Watch me grow...

Spring is in the air! This is one of my favorite times of the year, the days are getting warmer and the sun is shinning longer and life seems to be full. This year, I am trying my hand at a vegetable garden and pleased with the progress so far. Some of my vegetables were planted from seed (okra, summer squash, tomatoes, and sweet bell peppers) and for others (cucumbers, banana peppers, and zucchini) I purchased plants. Here is a little of what has taken place since planting seeds on 2/20/12.

 Okra plants

 Summer Squash and Okra

Banana Peppers

Although my focus has been on vegetables, I did plant some miniature sunflowers for Payton's 4H group and as you can see, they have sprouted up as well.  However, the true test for all of this will be the harvesting of edible veggies and actual flowers so we shall see what happens in the weeks to come.

Miniature Sunflowers

For now, it is time to rest up for the busy week.  Fair pen set up Monday, Payton has basketball on Tuesday and Kennedy has her first home track meet on Thursday! 

Until next time,

XOXO!



And so it begins...

March Madness for us includes everything; including NCAA basketball!  This month is packed full of activities.  Payton will play on Feb 28, March 6, March 8, March 9, March 13, March 19, and March 20; all at 5:15.  It is amazing to see how much he improves from year to year.  He turns 12 on in March also and seems to become more comfortable with his size daily.  As we plan for this young man to emerge, I have increased the budget for groceries, search for stores to purchase large shoes (13 and growing) and continue to be proud that he in not embarrassed to show his intelligence and is not ashamed to give his parents and grandparents hugs in public!  I pray both of those qualities stay with him. 

Kennedy is off and running; literally!  Track practice has begun and she enjoys the outdoors along with sore muscles.  Her first home track meet will be March 15.  Currently she is training for the long jump, triple jump, high jump, and 400 meter run...you go girl!  She has really excelled in high school not only in athletics but also academically.  Along with her extra curricular activities, she has maintained a 4.0 GPA!  Not sure if she realizes how proud I am of her and how much I admire her zest for life; I often wish I were more like he. 

Along with the sporting activities, fair is just around the corner and the kid's goats are looking great!  My only concern is that they will probably end up in the same market class and I hate having them compete against each other!  I have a difficult enough time watching without them being in the show ring at the same time.  They seem to take it take it in stride however and I am grateful for that.  Last year, they both sold does at auction which were donated back for breeding projects and both are now expecting...this will be a new adventure for our "farm". 

Chiva Diva Ranch  seems to be growing although I'm not sure how Tim feels about it, haha!

I'd like to acquire this little guy for the cause but a few things need to fall in place first...keeping my fingers crossed!

This weekend, I confirmed germination of the sunflowers planted from seed but have another week or so before I expect to see anything from the vegetable seeds.  I did get a little impatient and planted some cucumber, banana pepper and zucchini plants (thanks Tim for getting my soil ready).

With that said, I'm calling it a successful weekend and looking forward to a productive work week!

Until next time,
XOXO!

It's been a while...

As you can see by the picture, basketball and farming tend to dominate our lives.  It makes our family unique, competitive and very busy!  Kennedy just finished her first season of high school basketball where she played on both JV and Varsity and Tim got his first taste at coaching all girls.  I'd like to say that I feel bad for everything he had to go through but...I really want to say, "welcome to my world".  All joking aside, he did a great job and coach and players learned a lot.  What will next season hold? Only time will tell.  Right now, it's on to the next activity.  Tim will be coaching Payton's rec center team and games should start next week.  Kennedy is moving on to track; first practice is tomorrow. 

As for me, other than being made fun of for keeping the family calender, I am trying my hand at a vegetable garden.  Planted, tomato seed, okra seeds, bell pepper seeds and squash seeds today and should have germination in about 2 weeks.  My dad, Payton and Tim worked this morning building me a planter box from an old refrigerator that we are recycling.  Fresh veggies and helping mother earth, sounds like a plan to me. 

Until next time,

XOXO

Easter 2011

Our family spend the weekend with Tim's parents and brother at the cabin.  It is the first time all 10 of us have been together in a while.  The weather was a little chillier than expected but that meant more family time talking and playing games.  Kennedy and Payton love to spend time with their cousins Dan and Erin and know that soon Erin will be headed to the Pennsilvania for college so they make the most of the time now. 

We let the kids pick the menu for the weekend...Payton wanted pizza Friday, Kennedy chose tamales, Saturday.  For Easter, they decided on yogurt parfaits with strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, kiwi, and blueberries with some granola and cinnamon rolls.  The cinnamon rolls were huge and lasted all day!  We had a late lunch/early dinner of ham, cheesy potatoes, broccoli, asparagus and bread.  Everyone was too full for dessert but that didn't last long. 

