Jersey Kids Baptism

A day of celebration, as all three of our Jersey children (Tyler, Cassie & Jacob) were baptized into the Catholic Church. We love that our children are learning about Jesus Christ and a living a christian life! God Bless them!

Summer days are now long gone

November snow

As its snowing this afternoon, I'm missing the hot summer days that we fully enjoyed. Lord knows that I do not like the hot, humid weather that living in Illinois can bring, but I think I dislike winter even more, mainly because it causes hard driving conditions, hard working conditions for my hubby and his crew and forces my Jersey kids to be indoors more than they and I like.

So, here's to a quick prayer, please be kind on us, oh winter Gods!

This picture just makes me smile!

Halloween 2011

Halloween is so much fun for this Jersey family, who put a lot of thought into what they wanted to dress up as. Thankfully, Cassie & Jacob found $1.99 outfits at the local goodwill. Tyler's cost a bit more, but his mama was happy that it didn't cover his beautiful face...and everyone loved their original costumes that seemed to fit their personalities pretty darn well! Loved that we all were able to go out together, including dad, who stepped away from the plow for the night! No tricks, all treats, that the kids have been sorting and trading and diagramming!!! Love it! And them!

Grandpa Bob's visit to the Midwest

Our Jersey household is still beaming from our West Coast visitors earlier this month. My 71-year-old father, Bob, visited the Midwest to see not only his Jersey grandchildren, but also to visit Bohnert Farm, along with a few other “must-see places.”

To say our Jersey family has been patiently awaiting Grandpa Bob’s arrival for quite some time would be an understatement. This was a huge milestone for my father, as it was his first trip to the Midwest ever, as well as his first commercial plane ride in more than four decades. My older sister, Cathy, came in town to help make this a memorable trip.

I smile hearing that my dad never slept during his seven-hour journey to get to the Quad Cities. He asked for a window seat, looking out the blue skies to see much of the country-side for the first time. Once they landed, we were on the go—from visiting Bohnert Farm, John Deere, World Dairy Expo and Hoard's Dairyman Farm.

While I’ve made my way to World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis. for more than a decade now, this was the first visit for my retired dairy farmer father. For him, it was like going to Walt Disney World for the first time. His eyes would widen, along with his smile as he was taking it all in; 800 plus exhibitors, 2,500 dairy cattle from across the country, and more than 60,000 people were in attendance.

My father’s favorite part of World Dairy Expo was watching the Holstein show—after all, it was his cow of choice to milk for nearly 40 years—and these exhibitors from across the country brought their prized bovines to be judged at the world’s best dairy show.

Back at home, riding on our beaten-up Gator, he got to see first-hand how Bohnert Farm operates. Bigger in scale than his 70-cow Oregon dairy farm, he smiled at the many similarities our dairy farms shared in genuine cow care and milk quality. Before he said his goodbyes and stepped back on the plane to head west, he said the best part of his trip was seeing Bohnert Farm. “I loved it. It’s a first-class dairy, and I love the pride that all the Bohnert family exhibits.”

From the mouth of my father, this compliment is treasured deeply, just as his visit to the Midwest is

Jersey Baby, 16 months

Yes, it makes me cry that our Jersey Porkchop, baby Jake, isn’t a baby anymore! It seems like this all happened overnight. While we knew he is our last child, we really worked hard to soak up all the fun stages, but even with doing just that, they seem to flow to the next too quickly for my liking. Jacob Patrick is no longer a baby and I’m really enjoying the toddler stage that includes a fast paced, go, go, go approach from sun-up to sun-down, thankfully with one really long nap in-between.
Baby Jake has been for the majority, really easy kid! He rarely cries, if he does, he has a good reason to be doing just that. He loves to explore and looking at him is de-ja-voo and reminds me of six years ago when his older brother was that age. They look identical!
Jake loves to play blocks, stacking them as high as they can go. He absolutely loves tractors (yes, he is a farm kid through and through) and makes the errrrrrr sound as he plays with him. He also enjoys looking at books, especially if they have anything about tractors, trucks, farm animals or food in them. He loves to eat, and occasionally if he cries, it’s because he just thinks he is starving! He is saying more and more words—moo, cow, cat, more, Ty, sis, mama, dada, bye, night, truck and more attempts at other words that I cannot think of right now. He is like a lil’ hen clucking away all day long and its pure music to my ears.
Jacob is weighing in right at 26 pounds and is ranking on the charts, finally! He baby chub that we’ve grown accustomed to is slowly coming off and baby Jake, well isn’t a baby anymore. Everyone adores and loves baby Jake, especially his father and I.

