More New Animals!?

Howdy and yes, it's true! I have 6 new members of the family to share with you all!!!! Yes, my daddy got cow fever. I did too! (It's really kind of contagious.) I've been wanting some new cows and we finally got some!!!

Meet the cows!

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Meet, Honey!!! She's soooooooo sweet. I fell for her right away.

She has a timid, sweet personality. :)

 

This is Beanie, she's super sweet too. She's not as friendly,

 but is a good milker and has a great, no nonsense, personality.

 

 

And last but not least, No name................Yeah, we haven't thought of a name for her.

We've been calling her Blackie, so original isn't it? :) She is the most curious cow I've ever seen! She's  a little on the bossy side with other cows, but not with us. She likes to be next to you, as long as you don't touch her, she likes you.  She's been a lot of fun so far!

 

 

1 Donkey, 2 Donkey....

 

That's right, we didn't get just one donkey, but two!!!! They are so sweet too!

Aren't they cute!?!They are great! They will walk up to you and rub their heads on you. We take them for walks too!

The closest one is Benny and the farther one is Lolly! I must say Benny is my favorite......

Shhhhhhh, don't tell Lolly that!! :)

 Also, I found out that Benny is the boss! It's really funny to watch him boss Stardust around. :)

 

 

 Fleece was white as snow.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

So, five down one last little animal to introduce to you.

 

This is Penelope. She is a rescue, runt lamb. She is  a week old and still is too weak to stand.

Even though she's small and weak, she eats a TON and is loud when she's hungry! :)

Yes, she's wearing a diaper, it's the easiest way to have a lamb in the house. Plus, it makes her waaayyy cuter!! :)

 

 

 You know, when you have a little lamb, this happens...

 

 

 

There's nothing cuter then a dressed up lamb!! :)

 

We found out thought that she has a bum back leg, a wheeze, can't really stand, maybe some brain damage and she's blind. So, she is a special lamb, a very needy, loveable, little girl. She is really sweet though. When I play the piano she falls asleep, but when I stop, she cries. We all love her a lot. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

You know your a farm kid if.....

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1. You make hay bouquets. (Above.)

2. Love the smell of hay

3.Waded in mud up to your shoulders at some point in your life

4. Wear your mud boots and barn jacket to town, proudly!

5. Played king of the hay bales

6. Rode in the tractor with your dad for hours when you were younger

7. Had like 5 different types of pets

8. Your pets are not normal pets

9. You rode a pig. Yup.

10. Drive a old lawn mower with a wagon full of kids around the farm

11. Love that farm smell

12. Mud in hair? Don't care.

13. Had talent shows with your cow, pig, horse, ect.

14. Dirt is always under your figure nails

15. You know how to drive at a early age

16. Always ready to chase cows

17. Love going for walks in the cow pasture, just to visit each cow

(I'm not the only one that does this, right??)

18. Love the smell of a freshly plowed field

19. Your main shoes are your mud boot and cowboy boots.

20. Always ready for adventure!!

 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

 

So, I've been thinking a lot, and that could just be dangerous. :) But, I was thinking we need something to spice up this blog, maybe more story time with Grace?? Maybe? Hmmmmmmm, I wonder what I could tell about........

 

 

Our unusual house guest.

****************************

 

My alarm goes off at 4 a.m. , I roll over and slowly get out of bed. "This is the pits." I thought to myself as I blindly walked down the steps. Turning into the kitchen, I glance at the counter. I looked a little harder. "Ugh, where is that bottle! The lamb needs to be fed, so I can sleep for a couple of hours!" I complained to myself. I stumble into the living room, to where Kaity was on the couch. Spying the bottle on the floor next to the lambs basket, I walk over. Kaity stirred , I froze, I didn't want to wake her. I bent down to grab the bottle when Kaity stopped me. "I fed the lamb already, go to bed."   After thanking her 5 times, I walk gratefully up to my bed. I just got settled and started to fall asleep, when I heard a noise by my bed. "It's probably just a mouse." I thought to myself. Then I heard it again. "Man! It sounds like a huge mouse." By this time I put the covers over my head, just in case. Then it happened. I felt this huge thing run across me, I flung my blankets and heard it hit the floor. I was wide awake, I sat in my bed dazed, then I heard it running around my room. I flip on my lamp and there in the middle of my room was a weasel. It looked at me and then ran out of my room then back in. I was stunned. "You got to be kidding me!" I exclaimed. "A weasel!!??" Then it ran back into my room. Becca heard me call for daddy, so she got out of her room and asked if I was ok. I told her to shut her door because there was a weasel running around.  We were talking about it when mom came out.

