Showing posts with label wedding. Show all posts

Wedding Inspired Blanket

I finally finished my favorite crochet project to date!  A little baby blanket (because it would take too long to make it normal size) in my favorite bright colors!  Back in November I found an online sale on yarn.  I have been wanting to buy Caron Simply Soft yarn in our wedding colors for awhile, but didn't want to spend the money on it.  When the sale was on, I bought all the colors needed for this blanket.

Here it is!
I used Red Heart's Rickrack Rainbow Baby Blanket pattern for a guide and used my own colors.  I am very happy with how it turned out!  The only downside was the time spent on the project.  It took me five months off and on working on it to complete.  Now I am ready to work with a quicker stitch. :)

Up close on the pretty colors! :)

I added a purple trim to bring it all together.
Now I am working on another blanket with the remaining yarn.   It will be made with the larksfoot stitch.  I will share when I get more of it completed!

agronomygirl

We Made it One Whole Year!

Last weekend we made it to one year of marriage!  It is hard to believe how fast time flies when you are having fun!  We spent the weekend celebrating another marriage, my parent's 25th wedding anniversary.  Somehow we managed to plan a surprise party and keep them out of the loop until they walked in on Saturday night!  We had a blast spending time with my family and their friends.   Over sixty people showed up to celebrate.  Thank you to everyone who came!

Thanks to my aunt for making a barn quilt block on the cake!

We made them toast like 25 years ago!

The next day (our actual anniversary) we celebrated at Dairy Queen with my parents.  Doesn't get much better than a chicken strip basket!

My parents got us two apple trees for our anniversary.  They will look great next to our pear trees.  The orchard is growing!  There is some significance to getting apple trees.  Our first dance song was "Hey Pretty Girl" by Kip Moore.  In the song he sings, "plant some roots and some apple trees."  My mom wanted to be clever and give us some apple trees to plant in our orchard.  The trees are planted and a post is soon to come!

We are so happy to be a seasoned married couple of one whole year!  We look forward to many years to come with each other!

agronomygirl

Snapshot #1- Introduction

It is November already! Where has time gone?  It seems like I just started this blog, it has already been two months!  What better way to celebrate our two month blogiversary, than with a new blog series?  I will be posting a new photo (or two, maybe more) each day with a story to go along with the picture.  My plan is to have most pictures be taken the day they are posted.  I have no plans for the future, just that you will see a snapshot of our lives everyday!  Today's picture is an introduction to our lives for any new readers!

First disclaimer:  My husband is Jake, but I call him Redbeard.  It is obvious when you see him.  He has the most beautiful MANLY, bright red beard. (Don't tell him I called his beard beautiful!) Redbeard and I met at K-State in the department of agronomy.  We were engaged April 21, 2012.

He proposed when I was wearing my "I kissed a farmer and I liked it" shirt.
Disclaimer #2: Redbeard also goes by the name of Grumpy from time to time.

We were married April 6, 2013 and he actually smiled!  One day that he wasn't actually grumpy!

Look at that beard and smile!

On September 1, 2013, I started a blog about our lives.  I wanted to give friends, family, and followers a chance to see what was going on in our life since we moved three hours from where I grew up.  We moved to his family's farm and Jake farms full-time.  I help out when I am needed and have many hobbies; crocheting, home improvement, bowhunting, and barn quilt blocks.  I also started some farm photography, hence the name of our blog.  These are a couple of my favorites!

This was taken on a Sunday morning.  What a beautiful sight to see before church. 
Sometimes running around the field like a chicken with its head cut off turns into the perfect picture.  The men didn't think I was quite as weird when they saw the finished product!

And our pride and joys, Andie Catz and Ricky Scraggs.  They are our entertainment throughout the day.  They are ornery and get into everything, but at least they eat all the flies in the house.

Andie (left) and Scraggly (right) love each other!  They are full brothers and the sweetest cats I have ever owned.

I encourage anyone who hasn't been to our blog to look around and enjoy!  For a complete list of my 30 Snapshots of a Kansas Farm posts, check out 30 Snapshots of a Kansas Farm.

What pictures would you like to see over the 30 days?


                                                                                                                     Snapshot #2 - The Best Doggie Ever

agronomygirl

Life Lessons From a Farmer

As I made the transition from farmer's daughter to farmer's wife, I realized how many lessons I had learned from my dad and Redbeard.  It wasn't always easy being a farmer's daughter.  I knew it wouldn't be easy, even with my experience, to add farmer's wife to my titles.  Becoming a farmer's wife will change you.  Jenny Dewey Rohrich wrote about the experience in one of her latest blogpost, 10 Ways Marrying a Farmer Will Change Your Life.  If you haven't already seen her story, you should check it out!


The farmers and their women

Here are the life lessons I have learned from the farmers around me.

