Merit, Willem, Hazel, and Oren

Our college kid

Merit is pinching pennies the end of the month and I appreciate the planning and problem solving that goes along with being a college kid on a budget.

He told me some weeks he makes chicken fettucine. It is enough for three meals. He also likes to cook jambalaya. 

I send him a box of protein bars once a month via Amazon. 

He and a few buddies went to Applebees for bottomless wings the other night. I am sure Applebees lost money on those college athletes. 

Then I sent him an add I saw for Applebees all you can eat for $14.99. He's on it. 

He had an instructor last quarter for psychology that was just a fabulous, wise lady. The content of the course was super interesting to him, he learned a lot.  I have not talked to him much about his classes currently. Although he does have a lab science and the instructor of this course is breaking things down in a learnable, interesting manner. 

His first games are February 24!

Our Junior

Willem got student of the quarter and I am so proud of what the teacher wrote on his award. 

Willem works with 3rd graders one period a day and now he works with pre-schoolers another period. 

This guy has the patience and the know how to make things teachable. 

On the court he is maybe the hardest worker and his attitude is top notch.

He makes life more fun!

Our 7th grader

Hazel is getting great grades and always has interesting stories about school. 

She helps me bake and cook. 

She is growing like crazy! 

Connie, our cat, sleeps on her bed every night! 

She is beautiful and funny! 

Our 3rd grader! 

This guy is tender hearted and OH SO KIND!

He works hard in school. 

He is a fabulous artist.

He has an amazing teacher and great friends! 

He is fun and thoughtful!!  

 

CHEER SQUAD!

These girls are doing a terrific job! 

So much fun!!

CHEER SQUAD!

 

Thankful!

 Willem and Hazel are proving how organized they can be with a BUSY schedule!! 

It is very fun and really makes me proud. Their grades are great and their work ethic is beautiful. 

This is a busy week! 

Hazel cheers 4 games. Willie plays 4 games. We host JV and Varsity team dinner Thursday. This is the best kind of busy! Just wish Merit was in our neat future. 

Oren is working on his basketball skills every day and is so enjoying the time he gets with the big guys! The HS players! 

He is working on his multiplication facts and is doing well in school. 

Friday

 I think Willem had a great birthday!

And we thought Little Dribblers was over! But nope, Oren gets to enjoy that again tomorrow! 

Willem plays in Wenatchee tomorrow night. 

I am just in awe of how fast time does fly! And because we cannot slow it down, we just enjoy the ride! 

We added a round pen to our pasture. I think this will be an important learning structure for Bootstraps and all of us. He does not like being away from Roxie and Tillie - our two energetic, fun goats - so if he is in the pen and they are not, there is a little stress. We hope to help him work through a little anxiety he has. He is gentle, a little stubborn, and such a cool horse. 

I am pricing some super cute Valentine stuff for the Favored Farmhouse! And plan to make a bunch of cards this week. 

I am looking so forward to the weekend! A busy day tomorrow! A quiet day Sunday....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILLEM!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILD WILL!

You are responsible! 

You are amazing!

You make life so much better!!!

 

January 12

 13 years ago today my nephew Case passed away.  I remember many many specific details of that day. 

It is a day that forever changed us. 

Natasha's heart was damaged that day. Maybe not her physical heart, but she has continued to live with a void in her heart with the loss of her precious baby boy. 

As she experienced heart failure in the years to follow, I often thought about what the death of a child may do to one's heart. 

I am so very grateful she has a new, strong heart. One that still grieves the loss of our mom and Case - among others, but a healthy heart. Her perseverance and grace during this journey has been an inspiration. 

People get sick, people die, there are hurricanes and floods ... these are things of this world. 

And although we may all have our moments of asking WHY? - it really is only natural - we know death occurs and that natural disasters happen and that there is disease and heartache.

It has been pressing so greatly on my heart how the little things we can control should not be taken lightly. The way WE TREAT PEOPLE and the WAY WE ALLOW OTHERS TO TREAT US. We have some control of this! 

I feel like this is so important to know and to do something about. 

We will see Case again some day. We look towards the heavens, so thankful for our hope in Jesus. 

