Farm Life Doesn't Stop For Christmas

It's the most wonderful time of the year-it's also the most busy time of the year!

Since the last time I've blogged, a lot of things have happened. 

Chris and I have added two new additions to our "family". 

Everyone, meet Christopher's Border Collie-Jake and my Labrador Mix-Bullet. 

Needless to say, they're pretty handsome guys. We rescued them from the Randolph County Animal Shelter and they seem to be pretty happy as farm dogs. 

I've spent a lot of time hanging out at Upchurch Farm this week, Chris has been getting ready for chickens and my daddy's company, Laid Back Farm (chicken house clean-outs and sawdust sales) has been cleaning out Chris' chicken houses and so it's been nice having both of my favorite men in the same place. 

I've spent time bringing them lunch which turned out like this..

And I the dogs were like this...

But in all seriousness, I've really enjoyed getting to help Christopher spread sawdust...

Farm life doesn't stop just because it's a holiday, but thank goodness both Christopher and his dad, Mr. Larry were out of chickens so everyone got to relax a little bit on Christmas. 

On the morning of the 25th, I got up bright and early. I even saw the sunrise, y'all. And I usually only see the sunrise if I stay up really late. 

I headed to Christopher's and when I got there, I saw that "Santa" had visited me there too!

Chris and I opened our stockings and he let me open my presents from him. Y'all, he did a wonderful job, I owe a huge thanks to all of his little "elves" that helped him out with his shopping while he was so busy working!

One of my favorite presents from Christopher was a Pandora bracelet...

The Christmas tree stands for our first Christmas together, the boot is for him (& for the pair of boots he bought me for our 6 month anniversary), and the horse is for me (& for Belle, the baby we rescued & Gypsy, the horse we bought together). 

It's such a thoughtful present and it's precious because he can add to it and really make it about our life story. 

After we finished Christmas at his house, we headed to his parents house for breakfast and presents with them. I have really been blessed by meeting and becoming so close to the Upchurch family, they are all so welcoming and I really felt like a part of them during this holiday season. 

We then headed to Christmas with my parents, which was a ton of fun, I can already see us making memories and traditions that will last a lifetime. 

Merry Christmas from us! 

After we finished opening presents, I was super exhausted. 

Chris and daddy were talking, and well...you can see how I was feeling. 

But aren't we so precious??

We finished our day with a trip to Birmingham to see Trystan, Adam, Dexter, and Lola. Although I didn't get any pictures from that Christmas get-together, it was really nice. It's always so fun to see the kiddos rip into their presents and then catch up with my sister and brother-in-law. 

My Christmas blessings really overflowed, I feel like I got everything I asked for and more from my sweet family. My parents are the best ones I could ask for. The majority of my gifts came from Marley Lilly, Southernly Stated, The Fraternity Collection, J.R. Crider's, and 

Friday night we actually finished our final family Christmas. We celebrated with my Grandma, Grandpa Claude, Gran, Trystan & her bunch, Chris, and my immediate family. It was such a fun night and we really enjoyed seeing each other again and getting to watch the kiddos. 

Dexter was having a blast with Grandpa Claude. 

And well, you know what these two were doing...

Gotta love them anyway!

I have been one blessed girl this Christmas season. Not only do I have such a giving Mama and Daddy that have worked so hard to give me all of my wants and needs, I have two sisters who are so precious to me, my brother-in-law is awesome, and my niece and nephew are so adorable. Not to mention my handsome, sweet boyfriend who makes me feel loved every single day and his family who have welcomed me with open arms. I don't deserve all of these blessings, but I am so thankful.

Just to finish, I'll leave you with a picture of our precious new babies. If you're considering getting a new dog, go and rescue one. Rescued is our new favorite breed!

Merry Christmas y'all & Happy New Year! 

-Jordyn 

Throwback Thursday

It's been a busy few days and when I saw something earlier this week...I just knew I had to share it with y'all. 

Throwback Thursday is kind of a big deal on the Instagram & Twitter worlds. A lot of people use it to showcase what happened two months ago, but when I decided to do my first Throwback Thursday blog, I decided to go wayyyy back.

