments, we struggle to understand the things we are going through and why life just isn't happening the way we desire it to.   Facing one of the most challenging events in my life a year ago, I have found joy in that time of trial, pain, and confusion.  Many days I wonder why God allowed me to go through that time, but as the days go by, I don't regret what I went through.  What I remind myself daily, is that a sinner like me, had God right beside me through the entire experience.  Many times we wonder why we are faced with such challenges, but why aren't we thanking God for staying right beside us during those times instead of complaining about the obstacles that He put in our way?  As time ticks on, I won't deny that I str...

Ever have it when you have a million things running through your mind and it seems as if that hamster living in your brain never takes a rest?  That's me...right now.  It seems as if every turn I take, every door I open or every chance I take, I'm faced with a million thoughts, questions and find my mind wandering all over the place.   The last nine months of my life have definitely felt like I have been on a roller coaster...sort of like the Superman roller coaster at Six Flags.  You start sitting up on the ride until it turns you so you are facing the ground then off it goes!  Once the ride is complete you are sat back up and feel like life is back to normal.  Trying to find that "normal" is what's been challenging me lately.  Right as I seem to feel like I'm getting back to my old self and starting to move on, let go and live for the future...it happens. SMACK! Someone makes a comment, brings something up or I am faced with something th...

Growing up on a dairy farm hasn't always been easy, but it has been the best experience of my life.  After my parents got rid of the cattle in November of 2010, my family experienced a major change of life.  2011 has brought many good and positive things to my family and I as well as a few negatives, which is expected.  Life isn't about living it perfect but about going through the obstacles and events that are put in your way that help you learn from your past and make your future brighter.     Celebrating the birth of the first grandchild in my family was one of the highlights of our summer.  Not only did our family receive a new addition, but my aunt and uncle also became grandparents for the first time the same day my parents did.  Adalyn Jean, sure is a blessing to my family and she brings so much joy into all of our lives. We also have another exciting addition to our family that will arrive early June of 2012.  My parents, siblings a...

Thanksgiving is more than turkey, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie and all the other Thanksgiving traditional foods served.  There is more to Thanksgiving than traveling to see friends and family, more than doing chores on the farm early to get to a family gathering, watching the famous Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, or the beloved dog show.  Many get wrapped up in all the festivities but often forget to thank the person who made these holidays a major part of our lives. If it wasn't for God, there would be no turkey, no ham, no food at all.  Through his never ending grace and mercy He provides for our bodies by allowing us to take care of his land and people by growing crops and raising animals to feed the world.  Some individuals this Thanksgiving, are mourning the loss of a loved one, a husband, a grandfather, an uncle, a brother, a father.  Even though we hurt here on earth from this indiviual passing through this world and finally reaching his final d...

The agriculture industry is in a constant battle about animal welfare and care and it has become a very serious issue over the past couple of years. However, I feel that many farmers don’t necessarily know how to react when attacked by certain animal-rights activist groups or even just the general public. Not every individual is an excellent speaker in front of an audience, but as for farmers, being proud of what you do and how you take care of your animals and land speaks louder than words itself. Each year my family travels to the Indiana State Fair and I always look forward to that time. Not only do I look forward to showing our dairy cattle, but I have a passion for talking with the public about what we do with our cows and how we care for them like they are a part of our family. I always like to tell them that we have a sign in our barn that says, “In this barn, every cow is a lady. Treat her with kindness.” As we milk the cows at the state fair, we usually get a large c...

Born in the frigid winters, dairy-loving state of Wisconsin, my passion for the dairy industry and dairy cattle was born there.  Spending only a short time of my life there, a little less than the first year of my life, I still feel like I'm at home whenever I travel to Wisconsin.  Speaking of the feeling of being at home, I recently traveled to Wisconsin for the World Dairy Expo and in a couple weeks will leave the states for the FIRST time and travel to The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto.  I'm not sure if I will enjoy my trip out of the states, but am certainly looking forward to this new adventure for me.  I'm not sure I'll feel like I'm at home when I am in Toronto! It is silly sometimes, I refer to my college apartment as home. It seems like home at times...I mean I only spend 4.5 days a week at it, the rest of the week I either travel to Illinois to work or the place where I truly feel at home.  But, at times I catch myself and think...hmmm...

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or to help you figure out who you are or who you want to become. You never know who these people may be (possibly your roommate, neighbor, co-worker, longest friend, lover, or even a complete stranger) but when you lock eyes with them, you know at that very moment that they will affect your life in some profound way. Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some people move our souls to dance. They awaken us to new understanding with the passing whisper of their wisdom.  Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon. They stay in our lives for awhile, leave footprints in our hearts, and we are never, ever the same. And sometimes things happen to you that may seem horrible, painful, and unfair at first, but in reflection you find that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized y...