In Three Weeks We....

Holy Smokes!  The past three weeks have seriously taken its toll on our family (mostly in a good way!).  They have been cram packed with activities, emotions, MILEAGE, and so much more.  The last week of school is a complete blur.  Who remembers where we were or what we did?  No one in this house. 

To start our 3 week chaos was Garrett's graduation.  I cried and I cried and I cried and I am still crying.  Not sure when it will stop.  Anyway, it was great that most of our family could be here and celebrate with him.  We all met for dinner and a small party beforehand and it was very busy so not a lot of time for emotion.  About 10 minutes before Garrett was to leave for the gym I looked at him and realized he hadn't shaven!  Seriously?  Didn't have a razor, cream, nothing.  So off to the Dollar Store he goes to get "supplies" and quickly returns.  I was fuming so made for some fun conversation in that little bathroom at the party.  Anyway, he took off and wasn't too late.  The ceremony was nice and I almost went to my knees when he brought me and Guthri a rose.  I think I saw a little tear in his eye but know he would never admit it so didn't say a word.  Love that hyper, smart-elic, 6'2" son of mine! 

Before we could breath it was time for PEACHES!!  Try running a peach stand, entertaining family, preparing meals, and enjoying yourself!  Ha, can't be done.  The weekend was great but probably the hardest I have had in a long time.  Nonstop!

I started Summer School that Monday so didn't even get a day off.  Garrett went to work full time that day too so no break for him either.  Guthri went home with grandparents and cousins expecting a two to three week "party".  But, bless her heart she got sick and wanted to come home in just 4 days.  We had to put her off for three more days because we just could not get there.  Got her home on Friday night and took her to the clinic Saturday morning.  All the while, Lonnie was doing PEACHES!  Had to pack for State 4-H Roundup and we were all nervous! By Monday at noon we would know Garrett's scholarship status and everyone was on edge. 

Up at 4:00 a.m. to head to Tech Monday morning.  Sat through a 2 1/2 hour presentation biting my nails.  You see 4-H likes the suspense so they start the presentations at 10 a.m. and start handing out scholarships one by one, starting with the smaller ones first.  Sounds horrible to say but you sit there thinking "please don't say his name, please don't say his name."  Sounds greedy I know but it is reality.  The longer we went the worse it became.  I kept thinking "he did it, he did it" but wouldn't let myself accept it until the last scholarships were being awarded.  Even then I kept thinking "they missed him."  When they said "Garrett Jenschke, $16,000 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Scholarship" I did not believe it.  I just sat there numb.  I could hear other parents crying, laughing, cheering for their kids and I just sat there.  Very surreal!  So happy for him. 

Guthri and I headed home that afternoon while Lonnie and Garrett stayed for the week's competitions.  Seems like every day after Summer School Guthri and I were swamped with errands, chores, must dos.  We couldn't get home before 3:00 no matter how hard we tried.  The highlight of the week was Wednesday at 11:55 a.m.  Got a text from Lonnie: "Soils Team won State". My Stars!!!!  This was an amazing week for Garrett.  Scholarship and won state all within three days!  Needless to say, he was on cloud 9 and loving life.  But before the week was over it was time for PEACHES again!!! 

Monday morning rolled around way too soon again and off to work we all go.  On Wednesday, Lonnie headed off for the District Horse Show in Vernon.  Long, hot, four days for him.  It was hard to talk to him every night and he sound so tired.  He was hot and tired and frustrated with people not doing their jobs.  Seems the harder you work, the more that is expected. Guess that is why I love him so much.  He may complain to me but no one else would ever know.  He just does it.  He walked the hotel room all Friday night because he had terrible cramps in his legs.  Poor guy!  With the help of Lonnie's dad and brother and my parents it was time again for PEACHES!! 

Garrett has been working 40+ hours a week since graduation and he is really not liking "adulthood".  Ha! 

Now that I write it all down it really doesn't sound like much but when I think about it, it is all a blur!  I am ready for some down time but not sure that is coming this summer!!!

Stock Shows

Wow! Just spent a week in Houston at the stock show. Nothing new for our family but have to say it was one of the most memorable weeks ever. To start out, it was Garrett's last stock show. :( Tears have fallen all week, every time he did something Lonnie and I just soaked it in. It has really been tough on Dad. Garrett has been his confidant, his helper, his right-hand-man. They work side by side without even talking, without even wondering what the other one was thinking. Very special to this mom!

Anyway, the most impressive thing has been the other families there. Yes, FAMILIES. Not just contestants and coaches or spectators and news teams. FAMILIES...working side by side, making decisions, talking together, playing, learning. I know it has gone on forever but I guess I just got to watch it because I had extra time this year. You didn't see one person telling everyone else what to do. Yes, there are county leaders that keep everything organized and offer advise, but as a whole parents and kids were making every decision for that animal. It was just refreshing to look all around me and see parents talking to their kids, explaining what was going on and then handing it over to their kids to do. I am sure there were some in the barn that did it all (and we know that is the case in many situations) but I didn't see it. I really can't think of any other activity or event that is truly 100% family oriented.