Jersey Girl, Kindergarten

WOW, our sweet lil' Jersey girl is growing up right before our eyes! For so many times and so many years, we had to remind ourselves that Cassie was just whatever age she was because she always seemed so advanced in ability and attitude than her peers. We would have to remind ourselves of this, especially me, when she would have her occasional meltdowns. I would have to say, she is just two or just three.
Well, now Cassie Ann is 5 and in Kindergarten. She has longed for this time to come, the time where she gets to ride the school bus and go to the same school as her big brother.
While he probably isn't thrilled to be having Cassie tag along, she has quickly learned to hold her own with two brothers. Cassie is a stand-out through and through. Doesn't matter if its with academics or her looks or her ability to make friends! She is a born communicator, just like her mom (funny how DNA works!) and while we tend to butt heads, I often remind myself she is just passionate and determined and someday I will be thankful for those traits. Packed into a 5-year-old body can be a bit dangerous at times though!
Cassie's favorite things include writing and reading--yes, I told you she is a born communicator. She asks for homework every night, and I give her fun assignments, like writing the names of all our employees, or working on her Christmas list. Her older brother rolls his eyes, but she is determined to be reading chapter books sooner than later! She loves swimming and basketball and playing with anyone and everyone. She loves the farm, and her and Tyler have their own fort they have build! I just love it and adore her!
Of course, everyone loves sassy Cassie, and she has the older men in her life, wrapped right around her little finger. Yes, I'm fully aware that we are in for it!

2nd grade, Jersey Boy

How is it possible that my oldest is now 7 and rockin' the second grade? I look at this picture and want to smile and cry! Smile because he has really matured and grown--not only in appearance, but in attitude, ability and self confidence. Tyler is very competitive and part of me doesn't like that, but really in this dog-eat-dog world, his competitiveness will come in handy. It doesn't matter if its with school work, on the basketball court or getting his household chores done before his sister, he wants to win! Then part of me wants to cry! Wasn't it yesterday that we were bringing him home from the hospital or working with him when he was 2 with speech? Our once chubby baby boy who from early on got the name porkchop has easily given that title to his baby brother. Tyler is slim, tall and handsome!

Tyler's favorite things include anything that has to do with the farm! He is a spittin' image of his father, in spades, and wants to be just like dad! It makes me smile! After all, I cannot think of a better role model for my children! He loves math, reading, basketball and soccer. He loves to play with his friends, and he has quite a few of them, no girlfriends (as of yet, which is A-OK with this mama) and while he loves his sister, he really has a special place in his heart for his baby brother.

He does and always will have a special place in my heart! Love this boy to the moon and back!

Seriously where has the time gone?

REALLY!!
Another 90 days have come and gone without me posting. I think I'm making this a pattern. EOY (end of year) goal is to do better with bloggin'! Now, hold me to it!

Summer re-cap

I cannot believe its been nearly a month since I last blogged. I know, I know. I swore I would do a better job at blogging. Excuses, well, life got in the way! It all seems like a blur and I'm not real great about recapping the last 4 weeks, but here goes.

Trip to Wisconsin for National Jersey Convention
Kids loved it! Ty & Cass went in tow with thier grandparents and loved learning about cows, seeing those brown-eyed beauties and meeting other young Jersey kids! What a neat experience for them. A few days later, me and Jake drove up to spend some time with past Jersey colleagues and friends and what fun we had! Thankfully, a few days later, Scott came up, and we decided to enjoy some of the great indoor waterpark and festiviteis and made a lil' family vacation out of it! So fun. So needed!

County Fair Time
After Wisconsin, it seemed like the following 3 weeks were devoted to County Fair prep. We walked kids show calves daily, despite a few meltdowns by all! The kids had fun and did well, despite the thermomter reading 115. Are we passionate about showing? Crazy? Or a bit of both?

Summer wind-down/School prep time
Not exactly sure what all went on the last few weeks after county fair. Seems like it included sprinklers, bike riding, ice-cream eating, friends over, garage selling, farm helping and baby...not so much a baby...went from walking to running overnight! School shopping, bargains had, will be estatic if brand new sneakers last til snow falls. Cute side note: Cassie is found sporting her brand new Nikes and backpack playing school with doors shut up in her bedroom. I overhear her telling he "friends" that they better having their listening ears on! Ha!

Jacob is ONE

Um, yea, my lil' Jersey porkchop turned the BIG ONE a month ago, and now I'm making myself to do a better job and write about the big day!

The day was fabulous for our Jersey family! A down-on-the-farm party, for Jacob and his big sister, Cassie, who turned 5 a few weeks later. LOVED that we were able to gather some friends and family to join us on the festivities!

