Meet Lola

{October 2010}
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See Lola grow!



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The final days with our Lola are coming to an end. This definitely is bitter sweet. We knew going into this that we (Colton) were raising a market hog for the fair. The reason? Lessons to be learn, hard earned college money to be made. It has been a LOT of hard work. For us average adults it probably wouldn't be a big deal. And for us who already live on a farm and have to go out and feed twice a day anyway, raising a pig truly doesn't create much more work.

The difference is we adults are not the ones raising her. A nine year old (sometimes lazy) boy has been. Getting him out there at least twice a day to feed, supply fresh water for and the stinkiest of all, clean out a icky muck filled stall has been no easy task. At times he moans and groans about it, especially on those few 30 degree early mornings that we've had. Overall he has learned many lessons in raising her and hopefully created some good memories. According to him, pigs can be very stubborn and a LOT of work! They can be pushy if you don't train them enough and they like to make a mess of their stall, or in other words, be pigs!

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We have been busy helping him prepare his record book, which to be honest has been our least favorite part of this whole thing. In this book he documents all the specifics of his project along with writing a story about it and including photos too (which is my very favorite :) Let's just say the details that the paperwork asks for are even over our heads. But I think we're figuring it all out. On top of this, Colton and Gracie are both showing three chickens each and that requires record books for them as well. Colton said today that he's never done so much writing in all of his life. And he's correct. It was our fault however for waiting until the very last minute to cram it all in. So typical of the Smiths.
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When Lola leaves she will be freeing up a much needed stall which is all in perfect timing. We will use the extra space to allow some very special expecting mamas on our farm to have a safe, cozy, quiet space of their own. We are thrilled beyond words to hopefully (don't count your goats before they hatch, or... you know what I mean) welcome some new goat babies. Looking like it could possibly be early April if my calculations are correct. Woo hoo! We can't wait! I have been doing a lot of research and getting prepared for the big events to come. That is when I'm not helping out with pig or chicken books. :)

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I truly was expecting the end of this project to be super hard for our sensitive little guy. And I'm sure it will be. However, one thing I didn't expect is for him to get so run down from all this work and begin counting down the days until it's over. Maybe just God's own way of making this whole goodbye thing a little easier on his tender heart.

I will absolutely have to think of a big way to reward his hard efforts and keep his mind focused on the prize.

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As for this boy and his pig, they are ready for the fair!

Richer Than Rockefeller

In abundance I have been blessed. More richly than I could ever ask or imagine. Looking into the faces of these beautiful children whose presence grace my each and every day, I am in total awe. It's absolutely hard if not impossible for me to explain. When you live your life not focused on materialism but on true meaningful subjects that will carry on to eternity, you realize how much you truly have. When I take a second to slow down and realize just how blessed I am to have been given this family to live life with while being here on earth, it excites me greatly. But more so it THRILLS me to know that this is my family who will be joining me in heaven. For eternity! Now that is something to be joyful about! I praise my Father each and every day for these little blessings that He has so graciously given us. He didn't have to. That strikes me strongly. He didn't have to give us Colton, Gracie, Fletcher or Maggie either. There is nothing we could have ever done to deserve these blessings. I do believe that He has given us hearts to further His kingdom instead of growing our hearts towards earthly riches. And because of that I feel that He has blessed us with these instruments to use towards growing His kingdom. And they certainly are cute little instruments if I ever do say so myself. Sometimes stubborn but then again, so are the ones who are raising them. Our hope is to build little lights that will shine His love wherever their heavenly Father may lead them.

{trying to find a smile after a little meltdown}

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Shine on my little loves!

Matthew 5:16 let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Un, Unus, Uno, En, Eins = One

Our sweet little babe who came flying out into the arms of her daddy on that early first of November morn is now a whole year old. The year feels like it slipped right through my fingertips even though I tried to grip on tightly to the days. Yet it seems as if there wasn't ever a day that her joy didn't fill our hearts and home. It's funny how before a new baby enters your life you can't imagine ever loving someone as much as you already love your other children. It may seem as if you're heart is overly full. Can't possibly hold any more love.

