JR, Jacob and Joseph headed out to the fort for the night recently.  Lots of snow and cold but they appeared to have a good time!  Bree went with too, but I think her days of long hikes are coming to an end.  She always struggles a few days after these trips to walk...she is 9!

Celebrated this kid's 17th birthday yesterday!

He had a pretty quiet Spring Break.  Most of his friends are out of town, so he spent more time at home than usual.  He went up skiing, for the first and probably only time this season.  The snow wasn't super good, so he just had a great time.  

 

 It is spring break!!  No specific plans!  I keep telling Joseph if he wants to do something, lets make plans, but there is just not a lot to excite any of us!  It is suppose to be in the 40s/low 50s in the next 10 days.  But we are all banking on the annual Easter snow which should be coming.

Jacob recently went out with his billboard friend to do some vinyls.  He called me and told me there had been a slight mishap.  They lift conduit up with a strap and the conduit fell off and landed on top of Jacob's head.  Lots of blood but didn't appear too bad.  Ever since he broke his femur, I have told him I trust him to know his body and determine if we need to ever seek medical attention.  He told me he was fine and would go to the school medical trainer the next day and have him glue it.  Turns out it wasn't that bad and the trainer was able to glue it.

Both boys have been going to the football workouts every morning from 6-7:30, then they run home for 30 minutes then head back to school.  Really impressed, particularly with Joseph.  This is a brand new adventure for him.  There are lots of upcoming freshman at these workouts and lots of momentum for the football program and the community.  The new head football coach is making some great changes.  A lot of which will be seen over the next couple of years, but one thing he has done...found a nutritionist to come alongside these boys.  I have often challenged Jacob to nail down his food and he would be surprised at the results, but he never wanted to dive into it.  Now he is excited to learn more. The coach has also banned energy drinks, etc.  Appreciate the changes.

I have told Jacob I wanted to watch him do vinyls and after the conduit incidence, decided it was time.  I drove out to where they were working and was quite amazed at the process.  The two of them have it nailed down and each make $100 per billboard, which ends up being about 45 minutes.  Jacob always works on the ground and Braeden goes up top (this sign was about 25 feet off the ground).  Braeden's dad decided after the conduit, that he needs to get workers comp...sure liked to hear that!  (I am amazed at the 'employers' around here that want contractors, but then treat them like employees...it has provided lots of opportunity for conversations with the boys as to the pros and cons of W2 versus contractor.

A few pictures!!

 Regular basketball season has come to an end.  Jacob (Varsity) will have divisional tournament next weekend and then if they win 2 or 3 games they will go to state. They are currently 3-12.  Their last game was a one point win against a cross town rival - so very exciting.  He got a lot of playing time on JV and scored double digits several games.

Joseph finished his 8th grade season with his team getting second place in final 8th grade tournament.  A couple of nail biter games too!  All in all they both did really well and enjoyed their seasons.

Jacob has been doing a lot of work with his billboard vinyls and some welding, painting projects with the vinyl guy Matt.  It has been a good little gig for him.  He has also made a connection with a landscape guy, so he is hoping once that starts, to get lots of weekend hours and then four 10s during the summer.

Joseph is still plodding along at the taco place.  He is already talking about the summer and if he wants to pick up more hours or a different/second job.  

The weather is warming up and doesn't look like much snow on the horizon.  Makes me happy but will mean a very dry summer.

Ben is still doing his thing and comes around occasionally.  Not sure what is on the job horizon for him.

My job plods along.  It seems very cyclical, in dealing with employee retention.  Lose a few, then hire a few.  Have a great group of gals right now and gearing up for a busy spring/summer with regular work and some big construction projects.

The high school started a tradition last year where any senior that wanted to, could participate in a game.  It runs for the school year and it costs $5.  The last one standing wins the money.  The rules, the seniors are randomly listed from 1 to whatever and it is your job to eliminate the person below you.  Then you have a new target.  You don't know who is out to get you.  They can only get you out via water gun and it has to be recorded and then end with an elimination hand shake.  You can't get someone out on school property or at a school sponsored event.  The big catch, if you are wearing swim goggles, they can't shoot you.  So it is fun to see all the seniors around town with goggles on their eyes.  Can't wait for Jacob and his classmates to participate next year.

Few pictures -Two of them are pictures of welding projects that Jacob brought home that I think are really cool!!!

Basketball and work has been keeping me busy.  Between the two boys, there are three nights a week that they are playing.  Jacob's team is 1-12 and Joseph is 4-3.  Needless to say, my boys have learned how to be good losers.  We have 2 more weeks of basketball and then business will grind to a halt.  

On a good note, the school has hired a new football coach and there is a lot of excitement.  Jacob has stepped up and taken a leadership role among the football players and it is so good to see.  The new football coach has started early morning workouts and both boys have been going.  So excited that Joseph has decided to.  I don't really care if he ends up playing freshman football or not, but excited for him for the workouts, discipline and getting around other kids.

This past week JR and I finally bought tickets to Kauai.  We have been invited by the pastor that married us, along with another couple, to join the pastor and his wife at their time share late April.  We will be gone 7 nights.  Turns out neither of us are real into all the tourist things, but more the cultural and just seeing the sights.  The younger two will stay home alone, which will be interesting and good for them.

