A Dairy Good Time

Today we traveled to Fair Oaks Dairy Farm for our field trip. Beth came with us again, and I am just thrilled to have her company! We started off the day in the activities center, complete with hands on activities and exhibit halls.The experienced milkers out in the milking parlor can prepare the cows for milking in 21 seconds. The girls took the challenge to see if they could beat the time. Megan clocked in at 17.9 and Grace's time was 23.7 seconds. Leah also tried her hand at milking on the "cow carousel" in the activities center. Our bus trip out to one of their farms was scheduled for 11:30. On this part of the tour, they take us up the road a mile or so to one of their working farms. Fair Oaks transforms the cows' waste into energy by way of anaerobic digesters. By doing that, they reduce their dependency on natural gas and electricity used during the milking and manufacturing processes. Being powered by their own "poo power," F. O. is a self-sufficient operation. These are the tanks where all that poo is stored.We also saw all the grain used in making their daily TMR (total mixed ratio) for the cows.

The bus drove right down the middle of one of their free-stall barns. The cows didn't seem to mind it one bit. They went right on eating, even as the bus drove a few feet from their heads!

After the free-stall barn, the bus drove down the center of the calf hotels :) Calves born at any Fair Oaks Farms are kept there until they are 80 days old. Then they are shipped to growers for two years before returning to F. O. to become milk cows. The bull calves are sold. Next, the bus dropped us off at the dairy parlor where we saw the "dairy-go-round," an amazing operation! It takes about 8 1/2 minutes for one full turn of the carousel. All 3000 cows (at each facility) are milked three times a day. Daily, they milk for seven hours, clean for one, milk for seven, clean for one, milk for seven, clean for one.

This picture shows where the cows enter the carousel (on the left) and exit (on the right). The waiting area behind the entrance/exit location holds 350 cows and as you can see, it is full.

72 cows can fit on the carousel at one time. Each cow has a monitor on its neck collar that is read as it enters the carousel. This monitor records how many steps they took, the number of the times they have been milked on that day, the amount of milk that particular cow produces, and I'm sure much more information. Rumor has it that the cows love to ride the carousel and occasionally they will try to cheat to gain another ride. There are times, however, that another trip around is necessary due to that cow's milk production. This is all monitored by their neck collar.

The green paint markings on the cows' hips mean that the cow is pregnant. (You can see the markings on the picture below.) Cows are milked throughout their pregnancy up until the cow is seven months along. Then she is "dry" (not milked) for the remaining two months until she delivers. The red markings have to deal with the cow's heat cycle. Fair Oaks uses artificial insemination to impregnate their cows.Leah is feeling the "warm" pipe with milk coming straight from the cows. The pipe closest to the wall is the "cold" pipe after it's immediately cooled down. The window beyond her showed us where the milk is filtered and the tanks the milk is stored in.
Throughout the day, we made several trips out to the birthing barn. Outside of the barn, they have a stop light to communicate what is happening inside of the barn. Red light means there is nothing happening, yellow means there is a birth progressing, and we never saw the green light, but Megan said it means "You better get over there now!" This picture is taken outside the birthing barn. We had some time before our bus tour to check out what was happening in the birthing barn. The two birthing stalls are behind glass with bleacher seating all around. When we walked into the room, this new mama cow was still licking her calf, cleaning her off. This calf was born at 9:54 (she's about an hour old) that morning and was standing when we entered the room. The white cow on the left squeezed her head and neck as far as she could through the gate to also get in on the action. I was surprised the new calf's mama didn't object. An interesting note about this white cow.....She was in the birthing stall for a long time without progressing and was actually replaced with another cow. Apparently, she was bothered by all the onlookers. I guess I can say that I can't blame her! Mama is finally standing, too.
Calves born at F. O. are not allowed to nurse, and therefore cannot begin the bonding process. Within a few hours after their birth, they are separated from their mama and placed in the nursery. They are bottle fed with colostrum-rich milk (not necessarily their own mama's milk) for the first few days after birth, and after that with milk replacement.

