Belated happy birthday!

There isn't anything that makes a mother prouder than talking about her kids, and I'm no exception to that! My firstborn had a birthday 2 days ago! 15 years old already!!!! How can it be???? From a forever labor, to surgery, and then out of me.....came a red haired, blue-eyed, beautiful, perfect baby boy. Two days later, we were home to feed that child every 2-3 hours. 15 years later, not much has changed, we're still feeding him every 2-3 hours! :-) Jayde is a typical 'oldest' child. He takes responsibility well, he's 'wise' beyond his years, but he balances that all with a crazy sense of humor, his ability to be 'heard above the crowd', and his joy for doing what he loves. Not much gets in his way when he decides to put his mind to something. My worry 4 years ago with his accident and scarring, has been put to rest-he has plenty of self-confidence!!!! He has an intense love for sports-playing and watching. He loves music. He has musical ability-even though he's much too cool to show it right now. :-) He can cook and clean. He can haul bales and work the fields. He can drive. And............. he stilll hugs and kisses his mother goodnight. He's my firstborn, and I love him so much. Belated Happy Birthday to Jayde!!!!

Moving on.........had a fun night at work the other night. Have been at work so much in the last few months, and it was so nice to be able to have a night there of good laughs with good people! For the most part, all shifts are okay, cuz we make it that way. But Wednesday night was a treat, as we played cards, visited, and laughed till we cried!! Thank you to my wonderful friend, Dawnett, and my special niece, Michelle, for making those memories!!!

We finished combining oats, and baling straw on Thursday evening. This was after the snow flattened what was remaining of our oats crop. But we tried to trim off what we could. It's a wrap! As true farmer fashion, we look ahead to 'next year'. Surely, next year has to be better!!!!
Del is out on the front yard right now, scraping dirt, trying to make some ditches on the front yard, and filling in some of the low spots. This front yard of ours is a masterpiece in the works. It just doesn't look like it yet. But it will get there. Give us a few years, and hopefully the floods will drain appropriately and the grass and flowers will be beautiful once again. I have visions of dry stream beds, and swings, and all such good things. Dreaming is good, isn't it????

A very good friend of ours is having a birthday on Monday!!! Andrea, you are such a special woman! Your ability to multi-task with 5 kids is amazing!!! We wish for you-a truly special day on Monday! So, any of you who know Andrea-please, wish her well. Happy Birthday, Andrea-we love you!!!

Friends and family-basic and important necessities in life. Love them, hold them close!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Quick note, cuz I'm at work, but I can't resist to put this out there!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BIG BROTHER, ROL!!!!

Have a wonderful day at work!

Thanksgiving '09

Into October already.......how time goes!! Between working fulltime+, harvesting, and chauffeuring the boys, the days are getting shorter and definitely getting cooler. September was such a treat after the summer coolness. We certainly enjoyed the sunshine and balmy temps. Now its from spring weather directly to winter, it seems. Forecasting rain and snow for the next few days. Time will tell what will actually develop.

The boys are attending school faithfully, even tho they still insist they are not enjoying it. :-) With Jayde being cut from city hockey tryouts, he has taken on the role of playing JV volleyball, as well as playing with the varsity team. Last weeks tournament saw him coming home with a huge smile due to the challenges of playing against other tall kids. It also brought him home with another injury. The weekend before did him in with strep thoat and a neck/shoulder injury following a hit in hockey. This weekend a jump at the volleyball net, to block the ball, resulted in the opposing team member landing on Jayde's leg on the way down. Resulting in a bruised and very painful leg. But a good tape job, and he played the day to completion, on one foot. And with a smile!!! Kyle started hockey again last night with the regular minor hockey league. His age group at school has started after school volleyball as well. So, both boys are loving their after school activities. WEdnesday night, had them both at youth at church. They need a parent to drive them around full-time!!! No joke!

Del's job is picking up steam. Its amazing how some farmers can bounce back, and once again plan ahead to next year. Yes, its time for farmers to make cropping decisions for the next year, and seed needs to be ordered accordingly. I'm so proud of my husband, for doing an exceptional job at this!!!

Me......I'm just trying to fit in where its needed. I tried to help del with hauling grain and baling straw on my days off. Yes, we did get some combining done between breakdowns and rain showers. Work has been busy. Full house. And, of course, not enough staff. Sick calls do not people available to work them. Thus, the full timers are expected to pick up the slack. This has been a challenge. I'm curious how the fall and winter will go, with the expected flu season coming. Someone needs to be able to work when someone is sick.......

Thanksgiving weekend this weekend. Always known for good food and family time. Always plenty to be thankful for. First Thanksgiving without Mom. This was her kind of weekend. Always cooking up a storm, and enjoying the family coming together. Went into her pantry the other day and collected some food she had put away, and so she still contributes to the food going onto the table. Not everyone will be able to make it home for the Friesen get together. Too bad. Thats what happens when kids grow up, families enlarge and change........It will still be good, tho!

I can hardly wait to get home to sleep this morning!!! Crazy night shift. I'm stuck here at least an hour longer than my shift as no RN is available to relieve me when my shift is over. Who knows when I'll get away!!! I can always persuade myself Its been a good sleep....

So much to be thankful for today!!! Love my husband and kids!! Love my family and friends!!! Thankful for a warm home!!! Thankful for the beautiful wildlife that crossed the yard yesterday-those deer were amazing! Thankful for a freezer full of food! Thankful for a job that pays! Thankful for a vehicle that gets me home from work! Thankful for the beautiful leaves on the trees!! The list could go on and on.......

Happy Thanksgiving!