I was at Mr. Larry & Mrs. Debbie's house the other day visiting Chris while he was taking a lunch break and I was admiring all of the pictures that they have all around their home. There were graduation pictures and school pictures of Christopher, Russell, and Cody over the years. But I found one that really stood out...

This is little Christopher and baby Russell, y'all. 

I can't even. This is too much precious-ness for one blog. 

I just knew y'all would all enjoy this, even though Christopher and Russell are probably going to kill me, it's worth the risk. 

Enjoy!

-Jordyn 

Just Another Day in Paradise

  Days like today are my absolute favorite. 

I woke up early this morning and as soon as I got ready I had to make a trip to Oxford to pick up stuff from Snead Ag for Chris because he had to change the oil in his tractor (exciting right?)

When I got back though, I got to ride on the tractor with him. 

This was my solid attempt at making a serious farmer face. 

We were riding down the road when I realized...the hay spear on the front of the tractor looks JUST LIKE a unicorn horn...no joke. Look.

I told you, I wasn't joking.

Anyways. So we rode the tractor to get some equipment and he even attempted to explain to me how to drive the tractor. That's still over my head, but hey-he says that's a step up from the manual four-wheeler and a step down from learning to drive his Toyota that's a stick shift, so I'm getting there slowly!

When we got done on the tractor, Pokey (who works for my dad's company) was dropping off a load of saw dust, because Laid Back is cleaning out Christopher's chicken houses next week. I was lucky enough to snap some pictures when Christopher wasn't paying that much attention. Who ever thought Daddy would be lucky enough to score a model like that? (I'm dying laughing right now, Chris is probably going to be so embarrassed...it's a good thing he loves me so much).

Gotta love when my daddy and my sweet boyfriend can work together. =)

I finally left Christopher to get his work done after that, he's got a really busy week selling chickens but hopefully he'll get to relax a little bit during his out time, since it's going to include Christmas and New Years. 

My sweet horses were all gathered around the fence looking for me when I got home, so I just had to go say hi. 

Velvet, Belle, Vixen, Gypsy, and even Paint were all there. 

Vixen was the first to the fence to greet me.

Then Belle, who is the baby and automatically hogs all the attention, placed her face directly in the camera lens. 

She's such a cutie, who could even be upset about that?

And of course, who can forget my sweet Gypsy-she's actually technically Chris's...but she loves me the most ;) 

I taught her to bow today! I was pretty proud of myself and her, of course. American Paint's are such smart horses. I really can't say enough about this breed. If you're considering getting a horse, Paint's are my recommendation. They're so smart, easy-going, and lovable!

I finished up my afternoon with some crafting in preparation for Christmas and I took some photos of the things I'm making, but I definitely want to wait until after those gifts have been given to share them. I will tell you, I'll be explaining how I DIY'd both projects, so look forward to that!

Until next time...thanks, y'all. 

-Jordyn

What It's All About

A lot of the time, I get caught up in how I think things are "supposed" to go. I'm so guilty of being one of the most self-centered people around. Since I've started dating Christopher, I'm finally learning that it really isn't all about me, (my parents should be really proud that their baby is admitting this!)

Being around Chris during this flock of chickens as well as breeding season with his cattle has been an eye-opening experience. I've been around farming all of my life, getting dirty really isn't anything new to me. But seeing it from this side is completely different. 

I don't brag on Chris enough, but y'all-this man is the biggest blessing I've ever received, God knew exactly what he was doing when He placed Christopher in my life. 

I haven't really ever told anyone this, outside of my family...but ever since I was about 15 years old, maybe even younger-I'm not really sure. I always told my sister, Julie and my daddy that I was going to end up with Chris some day. Y'all, I didn't even really know him. I just knew he was the neighbor boy from the farm down the road and that I thought he was cute. But hey, I guess God just let me in on His plan a little early. 

I'm so thankful that my Heavenly Father put it in His will for me to end up with exactly who I thought I would.

But it's not all rainbows and butterflies. Anyone that has a farmer as a significant other knows that there's more to it than originally meets the eye. I've told Chris several times, "This isn't what I signed up for" and then I take a deep breath and slop through the mud right beside him, because there's no other place I'd rather be. 

I didn't write this blog post to be sappy and stuff about my boyfriend, though. I wrote it to tell you what being a farmer's girlfriend (or wife) is all about. 

