2.21.23 FFA Sectionals

Year after year my kids head to La Grande for FFA sectionals. I too had experience speaking and debating there. I never would have imagined my yearly tie to this place. One new must have is a trip to Dutch Bros for hot chocolate. Addie is a hot chocolate lover and was thankful this is part of the trip. 

Before the trip the advisor counseled the girls to have their hair neatly and "properly" done. Addie has talented friends who obliged in finishing her hair in sweet curls. 

She was reunited with her friend Emma from Adrian. It's exciting to watch friendships develop and kids grow. The best part of FFA is the friends. Skills are gained and kids become more confident and knowledgeable. 

When the day was done Addie got a yellow banner. She was not thrilled with this but as the days pass and the experience is counted as over it is remembered as good. 

Mark was more disappointed but also has come to appreciate what he has learned and has come away with fire to go farther next year. He enjoys his topic and worked steadily to learn all he could about regenerative agriculture. He has read and listened to hours of seminars. I am working to convince him to do a science poster. We are also investigating how we could try it out on our farm. 

Addie also chaired a beginning chapter conduct of meetings team. They placed 5th but all those kids went to sectionals and experienced FFA for the day. The uniform of the club is empowering. 

Our friend Riley also placed third. These were bittersweet but big for our chapter. The kids worked hard to learn and understand their topics. They spoke at a few different venues to prepare for the stress and rigor of the competition. All this interacting with various adults in different situations developed poise and confidence.

At home I made dinner and saved some dough for cinnamon rolls. This would make the next morning easier. As I was listening and working with the kids to do the nighttime homework, bathing, preparing for the next day these rose an hour too long but looked amazing before baking. They cooked well and we enjoyed a decadent breakfast. 

Another year of growth. Another set of speakers who have developed confidence and experience. I'm thankful traditions continue and that my kids each in turn are able to grow in the opportunities FFA offers. We are blessed. Life is good. 

 

2.20.23 Siblings

The younger kids love when my phone talks to them in the voices of Anna or Harold. We love our Monday Facetime visits. In just a month or so Anna will be home!!

I have been able to return to relief society attendance and thus know some other parts of what is going on in the ward. I signed up for Meals on Wheels. It has been years since we took food around to older people who are shut-in. The kids did great. I was saddened to see the poor ways some people live. It was good to serve with my younger kiddos. 

Thankfully there was plenty of items for them each to carry. 

Even better Andrea slept most of the time. She is a sweet girl mostly. We headed to Ontario later in the day for Mark to get legalized for driving. He handed his completion forms and identification to the authority, paid his money and smiled for his pictures. I was in the car with sleeping young ones and happy when he came out successful.

Andrea received her birthday present a day or so early. The older brothers were quick to show her how it worked. She enjoyed them playing with her. 

I'm so thankful in the midst of all the busyness of the older kids for simple pleasures observed with the smaller people here. Merle getting instruction on footwear from Alia. 

I ma thankful for the natural pairing of kids in our house. Each has someone to share life and imagine with. We are blessed by each one. The birthday week was drawn out we finally got to cake on Andrea's birthday we sang the song and lighted and relighted candles. Healthy children are a taken for granted blessing. We work to keep their play contained, to teach them and love them. Alia was delighted when the week ended with Aliza coming to see her. They have a special connection. 

 

2.16.23 True Valentine's

 We sent the obligatory suckers to school for classmates and worked to get ready for our dinner guests, the sister missionaries. The posts on facebook showed flowers, candy etc etc. With the current exorbitant price for everything none of those seemed reasonable. I pondered what makes me feel loved? What I do to show my love? Those are different things. Love languages are real, confusing, and frustrating. This year I have been most touched by Greg fasting for me every Sunday. We have had tender conversations about what Cancer might mean for our assumed life together. We have cried together and spent a lot of time silently in fear of what might be. His faith and courage have sustained me in my doubt and anxiety.

