11 years already?

Harvest has ended, and with harvest (or sometimes the ending of harvest), comes another very important birthday in our house. Our first born son, Ryan! I still remember when he was born --- although I have a hard time believing it was actually 11 years ago. The wheat was ready, the guys were ready to cut, but it just kept raining and it was too wet. They had finally gotten in the field late afternoon/evening on Saturday, and then debated about cutting on Sunday (which they NEVER do), and chose not to again. Monday came and they were finally in the field for a full day. Then you guessed it --- right after I ate supper I went into labor. So, I called Chris out of the field, he drove home, and we were at the hospital by around 8 pm. Unfortunately, my labor did not progress and around 1 a.m. they chose to give me pitocin. This seemed to kick things in gear, because at 6:33 a.m. Ryan Christopher Huxman was born. As first time parents, we marveled at the blessing God has given us.

As he was our "first-born", he has continued to be the "first" with many things --- here's a small list from this year.
* first to enter the middle school
* first to be in band (playing the tuba)


* first to feel comfortable singing a solo


* first to play "real" baseball where the players actually pitch
* first to be given the job of tractor/grain cart driver during harvest
* first to be "begging" for a cell phone (and no, he's not getting one)


* first to turn 11 (obviously)

With each year, we learn more about parenting, appreciate all the blessings God has given us even more, and realize that each birthday means he's growing up way too quickly. Before we know it we'll be sending him off to college. But, for now, we will continue to enjoy each new "first" and be thankful for the precious memories we are creating every day.

Tribute

Happy Father's Day and Birthday (the 21st) to my wonderful husband!
We feel blessed as a family to have you in our life:) We Love You!!!!

Each year Chris gets the best present he could ever want for his birthday - - - HARVEST!

Combine in the field on the first night of cutting

The helpers (Ryan has already spent close to 20 hours in the grain cart)


Unloading --- my favorite part to watch --- the wheat being augured out.

That looks like trouble:) Andrew said, "I have to wear jeans, boots, and have my cell phone, because that's what farmers do!" He's had jeans, boots, and a cell phone (of course an old one that doesn't work) with him every time he's gone to the field.

Happy to be in the field

Meals in the field - one of the things I love to be a part of, even if it does mean hours of preparation in the kitchen:)
Grant LOVED the lasagna!

Grant's first trip this year to town in the truck! Ryan was kind enough to go along too!

What a precious picture of a wonderful father!!!

And this is why I love the country . . . what a beautiful scene to end the first day of harvest with!

Summertime

I can hardly believe we have had 3 weeks of summer already. The time has flown by . . . but yet a lot has happened in that time also. Here's a little run down of the events so far, since it's been so long since I've posted.

* Worked to pack up 5th grade stuff in my classroom - I'm changing positions next year and will be the 6-8 grade science teacher.
* This entails moving classrooms too --- which I haven't quite gotten to yet (still on the summer list).
* Grant's surgery at the end of May. He's recovering VERY well.
* The circus came to Moundridge (definitely small town circus, but fun for the little ones)

Grant on the pony ride at the circus

Andrew on the pony ride

* Andrew went to Bible School with his cousin Luke in Newton --- we had picnics in the park for lunch afterward and somehow never captured any of it on film - whoops!
* The boys found the best way to cool off on a hot summer day --- running through the sprinklers in the yard! It has already provided hours of entertainment!!!

Andrew LOVED IT! Grant took in more of the mist from a distance:)

* Tyler has played 3 t-ball games with a record of 2-1.

Andrew and Grant enjoying a puppy at a baseball game:)

* Ryan has played 3 baseball games with a record of 3-0.

Ryan plays a little bit of catcher! He likes it - it would scare me!!!

* Mom completed a week of classes from 8-5 for 5 days straight --- Earth Partnership for Schools through Dyck Arboretum. It was a whirlwind crazy week, but I would highly recommend the class. It was awesome and I learned a TON (although there are still many more things to learn). It was amazing to get back out in nature and truly enjoy the immense beauty of God's creation. What a week!!!

We took a field trip on day one to Maxwell Game Preserve - prairie for miles and miles - absolutely breathtaking!

Prairie flowers

Buffalo roaming (with their baby calf)

And buffalo right up next to our tour tram --- what a beautiful Bull.

The quilt our class made by each of us drawing something from nature on a block, painting it, and stamping it onto the quilt. I think I'll be working with my mother to bind it and then have to figure out how to get it quilted or tied.



Dyck Arboretum

The wonderful color throughout the arboretum . . .

* The anticipation of harvest is upon us now, which I'm sure will be here any day (as soon as it dries out)!

To close, here's a quote by Lorna Harder, one of our instructors for class, that I thought was wonderful. It is on this sign right by the area where we did a prairie planting with our class at Dyck Arboretum.

I can definitely relate. I can now recognize a "few faces" on the prairie,
but have much more to learn:)