Being a farmer's girlfriend is about being prepared to give up some of the attention that you want & letting him focus that attention on his work, or rest, or anything else that needs to be accomplished. 

It's about giving, without needing anything in return. Like ensuring that his shirt and pants are ironed for Sunday service-but not getting angry when he doesn't notice that you're wearing a brand new dress.

It's not even about consistency: News Flash-you won't be eating dinner at the same time every night, it won't be the end of the world. 

But really, being a farmer's girlfriend is about realizing that your boyfriend has the greatest job in the world, he's feeding the world. He's doing what he loves every single day and he's doing it with you in mind-having a future with you. 

I'm so, so blessed. 

I love being a part of the farm and actually feeling like I'm making a difference. 

The Upchurch's are a family that is now just like my own, Mr. Larry and Mrs. Debbie have literally made me feel just like their daughter and Russell is now like the big brother I never had (and sometimes he drives me crazy like a big brother too!) 

This Christmas, I've got a lot to be thankful for and really...being thankful, that's what it's all about. 

-Jordyn

What Break...?

During the past few days since my Christmas break has began, I feel as if I've had no "break", but not in a bad way! I love all of the things that I've been involved in. Chris has been working really hard lately, so I've been taking learning to a new level; just today I helped with the cattle work and Chris even finally taught me how to drive a manual four-wheeler. It's pretty exciting, considering I'm twenty years old and I never learned before. Working with Christopher and Mr. Larry today made me realize how much I really loved getting out there on the farm and getting my hands (and my new rain boots!) dirty. 

Saturday, we attended the Next Step Cattle Company's bull sale and I have to admit...maybe I was kinda bored, mostly because it was cold and wet outside while the guys slopped through the mud in the pens to check out the bulls again, but when we finally got inside to the sale, it was really exciting. What was really exciting was the fact that we came home with two new bulls, so I was pretty excited about adding those two new guys. 

When we got back home, Saturday afternoon, Chris had to go finish up some farm stuff, so I settled in at his house to watch the SEC Championship and I must say...I'm proud to be part of the Auburn family. Congratulations to Auburn on not only winning the SEC Championship, but also having the opportunity to head to Pasadena to play for the National Championship and to possibly keep it in the state of Alabama for another year, that's something to be proud of-no matter which team you go for!

I may have not stopped going for the past few days, but I love it more than anything. Friday, I was able to celebrate my best friend Courtney's 21st birthday as well as her lavaliering (her boyfriend, who is a member of the Kappa Alpha Order, gave her his letters, kind of a big deal!). Plus, tonight Christopher and I had a great time celebrating one of my oldest friends (Casey Clark's) 21st birthday. On top of all of that...I found out that I made a B in a math class that I was so stressed over and two A's, two B's, and a C overall for my first semester since I transferred to Jacksonville State University. I know that might not sound like much to y'all, but I'm so proud for how far I've come after a difficult semester. 

We've had so much to be thankful for these past few days!  

I'm sure things aren't going to slow down anytime soon-with Christmas coming up in only just under 14 days, but I'm not complaining at all. Christmas is such a wonderful time of the year to celebrate with my family as well as Christopher's, and all of our friends. I'm so thankful for each of you that read my blog-thank you so much for reading and sharing part of my journey with me!

Merry (Early!) Christmas to each of you!

-Jordyn 

Finally December & Finals Week

I cannot believe that it's already December!

Really though, where has this year gone?

 

Things have been busy around here lately and I see no signs of things slowing up any time soon.

 

Christopher's chicken houses and breeding season with the cows have been keeping him working late every night, but I don't mind because this is my first experience with all of this and I really enjoy seeing all of these new things and learning about another part of the farming industry.

 

Tuesday I had my first final of the semester and I felt pretty confident about it. Since I finished so early (it was an 8 AM final...which was awful by the way), I decided to work on my Christmas shopping list. I can proudly say that I am almost done with all of my shopping, including birthday shopping for my sweet friend Courtney's 21st birthday.

 

This really is the most wonderful time of the year, I love seeing all of the lights and hearing people call out Merry Christmas when you're walking in and out of stores. I even enjoy the clanging of the bells that are constantly in front of Wal-Mart and Winn-Dixie. That really reminds you of what the season is really about. It's not about the presents or the food or even the decorations. It's all about sharing love with those around you and helping those that are less fortunate than yourself.

