2014 in Review
Wow, 2014 so fast. It seems everyone I talk to agrees. I think when you get to the end of the year, it’s interesting to look back and recall what you remember.
Our year started in January with the news that we were selected as one of the host families for Breakfast on the Farm. Not fully understanding what a huge undertaking we had decided to take on, we had our first meeting with the coordinators. We had to have our committee chosen and be ready for our first meeting in February.
February came and we started planning. Some of our committee members were chosen based on how well they knew the family and the farm, some were “begged” knowing they would be able to help, and, as time went on, some even asked if they could join. We had meetings every month leading up to the breakfast in July.
As the first half of 2014 was underway, between our two farm households, we had seven kids busy with school, sports, and 4-H. My sister-in-law and I work in the Pennfield Schools here in Battle Creek, and our husbands stay busy managing the farm and are on many agricultural boards that influence our business.
It was an awful winter – we had 16 snow days, and that time needed to be made up at the end of the school year. Our school district didn’t get out of school until June 17, making us one of the last ones to shut our doors for the summer. We took our vacations when time allowed, and spent time back at the family pond camping, and allowing the cousins to all play. That time was needed to let go of the stresses of our daily routine.
We hosted Breakfast on the Farm on July 19. When planning an outdoor event, you always hope for a beautiful, perfect day and we got lucky. We had a gorgeous, sunny Michigan day. We hosted nearly 3,300 people who were curious about what living on a working farm is like.
By the time the event was over, we had just three weeks before the Calhoun County Fair in Marshall. Eight kids and eight calves went to the fair from our family. It’s a fun week, but there is stress involved taking care of that many animals off the farm and trying not to lose any of the kids! It’s always a very rewarding experience, but by the end of the week we were all tired and ready to go home.
Before we knew it, school was just about to start. The kids began training for fall sports, including football, cross-country, and soccer, and then it was soon on to basketball, soccer, and gymnastics. Whew!
November marked one year that we have been in our new milking parlor. It’s been a great year having something new that everyone enjoys working in.
As we welcome a new year and put 2014 in the past, I pray that 2015 is enjoyable, peaceful and safe. May you have the same.
– Monica
