So life has been busy all year this year... there hasn't really been a "down time", though we kept expecting things to slow down. Maybe now that summer is over... hahahahahaha... (hear the maniacal laughter??)
Physical therapy is still going for TJ, and school has resumed for the kids. The fair came and went, and 116 4-H entries (and ribbons!) later, we've just about wrapped up the 4-H year (gearing up to start over again next month), a couple of out of state trips for Andrew to see the pediatric urologist and have his surgery, so he is no longer living with the pain that has bothered him for years past - it's just been... busy... but what is new for a big, busy family? Well, plenty, lol!
Canning for this year is just about done - I still have tomatoes to process from my garden, but with the cooler temps setting in already, they are ripening in boxes in my kitchen. Otherwise, here is the finished work :) I think I'm going to need another cabinet next year! :)
Last month my second oldest, Abigail, won the high point award at the county horse show, and the prize was a 2 hour guided trail ride at one of the horse ranches about an hour from us. She and I went on the ride last Saturday, and it was a lot of fun! It's been a LONG time since I've been in a saddle for so long, so my old bones are feeling it, haha, but it was really nice! Of course that experience made the kids really wish for another horse that is younger and more agile! The two horses we have are great teacher horses for the kids (and me!) so I think we'll stick with the two we have for the present, but someday we do hope to add to our "herd" (after adding on to the barn of course).
Speaking of herds, we butchered pigs and cows for the year and are really enjoying the home grown meats! Store bought bacon and ham just isn't the same... and though I've heard that holstein beef isn't great for steaks and roasts, I have to disagree... as our 4-H leader says, it really depends on how you raise and feed them, because this is some of the best beef I've ever, ever had the pleasure of eating!! We have two more calves growing and will probably take them to the butcher when it's time to butcher next year's pigs - which of course means the barn work for the remainder of the year is just basic mucking. Everything else is now done for the year (yeah!!!!)
Back to the kids, my oldest is now taking college classes through the same college my husband and I finished our degrees through. Thankfully it is an online program, so we don't have to worry about transportation or getting snowed in so that she can't get to class! *grin* She is in her 4th week and is doing well so far. We have given her the requirement of one year of college after high school graduation, which she is fulfilling. Our hope is that she will opt to complete at least an Associate's degree before deciding to be done, but that will be her choice once the intial year has been completed. That should help with any job or educational pursuits she may be interested in in the future, should a homeschool education ever be questioned. Ultimately, her goal is to be a wife and mother someday, which gives me great pleasure to hear!!
We are gearing up for TJ's retirement. He will have 22 years in the military this spring, and we're in full agreement that it's time. 22 years, 8 deployments, and lots of water under the bridge, and we're both quite ready for a new junction in the road!
So yes, lots of changes, lots of busy, and lots of *stuff* - but it's good. Life is good. God is good. Things aren't always easy - in fact, as this past year has proven, sometimes life can be downright hard - but that doesn't mean it isn't still good, or that we are not blessed. We are thankful for the many challenges that are now behind us, for the growing experiences, the challenges. And it is my hope and prayer that the upcoming year isn't quite as eventful. :) A quiet year sounds really, really nice. :)
