Wildlife...

After 7 years of living here at Hills Valley Ranch I came to realize last weekend that I take some things for granted around here.

My pregnant sister-in-law and her 2 kids came out for a visit from Wisconsin.  They had a travelling companion as well.  Kendra came along for the ride to meet up with her boyfriend.  He like many out of staters is out here in western ND working in the oil patch looking to make a quick buck.

Due to poor weather Kendra and my SIL were stranded here an extra day.  Kendra and I had a chance to talk about agriculture both here and in WI, the oil industry, wine and kids (we had 6 kids running around age 5 and under).  It was awesome to see some of the pictures Kendra posted on her facebook page depicting our ranch.  They were the exact pictures I would have taken 11 years ago when I moved out here.

One of the many topics we spoke about was wildlife.  I barely notice them anymore unless I am about to hit them with the burb.  Let's take the neighborhood deer for example.  All winter long the deer move into the hay yard each evening and nibble on the hay and bread piles.  They don't phase me unless I am driving home at just the wrong time and they cross the road in front of me thinking they own the place.  If the girls see them then we have to detour through the hay yard and chase them around a bit so the girls can count the bucks.  We are going to have a few hunters in the bunch.  (That is pretty exciting because that means we will need to add to the gun collection!)

Then there are these boys... 

See the king pheasant sitting on the post watching over his royal servants?

There are days when we have 60 pheasants hanging out in the yard like this.  It is so frequent that our bird dog (a German shorthaired pointer) doesn't even bother getting up to look at them. 

So, I want to thank Kendra for visiting us last weekend.  I think we all need someone else to remind us of our own surroundings.  We can become complacent and forget how unique our situation is.  This applies to our natural surroundings and our families.  Kendra made me remember what it is that I love and appreciate about western ND.  And I am often reminded by other people's situations just how much I take for granted my own life.  

I have an awesome husband.  He has supported the decision we made for me to stay home with the kids full time.  He works LONG hours 7 days a weeks to have this ranch support us all.

I have 4 wonderful daughters.  I am beyond blessed to have 4 happy, healthy daughters.  Drama is the name of the game around here.  They exhaust me, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

One of the resolutions I made on January 1, 2013 was to be present and to enjoy and appreciate each and every day.  Some days it is a struggle to be honest.  I have found that by putting technology down (the cell phone and the computer, hence the lack of blogging lately) I am not distracted and I am present in my children's daily life.   

So, Kendra, thanks for visiting and thanks for letting me see our ranch and family through your eyes.