Jacob took it all in! The cake he devoured, and the presents he loved! He was all giggles despite the big bruise he fashionably wore. Yes, he is mobile, and while on his first birthday, he wasn't walking, he was definitely attempting to!

He is a good baby, goes with the flow. I tell people he doesn't have a choice, being the youngest of three kids. He absolutely loves his big brother and sister, and his eyes light up whenever Dad enters the room. He's all about tractors, cows and eating, and so yes, he fits in well with the rest of our Jersey family.

He says a handful of words...Dada, Mama, kitty cat, more, bye and I think that's it. His vocab might be limited, but he chatters and talks about a lot more!!! It just warms my heart!

The big boy tipped the scales at his first birthday weighing....25.5 pounds! Finally, he is on the charts, and now that he is mobile, he is slimming down (at 13 months, kudos to walking full speed, he weighs 25 pounds).

Awe, Jake Patrick. We love you so much and couldn't imagine our lives without you in it! Happy (belated) birthday!

The Need for Chocolate Milk in Kids Lunch Program

Yesterday, the Minneapolis Public Schools made public its decision to discontinue serving chocolate milk as part of its school lunch program. As a mom and dairy producer this is very upsetting news to me. Dairy producers and the dairy industry have, are and always will be committed to child health and nutrition. I believe there is a much better way to trim calories and sugars from school menus that removing nutrient-rich foods like chocolate milk.

When I went to join my first grader for lunch in his school’s cafeteria earlier this year, I witnessed majority of the kids (and by majority, I would say 90%+) drinking chocolate milk. These children in the Minneapolis Public Schools will now be deprived of having the choice of chocolate milk and in result; will drink less milk—and get fewer nutrients because that choice is being taken away.

As a parent in your child’s school—you have a voice!!! Please go to www.midwestdairy.com and www.dairymakessense.com for rock solid information that give the real facts about nutritious dairy products, like chocolate milk—and the vital importance that these wholesome dairy products play on your child’s growing body!

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Happy 7th Birthday, Tyler

Happy 7th birthday, Tyler James!

Every year seems to go faster! Between swim lessons, shooting hoops, riding his bike, playing with his sister & brother and working at the farm, it seems like Tyler doesn't have much down time. Of course, down time generally means he is emptying my pantry and zooming to the next level of reading. His growth, physical, academic and maturity seems to be off the charts.

He is kind, creative, smart and funny! His faves includes playing outside, Pokemon (which I don't even pretend to understand), reading, drawing and playing with his friends, which lately seems to include his sister and brother.

He easily makes his father & I proud. On cinco de mayo, I brought b-day treats into his classroom and he got to pick one friend to help pass 'em out. He quickly chose his classmate with special needs to help out. It was hard for me to hold back the tears.

Happy Birthday, Tyler! We Love you with every ounce in us.

XOXO!

Jersey beuties

My attempt to do an Easter photoshoot turned out okay. The good snaps are posted on FaceBook, but this picture explains, the novelity of this soon faded. BTW, a certain hot-shot, 7-year-old thought the idea of matching sweater vests were "lame," as later, I couldnt find the vest, as it was stuffed underneath his dresser.

Blog Therapy

I'm sad to admit that the last 90 days came and went, and it all seems like a blur. So much has happened, good and bad.

The good...the kids! They are growin' and growin' and growin'! Tyler's toothless grin is proof; Jacob continual rate of gain is proof and Cassie's debut at Kindergarten roundup is proof. It all is bittersweet. I've so longed for them to be independent and grown up, but when they do--in spades, it makes this Jersey mama teary eyed!

They constantly add a bounce to my step, a smile to my soul and just make my life so much better!!!

The bad came on March 4th. I lost my cheerleader, my confident, my friend--my mother, Michelle Davidson. She died peacefully in her sleep at the age of 67 after battling Advanced Lung Disease for several years. Scott, baby Jake & I made our way to Oregon soon after to say our goodbye, and honestly, easily the hardest day of my life. I'm comforted that she joins other loving family members, including her parents, and my late brother, Patrick. I'm also comforted that she is not suffering from her illness anymore. However, I miss her terribly and often find myself picking up the phone to share with her lil' highlights of my day or to ask a question about parenting or recipe idea. She is greatly missed by us all.

What I've found to be therapeutical dealing with this great loss is attending mass services, leaning on my sisters, father and friends, huggin my family tighter and honestly, writing! So, so I'm trying to do all of that more frequently.

Warm Temps

Funny how 50's and sunshine can feel like a million bucks in the dead of winter, esp. during a winter that seemed to have no end in sight. Jersey cows and Jersey kids loved it. So did their mama!

