Halloween and harevst work

Harold has a friend who grows carrots. He shared some with us via Harold. This one was huge! The kids thought that was really neat. 

We went to beet harvest and got to ride with HArold. He is so good at including kids and helping them feel indepdendent. 

At home every day the kids are getting a few more responsibilities and opportunities to work. Bruce and AFton now feed the cows in the evening. Merle and Lia help as well. 

MArk has been researching for years, I've been learning for months and we decided to try cover crops. We deliberately waited till late OCtober to plant because we weren't sure what moisture we would have. The fall was very dry. We rented a neighbors no till drill and drilled the seeds Mark selected. 

It was quite a variety. 

The other kids also participated in HAlloween. Lia LAdy bug Merle Indian from Indian in the cupboard. Millie a pumpkin or something. 

Bruce was a cowboy or Boone from Indian in the cupboard with cousin Evander the Ninja. 

WE enjoyed the audiobook indian in the cupboard and this indian costume was available at the thrift store. Worked out nicely. 

At home while watering we got another piece of land ready to seed. Millie, Afton and Bruce were charged with moving this log. When they lifted it there were many mice that scurried away. Bruce hurried to stomp out their lives. This team feeds animals, waters, kills mice, rakes leaves, shovels manure, pulls fence posts, etc. They are gaining. Millie and Afton are becoming competent cooks. Millie reads and reproduces most recipes, Afton is the egg lady. She makes them for breakfast and snacks. She prefers to fry them in bacon grease, all are thankful for the nutrition. 

And more thriftstore finds some guns. It cost me 8 dollars and half an hour to hunt through the bargains at the thrift store. The kids were delighted! We need to go there more often. 

We have a lot of different activities, interests, and needs in our house It's hard to have energy for all. I'm thankful my prayers are answered to get through each day. I had the thought on yet another grumpy day last week that I needed to list and count my blessings. That I'm being ungrateful for the many many blessings I don't notice often enough. So I'm starting with these three who were answers to silent prayers to not be done being a mom. These kiddos bring so much love and curiosity to our home. They are healthy and mostly sweet. They love to help nad do what the big kids do. We are so thankful for them. Life is good. 
 

Vale vs nyssa

The last game of the regular season was a cold rainy night in Nyssa. The guys knew it would be an easy game and were pretty confident going in. Mark and his fellow defensive lineman Wyatt. These two coupled with Jake are major problems for every team they play. 

IT was raining hard enough that you can see the rain. The guys were soaked. 

There is a noteable size difference in our line verses most other teams. When they match up height and weight wise they are not strong. Usually though they are smaller and vastly outpowered. 

Mark doing his work making a hole for the running back to score. 

Ready on offense.

I loved this photo of Evan number 60 taking out the Nyssa quarterback. Poor kid. 

Mark's favorite move pulling the guys down over his shoulder. 

ANd the wagon wheel remains at our town trophey case. Since the beginning of this game it has resided in our town. 

While the seniors posed for pictures others were working elsewhere. 

Mark and his friend JEB.

Matt Mark and JEB

Reed and LEster cleaning up the gear getting ready for the bus. It takes more than just the guys that play all the time on the field there is much preparation and support that makes a team. 

Teh freshmen with the wheel they had had their own triumphs againt Nyssa and rightly claimed victory. 

At the end of the game these cousins came over to congratulate each other. Mark Max Hansen, and Michael. 

 It's fun to play and this was a good conversation to watch. Max has worked hard to gain his physical fitness and is a decidedly pleasant person. Michael is intense and focused on his fitness as well. Mark and he share a lot of common interests and aspirations. I'm thankful they are friendly on and off the field. We are blessed by much family support and fellowship at each game. We appreciate that. Life is good. 

Beauty play and feeding the masses

My niece Natalie was in the play Beauty and the Beast. While we haven't participated in the acting of plays we can definitely support those who do. I really wanted to spend some time with them and while this was a big stretch timewise, but we drove quickly to Nyssa and got there in plenty of time to get seats and go to the bathroom before the play started. IT was delightful. The 4 girls Livy, Millie, Afton, and Lia loved it. Bruce was done after the intermission and I wouldn't buy ice cream cones for all of them. 