That's all we we were able to see before our scheduled bus tour. But upon returning from our bus tour, the tour guide announced that a calf was just born, and another one was progressing. Though we were hungry, we rushed over to the barn to see what we could see. Thinking it was the white cow that occupied the stall just 45 minutes prior to that that had just delivered, we were surprised to see two different mamas. This one with her newly born calf, and the cow in the adjoining stall ready for delivery. This little calf would try to stand, but flopped back down. Poor thing is all sprawled out here.

After watching for several minutes, we decided we had time to go eat lunch. But, probably 15 minutes into our lunch, Julie called me and said, "It won't be long." Five minutes later, another call reported, "She's laying down. You better get over here quick." (When we left the barn, the expectant mama was still standing; they lay down just prior to birth.) We quickly packed up any uneaten food and made a mad dash out to the barn.

When we arrived, all was calm and restful in the stall on the right...

...and labor was progressing in the stall on the left. The front two feet were out, and the calf's snout was at the opening. Mama cow is pushing....
She pushed and pushed. At one point, we wondered what she was doing when she got up on all fours. But then she plopped back down on her other side. Apparently, to get more comfortable. It wasn't long after that that this cow's "midwife" entered the stall and assisted in the delivery. They report that only 5 percent of the births need assistance, and that morning there had already been two assisted births.
Just after delivery.

The assistant pulled the calf back a bit, and the afterbirth was delivered.

Let me introduce to you.....Graycie, born at 12:54 p.m., weighing 83 lbs. She is the resting calf on the right and is getting ready to be transported to the nursery. Her mama was just escorted out and now they are coming in with a wagon to cart her away. She would receive her first bottle in the adjoining nursery.

Before we left the barn, the new mama had gotten up on all fours and started licking her calf.

To wrap up our day at Fair Oaks, we went over to the dairy processing plant to pick up our ice cream cones that were included in our admission fee. Megan, Grace and I enjoyed the mint chocolate chip, while Leah had cookies and cream. Yum!

We just couldn't leave without getting pictures out by the Fair Oaks' sign.

A dairy good time was had by all!

~Wee

Happy Valentine's Day

Our sweet girls apparently planned tonight's dinner a few weeks back. After church today, they got out the china dishes and glass bowls, decorated and set the table, and made meal preparations all by themselves. Grace made the Valentine name cards and wrote a little note inside each one. She even wrote a little note to herself and signed it "Love, myself." (How cute is that?!)

Here is their beautifully decorated table.
They planned the dinner themselves, even sending Daddy to the store for a few ingredients. I did, however, make the heart-shaped meatloaves (an idea I received from my sister-in-law). Leah assisted me in this task.

Our smiling servers.

The table is set and we're ready to eat.

Our lovely dinner plates. Dessert was chocolate and/or vanilla pudding.

Job well done, girls! Thanks so much!!!! We love you!!!!

~Wee

Food Art

My cousin is teaching art at our science co-op group. She is a "real" art teacher, so the girls are getting exposed to a whole new world and so much more than if we did art on our own. One of the first lessons of this year, she explained the various forms of art. Food art is one of them. The other night, Megan became creative with the food on her dinner plate.

Eyes: potatoes; Nose: bread; Mouth: sausage; Freckles: corn

~Wee

4-Wheeler + Sled = Great Fun

On Friday afternoon our girls enjoyed a treat of sledding behind a 4-wheeler with our neighbors. Once again, this brought back memories of my childhood when we used to pull our sled behind our 3-wheeler.

I love this first picture with the Amish mode of transportation in the background.

Ready to go.....

and they're off.

We have the best neighbors! Thanks, guys, the girls had a great time!

~Wee

The Night Won't Stop Them

With all the snow that arrived this past week, the girls also took advantage of a few evening hours to play in and enjoy the white stuff. Tricycles, scooters, and go-carts were pulled from the garage and given a "new" terrain to travel over......snow and a few ice patches. I was amazed at how long they played out there, and they weren't even up by the house (where the snow was lit up), but were way out in the darkness of the yard.

