5.15.24 John senior day

 This week is intense for so many reasons the busyness of it not helping to instill calm. I knew this event was happening but like most things this day no one had set a date or time. So it was a surprise to get this text asking if the information was ok to post. These two ladies not in legion attire have inspired, challenged, encouraged, and helped my family become. In the Yellow Diana Mendiola a teacher's aide, playground monitor, and new librarian. She worked with me to help my kids who struggled and weren't sure of their abilities. From alphabet to algebra she's been there to aid their growth. She is tough and firm, yet believes in student's ability to do what is asked. She is patriotic, and kind. I appreciate her insights and eyes on the ground so to speak. We rejoice together in the growth of the kids that have struggled. 

The lady in shades is the infamous Mrs. Kim Worley. She is dynamic and firm as well. She is a superb teacher who demands a lot from her students but also has broken writing and thinking into micro chunks that develop in 4 years into proficient, thoughtful, and entertaining writers. For some of my kids, this has been a fun challenge, for others, it is sheer drudgery. But they are all developing the skills to communicate both orally and in writing. These are critical pieces of literacy. It's hard to think and work at higher levels, yet so important. Both of these ladies' traditions, concern, and standards have stretched my kids and made them more prepared for their life ahead. We were happy to have the American Legion give them recognition coins for helping Addie prepare for her speaking competition. 

A quick mention of losing my glasses this day. I could find them nowhere my seeing kids could see them nowhere. I was panicked and so worried. I dug through the garbage and made a hopeful call to the optometrist. No appointments until next week. I had to use contacts which thankfully I had but I knew I couldn't endure them for the long weekend ahead. Thankfully later in the day in between events, I uncovered them. That was a huge blessing to have my easy-on-the-head glasses back in my possession.

 

The next event after booking reservations, making calls to find out amenities, and working on daily responsibilities here was the high school awards assembly. Mark got an award for being able to debate his way out of anything from Mrs. Steele. His friend Jeb was the master of ceremonies and held the prize bag. 

When I walked in I looked around for a seat and saw John sitting alone in a row of his own at the back of the gym. I asked if I could sit by him he agreed and we enjoyed visiting throughout the 3-hour ordeal. He was recognized for lifting over 1000 pounds. He lifted 495 deadlift, 305 bench, and 400 + squat. That's a lot of weight. He really enjoys the challenge and success of that class. I really enjoyed sitting close to my son who quietly lives his life doing what he enjoys and dreaming big. He was pretty dirty and greasy in the back because he had been in the auto shop working to solve problems on a go-cart he has been creating. Using scrap parts he has been working to make a functional buggy of sorts. He has always loved to dream, create, and tinker. This was not a surprise. Maybe he will get it to run before he leaves on his mission. The slide show was an emotional meltdown. As I had been sitting there torn over the time the awards were taken John said you can just go, I realized no I need to be here with you. I have missed so many events and moments with you I need to be here. 

It's really hard to choose the right place to be with so many people in our family. To weigh who needs parents most. John has often been alone, he didn't complain and did well without our presence. But my heart hurt wishing I could be with him knowing the many others at home needed direction and presence too. So these few hours we spent were a last effort to recognize John in our family and just be his mom. 

While in the awards assembly, an email came that the Seminary graduation would be that same evening. Thankfully after the already-scheduled football meeting. I attended that, paid the necessary dues, registered Reed and Mark, and moved on. John and I headed to the graduation leaving Greg working because so many people just talk and talk wanting his attention. We had a nice drive over again just basking in these senior moments. 

Sitting alone surrounded by couples and families it was odd, but ok. I was frantically texting Addie begging her to locate the needed graduation gown that was not where I remembered it should be. 

At the end of the program, John said the prayer asking for Heaven's help for peace and guidance for all graduates embarking on their lives. We took photos and moved on. 

This is his friend Ashton. They met at Trek and other summer church camps. Aston has been a good friend to John. 

The Vale seminary class graduates. More good friends who encouraged, and walked the walk, and shared the growing up years. 

Tj Trowell, Walker Philipps, John, Diesel Johnson, Brian Wolfe, Brogan Payne, Harley Belnap, Lia Jensen

After the program, we went to eat. Travel, change, and excessive to-do list makes my stomach a fire of indigestion. Eating has been sporadic and challenging this week. But I knew I had to eat and still trying to give attention and love to this Senior guy we headed to the meager offerings nearby. We ended up at the A & W. My oldest called and wanted to talk so I left John to order. He misunderstood and got me a spicy burger. When  I saw the order I told him there was no way I could eat that could he? After the first bite he picked off the 15 jalapenos and worked his through a warmer burger than he liked. He treated us to milkshakes as well which was the saving grace to the spicy burger. We talked and ate. thankfully my stomach accepted the meal and was fine in the hours thereafter. 

