The gift of hope

Jake has many photographers. It's amazing to think someday those tiny fingers will be large man hands. The human body is incredible.

Andrea goes out with Aliza everyday to water. She is a good helper with any of the older kids projects. 

Millie painted a winter picture one Sunday. We are working to make Sundays more productive as our year of early church comes to a close. 

Jake is starting to round out on his face sporting a more square look. We search for any sign of chub on these new little ones. 

An absolute highlight of the week is talking to the kids far away. Modern technology is a blessing and a curse. In this instance I'm so thankful for teh opportunity to see my guys. 

And even better to let them see their little brothers. 

Merle adores and misses these guys a lot. They likewise adore the little ones. There's no fighting because there's no common turf just the same place called home. 

Millie is part of the leadership club they did a service activity at the nursing home. They ate lunch with the residents then played a trivia game with them. 

They also dropped off the food the school kids had donated to the local food pantry. 

Life is full of good things and hard things and sunny days and rainy days. I have so enjoyed studying the come follow me lessons this year. The overriding theme of forgiveness and mercy tempered with the need to act according to that trust and gift have seared my heart. Years ago when we studied this and I was wondering what to teach my children the phrase teach them to repent was my answer. I'm not sure that was a success but it made me change my teaching and deepen my searching to understand repentance better. It's not a shame filled avoidance but a gift to start again and renew our connection to Christ. It's about changing our thinking and behaviors. To try again and again and learn how the Lord helps us. In this Christmas season we are remotely following or thinking on the advent or the coming of Christ. This week I have been pondering hope. I love hope it gives energy and life to everything. Without it life is bleak and full of despair. We hope because we are sure that Christ is true to His promises and the words He gave us concerning eternal life are inspiring. The restored gospel is a glorious gift of understanding, love, and peace. For this I am thankful. 
 

First Week

 The first week was spent mostly in this chair. I traded out some of the sitting with this most excited big sister. She is very patient and just sits nicely with him. He is pretty content to just sleep on in her little lap.

This is the largest age gap we have ever had. She is kind and gentle with him just wanting to help however she can. Mostly she and Merle just play together whatever they dream up. They aren't terribly messy or naughty for the most part. When their energy levels get too high we send them outside and they play with the dog or find other adventures to carryout. Everyday they go with Aliza to water and can run and climb at will for 2-4 hours depending on the day. My must have early feeding supplies the bottle for him, water for me, pacifier etc etc. Whatever it takes to make the baby grow. 

I get antsy sitting for days on end and decided to try some time outside. I was dismayed to find the cows also on a run about the neighborhood. I called for help as I watched 200 cows run from a far corner to the open spot in the fence then through a ditch and or running down the lane to invade the neighbors fields. 

Help came and mounted the trusty four-wheelers. Being newer herdsman they had to learn and or be instructed some on proper positioning to gain the desired results of cows back in the pens. The corners, and canal made for challenging obstacles when cows don't understand english and people aren't fluent in moo. 

Aliza helped in her dress and Anna came to offer more support. Finally the cows and people all got together in the same pen and all was well. The fence was finished- some like to leave 10 feet or so wireless this year- and life quieted back down. 

This little cowboy slept through it all and was none the wiser when we got back to our chair. I surely enjoyed the sunshine and fresh air. But not the adrenaline rush of watching helplessly as 800 other legs ran out of bounds, and as 3 four -wheelers worked back and forth trying to coral the herd. Jake and I did hold one side of a line while cows were balking about crossing back into their pen. I'm not as confident with a baby on my tummy when working cows. 

Majority of the time we rested and watched in the first week but there was that half hour of excitement. As I look at this little man and yet my mind is mostly consumed with the older kids in my brood. The ones making big decisions, living out of my reach, the ones that have other problems to address from pronunciation, to talent development the problem with sitting is so much time to think and hands literally tied down from doing much. But I know we are blessed. The conundrum of being the youngest in a big group is there are a lot of examples being set and lives lived to learn from. We shall see what roads this one chooses and continue to pray for all those ahead on their respective journeys. I'm often overwhelmed with the mass of it all. One step and day at a time working to have faith God is in the details of each life. We have been blessed and I'm sure that pattern will continue. Life is good. 

