Farmer's Creed

Dad found this Farmers Creed when we were in Illinois cleaning out Grandma's farm house, getting it ready for cousins Dave and Mary to move in with their little girls, Gretchen and Sally (named after Grandma Snell). It was an emotional weekend but we all pulled together as a family. I was able to fit a few things in the suitcase that are special reminders of Grandma, including a blue apron (which Addison put on and said was so soft that she wanted to sleep in it :-) and a stiched table covering, sitting in front of me now as I type. It was neat that everyone has sentimental items and furniture that will help bring the Snell family and farm into each of our homes. It was also wonderful that everyone was so giving and there were no agruments over anything. Grandma would have loved this.

 

THE PRAIRIE FARMER’S CREED

I believe in red clover, I believe in cow peas, I believe in soy beans, and above all, I believe in alfalfa, the queen of forage plants.

I believe in a permanent agriculture, a soil that will grow richer rather than poorer from year to year.

I believe in 100-bushel corn and in 50-bushel wheat, and I shall not be satisfied with anything less.

I believe that the only good weed is a dead weed, and that a clean farm is as important as a clean conscience.

I believe in the farm boy and in the farm girl, the farmer's best crops, the future's best hope.

I believe in the farm woman and will do all in my power to make her life easier and happier.

I believe in the country school that prepares for country life and a country church that teaches its people to love deeply and live honorably.

I believe in community spirit, a pride in home and neighbors, and I will do my part to make my community the best in the State.

I believe in better roads. I will use the soil drag conscientiously whenever opportunity offers, and I will not “soldier” when working out my road tax.

I believe in happiness, I believe in the power of a smile, and I will use mine on every possible occasion.

I believe in the farmer, I believe in farm life, I believe in the inspiration of the open country.

I am proud to be a farmer, and I will try earnestly to be worthy of the name.

(From A Prairie Farmer Book on LaSalle County Illinois, 1916; no attribution, but identical in parts to a Farmer’s Creed by Frank I. Mann published ~ 1915 in a book entitled “Kentucky Arbor and Bird Day 1914-1915.” Frank I. Mann was the founder of the farm magazine “The Prairie Farmer.”)

Little girls, little girls, everywhere I turn

JC didn't technically write this for our blog. It was in an email exchange with friends, but I had to capture it cuz he's the best girl dad ever.

...I am so deep into bows, princesses, care bears, pink, dresses, Tinker-bell, and the like I barely recognize my manliness anymore. The only thing close to a male in my house is Austin, a castrated bulldog.  I sometimes find myself humming a song from Annie (a movie I had not seen as of a year ago and now I have seen 100+ times) that goes "little girls, little girls, Everywhere I turn I see them." But, I'm loving it...

He forgot to metion that he's also deep into Addie loving stink bugs, bike riding, raking leaves, and trips together to the hardware store. Not that I put any thought into this gender role stuff :-)

Great Visit to Great Grandma, Great Aunt Denise and Great Uncle Paul

Samantha and I finally got to make a special visit to Buffalo. Snow storms and sickness kept getting in our way. It felt so good to finally be there and to have this time with Samantha, like I did with Addie when she was around the same age.

 Great Grandma Maitre and Samantha at 15 months

Great Grandma was delighted to see us and Samantha had a blast being pushed around in Grandma's wheel chair. Samantha was a celebrity at the nursing home, with the residents so full of joy to see a baby, especially the surprise of seeing her instead of an older friend in on wheels :-)

We had super yummy pizza and wings and enjoyed a nice evening with Grandma and the whole Gilden family except missing cousing Jason. Sam had a blast playing with Uncle Paul and Aunt Denise. She was a bit afraid of doggie Kramer, so we'll have to save those snuggles for our next visit. Sam is still cautious about things she is not familiar with or that seem unpredictable to her but she warmed up very quickly to Aunt Denise and Uncle Paul and gave nice kisses to Great Grandma.

Sam's language started exploding when we were on this trip. I think it  was partially the novelty and excitement of everything.
Jess



The City Dog and the Country Frog

Hi friends, family and self:

I hope to be better again about journaling through the blog and sharing pictures, but work has picked up speed (which is overall a great thing)! I do have to share a sweet moment from this morning.

Last night we read a book Aunt Judy sent the girls for Christmas. It's called the City Dog and the Country Frog and it follows the friendship of a frog and a dog that comes to the countryside from the city, once each season. In spring and summer, they have a marvelous time frolicking about but as winter comes along, the frog is not there waiting for its faithful friend. Then, spring comes and the City Dog makes friends with a country CHIPMUNK :-) ...

Anyway, it had me in tears remembering times at my grandma's farm in Illinois and missing my grandmother, and it was a nice way to touch on these topics with Addie. She loved the story. She wanted to know where the frog was and in my attempt to not avoid an important topic, I said it seemed the frog has passed away.

This morning she asked again and before I could answer she explained that she thought the frog was under the snow hanging out. She then went on to explain that the reason Great Grandma Snell passed away was because she was old (not little) and that the frog couldn't have passed away because it wasn't big yet. At which point, I said, I think you're right. I think the frog is just hiding and will be back soon!

XOXO
Me

Language Explosion

Wow-- Samantha is all of a sudden trying to say a ton of words. And in case you  haven't met her yet, she does NOT do things unless SHE wants to :-) We have a snuggly, stubborn, and silly girls on our hands. I have no idea how we ended up with two girls with strong personality?!

Addison is having a blast teaching her how to stay things. When in the right mood, Samantha can say Ketchup, ribbit and socks remarkably well. If not in the mood, she will grunt over and over for something that you give in :-)

Her first words, a while ago, were mama, daddy, and Ada (for Addison). Among the first were also juiccceee and Bookssssss. She loves books!

Here is a cute video of her with her books (in our new reading nook) and practicing words. This is right around 15 months.