2.11.20 Work together

We are deep into the FFA leadership competition season. On top of that Anna has decided to run for state office. I'm overwhelmed with all she is suppose to know and be ready to do. I have a sassy/bored preteen who is itching to grow up and do things. Thus we put the two together and viola Addie the coach comes into play. She loves to do research she has time, and she is smart. She is compiling questions and quizzing her sister any chance she gets. A start of questions to help Anna get in the state FFA know. 

Her other love is sunsets. She notices beauty and contrast. She is always taking pictures that capture the stunning colors of nature. Why do we never color the sky this way? It's rarely just blue.

 Admittedly most winter sunsets are similar red, purple, awesome yellow and orange. The black trees not disrupting the view.

This is Mark's first project with the new Youth Program for the Church of Jesus Christ. His youth leader is a skilled builder and was happy to help him create a free range chicken pen for his market chicken venture. It looks a little like a playpen for the little kids, but will eventually be a deluxe chicken cage.

Life is a good we work and play together and get through our days. 

2.12.20 February Birthdays.

Our sweet Livy is 8. She had a good day relaxing at home and playing a lot. She was absolutely in heaven when Grandma Lasley called telling her she had a large present waiting for her. We made sure to get Grandma and the present to our house the next day so Livy didn't have to wait any longer. 

I made the cakes she and Mark love the Lemon Sunshine. Mark being the older much stronger brother managed to blow out the candles on both cakes before Livy had exhaled much more than a whisper. We re-lit the cakes to give her a turn.

My mom was very kind bringing a gift for this guy who wants every birthday to be his. He was super happy to get a present too.

 Livy with her new scriptures. She has been working hard to be able to read them on her own. She is at the point in which she can!! That is super exciting for her and me.

Mark goes through gloves because he is always working. He was delighted to get a new fresh pair for spring work.

Livy reading her scriptures for the first time.

Her new shirt modeled for grandma corn. She enjoyed being the center of attention in her class earlier too. I took rice krispie treats. Those were a new deal for me, but turned out being a good thing as some friends got to share them.

And Bruce got to enjoy one of Livy's presents from her teacher. He was so pleased that Livy shared the super mask. He has not taken it off for very long. Such a cutie.

My kids are growing up fast. They are literally growing like weeds, and changing so much. Livy has opened up like a flower in the past 4 months it has been a great relief to see her engage in life and school and become a very capable young lady. Her teacher told me recently she is no longer worried about her and to just keep practicing so she stays on grade level. I was almost in tears as I read that.
For some reason looking at my children's eyes has caught my attention today. They trust me so much. They are innocent and good, they are wise and happy. I'm thankful for their faith in Greg and I and I'm humbled to be entrusted with each one of them. They are unique and amazing. Life is good.

2.10.20 Weekend Valentines

Sometimes it feels as though we coast through the week to be put into fast forward on the weekends. During those slow times I read a lot and found a cute idea for Valentine cards. It looked like an easy craft project something all could participate in and was a big improvement on the super capes we have been giving with a sucker for the last 4 years or so. I gathered the supplies but didn't review the directions before starting. Oops. Thus patient Addie traced 52 hearts and then the Livy and Millie began cutting them out. After trying to turn those into stickers I realized that was way above my desire level and thus we just put a square of tape on the cards. 

The hearts in the middle can you imagine trying to peel tape off those sweeties. Not fun without claws and lots of time.

Covering the table as we were about to paint up a storm.

Eagerly anticipating the project to being enough paintbrushes for all.

And finally applying paint. YAY! Not the most artistic but it's a throw away item looked at for 20 seconds or so. Probably just fine as is.

We did several colors. The tape covered the answer to the riddles printed on the cars. The paint is mixed with dish soap so it scrapes away like a scratch off.

Waiting for the paint to dry. Then we applied a second coat and waited for that paint to dry. in the end about 5 hours later 50 Valentines were ready to cut to add a sucker. That accomplished we stored them away only to be raided by a sneaky one year old who was super happy to find the stash! Now two days later we have some touch ups to do and more suckers to insert. Needless to say I didn't think this through long run. I heard wise counsel think through the end result of all your goal setting what will this goal do in the long run?
This project accomplished some family team work, it accomplished something to do on a windy February day, they are cute, the kids learned a bit about riddles, they feel successful for doing the multi-step process... I guess it's ok.
Happy love week.