He is a polite thoughtful escort. It was nice to be taken care of and to learn about what's going on with him. 

At home after some cryptic emoji's to specific questions to Aliza- she can't respond in words- I looked in a few more places and found the robes!!! I was so relieved. This is John trying it on. 

Even though this was an emotionally hard day it was dotted almost hourly with tender mercies of things working out. Addie's license came so she has the real ID for travel. Finding the robe, being with John at the assembly so he wasn't alone again. All the things we need for our trip working nicely and more economically than I worried. We are blessed, even though this week is physically very hard it is also so so good. I'm thankful for the family I have, with them is the best place to be. We are so very blessed with a good life. 

5.11.24 FFA banquet

This year Ms. Addie was the head of the decoration committee. She had some ideas and a great team happy to do whatever she decided. One piece was pedal tractors. Our neighbor happens to have an enormous collection and was willing to let her borrow 4 for the event. 

She and her committee headed to the local flower shop to create centerpieces. This was truly the highlight of the event. The joy of creating together, busily working with your friends was a first experience for the ladies and they all loved it. One friend told me we should do that every month. Yes, the thrill of creative work and the fun socializing when working together is great! That's the reason so many quilting bees were popular, besides the necessity of blankets, and the efficiency of more hands, gathering and sharing was the draw. I hope they do get to create together again. 

We got up early to help Addie gather tables. 7th and 8th grade students at Willowcreek loaded those tables. Then we found John out cruising and he helped with the tables at a church. There were plenty of boys floating around at the high school so it wasn't too bad. I asked the boys to start carrying chairs as the ladies decided on the table placement. I carried several loads of chairs too figuring it would be good to stretch and strain some that day. 

The kids did what kids do and rode the pedal tractors. 

With the smooth gym floor and lots of space to try they had a great time. 

Lia really mastered the art of pedal driving. She found a red one that she did laps around the gym on. Merle was slower but got his to work as well. 

When the kids got too wound up we headed home to rest and clean. I did the dishes and asked if they needed any more desserts. The coordinator said yes. I offered 2. The standard cinnamon rolls and fruit pizzas. 

Addie has proclaimed that fruit is high-class living. I think I agree. It was also on sale so I decided to try them. The kids and I taste tested at home we loved them. 

I always have lots of hands helping me. Lia must have taken this picture of Merle getting a piece. 

This was a great team that really worked well together. The mix of boys and girls was enough to quench drama and Mark was a strong leader. 

/A fundraising donation was presented to Search and Rescue. 

Addie took the reigns as the next president. She is getting so grown up. 

My mom tells the story that at banquets a few other people would get awards and then my dad would get the rest a whole box full. Addie also got most of the awards last night. She tried hard to convince the presenters to give them to the runner's up. She hates the spotlight. My friend commented how she loved to see Addie blush with each new award. She is humble and I'm grateful because she could easily be "too big for her britches" as my grandfather use to say. 

Our past and present members of FFA. They have been involved for 50 years now. Wow! So much good has come in those blue jackets. 

4 generations strong. So thankful. 

As John's senior year winds down it's good to get some pictures with people who made the school day good. This young lady is a good friend. They appreciate each other's wit, wisdom, and class. Sammi-Jo is the daughter of the loved Mrs. Worley the English teacher. Sammi-Jo is mature and snappy. So is John. They are just friends, but the kind you just really appreciate in the chaos and silliness of school. 

And that's why we turn off the tractors, lock up the shop, and go sit and eat with our friends and associates. It was good to be in that large space last night enjoying time together even though it was the first nice day of spring and so much dirt needed to be worked. Because the dirt does wait and people do not, and time is passing and will change quicker than the plants. But because of the connection with the agricultural lifestyle we came together to celebrate the learning, growth, and endurance of all there. Life is good and we are so thankful to continue to reap the benefits of FFA membership 50 years and counting that's pretty special. 

5.10.24 A full spring day

After busy weeks and the kids being gone the entire day we work and work all weekend trying to make up for lost time and to get where we need to be on the ways we make our living. The kids continue to have extra plans. One of those last weekend was another prom for John. When did prom move into similar extravagance to weddings of the 80's and 90's? Full photo shoots etc. Anyway, he had a good time with his friend Ashley. 

Addie rushing to get ready for another track meet. This day in Baker where she would have competition. She's top of the district and so usually runs alone it has been a quest to find people to run with and faster than her this year. They are definitely out there but not always at the meets she's at. The boys headed the other direction to Burns to throw the same day. 

I found a large run of dry dead weeds so Bruce and I went to burn them. It is so satisfying watching them disappear in the fire. The wind really helped this day. 