I was asked on Monday to help with the lunch for the FCA club. The request was for lots of rolls and soup. I consulted with my sister in-law known as "the perfect cook." She gave me some pointers and a plan. The primary thing she has taught me was- start earlier than I think.  And to have things cooked before I would have in the past. This has greatly helped relieve the stress of cooking for large crowds. This was two 4 C of liquid batches of dough. I also have been making more specific notes so I can do this again. 

At the school ready to serve. 

The students were also preparing food for the bbq fundraiser they were doing that evening. I was impressed with the amount they were making. 

We did our daily water the kids love to play with the cornstalks and the water. 

We also worked on leaf pickup. These two helped me get the lawnmower put together. I continue working to save and build compost piles in hopes of improving the soil we garden and grow in. I love their teamwork and growing up together. 

That night I went to help with the BBQ. I washed dishes and watched and visited with my friend. I was impressed with how many members participated. I think we all the cell phone use kids do yearn for face to face interaction. An event like this has responsibility and need for many hands so kids are willing to come and while they stand next to each other end up visiting and talking. Mark helped serve and listened and counseled with the freshmen on how to deal with teachers and assignments. Hearing them discuss communism versus socialism was heartwarming. This was a great activity because the club earned money, the kids interacted and were strengthened and a good meal was exchanged for financial support. Wins all around. 

The men in red were the cooks. They smoked over 100 lbs of tri-tip. When the football players came he gave them a few slices to sample. This is a favrotie friend of all Bob Hyde is a generous wise man. 

Mom's helped too and enjoyed time to get to konw other parents.

While I worry before I go I'm always thankful I made the effort. It's good to know my kids friends and visit with other parents. Last week really drove home how important doing real things with real people is. I need to make a bigger effort, instead of just rest and or working at home. 
 

Fall days at home

The biggest benefit of earlier dark is the time to read. This guy assured me there was nothing worth the time to read. I read - The Matchlock Gun with him. After that, he found the books by Dave and Pat Sargent and has been reading a lot more often. This makes me so happy to watch him take the next step in his literacy journey. I'm so thankfulf or libraries full of quality books that each and entertain. 

Likewise looking across the room at my other bookworms I'm thankful for their love of reading and words. Even Livy is often found in a book these days. 

A fun surprise one night was finding the neighbor's dog on our front step. They had been on vacation for a while and the dog was lonely. The kids went out and spent some time petting it. Andrea really loves dogs. If we could find a family friendly german shepherd I would get it. Addie would like to run with one, but I don't have the time or desire to train a dog so we don't. 

This is my water crew. I'm reading a book about the importance of free play and outside time on brain development and a healthy mindset. Thus we spend more and more time outside and I let them do things that worry me, but are crucial for their self-awareness and confidence. I do love these three helpers. 

They were enjoying HArold and Livys boots that were left at home. Someday Merle will probably fill those shoes too. 

 I am blessed with these sweeties to enliven my days and love me all the time. I see them happier when they are forced outside more often. We are too reliant on technology to pass time. I appreciate great authors. Life is good we are very blessed. 

XC district and new heat

The XC district is always far away in Pendleton Oregon. The girls from 1A, 2A, and 3A are all lumped together in a huge pool. The boys are separated out. This year was a faster year with new freshmen dominating the pack. After much rain and cold Addie pulled in 10th. She will not be headed to state this weekend. That is very disappointing for her. After a continuously successful 2 years, this was pretty hard to digest. The stress of being top on the team and achieving really got to her this year and the dynamics of this race that day did not favor her style. 

Being the first one called up is not usually good in running. But she still medaled and worked hard all season long. She grew and learned how to handle the nerves and has plans for what's next and how to move forward. I'm pleased with her desire to problem-solve, and work to improve, despite the challenges. 

We got a new stove at home. We were very thankful for Harold's willingness to literally do the heavy lifting and the thinking necessary to install a new heat source for us. We think we like it so far. 

Lia sure has pretty curly hair. She doesn't hate it as much anymore. She's just a cute lady, who's doing well with her school and seems to catch on very quickly. 

And the recent merch drop from Imperial Ag. These kids were so excited to get their smaller version of the sweatshirts everyone else wears daily. We are so thankful for such thoughtful gifts. These are worn throughout the cold months. And these kiddos are growing up too. I was surprised by how close in size these younger three are. Time passes quickly. 

Life goes on with many twists and turns there is always room to improve and become better or stronger. We are thankful or more chances, friends, health and vigor. Life is good and we are so blessed.