Downs with big ups

It's been a trying couple months for us.  As you may know, I hurt my back way back before we got the Llamas.  It was just starting to feel a little better when the pain moved into my hip.  I have had to see multiple doctors, been into urgent care for pain and nothing has seemed to help.  I am on Vicodin and muscle relaxers, so forgive me if this post gets weird or mooshy.

Sharon is an amazing woman.  She has taken on all of the chores, takes care of all of the boys(me included), deals with the animals, makes and sells her jewelry, gets the groceries, chops the wood etc etc.  Before last week I was still doing some chores but just trying to take my time.  Now I can barely do that even, I guess I have something going on in my sacroiliac joint and muscles keep spasming.  Boo is all I have to say about that.   I am hopeful things will change soon.

So thats the downs, But the Ups are much better!  I think that's the key sometimes, The ups.  My favorite book as a kid was called Great Day for Up

 

 It is always better looking up then down, so the best thing about these last six weeks is all the time I've gotten with my family.  My boys are growing up.  They are becoming beautiful, compassionate humans and I am getting that snuggle time that will be gone before I know it, so I thank the universe for giving me(forcing me really) this time with them.  I have gotten to watch Sterling get excited about school again, make friends, and love the experiences he is getting from 4H!  Laird is blossoming into quite the adventurer, you gotta watch the door now or he may just go for a walk on his own!!

The farm is quiet now.  My favorite saying, that I once used as a metaphor for reflecting and resting during this time of year, "Let the fields lie fallow"  is now also a truth.  Our veggie garden is actually lying fallow, the birds get fat on seed, the chickens are super puffy and the llamas are doing some serious hair farming.








Meanwhile arts and crafts and warm fires turn the farmhouse into a snuggly place. Although you can feel the wind blow thru the old glass and doors, it just gives an excuse to huddle near the fires bundled up under really heavy and comforting quilts.

Brothers play together and wrestle in the purple dragon tunnel, Sterling reads Porky Pig to Laird and Laird loves the time that his "Brudee" gives him.

Sharon's arts and crafts time and my "time-lapse a day" creative challenge keep us busy as the days grow short and the weather frigid.  The ponds and crick are frozen and the extra cold chore of defrosting the animals water, and the wildlife is added to Sharon's long list.










We get lots of time with the proverbial fields lying fallow now, chilling out but keep our minds active with thoughts of what chickens and turkeys and goats and and and…whatever Sharon comes up with, to purchase for next year, along with how we are going to build our new place, what the new business is going to look like and how to build hot tubs out of rocks and chicken manure.  The last may just be a Vicodin fogged brain's idea.  But as we near the solstice we find comfort with one another and enjoy making each other smile and laugh and create our own sunshine in our family life even if the sun is taking a break.


We have made friends with a family here through 4H.  We invited them to come cut a Christmas tree at our property.  They really helped us out by cutting and stacking firewood with Sharon and Sterling.  It is amazing to find people so willing to help when your down a family member for chores…They are truly great friends by giving us their time to help keep us warm and lessen the chore load on Sharon.  Thank you Swanberg's!!   It was a beautiful day and we found some trees, they turned into some Charlie Brown looking trees, but the memories of our first Christmas in Sequim have now been securely planted and the new traditions are going to echo into the lives of our children and our children's children.

  

 So as the darkness of winter closes in, I won't let the downs keep me down but only let the ups lift me.  In the end these memories will be the ones I will reflect upon when I ask myself if I have had a good life.  It certainly won't be me saying "Boy I really wish I would have worked that Overtime and an 80 hour week." HA!

We send you love and wish you happiness this holiday season.  Find your time to reflect, cherish your friends and family, and let your fields lay fallow, whatever those fields may be.

Love,
The Rowlands