5.16.23 FFA banquet

Past president Rylie with new president Mark. The annual FFA banquet and installation of new officer team. We have enjoyed knowing Rylie and learning from her the past 6  years. Mark is pretty thrilled to be the new president of the chapter. 

A very nice personalized plaque was made for Aliza by Merv Rimple- I'm not sure how his name is spelled. 

The state degree recipients of the year and Mr. Rumple white head. He is a visionary and dedicated life long supporter of the FFA. His ideas and tenacity have driven the scholarship program that has blessed countless members lives. The program has been so successful the board also grants travel funding for the chapter as well. These kids are very fortunate to have people like Mr. Rumple thinking of and looking out for them. 

Addie presented some awards last night. She is the incoming treasurer taking over where Mark left off. 

At home pre banquet Lia helped me cook desserts for the auction. She made her own little pie complete with rolling her dough and filling the cooked crust. 

Addie had read this story to her a few days earlier its a twist on the little red hen. She remembered the story and connected with her own pie baking experience. We read the book again when we were done. 

A new skill we worked on this year was decorating. We watched a lot of videos to learn some icing technique. Mostly I think the color makes or breaks the final outcome. We started mixing colors to get these roses. 

We also made strawberry pie. 

And after all the hoopla of the night there was a lot left over so we helped by bringing it home. The kids had a feast that night and the next day. 

We often take the very last leftovers. This has become a fun surprise for the kids at home. They enjoy the many taste tests they get to try. 

Livy tried her hand at decorating a few days before as well. 

And my sweet wake up crew. These two are pretty insistent that things happen as they want. I'm blessed by such energy and love. 

 Another year down, a new one to tackle. I'm so thankful for the continuity of FFA. I'm thankful Mark will be able to learn and grow by working with patient adults who see big picture and give their time and talents to the youth in our community. I'm thankful for the many opportunities my kids have found in this program. They are better for them. Life is good and we are blessed. 

5.16.23 Seasons

The big kids are busy competing and traveling while the younger ones get left to just grow. They are easier and messier. It's a weird paradox to be fast and slow. That's one thing Anna pointed out while home was the different parent I was when she was a kid. I told her I had less kids and responsibilities I had more undivided attention. It was harder and easier. These younger kids get a lot of time doing what they want because I am supporting the older kids. Sitting for undefined amounts of time watching track meets. I was struck this mother's Day how blessed I was to still have baby snuggles and easy happiness with this little one. Although we were walking the halls because she was done sitting I was thankful for the same ol' same ol.  And because we were in the halls I received my children's chocolate gifts before they were routed to the car to devour the chocolate while I visited. A total win for me. I found I really like dark chocolate kisses. 

This young man is all boy. He loves to be with dad and his brothers. His eyes are much more shiney when they are around. He rides fourwheelers, tractors, trucks, whatever they are doing. I love his enthusiasm to be a buddy to all. 

Bruce found his bow and arrow and has been spending time shooting arrows. Interesting the younger ones are happy to watch and retreive. 

These cuties had a quick date with their dad for the Daddy Daughter Dance. Greg too is lucky to get to keep being a date to such pretty daughters. 

And some blessings from heaven. A Monday night storm. We got a solid 1/4-1/2" last Monday night. Complete with marble size hail. I was thankful there were no crops out of the ground, but that much needed moisture sure helped bring the crops up. It rained again last night a week later and while not as much we were thankful for every drop counts. Some places were flooded we were on the edge of the storm and thus just got a nice warm rain. 

Moisture is such a big deal in farm life. We pray for it, we give thanks for it, and we work to distribute it. We are thankful for the lessons we learn petitioning God to help us help ourselves. Life is good. 
 

5.14.23 Track meets

Track oh what to say? Addie has loved this track season from the coaches to the assortment of friends and competitors.  Addie has worked hard and learned a lot resulting in a successful season. It's fun to watch her compete it's maddening how long the track meets last. This is coming to a head as more and more is required at home as the farm wakes up and comes to life.  

