{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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