Fun on the farm

I can recall the specific place I was at when I decided I wanted to live in the country.  It was none other than my best friend's farm in NE Iowa.  I remember how calm and relaxing it was.  We would sit outside on a warm sunny day and enjoy the silence (and maybe a "moo" here and there).  Life just stood still when I was there.

Ten years later, that same place still brings me peace. In fact, my husband enjoys the serenity of it just as much as I do.  Sure, we live in the country too and are blessed with peacefulness....but, it just isn't the same.  Perhaps, it's the company we're in on that farm in NE Iowa that brings joy to our hearts and souls.  In fact, I'm sure of it.  My best friend and her husband are the most genuine, down-to-earth people. They are so welcoming and generous.  Their hearts are made of gold.

We don't make the trek up to their farm as often as we should, but we were blessed to make it there yesterday.  And oh boy, did we all enjoy ourselves!!  The weather was perfect...80 degrees and sunny. In addition to our 2 kiddos and their 3 children, we were joined by several of their nieces and nephews (this is usual as everyone loves to visit the farm!).

The kids played on the swing set and in the little sandbox for awhile and then they changed into swimsuits for water balloons and jumping on the trampoline with the sprinkler underneath of it -- that was a hit!

Next, we all climbed into anything with wheels (Truck, Ranger, 4Wheeler and Razr) and headed out to the pasture to check cows and play in the creek.  The kids loved riding in the back of the Ranger...but even more fun was creek playing for Rylee and driving the Razr for Wyatt.

The kids told me the water was warm -- they LIED!!

We couldn't get him OUT of this thing -- he loved it!!

"Yeah, I'm gonna get one for my birthday," he said.

Actually, Wyatt wanted to make sure he drove EVERYTHING that had wheels before we left. 

"Now I wanna drive the yellow one!"

Not pictured is the real tractor he climbed into and the pedal tractor and tricycle he rode.  He didn't have any interest in riding the pony though...neither did his sister, which really shocked me....she was having too much fun jumping on the wet trampoline. This was also their means of cleaning all the sand and mud off from playing in the creek :)

All of the kids got along so well.  It was joyful to watch them all play together, in nature where they should be. There's just nothing like playing on a farm or out in the woods. It's good for all of our souls!

As many times as I've been to that farm, I never knew the history of it. As I rode in the truck with my friend's father-in-law, checking cows, I learned the history of the farm and a very touching story that went along with it. I've always found that place to be a peaceful retreat -- learning some history behind it made it that much more special.

As we drove home, with very tired kiddos sleeping, James and I reflected on how much we always love visiting there...the way it slows us down and reminds us to enjoy the moment....but more importantly, how much we enjoy their friendship and the joy it brings to us.