"I already am."

Dan had his dentist appointment on Wednesday. Not only did Dan do a super job staying relaxed and keeping his mouth open for the hygienist, he also made quite the impression on the dentist.

After the dentist finished examining Dan's teeth, he started asking Dan about our farm. Of course, Dan didn't need much encouragement to tell the dentist all about our cows, calves, chickens, cats, and dog.

The dentist asked Dan if he helped with the farm work. Dan nodded vigorously.

Then, the dentist asked Dan if he was going to be a farmer someday. Dan was quiet for a moment. Since he was sitting on my lap, I couldn't see his face. But I figured he was getting ready to tell the dentist that he was going to be a pirate or a rescue hero.

Then, very matter-of-factly, Dan told the dentist, "I already am."

The dentist's face lit up with a smile and he said, "Of course."

I nearly beamed with pride. Later, I could hear the dentist telling some of the other staff what Dan had said.

That night, Dan was exceptionally helpful in the barn. When it came time to bed the cows with shavings, he and Monika were right by my side with their little shovels. Monika could barely reach into the wheelbarrow, but she kept at it.

By the time we were done, there were shavings everywhere — and the task probably took half-again as much time as it would have by myself — but I could tell the kids were proud of the job they'd done.

There are many days when I'm concerned that our kids spend too much time in the barn (and that Glen and I spend too much time in the barn), but moments like those on Wednesday remind me that there's no better place to raise our children.