Happy 4th Birthday Hayden!

Hayden will be 4 years old tomorrow, March 31st and he had a birthday party Sunday afternoon with a few friends. Thanks everyone for the gifts, Hayden really appreciates them.

Simon, Sallie and Hayden are displaying the gardening tools that Granny and Grandpa got Hayden for this birthday. He loves to play in the garden, well really just in the dirt, anywhere it is.

If Simon continues to pull his teeth, he isn't going to have any left. He has pulled 4 of his front teeth!! He is so cute!

Owen and Hayden decided to take a break for a little while.

My little cowboy is another year older! What a blessing we have in our lives. He is truly a gift from God and we are thankful everyday for him. I am away from him at a conference right now and missing him very much. When I talked to him tonight on the phone, he started giving me his prayer requests and I at least got to say his prayers with him tonight. He and Jonathan are at Granny and Grandpa's tonight and he got to haul some cattle to the stock barn today so he is pretty happy. He is also having another party tomorrow! Happy Birthday Hayden, I love you with all my heart!

All In A Day's Work!

A couple of weekend's ago, Hayden went down to Granny and Grandpa's and spent of couple of days. As usual, he has a lot of farming to do while he is down there. He is digging up some "minerals" for his cows in this picture.


I just love this one! He is too cute!!

He fed Jet and Chief and was standing by taking it all in.

Like Father, like Son!

He is growing up so fast!

Raindrops keep falling on my head...thank goodness for my new cap!

We are very thankful for the rain we are getting today. Our Almighty God knows just what we need and when we need it.
Hayden was given a "Randy Hodge Livestock Network" cap Wednesday for being such a good helper. Since then, he has slept with it on his head and comes out of his room each morning wearing it. He was having his breakfast yesterday morning, the day after his big cattle drive!!


Last night, cousin Simon came over to spend the night with Mamaw and Papaw so he came down to play with Hayden today. They started out with pizza for lunch and then Hayden resorted to his all-time favorite meal....Gerber oatmeal - yes that would be the baby food kind!! Oh well, it is about the most nutritious thing I can get into him so I will keep mixing it up as long as he will eat it.

Simon decided to pick and grin a little this afternoon and also informed me that he would like a guitar for his birthday or christmas because, "it's my favorite instrument" he said. Hayden did the two step for us and boy is he a high stepper!

I tried to get Simon to sing also but he said he, "couldn't get the hang of it with the guitar, I can't get the right voice." I think this syndrome runs in the family because his aunt Allie can't play the piano and sing at the same time either. There is either a whole lot of playin', or a whole lot of singin', but not a whole lot of them together.

Yesterday I had lunch with my co-worker and county director, John Wilson, in Blount County. We were talking about raising our children (his are grown) and what a big responsibility and blessing that is. John gave some advice that really stuck with me when it comes to disciplining your children. Do it so that you, "break their will, not their spirit." Thanks John, I appreciate the conversation and tips and how true that statement is. Jonathan and I have a very active little guy, but he has such a big heart and he is definitely full of spirit! I hope you have a great weekend and I hope you receive a blessing tomorrow at your church. Go with the desire and an open heart and I know God will bless you!

Catch Up, Riding Horses & Hauling Cattle

I have gotten behind on the blog and I apologize, things have been a little busy lately, but here goes....

Jonathan and I had to work last Saturday and Hayden spent Friday and Saturday nights with his Granny and Grandpa. Thank you Granny and Grandpa for taking such good care of Hayden and dropping everything to do exactly what he wants. He went to the park and fed the ducks and played at the playground. When I called at 9:30 Saturday morning, he had Granny in the basement floor building with Lego's. I don't get many pictures when I am at Granny and Grandpa's but I am going to have to do better. When they brought Hayden home Sunday evening we were entertained by a tractor pull in the living room floor. Our MC, Hayden wore his cowboy hat and carried around his microphone (a log) and gave us play by play action of all the full pulls and those that weren't as successful. It really amazes me how he watches and listens. When we were at the tractor pull at the Farm Machinery Show, one of the MC's wore a cowboy hat and carried a microphone into the stands to speak to the fans. He is very perceptive (kind of scary!!). Remember parents, grandparents, and everyone else, little eyes are watching you.

Also, thanks to WBIR and Colleen Cruze of Cruze Dairy Farm for helping us promote our conference for women that is coming up on Saturday, March 21st. For more information go to http://www.homefronttoheartland.com/.

This week has been a little slower, neither Jonathan nor I had night meetings. I am kind of living for March 22nd when my plate load gets a little lighter. However, I am very excited about the conference and hope we have a great turnout......PLEASE REGISTER!!!

Hayden spent the night with his aunt JuJu Monday night, thank you Julie, Jeremy, Simon and Sallie. He has been talking about this for a while and loves spending time with his cousins! He came home with a baby doll, thank you Sallie! As long as he drives the doll around in a pick-up truck or let's it ride a horse or bull, his Daddy will be ok (I think?!?).

Yesterday Hayden spent some time at home with me and he had to haul some cattle to the market. He hauled some, but left them in the corral as you can see below. He also took a ride on his horse and apparently was hunting at the time. He insisted that his gun be put down the back of his shirt, I guess that worked well for grabbing and shooting on the run. Later in the day, I was paid a visit by Zorro, Batman, The Lone Ranger all wrapped up in one.