As we sat Thursday night about to watch the Champion Swine Drive, the judges offered comments on their philosophies of stock shows and the agriculture industry. They were truly class acts. When they talked about stock shows being the first step in awareness of the agriculture industry, I literally got chills. Of course I can't say it like they did but it was inspiring, eye opening and true. One statistic they gave was that in 50 years the U.S. will need to produce 100% more food than they do today on less acreage and with less animals. WOW! They explained how important it was that producers figure out how to get more meat on each and every animal so they do not need more animals to produce more food. They explained that farmers have to produce more grain, vegetables, etc....on less land than ever before. As our population grows, the need for land for housing grows and so does the need for food. Almost 50% of today's kids do not get enough food each day. Can you believe that? Obesity is not caused from too much food but by cheap food, processed food. (Yes, I already knew that but loved hearing someone else say it.) Kind of ironic, don't you think?

So, as those immediately involved in the agriculture industry, it is our job to speak up and let others know, to make them aware of the danger of losing our agriculture. In the end it could be catastrophic if not handled correctly. I don't know about you but for me it was a rude awakening. Some people think of agriculture as the migrant workers, those that live in trailers, and even cooperate America. Well, it is you and me, our neighbors, the guy the next county over. We are agriculture. Heavy load for so few to carry but it has to be done.

And yes, They are different.

As time goes by I have learned to embrace my kids differences instead of trying to mold them into the same person or a "Jenschke child". It has not always been easy for a conformist like me but I am learning. One kid needs to be praised constantly for a job well done while the other is proud of themselves and holds that pride well. One is scattered and hops from one project to the next while the other is meticulous and a perfectionist. One breezes through school as if it is just a minor inconvenience in life while the other struggles and works harder than anyone thought possible. One is a teacher pleaser and adored by most that come into contact with them and the other well, lets just say they challenge everyone they come into contact with! Ha! One can grate on my last nerve and then give me that grin and I melt all over again. The other, melts my heart constantly and then gives me that sass and my nerve is shot. One I can look at with anger and tear the soul of this kid while the other I could beat all day long and scream until I have burst a blood vessel in my head and they would skip off giggling. They are just different. It is so difficult to deal with because I tend to see the worst parts of me in my kids, so when I see it I want it fixed immediately. But, they are who they are and God made them that way. They don't need to be fixed! I have to celebrate their personalities and thank God for their strong convictions and love for Him. It been a rough week and as one of those kids heads off to college I am sure it is going to get rougher. I am having to really preach to myself that those differences will prove that kid successful some day. It's not easy!

It's Been a Looooonnnggg Time!

Seems here lately I haven't really had anything blog worthy so have had a little writer's block. Not sure I have anything today but have lots on my mind, so here it goes.

School year started off with a bang! Garrett is a senior so the emotional rollacoaster has started. One day I want him out and gone as far as he can drive, the next I want him to sit in my lap and never leave. Tears seem to fall more frequently at all the little reminders that he will soon be on his own and no longer "my little boy". :( Guthri, is in 4th grade and growing so fast. She has become so confident and independent that it almost makes me sad. I am happy she is discovering who she is and is proud of the person she is. But, I see her in my mind in a cap and gown way too quickly, too! I moved to 2nd grade this year and was way excited about the move. I will admit it has been tough. Learning something new is time consuming, emotional, and flat out hard. Guess it gives me an insight to what my students go through every day. I find myself working more and more hours, stressing more, more confused, more frustrated. I know it will all work out and I am loving my team but just need things to smooth out quickly. But of course, I teach school in Texas so not sure it will ever smooth out!Lonnie is without a co-worker so it all falls on his shoulders. He is running ragged and needs our family's help more than ever. It takes us all to get it done. I can't think of the last day we did not have one obligation or another. Just tired and need a break for us all.

Garrett began working at Wal-Mart in June. He really does not enjoy it but he knows he has to have a job. (Sorry, we're poor!) It's hard that we don't get to have supper as a family most nights. Found out yesterday he has to work Thanksgiving Day and the day after. Boooo! Not sure what the thinking is that a teenager needs to work Thanksgiving Day. Of course we have no family here so if they can't come here we won't see them. It will be the first Thanksgiving ever that I have not been with my parents. I know it is necessary and as a parent I have to support my son and encourage him to be a good employee but part of me wants him to quit. Not reality so just have to deal with it. Not easy but we will. Part of life's changes.

Guthri went to the 4-H District Food Show yesterday. She didn't place and it tore her heart out. But, what she doesn't realize is how far she has come. Just a 7 months ago we couldn't get her to open her mouth in front of people. Yesterday, she interviewed (with a quite a few nerves) and told them all she knew. She opened her mouth and tried. I am very proud of her. Wow!!! It just blows me away sometimes on the person she is becoming: absolute sweet, kind, tenderhearted, strong-willed girl. She gets her determination from her daddy and I thank God for them both daily!