Sometimes this is my view of home. I enjoy this and don't as I imagine what is and is not happening in that home. Even here it is a constant struggle to get kids to help and keep up with all the stuff that has to be done and managed. 

After a long day of working, I was not happy to come home to no dinner. The kids were thrilled with Krustez waffles. I warmed up some other left overs for the field workers. 

The one picture I took of John from prom. He arrived safely home. Phew! 

Pictures before the dance. They again went bowling and to dinner. John and Mark don't have a lot of practice time so they bowl under 100 but it's fun to be with friends and to try different activities. 

 And that's another long couple days of living. I told John today that his graduation present was getting to spend so much time with friends for the last three months of his senior year. It has been very challenging managing schedules and responsibilities with our varsity farm team gone. June is also full. We are managing and it is what it is. I assume in the fall when the harvest can come off slower we will also be thankful. Life is good and we are so blessed. 

5.2.24 Prom

On top of a few already documented events, Prom was last week. Mark asked his date while her family was gathered for family prayer. He arrived with a bucket of ice cream and sprinkles asking if he could be the sprinkle on top of her day by asking her to prom? Or something like that. The whole family watched and then enjoyed ice cream. The dad later texted how impressed he was. The mom told me she didn't realize what was happening or the family would have cleared out. Coming from a big family and knowing that may be going on Mark didn't mind. I told the parents I thought it was good for siblings to see and a fun family experience. 

The next day John's date asked him with a poster if he would give her a "shot" and "Discus" prom with her? Play on words for the track skills he's learning. He said yes. I really prefer the boys do the asking but modern girls sometimes don't let young men be men, preferring to take charge. 

They went bowling and had dinner at the Jensen family home. John loves lasagna so I made a pan and Mrs. Jensen made a pan. I also sent several loaves of french bread. Millie made part of that as I had to go run for parts, leaving her with a video and rising dough. Her bread turned out fine. 

Their group was large about 14 kids. Pictures cost a lot and all were in agreement the pictures the mom's took were good enough. 

As I passed Johns's date in the hall Sunday I was surprised how tall she was. I asked if she was wearing stilts? She said no but showed me her shoes. I was so surprised I asked to take a picture. She said ok. The boys told me later she danced and moved around all night on those super wedges. Wow, I would have surely broken my ankle. 

Mark's date Sariah was known as the smartest kid in her class until Mark showed up in high school. They are friends and in a few upper classes together. She's an elegant young lady who was excited to get to dance with Mark. He danced with her and several other girls at prom. The new principal worked on the music expectations and there was more diversity and less garbage music at the dance thus allowing for more participation from everyone not just mosh pit and grinding. 

 Another memory in the books. These years of boys have spoiled me in the extreme preparation for a date. Two different young men asked if they could ask Addie to go. She is not 16 yet so I told them to please ask again next year. There are several nice young men I hope she gets to go on a date with. Life is good and we are blessed. 

5.1.24 Owyhee Field days

Owyhee field days is a great day of learning and experience. New to me this year were the draft horses. I got these pictures from Livy's teacher. The caption said "She was in love."

There are so many different presentations and activities. The kids get a wide variety of educationshared by FFA students and professionals from various conservation, and or agricultural partners. 

Mark and Addie served there for two days. Here Mark is teaching about streams. 

Millie panned for gold and was thrilled to fine two bits of gold that she has in a vile. 

In art class they painted horses. I'm amazed at how Livy's paintings always have life. Millie enjoyed the experience too and is developing her own creative style. 

Andrea rode with me for a while in the tractor. We got left over lunch bags from the field day complete with cookies and gold fish kids were happy for those. 

When Merle rode he fell asleep thankfully I had some soft things for him to lay on. He generally takes a nap when he rides with me or Mark. 

A sister said Anna looked a lot like MArk so we took a picture to compare. Yes, they definitely look like siblings. Mark is such a goon. And hungry when he finally comes home. 

Andrea did her hair complete with gel one evening. 

And she likes to help me cook right here where she can really see. We made a lot of french bread on Saturday like 4 batches or 8 loaves for prom and here. 

Andrea also really likes to play with John. 

He was thrilled with his new shirt from Auto Skills. He 95% of the time wears grey or black so this vibrant orange was a surprise. He was all spiffed up ready for his big prom date. He is shown waiting for Mark who was setting the GPS line on the corn planter. Thankfully their dates were patient and didn't mind their tardiness. 

It's so nice to be outside more, even with the cooler spring we really are enjoying time to do new activities. I'm thankful to be able to see activities the kids enjoy even though I'm not there. And I'm so thankful for the great Owyhee Field days that gives my older kids a chance to serve, (Addie was in an otter costume one day no picture of that though). And the younger ones a chance to think about all the different things that happen because we have secure water systems in the area. The desert is miserable without water. We are blessed.