Strong people and Christmas concert

It has taken a while to digest the loss and thus picture sharing was a little slower. These from fellow mom Jesse Cox were too good not to share. She captured Mark blocking for the running back. All year I harped on the need to block to help each other out. I love how they got that down. 

The amount of strength and determination in this one shot is amazing. I love how pictures show what happened. The stillness really expose what the players were doing. The hardest part of going to games is catching the action and understanding what just happened. 

It surprised me time and again that Mark was running to get guys. It also surprises me to see the many positions players get put in throughout the game. 

Mark talks to everyone refs, players, teammates I'm not sure about other coaches but he is communicator. 

At the end of the game getting ready to receive the trophy. A few weeks after this they had a gear check-in final meeting. The seniors got to share a final piece of themselves. Some who had injuries said "NEver take for granted playing you never know when it will be your last time." The strong man on the team "#44 said don't be a wus." Mark told the team "Work hard and play hard you won't have any regrets." Another said "find someone to learn from who will teach you how to improve. "This is shaping their hearts and character. Mark is just fine and has low patience for those who are wallowing weeks later. 

These are my guys they are encouraged and developed to be strong men, protectors, and defenders. We work to teach them to be reliable and generous, mindful and meaningful. IT is appalling to me when I hear other young men raised differently and not so genetically strong put them down. It really bothers me. 

My guys look like defenders. They are not skinny and should not be. They are strong. I lift around 30 lbs of water hose a day and ache, they lift over 1000 and it's no big deal. 

At the grade school, there is some hard stuff going on on the playground.  A fellow parent lamented that no one would help her small daughter. I told my kids look-up from your books, pay attention. Protect your classmates. They shouldn't be chased or sat on or hurt. You don't need to beat anyone up just pay attention tell kids to stop being mean tell a teacher. My kids are bigger than their peers, they are strong, they are confident and have been raised to be strong. We expect them to do physical work everyday. 

Some of that work is just being peaceful, being kind, and not being self-centered. This lady protects others by being kind and oblivious to the drama they like to create. She just moves on and doesn't care to be drama back. She is reliable oil on troubled waters. She enjoyed seeing Santa after the concert. 

The younger kids also waited to see Santa. We don't hype up Santa here. The kids know who he is and know the legends but I don't believe in deceiving my kids so I tell them he is a kind man who loves to make children happy. That's it. He doesn't truly bring gifts it's just a enjoyable story and experience to pretend he does. 

There are so many lessons to teach these kiddos I forget to re-teach lessons. I remember being so proud of myself after I gave the sex talk to Anna and HArold long ago then realized a few months later I had to talk to Aliza then the others in succession. We teach it, we talk about so many things now they are spur of the moment as the days require. My thoughts have broadened and yet refined. Parenting is not a one conversation and done process. It's daily listening putting pieces together and being present to have time and inspiration to teach what needs to be understood. Parenting is just a lot of time at the cross roads, when kids come home, right before bed, when events happen. I'm thankful for the continued guidance of the Holy Ghost to help me know what to say and who to reach out to. I work to encourage and bolster the teachers and administrators that work with my kids when they are gone. I value their personal values and honor they bring to their work. I am blessed and our life is so good. 
 

Daily Life

The lovely ladies that get me out of the house everyday. I walk and do pushups and squats while I wait. I heft the hoses and breathe freezing biting winter air. People pay big money for the experiences I get every day. They are interesting to watch. Yesterday I was thinking how I wished my kids could observe the ones who walk clear across the field to get a drink. They get to the trough fight for position pushing all the others away circling and head butting but don't just get a drink. It made me wonder how often I miss what I came for or needed because I'm worried about others. I still find it intriguing how cows can lick inside their noses with their tongues. They all do it as they drink it must be the natural way they lubricate their noses. This is not easy weather they all do well staying in their pens and wandering around in the fog. 

The inversion has created some interesting hoar frost. I feel like we live in Narnia when the Ice Queen reigned. The feeling is similar just cold and dreary. Years ago I got a kid a crystal building kit for Christmas this year we have watched nature grow some spectacular crystal shapes on anything outside. 

One night my trust hose sprung a leak. Water and freezing temps are hard on plastics. Thankfully after filling the truck, I can go home so even though I get wet I don't have hours more outside. 

