Boy Turns 10 and Finds Freedom in Farming

There's tape. Get in. Can you hand me the scissors? Get out of frame. Oh, can we not just wrap it in this?

Well, do we actually know it's the letterman?

Yes, I do actually. Oh, he's right there.

I was playing Lego.

Did you hear us?

No.

Okay, let's go. It was his idea to open presents in the morning so that he could play all day. That's not a bad idea. Happy birthday, buddy. While we wait on Mom. Hey, Josiah, you still going to go do chores with me? Even if you open those toys and get all excited. Do you know what this is?

Yeah, a lemon.

Do you know what this is?

No, the case.

Do you know what this is?

No.

That's for me.

That's part of it. Hold it up to the camera.

Is that a glow-in-the-dark spider?

Yeah, I don't want to find that on my pillow, y'all.

Maybe he should open the ones that he doesn't know about.

I think you mean that. You know what it is? It's from me.

Does he know what it is?

Yes, because Gideon opened it. Gideon opened it.

But it's a rabbit hatch. That's fun.

That's from Lily.

There's another glow-in-the-dark spider. You'll find two, one on you and one in Papa?

No, this is from Jonah. Yeah, Jonah spent the dollar bills.

The ram and the ewes checking each other out. How are you gonna get him not to go out with the cows? Guys, go get, uh, go get, uh, Moose. Yeah, you might have to herd them all. You know how they get.

He's not smart, that's the problem.

Oh, he's smart. That's why he's over here with Stud.

At least he knows we're afraid of him. Yeah.

All right, here we go.

I heard her back out. You should shut her back out.

I will, but I need this gate up so she doesn't go the other way.

Come on, come on. Okay.

There he goes.

Uh, uh, uh, John, can you just grab him? I'm not getting in. How much did you give her?

Just one. You want to give her 4 more? Thank you, guys. We like you and your cowgirl boots and pink Carhartt. Oh, she's standing on the hose. That hose is supposed to be always hanging up because it doesn't even have poop on it. Is that where you're gonna sit while we milk?

Yeah.

Okay. Okay, watch out everybody, watch out!

There you go. You give her a little pat to go? Hey, who needs a horse when you've got a family milk cow?

All right, it's easy to mount too, Papa. They're not ginormous.

Papa, I bet you enjoy that because, uh, y'all know Papaw used to ride his cow, right? All over this holler. Probably. Hey, probably when he was your age. Glad to see that tradition continued. Yeah, if I wasn't working I'll hook the hose up and spray that out for me, please. I'll go take the milk. Y'all grab the camera and turn off when you're done.

I wish Papa was around to watch me ride the cow.

Yeah, he'd like that. This is not where this goes, guys.

Well, if they're piped up to heaven, he'll see them.

Yeah, so he gets to see you do it anyway. All right, now put your brake on.

All right, yeah, now go.

He's doing it! Birthday boy's driving. Keep going. Whoa, that was close, Josiah.

You're going to do it yourself.

Go ahead, Josiah, slow. Get it to where you're going straight through that gate, not sideways.

Okay.

Doing really good, Papa.

Straight, straight, straight through it. Now you can turn.

Okay, stop for a minute. Stop. Um, sorry, this is a little jolty.

How old are you today, huh?

Uh, 10.

You're 10?

I think I'm 10 by now. It'll be like, uh, 90 years until he's a 3-digit.

I know, dude. Even if he lives that long, you better enjoy the double digits because that's where you're gonna be for a while.

I told him, you better enjoy those 1 digits.

Okay guys, it's cleaned up. You want to build that?

Yeah.

You want me to help you?

Yeah, I mean, you're gonna do this.

Oh, we're You making assignments?

Yeah, yeah. That is all right.

That is cool.

There's something cool in the mining thing.

Good job, buddy.

Right here. Oh wow, it actually does it.

Ah! Whoa!

Whoa, Abby does it!

