RFOA: The Cycle of Life of a 7 Year Old Farmgirl

I'm having one of those days where I just feel sad. I feel like the weight of the world is on my shoulders but I'm not really sure why. I think a news story that broke in our state this morning about a school shooting really sent me in a tailspin. I don't live in the community where the shooting happened but news like this always makes me sad. And it makes me want to hover over my kids! I'm not a "helicopter" mom, but on days like today I think I should never let them leave my side.

Ok, so I'm a bit dramatic as well. But all day I've been thinking about my Panda. She's 7 years old and almost ready to put 1st grade in the rearview mirror. She is smart, outgoing and loyal. Her memory is better than mine and some of the prayers she prays moves me to tears. My Panda is someone I look forward to having as a friend when she gets to be a grownup, but in the meantime I just enjoy being her Mom.

Her Cycle of Life revolves around our hog farm.  She's done a lot of growing up on the farm. Her first experience with a baby pig was when she was 4 months old.

She started driving a tractor at a fairly young age.

And once she mastered the pedal tractor, it was on to the combine with Daddy.

After you combine all of that corn, it has to be hauled somewhere. So she and Daddy spend a lot of time in the semi together.

And there will be some chilly evenings while doing fieldwork. Wearing Daddy's workcoat is somewhat equivalent to wanting to walk in his footsteps.

Sometime when I wasn't paying attention, my baby girl has grown up. Turning into a beautiful 7 year old.

But she still likes the pig barn!!