Thus the buildup to Valentines this year was less about what could be bought and more about what we were experiencing together. I learned from years past to make Valentines what I want and hope for the best. The missionaries needed a meal so I planned on that. I was surprised the kids were asked to host a dinner for the widows in our ward. The boys looked sharp for the evening. They enjoyed visiting with ladies and leaders in our ward. 

The sisters came and shared our Valentine's meal of roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, and salad with our family. This is everybody's favorite and it's easy.  We had fresh apple pie for dessert. It was good to visit with these dedicated ladies and learn a bit about them.

 

Greg came to dinner. The kids were excited and noisy after eating candy for hours thanks to school valentine exchanges. The mutual kids rushed to their activity and it was a normal night. We live in the reality of a loving family. Crazy, annoying, busy, kind, concerned, supportive, and peaceful. This is where confidence and stability come from. Life is good and we are blessed. The next day we enjoyed chocolates from my dad and finished the pie! 

2.15.23 American Legion District Addie

My sweet Addie independent and fiesty yet needing her mom. This lady is dynamic and charming. On Saturday we witnessed her being a glowing light of goodness and feminine charm. In church there are a lot of anecdotes about letting your light shine and not hiding your light. Her pleasant voice, sharing of solutions not just problems and optimism are a breath of fresh air. We always strive to be problem solvers not problem wallowers here. This is a hard contest 8-10 minute memorized speech is long. Each contestant started to struggle around 6 minutes. They survived the following 2-4 minutes thankfully. 

There is less companionship than the FFA speeches offer and that makes a difference. The cross country coach shared that insight during the season. While I was frustrated with the lack of commitment and drive of Addie's peers the coach said that's true but the other kids keep it light and enjoyable. In this contest that is the truth peers share, support, add silly and smiles. That is huge in high stress situations. As parents we share in the stress adding too much and thinking too hard about consequences (which are good and bad). 

At the end of the contest Addie was 2nd and won $300. This is why we encourage the competition the money. To date Addie has won almost as much as Aliza won at the National FFA. And she can compete again. So while the experience isn't as "fun" it is worthwhile. 

 The poise and maturity required for this participation is huge. To hold yourself together and not show fear, discouragement, and or ruffled feathers is imperative. I told her you must be cool and gracious from the minute you step out of the car until you get back in. People are watching they have donated this money nad are champions of freedom they want a respectful, kind, positive, and smart recipient. So more learning and more growth. Learning how to interact longer with adults. Learning to mingle with new people. Learning to trust your parents and be patient with them. It's a process. 

Life is good and we are blessed and on the road again soon. Off to state and another round of stretching. We are so proud of Addie for undertaking such a huge project. She is a brave hearted lady. 

2.14.23 Daddy Daughter Dance

Greg is so blessed to continue to have daughters that want to go on a date with him. These ladies were so excited. Lia was not on the list to go but she got herself all ready and was adamant to be included. 

They were true to for and had to be pried out of the books to go to the dance. This picture was taken after the picture where they were up and assembled but fell back on the couch and the new books from the library. Funny kids books wait dates don't. 

Andrea was fine being left home to eat dinner. I think Greg has several more years of dates. 

At the dance Lia was the first and last partner. She wouldn't let the other girls have more than one turn dancing with their dad. 

Afton won a prize of bubbles. The kids at home enjoyed playing in the bubbles. 

 The boys and I started watching Black Panther. We ate dinner when they got home and did our night time routine. I'm thankful for a dad who takes time for special activities. I'm thankful we are welcome at the Christian church to have such an experience. Life is good and sweet these ladies will grow up soon and be past wanting to hang out with dad. But for now they are thrilled to be his partner and dance the night away. I'm thankful he's such a stable and loving dad he prepares, protects, and parents his kids with the long game in mind we are blessed to call him dad. Life is good!

