Snow Tradition

For years my kids have shoveled snow. We love the push-n-boot invented by our Uncle Don. As the years have passed kids have moved on and others have grown into that possible snow movers role. This year we have a newer team. They did well. Mom even helped. The church has LONG sidewalks. 

This was my path. I counted this as a workout for the day and was very sad I had done arm weight lifting on the day before. But I got it cleared and the kids got their sections clear. I was enormously grateful Reed was also on our team as he did half and we did the other part all 4 of us. 

We were waiting for Addie to complete her first blood donation. That was a story she prepped by drinking lots of quarts of water. She was excited to help others. The draw went well and fast but as she was eating her trail mix and drinking a juice she passed out hitting her head on the floor. She had texted me she was done before she blacked out. I arrived to find her on the floor. She rested there for about half an hour then they moved her to a table. I waited by her side watching her slightly return to color from the ghostly white she was when I first arrived. Finally we got her home, although she threatened to pass out again on the short drive home. We got her in my bed and fed her a burger then she went to sleep for a few hours. 

The kids had patiently waited in the car while I waited on Addie to gain strength enough to leave. They were happy to also have burgers. Later they played like good kids do. They are really good at imagining. They are not so good at picking up or doing the chores they are assigned. However if Addie or Reed gets them moving magic can happen here.

And one final picture of Andrea who is growing up. She is finding her own likes and dislikes. One thing she and Merle really like is pickles. They were so happy we got a jar of pickles from the FFA lunch we provided. 

 We had another snow day today. Kids went out shoveling. The girls are effective workers too.

Lia cleaning off a vehicle at Greg's shop before the pictup was pulled in the shop. It's best to leave the snow outside so it doesn't make dangerous puddles in the shop. 

We were surprised to get an envelope with money in the mail. The kids were paid by a few they were delighted. Another made us a huge pan of candied cereal. It's a good activity for them to go and serve and work for others. 

 This was the best end to a school Valentine Party day ever. The little kids have been bouncing off the walls after drinking a pop a piece. So the kids working for a few hours was a great use of their sugar energy. Life is good we are blessed. 

FFA districts

After long weeks of preparation these cousins were judged and came away not only with banners but with greater confidence and self-awareness of how to think on their feet, speak in front of others, and not place even when you did a good job, in Reed's case. Mark got first in extemporaneous and prepared using his American Legion speech. Addie placed second in prepared with her speech on Nuclear Power. Michael won first in Sophomore with is speech on Tariffs. Reed presented in Creed but placed 5th or so. He was bummed but also relieved a bit I think. We will work harder and build for next year. 

Another cousin jumped in the picture who placed second in Extemporaneous. Julianna is from Nyssa as well. It's so interesting to have so many relatives in the surrounding towns. When I participated it was me alone knowing few and feeling very self-concious. Nowdays these kiddos know most if not all of the district and often share the stage with close family members. 

The chapter had a good day, winning beginning prepared, beginning parli pro, and Mark also placed third in Co-Op quiz. They got their banner for first in Farm business management and the sophomore speaker got third. 

I was the cook for the day offering a lunch of hamburgers, vegetables, chips, and cookies. A sweet lady from a neighboring chapter helped manage the food. I was thankful for the days of preparation that made the lunch go smoothly. The kid seemed satisfied and there was enough leftover to help with the FCA lunch the next day. 

Addie picked up a large grocery order from wal-mart the morning she took me to get my colonoscopy. My kids took it to the church the night before and set up tables and chairs and put all the supplies inside. 

We made batch after batch of cookies. Which is good becuase chocolate chips are super expensive now too. Coupled with the outragous price of eggs chocolate chip cookies are a real luxury item right now. 

 It is good to work together as a family. I'm thankful for the many hands that are in my home, and the opportunities for them to share and learn skills. I'm always surprised when kids say they don't cook much or know how to make things. Times like these give more than one kid a chance to learn and improve their knowledge. Likewise it is good to share some time with others. Life is good and we are so blessed to have spaces and challenges to learn from year after year. I love speaking season and was thankful to be at district FFA this year. To observe the kids, many whom I don't know, to encourage them and learn from their studies. I enjoy the advisors and look forward to visiting with them. All in all a great day. 

