I always dreamed of living on a farm. When we were in third grade, my friend Rebekah and I made plans to start a horse and monkey (chimpanzee) farm. We would train the chimps to ride the horses and then we could show them at fairs! Although that plan never panned out, I did get to marry a boy whose family lives on a farm! :)
A couple weeks ago, Matt and I made our way across the country to the western side of Pennsylvania to his family farm. One interesting fact about the farm is that it has been in the family for over 100 years! Also, Jimmy Stewart's dad boarded his horses at George's Oak Spring Farm in the days of yore. While the Georges do not have any famous peoples' horses at their farm, they do raise a good head of beef cattle as well as grow corn, wheat, and such like. While we were in the barn one day, we happened to be in there the moment after a little calf was born! We watched it for some time, while its mother licked him and tried to encourage him to stand up. It was amazing! Later on in the day, we saw him standing up! : ) So cool.
I always love going home to the farm. Being out in the country is so peaceful and allows you to do a lot of thinking. We also get to see a lot of family when we're there. The Georges had their annual 4th of July gathering- we ate food, played games, went for a hay ride, and took the annual family picture! Trying to fit over 50 people in one picture and have them all looking and smiling at the same time is a challenge! I think it's so great that we get to do that every year. To get evidence on camera of such a wonderful family. : ) I didn't get a copy of the whole family picture, but I did get our immediate George family picture.
I'm so thankful that I now get to be a part of this wonderful family! And now as a sister is "with child," we get to anticipate another addition to the family! : ) Who knows how many more will be added to the family in the years ahead??
We also got to have a gathering with the Helman side of the family.
Unfortunately, not all the family was there- some are at camp for the summer, and some just couldn't make it that day. Amazingly, we all fit at one table. Granted, it's a 20 foot table made by the Amish... so that helped! :)
We shall have to wait a few months before visiting the family and beloved farm again, but until then, we shall think of it with fond memories. : )