Well it absolutely isn't true. At least that's what we experienced when this beautiful girl came out of her warm cocoon looking for love. As I locked eyes with this new girl whom I'd learn to care for and be her mama, I realized no matter the number, the love is just as deep. Immeasurable. So strong it almost overpowers you at times.


Every thing she does makes us smile. The bonus to this is seeing the joy in her siblings faces as they celebrate each milestone with her. That's enough to make a mama tear up. When she took her first few steps hearing the claps, laughter, praise and endless hugs that they poured out on their baby sister in such a proud manner made me realize this is what the hard work of raising a large family is all about. These tender moments we share together as a family are priceless and are worth everything to us.

teething on her brother's mini skateboard

The Magnolia Maggie tree that was planted not long after her birth. Her placenta has nourished it well.

still loves her newborn binkie

We had a little party for our girl on Halloween eve. It was simple, not over the top, no fancy decorations. Just a gathering with family and friends to celebrate just what a gift this girl is to us all.

Aunt Joyce playing "I'm gonna get you!"

Maggie and Macrae

The goats and pig serve as our party entertainment. Notice my son's the only one out there barefoot and shirtless. And the other one's up in the tree. Like true redneck boys! ;)

M's princess castle cake made with love by her aunt Katie and grandma

At the party I served my first attempt at goat cheese. It was a success!

{nice hair uncle A}

I think I've got another baby lover. If she's anything like me, this means I'll be blessed with many grandbabies! :)





Sweet Aurora has been a special friend to the family since she was Maggie's age





knew it wouldn't last long!

Maggie is our plumpest one year old yet. I think the addition of goats milk has helped with that. She babbles a LOT, will carry on full conversations with you at times, although it only makes sense to her. She loves... her daddy to pieces and shouts out "dada" as soon as he enters the house each day.

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She is a moderately good sleeper. We spoil her a tad bit and allow her to fall asleep in bed with us and then transfer her to her room in her crib. Some nights she'll sleep until morning and others she comes in bed with us at some point in the night. She loves to eat! Especially pears, peaches, grapes (cut up into quarters), bananas, yogurt, mac n cheese, just to name a few of her favorites. She still nurses infrequently but I think those days are dwindling. I'm not used to having a baby wean so early but I'm following her lead which makes it all the more easy to do so. She LOVES her goat's milk bottles though.

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She also loves, loves, loves living on a farm and I think she is crazy lucky to get to spend so muc time with chickens, cows and goats each day. Oh and a pig too! And let's not forget a dog and three cats :) She has two toy cows that she often carries around saying "moo..." and she has taken a love for her biggest brothers stuffed animal cow that he's had since he was a baby. I think it's almost officially hers now.

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Maggie has seemed like she was coordinated enough to start walking at an early age but she's been overly cautious about it for some reason. I know she took a couple falls when attempting to walk some time ago and I think that scared her to the point of not being confident enough to give walking a try. But half way into her twelfth month she took her first few true steps and by thirteen months she is walking pretty much anywhere she wants to. She's still super wobbly which is down right adorable and she does still crawl here and there but overall she's now a walker.

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We have done half and half cloth diapers and disposables since her birth but recently a friend gifted us with her cloth diapers and I purchased a dozen Sunbaby cloth diapers which are super soft and cute so we are now full time cloth diapering. Even at night and also while out of the house. It has been a smooth transition and even Josh just goes with the flow of it. Cloth diapering has come a long way and it's super easy and not messy like you may imagine. There's a certain technique to it which makes it all doable. And I have such a great feeling about this whole thing. Not having to overload the landfill like I have done in the past and not having my baby saturated in chemicals 24 hrs. a day just makes so much sense and gives me peace in doing this.

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But in saying all of this, this next photo happened to be taken before our cloth diaper transition. Before the last disposable ran out. Oh and our cloth diapers are so... much cuter than these disposables!

Now that she's the big uno she gets to join in the cupcake fun. This was after eating one of grandma's Frankenstein cupcakes. Bath time baby!

I don't know if a baby was ever more loved than this little chickadee. She couldn't possibly bring us any more delight than she already does. God certainly knew what he was doing when he decided to sneak another little blessing into our lives. Can't even possibly imagine life without our little girl.

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We all love and adore you Maggie Eliza!!!