Athlete of the week

Addie and her good friend Duncan at the end of his record breaking run at the annual splash and dash. These two are genuine friends and supporters. They share a common drive to win and improve they also love the running lifestyle. 

Addie has a habit of waiting at the finish line to congratulate other participants. These pictures just capture the essence of who Addie is as a runner. 

 She had this nice write up to finish out her first week of back to school. This is a local news source making use of local skills and reporting on the kids in the community. Addie doesn't like attention or fanfare but she has developed into a very considerate sportsman. I love that. I tell my kids I'm not as concerned with your wins or losses but I really care how you act throughout the experience. Here's to another week of running and two big races. We will enjoy seeing Addie in action. We are blessed. 

Summer

We endured the heat for the annual 24th of July celebration. A final perk to the nights action was some horseback rides by all the kids who wanted to. Sheriff Wolfe retired and is now just Bishop Wolfe. He is generous, kind, and patient. The kids were more than delighted to end their evening with a quick walk around the parking lot on a horse. I only took pictures of Alia but each took a turn minus Addie, Reed, and Mark. 

At home after the event the kids enjoyed the noodle horses they had crafted at the event. They also really enjoy the magnet collection we have. They spend hours crafting pens and alleyways and buildings for the horse and cow collection. 

 It is tricky to maneuver around their building sometimes I try and sometimes I don't. The nice benefit of magnets is they are easy to reassemble. I'm thankful for the companionships of siblings. These guys always have someone to play and imagine with. I love that part of summer, the time part. Lia has been sad to not have as much time to play, her mind misses the freedom. She is enjoying school though and finding new adventures to enliven her days. Bruce rarely gets to play anymore but when he does he is the boss. Its good to watch the growth each year and to see them take on new responsibility and confidence from being more capable. Another summer in the books now on to harvest and winter cows where there pen construction ideas will be put to use. Life is good. 

Family Reunion Wedding Trip

This year the family reunion was a little different. The weekend was highlighted by the wedding of my nephew. We had the chance to get an almost all together family picture. It's going to be very rare to get everyone in a picture for many years. Unfortunately some people don't think about that and we just got what we got. It used to be crying kids now it's grumpy older kids. Or they are sick of being poked and prodded by older siblings. Lotsa love and annoyance growing up in a family. 

The day started with the teenagers going to the temple first. 

The crowd gathered outside after the ceremony to congratulate the new couple. 

Andrea was so excited to see Harold. She loves her older siblings quite a bit. I'm thankful she remembers them. 

Later that day we helped with the reception preparing food and doing dishes. Addie spent time helping Aunt Sheryl scope ice cream after she had decorated for the reception and cleaned up numerous times. 

The end of the reception was a dance dads and daughters, and many other configurations. It was fun Greg and I enjoy dancing but between lots of daughters and few occasions its years between our opportunities to dance together. 

The youngest two enjoyed plenty of rides and time with Harold. He danced some too. We enjoyed watching his skills. It was so good to be together with our older kids. They round out our family experience for sure. 

Finally the couple cut the cake fed each other, and were free to go. 

 After a long day and a sweet nights rest we headed to church then a quick visit to Aunt Kristi's. The kids were good and patient while we visited quickly. 

It was a quick time to go away from our daily responsibilities. It was a good to take a break together and enjoy some different experiences. Time goes so quickly seeing the older ones briefly this summer reminds me to enjoy the time with the ones still at home. I'm thankful for each of these strong willed kiddos sitting on that couch. We are truly blessed to have healthy, mostly happy, hard working kiddos. They fill our world. 

Labor Day

Labor day was created by labor unions as a day of rest for workers a day to celebrate their work efforts. In our house any day off from school is crammed full of labor trying to get all the things done we do in our family. From farming, fence building, laundry, cleaning, to canning these days are precious in the amount we can get completed. This labor day we canned beautiful peaches. These girls are such a good crew. I'm so pleased with their abilities when they get off the couch and stop reading they are really impressive! 

After peaches we started donuts. A football player asked me before school started if I would bring donuts. Labor day allowed me to have many extra hands to help. Donuts are a team project especially when making enough for a lot of people. We shared with about 70 people. We made around 250 donuts. 

Aliza gifted us knitting needs which we really liked using to dip and glaze many donuts. 

Addie requested chocolate and Lia loves coconut. Working to control my blood sugar means no snacking or taste testing. I had to rely on these girls knowledge of what tastes right. When I finally got a small taste the girls were correct in their cooking. I'm thankful for opportunities like these when they can all see what the process looks like and how to make donuts happen. 

A few weeks earlier a niece had hosted a donut party at her house. I know other families share donuts on special occasions an aunt hosts a large donut party over halloween. She makes over 1000 and at least 15 varieties. It's interesting to consider the ripple effect of families who share skills and traditions with those around. How the multiplication factor is real in families. That's something that keeps puncturing my thoughts as I really ponder how we grow and continue to be in harmony as our children become adults and move on from the confinement of home. Where the line of independence and unity are. And what is reasonable in such a large group. To me it is a sign of respect and honor to share traditions with others to expand in your own space. 

Most of the peaches and fruit cocktail we did in the morning. We were down to only one burner so processing took a while. 

Addie is my run around helper and she picked this pile of raspberries. Andrea helped make the jam. This is Greg, John, and Addie's favorite jam. I'm very happy with how my raspberry plants have grown this year hopefully next year we will have lots to make lots of jam. The plants have really spread and we have enjoyed a few handfuls here and there. The promise of gardening is alive and well- Next year will be even better!

She also went and picked pears with Bruce and Lia. These were free. We are still waiting on them to ripen but they look promising. 