Last night after church we went by my Mom and Dad's and Hayden ended up spending the night. I think he has spent the night away from home more the past week than he has stayed at home. We are lost without him, but glad that he likes to stay with his family. Anyway, today he hauled calves to Newport with my Dad all day. He was definitely in his element and I wouldn't be surprised if tried to ride a few of them while he was there. Thank you Papaw for creating memories and letting Hayden spend the day with you. He was in a hurry to come home when we left because he said his cows were bawling at home. I guess those were the ones he left in the corral yesterday?

Thank you to all our family who helps us out when our jobs take us away for a day or longer. We appreciate your unfailing commitment and love and we love you all dearly! Now, I must go get my little cowboy out of the bathtub. It takes a while to locate him since there are about 50 horses and cows in there.

Valentine's Day and Goat Riding!

I hope you had a great Valentine's Day. We spent the day of love with a couple vowing their love! Jonathan's first cousin Shauna got married yesterday in Lancing and we went over for the beautiful wedding. I took Hayden's picture with Shauna and he had to take his cow and bull with him for the pic.

Congratulations Shauna & Josh!

Staying with our usual Sunday afternoon routine, we went to lunch at my Mom and Dad's house. The kids didn't really play outside very much, but Angelina Ballerina (aka Sallie, aka Batgirl) put on a little show for us. She is a fabulous dancer and Hayden helps her out once in a while with a few lifts!

This kids went up to feed Emily, their pet goat and upon a little encouragement from the crowd, Hayden decided he would take a ride on her. If there is one thing, well several things actually, we can say about our little guy, he doesn't give up, he knows NO fear, and you can't keep a good man down!! He fell off, got run out from under, rolled over and he got back up and climbed on again. The pictures aren't the best because they were taken from a distance, but you get the idea.

almost made it.....

one more time....

FINALLY!! (Well, actually, not really, I just snapped the picture before he got bucked off.)

Have a blessed week!

Diesel, Horsepower, and a lot of Noise....

We left for the National Farm Machinery Show and Championship Tractor Pull on Wednesday and came back home this afternoon. We went with my Dad, Mom and brother and had a great time. Of course, Hayden had to sit on every tractor, sprayer, combine, lawnmower, bobcat, ATV... you get the picture, everything he saw!!

He likes to push all the buttons and move all levers!

We are thinking of getting one of these to save on gas, however, we are a little concerned about the crash rating! Someone would definitely feel the impact (not the other car)!


Hayden with his ear phones on getting ready for the tractor pull...

The Hulk Alcohol Edition

We got to see our favorite local puller, Robert Galloway of Strawberry Plains at the show. Hayden got his picture made with the tractor. Unfortunately, Robert had some bad luck with his tractor on the starting line and did not get to pull. We hope he gets everything back in order and we look forward to seeing him at the next event! GO HULK!!

Great shot of Hayden and his Dad on a massive disk.....

in a sprayer that is about as large as our house!

Hayden and my Dad in a combine, this is all he talked about when we first got there!

Hayden got in a little trouble while we were there and had to be detained, but I think we can get his name cleared.

We had a great time and want to thank Papaw, Mamaw, and Nathan for asking us to go with them. We always enjoy a trip and especially when we get to go with our family.

Homefront to Heartland!!

I serve as an Area Farm Management Specialist with The University of Tennessee Extension. I cover eleven counties assisting farm families with whole farm planning and record keeping. I also assist small business in developing record keeping systems to track inventory and finances. UT Extenion presents:

Come join us for the "Homefront To Heartland" Conference!

A conference in financial education for women in small business and agriculture is planned for Saturday, March 21st beginning at 9:00 a.m. on the Institute of Agriculture Campus at The University of Tennessee. The program is outlined below:

Program At-A-Glance
9:00 a.m. Registration (Hollingsworth Auditorium)
9:30 Welcome & Motivational Speaker— Robin Wilhoit, WBIR Television
10:00 DISC Personality Profile Training – Mitch C. Beaty
11:00 Break & Networking (Refreshments served)
11:20 There’s No Business Like Your Business: Estate Planning Secrets to Preserve Your Business or Family Farm —Anne M. McKinney, P.C.
12:30 Lunch
1:45 Concurrent Sessions (listed below)
– Plant Bio-Tech Building (Offered 1:45, 2:25, and 3:15)
Personal/Business Management Track
Identifying Your Money Habitude: Budgeting Basics for Home and Business – Alice J. Rhea (1:45)
Retiring in Style: Savings and Investor Education – Dr. Dena K. Wise (2:25)
Just A Mouse Click Away: Basic Computer Use and Management – David A. Yates (3:15)
Homefront Track

Food Safety for Consumers: 4 Steps for Safe Food Prep - Christopher T. Sneed (1:45)
From Farm to Table: The Rise of Local Foods – Megan L. Bruch (2:25)
Stress Free Living: Balancing Work and Family – Dr. Denise J. Brandon (3:15)Successful Management In Small Business and Agriculture Track
Strategies for Success: Increasing Business Value through Marketing – Megan L. Bruch (1:45)
Who Needs Records Anyway: Quick Tips for the Task –Tammy L. McKinley(2:25)
Get It Together: Securing Your Financial Documents – Laura L. Howard (3:15)
2:55 Break & Networking (Refreshments served)
4:00 Door Prizes, Evaluation, and Closing Comments

You can also find additional information including a registration form at our website, www.homefronttoheartland.com. I can be reached in the Blount County Extension Office at 865-982-6430 if you have questions and would like to speak to someone directly. I hope you will be able to join us!