31 weeks

I am officially 31 weeks...64 days to go today! Am I already counting down the days???? YES! Sorry, but in my opinion pregnancy should only be 6 months, not 9 months...I get a little impatient! I still have been feeling very well and really don't have any complaints. (I did get my H1N1 vaccination after having some anxiety with the kids in school coming to me for their ailments of fever, headache, and chills, I was able to find the vaccine so the kids and I are all vaccinated! I have the normal complaints of achy legs, lower back starting to bug me, AND the up every 2 hours in the middle of the night to use the bathroom! He is an active little guy especially when I would like to go to sleep at night!

We still have a "family debate" going on, on what to name this new family member...the kids have some very vocal opinions about this topic but it is fun to hear their names! :) I have struck some really good deals at local thrift stores as well as a friend's rummage sale! Last week Jade and I washed things up, sorted sizes and labeled some totes. I do feel a little more prepared and we have a few things needed yet for the baby room. I will post some pictures of the baby room in the next week or so...

Cousins

Jory and Lauryn playing in the leaves on Sunday! Jory loves it when Lauryn can come over and play and he is so good with her! The weather has been beautiful and I hope we get a few more days like this before the "S" word comes!

Dumpster Diving...

We have a few cats around this place that like to Dumpster Dive! Anyways, the kids and I drove up last week to find this kitty roaming around aimlessly with this "Lunchable" on his head. This "kitty" is not tame and was scared to death when he heard us approaching. After a few attempts we were able to get this liter off his head! Maybe that will teach him a lesson, that eating cat food at the barn is safer than digging in the trash cans in the garage!! UGH!!

My little Hunter

Jory loves to hunt! Last Friday was ND's opening deer season (soon to be an official state holiday) and unfortunately Alan didn't get a license, Grandpa didn't get a license and neither did Uncle Louis! Jory was disappointed! He sat in the house as pickup after pickup drove by all with people wearing blaze orange...he was beside himself! Uncle Louis called and told him he would take him Coyote hunting later on in the day but still not satisified he made another call to good family friend, Mark Willows, and "Yes! Mark said I can go with him!". So, a happy child he was...here he is on his way out the door to go deer hunting with Mark! Oh and BTW, Alan applied for a Gratis license On-Line that should be in the mail tomorrow...JORY WILL BE VERY HAPPY!!

All Saints Day

Today is All-Saints Day and we are to remember those who have gone on before us. As I sat in church this morning and we lite candles for those that have passed on this past year I thought of several people, not only those that have passed on within the last year but over the course of my lifetime! However, I also sat there thinking how grateful I am to be 38 years old and to have all but one of my grandparents still living.

We celebrated my Grandpa Lyle's 81st birthday today and what a guy he is! His witty sense of humor can't be beat and he would do ANYTHING for ya! When I was a child he would pick us kids up and take us to the grocery store and buy us a jar of olives (black or green) or whatever we wanted. Still, to this day, he takes the great-grandchildren on this shopping spree!

My Grandma Lorraine is 76 years old and has a heart of gold! She too is very generous and is always willing to help when needed. (Even when I call her on late notice and say that I need a pan of bars or buns for this or that...) She is an excellent cook and is THE BEST lefse maker on the face of this earth! There is nothing better than when the phone rings in the morning and she has hot lefse...well, you know where my next stop is!

My Grandma Mac is 89 years old and is one of the proudest Grandma's around! Ask her about her grandchildren or great-grandchildren, she is more than willing to fill you in! She is the local chaffeur for her friends whether it be to get groceries or to go to a doctor or hair appointment! She loves to watch the Midkota Mustang sports and is always ready to hop in and head out to a rodeo! She too is an excellent cook (Potato Salad is her specialty) and is always willing to help!

I am so fortunate to have had such great role models in my life. So, on this All-Saints Day, not only do I want to remember the Bobbi Talmadges' that have been in my life but the ones that ARE STILL with me today! Wow...what a blessing that is!!

Love you all!

Halloween 2009

Our Bullfighter and Jockey!

2009 Wild West Rodeo

We were again asked to help host the 2009 Wild West Rodeo at the Red Willow Bible Camp. It was a fun day with about 24 kids. Most kids come from larger cities and have never even been on a horse. So, our goal is to introduce these kids to rodeo events such as barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, dummy roping and new this year, steer riding! Of course, using stick horses and a barrel as our steer! The kids ranged in age from Kindergarten to 3rd graders. The highlight of their day is getting to actually ride a horse (Alan's Heel Horse, Tejano) and have a picture taken to take home with them! We try to give them an idea of what the sport of rodeo is like, what we have learned from the sport of rodeo, but most importantly to remember that none of this would be possible without God. Jade actually spoke at the end of the day and below is what she shared...

Psalm 27 verses 13 & 14

I am going to share with you a little bit of what rodeo has taught me. Rodeo has taught me to be a good sport and when you are a good sport you will do well. You have to have a good attitude both in the arena and outside the arena. Practice, practice, practice and work hard and you will do well and win prizes. Having a horse comes with responsibilities such as feeding, horseshoeing and keeping them sound and in shape. Faith in my horse is just like my faith in God. I also listen to my parents as they give me tips to help me reach my goals. I also cheer for my friends and hope they do well when competing against me, I tell them good luck (before they go) and good job (after they go). I have met people all over the state and have many good friends that I have met through rodeo. Rodeo allows my family to be together and do something together that we all enjoy. In conclusion, I owe everything I have to God. Without him, I would not have this opportunity!

1 Corinthians 9 verses 24

Pictured below is Jade reading...















At the end of the day each kid was given a Fellowship of Christian Cowboys pocket size bible along with a leather cross (see picture at top) to put on their saddles (if they have one) or to put on their backpacks, bed, etc. The kids absolutely LOVED these! We do get a budget from the bible camp but unfortunately it doesn't cover the complete cost of these items, so I want to thank Lyle & Lorraine Edlund, Marilynn Boote, Lannes & Elaine Edlund, Pam & David Adrian, Julie & Bruce Sedler, Lauri & Troy Olson, Kelsey Edlund, Ron & Shelley Halvorson and Sandon Varty for donating money towards these "Prizes"...THANK YOU AGAIN!!!

Below are a few more pictures from the day!!