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...

Good Fences Make Good Neighbors

We are putting up a fence this week.

Between our neighbor and ourselves.

It is a good thing, yet, there is something in me that doesn't "love a wall"...

I love the open space that is not obstructed by trampolines or plastic monstrosities... nor overgrown weeds and piles of junk...nor of loud and crude noises and unsightly behavior...

I truly pine for the open quiet space of fresh mowed and perfectly green lawn... or that of a natural woodland or open pasture.

The sub-burbs seem to require a wall to keep the good in and the bad out... a buffer is necessary ... and so, the wall goes up between our two houses...

As the saying goes "Good fences make good neighbors".

Something there is that doesn't love a wall,

That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it,
And spills the upper boulders in the sun,

And makes gaps even two can pass abreast.

The work of hunters is another thing:
I have come after them and made repair
Where they have left not one stone on a stone,
But they would have the rabbit out of hiding,
To please the yelping dogs. The gaps I mean,
No one has seen them made or heard them made,
But at spring mending-time we find them there.

I let my neighbor know beyond the hill;
And on a day we meet to walk the line
And set the wall between us once again.
We keep the wall between us as we go.

To each the boulders that have fallen to each.
And some are loaves and some so nearly balls
We have to use a spell to make them balance:
'Stay where you are until our backs are turned!'
We wear our fingers rough with handling them.

Oh, just another kind of out-door game,
One on a side. It comes to little more:
There where it is we do not need the wall:
He is all pine and I am apple orchard.
My apple trees will never get across
And eat the cones under his pines, I tell him.

He only says, 'Good fences make good neighbors'.
Spring is the mischief in me, and I wonder
If I could put a notion in his head:
'Why do they make good neighbors?
Isn't it
Where there are cows?
But here there are no cows.
Before I built a wall I'd ask to know
What I was walling in or walling out,
And to whom I was like to give offense.
Something there is that doesn't love a wall,
That wants it down.

I could say 'Elves' to him,
But it's not elves exactly, and I'd rather
He said it for himself.

I see him there
Bringing a stone grasped firmly by the top
In each hand, like an old-stone savage armed.
He moves in darkness as it seems to me~
Not of woods only and the shade of trees.
He will not go behind his father's saying,
And he likes having thought of it so well

He says again, "Good fences make good neighbors."

The Mending Wall
Robert Frost

I pray that God grant me an attitude of grace and openness toward my neighbor...so as not to build a wall in my heart between us as well.

Skirts Made for Two!

Here is the latest in our "sewing threads of beauty and modesty" collection...

Sarah and Isabelle

These beautiful young girls are modeling the newly sewed
twirling skirts!
Every girl needs a skirt to spin and twirl about in...
(Sarah picked out the horse fabric of course.)

Young Men Mentoring Little Ones

Have you ever wondered how you impact others through seemingly simple actions of service or hospitality?

We have enjoyed a morning spent with our dearly beloved Kronz Family at their beautiful farm.

Whenever I visit with my girlfriend for a time of fellowship, her sons take time to sit and talk and play with my little one. Giving me the gift of time spent free to talk and truly enjoy some well loved moments of peace.

It is such a blessing to see... the connection they make with Thomas. I am sure it is a chore at times to keep my little guy occupied, but the fact is, that time is well spent. Thomas is truly blessed by the time these young men take out of their own busy lives to love him and mentor him as if he were their very own brother. These boys are living out the unconditional love of Christ...

It just brings a smile to my face...

Josiah and Thomas relaxing under the willow tree as Josiah
shares the never ending tales of "Three Crazy Pigs"

Happy Father's Day

Today is a special day... Father's Day.

I think fondly of my own father... he is such a wonderful man.

My Daddy

I truly enjoy just being with him and spending time together... He has always made me a priority in his life and, has made me feel very special. He has always been a strong leader, provider, and counselor. He modeled Godly character in his daily life. He has desired to see his family know and understand God's love and has acted out this love to us through his unconditional grace and love given freely to each of his children. I was very fortunate to grow up in a home with such a foundation of truth, strength and love.

As my husband and I are now raising our own children, we feel the sacrifice and the weight of the responsibility that it takes every day to live out this mission. It is a daily exercise in faith (as we ultimately trust in God's control) and sacrifice (laying down our own desires to give to our children every ounce of patience and consistent discipline and care) as we prepare them for their future.

