Volleyball

Last night was the first volleyball game of the season. The girls won 3-2 in some really close matches. Courtney is # 12 and plays hitter in the front row, setter in the back (we run double setter). Here are the girls right before a match...they also do this after time-outs.
Serving
Bumping
Setting
Setting again.

They played so well as a team. Courtney started out pretty "shaky" (it was her first varsity game...she said she was really nervous) but she ended up having some really nice sets and some awesome hits!

My friend Laurie took the pictures for me...I was too into the game. Thanks Laurie!

100th Post

I can't believe that I am at my 100th post....I have really enjoyed my time blogging and have met some wonderful people. Thanks to all of you for including me in your lives and for being a part of mine. I am not going to post 100 things about me but I will include a few.....

1. I was born the oldest of 4 children....I have 2 sisters and a brother and I love them all very much. My mom is an amazing woman and ended us raising us on her own after my dad died at the age of 37. She had all 4 of us at home yet when he died with me being the oldest at 17 and my brother was the youngest at age 7. I have learned my strong work ethic from her.





2. My dad was the 4th generation to live on and farm the quarter of land that I grew up on. My sister has since bought the building site from my mom making her the 5th generation to live there and Chad and I bought the farm ground making us the 5th generation farming the ground that my ancestors originally homesteaded. I think I learned how to treat others and good old "mother earth" by the example that my dad forth for us.





3. I went to a Vo-Tech after graduating from high school in the Dental Assisting program but all I really ever wanted to do was be a wife and mother and I am living that dream out now. I never did go into the dental field and have never regretted my decision to stay home with my kids and farm with my husband. There have been some trying and tough times....don't get me wrong...but I wouldn't trade it for anything. It has made us the family that we are today.





4. I married into a wonderful family! Chad and I farm with my father-in-law and my mother-in-law which is trying at times but has worked out great for all of us. Chad has 2 brothers who are both married and we have a great time when we all get together which isn't very often...sad to say (we all live within 20 miles of each other). One of my husband's brothers and his wife have been a God-send to me and have helped me through some really troubled times...I love you guys! Thanks for being there for me!





5. I have 6 nephews and 3 nieces and I love them all dearly! I don't get to spend as much time with them as I would like but I try to get to as many of their activities as I can.



6. Chad and I have been married for 20 years and have farmed for all 20 of them. I did work off the farm for a few years at Shopko before I had my first baby. I tried to work after I had Jeremy but just couldn't do it (mostly because of daycare) so that's when we made the tough decision for me to quit my job and stay home. More power to those of you that can handle it!



7. We rented a little farmhouse the first few years we were married and then my husband's grandparents moved to town, allowing us the opportunity to buy their farm. We bought the quarter of land with the farm site in 1990 and are one of many generations to live here (not sure how many). We still live on that farm today but have since built a new house here and have added many bins and torn down old buildings and have done lots of improvements over the years.



8. Our new house was built almost 3 years ago. We talked about building it ourselves but then realized we didn't have the time so we hired it done. We did finish the basement ourselves...electrical, plumbing, drywall and all (it isn't quite finished, some of the ceiling still needs to be done...we hope to finish it this winter). One of Chad's hobbies is carpentry and I really enjoy it too. We just wish we had more time for it.



9. Chad and I farm about 1000 acres and his parents have another 1000 acres. We also do a little custom farming for a neighbor and Chad does some custom baling on the side. We have 100 beef cows that we calve in the spring (the calves get sold the following January or February). Chad and I also raise feeder to finisher hogs (40 lbs. to 270 lbs.) and run about 7500 through our site a year. We have been raising the hogs for the last 9 years for Murphy-Brown (formerly known as Murphy Family Farms). Our kids have been a huge help to us over the years with all the work and we are hoping that they are gaining a good work ethic from it all.



10. So after a little look into my life....you now know why I titled my blog "Frazzled Farm Wife"!

It's Bull!

