Just like that, it happened late last week. Harvest official began for the Kennedy family. I didn't grow up in a farming family by all means and I started experiencing harvest when my amazing "adopted family" took me under their wing and showed me the ropes. I did a lot from bank out operate, running harvester, being weigh master at the warehouse or even bringing donuts every morning I pretty much did every job, sometimes not very well, when it came to harvest time. 
Fast forward about 6 or 7 years, I am now married to a farmer and lets just say, what I thought I got experience about harvest it is a whole new ball game when you are married into a farming family. My eyes opened to a whole new world full of crazy shenanigans, selflessness, excitement and just all around a community that I never knew existed.
Us "harvest widows" know it best when harvest time rolls around our families are stretched to the max. From being asked to run and get parts, helping when you get that phone call to drop everything to come help, to your family eating dinner late and our amazing farmers that are just exhausted because they are leaving before the kids are awake and come home usually right at bed time. However, don't get me wrong when anyone asks me this time of year, what have you been doing, I always respond with nothing much because as a mom I sometimes will admit I don't give myself enough credit, unless it is my husband then I give too many details! I would be lying if I said that it was easy, some days I want to pull my hair out, like normal mom's, but most days when, I get to go out and see the action taking place it is a wonderful sight to see everyone's hard work paying off!
Right now we just started rice harvest and soon we will jump right into olive harvest without even batting an eye and run right up to Thanksgiving. Everyone that is in our farming family are more supportive then I ever thoughtpossible. I have never had so many offers for people to watch Abigail and I am so thankful for each and every kind hearted person that did even if I don't always take you up on it!
What I am most in awe of is the family dynamic that happens when harvest hits. My selfless sister-in-law, bless her heart, after a busy Saturday and sick boyfriend still comes and takes pictures of Abigail for me and pictures of harvest for her Dad, which turned out amazing by the way!! A father-in-law who just is so excited for harvest and to see Abigail out there that he will stop the harvester and come say hi. A mother-in-law that takes the jokes that are usually always directed at her, and just laughs with us (don't worry Lisa maybe Jared will be on your side one day haha)! An AWESOME husband who works so hard, for so long to see the fruits of his hard labor all year long be harvested. Thank you for all you do to give us such a life that we never dreamed would happen for us. Don't worry I will mow the lawn while your busy, your welcome! ;-)
To say it best, "Farmers harvest more than just crops. They harvest months of hard work, early mornings and late nights. Harvest is when their dedication blossoms and blooms" -Anonymous
So from one harvest widow to another, bring on the Fall Harvest of 2016, may you bless everyone with safety, full crops and lots of wine & beer to get everyone through!
-Olive Oil Momma
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