Daddy, Sarah and Thomas, Father's Day 2009

Today, my daughter presented my husband with a simple hand made card... it was lovely... I must share her heart felt sentiments so that we can remember the words that come from sweet true love.... from a daughter to her father:

I can't explain the ways I love you more each day.
I love many people
I love many things,
but just loving you makes me feel like I'm on wings.
It doesn't matter where you are
if your near
or if you're far
I still love you from the bottom of my heart.

Happy Father's Day!

Sarah, Age 10

Happily Married After 19 Years!

Today, I ponder the idea of being married for 19 years...

Is it possible that time has gone by so quickly?

It seems only yesterday we walked hand in hand from the alter. Leaving the comfort, authority and safety of our own families and beginning our journey in life together... as one.

It was very simple then... we could load everything we owned into the back of my husband's Volkswagen. We were very driven and optimistic about life and filled to the core with joy!

Is seems as time goes by...

life has had it's ups and downs

many changes have strengthened us

moves to different places around the globe have changed our perspective

two beautiful children have matured and purified us

pets, houses, stuff... have multiplied...

life is not as simple....

In fact, balance and sanity are difficult to achieve at times!


Yet, there is something that has not changed. At the end of every day... we are together. We are more in love, more content to rest together in each others arms, as God carries us through yet another day. A true miracle.

What a blessing, in this uncertain and changing world, to have this gift and treasure of a husband, a true blessing from God, walking on this earth with me.

You say Potato I Say Potato

We are simply amazed at these Kronz spuds
growing in our garden...

They are simply breathtaking.

In just one week they have grown a foot or more!

Sarah has the measuring tape out today...
It looks like they are almost at three feet and
it's only the middle of June.

Good Old Fashioned Fun!

What a joy to see my children delight in the simple things of life... give them a washtub filled with water and some simple floating toys and they are entertained for hours!

It calms them rather than overstimulates ...

There is something that happens when we actively learn (rather than passively through virtual instruction). It is a mystery to me, but the connection is made that is much more meaningful.

Learning is taking place when my son lets the water ripple over his hand...

Imagination is let to wander and freely takes hold in the mind...

A colorful world is opened to explore.

A joy filled afternoon!

Sewing Threads of Beauty and Modesty

Have you gone shopping for "girl" clothing lately? I sure find it difficult to find modest, feminine and tasteful clothing for my 10 year old young lady... I actually want her to look like a young girl, not a grown up woman or trendy teenager...

I have been looking at some great web sites and have found some adorable hand made skirts for young ladies... the problem is, they are all so darn expensive!

Well, I got to thinking, I do have a sewing machine, and I do have a general idea how to sew fabric together... although I am a bit rusty. I dusted off the machine and put my hands to work!

And here is the product of my creative juices!

Sarah picked out the vintage fabrics
and designed the skirt (with a bit of my help)...

I think it turned out lovely for our first go around!

Busy Planting!

This weekend we enjoyed lovely weather and have been able to accomplish a lot!

Our community pool just opened and the children have enjoyed a few days of swimming... we have been busy planting flowers, mowing the lawn and fixing things... It is the same every Spring as we prepare our home and our hearts for the days of summer...

The new garden is starting to show signs of life!

We are now enjoying fresh salad every night! My greens are growing like mad!! My favorite thus far is our Spinach Salad with mustard vinaigrette... YUM!

What a great husband to do all this for little o'l me :)
I am truly thankful for the time he spent building my boxes
and hauling yards and yards of dirt.

Thus far, we have various kinds of leaf lettuce and herbs for salads (Mesclun, Arugula, Red Leaf and Spinach). We also have Tomatoes (Early Girl, Brandywine and Old Time Tasty and Sweet Grape)... Onions, Chives, Basil, Rosemary, Thyme, Dill, Oregano, Cilantro, Cucumbers (Burpless and Armenian), Peppers (Sweet Red Bell, Sweet Banana, and Hungarian Yellow Wax)... even the Potatoes are pushing up their leaves from deep underground (they have grown two feet in a week!)

The change from the long winter months of dry and cold to vibrant green and warm is just one of my favorite times of year. New life is springing up all around... It is also a time to finish up and put away projects from the winter months and get outdoors and work in the garden and play!

I truly enjoy the evenings we spend sitting out on our back porch as a family talking and laughing or sharing a meal... these are times to savor as they will all too quickly pass... just as the changing of the seasons... Savor I will!