The Muench Bunch

Some days I feel like a taxi cab running here and there and back and forth to the field. By the time I run Luke out, then Jake, pick up Luke, then later get Jake, then take dinner out, I feel like all I do is run. There are a lot of days like this. So far since harvest started there hasn’t been a day that one of the kids isn’t begging to go out.

Jake had a dentist appointment and swimming lessons. Since the moisture of the corn was too wet to combine, even Mark took the night to go with us and we made an evening out of it. After a visit to the dentist, we ate dinner at Red Lobster. Then on to swim lessons. Jacob has decided he loves to swim and would much rather have swim lessons than take taekwondo lessons. I do hope in the future he will try taekwondo again. Luke was praying at the dinner table and it went something like this “Thank you God for my mommy and daddy, and help Jesus take all the sins out of people. “ Wow, pretty big concept for a 3 year old. I love it!

It was a bright and early morning for the kids and I on a Sunday morning. It was very cold outside when I hooked the truck and trailer and loaded the pony. Today was the Dayton youth rodeo and I was taking all 3 kids. It was a brisk morning in the 50’s and everyone was chilly. Thankfully our loyal Peepaw arrived later in the morning to help and watch. We got to the arena just before 9. Jayden was up in barrels, flags, and poles first thing. The boys also had their little kids events going on at the same time. This is where Peepaw’s help was so needed. Jake decided he was too old and did not participate. He was quite mad most of the morning as he did not like sharing his dirt toys with other kids. Luke did his stick horse race first. He was running when all the sudden he stopped and walked back with a very sad almost going to cry look on his face. I asked him what was wrong and he said he ran out of energy. That made me laugh. Next he did the goat tail untie and a dummy roping. He thoug

 I invited Carolyn and her kids to come for a day on the farm. She grew up in California, has lived in Iowa for 7 years, but never really got to spend much time on a farm. She never rode in a tractor or combine until today. Her three kids came out and rode in the field, picked apples of the tree, played with the cats, and rode the horses. It is always fun to have visitors, especially when a farm is a new experience.

Jayden has discovered how fun and easy it is to go out and ride her pony any time she wants. The last couple nights she has ridden Dakota in the pasture and all over the yard. Today she was sporting her new winter zebra hat while riding. The horses and even the cats were scared of her in it. Ha! It sure is nice having the horses here!

Luke has always been my super affectionate boy. He is such a cuddler , always giving hugs and kisses. It is absolutely priceless. I love it! Several times lately I have heard Luke say to me, “Mommy I always want to be with you.” Makes me melt. He throws out his "I wuv you” any place anytime. We can be in a store, outside, in the car, just out of the blue he says it. The other day Mark was driving and I was in the passenger seat and he kept telling me he wished he could sit with me. I always tell him he is so full of love. He gives kisses to the dog, cats, even horses. He blows kisses to friends and gives kisses and super hugs.

Yesterday was the first official day in the field combining corn and the boys got to ride. Luke kept telling everyone that today was his day. That meaning his day to ride in the combine. The first day in the field is always so exciting for the boys. I didn’t send Luke to school because he had a croupy cough. But he was well enough to ride. He spent an hour in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon riding in the combine with Mike. I am sure Mike gets a kick out of it as I know Luke is probably talking his leg off asking questions. As soon as Jake got home from school, I took him right out to ride and he was out until 7PM. Jayden hasn't been feeling well and stayed home part of today and was so tired that we all skipped AWANA.

Jayden did her good dead by helping the dog shelter walk dogs as part of a free adoption day. She volunteered through 4-H. It was only in the 50's, a bit cold for September.

Today was a busy day. I started bible study in Ames on Thursday mornings. Luke goes to childcare while I am there and loves it. Today afterwards, I had lunch with Carolyn. She is so awesome and I love visiting with her. Back at the house, my bathroom is under construction. Today they tore all the old stuff out. I hope the process goes quickly, we have a tiny little bathroom in the laundry room with a utility sink in the meantime. Afterschool jayden has vocal lessons, so I get her from Dayton at 4:30. Jayden also rode her horse aftershcool, Jake & Luke rode a little too.

Monday the high was 90, Tuesday the high was 75 and today the high is 65. The weather is changing and it is really feeling like fall. After much thought and prayer, we have decided to do another year of AWANA at the Stratford church. We had to choose between the D6 kids group at our church at Cornerstone that we have heard great things about. I have served in the AWANA program for 8 years and this is Jayden’s last year as a TNT member and she has a chance to earn her Timothy award. Tonight was the AWANA kick off that included a grill out and fun games outside. Luke is sooo excited to be a Cubbie. In fact tonight he cried when it was time to go because he didn't get to go down to the Cubbie room. All the events were outside for the night.

Today was the first MOPS meeting in Story City. I have participated in several MOPS groups throughout the years and really enjoy them. It is a time of fellowship with other moms,a place to visit and compare child raising stories, get advice, met new people, have a snack and do a craft. Luke loves it more than anyone, he is in the MOPPETS kids group and loves to go, especially with Mallory. Today he wore his red superman cape. He is so funny! My friend Lisa moved farther away, but still decided to come back for the MOPS meeting. That made Luke’s day as he got to see his Mallory. Afterwards, we let the kids play at the park in the sunshine. It was a beautiful day!

