Summer is for Swimming!

Action photo taken by a fellow parent, Vin Crosby! Thank you...

Thomas and Sarah have had a great time over the past couple of weeks... each took a second round of swim lessons for the summer. Thomas has been perfecting his flutter kicks (it's been a challenge with weakness in his legs from his surgery early this year...). Sarah has been working on her Elementary Back Stroke. Both can jump into the pool from the deep end and make it to the side without assistance... This is progress!

July Sunset

In the hush of a moment... the sun slips low and creates
a splendid show for me tonight...

A Lesson in Letting Go

Today has been an emotional day...

Our good old Jeep of 12 years has finally "kicked the bucket"... it sat in our driveway this weekend (after being driven home from the auto repair shop)... gushing antifreeze on the driveway... with little hope of repair... We are all a bit saddened by this occasion. It has been with us so long that it has become a part of "us", so to speak.

The kids have never known my husband to drive any other vehicle... it has been the source of many a fun joy ride as a family, and it has traveled the world with us... from the East Coast of the United States... to Europe... to Japan... to the West Coast... and... (we were even thinking of driving it out to the East Coast one last time to actually have it circle the entire globe)!

This Red Jeep has driven us through most of our married life and has been a part of memories that will last a lifetime...


Today we said goodbye...(it will go to the crusher)... the government has supplied an incentive to purchase a car with cheaper gas mileage... being that the problem and repair will cost many more dollars than is worth the effort... the Jeep serves us one last time by bringing the cost of a new vehicle a little less. My husband took it for it's last drive this afternoon... and returned with a practical yet sporty looking blue thing... (I don't think he is as sad as the rest of us are...)



I have shed a few secret tears... my Sarah is bawling like a baby and Thomas is just fascinated at the idea of the Jeep being crushed! (A window into the differences of women and men).

Letting go is hard to do sometimes... often we don't understand why... but, in the end... placing our faith and happiness in things never brings lasting joy.

God is the source of all good things.

Don't be deceived, my dear brothers.
Every good and perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,
who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1:16-17

Mid Summer Garden Update

The past couple of weeks have become quite warm around here... above average temperatures into the 100's. My lettuce is bolting, by potato's greens just wilted away... My tomatoes became out of control... my cucumbers and zucchini are producing enough to enjoy every other day or so... my herbs are flowering and some are dying out because of the heat... the peppers are starting to produce as well!

Our Little Garden is full of life!

This is not up to my neatness standards :)
I am at a loss how to keep tomatoes in their place!

To my joy, the summer flowers are starting to bloom...

My First Sunflower!

I spent the morning digging up my potatoes... I found many more than were planted :)

It is official now... we are Idaho Potato Farmers...

4H Record Book

Every year, 4H youth must return their record book for review and judging at Fair. It is filled with information about the year: Community Service Opportunities...Group Service... 4H Activities and Involvement, Personal Goals , what they did to achieve their Goals, how much they spent (or their parent's spent) toward achieving their Goals, and what they rate their achievements to be.

Sarah's Record Book Cover, created and designed by Sarah...

The Back cover...

Sarah has worked diligently this year... (and so have we) to make her goals a reality.

A couple of Sarah's of Goals for 2009

She has studied and practiced to gain a greater understanding of horse health, she has gained a greater understanding of horsemanship and horse trivia, she has gained knowledge to perfect her showmanship skills; she has perfected putting a halter on her horse (14+ hands high) without assistance from an adult; she has learned more about riding Western style and English style... she has grown more mature and gained a greater understanding of horsemanship and what is required to care for and own a horse...

The first page of Sarah's 4H Story...

All of this, and more, through the 4H program.

Courtney working with Sarah on Showmanship Skills

Courtney and Sarah, Eagle Island Foothills Trail Ride 2009

If it were not for the dedication of her leader, Lianna, and her capable daughter, Courtney, Sarah would most likely not be as far along as she is. If it were not for the generosity of her 4H leader, she would not have the opportunities she has had... what a blessing to have such people in our lives...to dedicate and spend hours of time poured out in pure love ... for a little girl... and the love of a horses...

Lianna preparing Sarah for the Snake River Stampede Parade...

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

A Weekend Busy Chasing Waves...

This weekend we found ourselves on the Oregon Coast for a day... cool and windy...


My children love the ocean...

The Salty Water...

The Sand...

The Rocks...

If only we could live in this moment always...

But the fast pace of the clock soon takes us back to the

real world

with needs

and responsibilities...

I am thankful... for the opportunities to be still...

Happy Birthday Thomas!

As I traced the outline of my son's innocent face with my finger this morning... holding him in my arms for our daily morning snuggle... I couldn't help but want to slow down the hands of time... savor this moment... his gaze deeply set on mine I hold him close and cherish the gift of my little boy...

Six Years Old...

Saturday we celebrated Thomas' Birthday...

He is growing into a vibrant and healthy little man... 6 years old now.

Cowboy Thomas and his Daddy

Saturday we also marched as a family in the in the Snake River Stampede Parade in Nampa. It was great fun for Thomas... Helping to support our 4H group, we carried the 4H flag and Thomas waved at the bystanders as we led our girls on horseback through town. The Energizers won 2nd place in their division and enjoyed a fun morning of horse grooming, decorating and riding.

