2013

 

Sometimes you just have to wonder what is going through our minds.  Spring is notoriously a busy time of year and yet, for some reason we decided we needed to do soccer.  Jayla really likes soccer so she begged and we gave in.  Since we were already driving to O'Neill for Jayla we decided we might as well let Jake do it too.  Lucky for us it only last a couple more weeks. 

Another branding is in the books.  We had a nice turn out with about 30 people to help brand 330 head.  There are certain things that can trigger memories, sights, smells and in this case sounds.  You know it is spring/branding season when you step out your door, feel a light breeze and the sun on your face while you hear the bawling of calves in the distance.  There is just something about branding time that triggers memories from past brandings.  I can still remember the first branding I ever went to at Serenity's house.  I was so excited and yet nervous at the same time.  The nervousness comes from being an "outsider" and knowing it.  As a city kid you always feel like you are messing up in some way when it comes to a branding.  Ranch kids have been helping at brandings since they were old enough to walk but being a 14 year old that had a very limited amount of experience with real livestock a branding was nerve-wracking.  There was no reason to worry though, the Markus' were very helpful and did all they could to make me feel welcome.  As all ranchers have at all the brandings I've been to since, and there have been a few. 
Branding are a time you get to socialize and reminisce about past brandings, how the kids have grown and how this year's calf crop looks.  It it a time where neighbors get together and help each other.  It is a time of relief...relief that you made it through another calving season and relief that you get to turn out your pairs onto green grass.  I look forward to brandings each and every year, they are a lot of work but they are so worth it.    
 

Proud of my girls!  I love that my girls are the type to jump in there and do what needs to be done.  I think Brad was even pretty proud today of how his girls handled themselves. 

 

I can remember my 8th grade graduation like it was yesterday.  I got to pick out a dress and we got to go to the Junction afterwards to get an order of fries, and yes that was a big deal, we never got to go to the Junction to eat when I was a kid.  Plus, at the end of the evening I guilted my dad into picking up a stray Kitten that I would later name Midnight, bet you can't guess what color he was :)  Well fast forward 20+ years and now I have a daughter graduating 8th grade and starting her journey into adulthood, which scares the dickens out of me.  Along with going into high school Kendra can now drive being as she has her school drivers licence.  She drove to school yesterday by herself and then drove to the sports award banquet last night.  Part of me is thrilled that my little girl has some new found freedom, mainly because it makes my life easier.  But the other part of me is scared to death about her new found freedom!  I remember some of the stupid things we use to do with our vehicles.  Blackout tag being the main one that comes to my mind, where you shut off your head lights and haul butt down country roads trying to find your other friends in their cars.  I only played this once let me assure you, considering I never wanted to play it in the first place.  But some how I did...that is what scares me.  Brad and I have some amazing kids, smart kids but even smart kids get stupid from time to time.  So I guess I will just do what parents have been doing for years....PRAY and keep God on speed dial.

They are growing.  Kendra 14, Jayla 12 and Jake 9.

 

Jayla completed her 2nd and final 5K with her Girls on the Run group.  This is such an awesome club!  I love what they stand for and what they teach.  I love how they focus on the girls and making them feel good.  I love how when you "lap" someone you have to give them a compliment or a word of encouragement.  How awesome would life be if everybody lived life like that.  This year was a little easier for Jayla, though she was still very tired at the end of it she wasn't ready to fall down this year.  You know the program is gaining in popularity too because there were quite a few more girls this year than last year.