Yesterday Chad and I got a call from a neighbor....he had a sick bull and was wondering if we could bring our 4-wheelers over and help him get it in so the Vet could come out and look at him. No problem...we like to be neighborly! Well, after almost 4 hours we still didn't have the bull where we needed him. He was not sick, he actually had injured his front shoulder and was pretty thin so it has been bothering him enough that he hasn't been eating for awhile. When we tried to get him where we needed him, it went well at first but then he got a little "ornery" on us. After trying to "take" both Chad and I on our 4-wheelers several times, we got him about half the way (about 3/4 mile) and thought he would wander the rest of the way overnight to catch up with the rest of the cows. WRONG! The neighbor called this morning and he is still laying where we left him yesterday. So....not sure if we will be heading back over to help him out again today or what. Bulls...they can be so unpredictable!

Busy, Busy, Busy!

I thought once school started things would slow down here a little bit but I guess I was WRONG!

We started marketing hogs last week, taking one load out on Monday. Yesterday we sent out 2 more semi loads. It was so hot and humid that both Chad and I were soaked by the time we got done.

We are trying to get some odds and ends done around here before we start silage cutting and harvest because once that starts, we won't have time for much of anything but that.

So, things might be a little sporadic with me for awhile. I am still going to try to keep up with my posts and am hoping to get to check in with all of you too. You all are my lifelines to the "outside world"!

Football Fun!

The Chargers played so well last night but still ended up losing 14-7. They looked really good and had fun and that's what really matters!Jeremy is on the far right (white uniform).
Jeremy #79
Here is the team after the game...saying the Lord's Prayer. Something I am really proud of our team for doing.
Courtney's sidekick...Kasey...ended up coming to the game and made Courtney's day!
Jeremy and Courtney after the game.

It's Friday....

That means it's time for FOOTBALL!

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Can you tell I am a little excited for the first HS football game of the season??!! I will try to take pictures (if I don't get too "into" the game). Jeremy is pretty excited (and so is Mom)...he was told that he gets to start on offense and defense. Last year he started on offense and played very little defense.

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Courtney is pretty fired up about tonight's game also. She cheered last year too but now that she's not a "rookie" it's a little more exciting for her....although she is really missing her "sidekick" Kasey (she graduated).

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Go Chargers!

It's Raining it's Pouring......

No, the old man is not snoring...he is out working in the rain.

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We got a good rain on August 3rd...after a dry July (no rain whatsoever in July).....and now it keeps on a rainin'. I can't believe how the grass has turned green again and is growing like crazy....which is a good thing because that means the crops are doing well too. Hopefully the rain was not too late and we have a bountiful harvest.

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Anyway, the reason I am writing this post....I watched the news this morning and saw all the devastation from flooding going on in the U.S. (and Mexico). Some of it not too far away from us. Iowa is expecting another 3-6 inches and they are already flooded. I think there are lots of people out there that need our prayers. Are any of you in the flood areas or close to them?

Back To School

My kids went back to school today. I have mixed emotions about it....I love spending time with my kids and having them around but their fighting was starting to drive me NUTS! I think they were both ready to get back into the school schedule too. Summers just seems to be CRAZY around here.

Another reason I have mixed emotions is because Jeremy is now a SENIOR....I don't know if I am ready for this but I guess I have no choice but to accept it and enjoy it with him. I really don't feel old enough to have a child that is a senior...I guess that's a good thing.

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Ok, one really good thing about school starting is that the kids' games start too. The first football game is this Friday...I am so excited! Jeremy plays and Courtney cheers so it's fun to get to watch them both at the same time and they both love to participate. Courtney's first volleyball game of the season is next Thursday. So....here's to a safe, happy, healthy and injury-free season and school year.

Weekend Fun!

We got a team together with some of our friends and played in a co-ed softball tourney over the weekend..... a fundraiser for one of the local churches. We didn't do very well and were by far one of the oldest teams (our average age was about 37). A lot of the teams had players in their 20's. We got 7th place out of 8 (only because the 8th team didn't show up...where were you Amy?).