This relay team has fast become her favorite race. They are challenged by the Nyssa teams their anchor runner edges them out in the last 5-10 meters. The girls work hard and are fierce competitors.. 

A friend shared these pictures I love how they show Addie's stride. She's flying in a lot of these. 

She is the air pose from my childhood. I love watching her compete. 

These meets are hard to tell the whole picture. The top two girls are from La Grande they are a 4 A school. The top girls is a freshman who moves really fast. She has a unique running motion but she moves she lapped all the last place girls and finished 3/4 of a lap ahead of Addie. This race shaved 38s off her previous best time. She was beat at the end but had to dig deep for the relay that was a mere half hour later. 

I wanted to pull her from the relay but kept my peace while watching her like a hawk. I was thankful for teammates that came to her and brought her water and mental toughness to stay upright. She ran a good time and they got 3rd just being edged out by the fast nyssa team. 

A handfull of medals from two meets. 

And so the season goes. She is enjoying it we grit our teeth and deliver her early in the morning and retrieve her from the bus late at night. We are thankful she is successful and are thankful this season is almost past. District this week then state the next week. She is currently the reigning fastest in all her events 800, 1500, 3000. Her relay team is third in rankings. 

Life is good. 
 

5.9.23 Prom

For 22 years these have set wrapped in a box. They were up high out of reach and awareness of curious hands. Yet a few weeks ago I was preparing for our first prom dinner and I mentioned them to Addie. She had never seen on of Grandma Saunders fancy dinners but she had heard of them. We weren't as fancy but we cooked good food. The glasses were a nice touch of hey you're special, have a nice drink!

Likewise we pulled down the semi-fancy china. I have a nicer set still in wrapping just waiting. Maybe engagement dinners someday? 

We cleaned and cleaned to get everything ready to host friends. Thankfully the kids could play outside thus the house could stay clean and I could focus. 

Mark ran in from working on the tractor got cleaned up and out the door in under 10 minutes. I love that about young men so quick and generally easy! 

The boys watching their brothers get home. They were so cute saying oh that's just Grace she's our friend. I told them tonight she's your brothers date and not here to play with you. They were bummed but agreed to keep their distance.  Bruce was really studying he told me later how important it was for the boys to open the doors for the girls. I told him that was correct. 

Andrea agreed the frosting was just right. She was happy to taste test and cleanup left overs. 

We sure love these handsome guys. And we were so thankful for Amazon making them look spiffy. Likewise the florist for texting us a reminder that we hadn't yet picked up the obligatory flowers. We are blessed with good neighbors and community business people who understand their customers and work to give good experiences. 

I was in the middle of washing the car getting ready to go cleanup. I had been grocery shopping early and had worn a hat thus the deflated hair. How proud I am of these young men. They are good, strong, smart, and fun to be around. 

Mark's lone prom picture he posed for. At the dance he didn't want to pay for pictures. I'm so thankful for moms and daughters who purchase and wear modest dresses it is so much easier for the young men. 

The group the girl in the middle is an extra friend who wanted to attend but didn't have a date. 

Back at home with my favorite easy crew. It was fun to host and provide ideas for the guys. We insisted they step up their dating game from the usual dinner and movie to something interactive. So they were here for some outdoor recreation then individual pizzas they rolled and topped. I cooked while they played a game. They had homemade grape juice in the fancy glasses. They drove off and I did the dishes and fed the waiting kids. We headed downstairs for another movie they had kept their deal being quiet and out of sight while the big kids had their experience. 

 Babies are their own distinct kind of hard but really their willingness to chill and snuggle bring a lot of comfort after a day chasing and helping create dreams with big kids. I'm thankful to have both sides and that the evening went well. 

John paid for these pictures. I like the action ones best they show the fun these two have together. Another memory in the books. We are blessed.