 

Let's take a moment to see what just happened here. I called for dad to save me and mom comes out. Thanks daddy.

 

Anyways, she told us to go back to bed, she thought I was crazy and told me so in the morning.  She was kidding, but only partly. Daddy was giving me a hard time too, until he went down to the basement. "I believe her."  He called up the stairs. "Why is that?" Mom asked.  "Because I'm watching it."  I knew I wasn't crazy! So, yes we have an unwelcomed house guest, that wanted to share my bed.  How do I feel about weasels you ask?? I don't like them at all!!!

 

 

 

I don't know why we have crazy things happen at our house, but hey! It's something to write about!! :)

 

 

Thanks for reading

God Bless!

 

Grace

 

This is the day that the Lord hath made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

 



Trusting Till The Cows Come Home

I was laying in my bed, thinking about last summer. I couldn't write about it then, but now I can.  I still don't understand why things happened the way they did, but I do know God is in control.

It all started with Ruby Red, we got a call that we had a cow dead in the pasture. It was strange. Dad even cut her open to see if something internally was wrong. We couldn't find a thing wrong. She was pregnant too, so we lost not one, but two cows.

Anyways, our faithful, wonderful, dog Sarah was seeing her last days. I remember having her since like...forever. I don't remember any other dog. She was a sweet, kind thing. Never wanting to harm us, just the cats. :) We lost her too, last summer. Things just went down hill from there. We found Billy, the family's favorite milk cow, dead. We were trying to figure out how in the world she died. It was probably a month after Ruby Red died. Then Rosebud died shortly after, something was wrong. Our cows were dropping like flies. It was a disease called Black Leg. (Black Leg a noncontagious disease found in the soil.) We then vaccinated trying to save the rest of the herd, one more died, but not from Black Leg. Cream puff died from having a huge calf, the calf was born dead, and she died a few days later. Our loved and forever remembered donkey, Seymour, died too, from old age. Then Mickey, Luke's dog, died. 

It's was really hard when Rosebud died, for those of you who know me, she was my big baby. I raised her from a calf, bottle fed her when she was like 200 lbs, rode her a little, and had big plans for her. I was going to take her when I got older to be my milk cow. She was the one I would go to when I was sad. She would always cheer me up with her licking me and rubbing her head on me. Once you have a cow as a pet, they become your favorite animal.

A lot of our farm animals and pets died, and it reminded me that life on this earth is short. We need to trust God and look to him for our future, our day.

You see, we had a hard summer, but I'm not writing this so you'll feel bad for us, I'm writing this to give you guys hope! You see, even though those bad things happened God was watching out for us and blessing us still. We got Missy and Buddy, our two, new, wonderful dogs that are expecting, new friends, new cows in the future and so much more! God can take the bad things and turn them around! When we were having that hard time, we went to God a LOT!  He wanted to remind us that he is still there and to give HIM the glory and honor HE deserves! It's because of HIM we got this farm, because of HIM we have the cows, it's because of HIM we aren't falling apart! I have an amazing story that should cheer you up.

