That really happened…Written By Curt + Rach ThompsonWhether you have known our family for a short time or for years…one thing you’ll know is that we are always up for the next thing and not afraid to try something new. For those that have known us for a long time…well many are still surprised we have so many animals. We have never had a dislike for animals - we ALL love the zoo - but we knew there was a lot more to having pets and a farm than cute, cuddly lil creatures. In the spring of 2020, like many others, we had several circumstances that rocked our little world. One being - as photographers you really need people and events to capture memories! Lock down completely wiped out months of work for us. Another being - one of our children started having very alarming health concerns that set us all back. With those two major factors, we knew we would be home more and we know how much joy animals can be…so we thought… let’s start with some chickens! The 6 chickens, then turned into 3 goats, which led to 3 pigs, next we bought 6 sheep, and what’s a farm without a dog… Miss Daisy joined the crew in October. Things multiplied quickly in the beginning and even more so now that many of the animals are having babies!!! So again… what started with 6 chickens has now grown to 12 chickens, minus 3 goats (loved them but rehomed them), 32 sheep, 3 pigs + 12 piglets with 2 more litters due soon, and one dog. Yep - 59 critters!!! We are making up for those 14 years of being a “Pet Free Farm”. Farm Life Lessons: - Never say never….like ever! - ALL farm animals are cute!! So cute that this momma will even allow them in the house to be bottle fed. - It is possible to nail a board to your hand! Yikes, interesting ER visit. But the chickens did get a cute ramp to their coop. - A rooster is not needed to get eggs. Yep, was 35 years old when I learned that lesson. - Hauling sheep in large dog boxes is tricky but works. - Goats really do eat EVERYTHING. - Birds and the Bees talks are more like the Rooster & the Hen, the Ram & the Ewe, the Boar & the Guilt - Animals bring a universal JOY - whether you’re 6 months or 88 years old - people love animals! - The livestock farm community is so generous.- Bible stories come to life while caring for sheep. Jesus was the good shepherd. - Winter + Livestock = Tough! - Kids love responsibility. (check out Sawyer’s chicken video!!) - Newborn animals bring out the soft side in all of us. - Chickens are not stupid! …and are so fun to watch. - We’ve caught ourselves working harder than smarter…just saying. - Animals truly do make for great therapy.- Sometimes you’re surprised about who is being taught the lessons- Anything you don’t know…well you can find a youtube video on it to teach ya! Are we experts - nope! Are we having fun - 99% of the time! Will we have animals in a year - to be determined!We are living examples of failing forward and not being scared to take the leap. Instead of looking at “What’s the worst that could happen?” I want to encourage you to ask “What’s the best that could happen?”THE best parts of having our little farm:1) Watching our boys be so responsible, seeing their tender hearts shine, and hearing them explain to others all that they have learned. 2) Having so many people come out to the farm. Love little people and big people coming out and seeing the animals. Living a life set apart, Rach Quote: “Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.” Scripture: Isaiah 40:11”He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart…”