Hey, come on, I'll let you drive.

But she's taking a nap. She never does that. Sneaking the kids out so it'll be quiet. Give them a ride on Sally.

I wanna see how us drive. Mom, can you hold on to this?

Yeah, I'll help you.

No, this— this— Papa's taking us on a fast ride. Sure, Mom would feel comfortable with me driving all by myself.

Okay, we're back from our joyrides. Is she really still asleep?

Shh, Papa, I'm going to watch.

No way, really? 2:20.

How long have I been asleep?

An hour and a half. You all right?

I'm just tired.

Look at that. How many years in a row has— you made this doggy cake?

A lot.

It's just 2 rounds.

No, it's a—

or is it 3 rounds?

A 9-inch and a 6-inch and then a loaf pan.

I think for some—

where'd you learn that? That looks so Pinterest.

The internet. No, this is way before Pinterest.

Oh my gosh.

We did—

I don't know if they had Pinterest when I had to look this up. I believe he was like 2 years old when I started.

He's been having a doggie cake for years.

There was one year I didn't do it.

Bless him. You know, it's gonna be sad one day when he doesn't want the doggie cake.

I know, it will be.

So we'll go with it.

We'll go with it as long as he'll let us.

All right, we're gonna go do the chores. It's like easiest day ever. What's your birthday wish?

To have a good birthday.

Are you having a good one so far?

Yeah.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

A farmer.

Why?

Because we don't have to drive places that much.

You like staying at home? Uh-huh.

What's the hardest thing about being a farmer?

You have to move your animals every day.

What's the best thing about being a farmer?

You're free.

Okay, now what, guys? How many times do you think you'll move animals before you die?

I don't know.

Oh, they missed it. Oh, 4 of them made it. Oh no, this could be bad, this could be bad. Heard it down here. She's raring to leap, jump. Do we do not want her to jump that and learn that she can? Here we go, there we go. Oh look, they're in heat! That's what it is. Yeah, the boys are getting them all excited. Time to get moose hand. Feeling good? Josie's feeling good. All right, here we go. We get him in and her out. Yay, we did it! My man, man, what a good choice. I should have strategized with you, be like, you get pizza on your birthday and I'll get chicken Parmesan on mine.

Maybe.

I think this one worked out nice. This is amazing cauliflower crust pizza. Starting with the mystery one first from your mom.

Is everyone ready?

I'll go ahead and spoil it. Socks and underwear.

Socks and underwear. What is it?

I don't know.

It's a pouch for your socks and underwear.

But how come it's full of something?

Well, it's full of socks and underwear.

Is it a hammock?

It's a hammock.

Yes!

Thank you.

You'll never guess this. It's a paper.

Gigantic.

Oh, gigantic.

So, all right, that will be fun.

This is a very special gift to the book— to the children when they turn 10. This is a Leatherman trainer knife.

Nice.

And when you're 13, you're gonna get a big one.

Socks.

Yeah, he got socks.

Book. Huh?

Oh, look!

Gideon, Josiah, Lily, Papa, Jonah, Jonah and Mama.

There we go. There it is. Take it out.

Oh, oh, a bone arrow!

It has— it says right there on the front that it has a place for your arrow to rest.

Here's from Aunt Rachel. Dollar bills.

Dollar bills.

Save it or go buy something.

Thank you.

You guys ready for a birthday blessing?

Me first.

Go ahead.

He's a good brother and he's Good to play with and plays with me a lot.

Good.

And makes good ideas.

Wow, that's a good lesson. Your turn.

He's a good brother.

What do you guys like to play together?

Uh, toy animals. I hope you like your birthday present.

That's nice.

He's the one that has gone along with all my crazy ideas like that skating rink and helps me out with everything I've Even though he complains, he still helps me. He's a good brother. He goes on adventures with me. He knows a lot of his paw prints, and we found some in the mud, and he told me what they were. He doesn't give me cheap birthday presents. Now we just have to do cake.

