Hauling Cows

Last Saturday Kenny enjoyed his first experience hauling a bull wagon load of cows with our semi truck. When I told him Stetson and I wanted to go with him, he was a little surprised and asked, "aren't you nervous to go with me on my first haul? What if I tip it over?" I just smiled, "if you tip it over, Stetson and I want to be right there with you!" After spending all morning getting hooked on and catching horses, then all afternoon trailing the cows in the heat, we finally got them loaded and headed toward Monticello. Kenny did great! I knew he would, I have never been scared of his driving. Once we got on the dirt road headed to our property he let Stetson sit on his lap. I guess he has done that too much, because Stetson is no longer content to sit - he wants to drive! He has also watched his dad enough to know that if you are going to drive, you have to use the stick shift. He is definately learning young! I sure hope he doesn't grow up to be a truck driver though! We got the cows delivered and us home safely, so I call that a success! It was a lot of fun too!

I am so blessed!

I think I mentioned this in my last post, but on August 8, three great men in our community were killed in a tragic plane accident. They all left behind wonderful wives and young children. When something like this happens, it is like a reality check for me. I really like the following quote by our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson: "How fragile life, how certain death. We do not know when we will be required to leave this mortal existence. And so I ask, 'What are we doing with today?' If we live only for tomorrow, we'll eventually have a lot of empty yesterdays." Since the accident I have done a lot of thinking and evaluating my life. I get so busy with life, that I forget to really live! Am I too busy doing the not-so-important things, that I don't have time for the really important things? Do I look back to a whole lot of empty yesterdays? If so, I need to make some changes! Also, I have realized that I take a lot for granted. I complain when Kenny leaves his boots in the middle of the floor, and I trip on them in the middle of the night on my way to get Stetson - but at least I still have a husband! I cringe when Kenny comes in, covered in grease, and picks Stetson up and hugs him, covering him in grease - but at least Stetson has a daddy! Kenny's parents are serving a mission in Africa, and they sent us some pictures of a family they met last week. A mother and two daughters live in a tiny, one room house with a dirt floor; they have no food, and only the clothes on their backs - and yet they greeted them with smiles and offered them the only food they had. Once again, I realize how ungrateful I am! I complain that my house is too small, or when my well goes out. And there a lot of people out there who live every day with no running water. I complain because it has been awhile since I got any new clothes, and there are so many people who are grateful for the one pair they wear every day! I am grateful for these reality checks, and pray that I will be more grateful and take advantage of EVERY day I have here on earth!

A Busy Summer

A lot has happened since I last posted, and that is why I haven't posted - we have been so busy! We went to St. George for our family vacation this year, and had a great time! We went to the Tuachan theater and watched The Sound of Music - my favorite musical, and Le Mes. Stetson wan't real impressed because it was so hot, and late at night; but he was a trooper, and Kenny and I were able to enjoy most of the plays. The highlight for Stetson was swimming in the pool at our hotel. It had a little waterfall coming off some rocks on the edge of the pool, and he loved it! Plus, it was an extra bonus that we got daddy to go swimming with us! We were able to go to the temple, do some shopping, and just spend time together. It was GREAT!

Kenny and Stetson at TuachanPlaying in the waterfall at the hotel poolStetson and the St. George Temple
The next big event was the annual mountain party at our cabin on the Bears Ears on August 1. Due to a lot of conflicts, we only had about 40 people there (usually there are around 80), but those that were there had a great time. It was a little different, since it was the first party since Ron Kartchner passed away and he has been the entertainment almost every year since Preston Nielson started having the party about 50 plus years ago. We also missed Kenny's parents, who usually put the whole thing together, but we made it without them. The next day we branded some really big calves. I think the highlight of the day was watching Tyson Kirk ride one - he was a real trooper! Stetson rode with me on the horse back to the cabin, and absolutely loved it! He was so relaxed, like he was born to ride or something. Our niece Katie Black was baptized that evening, and the service was beautiful.

As members of Farm Bureau, Kenny and I are the San Juan County Young Farmer and Rancher Representatives. One of our biggest responsibilities is putting on the annual Farm Bureau Talent Find in conjunction with the county fair. It is a lot of work, but very rewarding to watch the kids perform their talents and get rewarded. The talent find takes place outside on a portable stage in the rodeo arena, so when I woke up that morning to a cloudy sky and rain, I was a little stressed. I said a little prayer, arranged a backup plan, and forged ahead with my previous arrangements. My prayer was answered, and it was clear for the dress rehersal, sprinkled a little in between, was clear again for the Talent Find, and once it was over, it started to rain. It was a little cold, but we were all grateful that we didn't have to pack up and move to a less preferrable location.

Stetson and I watched most of the Livestock Shows since all of my siblings had animals. Kenny is the treasurer for the Jr. Livestock program, so I spent quite a bit of time helping him with his responsibilities. We went to the Daryl Worley concert on Thursday night, and had a great time! Stetson was even dancing to the music before he fell asleep. Friday morning three wonderful men from our community were killed in a tragic plane accident, so that put a damper on things. When something like that happens it really makes you stop and think about how fragile life really is. It made me realize how much I love my family, and how much I take them for granted. It was amazing to watch the people of our county open their hearts to the families of these men by donating money. The little hog club from Blanding did a raffle and earned about $500 to give to these families - these were just kids! It is so wonderful to live in a community where everyone cares so much about each other! Friday was also "Tough enough to wear Pink" day, and a portion of the proceeds for the rodeo, some booths, and some other events went to support breast cancer awareness. A lot of the people in the rodeo were wearing pink shirts - it was really neat! Kenny and Stetson enjoying the Daryl Worley Concert

Stetson is tough enough to wear pink
The Livestock sale was on Saturday, and that is the biggest day for Kenny and I , as treasurers of the organization. Thanks to Alicia for helping us ramrod the buyers, and to Candice for tending Stetson, we made it through and all went well. Two boys sold pigs, and donated all the earnings to the families of the three men that died the day before. Between the two of them, they earned about $8,000 for those families, and the people who bought the pigs donated the meat to the families as well. Once again, I was amazed at the generosity of the people of San Juan County! There may be a lot of bad people out there, but there are also a lot of really good people too! Saturday night Stetson went to his first rodeo, and I think he really enjoyed it! His favorite event was the synchronized riders, probably because there was so much going on. My brother Jade rode with them, and they did an excellent job! It was a great county fair, and I was very grateful to be a part of it.

I can't believe that school is about to start, and summer is almost over! Also, I can't believe that my baby is now 10 months old! He now has four teeth - two on top and two on bottom. He likes to pull himself up on things and walk along them, so it probably won't be too long before he is walking - they grow too fast! I finally figured out why he is so cute - he looks just like his daddy!

Stetson trying out his new "walking" toy

(notice the cool cowboy pajamas)