1. Patience - As a child I was the opposite of patient.  I have learned that patience is an important part of life and especially farming.  The crops are never ready when you need them to be or they are ready too soon and everything else has to wait.  Unless of course it rains or the combine breaks and the only part that can fix it is 500 miles away.  The farmer is a very patient person.  He/she has to wait to cut the best soybeans they have ever seen until they are dry enough.  Or sometimes it goes the other way, the crop is so bad that they just want to get it over with.  It does no good to give in to the excitement or disappointment, the farmer must prepare for the harvest whether it is one day or two weeks away.  The farmer doesn't know when the crop will be ready.  It all depends on the weather.

2. Be thankful for the weather - It doesn't matter what you have planned for the day, it seems like the weather ruins it.  When I was in college, I hated when it would rain on my way to class.  At the same time I would be rejoicing if it were raining in Alta Vista.  It became so dry that I started to wish for rain, even when walking to class.  Of course when it did start raining and it kept the farmers out of the field, we wanted it to be dry again.  My dad tries not to complain about wet weather (no matter how much he wants to get back in the field) because as soon as it stops, rain will be back on our minds.

3. When someone is short with you, it doesn't necessarily mean they are upset, they are probably just busy - I have always been the sensitive kind of woman.  The one you see on tv shows that cries at the drop of the hat.  I am saying, EXTREMELY emotional.  So when I would call my dad and he cut me off right away, I took it personally.  I thought it was an attack on me.  I didn't realize the actual reason until I started helping my dad on the farm.  When someone would call me in the middle of something, I couldn't think straight enough to talk.  I would cut them off and move on without thinking I had hurt someone's feelings.  I reflected on those moments and it hit me.   I am NOT the problem, it was just a bad time.  Since then I have learned to have brief conversations with my dad and Redbeard.  If they are busy, the conversation is short and they can call me back at another time when they are less busy.

4. Enjoy every second of life - Life is too short to worry about little things.  (I am reminding myself of this every single day.)  Farmers have something go wrong almost every day.  Whether it is a broken part or an untimely rain, something goes wrong.  But you don't see every farmer in America holding their head low.  Why is that?  They enjoy what they do and cherish every moment.

Take this day for instance, the day I graduated from college.  My parents were no doubt thinking, "how is our child this old" and "oh my, next thing in her life will be marriage."  What I see, is my parents enjoying the day and thinking, "YES!!!!  No more college tuition for us!  Oh yeah, and good job graduating kid."  They were enjoying every second, even if it was a little scary for them to see me grow up.

And our wedding day when my parents were thinking, "we don't have to pay her insurance anymore!"  It was a wonderful day, but I know deep down they were in shock at how fast this day had come.  They still enjoyed the day, even though it was scary.


And Redbeard, who thought this was the last time he would have to smile for a picture.  Boy do I have him fooled. :)  He enjoyed every second, (even if he won't admit it) and the day was great!

5. Don't let plans get in the way of your life - The life of a farmer is crazy and the family doesn't escape from the busy schedule.  I have always been a planner.  I had all these plans for my life and somehow my life managed to be exactly how I didn't plan.  When I was 14, I wanted to be an accountant and get away from the farm. In high school, I fell in love with agronomy and decided wheat breeding is what I wanted to do with my life.  At the same time I fell in love with being the official swather operator.  I was going to attend Kansas State University, major in agronomy, and go on to get my Master's and PhD.  I had a wheat breeding internship and found out I was allergic to wheat.  Instead of becoming a wheat breeder, I started dating a fellow agronomy student.  He was everything I wished I could do with my life, but I didn't know it yet.  It was never an option to go home and farm with my dad.  The man I fell in love with asked me to be his very own housewife!  I would get to cook and clean (okay, this wasn't the perk) and be involved on the farm!  At that moment I finally let go of my obsession with planning and decided I should go with the flow.  

As a woman, I have plans for the day, week, and my life.  As a farmer's wife and daughter, I realize that some of those plans will not work out the way I wanted.  I might have to take that trip to town tomorrow instead, so that I can drive the men from field to field and save them time.  I am okay with that...now.  Without becoming the wife of a farmer, I wouldn't have learned that lesson.  I have learned to let go of the control I had over my life and let God guide me where I am supposed to go.  Or at least try to!  It only took 22 years!

6. Hard work pays off, even if it doesn't seem like it - Farmers put their blood, sweat, and tears into what they do.  It is more than a job, it is a lifelong choice.  They work hard every day, from sunup to sundown, even when it seems like they aren't getting anything done.  I don't know how many times I hear my farmers (dad and Redbeard), talk about what they tried to fix during the day and it still wasn't fixed.  These days seem like a waste.  When the breakdown is finally fixed and they are harvesting the crop, they realize it wasn't a waste of time.  They are able to take a safe, reliable, and abundant food supply off the land and feed people.  I believe that is what makes farming worth all the ups and downs.

7. Never be satisfied enough that you stop trying to improve - Farmers are innovative and look for a way to increase yields while decreasing the impact on the ground.  They feel that there is always room for improvement.  My parents pushed me to be the best that I could be.  I believe that came from my dad's constant desire to improve his farming operation.  Goals are important for a farm.  In order to continue to improve, it is good to have an idea of what you want to accomplish.



