Lotsa Work

Oh how the younger kids delight in being deemed responsible enough to drive the four-wheeler by the older kids. Or maybe they are just given the job out of necessity but it is good. Bruce and Livy have a lot more work responsibility this year. They are both growing quickly. Both have become more confident and self-aware knowing they are needed to keep our family going. 

The new to us tractor was put to work and served the needed purposes of rolling miles and miles of wire from winter fencing. 

One or two days Lia stayed with Addie while I was off searching for a washing machine replacement. Few are stocked locally these days so it was a multi-day task to finally buy one to bring home to use. They both came in a little more freckled but better for the time outside together. 

Oh a blessed cab! So much safer than open cab. I preach and preach no extra passengers on the cabless tractor. Sometimes I'm obeyed and sometimes not. The boys got all that wire rolled. They are amazing in their strength and energy. 

We are renting some ground to a carrot scientist who asked us to get the field worked. Mark spent a few nights on this project. Merle of course was tucked into the buddy seat happy to be co-pilot again. 

We also got the 4-H pigs. All the kids were excited to have our barnyard full again. 

Well it was fun to get hte pigs not so fun to do all the preparations cleaning, and refurbishing the pens. There may have been some tears and name calling. And laughing by the older kids watching. All part of the lessons, learning to work together and share. 

The last big little pig getting a ride to its new home. 

Here we go again. The kids spent hours Sunday afternoon in the pig pen working to befriend the pigs. It's a real thing. And it's another way to gain confidence and worth. And so much dirt and mud in my house. But its all part of the deal real materials make real memories, real time, and real lessons. We are blessed and life is good. 
 

One more State Convention story

As the buses resumed their journey after a rest break in Burns on their way to state convention Mark spotted a green piece of paper on the road. Then he saw a zero and implored Mrs. C to stop the bus. He hopped out to find a $20 bill on the roadside. His farmer eyes for details served him well this day. 

He of course was happy to share his spot with Mrs. C's son and to be in front of the bus. 

This was Reed's first solo trip from home, well solo with siblings. I'm so thankful for the willingness and braveness of Mrs. C to take my children and give them independence to care for themselves for a few days. To be obedient, respectful and to see and experience new things and places. These trips are foundational to their confidence as young adults and to learning how to interact and handle many different personalities for more than a few hours. These are good lessons to learn. 

Part of the Ag Marketing presentation was a strawberry lemonade drink. They were tasty and refreshing. I'm very pleased with my kids willingness and acceptance of doing extra work to learn more and experience more of what FFA has to offer. 

The kids passed time on the way home playing uno. They had a great time. I credit their grandmother for taking the time to play games with them. 

More life experienced. How thankful I am for their opportunities. We are truly blessed by so many kind and good people. Yesterday in church the discussion turned to how we just have to trust our kids and let them figure life out. In our home we don't exactly follow that. We keep our kids close, having high expectations for work, learning, service, and faith. They spend most of their time on those things. Yet we work with intention to surround and introduce them to adults who will foster more experience, and depth of understanding of the good things in life. Mrs. Worley, Mrs, Chamberlain, Mr. Barnes, Coach Aldred, Mr. Bentz, these are people who have helped develop my children's' personalities and skills. We are very thankful for their service and integrity. Life is good and it happens fast. 


 

Spring Break

Nowadays many people go on big vacations and or cruises for spring break. After reading about a new decadent dessert I realized we could do that at home. So Addie bought the supplies and we made lava cakes for 12 on Friday night. Andrea and Merle were very sad I wouldn't let them just eat the melted chocolate. But they were happy with the  results when baked. 

Everyone voted these a do again dessert. 

Livy and Millie participated in a play with their mutual girl group. The generous leaded provided flowers for all the girls. They brightened our table for a few days.

Much of our spring break was reading. We read a lot! It makes me happy and makes my heart happy that the kids love to escape into the pages of books to go on adventures, learn new thoughts, and live in different times pages at a time. 

Addie lets the little kids comb her hair. She is patient with them generally and they adore her. She was working on her college class that is almost complete. Although she has learned a lot she will be thankful to have it finished. 

The saga of spring break was the washing machine or lack there of. I had two. Neither hekld water. Somehow the seal got torn badly on the replacement. And the top of the line super expensive speed queen waiting to be put back into service leaked water like a fully turned on hose! Knowing how long it takes to repair the speed queen I needed another washer. So I bought this. Only to find it also has poor reviews. Once Mark got it leveled it has washed the many loads that had piled up in the week waiting for a solution. 

And the thing that makes me happy everyday watching these seedlings grow more and more leaves. These basil leaves are pretty big for the slender stems. I'm not sure how viable they will be for the entire year. 

But these Roma tomatoes are looking so good! It is a delight to watch them bend toward the sun and then turn the tray around and watch them move the other direction. 

I'm thankful for life all around. For time to dream, learn, and relax. We worked on catching up over spring break. Mostly catching up on some peace and personal care. The boys of course worked rolling wire and farming, we cooked, we cleaned, etc but we mostly just rested and replenished hopefully enough to be strong in our final months of school. We are very blessed life is good. 
 

The little kids

These two hard workers are stretching after a run. Merle took it up a notch adding lots and lots of pu shups for he and Andrea to complete ever 10-20 steps they ran. She kept up with him. 

Addie always encourages working hard and exercising. The kids are always up to the challenge. 

Of course after years of exercise videos Andrea knows the proper positions to really get some good stretching to happen. 

Their bath water was a lovely brown color after all the up down and roll around in the dirt. 

Andrea is getting bigger and more independently creative. She is tracing her hand in these pictures. She does her hands pretty size appropriate but Mark's larger hand was a real challenge. 