 

Did you know that some areas of the United States are almost as poor as some third world countries?My parent's church does this awesome thing where they take up a toy-donation for the children in the hills of Kentucky, a place that seems to be so neglected by the rest of the world that some of the children there wouldn't even have a Christmas without the help of some special missionaries that Amazing Grace supports. My sister, Julie and myself were able to go pick out several toys for young boys and girls to send with the missionaries. It was so much fun for us to be able to get into the Christmas spirit picking out toys that we thought those kids would love, knowing that we were giving them the gift that they normally would not have...the gift of knowing that someone out there loves them and wants to help them.

 

As far as the rest of the month goes, I have three more finals to take-one is online and the other two are tomorrow. I'm so excited to have a month off from school, especially around Christmas time. I'm so ready to spend more time on the farm with Christopher and more time with my sweet family.

 

Last night, when Christopher got home from working cows and chickens, we ate a quick dinner and he "rested" (aka, slept on the couch) while I decorated our first Christmas tree.

I think it turned out pretty well..what do you think?

 

We also got our first Christmas ornament on Thursday, I think it turned out great, I love the look on the reindeer faces, it looks just like Christopher and myself!

 

 

I'm so thankful for everything that I've been given, not only during the Christmas season, but all year long. God has really blessed me beyond belief.

Hopefully those blessings will roll over into finals week! I know some of y'all are studying really hard for those last weeks of school, so I'll leave y'all with something hilarious that I saw on Pinterest today.

 

The Finals Prayer

Now I lay me down to study, I pray to the Lord I won't go nutty.

And if I fail to learn this junk, I pray to the Lord that I do not flunk.

And if I die, don't bury me y'all-just lay my bones down in the study hall.

Pile my books upon my chest, tell my professors I did my best.

So now lay me down to rest, and pray I pass tomorrows test.

And if I die before I wake, that's one less test I'll have to take.

 

 

In all seriousness, good luck to everyone on their finals and good luck with all of the Christmas shopping and decorating and cooking that is yet to come!

Early, Merry Christmas!

 

thanks for stopping by -Jordyn

Ariat Boot Review

Let's just say...I've been lusting over these boots for a while. 

These Hacienda Ariat's are drool-worthy.

I mean, just look at them! The detailing is fabulous around the top, they come just over the knee-cap, and that rich brown/red color is to die for. 

I was able to get these in Pigeon Forge, TN while on vacation last week. Chris and I made a stop at Stages West , which is a boot store right on the Parkway in downtown Pigeon Forge. But these can also be purchased on Ariat's website which is the link above, as well as Country Outfitters. 

Fortunately, the weekend we were in Tennessee these boots were $100 off, so I was able to get them for only $200, but from the amount of compliments I have received and how many times I've already been able to wear them since getting them, I'd say that the price isn't that terrible. (Plus, Country Outfitters is always running a sale!) 

I think the only complaint I had about these boots were the fact that they are a bit snug in the ankle region, this is partially due to the fact that they did not currently have a size 10 in stock. (I usually wear a 9 1/2, but wanted the 10 for the extra room). The wonderful sales lady at Stages West steamed my boots for me and then I wore them while Chris shopped and now they fit perfectly. 

I would suggest styling these boots for date night with a pair of skinny jeans, a sweater, and maybe a scarf. Or, you could even wear these on Sunday with your favorite lace dress (add tights for winter!) 

Not to mention, couldn't you see these for gameday? I'd say they're completely perfect. 

Here is how I styled them for a date night with Christopher...

(Boots: Stages West, Pants: Old Navy, Shirt: J.Crew, Scarf: Target)

Hope yall enjoyed my first review, go check out these beauties now! =)

-Jordyn

Thankful

Thanksgiving may have been two days ago, but that hasn't kept me from thinking about all of the things I have to be thankful for. As Chris and I traveled from house to house on Thanksgiving day, spending time with all of our family, I realized how blessed we really are.

We spent the first part of the day at my parent's house, my oldest sister, her husband, and their two children came and joined my mom, daddy, gran, and my other oldest sister. It was so great to see everyone and spend time with two of my favorite kiddos. We then spent the rest of the day visiting with Chris' family in Lineville and Piedmont.

