10-24-23 big kids

John was asked to go to homecoming in Nyssa. His date set everything up and they had a good time. 

These guys are pretty good friends. On each side are cousins John and the blond met through stake activities and found they really enjoyed interacting. 

The whole group. They had a really good time. 

Addie continues to log mile after mile through races and practice. She really thought she would win this race and was disappointed to be passed at the end. She ran well. We are working on new strategies, this week we are working on going to bed early to put fuel in her energy bank so she won't run out of gas at her district race this week. 

Livy trying on her new dress after working outside. She is on cow watering duty and works later than the other sisters. She has really become more confident this school year. She has also gained permission to listen to books on moms phone while she does the cow watering. There are so many good books to listen to. 

We were super thrilled to have Anna and Aliza home for a weekend in October. We sure love having the older kids around and in the mix. 

Of course no weekend is ever dull. here Anna is playing with Andrea at the Willowcreek harvest fest. 

Merle and Aliza getting reacquainted. The girls had spent most of the day doing homework while I made pies with Livy and Millie. It was a good day and such a pleasant evening. 

The highlight was Bingo at the end of the evening. How the kids love Bingo. Addie paid for the games. The kids won prizes and all were happy. 

Addie was spotlighted by her track coach. 

More pictures of Addie fighting hard. Cross country is just a grueling sport. 

Through the race Addie hung back then she passed that girl and another but in the end, I think this one chasing her up the hill passed her and won the race. Bitter defeat. 

As we keep rechanneling though it's not defeat you compete each week do your best for that course, day, conditions, physical and mental state, and move on. She is much happier when she is running everyday. Life is good and it's been an ideal fall for all this outside work. This week the weather is suppose to change which adds another dimension of challenge. Hard makes strong. We are blessed. 
 

10.23.23 younger kids

Constant back and forth trying to meet everyone's needs at their life stages These little ones just roll sleep when their eyes shut eat whatever. My younger sister says she liked being the youngest and having such an enriched life with so many comings and goings of the older siblings their life may be richer in information. 

For instance Addie is in a photography college class these are some of her pictures. 

Lia loves to practice reading. My sister informed me kids need to read lots of words so its ok if they read easy books. Yay babysitter club. Millie is enjoying those stories. 

These two are buddies and helpers.

My pretty redheads with my lone Millie. 

My sweet sleeping baby. I enjoy those times of just resting with her even though there's plenty I should be doing. 

The girls got new dresses. I absolutely love Afton's dress. 

Lia has some room to grow she sure looks pretty

Bruce got a suit he was so excited. These pants were not his size yet. 

A solution Bruce found the jacket worked just fine with his old pants. 

We went to the dentist and I was patting Merle's pockets. I found this egg in his pocket. Thankfully the egg was uncracked. He's in the stage of wanting full pockets all the time. 

I was asked to find younger pictures of John. I searched and searched this is one I found. He was such a cute little guy. I remember him as happy and curious. 

When we got home from the dentist the cows were out. Merle went to help get them in. He armed himself with rocks and a stick. I love how big he is and am struck by him copying his siblings so closely.

This life keeps me on my toes and constantly behind. I'm thankful for these full days full pockets and all. It's so interesting to see what these kiddos become. I remember John and Mark as curious interesting little boys and they are great young men now. Life goes fast. We are blessed. 
 

10.22.23 Fall

My mom has two huge trees in her front yard. I remember when they were young maybe even just planted. They provide glorious yellow-gold leaves. The kids have an opportunity or two to play in these leaves each fall they love it! We stopped at my mom's to share some produce and the kids were delighted to take a break to play in the leaves. 

Here they are burrying Millie. 

Fall has been long and temperate this year. So many pleasant days of sunshine warm weather and blue skies. We live a in a beautiful land. 

At activity days the kids made catapults and towers. They used candy pumpkins to crash the towers. It was a fun activity. 

And a best part of having Aliza home is the example she sets. These younger kids grow up seeing siblings work on computers, learn new ideas and manage their lives. There is an added dimension with older siblings. Not to mention the comfort of being close to her. 

 Lia often tells me Liza is going on a mission. She's excited to talk to her via video conference for 18 months as well. When we talk to Anna Andrea and Merle love to check in and say hi and watch her. They are slightly disappointed when my phone lights up and she's not there to talk to. Each month brings a new time to adjust and live in. We are thankful for the peace and assistance Aliza brings to our days. Life is good and always changing. 

10.4.23 Team

This is our first experience with a Senior Football player. Our first experience with a season full of hopes and dreams and yet each game is the last. John has loved every second of his football experience. Even though conditioning is hard, loosing is miserable it's all shared. 

He's grown in so many ways in his four years. His first year was the COVID hoopla and the season happened in the spring. He enjoyed the taste he got. 

This is the John we love. He is funny and likes to laugh. Though he rarely allows us to catch a picture of his enjoyment. 

Those are real guns right there. These were part of yet another photo shoot in preparation for senior night coming in a few weeks. So many pictures!

This is the reason. The guys who sweat and protect each other, who share the experience of working hard, winning, losing, enduring, and overall growing together. This journey has taught me it's so much more than the uniforms and the pictures of wins it's being part of the group. Being respected for doing your job in the group and for being needed and wanted it's about showing you are tough and can do so much more than you thought you could day in and day out. 

The whole team. 

Some more game pictures. I would not want to take on this line they are big and strong. 

Likewise, the defense is gonna get you down. Mark has been an explosive player and fun to watch. 

There is something special about working next to your brother. I have loved watching these two grow up and mature in their roles and abilities. They are distinctly different personalities and temperaments but I think day in and day out they know they can count on each other and trust what the other has to offer. 

I've learned football is so much more than I imagined. I'm thankful for their growth and development. I'm very thankful they have not been hurt badly. It's been an enjoyable pastime for our family to watch. We all have had to grow to make this happen. Thankfully we have lots of abilities and kids ready to step up and learn too. We are blessed to be part of other teams and to still thrive in our home team. Life is good.