Christmas 2016

Merry Christmas!

March 11, 2016, we were married 15 years. Since we didn't have a honeymoon, a trip seemed to be in order. For you who know non-traveler Doug, this was quite an accomplishment. I didn't ask him if he wanted to go on a trip, I simply asked him if he preferred a cruise or a train trip. He said, "Well, I guess we've already been on a ship." I booked an Amtrak train trip to the Grand Canyon the next day. 

Even on a honeymoon trip, Doug has to examine
the farm equipment. This is a donkey trailer.

       
Once in Arizona, we took the restored Grand Canyon Railway to the park. The Bright Angel Trail was still ice-y but the days were warm and we hiked along the south rim. Next time we'll take along walking sticks and crampons and walk to the bottom! You heard that right: "next time!"

     

We had a nice dinner at the historic lodge at the South Rim, complete
with a lone diner man on my head. 

Work

I continue working as a family navigator for the University of Iowa Hospital division of Pediatrics, helping families of kids with special needs find support and the resources they need for a good life.

This past year, I was the family representative for a LEND fellowship (Leadership Development in Neurological Development) with grad students preparing to be doctors for children with special needs. The culmination of our year was a trip to Washington, D.C., to speak with Congress legislators about laws that benefit children.

I also was one of 10 winners of a government sponsored contest to bridge the word gap in young children. Children of low income families are likely to hear 3 million less words before kindergarten than their peers. My idea to create a story-telling app where families tell the baby about their lives won $10,000. I'm not an entrepreneur, however, and although the app got made, it didn't win the second round and likely won't be mass produced unless I can convince Story Corps to do something like it. 

Farm
Doug continues with the 2400 head of hogs, 100 cow/calf pairs and fat cattle he finishes out. With both kids at home, there's usually help for his tendency to move animals from one farm to another. Both helped us with the harvest, which brought in record yields. The prices, sadly, are NOT setting any records. 

The Kids

Our empty nest days were short-lived. Maureen moved back home after college (she's all about saving money!) and took a job at Wellman Farm Center as an Agronomist. She likes her job. Her first sales visit was to her dad and then to our friend and neighbor Donovan!

Both kids got their Commercial Driving License (CDL). Maybe we should start a trucking company.

Brent continues his second year at Muscatine Community College in agricultural studies. During classes he stays with a friend's family nearby. During his internships he lives at home. And yes, actually, he sometimes does dishes under duress!

Mo's boyfriend Troy Slaubaugh can also been seen at our table often. Come to think of it, I have yet to see him do dishes, however!

                                                                                   

                                                                               This little wash house finally got renovated! It got a lot of use this year. I tutored 3 kiddos on Wednesdays through the school year and into the summer, and hosted faith exploration class for our church in the fall. The shed is so cozy, complete with heat and air conditioning!

                                                  

Christmas 2016 Part 2

Livestock has moved into the house, according to Doug.

He brought home this Siamese cat from the feed store. In keeping with old lady names (RIP Blanche and Lois), she is named Viola. And Tobias, the abandoned cat Mo bottle-fed, has developed a propensity for the gutter on the garage.

Both cats keep Doug company in the evenings on his chair, where he keeps up a running dialogue with both. I think the man needs some grandchildren.

Duke lives on into his 13th year- my perky little shadow.

I continue raising chickens and provide eggs for my neighbors. And the ducks live on....a few years ago Doug got me a dozen baby Mallards (thinking they'd fly off)... they were the domesticated larger breed, and they and their offspring have been here ever since! The kids keep threatening to shoot them but, no one really has the nerve to cross Momma! Here's a video of the newly hatched last spring, because who doesn't like a baby duck video.

Accidents

In June, Mom (83) decided to try mowing under the grape arbor, got herself tangled up and broke her back and 8 ribs. There were several trips to Ohio for us as she spent two different weeks in the hospital and 6 weeks in rehab. The physical therapist said she's a real fighter, and she'd rather work with mom than a 24 year old!

She is doing great now and feels like she's got her life back. Oh, and she has a lawn mower for sale!

One winter Sunday morning, an accident on the road in front of our farm sent one vehicle into the barn and out the other side. The folks in this car weren't hurt, but the 18 year old neighbor in the first car that caused the accident wasn't expected to live, He eventually surprised everyone and pulled through and is doing fine now.

Mo bought a truck and was looking for a buyer for her car... Naturally, this meant Brent drove it to college (!). One morning on a doughnut run, he had a "failure to maintain assured clear distance" accident. No one was hurt, and the other driver told me I have a very kind and compassionate son. He even offered them a doughnut! And Mo thinks she actually got more from insurance than otherwise!

Doug turned 60 this year in September. Neighbors
helped us celebrate with a small tractor-cade around the neighborhood!

And finally, what Christmas blog is complete without a pic or two of my flowers. This year, the clematis was awful showy, and I had raspberries at the end of November!     

We were grateful for a good year and look forward to another.

May you and your family be blessed with peace and joy in 2017