Sarah Jane and Sarah Elizabeth waiting for
Wyatt to dry freshly painted (nails) I mean... hooves...

It's a big job for a little boy

The Energizer's ready to be Judged

Thomas taking a ride on Shorty

Daddy getting a smooch from Wyatt

Marching Down Main Street USA (Nampa)

Thomas almost felt as if the parade was in his honor... He loved the idea of marching through town... but the parade route was long and he decided to ride in style..." All that waving was hard work", he confided in me after the parade...

He waved the entire parade!

What birthday is complete without a cake and candles...

I wonder what he wished for...

Happy Birthday Thomas!

An Evening of Music, Fellowship and Chocolate

Thursday night we held a violin recital in our home to celebrate Sarah's finishing up Book One of the Suzuki Music School.

We are so thrilled to see her graduate on to the next level!

Sarah warming up before the Recital
Her beautiful dress was hand made by her Grandma Linda!

Many of you know that Sarah has been learning to play the violin since she was just a wee toddler of two. This journey has had many ups and downs and side stops along the way... She began in Tokyo, Japan...

Sarah with her first Violin Teacher in our apartment in Tokyo
Winter of 2001

We soon made a move back to the States, where after a few months of looking, we found another excellent teacher to continue her instruction... This was a time of building a foundation...of good habits and technical skill... and after a year or more of pre-twinkles we finally graduated to begin Book One. Two moves and two instructors later, she is finally moving forward at a strong pace...

Sarah and Jenny, her wonderful violin Instructor,
playing a duet

Although it seems a long time for Sarah... and sometimes she has felt like she has been taking one step forward and two steps back...she has worked hard and diligently the entire way. The time spent has served her well as she has matured and worked to finish up the first of many books to come...



As with anything of value, hard work and diligence are at the core of success. Playing an instrument takes daily commitment... we are so proud of Sarah for sticking with it.

Friends

Of course, after the recital, we enjoyed the fellowship of friends and family that came to support Sarah and we feasted on chocolate covered strawberries and a double chocolate cake prepared by my wonderful and talented mother.

Our Chocolate...

A special thanks to my mother, Linda, Jenny (Sarah's Violin Instructor), and Pat (our wonderful pianist), for graciously sharing your time, gifts and talents to make this evening very special.

What a great memory for all of us to draw from as we move forward to book two!

Still Horsing Around!

Well, we can't seem to shake horse fever around here!

Sarah Showing off her 8th Place Ribbon!

Monday, Sarah participated in the 4H Junior State Horse Bowl. She was able to swim with the "big fish" being one of the youngest in the Junior division.

Getting her trigger finger ready!

She scored 8th in the State! She came home with another beautiful medal to add to her growing collection... and, enjoyed a wonderful day hanging out with her Daddy... What could be better than that?

The Idaho State 4H Jr. Horse Bowl Champions for 2009

A Week of Horsing Around, Part Two

Tuesday, Sarah participated in the Chickasaw Choctaw 4H Beginner's Horse Show. She did splendid! It was a bit unnerving and Wyatt was acting up a bit. We think he may have been testing Sarah's strength and fortitude a bit. Horses feel the confidence of their rider and he was giving her a run for her money! Her confidence began to waiver and he knew it... After a few tears and a couple of pep talks, we put Sarah in the ring...she kept it together and did a fabulous job.

The Opening Ceremonies
Sarah and a couple of her class competitors

Sarah was number 28...
Can't tell with the long braid blocking the number!
Getting into position for her Showmanship Class

Here is her Showmanship Class
The Judges are making their first inspection

Sarah setting Wyatt up for Showmanship
My little girl in a big arena...

Sarah feeling good after her Western Walk/Trot Class
1st Place! Way to go!!

Here is a video clip of her English Walk Trot, if you want to view it just make sure you stop the music playing in the left side column!

Sarah ended up coming home with two first place ribbons (both for her Walk/Trot Western and English classes) and a 4th place (for showmanship). She also walked away with the Grand Champion, High Point Ribbon! She scored the highest total out of all of her class of 10 and 11 year old competitors. Hurray for Sarah!

The next day... a proud Grand Champion and her horse.

We are so proud of Sarah. Her hard work and hours of time spent preparing for the show paid off in a bounty of great memories...

A Week of Horsing Around, Part One

Sarah has had a great time the past few days riding and enjoying working with Wyatt. Mom and Dad are tired and ready for a break!

Monday, She went on a trail ride with her 4H group in the Eagle Foothills... We all went up to see her, and the rest of her group, off and had a fun BBQ and picnic. All of the girls had a lot of fun!

The girls giving Shorty a make-over before the trail ride...

Sarah and her love....

Wyatt giving me a big smile! No Joke, I asked him to smile
and he did!

My little girl is getting tall and slender...

Sarah and her trainer and 4H friend, Courtney.

Sarah Jane (and her pony Shorty),
Sarah's dear friend and 4H buddy...



Some of the 4H gang getting ready to head out...
Happy Trails to You. Until, we meet again...