Merle worked as much as he could with the boys. He packed them a lunch one afternoon. Oranges and jam sandwiches on hamburger buns. We got the leftover food from state convention the kids really enjoyed the cheese crackers and so many buns for jam sandwiches everyday. 

Merle also worked with Addie on gopher trapping they got a few everyday. Merle's job is to cut off the tails and put them in the collection bag then feed the gopher to the chickens who love them. 

Out checking traps. See the jam on his face. I do make nutritionally correct meals, my children we not so interested. So I mostly eat alone and watch/listen to them tell me how much they don't like what I make. Then discover them snacking at other times. Thankfully I think most of the snacks are consumed so back to just mom cooking we go. 

More discovery at the farm. This may be the same day or a different one Merle really loves his flag shorts. 

We are so thankful for these youngest kids who bring joy, smiles, and kindness to our family life. They are eager to please, so anxious to be part of whatever is going on, and curious. We love watching them grow and become. They are shaped by the many older opinions and talents above them. We are grateful for each in our family. We are blessed. 













 

American legion state

We left the cold windy town of Redmond and headed over the mountain pass to Salem. Thankfully we were in daylight hours. I sat in the back and crocheted as I hate driving and or watching travel on bad roads. Mark and his dad love to visit and observe. 

The next day after our rest at the assisted living center who also rents out rooms we heard these two speak at the American Legion Contest. Mark was the clear winner but we all encouraged the young lady to try again and prepare for next year. 

Mark had torn the suit jacket a few weeks before. Thankfully Grandma Saunders is a master seamstress and wove the fabric back together and reattached the pockets, while I hemmed the pants to fit better in the hour before we started our trip. He looked very sharp. 

Showing off his new gold plated medal. 

The contest was much smaller this year. I was sad that few of the familiar vets were there. The women's post has taken over the state contest at least for this year. They were a funny group of non-sleepers. The chairperson welcomed us the evening before and informed us she would sleep when the contest was over! She did in fact do just that. I was thankful for some rest. Again this is independent learning. Mark spent many evenings listening to educational lectures from Hillsdale College professors. He has taken college level courses in history and government and he reads and reads. Mostly farming information but also some history. I'm thankful my kids are curious. And I'm thankful Greg listens every night to speeches again and again. Life is good and we are blessed. The next day traveling back to Redmond the roads were clear and we made it in time to see Addie and REed compete in their final Ag Issue presentation. 

State ffa convention

Last year John and Mark found a broken Bimart sign on the fairgrounds. They had the idea of getting signatures on the sign they collected about 1000 before the sign was confiscated by a grouchy convention organizer. This year on the first day Mark found a new old sign also broken and was so excited. Mrs. Chamberlain asked them to set the sign in a public area and if it was still there at the end of the day they could claim it. 

This held a special significance for my sons. Mark as part of last years escapade, Reed having heard stories and seeking to learn how to make his mark in FFA, and John who is gone but still receives updates from home. 

I thought it was funny Reed enjoyed time to read all weekend long. 

Mark and Addie older and with more connections around teh state visited more often. 

A new exhibitor this year at the trade schow was tillamook. Greg was very disappointed they only brought cheese, no ice cream. I had a nice visit with them about cheese. 

We also got to watch Mark compete in the extemporaneous competition. I was sad and so thankful that Mark went first as we had to cross the mountains in a snow storm. Pictures in another post. He did well but the topic of forestry in Oregon. He had good conversation and a nice story about the Nez Perce reforesting their lands. But he failed to mention or recall that the endangered spotted owl shut down logging in Oregon and changed our state forever. 

Addie received her state degree we were not there as we traveled with Mark to Salem. I'm super proud of all her hard work. 

2025 state degree recipients. 

I was surprised to see that one of my favorite people Vernon Nakada was also at convention. He is a gem of a man always supporting and encouraging students. He loves and has the spirit of Christ as few do. I am so thankful for his example of charity and generosity in my life. 

Ag Issues placed 3rd. I was very proud of how they adapted and raised their presentation between competitions. All answered questions, all spoke loud enough and added facts and figures to their story. I thought this was a fair showing and a great experience for those who competed for the first time. 

Ag Issues placed 4th. A bit disappointing but so good for those on the team to get experience and gain confidence speaking to crowds and gaining new knowledge. 

The young man in the middle is so enthusiastic and happy to participate. The lady on the left Bailey is so shy this was very hard for her to speak in front of a group. Addie made is possible scripting, coaching, crafting and creating their presentation. She got perfect scores on both portfolios she turned in for issues and marketing. 

The juniors in attendance.

The freshmen class. The young man on the left is so funny and personable. He has so much energy and kindness. The one with his arm around Reed has tourettes. This trip was so good for the kids to get use to that and see how kind and sincere he is. He is a great young man. The girl next to Reed has potential drive and work ethic to learn to do what Addie does. I don't know the other one. 

Ag Issues team! Gabby, Greta, Trent, Reed, Brody, Teagan, Addie.

The signing crew. This is a great way to get to know people and have something to do during the very long sessions. 

And the family. We are sure proud of our kiddos and all their work and growth. Greg demands excellence and teaches and forces them to prepare and practice. His high expectations help them become excellent. I help coach and guide nad give Greg feedback so he can adjust the effort. 

 

I don't know if they care that we come. We enjoy meeting their peers and the parents that go. We encourage and judge amongst ourselves as we listen to entire competitions if possible. We gather ideas and are educated. I'm very proud of these hard working kiddos. We miss them as they move on and are thankful they each gain independence traveling with peers, being gone from home for an extended period of time, and learning independently. There is great power in learning to learn. So we enjoyed watching and being with our middle kids. We stayed in a variety of places I slept in a top bunk-first time since college. An assisted living facility... and then back to the paper-thin walls at the bunk bed house. All good and all survived but man home is the best for rest!