Jack Graduates

 I awoke at 4:50 am but made myself stay in bed until the coffee was just about done. After downing one full cup I went first out to the horses to check on Aiken. We had a storm come through last night that dumped an inch and a half of rain. The paddocks were muddy but the horses were all fine. From there I took the golf cart over to the new barn to put away the dishes I washed yesterday. I could see the mares and foals grazing in the mare pasture from the barn kitchen window. 

Diane was not supposed to be here to walk this morning but her flight got delayed. That meant we all walked! We found out later that all of her flights were delayed and instead of arriving in Gulf Shores at 10:20 am they were not going to make it until after 11:00 pm. That cut their time from 4 days in the sunshine to 3 days. She would have cancelled her flight and they could have driven down and been there by 7:00 pm, but she had already booked a rental car through priceline (saving five bucks from the regular price) and that was none refundable. I'm sure she won't be using priceline again! 

Mom, Aunt Jinnie and I left for the Berean office around 8:30 am. Everyone was already hard at work when we arrived. Below are a few pictures.

Below is a short video just as we were finishing up.

The rain was supposed to start up again by 11:00 am so we left by that time and it was not raining but started as soon as we were on the road. The Bibles and studies going out today were taken to the Hanna City post office on the way home. After dropping off mom and Aunt Jinnie I took the golf cart up to check on Aiken again thinking I might put her in the stall if it looked like she was getting close before the real rain hit. Mark came with me and the rain came hard just as we got back to the house.

I saw a fox run into the wood shed just as the rain started. After the rain quit I went out to get a video of the dark clouds signaling the arrival of the next storm coming when the fox came out of the wood shed.

Mark came out and the fox ran into the South yard but stopped to scratch and stare at us. He or she is quite bold.

We needed to leave for Jack's graduation party at 4:45 pm. Taunya's friend Holly provided the food for the party.

Tim, Taunya's brother, took a picture of the Sceggels with Jack while I used my phone to take a picture of the Rumbolds with Jack.

The graduation started at 7:00 pm but we arrived at Eureka High School at 6:30 pm so the girls found things to keep them occupied while waiting.

Below is the video of Jack getting his diploma.

Hard to believe we will have 3 grandchildren in high school this fall.  We are really getting old. We drove through more rain to get home. When we left for Eureka our rain gauge was at 2.3 inches of rain. I'm not sure how much more we got with the last storm, we will check the gauge in the morning then dump it. 

 

Braelyn's Graduation

 The temperature dropped during the night and it was downright cold this morning. I went over to the barn early to finish the laundry, make the bed, fold towels and wash dishes, getting done just before our walk. We stopped in at mom's just as mom was ready to walk to the table for breakfast. 

We had a lot of wind yesterday and Saturday, enough that a big limb fell in the barn South yard.

After the walk breakfast was cooked. Today I added a few mushrooms along with the strawberries, avocado, keto toast, eggs and sausage. 

I left for Sam's right after breakfast and found some bargains. I was looking for a meat to make for Sunday dinner and found they had Italian beef on sale for $3.50 a pound so bought 20 pounds. This is pre-cooked and in the broth. Strawberries were also on sale. $3.88 for a 2 pound box. I bought 4 of those and bought 4 rotisserie chickens. Mom's house wanted one, Diane wanted one, Joan wanted one and I bought one for our house. The barn needed more paper towel and toilet paper. The last guests left 4 big bags of ice so that was moved to the big freezer. I drove straight to the barn to drop off the frozen foods before delivering the chickens. The drywall had just arrived and the men were unloading it into the gym while I was putting the food in the freezer. The picture below is taken through the window of the living area.

Mike and Diane decided to fly to Gulf Shores tomorrow morning so Dancer and Sheena and of course their foals were all brought over here. They were put in the last paddock and the back gate opened to the pond pasture.

As Mike was here we brought Rosaleigh out and teased her. She was covered by Valiant but tried to kick at the end. She is probably going out.

Today was Braelyn's 8th grade graduation and Anna had invited the family over for a light dinner and cake before the ceremony. There was lots to eat. Tomorrow is Jack's graduation. Below are Ben and Taunya's 3 boys, Jack, Jace and Abe.

The kids were enjoying the food.

Below is Braelyn just before she left for the school.

Anna had saved some seats in the bleachers for us. We were surprised how packed the gym was.

The graduation lasted just under an hour. Braelyn's name was called for high honor roll and one other award but I can't remember what that one was. Below is the video of her getting her diploma. The boy right in front of her fell on the stage.  The sound was shocking and when he stood we thought maybe his nose was bleeding but found out later It was a set up, we heard someone paid him $20.00 to do it but that may just be a rumor. 

Well it was probably the most entertaining part of the entire graduation.

We drove back to Phil and Anna's to eat cake and rehash the evening. When we got home I went out to check Aiken's udder. Dancer was up at the fenceline eating the greener grass on the other side. 

There really was no difference but she thinks it must taste better.

Sheena and her filly were a little way back.

Aiken was checked next and her udder is still pretty flat. It is starting to develop but not enough to worry about a foal coming. She is over due now by 2 days. I'm checking her morning and evening. If the weather isn't too bad tomorrow I'll see how she does in a stall. For now I need to get a load of dishes going and clean up the kitchen. 

Blessed and Highly Favored

 Sunday morning, today was filled with anticipation as we were expecting lots of company in Peoria today. By 6:00 am I had 2 crockpots of lasagna cooking before going out to check Aiken. Her due date was yesterday but her udder is telling me she is not yet ready to deliver. It was filled more than yesterday so she is making progress. Mark and I drove separate to church today as he had an errand he needed to do right after church. Brant Rushton from Gridley had the morning message. Click HERE to listen to that.  Bonnie Bach served lunch today, a very delicious lunch with plenty for everyone. This afternoon was the wedding of Hannah and Corey and Hannah's dad Tim had the afternoon message while Craig married them. Click HERE to watch that. After the wedding I drove home and met up with Mark then we went to the reception together. That was amazing.  I tried to snap a picture of Hannah and Corey but there were always too many people around but Hannah was a beautiful bride and Corey was happy.

We didn't get out of there until 3:50 pm so had to get home as fast as possible as we had company coming at 4:30 pm and I still needed to make the salad, cut the watermelon and fry the bread. Rhoda and Rebekah helped get the supper ready. Dan and Susan joined us. Their daughter Sophia got engaged last night so we had much to talk about. Sophia is their only daughter so Susan is going to be busy with wedding plans. 

The weather was beautiful so right after dinner the kids went out to swim.

I found time to run back to the horses, tease and get Blueberry covered by Valiant. 

As the afternoon turned into evening Joan built a campfire and the kids came up to play on the playground.

Spark brought over his 9 seater, Mark and I both had our golf carts and Mike and Diane came on a 4 wheeler. 

Dan and Susan brought s'mores stuff. When they brought that out the kids came running.

I went in mom's house to get more chocolate for the s'mores but instead brought mom, Aunt Jinnie and Nancy out to join us.

Faith is a favorite with the younger kids.

Spark was playing frisbee with some of his grandchildren while the young mothers were visiting and  others were playing volley ball.

As the day was coming to an end we moved the chairs closer to the fire for some serious talk.

It was just a beautiful ending to a beautiful day. What a blessing to live here, to share in the lives of so many family members. We really are blessed and highly favored!