Weekend Work

These two are enjoying more freedom and responsibility. I was happy they happened to be riding by as I was in need of a ride home. They were happy to oblige. They got some work done, not all that was necessary but enough to say they were working while Reed was riding on a bud to Burns for a football game. 

I had surveyed our storage room and realized we were short on apple supplies so I bought 1500# of apples and we got to work. We are in no way going to use all those apples but hoping to share with many other families. Fresh hot applesauce is such a treat. That combined with the changing weather from beautiful and pleasant to cold and rainy this was a nice evening activity. I processed jars while waiting for Reed to get home from Burns. 

We also enjoyed pies, excuse Aliza's face she was caught mid sentence. We had fresh apple and fresh pumpkin pie. Yum!

The next day these two dressed up and headed to the piano recital. Huge thank you to Aunt Brenda for having such a nice costume for Millie. She made the costume years ago and it's just been hanging in a closet waiting for wear. So nice of grandma to suggest it as a possible solution to the dress up dilema we always face. 

Saw a few never before things at the recital. A cow playing the piano. Also known as Duke J. 

Taking a bow. 

A sweet Andrea who got to wear the crown when it hurt Addie's head too much. 

Addie played well. I'm thankful she is sticking with piano a little longer. I think it is such a powerful skill to possess and have used it often throughout my adult years. She said her hands were shaking so bad it was hard to play- I told her that was the mark of poise to keep going even when it was super hard. 

Millie played the same song as another girl there. Millie played hers faster and did a great job. Again survived the shaking hands and fear of performing in front of others. 

All of the performers. The young lady in blue jacket 3rd from left on top was one of the most amazing performances I have ever witnessed. She played a mash up of Queen, Elton John, and then Billy Joel's piano man complete with harmonica she played while playing the piano in between singing the words to the song. WOW! That is so much concentration and focus. Her teacher said she struggles to learn the super hard songs but she gets them down and then wow. 

After that we headed to buy a new drier as winter has come and our trusty clothesline isn't so reliable. Andrea and I completed that task while Addie and Millie shopped for Halloween supplies at the local thrift store. They found this adorable item for Andrea who loves the ears. We hope they last the week. 

I'm thankful for time to do what needs to be done. For kids who are capable working to become more. We do hard things. I had a person tell me they don't do hard things and I was so shocked I couldn't reply. We don't always seek them out but we don't shy away when they come. We are blessed in our journey, and have enough apples for hundreds of pies to come! Small portions and I can even have that deliciousness. Life is  good!!

truck riding

With all my appointments in the bigger close town I drive over there a few times a week. Kids aren't welcome in those places so they got to go ride in the truck. This is a new adventure but Merle and Andrea are experienced riders and enjoyed it. Merle was just mad I made him quit earlier than he is use to- with Mark he rode hour after hour. 

One day Lia got to also ride she was really looking forward to the white board to dray pictures while they went around and around. 

Andrea loves time with her older siblings and thinks Anna is pretty cool. She is still working to differentiate between Anna and Aliza's voices but she is learning who they are the more time she is around them. 

I adored time in the truck when I was a kid. We are thankful for the patient of the driver's to have us come spend time talking to them and asking questions. Harvest is a busy long time of year. It's a good time to spend time together. We are blessed. 

 

FFA Officer photo shoot

One tradition of being an FFA officer is a photo shoot. The very talented Emmy Johnson took these one evening. They are some of my favorite pictures ever taken of Addie. 

Her team below left to right Addie, Teahan, Taylor, Elli, Sean, Jackson

A picture with their new advisor Carli. She is teaching the good information, Addie is doing her best to manage and keep the FFA program going. She has enjoyed the challenge and loves leading her chapter. 

We continue to be thankful for the opportunities the kids are given. Life is about change and finding new ways. Life is good even though it is vastly different. In a student leadership program this year is offering that opportunity. 

Athletes

Reed is really enjoying his football experience . He is growing more confident as he finds his place on the football team. He is has great agility and is pretty quick combined with his strength he makes a lot of big plays. His friend I-O is a first year player but is enthusiastic and similar in strength and agility. 

Reeds fellow line-man Gunnar these two are quite a handful if you want to get past them. 