It was my first time volunteering at the school in a couple years. I stayed while Luke was at pre-school and helped in the first and second grade classes. It was nice to be able to get to know some of Jacob’s classmates and hear them read or do math cards. It gives me an idea of where Jake is in the class. Jake is smart and he knows his math facts and is reading very well. However school is not going to be easy for him. His teacher and I have already had lots of talks and he has focusing issues and doesn’t get his work done. His teacher keeps him in for recess in order to get his work finished. He is being punished when he is trying his best, he just can't seem to stay on task. I am hoping his teacher and I can figure out some way to help him.

10 years ago is a day that will forever be ingrained in peoples memory. 10 years ago today I sat in my living room watching television as a plane hit the twin tower’s in N.Y.C. How could a plane hit the twin tower on such a bright sunny day? Soon a second plane hit and your gut new it was not an accident. The horror escalated into the worst imaginable outcome. 9/11 is a day of history that will never be forgotten. In the morning there were lots of shows about 9/11 on and I had Jacob sit with me as I explained some of what was going on. I wanted him to know a little about what we were remembering. At night Mark and I watched a documentary. It is awful every time I watch and think of all those people. We both watched in complete silence. That horrrible feeling as I watch puts me there with all the people and what they went through.

Tonight our entire family attended a Hamilton County saddle club show. Each one of us participated. Mark and I did all the adult classes. I rode Tex and he rode Traveler. Jayden did all the kids classes and had a great night on Dakota. The boys rode in lead line and pee wee barrels. It was a nice night to ride horses. My parents and Alice were our fans and helped with the boys.

Tonight Jayden got to babysit her brothers. This was her first time to stay home and watch them after dark. She did it without any problems. Mark and I went to an AgriGold dinner with lots of good food. We had a chance to stay at a hotel and go to the big IA IA state game. We should have, the game turned out to be a triple overtime big ISU win.

There is a music teacher that recently moved to Dayton and Jayden is starting to take vocal lessons. She seems very good and I think Jayden will really learn a lot and will enjoy it. She lives a block from the Dayton school, so it will be handy. Jayden is also staying afterschool for practice with her school music teacher to audition for OPUS. Claire is also auditioning. Jayden informed me that her teacher informed three girls in private including Jayden and Claire, that they scored extremely high on their reading tests. The scored that of a twelfth grader, therefore they will be challenged with much harder spelling words than the other kids. That is pretty impressive! Jayden was also chosen by her class to be on the student council. She had to give her own speech and everything. She is on the student council with her two 4th grade cousins Jaynie and Maggie. The cousins rule the school!

Today was the most perfect day for a trail ride. Mark, my Dad, Alice, and I went to Brushy creek for a nice long trail ride. It was a wonderful day mid 70’s and felt very much like fall. What an enjoyable day.

Each year on Labor Day, the town of Dayton holds their rodeo parade. I took the kids to watch. Luke is so sensitive to noise that he had his ears plugged long before any sirens from ambulance and fire truck were near. They must have some 15 trucks go through honking and running their sirens. Poor Luke was not going to let his fingers out of his ears nor was he going to miss out on gathering candy. With fingers in his ears, he squatted down to the ground with his head on the ground and picked up a piece of candy with his other fingers. It was quite a sight! Jayden and Jake helped him until the loud trucks went by. After the parade some of Karen and Orrie's friends invited us to a big dinner in their nice home. The boys stayed with Karen and Mark, Jayden, and I went on to work in the Wranglers foodstand. It was the nicest day for the rodeo and kind of wishing we could be out watching, but our work shift went fast. Just a small price to pay to be able to use such a nice arena.

We chose this night to go to the Dayton Rodeo. Years ago, the rodeo was co-sanctioned IPRA and IRCA. That was neat as you got to see lots of local Iowa cowboys compete and I was able to compete. Now the contestans are from all over the country. I competed on Joe 4 different years in Dayton. It was such an awesome thrill. We took the kids, sat in our usual spot with lawn chairs at the edge of the hill. We also saved a spot for our friends the Youngs that joined us. They squeezed in our tiny spot with their 4 year old and baby and brought along some more friends. We were very cozy. It was very chilly got down in the 60’s. The rodeo was good, arena was muddy, and the kids did good watching. Michelle and Makenna were the Rodeo queens this year. They really got fancied up with lots of glitz. I hope that someday Jayden will have the opportunity to carry a flag or be the Jr. queen. I have no doubt she can do it, it comes down to a good safe horse.

Mark and I rode Tex and Traveler to our house to move them into their new home. It was a big day to finally get the horses here at our home!! A few days later we brought the girls, Jessie and Dakota. They look so nice out in our new pasture.

It rained on and off throughout the day and we really needed the it. Our plans to go trail riding and plans to the rodeo changed. We ended up having Abby babysit so Mark and I could go out. We had an evening to ourselves with dinner and a movie.

Tonight begins the weekend of the Labor Day rodeo. The little town of Dayont Iowa becomes a happening town when the rodeo comes in. There are campers and horse trailers spread from one side of the creek to the other. There is the carnival and vendors set up on top of the hill along with tons of foodstands. Crowds of people come to town for the big rodeo and sit on the hill of the ampitheatre for the PRCA rodeo 4 nights in a row. We stayed home tonight, and glad we did, as it poured down rain. We welcomed the rain as we so desperately needed it.

Mark and neighbor Lindie have been working on our old garage rennovating it into a horse barn. Today they put the final touches on. They added some gates and poured some concrete around the waterer. Mark fixed it up paying attention to fine details, rods on the windows, buffing rough edges, welding smooth surfaces, and making it as safe as possible. At the end, Luke got to put his hand prints in the cement. Mark has really worked hard all summer to get this area ready, and its ready for horses!