This is not a big secret amongst my friends and family, but I love, love, love the city. Yes, I realize I am a farm wife and will probably be one until the end of my days, but hidden just below the surface of dirt on my vehicle thanks to my country road is a girl who craves the lights of the city; its hectic pace; and, of course, the shopping.

So when I was asked to attend another Moms Meet-Up in Chicago this past weekend, I jumped, strike that LEAPT, at the chance! Even better, the event fell upon a weekend where we were neither harvesting nor calving, so my husband could come, too, and did I mention 3 of my four kids were with one grandma, and my parents were in the city as well, so babysitting was available for our baby, too?

Sweet.

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Welcome to our farm, our home…

My husband Paul and I farm together with my brother and sister-in-law, near Mazon, IL.  Our farm is located about 75 miles southwest of Chicago, which is a perfect location because we are close enough to enjoy all the opportunities Chicago has to offer and far enough away to enjoy the more solitude life rural America can provide.  We have two sons, Stephen and Thomas.  Stephen, our daughter-in-law and our 5-month-old granddaughter live in Chicago…the most important reason to visit the city often! Our younger son lives on the farm although, currently, his job involves living in Decatur during the week.  Off-farm jobs keep the boys busy but they are still involved in our family farm, spending free weekends helping whenever they can.  Read more...

Being a self-employed farmer has many advantages. Living in the middle of a corn field or a soybean field with a beautiful sunrise and sunset is just one of the many benefits to living in rural Illinois.  Another benefit is that we set our own schedule.  This allows us to do many different things, making each day different.  This week, I was able to travel to Lincoln Park Zoo with three other farm women and had the opportunity to talk to consumers about Illinois Farm Families and about our farm.  Our three sons were also able to join us for the Illinois Farm Families day at Lincoln Park Zoo.
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