2.8.20 FFA District contest and opportunity

The big district contest came and went this week. There were surprises and disappointments and new chances to learn. I decided to attend last minute and showed up to find advisors asking for Harold's extemp notebook. This book can be up to 100 printed pages and has information on 30 current events in agriculture. It's interesting and time killing to put one together. Anna had mostly prepared her own, I found a few topics but was pleased she put so much effort into her preparation this year. I assumed they would share as that has happened in years past. In stead he needed his own, thus after Aliza told me I would make her nervous watching her speak, turned on my heel and headed home on snow covered roads to make a notebook in one hour. Quickly I clicked and printed and put the notebook together.

I slowly quickly drove back to town on slushy roads and handed the notebook to the advisor. She whisked it away to check and I helped serve pizza lunch to 100 hungry FFA kids. After lunch the next round of leadership events began. I watched the beginning parliamentary team contest. IT looked promising but quickly became clear these were beginners. I hurried out to see Harold speak. He had a hard topic, and later disclosed he never saw the newly made notebook so spoke from his head. He made the two minute mark and field questions well but knew he was out of the running for a banner. I hurried back to the parli contest in time to see Aliza take the chair.

She was clearly the boss. She commanded the meeting and held the room in order. She knew she was right when point of order was called only once and she kept the show running smoothly and respectfully. It was a pleasure to watch her. At the end she got tricked up on how to vote on amendments but all in all she was the winner. I missed entering to hear Anna's speech by seconds but watched through the door and was happy to see her confident, and collected. She gestured and spoke long enough she appeared to know what she was doing. She has been working ont his contest for three years so the practice pays off.

And to banners they went. Anna first in extemporaneous. Aliza and her friend/nemesis second and first respectively. She reported the judges really liked her topic and speech, the girl in first was memorized Aliza was not yet. That's her distant cousin on her left.

Advanced parli teams. The team that won got attacked in point of orders and appeals by Harold and his teammate Brock.While it stopped the show and brought her to tears it was not a good maneuver and thus Vale got second.
The beginning team got disqualified as Aliza and another team member had competed last year in beginning. She was sad and mad. I reminded her she had invaluable experience competing this day and should be thankful to have competed. She will go into next year more confident and ready to be the advanced chair. This was a new rule change happening only a few days before but it worked out to let more kids participate at district.

Harold and I watching the parliamentary contest after his speech. It's hard to have a hard time. I truly enjoyed spending time with this great guy who seems to not get a break in FFA. It's hard to have sisters right next to you and have limited spots to participate.

So this little one was some much needed balm when he finally got home. Loving and cuddling him, showing he is still highly desired and a great big brother!
I love what they learn, I'm thankful they will try, and I know the lessons learned are for life not just the moment. They are smart, they are more well informed than they were last week. They had a good day even if the outcome wasn't what was hoped for. Life is good and we are thankful for the many ways we get to grow.

2.7.20 Safely Gathered in

My favorite sale of the year happened last weekend. The one where I fill my big van with toilet paper and paper towels. I don't know exactly why I love this sale maybe it dates back tot he year my Livy was born and my husband surprised me with a Razzleberry pie, or maybe it's the competition for a cart and all the people I get to visit with while waiting in line with my cart piled high with my conquest (American abundance on display). Maybe its just the feeling of being a good provider by having the shelves full again in readiness for another year of necessity. Whatever the reason I really truly look forward to the first weekend of February to stock up. This year I took four kids. We got to the store and found lots of empty parking places, usually the lot is full. We secured three carts and began loading them up with TP. The kids and I lost count. we bought some cases of water for the when you need a drink for a field trip, and some Idaho spud bars a yummy treat from my past.

Round one was done. We paid and went to load the car. We returned to the store and piled the carts again with things like sugar, cases of oranges, butter,  chicken noodle soup, and some steak. It was an enjoyable time, the store wasn't super full and the checkers as always were super nice. We returned to our stuffed car and filled it some more.