Kids and Chickens

Oh, my winter farmer. He has found eye protection makes working in the frigid snowy elements less painful. Covering his eyes helps them not water so bad. He is busy keeping the cows cared for as Mark is working in town with Greg. Andrea and Merle love to go with him. Bruce is his right hand man these days. 

I'm pretty sure he was getting ready to take them sledding. Andrea is great at studying what the other kids do and acting likewise. 

The crew getting ready to go work. It is a good system that the older's teach and train the youngers. Although I work to protect their safety I also know how imperative it is to be trained and toughened up. 

Merle and Andrea went egg finding. Merle put the egg in his back pocket. Unfortunately, it got broken Andrea was helping him clean the yoke out of his pocket. 

These funny kids have such a curiosity and courage with chickens. The poor chickens have been prey to some wild animal. Thus they are living closer to the house lately hoping to live until springtime. 

These two were out egg finding but also spotted another dead chicken. They enjoy adventures together every day. I love the joy and curiosity they share. I'm so thankful for the blessing of our kids having siblings to walk through life with and to make-up games and journeys to enjoy each day. We are thankful for the snowy February that has happened and thankful for the days of sun that are our normal. 

 Life is good we are blessed to be together, to enjoy caring for other animals, and to have time to enjoy the earth together. 

Livy surgery

As I shared a few weeks ago Livy needed some leg corrections. The surgery was to be the day before Mark's American Legion contest in Salem OR (which was also moved to March, we have been very blessed in this whole experience to have the time we need). Thankfully her surgery was moved to the Monday before giving us a full week to re-coup and see how she does with pain. Monday, we showed up to the new pediatric Orthopedic center in Boise. The nurses were great and got her all situated. 

Before too long they wheeled Livy away and I was able to bask in the sun while crocheting and talking with my mom about our Sunday School lesson coming up. 

I was taught to crochet by my grandmother when I was about Livy's age. She was frustrated I didn't hold and maneuver my fingers correctly. I didn't love the pastime and spent my youthful days doing more active creative projects. I crocheted again in college but put that away when I married and my time was more often filled with homemaking. But last week Afton came home from activity days with a hook and yarn. I asked if I could try and lo and behold I remembered. This was actually very soothing to the nerves of wondering what will the after surgery be like. I've watched enough kids go through wisdom teeth and Mark's assorted surgeries to know its not all smooth sailing. 

The doctor showed me finished pictures of what he did. Nothing is in the knee itself. Just in both the femurs and the lower bone. 

Waking up was hard. She was very fretful and sad with the first wake up finally the burses got her adjusted so she could curl up in response to the discomfort. She rested a bit more.

Her second wake-up was much more comfortable. I remember watching and hearing tonsil patients wake up in the recovery room in Boise. They would be so sad crying and miserable. The nurse told us that is pretty normal to wake up crying then if they will sleep again the second wake-up is much better. I was thankful to remember that. Because I don't like watching my kids cry and knew I couldn't handle a week of Livy's tears from pain. Thankfully she managed much better and enjoyed messing with the monitors by holding her breath or laughing to watch the nodes change counts. She got dressed and enjoyed a small sprite and then we were loading her in the car.  

I think it's funny that the doctors have to intial where they are working pre-surgery. It's standard procedure to mark the spot, less they mess up and do the wrong operation. 

At home we have been working to make Livy move. From actual walking around to mobility like stairs, standing and sitting, leg and knee raises and bends. She is perservering and doing the work. Reed helped get her all settled when we got home. He has been working with the animals during this very cold week so he hasn't been much help. Mark was at the shop and then gone on an auto trip so it's mostly me and Livy. 

Livy received a card from her classmates. The nice and hard thing of being home is homework. It gives structure to the days and helps with time passing. It's also part of normal. 
 

Livy has been looking forward to this book for a long time. It discusses and looks at the ravages of yellow fever. We learned a little more about this this fall. I love learning with my kids. 

Part of Livy re-hab is getting up and bending her knees. This bench is good to bend her knees and is solid to stand up from. I was working out in front of her, she was standing and sitting, and raising her knees while also working to bend and straighten them. I'm pleased with her willingness to work through the hard. 

It has been a journey. She is taking pain meds, and homeopathics almost every hour. In between she does school, and or mobility work. Our days are full of working on Livy. I'm thankful for thei stime to tune in to her. She loves when Millie and the other kids come home full of news of the day. We are thankful that this will help her have a life of movement free of pain. The doctor told us her growth plates are more open than he saw in pre-op images. We shall see how tall and strong this lady becomes. Life is good and we are blessed even when life is hard. 

