Each day brings reminders that spring is soon to be here-although I admit not soon enough! With the warm (70+)weather we had over the weekend, it is hard to think about it only being about 40 by the end of the week. I've been hearing the tree frogs when I go out to do chorse of a morning and the song birds are busy letting us know they are back. Squirrels have been out in droves finding whatever they can and I saw a deer at the edge of the field the other evening looking for fresh grass. Soon the green will be more evident than the brown in the pasture and we can let the does out to start grazing. One of the most beautiful sites, for me at least, is seeing the goats out in the pasture, eating or laying in the sun. The pyrenees' lay where they can watch their "girls" and all seems right with the world (at least the goat world!)

While I'm looking forward to spring, it is also going to be an odd spring this year. The thought that Scott is getting married keeps running in and out of my thoughts. It doesn't seem like he should be this old-22 last week. It doesn't seem like he should be so independent. But then I remember all the times I wished for him to do more on his own-now he is. It's odd not talking to him or seeing him for days, or even a week or two, at a time. While I first worried about things when he moved out, I now find that I just wonder what he is doing, knowing he is probably handling things well. Maybe it will be different when Andy fully leaves, since we are getting use to his being off at school. Either way, it is a mix of feelings knowing that we are kind of "loosing" Scott in some ways, but it is so nice that we are gaining Christina and they family that they will build together. It will different this spring-but a nice different.

This time of year is always so busy-and tiring. With 21 kids born in the last 2 weeks and 13 of them on bottles, it is hard to get them all fed and keep to a good sleep schedule. Now that I have them on the "bucket" feeder, it only takes about 15 minutes to feed them, instead of 45. I got to sleep in till 5 a.m. this morning! I keep reminding myself why I do this-because I enjoy seeing what kind of doe kids we get from our breedings and the fun I have when it is show season! Seriously though, with both boys gone, I have to cut back. I keep looking at the does wondering which ones to sell, which ones to keep, which ones to give one more year, etc. I need to get rid of at least 3-4 milkers this year (13, not counting Jana since she is the old woman of the farm, doesn't milk if she doesn't want to and is too old to get rid of)as I can't keep that many and keep up. Three yearlings will have to go as well. I'm going to cull some of the boers and am debating if I keep any young ones or not. At least 2 of the boers have to go due to feet problems-I may only keep 1 kid. The alpine buck has to go and we may keep the nubian 1 more breeding season-then he too will go. That will mean I only have 2 bucks as I can "borrow" a nubian and an apline for what we need after this fall. That will help the space situation a lot.

But it is so hard to decide which ones stay and which ones go. They all have their own unique personality and good points-and some have their bad points too! Most likely I'll only keep a couple of Alpines since Scott really isn't that interested and isn't living at home now. The alpines keep milk production up, which is needed for the babies. As for the nubians, a lot will depend on where Andy goes after college. With any luck, in 3-4 years from now we'll have nice small Togg string and a nice group of boers and that is it! (Wishful thinking I'm sure!!)

I know I have to look at this from the production end. Which does are milking well and which does show well? I don't mind keeping a few for milk only, but it would be nice to have all the show string also be the big milkers (not likely for at least a few more years). If I can get my toggs to turn out like Rosie has this year, we might can get there in a couple more years. But doing that means Spice & Summer will have to go. They are sweethearts but their milking doesn't measure up and they aren't show quality. Most likely Spice will go this year now that I have Saffron out of her. I will probably keep Summer one more year-I'd love to get some doe kids out of her as nice as the bucks from this year.

Hopefully can find good homes for them with someone who will treat them well and in return the does can provide milk and weed control!

Obviously I have neglected this blog-over two years without a post! But, a new year and new priorities will hopefully keep me loyal to regular (though probably not daily) updates.

Now that we are "empty nesters" I tend to look at things differently. The thought of our oldest, Scott, getting married is both scary and exciting. It doesn't seem like 22 years have passed since he came into our home, but it has. And the thought of adding a "daughter" to our family is very exciting. Christina is the sweetest young woman, makes Scott happy and is therefore more than welcome in our family! With just a few months until the wedding, I know the time will fly. I am excited for them and hopeful their futures will be bright and full of dreams.

Andy being off at Purdue is also a change for us. I've known for years that once Andy left home he would be off and flying. He is hoping for an interesting internship this summer at MissionIndy and I hope he gets it. But he also has other ideas if he doesn't, one being staying at Purdue, working and taking some summer classes to get a leg up on his new major of Psychology. While I found it a bit startling when he first announced his change from Animal Science to Psychology, it seems like a good fit for him. He believes with all his heart this is where God is leading him, so he needs to follow that path, with all our blessings as well.

The goats have exploded in population, as the are want to do this time of year. 21 kids in two weeks with 13 on bottles. I am desperate for sleep and a big dose of patience as I try to get them on the bucket feeder over the next few days. Hopefully this will allow me some extra sleep in the mornings! The milking has begun again and with it the thoughts of goat shows. With a few first freshening does this year, the prospects look good at this time. It will be June before much showing can be done, given the wedding being in May, but with luck and God's blessings we can keep things looking good till then.

I am desperate to find a way to market my jewelry. While I haven't had much time of late to work on any pieces, I know once I get in my spring routine of milking and bottle feeding, I will be back at it. I would love to sell the pieces and make a little extra cash for Mike and I to use for some extras-like maybe a real vacation this summer! I am spending time trying to learn how to market my wares and hope that I can stick with it and put the information to use to make a go of it.

Stay tuned for more farm adventures. With all the kids yet to come it will be a busy, full, interesting, tiring and beautiful spring at our place!