This is completely changing course and this has NOTHING to do with my job:

Not sure where parents have allowed kids to be so outspoken and disrespectful but I hope our society wakes up very soon to understand that we are losing our kids quickly. The last few months I have witnessed kids say and do things that I just can't believe. Where did they get the idea that they had the right to say those things or do those things? The biggest kicker is the parents playing stupid or defending them. Really? You know, Garrett has been put down, ridiculed, made fun of for his behavior at times and we have worked like crazy to help him be a better person. Yet, these kids do what they do and everyone just says "Well, you know how they are. Their parents let them get by with it." Uuuummmmm..........no! So, from now on, I have no respect for those parents or those kids. I'm done!

Well, you can see it has been a while and my mind is going in a thousand different directions. My Senior English teacher would not be proud! Ha!

Friendship

Last night Lonnie and I had the pleasure of traveling to Fort Worth to the wedding of some dear friend's son, Karson. When Lonnie and I were first married, Kelijohn and Jerry where like our "marriage mentors". We loved them desperately and adored their son, so being present for the start of his new life was just something we wanted to be part of. I had contacted other friends, Jim and Cindy and asked them to meet us for dinner beforehand and was so excited to see them. It had been at least 5 years since we had seen then face to face and it was just amazing to put my arms around Cindy and hug her. Just felt so comfortable. After dinner we all headed to the wedding. As we were driving through Fort Worth, it hit me. Not only would Keli and Jerry be there and Jim and Cindy but many other friends from Stephenville that we had not seen in years. I began to think back to the years we lived there and how much joy we felt there. It was heartwarming. Soon after entering the chapel, familiar faces started to appear and smiles and hugs just came one after the other. We spent the entire reception making our rounds and seeing wonderful friends that we had not seen in years. It was completely rejuvenating to my soul to see them all. We literally did not want to leave the chapel after the wedding. It was a completely euphoric feeling. We did leave and just smiled all the way to the hotel. As we were getting ready for bed we were talking about everyone and how exciting it was and that we realized how much we had truly missed them. Brought a small tear or two and a few heart tugs but Lonnie said it best when he said, "The best part is: when we were visiting with everyone it was like we just started up right where we left off." Wow! That was exactly what it was like. This morning we met up with Keli and Jerry to have breakfast and we visited for almost 2 hours. It felt so natural and just like we had just decided to go to breakfast one morning.

I realize I may never have friends like that in my life again, but I know that all those Stephenville friends will be in my life forever. I hope that you are fortunate enough to have that bond of friendships. Even if they are not part of your everyday life just remember when you meet up you can start up right where you left off!

We just have more options...

Lately I have been beating myself up over money woes! Seems like every time I turn around we need $100 here, $200 there. Just seemed to overwhelming. I have been researching internet, satellite, phone & cell phone service and was just about to explode with anxiety over the whole mess. We spend over $375/month for these services and it is just too much. I worry about things like this all the time even though I know it does no good. Last weekend as I was making ANOTHER list of options I was thinking "How did my parents do it? My mom didn't work full time and my dad's job was just average so how did they afford cars, clothes, horses, cattle?" Just made me feel like I was so irresponsible because I couldn't offer my kids the same opportunities I had.

Today I visited the Verizon store to see what other options we had and found out we qualify for a discount so felt better there. But as I was looking at new phones it became overwhelming again. My head was swimming! Good grief...if we all get the phone we want (the kids are just getting plain phones) it is going to be around $800 to walk out the door!!!!!!!! My gosh! So again I start the whole "how did my parents do it?'

Then I come home and both my kids are on their iPods ($450) while Garrett is watching his TV ($400), Guthri is watching our TV ($800) while sitting next to her DSi ($240), I am on my computer ($1250), all while Garrett and I are talking on our old cell phones ($350). So, I think back to my parents. They had one TV in the living room. There weren't any iPods, cell phones, computers or video games. So even if that TV in the living room was the most expensive one on the market it still would not add up to all the "stuff" we have and that is not counting the provider fees we pay each month.

So I came to the realization that it isn't that we are any worse off financially we just have more options. So instead of horses and show cattle my kids have iPods, DSis, TVs, cell phones, and computers. Not sure if that is a good thing or if I am willing to do anything about it so for now will be satisfied with the realization that we just have more options!

Oh my!

"The greedy man curses and spurns the Lord" (Psalm 10:3-4)

Wow has that been so true the last few days. Won't give lots of details but lately I have seen greed in others that I just have to stand with my mouth open. Not sure where anyone gets the mentality that their needs (well, not even needs, more like desires) are any more important than anyone else. Literally had a woman say, "Well, if that kid doesn't have the money then they don't eat." Seriously?????? Uuuummmmm....I've paid for several "wealthy" kids meals before because the PARENTS didn't take care of business and send them any money. Her kid included! I just have to pray. I don't know what else to do. Tried explaining and it did NO good. Tried arguing and made it worse. Tried being "fair and equal" but wasn't good enough. Thank God my husband can handle those situations much better than I can. He just smiles and does what is right. My eyes have been opened wide lately on what is wrong with this world! Not pretty at all!