Easter baskets are always good!

We had to wake her up this year.

The "Hunt"

Tim, the kids and I went to the scarament meeting at the local LDS church which was just a small branch really.  There were about 30 people in the chapel and they probably 10 were visitors.  However, the Spirit was strong and everyone enjoyed the day.  The sad part is that we can't stay longer...someday, everyday.  That's what Tim keeps telling me and it makes me happy so I go with it.

Our Family

Always "Daddy's Little Girl"

They say that from the instant he lays eyes on her, a father adores his daughter. Whoever she grows up to be, she is always to him that little girl in pigtails. She makes him feel like Christmas. In exchange, he makes a secret promise not to see the awkwardness of her teenage years, the mistakes she makes or the secrets she keeps.
-Anonymous

I’m not quite sure if dads ever truly realize just how much they impact the lives of their daughters.  I know that in my own life, my dad has been invaluable to me.  He taught me powerful lessons in subtle ways and was always there to support any decision I made.  As I watch Tim and Kennedy, I see so many wonderful times they share; they have the same zest for life and thrill of adventure.  I know that the bond between them is extremely strong yet fragile at the same time.  As she finishes 8^th grade and begins high school, it is more important than ever that they continue to communicate openly and honestly.  Tim must never forget to tell her she is one of the most important parts of his life and she must never forget that her dad will always love her even if he is mad.  It is my job to always remind Tim that no matter where she goes, she will always need her dad! 



Tim and Kennedy at the Parker Triathlon 11/2010




Kennedy and Tim December 2011



Kennedy and Tim PV 5K 4/2011

It’s a Dad Kind of Thing

It’s a dad kind of thing to protect you
And see that the world treats you right,
To offer his willing assistance
Any hour of the day or the night.

It’s a dad kind of thing to stand by you
If one of your bubbles should burst,
To make sure you know you’re important
And know that with him you come first.

To give you his all but still wonder
If there’s something more he could do -
It’s a dad kind of thing to keep showing
That he’ll always be there for you.

Proud Mom!

The 2011 Colorado River Fair is finally over!  When Kennedy began 4H five years ago, the term "fair fun" took on an entirely new meaning.  No longer do I think of fair as rides, corn-dogs, cinnamon rolls and endless fun.  It is now market class, showmanship, ribbons, and long days.  However, watching both Kennedy and Payton during these 14 hour days makes it worth while; once I get caught up on my sleep. 

This year, both of them raised a meat goat and consistently do well with their animals.  Kennedy came in 2nd for market class and 7th in showmanship.  Payton was 5th in market and 6th in showmanship.  Because we can never be content with what we are doing, we are starting a new adventure with the animals and are attempting a goat breeding project.  I'm sure there will be interesting things to post as we head down that path and to top it off, Kennedy is seriously considering raising a steer next year instead of a goat! 

For some, the competition of fair is the most important aspect of the four days.  However, for me, it was watching both kids interact with their peers and other adults.  I was so proud to watch the kindness of Kennedy toward others, the way she is so respectful to the adults and seems to be able to keep things in perspective amazes me.  When parents stopped me and told me that Payton was such a respectful gentleman and so well behaved I'm sure the smile on my face was much too large.  I love them more than they can possibly imagine and look forward to each stage of their lives as they continue to grow into fabulous young adults.

Love her smile!

I'm not sure who Payton was talking to.

Payton and Kennedy in the show ring.

Here we go!

It has been such an event filled week and it is just getting started!  Payton had his braces put on Friday and seems to be adjusting ok.  He was in some pain the first day but is now handling it like a trooper.  The past several days have been spent washing, shaving and preparing the goats for the fair.  It seems odd that you make them pretty just to be slaughtered but I guesss that is what everyone has to do. 

To be honest, I'm a little worried about fair this year.  Not so much the 4H competition part, that is what it is.  I'm more concerned with watching the kids (mine and others) during the time we are there.  You learn a lot about them and it is not always good.  I hope my kids always make good choices but the reality is I know they are human and won't.  I pray that the bad choices are not too bad and are not things that can't be overcome.  Their dad and I will always be there to help them through every part of their life and I hope they realize this. 

I know how few teenagers talk with their parents and I honestly don't want my kids to be in that group.  They need to know that regardless of any choice they make, we love them unconditionally and want them to be able to talk with us.  So for now, I guess I should feel fortunate that I am in a position where I can observe what is going on in their lives.  I have to remind myself of this from time to time.