Everyone in Chris' family is so overwhelmingly welcoming and so sweet, they all made me feel right at home.

The thankfulness didn't stop on Thursday though; yesterday Chris, Mr. Larry, and I went to Auburn to Next Step Cattle Company to preview bulls and I became so thankful for my time off of school to spend with both of them, learning about the cattle business. I may not know much now, but each day I learn so much more about this business that my boyfriend loves. (Even though I know he has to get tired of my endless questions!)

Days like that are my favorite, simple days where I get to learn more about new things. Honestly, I never thought I'd be interested in the cattle business (or really in the poultry business), but lately I've come to appreciate agriculture more and more, as well as appreciating where I've come from. It means a lot to me to understand where our food is coming from and being a part of the process is a special feeling.

So today, even though it's Iron Bowl day, if you see a farmer take a second to thank him because as a certain farmer that I know would say...It's hard work feeding the world!

Thank yall & War Eagle!

-Jordyn

New Beginnings

Well y'all. I knew it was inevitable. I knew I would start a blog eventually, I just wasn't sure when. But now with school getting so busy and spending most of my spare hours with Christopher, now seems to be the perfect time.

The poem that actually inspired me to begin this blog is reminiscent of the Super Bowl Dodge commercial, So God Made A Farmer. I'm not only dating a farmer, but I'm also the daughter of one and my roots are deep down in this Southern ground. I'm so proud of where I come from and the choices I've made to stay here and make a life with Chris. I know we aren't married yet, but I'm so passionate about the work he does on a daily basis, this poem just really fits the bill for my life. I'm so thankful for where I'm at in my life.

So God Made A Farmer's Wife

        And on the 9th day, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, "I just asked a lot of this old boy, he's going to need some help", so God made a farmer's wife.
        God said, "She has to get up before dawn and not let her farmer hit snooze for the third time, cook breakfast while he's doing the morning chores, wake and ready the brood for school, take supper to him in the field and remind him to quit in time to get to the school board meeting in town." So, God made a farmer's wife.
         "I need someone strong enough to carry his children and at eight months along, run cows out of a hay field. Someone to run for parts, come home and throw a meal together and deliver another meal to a sick neighbor. Someone to mend his clothes and keep them clean, someone who will deliver her good towels and her own hair dryer to the barn to warm a shivering calf." So, God made a farmer's wife.
          "I need someone who will trade off with him in the barn while saving that newborn calf. And when it dies, she will cry, when he says, "Maybe next year.' Someone who can use that ax and knows where to find it. Who can fashion a child's belt out of baling twine, while running horses back in and then fixing the hot wire. And who at planting time, finishes her forty-hour week by Tuesday at noon, sixteen of those hours at her in-town job." So, God made a farmer's wife.
           God knew that the farmer would need someone out there bucking bales and bouncing along at double speed helping get that hay in ahead of the rain. Someone who would run with him to the neighbors' when he sees smoke and then come up with enough food to feed the tired, hungry, impromptu firemen. So, God made a farmer's wife.
             God said, "She has to be strong enough to heave bales, scoop out bins, carry feed buckets, and yet gentle enough to fix a child's boo-boo with a duct tape and shop towel bandage in the middle of a field. She has to be someone who won't cut corners when it comes to the land and animals, but will cut them in her clothing, grocery, beautician, and decorating budget. Someone who will seed, weed, feed, breed, plow, mix calf-bottles, and load livestock and then haul them into town. Someone who will make sure everyone is bathed and in the pew on Sunday morning for church."
              "She has to be somebody who would trust his guidance, but offer her suggestions, as he baled his family together in love and sharing. Someone who gently reminds him of who he is working for. Someone who would laugh, and then reply with smiling eyes, when her daughter says she wants to grow up and 'marry a farmer, too.'" So, God made a farmer's wife.
           
              -Megan Gottman


I take no credit for those words, though they are beautiful. I hope one day to be able to emulate the woman that poem is about, for she is strong, brave, and loving. All of the things that God calls his women to be. And most of all, I'd love nothing more than to be a farmer's wife and grow up just the way my Mama and Daddy did. My heart is in the land, there's nothing like it.

-Confessions of a Farmer's Girlfriend