Weekend Fun

There is a lot going on for each person in our family. It's hard to keep up but here's an attempt. Addie was asked to help the ASB officers host a school wide assembly about inclusion and being a part of the student body. She worked with the team and advisor to find community leaders, student leaders, a kick off speaker, and organize all the students into break out groups. This year has definitely given her opportunity to apply the many hours of leadership training she amassed in her younger high school days. I am so impressed with this particular youth leader not pictured. She facilitates, follows-through, and expects the kids to contribute. She is a pleasure to work with and the backbone of the high school. I've learned these last six months how much support and nurturing some teachers give. Its not just about subject matter but about the relationships with the many, too many, kids who need to be seen and guided through these growing up years. I'm shocked by the lack of family structure, concern and presence. As a dedicated mom my heart is very sad for the lack of family safety and support that many kids experience today. 

Anna and friend Joey went to the Burley temple open house, then got us hundreds of pounds of potatoes. We are thankful for Joey's skills and patience transporting both Anna and the potatoes through heavy traffic. Its fun to get to know them as a couple. 

Andrea adores being a big sister and helping with Jake. He is patient for a while with the young holders who always want some time with him. 

We made it out the door and to town in time to cheer for the football team on their way to the state playoff game. 

Joey also took Anna, Jake and I to Burns to watch that game. He was very protective and considerate. I was thankful to be able to experience Burns football. Its a high intensity place. Due to some hard calls the team did not advance. I was happy with the grit I watched and with Reeds continued sportsmanship. And I loved the super pizza found in Burns. 

The end of the season is so hard for Seniors and those that enjoyed learning and playing the game with them. I'm thankful Reed has a few more years. 

We had surprise visitors who showed us a pretty dramatic object lesson of the power of the book of Mormon. We haven't had missionaries in our home for a long time but these were good and energized the kids. 

A picture for the Elders families. Livy later gave a Book of Mormon to Joey, she also practiced the object lesson. Life passes quickly. As I spend hours with Jake it's not hard to imagine what his life will look like as I see a path his older 4 brothers have walked. I hope he too becomes a strong, reliable, good natured man of ability. The power of example and expectation is strong in guiding a large group. I'm thankful for each of these and the short years they are in my home. Life is good and we are blessed.
 

11.25.25 The day before and pumpkin carving

Jake is almost a month old. Time has gone quickly and so slowly. But the day before he was born safe and sound was a day of uncertainty. Fueled by my teeangers continued worry I would perish in the process it was a bit unsettling. So I decided to make it a day I liked being present with my kids and doing things I liked. Aliza and I started the day making 6-8 pies to share with others. We delivered them and headed to harvest. I didn't realize it was the last day and the day the cousins harvested their crops but we squeezed in the mix and got some pictures. 

Andrea really enjoyed truck rides with Anna. She and Merle have both been sad we couldn't go back and ride a few more times. 

Merle rode with papa and cousin Trey. These are different tractors than our farm but Merle knows how to ride. He was especially put out I time limited him because on our farm he rode all day and night as late as he could go. 

That night we carved our pumpkins. These beauties were home grown and local grown. Even some volunteers that survived the season thanks to Reeds constant care and the chickens being penned up.

We had a special guest visitor who helped the younger kids with these thick shelled mammoths. 

Our friend carved Andreas first I believe. She was very happy. 

Bruce copied an earlier design created with the FFA Kids monthly meeting Afton and he attened with Addie. 

He also thought it might be fun to wear a pumpkin until he felt how heavy it was. 

Millie trying hers out. 

And that was a wrap the day was nice and easy I was present and calm. We met the new friend and accomplished the tradition for the month. I slept a bit and waited for the alarm. The procedure was fine, much more discomfort with this surgery than the last. But over and healed from by now. I'm thankful for normal days full of sunshine and family. For days to share and pass time. And I'm thankful we have all survived the frustration of the first month that sleep is enough and everyone is fed and mostly fine. We are thankful for blessings we don't count because they are just how we expect life to be. Life is very good. 
 

Veterans Honor concert

A new experience this year a veterans day musical program. The kids sang by class patriotic songs. They did a great job I am told. I was at home with Sir feeding him and resting. The rest in a recliner is not the same as a bed. He is not a fan of bed sleeping after 10 am until about 1 am. 

I love this. It's always magical and a bit mystical how the youngest suddenly morphs into a big responsible kid when a new baby comes home. Andrea is no different. She loves to brush hair. Afton was willing to let her help. 

The kids after the show. They are quite a group taking on or being forced into new bigger responsibilities it is fun and frustrating to watch and demand they grow and do more. 