Well, I gotta do the blessing. We got a lot of people. Josiah, you are a very special little boy. We met for the first time 10 years ago today. You were, you were very different than Jonah as a baby. So it's like I had to learn a whole new kid, but it was fun. And you were a very different personality than Jonah, and you love carrots. Like, raw carrots. When you were a little kid, you would rock around with carrots shoved into your overalls.

Like big carrots.

He's always loved vegetables. You always loved vegetables. And let's see, you used to not want to cuddle me in bed when you were a baby, but now you do, and I appreciate that. Like when you come and get in bed with me in the mornings and we cuddle and talk about the day. I love you, buddy.

Josiah, my talking teddy bear, you're the wish I'd always wanted ever since I was a little kid. You were the little bear that I've always wished I had, and you continue to amaze me with the way you cater to— I think you're every child's favorite. I think I say that to you every year because it continues to be true, and you— it's great how you take in everybody. Show concern for everybody. Like Gideon, you know, you let him get in your bed for a little while and you just look out for him sometimes more than you look out for yourself. That's a good thing.

So, um, 10 years ago, 10 and a half years ago, we had a baby shower for you, um, when I lived in Kenmere, and we showered your mom with gifts and you were in her tummy and had a beautiful cake. And when you were born, it was a long labor for your mom, but you were the cutest little baby ever. And I admire how strong you are. I watch you guys work on the farm and you are super strong and you never complain and you're a hard worker. And so that's awesome. You're very handsome.

He said to me, people keep telling me that.

Takes after Spooky.

He does look the most like my side of the family.

Yes. Oh my gosh.

Well, I appreciate how you help with Gideon. You're always getting him something that he wants, and then you help Jonah with all of his little projects, using the tools and helping out. So you've just been a real blessing to the family.

Thank you, brother.

You have been a very big help to your younger brother. And you've not ever complained about it. I mean, you guys seem to get along very well. I do see some business-like adventures in you. I've seen a couple things that you started, you just couldn't get the production out of the people.

Like what?

You wanted to sell some bracelets or a necklace, the beads, remember the beads?

You were gonna get rich.

You couldn't get the production.

Yeah, but it took way too long and too many hours.

It would have been better the first—

it was a good idea.

He saves his money too, I've noticed.

Yes, very good idea.

Papa would like that.

He's getting frugal, huh?

And you are different than all the rest. You seem to have your own ideas. You don't always go along with what's ever going. You will eventually, but not always. You'll do very well in your business.

Entrepreneurial.

Fine. Because you seem to catch on quick. Hey, there's a chance to maybe make some money. Nobody else was thinking that, but you were. Which is interesting.

All right, how's the mangy dog doing, Beck?

Mangy dog is pretty mangy.

Going strong with its grape eyes and nose?

It's pretty mangy.

We're not winning the fair, are we? Not with this one. Oh no, the eyes falling down. All right, we gotta eat this cake before the eyes fall off.

Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to Josiah! Happy birthday to you!

Say hello.

Hello.

Hey there, who is this?

Josiah.

Josiah, happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. How are you, son?

Good.

I like that big hat you have. Is that a cowboy hat?

Yeah.

You're already 8 years old.

When Josiah was born, it was about 8 o'clock in the morning, and he came out like a torpedo. And the midwife caught him. I couldn't even catch him, it happened so fast. And then I said, where's Josiah? And I hear these two ladies giggling in the corner, and one of them was Shauna. You were there.

It was awesome.

Give me five. Yeah, happy birthday! Hey Mom, what time was he born?

He was born at 8:12.

About right now. You would have been born for about 45 minutes. Right about here. Can you tell us what it was like to be born?

I can't remember.

What are you most excited about?

Having cake. Ooh!

What can you do now that you're 7 and not 6?

I could probably zip line. By myself.

Ooh, I bet you could zipline by yourself.