Lia got a cold and is wearing steamed onions on her chest to loosen up her bronchial tubes. This is one of the best treatments for coughing colds and congestion. She did it two more times and changed her dry raspy cough to a productive wet cough and better yet no cough during the day. We are all still fighting through various winter stuff nothing bad just not 100%. Life goes on. We have oranges in the house and devouring those skins and all as they help with sinus issues. 

I've been working on data entry and came to these from Livy who is working with Greg now. She is funny and dramatic and learning so much. Her teachers each tell me often, "Livy has come so far. She is opening up and talking to us. She is responsible and growing so much."  I'm thankful and seeing similar things here. 

There is so much energy in my house I'm thankful when the kids do workouts with Addie. Here they are all moving with her favorite video person. 

Lia is coming along. She is cute in her learning sight words. Her favorite is "love" which wounds out Lough-v. She says it drawn out with a smile. She is enjoyable to teach is quick in grasping basic fundamentals. It is a joy to be around these 3 younger kids most the time. 

Addie came and requested a helper she was only willing to take Merle. She got him all bundled up he was thrilled to be chosen. 

WE went to a local parade where they handed out commodities sugar and onions. These are worth so much more than the processed candy. I love our communities.

Everday I get to snuggle these two cute little ones who fight over my lap and who gets the most blanket. I am so thankful for each of them and these last two who fill us all with love. They fight and quarrel and get in stuff but they truly complete our family. 

December has been good to us many opportunities and responsibilities with the cows and all the other stuff going on. I'm thankful for time to do what is needed. I'm thankful for health and strength and daily bread and so many people I love to share it with. We are truly a blessed people. 
 

Missionaries and home

A part from the crew here are our hard working missionaries. This week I got to talk to John most weeks we get interupted or he mostly wants to talk to Mark. This week he shared what he's been up to and how he's doing. Thankfully all is well no more close encounters with dangerous situations. 

At home we worked on our thankful turkeys. Gratitude is such an important mindset. The kids are always happy to craft with paper. 

Greg took a minute to read a story to the kids. They sure love their dad. 

With all the football hamburger making we opened a jar of pickles. These two loved them! They even store some away in the pocket of the couch. This is themm sharing them with the rest of us after church. 

Andrea likes to wear dresses and be cute. 

Harold also spent some time reading to the little girls. 

I was delighted when I saw that Aliza also made thankful turkeys with her missionary district. She is so happy learning and serving the Lord as a missionary.

At a recent zone conference.

One of the beautiful nights I get to walk while the water truck fills. We have such gorgeous sunsets. 

Our fmaily scripture study can be crazy and irreverant. This night was rough kids fighting and wrestling talking and reading. As I sat shaking my head thinking of the utter uselessness of the practic eI thought ok well I can at least change the moment. So we stopped and I told them they had to in groups of two sing kindness begins with me. They were surprised I sang it three times to give them the words. Mark went last but he did it. Ugh. I hope the practice of daily gathering and being in the scriptures will somehow imprint on their hearts the love of their family and God. The daily practice would not convince me of that but maybe it will be the end result. 

Afton is growing up, she has beautiful thick red hair. She had me put this clip in as she had never used one before. I took a picture so she could see the result. 

There's lots of in the middle time. Lots of personalities and diversity. It's a challenge to pay attention to everyone, everyday and all the business stuff and animals. The kids are friendly with each other and normally teasing and wrestling. I'm thankful for the strength and inspiration from Heaven. I'm thankful to be mom. We are very blessed and life is good. 
 

Championship game

After a delightful drive to Bend talking with Mr. DeVos as Greg drove, we ate at five guys and headed to the field. We had no idea how tough this game would be played. As mentioned I just prayed and hoped no one would leave in an ambulance. The weather was gorgeous 50 degrees. No need for the many winter layers I had prepared. The guys were warming up and getting ready. We stood at the top of the bleachers stretching our legs and getting ready to watch. 

There were easily double the fans for the Vale side. Our crowd is quiet and intense. The opposing team is loud and racous. I prefer the quiet group. 

The game did not go so well. They were outplayed. As one coach put it later we played our worst game and they played their best. Mark however did have a great game making key stops and working hard all the way through. The end was a loss 42-16. There were many tears shed by players, coaches, and families. 

My dad got to hug Mark first. The support and love of the community was very strong in these moments. The guys were heartbroken. Their families were sad but together we mourn and then hopefully we all move on and continue to support and encourage each other. Truly the amount of community interest and support is inspiring. 

