Buckhorn Creek Farm

We've all just returned from Virginia. Buckhorn Creek Farm is now ours ! It's in a small town in southern Virginia, and it's 165 acres. The sky was blue, it was peaceful, and at night the stars were brilliant. There were also fireflies ! We discovered chiggers, ticks, a snake, a swarm of bees, and a bunch of turkeys.

We worked all week on the house that we will be living in until we build a house. But first things first...we need to put up a fence and build a barn. Mark leaves for Virginia October 3rd, and starts his new job on October 5th. The horses will arrive some time in October, so there is a lot to do to get ready for them. Mark is also bringing our dogs and the guinea pigs.
So much to do !

Buying a Farm !

We have been looking at farms for a long time. Our learning curve has been steep, considering we've never lived on one before. There is so much more to consider than living in a subdivision. However, we finally found a 165 acre farm in Virginia that met our vision for our business. We close in September ! The house inspection has been done and the survey is supposed to be completed this week.

This is scary in some ways. The house leaves a lot to be desired. But we had decided that we wanted more land so that we could have a larger herd of cattle. I'm on board, but I have my moments.

We have a barn planned, a pond, and a ton of fencing has to be put up. More of the land has to be put into pasture.

We also have to get our house on the market....so much to do !

Send Out A Search Party....

We are trying to find a new kind of normal.

On December 24th, my dad was admitted into the hospital. We knew that he had a glioblastoma, grade IV. I left on Dec. 25th. to go to California and be with him while he was in the hospital. My mom came to stay with the kids. I was in CA for 2 weeks (about). Came home for a week, then went back. Came home for 2 days and went back again, this time to say my final goodbyes.

My dad died peacefully at home on February 2. We have just returned from CA (all of us) from his Celebration of Life Service.

The months of December and January have been a blur. I've stopped being self conscious about crying mightily in airports. And on airplanes. Each time I left dad it was unbearable.

My heart is broken that my precious dad isn't here anymore.

Tis The Season... !

Merry Christmas ! We are finally getting over being so sick...the kid's have been great though it all. Ryan and Mark arrived safely home from Virginia, and they had a great time looking at farms.

Pretty much the minute the guys left for the airport, 2 of the kids got really sick. 9 throw ups within 24 hours. This is how it works, you know. Then Emily got sick. I knew it was just a matter of time before I had it. That all of the Lysol in the world couldn't stop it. Then I got it SOOOO much worse then the kids. Today is my first day back to kind of normal. We've been out of commission here for awhile. A long while, to be exact.

Mark has had his hands very full taking care of us, plus getting ready for Christmas. I really hope he escapes whatever it is that we had. Which would be unusual, but a girl can hope !

Happy Birthday, Grammy Sue !

We love you !

School

This is a candid shot of Daniel and Emily doing school. They love to do it ! The best time at our house is when all 4 kids are around the table doing school.

Mark and Ryan left at 5 AM to go to the airport to PA/MD/VA for a farm convention. The farm conference is in PA, but they are flying into BWI and then will drive to PA. 2 days later, they drive back and trek around VA. Hopefully they will have time to see my brothers in MD/VA !

Farm School

That's what I'm calling it, anyway. Plans were finalized today for Mark to go to a 2 day seminar in Pennsylvania Dec. 4th and 5th. The course will teach about the business/financial aspects of farming. Grass fed farming, not regular farming. Better than organic. They also teach about rotational grazing, which types of animals to add and when, all the aspects of farming that we need to learn about to form our business model. Ryan is going to go too, and is very excited about this trip with his dad.

Then, Mark and Ryan will drive to Virginia and tour Joel Salatin's farm, and look at land. They'll leave here on Dec. 3rd, and return on Dec. 9th. Fun !!! I can't wait to hear what they find out !!!