Reed and friend Lincoln. This kid is so athletic and these two have a good time challenging each other and finding the other to be a worthy opponent. Lincoln is a national wrestler with very sure hands. Reed gets to play this one sport but is strong and naturally athletic they respect each other and enjoy working together on the team. 

Addie ran in Nampa last week and this picture is huge for her. She passed this girl an associate from a neighboring town her dad and Greg were classmates. Addie works for her grandmother. These two are usually pretty close in races, but this day Addie managed her stomach and surged at the end to pass her and win. This girl just placed second in her Idaho district headed to state. 

 
After the race the few that attended went to dinner. Addie placed 10th overall and medaled, Duncan in the white shirt placed 2nd. Both are looking well headed towards district next week. 

It's a new story to be so involved in athletics but I see the good that can come from conitual hard work here and on a team. I'm thankful for the memories, the camaraderie, and the success they enjoy together. We are very thankful for coaches with integrity and concern for our kids. Life is good and full. 

Pumpkin time

This week has had a lot of pumpkins. Tis' the season I guess. They are so beautiful and abundant. The FFA chapter monthly activity was to carve pumpkins with the state officers. Addie recruited her most reliable helpers her siblings. They went early Saturday morning to harvest some pumpkins. 

Or a lot of pumpkins. We are thankful for friends that show up. Reed and this young man are peas in a pod. They enjoyed finding ways into the school to deliver the pumpkins. I'm thankful I got no phone calls about their adventures. Little sisters are great honesty keepers. They share what goes on. I love the mix of boys nad girls in my home. 

I spend so much time at the doctors. This is so different from all my other pregnancies. Baby doesn't like the attention and isn't very cooperative. Twisting and turning away from all their monitors and attempts to check it out. 

Activity day boys painted pumpkins. Fun to have friends at church. We are thankful for the diligent leaders who make these experiences come together. 

At home with all the waiting and increasingly dark and cold evenings we are listening to some books and painting/coloring seasonal artwork. I enjoy this until the huge mess happens. 

Addie doing her FFA best after the Ag Sales contest handing out awards. 

Andrea, Merle, and I enjoying some time together. 

Andrea loves art and projects. Merle needs fine motor skill practice. She does 80% of the work he watches but will do some. I'm so thankful for the art teacher who shares her instruction on the artprojectsforkids. website. It is good brain exercise to draw pictures freehand. While I don't love Halloween I enjoy these simple projects especially with a good story in the background. 

John had Zone conference in a new area. It makes my heart so happy to see him so happy and comfortable. He has always been this way and I'm thankful his mission has also fit him so well. 

The kids ended the quarter with a trip to the local pumpkin/corn Maze. One of the aids is also a photographer and shared some pictures. Lia loves school and is doing so well. 

The beautiful fall days have been glorious these past few weeks. We are thankful for the harvest for the changing seasons for the fun. We are thankful for opportunities to have friends, to serve, to participate, and to eat pumpkin food. Oh how we enjoy pumpkin season and look forward to our new little pumpkin to join our family next week. Life is so good and abundant we have scare room or capacity to understand all we are given. 
 

Dance

After a busy day building fence and fixing assorted major breakdowns these two farm kids cleaned up enjoyed some take out dinner and a card game with Reed prior to the dance. They changed into their fancy clothes did the flower thing and headed off. 

At the dance Addie had the responsinility of crowing the king. 

The court having fun. 

The new king Addies friend Wyatt. He's a great athlete and fun person to be around. 

Photos in the official photo booth. Jackson in his rush to get to the date forgot her flower at home. He gave it to her Monday it was beautiful. He had a doozy of a day on the farm and we totally understand doing all you can and just being a bit short of where you wanted to be. We're thankful he was able to be there for her to go to the dance. 

King and Queen and more importantly friends who respect and admire each others abilities. 

And the best part of the weekend being all together. Aliza came home via the Harold shuttle service. We love when we are all in the same space together. How thankful I am for this group of "good humans." That's what people in the community are commonly calling them. 

And that is the end of the saga of being a Homecoming princess elect onward to the Queen. Quite a whirlwind. Love that Aliza is wearing Addie's crown. Each is a queen in their own way. I am so blessed.