Ten Commandments for the Farmer's Wife

This past week I had a guest blog post on All In An Iowa Mom's Day! blog.  Thank you Sara for the opportunity!  I figured I'd share my post that I shared on her blog - I hope you all enjoy!

Ten Commandments for the Farmer’s Wife

When I am asked what “I do” I usually pause and have to think how I am going answer.  The truth is that I farm with my husband and father-in-law, I stay at home and watch my 17 month old son, I volunteer with several different groups that it could be a full time job, and I do independent consulting on a contract basis for leadership development, social media training and event management.  Maybe in the end the best way of answering that question is to say that “I’m a farmer’s wife.”  I mean a farmer’s wife helps on the farm, takes care of her family, volunteers in the community and usually tries to make some extra cash whenever possible.  When thinking of my life as a farmer’s wife I am reminded of a sign that my Mom had hanging in our kitchen growing up, “Ten Commandment for the Farmer’s Wife.”  I’m not sure where she got it from or when it was written, but I thought you’d enjoy reading it:

1.  Thou shall not sort cattle with your hands in your pockets, husbands and cows don’t like it.
2. Thou shall serve meals which can be served 30 minutes early or 2 hours late.
3. Thou shall learn to keep farm records. 
4. Thou shall love the smell of new mown hay, fresh plowed earth, sweet smelling silage and the stinging sensation of ammonia in the sheep barn.
5. Thou shall be inspired to see the sun rise and relieved to see it set.
6. Thou shall learn to open gates, close gates and guard gates.
7. Thou shall thrill at the sight of the bright new tractor and the birth of a new calf.
8. Thou shall live close to God with the faith to cherish nature’s church.
9. Thou shall cherish meals together, long waiting for the vet to arrive, and decisions of plowing up the winter wheat.
10. Thou shall be exultant at the touch of a brotherly hand on your shoulder, the tender kiss on your forehead and those precious words, “thanks for your help!”