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We DID however have a GREAT time! I am a little stiff today and have bruise on my leg where I missed a pop fly but am overall feeling pretty good. One of our players...Renae...took one right in the jaw, I bet she hurts today. I wonder how the rest of my team is feeling??!! Do you think we are too old to be doing this "kid stuff"?

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Thanks Val, Tracy, Renae, Mark, Dulcy, Eric, Zach, Kasey, Bryon, Laurie and "coach" Wayne for playing along with Chad and me! It's nice to have such good friends willing to make fools of themselves along with us!

It's Here!

I got my ring back from being sized last night. I took some photos this morning so here they are.......

Practices

The kids have survived the first 3 days of practice and are at day 4 practice right now.

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Jeremy practices football from 8-noon every day and they have some pretty rigorous drills during practice. He is one of 3 returning offensive starters (he plays tackle but they might put him at guard) so they have a lot of offensive work to do (we play 11 man). Looks like he may get to play some defense this year too.

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Courtney has practiced volleyball from 9-10:30 (conditioning stations) and then again from 2-4 (working on skills). She has a chance to play some varsity this year (she plays hitter/setter). Today she practices from 9-11 and they are having a potluck picnic and sand volleyball for all the families. That sounds like a lot of fun.

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Courtney also has had cheerleading practice after volleyball practice (she is a football cheerleader). She has been getting home around 6:30.

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They have both been kinda tired but not really sore...the basketball (and volleyball for Courtney) leagues they play in the summer keep them in shape and Jeremy took a 6 week athletic training program again this summer too. Between the leagues, programs, camps and the work they do on the farm, they stay pretty fit and in shape.

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The first football game is a week from tomorrow. I am really looking forward to the upcoming seasons (but not the fact that this will be Jeremy's last year playing).

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I pray that they have fun playing and that they have an injury free football and volleyball season!

Anniversary Fun!

Today is our 20th Anniversary! Chad surprised me by making reservations in Sioux Falls last night.....just the 2 of us. It has been forever since we have done anything like that. He ordered the "heart to heart package". It was so much fun!Here we are after 20 years....a little older and a lot heavier!
Part of the package....body washes, lotions, and body butter....also a certificate for breakfast in the hotel restaurant.
This was waiting for us last night....I drank most of it by myself since Chad is not much of a champagne drinker.
This was brought to our room after we arrived....strawberries dipped in chocolate, strawberries with whipped cream and grapes.
Here I am with my champagne and a strawberry.
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When we were almost to SF, Chad told me to reach under the seat and open my present....it was a GORGEOUS anniversary band with diamonds. I had to drop it off to get sized and forgot to take a picture first....I will get it back this weekend and will take pictures then! I felt like a kid again these last few days! I am so lucky to have such a wonderful and thoughtful husband!

Awards

Here are the kids (in the Senior category) that received awards (top points) at achievement days for their projects in the building.Jeremy is in the back (the shorter boy...that's unusual for him to be the shorter one) and Courtney is in the back...far right. Jeremy received 5 awards and Courtney received 3.
My nephew Nolan and his dog Chips did very well at the dog show. He received Grand Champion Showman, Grand Champion Agility and Grand Champion Rally with Chips and received Reserved Grand Champion Rally with his other dog Hershey. He has to show Chips off leash, which is very hard and they did GREAT! I missed the show this year and am really regretting it. Congrats Nolan, we are very PROUD of you and LOVE YOU!

Basketball

Courtney and 3 of her friends participated in the Mike Miller/Sanford Childrens Streetball Challenge held in Sioux Falls over the weekend. They didn't play the greatest but they had a great time. Cassie, Kelsey, Courtney and Larae.....the Fab 4.
Courtney taking a shot.
The dads (Mike, Danny and Chad) and also Jeremy....doesn't Jeremy look like he's having a great time??!!

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Football and volleyball practices started today so we stayed in SF on Sat. night and had a little "family time" since the kids' summer is pretty much over.

Yeah Nikki!