Things have been really busy at work.  Our construction projects have started kicking off.  My boss has bid on about a dozen other projects.  I am learning so much about that industry.  Given all the growth here, lots of job security.

Joseph and I recently went out to shoot pool and bowl.  Always great when I can get out with the kids and get them off their devices.  We had a good time and afterward, Jacob met us at the university campus and we ate at one of the dining halls.

JR has finally started to move snow.  Winter is here.  Thankfully it is February, so spring weather should be arriving in 4 weeks.  Below is a picture that I took one night outside our window.  It was one of those -30 degree nights and unprompted, Jacob convinced Joseph to go across the street and shovel our neighbor's driveway.  Love the serving heart of my boys.  I keep telling them one day I will be older and they would hope that a younger neighbor would take care of our driveway.

That's it!  Just a quick check in

 Halfway through January!  The holidays were very quiet around here.   I struggled to put Thanksgiving stuff away and was somewhat revolting on putting up a tree...not sure why other than every year it seems to be more work.  About 10 days before Christmas I was gone for the better part of the day and came back to find the tree up and decorated.  Kudos to JR and Joseph.  Then JR took it down before New Years, so the 'season' seemed to fly by.  

Benjamin moved out mid December.  He has finally gotten his stuff organized and is enjoying his place.  It is less than 2 miles, so he pops in 1-2 times a week.  The other day he stopped by because he was bored and hungry!  I asked him if it was quiet over there and he said yes.  I think he just might miss some of the brotherly commotion and chaos??

Benjamin, Joseph and I went to Salt Lake City for 3 nights over New Years.  An opportunity to get away, shop at IKEA, go to 2 NBA games and drive some go-karts.  It is always fun to get away with the boys!

Jacob started basketball.  He is playing well and enjoying it most games.  They still can't seem to get much traction on the court, they are 1-6.  He is dialing in and trying to work on things like his breath control and staying calmer on the court.

Joseph had his first basketball game tonight and he scored.  He is reading the court much better this year than last year.

I just had a milestone birthday!  Jacob surprised me with a scavenger hunt and well thought out 'coupons'.  I told him I loved the time and energy he put into the gift, way more than any dollar amount attached to it.

We have had a really big cold snap this past weekend.  We spent 4 days in the negative numbers!  Thankful our cars started every morning and we did not have any issues.

JR and I both continue plugging away at work.  Benjamin and Jacob seem to be piecing their work together and they are making their financial commitments somehow.  Joseph still enjoys the taco drive through.

Can't think of much else...Enjoy a few pictures.

Thanksgiving 2023

Thankful for

*my sweet and spicy tea

*the harvest from my garden and the ability to can it

*my shoes with great arch support

*2 work trips I took this past year

*5 weeks with my mom in Montana this summer

*another year of good health

*a job and work environment that I continue to really enjoy

*my blankets

*the privilege to watch our boys turn into young men

*my online bible study group/reading plan

*JR's continued low maintenance, good, consistent clients

*provisions this past year that allowed 3 trips to Texas, one to Ohio and lots around the state

*beautiful fall weather, which means less snow on the ground 

*being debt free in this crazy inflation world we are in right now

*for a group of women I have reconnected with through Bible Study Fellowship

*a long family weekend at Rushmore - first family vacation in 13 years

*some jeans that I love wearing

*the time I get to watch our dog Bree play at work with the other dog 

*my pull up bar that allows for great stretches

and lastly, but most importantly, my relationship with Jesus, which continues to be the only thing that truly satisfies

 With the exception of a few zero degree days and about 6 inches of snow, our amazing fall continues!!  

We are all on auto pilot!

Joseph continues to work 8-12 hours a week.  I think he is leaning towards 8th grade basketball, which will start in January.

Jacob has been hunting 3-4 times a week.  He keeps holding out for the 'big' one.  He finally got a doe recently and it is hanging in the garage.  There is a lot of pride in the fact that he can do it all, start to finish.  The last several months he has been texting a professional hunter.  Did  not know that was even a thing, but it is. This hunter has several sponsors, a podcast and has even been featured on a tv show or two (the names are escaping me).  He told Jacob the best way to get into the industry is to come in as a photographer/videographer.  Well, this coming weekend he is going on a 3 day hunt with him and will do all the filming.  Excited to hear about it and where it might take him.  The hunter did say most of the people he brings under his wing is early 20s, so Jacob has a huge jump on others.

The countdown is on for Benjamin.  He will be moving out the first 2 weeks of December!  He will be about a mile from here, so anticipate we will see him once or twice a week!  He is still mulling over the job situation, but has told me a change will be made by Thanksgiving!

I am headed out of town this week for a big work job.  Taking two of my college age employees, so should be a good time!  I set off for Cleveland a few weeks ago, road tripped out there with my mom.  Always enjoy the one on one and seeing the countryside!!

JR is gearing up for snow shoveling!

A few hunting picture and...a rare shot of Benjamin.  Him and I went to see a comedian, Preacher Lawson.  Really enjoyed it and this was a selfie we got with him.