A BIG reminder

Recently tragedy hit to someone I know and a community I deeply care about. A college classmate's wife and 8-year-old daughter were killed in a car accident. While the community is struggling and obviously, so is the husband and 5-year-old boy left behind--this tragedy is a good reminder about how precious life is. Every second of it.
I so wish it wouldn't take tragedies like this for me to stop and analyze my own life and reflect on the blessings I have. So, last week while baby Jake would awake fussy at 3AM for five days in a row, I thanked the dear Lord for those "fussy" moments. Others are as blessed as I am.
And, while my weekend was a bit crazy, having a houseful of my Jersey kids, plus three of their friends, and activities galore, I thanked God for the overwhelming chaos in my house. Some people are not that fortunate.
On Valentines Day, we didn't dine out or buy any gifts. We exchanged cards and I held onto my loved ones tightly. Some people are not so lucky, and I want to spend the rest of my living days treasuring all my blessings!
So, I write this down and a BIG reminder that while my life might not be perfect; might be overwhelming at times--all my problems are just petty. If all I have to complain about is a busy, fun-filled, purposed driven day and crabbiness from me, my spouse and kids because of it--well I have a pretty blessed life!

House bound, Jersey smiles

What a long week it has been for this Jersey family! In service days for school, snow days due to the foot and half of snow that fell...causing this family to be cooped up way more than we care for.
A few snaps I caught this week that made me smile.
For the most part...the Jersey kids have been VERY WELL BEHAVED! I am blessed.

Underneath all that brown is something very green

Dairy farmers know a thing or two about going green and being environmentally friendly. Check out the Dairy Makes Sense blog (click the link below), that explains the green efforts at Bohnert Farm.
Midwest Dairy Association

Tyler is rockin' the 1st grade

Lately I've been doing a lot of thinking about what is important in life and asking God to give me patience to let life unfold how its suppose to. Sometimes this is easier said than done.
Working as a dairy freelancer is overwhelming wonderful, but its uncertainty in the amount of work (and amount of income) can be a bit nerve wracking, especially with this smart, budget conscious Jersey mama!
Well...today was one of those days that everything unfolded unexpectedly well. I received a few calls for future projects for the 2011 calendar year. Lets just say that it felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulder.
But, perhaps the biggest reward today came when the school bell rang. Shortly after, my first-grader came home with a smile and shouted, "I was leveled for reading and I'm reading at level i."
Well level i was our (Tyler & I) goal to get at by the end of the school year. Here we are half way through it and he is there! Not that our work is done by any means, we will still hit the reading hard, but it just makes me burst into tears with overwhelming joy. My 6 year old who didn't talk until he was 2, barely saying just a few words and who worked so hard in speech for two years has always been determined, hard working and smart and well, this is victory is a small stepping stone for Tyler. It allows him continued confidence to love school and love reading.

And, although I'm so thankful for a few new projects to keep my mind out of trouble and help pay the bills...I'm most thankful for my job that lets me be home with my children...allowing me to do many things, include work on reading with my 1st grader, who now reads at 2nd grade level. Tyler--"You are rockin' the 1st grade" and I couldn't be prouder. I love you.

Tumble Bumble

Cassie has fully enjoyed taking tumbling classes for the last year and half at our local YMCA. She has progressed in her ability and confidence. Watching her try her best just makes me smile! A few snapshots from this proud mama follow.

Minnesota Family Vacation '11

Future farmers
The Lambchops & Jersey kids at Grand Harbor.




Our long, over-due family vacation finally came...and went too quickly for our liking. It kinda felt a bit funny to head north in the dead of winter to even colder temperatures and even more snow. Regardless, much fun was had by all thanks in large part to indoor water parks, legoland, shopping galore @ Mall of America and good friends that we met up with.
Of course there were cliches! Wouldn't seem right if there weren't any. I was down one day due to a stomach bug, but still managed to make it to the mall with baby Jake in tow, while Scott was super dad going on "all day ride bands" at Nickelodeon. The kids think he is the cooler dad for sure!
I have to say our kids traveled amazingly well on the six hour drive. A bigger vehicle that allows for separation of the two bigger kids was key, along with snacks and a dvd player. My mother reminds me how easy off we are compared to the 'old' days!
GPS mapped us the whole way there
Baby Jake was AWESOME! Although the poor lil' man sat in the car seat for too many hours for too many days in a row. The last 20 minutes on the car ride home he cried the whole way home. Needless to say it was great to be in our own beds...just in time to rest up to start back to our daily routines.