The box of peaches Bruce reluctantly picked while Addie picked raspberries. Bruce and Reed love peach jam. I told him buddy these are for you you shouldn't have been so skimpy on your effort because that means less jam. 

By the end of the day after the donuts were distributed among neighbors, players, coaches, and some families we still had lots. Millie took a tray full to her class the next morning and Merle has been enjoying a donut out of the freezer as he pleases this week. The nice part of industry is having what you want, enjoying what you can do, and living like Kings most of the time. I'm thankful for a lifestyle of work that gives us confidence and peace knowing all is safely gathered in. We live in an abundant valley with many kind people. We are blessed. 
 

Senior Night Splash and Dash

The first Cross Country meet of the season happened this week. The annual splash in dash is a quick 2 mile race on the hot pavement of our town in August. The race ends with the option of going swimming. This is Addie's senior year her last time doing each of these reaces that have become so familiar. 

I gave Livy the camera and instructed her to please get pictures. She sometimes gets distracted so I wasn't sure what I would get. Merle in his classic what are you doing? Face. He's such an expressive kid.

A skewed shot of Addies coaches who happen to be int he picture of a cool car Livy was actually meaning to photograph. These ladies are a mix of sweet and tough. The one in front Cassandra demands more and is very organized. She is a good balance. The one in the back is sweet and caring she knows what she wants to happen and is very busy with lots going on all the time. We are thankful for their dynamic talents and true care for the athletes they coach. 

Addie finishing first! She was in the lead by quite a ways. This is such a helpful way to start the season. After returning to weight lifting since school started her body has been hurting with the added stress so the fact she ran well was very heartening. 

First Addie from Vale, Second her friend Addy from Burns, and third a lady I don't remember her name from Baker. Addie won easily this time. 

And the senior night. These ladies have been running together for quite a while. The two in the middle were co-presidents of the ASB, but had a falling out. So Greta transferred to Nyssa. This reunion was tearful for the three by Addie Greta, Megan, and Addy. She wasn't in the mix of the tears, turmoil, or drama. She never has been. We work hard to not be in the drama. So she wasn't crying and wasn't sure what to do. Awkward is the definition of this picture. 

So they moved on to parents and gifts. Addie organized, purchased, and prepared the gift bags and flowers. She is that person. She's not very allowing of her parents to touch her so this is a rare scene. I went to my niece Becca's baptism to support that big event, Addie assured me that was fine with her. I'm thankful her dad was able to be with her so she wasn't the only runner without any family at all. The others had their entire families and grandparents. Ugh. Oh well we do what we can and this was ok for her. 

I'm thankful for her coaches who have become such a huge part of her life. This is the part she loves running, competing, lifting and cheering others. After she finishes she congratulates those ahead of her and each and everyone that finishes after. She holds them says kind things etc. I love her sportsmanship. I don't know if we will have any other runners but I'm sure glad we got to watch this one it has been such a bright spot in her upper school career. We are blessed. 
 

State Exec Meeting

One of the now past perks of FFA was the opportunity to travel and see new sites with new people. This broadens your horizons, stretches your ability to get along and be independent for short periods of time, and allows for some very enjoyable memories. Addie was able to travel to state exec with two other advisors from our local area. She also invited a friend to share the experience. One of the stops was Crater Lake. It is truly beautiful. 

She and travel buddy Trent in Roseburg Oregon another not often seen part of Oregon. 

Before the long meetings of the day Addie was introduced to go cart racing. This was in the beginning ramp up of all the changes in Addie's FFA experience and I can't say how delighted I was for this very thoughtful advisor to offer time to relax and do new things. I appreciate his kindness whether he meant to or not this was such a break from the heavy responsibility she is shouldering this year. Even though she shrugs it off the disappointments and confusion and every looming question of Why is this happening this way? What is really going on or the real point? 

We have some truly beautiful sites in our state. It is terrible that so many seek to control and thwart other peoples work, dreams, ambition, and lifestyles. I am disheartened, sad, and mad at all that is traspiring. And the repeated dodging responsibility, dishonesty, and general authoritarian stance is very challenging. 

But for these days and moments this was what we expected FFA to be. Good memories, seeing new places, trying new things. Long meetings and trainings which were helpful to know the why and where the organization is going. Connecting with others and making friendships. That's why we encourage participation so much. Those things are being squashed in the name of ignorance and just do less. The great American mantra lately just do less, someone else will do it, it doesn't matter. Growth and success take work and extra effort. Being ok and mediocre are not acceptable. 

But for then the trip was fun a lot was learned that was needed for the next challenges and life changed a whole lot including the travel buddy leaving our school district for another. Life changes quickly. The advice from a recently departed friend Dan Johnson was famous for counseling "One must want the consequences of what one must want." Are screaming in my head. If only we weren't such a short sighted people. Consequences come good and bad, we don't control those only the choice is ours to make. 

 

John Mission work

John is a bit sparse in his communication. However I do get to spy on him occasionally thanks to mission pictures. These were taken last zone conference day. He's leaning on a car talking with some sisters. 

And this is recent of him with the elder he will be training. The new missionary is from Colorado. We received a kind letter from his mission president explaining the responsibilities and asking us to pray for both elders to learn and grow together. 

How I love seeing his smiley eyes and the happiness that radiates from him. I love talking with him when he calls, which he hasn't been lately. That's ok to have some independence and space from weekly reports home. I am confident he is where he needs to be and doing what is best for him right now. I know the Lord is watching over him along with the mission structure of leaders. These lessons make it possible to send Mark to another continent over a huge ocean to a place I've only heard about. I know without a doubt the Lord watches over these consecrated young people and blesses them and teaches them as only He can. It's a great place to learn and grow. Life is good.