My friends, I offered to take their pictures. The coaches individually encouraged and consoled each player. 

The gathering circle where he talked to them and shared his gratitude for them as a team. People who hadn't been at a high-level game were surprised at the tears and the emotion. Having experienced last year we were not. It's pretty rare for young men to cry in public but this was a huge loss and crush of hope. The beauty is the team that is also feeling the loss. They were not disappointed alone. And it is together that they pick up and digest the feelings. 

I am so pleased with this guy and his season. He has taken this well. Reminding me time and again this weekend. "It is over, there is no point in throwing blame." 

These are not happy faces with the second-place trophy. It's the trophy no one pictured wants but many many who aren't playing would love to have. In the last 30 years 17 times Vale made it into the playoffs, 4 times into the championship round, and 2 times as the top players. There were many times these guys were the best. For most of their careers, they won, but the few times they lost it cut pretty deep. 

Today washing his jerseys for the last time. It's bittersweet. Obviously, he played a month longer than ever before. I will miss seeing him play just like I missed John playing this year, and wish we would have seen Harold develop further. But I know he has a lot of life ahead. He made a positive impact leading the defense and managing his fellow teammates. He uplifted and moderated. He encouraged and stopped things. He has grown so much. 

As I posted today you never know in Vale when your last game will be, because if you keep winning you keep playing. This year they went all the way and played every game possible. There were many injuries to fellow teammates that should have ended their high school playing but because they kept winning they had more time and those players came back. They played as a complete unit at the end healthy and strong. That's all you can ask to play every game. So with some sadness and immense relief and gratitude, we wash these and return them. That chapter of life closed for Mark. Reed improved immensely with an extra month of work. All the freshmen did. They will come back more prepared and ready for another year in 2025. Life is good we are blessed with a long view.

My brother had told my family a while ago he was glad he had lost his bid for State FFA officer as a senior and that his entire life would be totally different if that had happened. That he would not be where he is today if that had worked out. This really touched Mark. Thankfully he internalized it and realized there is something else out there to accomplish and become. The power of a large dynamic family is the many versions of living.  The interests and experiences they live and share shape our approach as well. We are thankful to each one for their love and support. Healing happens in safe loving environments. We have that for sure. 

As we rode home in the dark in our semi-full van Harold, Anna, Reed, Addie, Mark, Jeb, Greg, and Mr. DeVoss it was peaceful. We stopped at Glory Days Pizza in Burns. My parents my sisters and their kids were all there waiting. We filled three tables. That's love and safety. Being encircled in the family and accepted no matter what you weathered. We are blessed and our Life is so good. 

Football send off

Playing through Thanksgiving meant we were not very focused on food but rather, preparing our hearts, fields, and family for the weekend trip to the championship game. The town again did a nice loud send- off for the travel bus. The new firetruck and ambulance along with a police escort and a few cars of family and cheerleaders escorted the players out of town. 

I love this sign by the Schaffer family. Their son is an up-and-coming dynamo. On the back of the football stadium is a list of the years that won a state championship, hence the reference. 

Our signs were a little less creative but made nonetheless. Andrea was not so sure of the noise level. I was very worried this morning and it was all I could do to scrape out of the house because of nerves. Mark was moved to the center and I was split worried about him doing that well enough and my whole family's health and well-being for the day. After much praying and pleading with God, and a small nap I settled into peace and got through the hours before the game. First stop, cheering on the team before they rolled out of town. We got to the high school right before the bus pulled out. I hugged Mark and told him to be smart and we loved him. Then we headed to the street to hold our signs and cheer. 

Other families joined us as well. 

This sign says get er done son. 

Cold and yet hopeful we headed home our prayers in place and our plans shaping up for how we would approach the championship game. Addie and Reed spent another day building fence as fast as they could. I watered cows and did laundry. The other kids played with cousins at grandmas. Anna cooked some lunches for Greg and a neighbor. Mark practiced and had a good dinner at olive garden. They went to bed early and prepared for the next day. 
 

I was actually thankful for the nervous experience as I told Mark I prayed he too would settle into the peace of God and be able to play his best. Those prayers were answered. And his advice to his teammates was turn it over to God. That they can wrestle with Him about why it turned out as it did. I'm thankful for Mark's faith and the lessons I learn to share with my children.