"Fun at the Farm"....

I have a dear friend who invited us to spend the morning at her farm. I feel somewhat claustrophobic living in the city with neighbors on top of us, so I always love going out to the farm. I love driving through the country with my kids, and we do it every single time they are too sick to do anything else. In fact, EB has started asking to go on "country drives" even when he is healthy, just because I think he feels what I feel, but doesn't quite know how to verbalize it.  He will say things like, "boy, it sure feels great to get out in the air". I just breathe better in the country. I think more clearly, can process life better (or at least attempt to), I see God with clearer vision, I hear Him, and I feel Him closely when I am out in the open land. I don't think I would make a very good farmer, but I can at least appreciate the beauty of farm life - and the grueling work that it takes to keep it up. I won't lie and say that I don't appreciate the modern conveniences of city life, but really, the wide open spaces at this point in my life mean more to me than modern conveniences. I am a thinker, and I just think more clearly outdoors. I don't like TV, and really don't like noise in general (noise of children is different). I love the sounds of nature and listen hard to hear them in the city any chance I get. It is so nice to have a place where the kids can just run wild and free - with few boundaries, and few interventions from me. I am thankful for my sweet friend, who always opens her home, her land, and her wisdom to me.

These sweet darlings were in a cage in my friend's daughter's room 

She loved the baby chicks, and was very gentle with them 

Ellison loved chasing the chickens 

Ellison captivated by the baby lambs! 

These sweet babies were only 6 days old when we met them. I sat there for so long just staring at their little innocent faces, thinking all the time about our innocent "Christ being led like a lamb to the slaughter" - we visited the farm during Holy Week, and there were just so many comparisons to be made. 

Momma sheep was very protective of her baby! 

He had the time of his life, running wild and free with toy guns "getting the bad guys and wild animals coming into the farm"!  Moms of boys, you just understand this scene right??  He is a protector. It did my heart good to see him just doing what he loves to do - run free and use his imagination. 

I don't think I had to stop and correct him for anything the entire time we were there

sweet girl.... 

pictures out of order!  But, just look at that sweet face.... 

and wobbly legs.... 

First time on a pony - she wasn't really going for it! 

This was her face most of the time, but she obliged. 

My sweet friend is in her element on her farm. She was so good with the kids near the animals - she knew exactly what to do and I just sat back and trusted her. 

Picnic lunch with the chickens :)