Ag Show & more bookworms

The annual Western Idaho Ag Fair was last week. The kids were adamant we go. After two nights of older kids speaking contest's we were thankful to load everyone in the big van and head to Caldwell. The kids are well skilled at hitting the vendors. They were kind and generous sharing their loot. The kids had a second Christmas/Halloween. New this year was a large John Deere tractor. The kids were impressed. 

They did a round or two of all the vendors, ate candy for 10 minutes then were ready to go. Greg, Mark, Reed and I talked to a few of the vendors for a while. I got frustrated at the salesmen's general lack of knowledge. I didn't want to give out my phone number for endless phone calls. Yes, I'm a grump and serious about efficiency in communication- not to mention watching my kids roam so I wanted faster conversations. Addie took the kids to the car while we finished up listening to all the amazing products that may work in a few years. 

That's a lot of loot they all gathered. From re-useable recycled cutlery, sunglasses, candy hats, water bottles, and a plastic scraper they got a sample of everything. 

We enjoyed pizza and came home. Rushing the older kids and dad back to Vale then we went and did some errands. The couch is full of clean clothes while the workers relax deep in good stories. He is stretched out on a custom bed on the new trampoline feet in the air on a desk while relishing the story of knights and dragons. 

Reading to Alia and Merle. The Dave and Pat Sargent books are treasured value stories written by a husband and wife team from the south. They are rare, but so entertaining and well illustrated. There are over 20 in the collection it's a joy for me to watch as each kid gets to learn from the various animal characters. 

Addie taking pictures while getting ready for dinner. 

Lia is coming to terms with her curly hair. First thing in the morning she wets it then combs it straighter. She is liking the side toss look, and often cousin Eloise will style it in some kind of pony tail. Her mom used to do Anna and Aliza's hair so fun that her daughter is taking over that job.  

Afton celebrated her birthday and one gift from Primary was a package of Kool-Aid. We don't drink that here but being a present I told her to go ahead. She and Lia enjoyed the treat. 

 Small moments little activities but they make days bright and continue important traditions of learning and exploring. Greg has been going to the farm show since he was a small child. The kids really enjoy spending time with him. 

Days roll by

I took this picture for Harold. For years when he was this age he mopped the my kitchen floor. He had used my mop to sweep snow and it broke so I told him he had to be the mopper. I was mostly pregnant during those years and bending over was physically hard. Thus he took care of the floors. These days I do a lot more of the cleaning. Bruce had left Merle outside while he went in to play, thus he came home and worked for me. Addie was dutifully deep cleaning some very messy places. I was avoiding tax prep. 

Livy was preparing batch after batch of cookies for the FFA luncheon today. It's rare we have Livy home I was thankful for the help. 

I'm trying to get back in the habit of exercising. Andrea is always game to workout. She grabs her little weights and joins in. I moved up to 15# weights we shall see what new outcomes happen with heavier weight. I can definitely say looking at Andrea and thinking I want to be healthy, strong, active, and independent as long as possible to be her mom has changed so many of my decisions and desires for how I live. I pray for strength and endurance to stay engaged with these younger kids. 

My beautiful daughters doing water one day. Addie is such a fun sister. 

Andrea after church waiting on our after church discussion. 

Days roll by. Our kids are patient and fiesty, sassy and sweet. They are pretty normal. I sometimes wonder if we are doing enough with this short time on earth we have. We don't travel we don't go to scenic vistas. We care for the critters and land we have stewardship over. We grow our family, we try to be good neighbors, we run our businesses which provide for our upkeep.  Sometimes I feel like Bell in Beauty in the Beast wandering through the village- " Little town, its a quiet village. Every day like the one before. Little town full of little people...." Oh well today is a big day. I've cooked and prepped for well over 10 hours along with helpers probably closer to 20. It's good to try new projects. So here we go on a little adventure in our small muddy town. We have had so much rain and snow lately everything is soggy again. The canals are half full trying to manage the runoff. Poor Merle slipped off teh solid ground and into the manure mire last night. He's gonna smell like manure for a few days. Even though we washed and scrubbed him that scent just penetrates skin. But we are blessed and while muddy we are looking forward to a green growing season.