Doug’s aunt and uncle are dairy farmers in Black Creek, WI. We decided to take the kids out there to show them what it was like. Truth be told, I have never been on a “real” farm either. Sure, I’ve gone to a farm to pick out my pumpkin for Halloween, but I don’t think that really counts. This was going to be an experience for the entire family!
We started out the visit with a ride on the ranger. All four of my boys piled into the front seat and took a drive around the farm and through the hay field. Weston was peeved when it was over and wanted to go again and again! Each time they took off, you could hear Jaden’s squeels and yelps of excitment.
Weston (my little animal lover) found the barn cat(s) almost right away. One in particular became a “toy” for the triplets. The cat was so tolerant of them too .. letting them pick her up and carry her around like a stuffed animal. Both of the boys FREAKED out and get so excited!
We saw two of calves. At first, the triplets weren’t too sure about them. Jaden named them right away. The one on the left was named Daisy and the other Josie. Funny how Owen was still on the farm with us 
After about an hour, the boys warmed up to the calves and jumped right in feeding them and letting them suck on their hands. Weston would bend over to get a handful of corn out of the bucket and the calf would lick his hair. When he stood up, his hair was also standing straight up … he got lots of cow kisses!
You MUST watch this video! I laughed soooo hard!
As you can see, by the end of our visit, the boys were totally comfortable with the animals!
Of course a visit to the farm wouldn’t have complete without some tractors! Jaden convinced Mike to take out the really huge tractor too … if you look really hard you can see my little Jaden in the cab. He was trying to ‘run me over.’
This is my new favorite picture of the boys. All of them hanging out together … I can almost imagine them a few feet taller standing in the same sort of way. I still picture four heads looking out over the field. I don’t really know that will ever change.
Dang … just writing that last sentence made my chest tighten. Funny how quick the grief can sneak up on you. One of my kids died … like actually died. I had another child. It’s hard to remember at times … as I start to feel like this is ‘normal’. It gets harder to image life any other way. I can’t picture three cribs anymore. It’s normal to have only two. Does that make me a bad mom? Am I forgetting Owen? I don’t think so … I feel like I’m living the way I’m supposed to. I’m letting myself get lost in the love of my boys on earth.
Well this post took an unexpected turn! I saw down excited to share pictures from our farm adventure and I’m ending it on a serious note. I guess that’s pretty true of how greif comes and goes. A constant, surprising journey.
Love, Mel