                   Trusting till the cows come home.....
We were all just sitting in the kitchen, chilling and eating lunch when dad gets a call. It's from our neighbor, (the guy who lives at the end of the dirt road.) The milk cows were in his yard. They were really far from home. We all jump into a vehicle and head out with Missy. (Our cow dog) Thinking that it'll probably be pretty easy. Run them down the dirt road   and into their pen. Well, the cows had other plans. They went down the road then  turned into the woods. Also, did I mention it was during deer season??? So, we are searching for hours for the cows, we can't find them anywhere. My dad decided to call it quits. All of our cows gone. We didn't know if we would see them again. Dad was hoping that maybe be milking time, they would show up. Every one went back into the house, with an atmosphere of defeat.  We were sitting in the kitchen,  when I felt like we should pray about this problem together. I asked daddy if we could pray, and we did. Not 5 minutes later, neighbor called. "Your cows are in my yard again I'll push them down the dirt road for you." We ran out side and sure enough the cows were coming home! All walking towards the barn! We praised God for the miracle of the cows coming home.


Even when bad things happen God is still there with us! He can work wonders! This is my favorite story, one I'll NEVER forget. God brought the cows home.

So, as I look back on last summer I thank God for all the hardships and loses, he taught me very important lessons. 

To not lay up treasures on this earth.

Things only last so long.

                                                              Put our trust in Him.
                                                        He is there, even in the bad times.
                                                     He gives us as much trials as we can handle.
                              




Also because of the hardship we went through, we know a little more. Every hard ship you learn a little more. With out them, how are we ever to learn?



                                        Here are some pictures of the animals we lost.

Cream Puff

 

Sarah

 

 Billy

 

 Seymour

Rosebud

 

 

 Mickey

We lost all of these, but gained more. We have great and wonderful memories that will last forever. I thank God for these animals and how they brought us joy and frustration. I thank God that I am able to have a pet cow, to live on a farm and know how to raise cows.


Thanks for reading what had been on my mind lately, the next post will be way more light hearted I promise!! :)  


Grace



New Year, New Post!

 

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year!

I know I haven't been blogging lately, but that's life! Plus, it's sort of normal for me.

So, thank you for all the people who wait patiently for these post! :)

 

 

 

Oldest to Newest Members of the Family

 

Ok, so I want to take you guys back to November 2016.  It is a Sunday afternoon when our wonderful cow Faith had her first calf!

He's two months old now, and still as cute as ever! :)

 

 His names are GB, Good Boy, Ground Beef, and Taco.

Ground Beef and Taco are his names to call him when you're mad at him. Like my friend said, if your mad at him, just think about those wonderful tacos. :)

 

ALPACAS???

That's right, Alpacas. A friend called us and asked if we would like a few. We said we would get back to them about it. Right away my mom called my Grandpa. (He seems to like strange animals.) While my mom was talking to my Grandpa, dad was researching about them. He was thinking about adding something different to our farm. Well, a few hours later, they called back. There were only three left out of thirty! So, my Grandpa got two, and we got one. Though we found out later that they can't live by themselves, they will die from stress and that they get stresses out really easy! So our Alpaca is living at my grandpa's house until it has a baby or we get another one. Man, do they look funny though! They have a under bite!

 

(Unfortunately I  don't have any pictures of the Alpacas, but once I do I'll post them for sure!)

 

This little piggy went home....

 

 Ok, so on the day of dad's surprise birthday party, the butcher called. He had a piglet that we could take. For free!

(You see the she wasn't suppose to be at the butchers, but the guy who had her couldn't get her out of the trailer, so he said the butcher could have her.)

Of course my father being the animal collector he is, said we would take her. The next day, dad and Becca went to get the poor, little thing. It rode on Becca's lap all the way home. Her name is Sammy. She's the sweetest thing you ever saw! At first she wasn't too friendly, but you can make anything tame by feeding it doughnuts! :)

 

 PigCat (Left) Sammy (Middle) Cheetah (Right)

 

 

 

 Since we are talking about pigs, we got a new boar! (male pig.)  He's sooooo cute! 

 

His name is Spock, or Spocknick

 

 What happened to our huge, Big Red you ask? Well, he's in a friend's freezer.

 

 Yup, so long Big Red, you have made yourself known by making people think we have a dead cow in the field. You made our farm great, for having a huge pig grazing with our cows, was something unusual, you were very annoying whenever you got out when we were gone or when people came over. And for all that, I thank you.

 

Let's have a moment of silence in memory of Big Red. Rest in peace in the freezer big guy.................................................