Please pray for Natasha, Reese, Lane, Estelle, and Ingrid tonight. 

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

 

It's Wednesday! 

The sun was out yesterday and it was glorious! It tried to peek out today but we are back to clouds. 

I sub tomorrow - 5th grade. 

Oren is still into Legos and having a ball!! He got the Lego City hospital for Christmas and loves it! 

Hazel sent me a picture of rolls she made in culinary class today. They looked amazing and delicious! 

Willem had team dinner at MacDonalds last night - Eric and Teresa MacDonalds and it sounded like a ball. Willem is enjoying basketball. He's doing great in school! He is delighted with his teachers! I hope next semester is as great. 

I think Merit's classes are going well and I think he is having the time of his life. This kid! 

He is very plugged in and loves the town of 

Walla Walla.

The animals are happy and content and may dream of green grass and less ice and muck. 

Oren is enjoying little dribblers and really looks up to the HS players, Carter Smith being one of them.

A FULL weekend!

Let the good times roll~

We keep finding ourselves on the court! 

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Here it is 2023 and I am entering it with some anticipation and I am not sure it is the good kind of anticipation. Time to find a better frame of mind and make a difference where I can.

GOALS for 2023 

💛💗More letter writing

🥰More volunteer work

🤗More acceptance of myself

Merit left last night to head back to Walla Walla. 

We started missing him when he was five minutes out the door. 

We are loving our critters and just looking forward to even some 40 degree days to get out there more. We have had snow and ice for many weeks. 

Our tuxedo cat - who is lucky enough to be indoors - is cuddled near me while I type.  

I am going to get rid of fifty things today! These can even be old school papers or magazines. If I can get Wild Will to help me, this can happen in no time.

He traveled with his basketball team to Portland for three days and had an ABSOLUTE blast! That kid. He is good for the mood.

I am humming this song through my morning, sure feels good. 

 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. 

When I feel afraid, think I have lost my way still you're there right beside me. Nothing will I fear as long as you are near...

A Thrill of HOPE, the weary world REJOICES

 I am so thankful for;

the birth of Jesus

Safe travels over Christmas

Family

Christmas break! I love having these kids home! 

Grace

Mercy

Good memories made

In harder moments, I have had to help my mind go back to Bethlehem. Nativity scenes gained a new realness and importance for me this Christmas! 

I think of Mary and Joseph in the stable, with the animals. I think of them placing the brand new baby Jesus in most likely a trough, known as the manger. They wrapped him in cloths they had. 

During this time the shepherds were out tending to their flocks and an angel appeared to them. The angel told them of the great news of a Savior being born in a stable! 

Luke 2: 10 and 11 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all of the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."

The shepherds when to find baby Jesus. 

And after some time, three wise men- known as magi - saw a bright star in the sky. The wise men traveled to find the new king. 

A THRILL OF HOPE, THE WEARY WORLD REJOICES

LIFE

Life is anything but dull. So many highlights, a few daunting struggles. 

Merit got his wisdom teeth extracted Tuesday morning - the procedure went well - but then he proceeded to come down with a nasty virus. This kid is really sick. Tuesday night, last night too,  he looked like a feverish Zombie. 

So I am trying to best help him Tuesday night, but needed to run to town to grab Chico's Pizza, Vance's birthday dinner choice! :-) And Willem gets home from practice, his face is bleeding, his cheek is swollen. 

That kids hustle could teach me a thing or two, every day.

Hazel is a BUSY girl and loving life! We have had snow and ICE for sooooo long! I think her horse misses her. 

Oren has SO much Christmas spirit! It is a BEAUTIFUL thing! 

It really was no surprise when the horses at the Christmas tree farm wanted to hang out with Hazel! And no, she did not have treats in her pocket! They just like her! 

As I may have shared, Christmas tree farms and pumpkin patches are my jam. Really, there is nothing better. 

When we arrived at the farm I asked Vance if I should as the owners to take a picture of our family. The look he gave me told me he wanted to get in and out of there! 😂

SO, no family pics! But plenty of little groupings! 

And we loaded up two BEAUTIFUL trees! One for our house, one for our shop!