When we got home the troops began hauling in load after load of groceries. I like that scene too of them seeing and feeling the bounty we enjoy. We stacked and piled and looked for more room for all the paper products. As I put it away I wondered is this necessary why the worry? But I quickly corrected I don't feel the need because I am prepared and this is my habit. A quark of mine I guess, yet growing up with a mini-grocery store in my basement was comforting. My friends were in awe when they saw it. I have sought to continue that practice  of security in my own home. Sometimes we run out of soup or steak and have to eat tuna fish or hamburger, but we never have truly run out! And I honestly only buy TP once a year. To prepared is to not fear. So whatever may come as long as I can go to buy next year we are literally covered for the year. 

Which is good because we all have high expectations this lady will also graduate not into these big brother boots, but to being a potty lady in the fall. In the meantime, she will continue to unroll, tear apart, and dunk rolls. But I think we have enough even for her curiosity. Life is good we are blessed with so many riches we can't count them all.

2.2.20 Birthday and kids

Afton had her birthday this week. Bruce is at the age of wanting his birthday to happen at the same time as other kids. When we went to a cousin's party she also shared with her brother, so Bruce assumed this was the norm. Thus, we sang once to Afton and once to Bruce. He got to blow out the one candle on the other cake. He was happy, Afton didn't mind, as she got two chances to blow out candles because the first time they got snuffed out by the lighter. 

She and dad enjoying and thinking deeply about family scripture study. I agree sweet little bodies cuddled up next to you are one of the easiest ways to fall asleep.

Lia loves the makeup box. Here she was getting herself pretty for the day.

She gets so mad when I take it away I'm glad she doesn't try to apply the makeup to the correct areas. Cheeks are much safer than eyes. And Mark sporting a new long hair look. We were impressed with how grown up the comb over made him look.

I am blessed! Life is sweet with all these personalities swirling around. I truly feel helped in knowing them and working with them to help them grow and develop as they need. Sometimes I go absolutely crazy. A few weeks ago I looked around and almost hyperventilated wondering how I would possibly have the energy to parent them all until they were at least 18... that thought lasted a good 24 hours. We just keep chipping away at the day to day and opportunities, challenges, and life just keep happening. There are times of absolute confirmation of heavenly help, and other dark times of complete sadness at total lack of anything good. I read a quote a while ago that said it is impossible for anyone to life 1000 pounds alone but they can lift 1 pound 1000 times. So I keep working on the day to day and keeping to the course we decided when I was less stressed, physically challenged, etc. I am so grateful for those bright sunny days/times when the next step is very clear and we move that direction.

2.1.20 Ag show

Ah, the western treasure Valley Ag show, the fun of trick or treating without dressing up! The kids love this experience. I was not so keen on going but went to be supportive of my husband and family. The highlight was getting to meet and speak with Mr. Radio himself Dr. Jim Z of Zamzows, after hearing his commercials for years it was surprising and thrilling to speak with him. 

We learned some from the displays and videos. We shook hands and spoke with the vendors.

The boys of course were drawn to the power equipment. Dreams! Someday maybe.

The girls got these lovely pink hats from the Valley booth. They were delighted. They also got pizza cutters, cell phone holders, cup insulators, pens, pads of paper, and CANDY. Candy that lasted for days! We were joined and encouraged to attend by Greg's sister Deanne who has hoped to share the fun with her children. This year they were able to come and join us for the Ag fair experience. These two are so similar. About six months apart they are definitely cut from the same cloth. They had such a godo time exploring and gathering items at the fair together. Baht fun stretched into the next day.

We are blessed to have lots of cousins, sometimes even cousins that think and act very similar to us, who see life the way we do! We are fortunate to live by the grandparents that all come to see so we get to enjoy their visits too. As we gear up and plan for this year we are thankful for breaks like this that give us more knowledge and hope that we too will be successful farmers. The continued rain fuels confidence in the coming growing season, and gives us reason to stay inside or do some chores that have been waiting for a slower time. Thank goodness for seasons.