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, we are on the subject of pigs, lets take 360 turn  to guinea pigs

 

Kaity's guinea pig had babies! Three little balls of fur! :)

A few minutes after birth.

 

 A couple hours after birth.

 

They are up and running right away! It's crazy! They are really big too! So, If you would like a cute guinea pig, email Kaity at askgracej@gmail.com  or text 218-591-5756

 

Everyone wants a baby guinea pig!

 

Udderneth the hay report..

This is reporter Lorraine, speaking, or uhem, writing. And today I'll be covering when will the cows calf. So, I'm talking to Cora Johnston on the subject,

 

"Cora, when do you think the you'll have calves running around?" Lorraine questions, looking at her from across the kitchen island.

 

"Beginning of April, middle of April, any time through April." She states as she busies herself in the kitchen.

 

"I see, will all of them be calving in April? " Lorraine asks as she trys to get more info out of the farmers wife.

Cora looks up from what she is doing and answers, "Well, there is a few of them mommas that like to make you wait for the most busiest time. "

 

"How many cows will you be milking then?" 

 

"Unfortunately, we cannot say how many cows we will be milking, you'll see when the time comes."

 

Ok, folks we have straight from the farmers wife! The cows could calve anywhere from April to May! And we don't know how many will be milking. There might be some changes on the farm. I guess you'll have to stay tuned!

 

 

 Thanks for reading and I hope you all have a great new year! Remember thank your local farmer!

(Your welcome daddy!)

 

 

 

Thanks for reading!

 

Grace

 

 

 

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MY MONSTER BUCK!!!!!!!

You know the best hunting is when you go out and sit for a half an hour then, BAM!!!

 

 

Howdy to all the hunters, farmers, and normal people! I hope that deer season was fun and successful for you! (The hunters out there.)  There's nothing like sitting out in a stand with a tee shirt. 😊 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What hunters have to put up with.......

 

 

 

1. Squirrels....... Must I say more?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How I got my MONSTER buck!!!!

 

Opening morning my dad put me in a hay bale stand by the hwy, knowing that I wouldn't shoot at the road. (Which would be really dumb.) 

 

HOLD IT! We are going to pause this story! If you don't know what a hay bale stand is, its pretty much a hay bale wrapped at the top with fabric and you sit on top. They are really comfortable.

 

Ok, ACTION!

 

It was dark, and I was bored. Luckily for me I had my phone which had a few books on it. As I was sitting there reading, my phone buzzed.  Mom text me, wondering how it was going.  At this time it was probably around 7:30, 7: 40. So, I talked to her for a bit, constantly checking the field for deer. I just happened to look up when I saw it, the buck of my dreams! Walking on the edge of the woods. I threw my phone and knocked my cap off. (I have a problem about hitting the scoop with the bill of my cap, it hurts!)  It was trotting, I knew it was on the move, I thought I saw a nice 8 point rack, my heart was pounding. I literally said, "It's a buck, it's buck!!!" I pulled up my gun, and it walked behind a hay bale. "Stink! " I thought to myself , I sat there for like 2 seconds when it came out from behind. I didn't even think to point the gun ahead of it so it would walk into the bullet and BAM! It kept trotting, my first thought was, "I'm not losing this one!!" I quickly levered one in the chamber and pulled up. It spun and faced me, I aimed for the middle of the chest, it moved when I shot, and down it went. I watched it for a while in disbelief . "I got a buck, I GOT A BUCK!!!" I  told myself a few times, trying to believe it! I got it on the go, even! I was so excited, I clapped and did a little jig in my stand. Then I texted mom, my hands were shaking so bad that the my cell almost flew out of my hands! Then I texted dad, "I got a buck!" And he responded, "Keep an eye on it." I looked at my buck, that was lying there dead, and was frustrated.  I knew it was dead, that it wasn't going any where.  Then he texted me, "Can you see it?"  I looked at my buck thinking, "Yes! I can see it, I also can see that it ISNT going any where!" But, because I didn't really want to be in trouble, all I said was, " Its down, and pretty sure it's dead. "   