2.13.23 passing days

We burn propane gas in our house. That powerful little stove runs all the time to keep us moderately warm. The process of burning causes soot and yearly the stove needs a spray out with compressed air. This year Greg worked on the project solo and forgot I hang sheets around the stove to stop the dirty air from covering the rest of the house. Therefore I spent the next few days cleaning and cleaning. I washed the walls, the couch covers, clothes, and the carpet. My kids looked like chimney sweeps black bodies, faces, and hands it had to be done. 

They also had to clean their toys. This was a fun project that occupied them while I tried to figure out how to manage the dirty walls. Soot is sticky and it worked best to dry wipe the walls then wet wipe the walls then dry again. It took a lot of time and energy and the carpet was a whole other project but alas when done it feels so good to have a verified clean home. 

Andrea is always a sport no matter the activity she is cleaner by the day with all the deep cleaning. 

We have been working to speak wherever people will listen. Addie and Mark spoke at the farm credit service then we went shopping for some additions to her business ensemble. 

John, Mark and Reed are working on pinewood derby cars for a mutual activity. Bruce got the cut out and sanded to his heart's content. We told him he had to stop or he would sand his car away. 

These younger kids too often get pushed aside for the pressing activities of the older kids. They are resilient and patient. We have started listening to audio books. We listened to Where the Red Fern GRows, then Little House in the Big Woods, and now Summer of the Monkeys. We love this activity. Though not much is accomplished the sharing of the excitment, concern, and entertainment of great authors is a delight. 

John, Mark and Reed spent more time dumping french fries. Only one more train car to go. John showing a creative use of the frozen fries. Fried fries do not net the same results. 

Greg and I posing for a recent photo per the request of some family members. 

And glory be while I was washing everything in sight the wind blew enough to dry most of the laundry. I was so thankful and loved the chance to be outside. I could take that more often but don't love the cold and so opt to just look out the window. 

As the days slowly tick by in anticipation of the meeting with the surgeon my family keeps me busy. I have listened to a book and read one on my phone to boot. That was new and probably won't do that again although the ease of checking out and returning the books- we have too many lost books- was tempting. I'm trying to keep active, full of faith not fear and doing what needs to be done. Each Sunday I realize I failed ot get the new church stuff that my growing family needs but they manage to make do. I'm thankful for all these people to divert my worries and keep me getting out of bed and being productive. Life is good. I am thankful for my blessings each one from breezy days, to sooty house so I can have clean carpets and clean walls and a reason to purge stuff that has been too long ignored. I'm thankful for health and strength and books to pass the time focused outside of my concerns. I'm thankful for friends, family, and promptings that lighten my days. I am truly and humbly blessed. 
 

2.12.23 Afton baptism

Afton had her birthday and baptism a few weeks ago. She is the first in her primary class and our tenth baptism day! We planned ahead and had things organized which was a change. She was a lovely candidate. 

I played the piano, I often do that at baptisms it's nice to watch the excited kids and to have a place. After the event and confirmation by her dad, papa corn, grandpa saunders, uncle bryce, and uncle justin we went to pizza at the pizza place. We drove a round a bit enjoying being together and stopped at grandma and papa corn's on the way home. 

After a nice experience together we went and dumped fries and came home to dinner by Addie. After dinner we painted toe nails

Addie doesn's dump fries but stays home with Andrea and other little kids. She makes dinner and works on homework. 

Her brothers love her. 

I let a team paint my toes and I rested my very weary body. I had showed the workers how to more efficiently open bags and I was tired after keeping up with teenage boys. 

Finished product. Andrea was not allowed to get polished but she was glad to have her people back home. 

Aliza called to hear all about it. Andrea was thrilled to see a sibling on the phone too. She is getting in the habit of talking to them on the phone she is bummed when there isn't a familiar face on the screen. 

Families are eternal and a blessing. They are also messy and busy and quarrelsome and trying. Life is good together. We are thankful for each one and for their choices as they grow up.