 Time flies by and yet crawls like a slug. We are still in the trenches and that's a good place to be. I listened to a BYU devotional likening having children or the need to have children as archaic as the need to have a horse vs. a car. It was very thought provoking. We still need our children. We have been asked to have them while I mull over the responsibility of having so many my heart keeps beating we need each one. What a sad world that children are viewed as such a nuisance, waste of money and time... for Greg and I they definitely are a primary reason for our being for who we have become and the structure we live by. We are grateful to watch or see them become who they uniquely are. We are thankful for the lessons we learn with them. We are thankful for their relationships and influence on the world around them. Life is good.

Life rolls on

Part of the difference this time with new baby has been the non-stop life of the other people in the family. When we were younger life would just pause. We would watch movies and survive. Now with older kids life goes on and on. Halloween happened. They were so excited and came home very pleased with excessively full bags of candy. Into the safe it went so we can divvy it out week by week for a while. 

Harold came home to investigate and meet the new little one. He missed out on this stage with Andrea being on a mission. He still loves babies and they love him. 

Millie dear won a responsibility award. These three are powerhouses of good at her school. We are thankful for friends who inspire and are also strong lights for positive actions. 

We got to facetime with John eating chick fillet. Why my boys get into jewelry I don't know but its something that's happened to both the older boys. It's so nice to see them once a week usually. He too was happy to see the new brother.

And Mark on his last day in the MTC. He too was excited to see the baby. I had told him it was a boy and the name I wanted. He of course told John and maybe another sibling. It is good they can share the mission experience. Again it is such a joy to watch these brothers grow up together. Oh well life changes. The missionaries all seem to appreciate sharing that adventure with other siblings. They get the lingo and the sacrifice. 

The doctor was surprised I wanted to leave asap.  I have a lot of people who call me mom and while I'm not very active, I wanted to be available. So home we came and life swirls around us like a rock in an every moving stream. I'm not sure if we are a whirlpool causing rock or just one to maneuver around, I'm definitely not a dam. But the water of my kids lives, demands, and needs is constantly washing over me. It's a good place to be with so much life all the time. The kids are all doing well. They love each other. I get to be the bad guy in their lives, but they have siblings to console and understand them, and a dad who they perceive as more mellow and understanding. All good. We are blessed and thankful each day. 
 

District XC

Greg, my dad, Reed, and Livy took a road trip to watch Addie run in the district Cross country meet in Pendleton Or on Halloween day. We hope Livy might take up running and Reed needed to see what a race actually looks like after years of jeering her finish placements. They enjoyed the time off work to read for hours on end. Addie was surprised to see them all. 

Warmups with her teammates. 

The start line. All girls from 1a-3a run together there is no seperating like the boys enjoy. The team to the right of addie with blue and red are the speedsters. 

And their off. I love how strong Addie runs. 

This was the surprise and gold of the day. This is Zion she is a runner from Elgin. She and Addie run in the same time ranges. In the running world your times are all documented and stored away on a nasty little tool called Athletic.net. Those times are immortalized forever on that data base. Thus at any time you can compare yourself or rank youself based on times with your fellow runners. This is good and bad. 

This sweet lady ran with Addie most of the race. She would encourage Addie hey lets pass them about other runners. But mostly setting a pace Addie matched stride for stride. Addie hasn't had girls to run with in her day to day training and it changes from race to race depending on who shows up.

In the shoot about finished Zion pulled away Addie had given her all. She beat her old personal best by 14 seconds it was 19:49 she ran 19:35 this day thanks to Zion, maturity, and determination. This is pretty rare for a girl runner to run better than her younger self time. 

The Elgin team won. Zion was in tears for Addie. She had a spot for state because of her team. Addie was edged out of state participation. But she ran her best. She was back where she knew she could be. She set a new school record. It was a good day for running. 

The selfless ness of this fellow runner really touched me and Addie. It was so thoughtful of her. This is why I love this sport its not about killing the competition but about cheering each participant through doing better than they have before no matter what that looks like. It's about improving yourself each day. From gaining control over the debilitating nausea of last season to running stronger and managing a pile of leadership responsibility Addie did well. It was an enjoyable season. It ended well. 
 
Livy and Reed were delighted to find a perk of traveling with Papa Corn is good food locations. He knew of a deli in La Grand that served better than average sandwiches. They were absolutely happy to find delicious pies on the shelf as well. So after a great lunch and dessert they watched the runners, then  met the football bus and sent Reed to Umatilla to win the foot ball league title and headed home to be the late attendees to the Halloween party. It was a full day with lots of good. We are blessed.