 

So, then I'm talking to myself, doing a few jigs, and thanking God for my buck! All the while waiting for dad to come. Pretty soon I was getting angry. I REALLY wanted to see how big it was REALLY bad! I was arguing with my wonderful father in my head, I wanted him here and now!  (Oh! I should say that him and Luke were at the other end of the field.)  Finally, after winning my argument in my head, I texted him. "PLEASE GET OVER HERE! I really want to see how big my buck is!!"   Believe it or not, that worked, him and Luke came over. Daddy was all confused, he asked where my buck was. I said by the woods. He looked at me funny and then said, "Grace, I don't see your deer" He was looking at the right hand side of the field. "Dad, it's over there." I pointed straight ahead from the stand.   He hops in the truck and starts driving over there while I walked. "I didn't expect you to shoot this way." He commented as he drove. So, then I told him my story, briefly. As we get closer he looks at me, "Gracie, it's looking pretty small."  Ok so, when I was in the stand I was beginning to have doubts, but I knew for sure it was a buck, the way it moved, it was a buck.

 

Before I spoil anything would you guys like to see a picture of my monster buck???

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yup, my monster buck. Sad, isn't it?? I was so bummed and mad! Oh well, at least I got something! :)

 

 

 

Luke got a really nice buck and a big doe!

He was really happy!

 

Becca also got a big doe!

 

You know what's really sad though? My siblings does were waaayyyyy bigger than my buck! Way bigger!!

 

Kayla got a cute, little doe, and my Grandpa got a nice buck! All in all, this year was a good year! :)

 

I had a ton of fun this year, sitting out in the stand wanting to kill every single squirrel I hear. Yup, good times. :)

 

 

 

That's all for this post! Have a great day!

 

Grace

 

 

Johnstons Riverview Farm Fall News

Good morning to all! And isn't fall wonderful so far!? I thought that it was going to be rainy the whole season, but halleluiah we have some nice days!

When people see nice days they think, "I can go for a walk! No jacket!" While I think, "Yes! I can dry clothes on the line!" Yeah, I know I have a laundry addiction, but anyways back to the news!

 

Today  I don't have to much for you guys, so I'm throwing in Grace's Story Corner once again! Yaaaaahhhhh!!! (applause, applause, applause.)   Thank you! I know you all loved it so much! (Even if you didn't like it, I probably still would have done it. :)

 

Now! To the story corner!!!!!!!! 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Grace's Story Corner!!

 

 

Ok, so my dad got a new car! It's a sweet ride compared to the other vehicles we have. Well, dad drove it to church and the we were going to go to my friend's house for lunch. I right away thought of a plan.  Hey! Since mom drove the van, dad can ride with her while Bethany and I drive dad's new car!   I thought that it was a great plan. I cleared it with dad, and Bethany's parents. I was so excited! I haven't drove anywhere with Bethany by myself before! I felt old and important, like a real 16 year old!

Anyways, we left the church earlier than our parents to get to Bethany's house. Boy, am I glad we did! The car over heated about two miles way from her house.  My dad said I over heated the car, but I remember him saying , "Ignore the temperature gage, its sticking. It'll go on high, but then it'll go back down."   Sure dad, it'll go back down!!!   It just stopped accerating, so I pulled over and luckily for us Bethany's parents were right behind us, and so was the missionary. Uhg. My dad fixed it enough to drive it home that day. :) Every new driver needs to break down at least once!


This is reporter Lorraine G and today with me is Bethany Lobb. She'll  be answering some questions for me today.

What were you feeling when you got into the car with this Grace person??

"Giddy and excited!"
 

What was your first thought when you noticed something was wrong?

"Oh no! What's wrong!?"

 

Did you feel safe when you where riding with her?

"Oh definitely!"
 

Did you wonder for the minute that you guys broke down, what heaven would be like?

"No. I was trying to be sensible and practical and remember what to do."
 

Was there any panicking or anything else??

"Maybe a little. A lot of laughing too. Maybe because it was a little funny and a bit of nerves and scary." 

