Buck, riding to check cows

I can’t remember the event, per se, but we were at the Cloverleaf Hall, in Enterprise. My best guess is that we were attending a Stockgrowers Dinner. Regardless, I started out the evening sitting at a big round table with our kids while Buck was manning a BBQ. It was the first time all three kids were old enough to wander off on their own at a social event. They wandered and left me at the table, alone. Having had a baby or a toddler in my arms, or on my lap, for the previous 6 or 7 years, I remember looking around the room, full of the familiar faces of people I knew, and feeling awkwardly alone. I wasn’t quite sure what to do with my empty hands or my childless lap, I was hit with a sudden awareness that we were at the beginning of a new era. Over time, that didn’t feel quite as shocking; I even got used to enjoying the occasional uninterrupted conversation. And as you know, eventually, our kids all got really big. Nowadays, I have to physically grab one of them (when they’re least expecting it) and get them off balance enough they land in my lap. Depending on their mood, I can usually get them to relax into a quick squeeze before they pull themselves free.  Speaking of those big kids, they’ve been busy. Last week was the Union County Fair. Katelyn and Cooper both brought pigs. And because Katelyn has her driver’s license, they were very self-sufficient, leaving early in the mornings to take care of their pigs and staying at the fairgrounds until it was time to show. Having prepped for fair week, I had the kids’ show clothes all ready to go and cash for their pockets to buy snow-cones and other fair food. When they left, ready for their first full day of fair, I didn’t need to  be at the fairgrounds until closer to show time. As they drove away, I stood in our empty house feeling just like that young mom at the big round table in the Cloverleaf Hall. I literally stood in the kitchen and looked around our empty house. I’m acutely aware that we’re entering a new era- an era where not just the oldest kid is off doing her own thing, but all three kids are capable of a new level of independence. The house is empty and quiet a lot more often than I’m used to. Eventually, this will probably feel normal, but right now, the transition is a little jarring.

But not to worry! I have plenty of things to do. I told you last time I’ve been on a canning spree and you’ll be glad to know I’ve continued to keep the ol’ water bath at a rapid boil! Raspberry, strawberry and blackberry jam are all canned and in the cupboard. Except, of course, the jar that’s open and currently spread on a piece of sourdough toast. But best of all, I’ve gotten a couple loads of peaches done, too! They’re still sitting on the counter so I can gaze lovingly at them when I walk through the kitchen. I like to keep freshly canned food on the counter so I can not only gaze at the jars, but I also like to stop other family members so we can admire them together, "Look at this perfect blackberry jam!! Have you ever seen anything this beautiful?!” As you can imagine, I get mixed responses.  I did get some help from Katelyn when I was canning peaches. After fair, she spent a few days in Idaho with my parents. It was her first solo road trip, and she enjoyed time doing all the things- mountain biking, hiking, kayaking (with her grandma, no less), eating all the good food and going out for her favorite thing: ice cream. When she got home, I was slip ping the skins on the first box of peaches and she happily jumped in to help, telling me all about her trip while we worked. While we’re talking about work, Lucy is in packing mode after finishing work for Frisch Family Farms. They took a picture of their crew on her last day, and I’ll try to include it here so you can have a visual of who she’s been working with and the characters who make up so many of the memories she’s taking with her. Lucy’s little pile of post-work-gear is still sitting where she always leaves it, right Frisch Family Farm crew inside the back door. Her water bottle, lunch box and work boots still look like they’re ready to head to work… which is a nice way to help me stay in denial for another day or two because the rest of her stuff no longer looks like it’s here to stay; she’s on a determined mission to get packed and loaded. Katelyn realized she herself is likely to lose some clothes in this process as there seems to be an on-going debate over who some of their collective clothes actually belong to. While the debating and the packing continue, we have quite a bit to do before we take off on Wednesday. Buck has a few hours left of baling grass hay and has one field to stack. We have some cows in a new pasture that need to be checked. Lucy wants to ride a time or two more before she leaves, so checking cows is a great way to get a job done and also sneak in a ride. I have some work items to make sure I have in order before I leave. And since Katelyn and Cooper will jump right back to school the day after we get home, I’m also working to make sure they’re ready with school supplies, sports physicals, and jeans without stains. Cooper decided he isn’t going to make the whole drive with us to Nebraska and back. Instead, he’s planning to spend a few days with my parents. He has a full agenda planned, similar to Katelyn’s, except he’s also hoping to get in some perch fishing with his grandpa and great uncle. By the time you read this, we should be on our way home from the Midwest. The last time Lucy and I made this trip we drove the entire way in the dark. We’re looking forward to driving in the daylight and actually seeing where we’re going this time around. Buck, Katelyn and I will get Lucy set up in her dorm room and we’ll cheer her on as she takes this next big step. We’ll pray she’s met with good things and good people, new opportunities to grab ahold of and challenges to overcome, new country to learn and a whole new set of dirt roads to explore. And with that, I’m sure I’ll have plenty to report when four out of the five of us make our way back home to Union County. ~Chelsea