Nikki showed her 3 heifers today. She placed first in her classes with 2 of them and second in her class with the other one and received Champion commercial breeding heifer! It was between her calf and another one for Grand Champion breeding heifer but the other one won....oh well, very good for her first year showing! She also competed in Showmanship but did not win. I am so proud of her, she did so great and handled her calves almost perfectly.Here she is with her trophy for Champion Commercial Breeding Heifer.
Setting her calf up.
Leading her calf into the ring.
Leading her calf around the ring.
Look at her handling that calf......She looks like such a PRO!

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I am so glad I took the time to go watch her show today...my sister and I had so much fun watching her.....(her aunt Cheryl rode there with me). Congrats Nikki, we are so PROUD of you and LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!

Achievement Days

Achievement Days have begun. The kids entered their projects last night and were interview judged on them. I had planned on taking pictures, even had the camera there but my job was to write comments for one of the judges and I didn't have time. Jeremy got 6 purple ribbons and 1 blue ribbon and Courtney got 8 purple ribbons and 3 blue ribbons. Today the foods, horticulture and cut flowers get entered and judged and we didn't do any of them so......the kids and I are heading to SF with my good friend Laurie and her kids to do some school shopping. Yippee....a day of fun....I hope. With 4 kids along, you never know but usually when I do things with Laurie, we have a blast! Here's to a day of Happy Shopping...hip, hip hooray!

Family Fun?

Believe it or not...we actually have quite a bit of fun while we are working on the barn (and other projects too). We are kind of a weird family and love to laugh and joke around and have silly fun. I thought I would take a few pictures this morning while we were out working ( I took serious pictures to show that we actually do work too).Courtney cutting with the Compound Miter Saw...ok, it looks dangerous but believe me, she has been trained by us very well to use it safely.
Jeremy working away on the support beam.
Chad working on the purlins.
Me working on the purlins....don't you just love the "back view"?
Me again! Not sure if I like this view much more!
The cows came up from the pasture behind the barn to get a drink and were a little curious.
The calves were even a little curious...they are usually pretty nervous around us.
The Bull was the first one brave enough to come and get a drink.
The progress that we have made so far....still a long way to go.

Achievement Days

4-H Achievement Days start on Wednesday. For those of you not familiar with 4-H, Achievement Days and the State Fair are the highlight of the 4-H year. It's when they get to exhibit their projects that they have worked so hard on and the kids that enter livestock get get to show their animals that they have been working with. The kids' projects need to be interview judged tomorrow night....so guess what we are doing today and tomorrow....finishing up projects. Yep, nothing like "last minute".

IT HAS RAINED!

Praise the Lord...he blessed us with 2 inches of much needed rain last night!

There are actually a few puddles in our yard....what a glorious sight!

I would like to thank all of you for your prayers for rain...the power of prayer....it's amazing!

Nicolette

My niece Nicolette (we call her Nikki), was here last weekend. She reminds me alot of Courtney. She can be all girl and get dressed up when need be but is a tomboy at heart. Here she is holding a toad she found in our yard....there are baby ones all over this year! Her brother Mitchell, who is 5, wouldn't have anything to do with it.

Nikki shows her three 4-H calves next week at their County Achievement Days.....and when I am talking calves, I don't mean the little baby ones....these are yearlings and like 1200 lbs. I am hoping I can get to the show and take pictures to show you all. I went to her house and watched her lead them around last weekend and she is a PRO!

Moving On!

The wheat harvest in finished up and the straw is all baled. Chad even got some custom baling done too. He has one more person to bale for but this guy isn't done with his oats harvest yet.

Now....back to work on the barn again. As you have probably figured out by now, we here on the farm tend to skip from project to project, depending upon what comes up....in this case, the wheat harvest did and we must drop everything to get the harvest done. The barn is going slower than planned...it's been so hot again that we try to only work early mornings and evenings on it.

Corny?

Susan tagged me to do this.....

My challenge to my blog friends is this: write 8 of your blog friends names in a unique way and post them. Then come back over and let me know. You must write the blogger's name that tagged you, then add 7 others. Be creative and if possible use the natural wonders of the world!

I have got to tell you people....my husband came home while I was doing this and thought I was absolutely LOONEY! What we won't do for our blogger friends!