Here, Grace is pulling Leah in the sled while navigating the scooter.

I wonder which sport the Winter Olympics would accept?

~Wee

Unexpected Blessings

Yesterday at lunch, Alex held a "family meeting" with the girls. The topic up for discussion was our school routine, etc. While I sat and listened (and piped my two cents in occasionally), the three of them brainstormed, took notes, and came up with a plan that they thought they'd try.

So, this morning we were off to a good start. The phone rang at 8:25 and, thinking it was my dear husband calling to let us know he had arrived safely at the office, I went ahead and picked up after the second ring. I was right, it was him. After "Good Morning" pleasantries, he said, "You know what happened?" Now, in my opinion, that is not a good way to start a conversation, especially first thing in the morning. Well, he went on to say that he had indeed safely arrived at the office (GOOD!), but was left stranded outside (BAD, VERY BAD!!). He had taken my set of keys for the van, thinking he had his set of keys for the car (and the office).

So much for starting our schedule "on time."

We agreed to meet half way and made out the meeting location. While I finished getting Leah dressed, the girls quickly packed their school stuff into bags, and we were on the road within ten minutes after the phone call. I admit that I was very annoyed at this disruption in our schedule, especially when we were getting off to a good start. The thought that "this must have happened for a reason" did occur to me, but I just didn't know for what reason that was. I turned on Star 88.3 to turn my heart to worship, rather than focusing on the frustration I was feeling at the time (and also to prevent me from continuing to "stew" over what happened).

20 minutes into our drive, Star 88.3 fades out, causing me to flip over to WBCL. I caught the Mid Morning show right as it was starting. The discussion of the day was titled, "Catch Your Breath." A catchy phrase, yes, but it described what I've been feeling to a tea ~~ rushed, busy, stressed, overwhelmed, etc. The guest speakers spoke of resting and quieting your soul so you can listen AND hear what the Lord may be saying to you. A few of the many points that ministered to me are:

1. A rushed life is not healthy physically, emotionally, spiritually, and relationally.
2. PRAY (Pause, Reflect, Abide, Yield)

The girls and I arrived at our meeting destination first. (I actually wished we could have driven further so as not to miss out on the conversation playing over the radio.) But since Alex was close, I didn't feel guilty leaving the van running while we sat and listened. He arrived, we switched keys, and were off again, going in opposite directions.

Heading back towards home, the Lord spoke to me, "This is what I wanted you to hear....I arranged this so you could quietly sit and listen." I am overwhelmed with God's love for me in that He knew I needed to hear that show. Because of the time of day Mid Morning is aired, I never get to tune into it. We are always in school. However, in His sovereign way, He ordained it so that I could sit, listen and hear what He was speaking to me...today.

We arrived home just after the show ended. When I flipped back over to Star 88.3, Matt Redman's song, "Blessed Be Your Name" was playing. How appropriate! I am grateful beyond words for the unexpected blessing He blessed me with this morning. Blessed be His name!

~Wee

Superbowl Sunday

Well, today was Superbowl XV IV ~~ with the Indianapolis Colts playing the New Orleans Saints. We had Troy and Bonny over to watch the game. During the half time and after the band The Who (a band I had never heard of) played, the following pictures were our entertainment.....

The whole gang.

Troy tried to rally the Colts on with his sign, but in the end they lost 31-17. It was a great season though and a fun one to watch, with a record of 16-3.

Like someone said, "There's always next year!"

~Wee

Skiing at Timberridge

The girls and I went skiing at Timberridge in Michigan with a group of home shoolers this past Monday. This particular ski place offers a great discount for home schoolers on all Mondays in January and February. This was our first year to be able to go. Leah had a "Daddy Day." It has been 16 years since I last down-hilled. I had learned and only ever skied on the "real" slopes out in Colorado. I had heard that Midwest skiing was much different, but I'll have to say that at my age, it was just fine for me!

After talking to a few of the moms who have gone in years past and discussing it with Alex, I decided not to put the girls in ski school. A few of the moms had offered to help me in teaching the girls, and the one-on-one lessons proved to be very beneficial!