Thank you Bethany for answering my questions! This is Lorraine G, signing off!



#############################################################
 So, this year is the year for mice. Why? The acorns are less or if you do find one, it's hollow. Every- one is having mice problems, everyone! No one, I say NO ONE, likes mice, unless you have a pet mouse.

So, I thought that I'll give a few tips to keep mice out of your home!!

#1 Traps. The good old fashioned way!
#2 Mouse poison
# 3 Peppermint essential oil.
(Spiders don't like it either so, it kills two birds with one stone!)
\
And last but not least..............................................









#4

Get a cat!! :)

 

 Not only are they cute, but they'll have a purpose!! They will be ready to go in a few weeks! Their mom is a great mouser and their dad (Christopher) is a great king. I can't say much for a mousing, but he mostly plays with them. Or waits till Cheetah gets him one. :)

 

 

Ali and Peppy going for a ride!

Clover and enjoying sun and grass!!!

 

 

You, know when I started to write this post it was so nice out! You know, sunny, windy and warm!! But now, it's cold, rainy and windy! I'll never have a post that go with the weather! It's almost impossible! Oh well, that's life for you! :)

 

 

My Sunday School Hike!

 

So, hence the title I went on an hike to Jay Cook Park. It was so pretty!! So, here are a few pictures of it!

 

Ok, so, the first three pictures are of the dam.

 Kaity on her thinking rock. :)

 Just chilling on some very sharp rocks.
(The things you do for pictures!)

 Over looking Jay Cook Park.

Look at what I found!!! I found where the Smurfs live!!!!

Isn't it so cute!?

Ahh the beauty and freakiness! I was so stinking scared when I took this picture. I  was on the swinging bridge. I did NOT want to look down, but I did for this picture. Now I can see and appreciate the beauty,but then...Nope!

 

Walking across the bridge. My wonderful sister Kaity would try to make it bounce and swing. Thanks you ever so much sister! You helped me find out that I am scared of heights!

 

 

 

 

 

It was a ton of fun! Like normal, if you have a group of country kids, you are going to find a crawdad hole and play with them. Yes, we tried to pick up the crawdads. I'm telling you though, it was crawdad heaven! You move a rock and there was one! I've never seen so many in my life! (Unless they are in Luke's trap.) Kaity was able to hold one for 1 second. She forgot to grab it behind the pinchers. Yup, she got a hold of the tail and it folded and pinched her! It was great! :)

 

 

 

Thanks for joining me today! Well, until next time, this is Grace and Buddy saying goodbye!

 

 

Good mornings!

There's nothing better then drinking a cup of coffee and doing your devotions early in the morning.

(Ok maybe there is!)

Every morning I  waking up before dawn and read my Bible when every one is still sleeping. I feel like I can study without any distractions.

At lest that's what I thought. (Dramatic music with a dramatic pause.)

Satan tempts me every single morning. Why? Because he doesn't want me to worship God or to grow stronger in him! He will tempt me to finish that book I fell asleep on or to go onto Pinterest to look up sewing patterns. He'll try to tempt us with the things we like.

I saw this quote on Pinterest, I was inspired by it.

"Be the person that when you go to bed the devil is happy.

When you wake up he's worried,

and when you worship God, he flees"   

 

This reminds me of a verse.

James 4:7

Submit yourselves therefore to God.

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

 

I try to act out this  verse every day though it isn't easy but with God's help it is a little easier.

 

Ephesians 6:11

Put on the whole armor of God,

that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

 

 

Putting on the armor of God is when we pray and read his word!

 

 

Why do I do devotions in the morning? Well, really it helps me start out my day! When I miss a day of morning devotions I'm crabby.  When I do morning devotions I have a challenge for that day! It could be love, joy, or peace.

 

Doing devotions at night doesn't really work for me because I can't really put what I learned to action because I'm sleeping.    "Acton's speak louder then words."

 

Do what ever works for you though. If doing devotions at night work better write down what you learned so you can apply it the next day.:-)

I challenge you all to go to God every morning!! You need him to start your day right! 

Well, bye for now!!

Grace