Our very first picture together! (As a couple)
The day we got engaged. Ironically, I was wearing my "I kissed a farmer and I liked it" shirt for the first time!

As you can see, I have learned many life lessons from the farmers in my life.  I can't imagine where I would be today without them in my life.  My parents and husband have shaped me into the woman I am today.  I am so thankful for their love and support, and especially those life lessons from a farmer.

agronomygirl

The most magical day

April 6, 2013 was the best day of my life.  I can't believe it has been five months already.  I wanted to share some of my favorite moments and pictures.  I narrowed it down to my top 20.

 I started out the day with hair and makeup done by my cousin, Mary.  Instead of eating breakfast that morning, I decided to bring crackers and other snacks to eat.  It is hard to see in the picture, but I wore a shirt that my mom made.  It said Future Mrs. Wyrill.  It was perfect!
Mary fixing my hair while I stuff my face with Cheez-its

 I knew Mary would do a good job and it exceeded my expectations!

The "after" shot

  My parents made this day and my dream possible.  They were there for us with love and support and my mom was the best wedding planner I could have had.
My parents, Kirby and Cindy, with me before the wedding
Photo by Donnert Photography

  If there is one thing you should know about Redbeard, it is that he HATES pictures.  If there is a camera out, he is frowning.  The smile in this picture shows that he was excited to marry me (even if he won't admit it.)
This is one of only a few documented smiles from Jake.  I guess he was happy to see me.
Photo by Donnert Photography

 Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a very emotional person.  That has changed slightly over the last two years.  I love this picture, because Jake is making his "keep it together, Jessie" face.  As you can see, I got it back together pretty quick.
Jake is giving me the, "don't you dare cry on a day like this" face.
Photo by Donnert Photography

  We were blessed to have such an awesome wedding party.  These people have played a big part in our lives.
The wedding party
Photo by Donnert Photography

 It may seem weird to some, but we have three pastors marry us.  We wouldn't have had it any other way.  Each pastor played a big role in our lives and relationship.
Pastor Fries, Pastor Grimm, and Pastor Schultz (left to right)
Photo by Donnert Photography

  My maid of honor, Jeri and I have been friends for over eight years.  In that time we have exchanged seven hugs.  We hug for big events and obviously this was one of them.  I am so glad I have it documented in a picture.
Hug #7
Photo by Donnert Photography

 I was most nervous about starting to cry or falling when I walked down the aisle.  I would say dad and I passed the test.  We even smiled as we walked!
We made it down the aisle with smiles and no tears!
Photo by Donnert Photography

 St. Paul's Lutheran Church means so much to us.  It is the church where we were baptized, confirmed, and now married.  My parents were married in the church, also.  It is hard to move away from a church that I have been a part of for 22 years.
St. Paul's Lutheran Church - Alta Vista
Photo by Donnert Photography

  This picture pretty much sums up our feelings at this point.  I was completely overjoyed and Redbeard was just glad he made it through the ceremony.
It is official!
Photo by Donnert Photography
Sarah Jane came all the way from Texas and caught the bouquet.  Her face is priceless!
Sarah Jane was really excited for the bouquet!
Photo by Donnert Photography

 My mom gave me the handkerchief she used for her wedding.  We just happened to pose for a picture after the ceremony.  The handkerchief matched my mom's wedding colors from 24 years earlier.  It was her great aunt's and my mom asked to use it for her wedding.
Mom and I after the ceremony with her handkerchief from April 8, 1989.
Photo by Donnert Photography
 After the ceremony, I changed into my reception dress.  The town of Alta Vista, where we got married, added a huge limestone sign recently.  Luckily our photographer thought to take pictures by the sign.  These photos ended up being my favorite.
This is one of my favorite pictures from the wedding.
Photo by Donnert Photography

  Of course we had to have fun with our bright sunglasses!
The bridesmaids and I
Photo by Donnert Photography
 And we had to represent our school, Kansas State!  Go Cats!
K - S - U!!!!!
Photo by Donnert Photography
 I couldn't have imagined how nice our flowers would look.  I had a vision and they brought it to life!
I think I had the prettiest flowers in the history of weddings... -
Photo by Donnert Photography
These girls brighten my day.  I am so glad they were able to share the day with us.  It is hard to believe that five of us are married now and one more marriage on the way!

My sorority sisters surprised me with this picture. Thank you ladies! 
My parents went to the photo booth to take a nice picture.
Aren't they cute?  They celebrated their 24th anniversary two days later.

 This is my favorite picture of the night.  My mom drew the pattern for the light on the floor.  She put together all of the elements I wanted into one design.  Yes, she incorporated wheat, a cross, a heart, and wedding rings into one neat design.
The first dance - "Hey Pretty Girl" Kip Moore
Photo by Donnert Photography

agronomygirl

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