I now know why there is such a thing as a farmer’s breakfast. I also know why when the medical community said eggs are causing cholesterol probelms, farmers ate their eggs anyway. I don’t do half of what the typical farmer does. I only have a hobby farm here. But, I’ve had a taste of what it’s like to know you have to get up out of bed because the animals need you to- even when it’s bitter cold, wet and miserable outside. Let me tell you- this is the downside to animals and every winter I question myself as to why I have done this to myself. (Am I NUTS?!?!) I enviously think about all the women who sip their coffee while watching the morning shows. The hardest thing they have to do in the morning is put some dishes in the dishwasher and pour milk on cereal. Then, just when I’m about to snap- spring comes and I get winter amnesia. Thank God for amnesia. Lord knows I would not have 4 children if it weren’t for amnesia. Anyway- back to the original point. When it snows like today and you have to go out and clear snow for animals to get to their water, break ice and haul heavy jugs of water so they can drink, knock snow off of roofs so they don’t collapse PLUS do all your normal work- you get hungry…..really, really hungry.

This morning I was halfway done outside and my stomach was eating itself it was so hungry and visions of bacon strips were dancing in my head. If only Jim was in the house cooking up the bacon and eggs for me and brewing my coffee! This is a bum deal! I have to do the work AND cook the breakfast this morning. But, being in this unique dual position I am able to see both sides of this story. I will now confess that sometimes on the weekend I sneak back into the house and leave Jim and the kids to do the rest of the chores in the bitter cold on their own, or I don’t go out at all, on the excuse that I have to go make breakfast. They don’t complain because they want the breakfast, but it’s really selfish of me because who wouldn’t rather stand by a hot stove and sip coffee while they turn the bacon. Give me a break! Let’s see- smash your cold fingers while breaking ice, or butter toast? Drop wood on your frozen toes, or flip an egg? Chase a wayward animal in thick snow, or pour OJ? AH HA! I know now that farmer’s wives made the breakfasts out of guilt for not being out there in the cold with their husbands. It was little more than a pathetic excuse.

Now I KNOW why the farmers got their big breakfasts. I wonder how many farmers knew this? Not to sound feminist, but I am thinking since farmers were men, not many. The stomach is a powerful thing. A hungry stomach also distorts thinking. I’m sure that to this day they are still thinking their wives make them farmer’s breakfasts out of love and appreciation. Ha! And- now I also know why boxed cereal doesn’t find it’s way to a farmer’s breakfast table. Boxed cereal is only a fit breakfast for people who sit in office chairs and lift fingers, not 40 pound bales of hay. Boxed cereal is a pathetic excuse for a breakfast. It’s the breakfast for those who plan to burn say 50 calories before lunch, not 500. It was invented when office jobs were invented I’m sure.

Now that my lips are almost thawed and my speech is slowly becoming less slurred, I think I will go make my eggs now.

Well I don’t really believe in luck but I don’t know what else to call it…..

Last year, we had 2 puppies born in two different litters with cleft palates, they soon died of course. Then, we had Maggie and Izzy successfully bred to our new male, Charlie, and neither ended up having puppies. Charlie was not yet fertile. In November, we tried to get Pixie bred with no luck, she had a strange heat cycle. We tried Muffin next, she also has had a strange heat cycle and I don’t think she is bred, it’s too early to tell. Then last week, Sophie delivered 3 babies, the third baby took too long to come and was born dead. This morning Millie went into premature labor and delivered one little dead baby. She is beside herself crying and mourning for her puppy.

This is the downside of raising animals. That’s for sure.

Some of you know- and some don’t- that we are trying to adopt a baby from Hong Kong. His name is “For.” He is 18 months old, and he has Down Syndrome. For those that don’t know, our youngest child, Thomas, also has Downs. Children with Downs are such a blessing. I only wish the world knew that. These angel babies are aborted, abandoned and unwanted in every country of this world. If only people knew they were throwing out the greatest gift of God they are likely to ever receive….

We are anxious to have another baby in the family and for Thomas to have a younger brother to grow up with. They are about 1 year apart in age. This little house will be quite full with another child, but we are happy and don’t care if it’s a little crowded. The kids are so excited they can’t stand it. If you think about us, you might send up a prayer for us and For that we can get him here as quickly as possible. This baby needs a family and patience has never been a virtue of mine!

You can follow our progress and see For on this website if you’d like:

http://www.reecesrainbow.com/sponsorgallagher.htm

We are in the beginning stages of the adoption but are working fast and furiously. Our home study is being done tomorrow! Piles of paperwork await me to be done before the social worker comes. So I will write more later…

Here is a photo of our baby!