Here we are in another fall season. During my work commute, I’ve been watching the trees gradually change color and the fields start to dry down. Harvest is getting close. And in true Joe and Dee fashion, we’re getting close to more than one type of harvest season. God must have really wanted to make sure we appreciate the true strength behind seedtime and harvest.

When we found out we were pregnant and our due date was October, we looked at each other and laughed. Right in the midst of harvest, or prep for harvest, depending on the year. I’ve found myself inadvertently comparing myself over the past few months to the fields I’m watching change – both getting ready to bring forth fruit.

But we’re certainly not sitting around waiting, even though some days it feels like it. This spring/summer we started our newest business venture – converting part of our conventional farm operation into a pasture with the goal of raising grass-fed cattle next year. We planted several acres into grass during the early summer and have enjoyed watching it grow too.

Note: I started the first part of this post on October 4. The next day I went into labor and brought our baby girl, Charley Jo Rose, into the world.

Well…harvest and new parenthood happening at the same time certainly has been chaotic and just downright hard. But we’re taking it day-by-day. And as it slowly gets done, I find myself longing for the snowy winter months when we can rest and spend our days snug inside, talking, planning and dreaming for the future.

Not only has Joe been working and harvesting our row crops, but he has also been trying to get more done with the pasture, especially finishing the fence.

As usual, we couldn’t do it without a ton of help from our families. And this is why at the heart of our new venture is just that – family. When we decided to do something different with the farm, we started by talking about what was important to us. I’ll be sharing more about the business, our vision, and values, but this is the heart of this new chapter:

Our goal is to nurture a family-minded farm, developing every acre, animal, plant, and product in sustainable ways. The farm will provide healthier alternatives, and we will use it as an opportunity to educate others.

So what words of wisdom can I give during this time – one of the hardest times I’ve ever lived through? (I know I’ve said that before on here, but truly everything else was prep for this.) You CAN do it. Shed the tears, talk to friends and family, lean on the help offered, but keep going. Never lose sight of the bigger picture, but take it a day at a time. At some point, you’ll look back and marvel at what happened and how you DID make it through.