After getting all suited up, we started out at the bunny hill.

Under Sally K.'s instruction, Megan is learning how to snow plow (or "make a pizza") down the slope.

I worked with Grace. This is at the top of the bunny slope just after we got off the tow rope. She is also learning to snow plow down the slope.

After spending about an hour on the bunny slope learning ski control, turning and stopping, we took the girls over to the ski lift to let them try out their new abilities. Here is Grace just off the ski lift at the top of the slope ready for her first trip down. We took Dean's Pass, a nice gentle curvy trail, down for this run. I don't remember that she fell once her first time down. Amazed, I kept saying, "Grace, you're doing it!" as I followed her.

Megan and Kayla at the very top ready to go down......

...and they're off.

After lunch a few of the girls went back on the bunny slope to take a few runs down. Megan tells me that they had "races" to see who would win. Grace and I went straight back to the ski lift. By this time it had started to snow a very light snow, and it did this for most of the afternoon.

I pretty much hung out with all the young girls for the day. This little shed was a favorite "meeting spot" and also where the ski run split between the more curvy route on the left and the straight down route (just behind the girls) on the right. By the afternoon, the girls were just flying down the straight path. They'd be at the bottom while I was still half way up. After one hard wipe out earlier in the day, I was a bit nervous to venture "straight" down. I had to zig zag some at first, but eventually regained my confidence back and straightened my path out. I do know that my "arrow prayers" that I uttered (on my own behalf) as I flew down the slope also helped to keep me upright and in control :)

At one point in the afternoon, I stayed down by the lift so I could capture a series of shots as the girls skied down the slope. It seemed like forever waiting for them to ride up the lift and work their way down. While I was waiting, several people skied past me and asked if I was okay. I guess I looked a bit funny sitting there with my legs sprawled out to the side. (It's next to impossible to sit gracefully on the ground with skis still on!)

This is when Grace reached the bottom

and Megan as she approached the end of the run.

Sometime mid-afternoon Grace's fingers were frozen, so she and I went into the lodge to warm up. I gave her my hand warmers, put an extra layer of gloves on, and briefly visited with the moms who spent the day in the lodge.

This is the last run down at the end of our day. All of the girls lined up along the top of this ledge and skied down one after the other. From there, we all skied down to the lodge and returned our boots and skis.

Megan.... Grace and I had just skied off the same ledge.

Here is Grace when she did it.

She then took her skis off as we waited for the rest of the girls to come down. I love this shot of her!

All done with skiing. Boots are returned. Fingers and toes are beginning to thaw. Grace's fingers were especially COLD! She even tried putting them under running water, but the water in the bathroom was too hot for her frozen fingers. Thankfully, one of her friends let her borrow hand warmers, which she held on to for a while.

It was really fun to be there with a group of people we knew! As you ride the ski lift, you can watch for anyone you know, and vice versa, they watch you as you ski down. (I did think of this as I was zig-zagging my way down the straight pass! My pride was telling me that everyone will see if I wipe out :) )

I was so proud of the girls and how well they did! It just gives us one more thing that we can all do together, and for this I am very thankful!

~Wee

On the Ice

Last Sunday, several families gathered at the fellowship hall for an evening of ice skating, food, and family games. That afternoon the sun had finally emerged from spending the past several days hanging out behind the clouds. Alex went over after church and snow-blowed the snow off the ice, making it as smooth as possible. It was bitter cold, but lots of fun!

We only have two pairs of skates for our family. Megan wore the pair I picked up at a resale shop for a couple of bucks, and I wore my Mom's skates from her younger years. (Mom should be very happy they are getting use once again and not just being displayed as decorations on my wall!) Since the girls and I were going skiing the next day, I proceeded onto the ice with great caution! I am happy to report ~~ there were no falls for me.

Grace and Leah slid around on their boots.Leah's wipe-out!Someone had the clever idea of giving rides on this camping chair. Leah wasn't so sure about it at first, but she went sitting on my lap. I was more than happy to be pushed around on the ice!

~Wee