The Muench Bunch

 Jayden and I were very excited to start the homeschool book club. Everyone else seemed enthused about it in the beginning, but it has phased out. This time, we tried to get everyone back into it by reading a book and going to the movies together. The timing was perfect and so was the book. We chose "Heaven is For Real" and the movie came out Easter. 2 of the girls couldn't wait for our movie day and saw it ahead of time, so did not join us. 2 could not come for busy reasons. 2 didn't read the book and only came for the movie. And 3 including Jayden read the book and were excited for the movie. I planned the day out including the boys, so Luke missed another day of school. He is my child and I am not worried a bit about him missing school days, and the school has never questioned it. I did feel kind of bad when I picked Luke up early from school and all the little Kindergartners eyes were looking at me envying Luke as he shouted out," I guess I really am going t

I kept Luke home from school today. Both boys had dentists appointments in Ames. After, we had lunch with Mawgee then went to an ISU theater production. The play was about Laura Ingalls. There were bus loads of school kids on a field trip. It was a cute musical and the kids enjoyed it. Jayden isn't into the performing arts and would pass on attending any more.  Sometimes I really appreciate the rain. Today was one of those overbooked days with dentist, then the play, groceries, then off to seprentine pratcie. However because of the rain, serpentine was cancelled giving me a chance to relax and just breathe. Mark too, he can’t be in the field, so he gets a chance to rest up. Sometimes God's timing of rain comes just when we need it most.

What an awesome day in church. There were over 70 college students getting ready to go on missions trips to 14 different countries. That alone is amazing. Then there were 72 baptisms between the 2 services. You could hear the enthusiasm in the voices of those sharing their story. How neat to be able to be there and be part of it. The service was full of excitement too talking about commission and Mathew 26 "Go into the world and make disciples of all nations". I love Cornerstone and I am so glad God led us to that church and to see of how God is working in so many lives.  The rest of the day was a stay home and stay in kind of day. I put on my sweat pants and just chilled. I love wearing sweatpants and not having to be anywhere. It rained and stormed so all the more reason to sty in. Jayden had been recovering from her stomach sickness. Today is day 5 and she still isn’t able to eat what she wants. It is so hard on her because she loses weight she can’t afford to lose. She

The former owner of  Jayen’s horse Ace’s offered to give Jadyen a lesson on her horse. This was awesome and very kind of her to do, so we were willing to make it work no matter when she would come. Luke had a soccer game and there was a time conflict. I got him to his game and was able to watch most of it. Mom and Alice also came to his game, then brought him back to the house. Luke seemed really tired and not very into his game. He stayed back and never really got into the action. He almost seemed scared to get to close. Of course the foot taller kids on the other team may have had a part in it. Luke’s age shows in his size at these soccer games. He does look pretty darn cute though! I arrived back at the house where Jayden stayed to get her horse all ready to go. Emily worked with Jayden on some exercises, hand position, rating, and turning the barrels. It was a lot of information and pretty overwhelming to Jayden. She was also still pretty weak and tired from being so sick. She hun

Karen and Orrie got one of Libby's Collie dogs. He goes by Roo and Bingo. He is still 100% puppy and Jake just loves him. He has thick long hair that needs brushed daily. When Jake goes to Karen and Orrie's he likes to play with Roo and brush him.

Today was Mawgee's birthday and I had a big fun day planned and was really looking forward to it, so was Jayden. It was my last bible study brunch and day out for Grandma’s birthday including lunch and a pedicure, then Jayden’s haircut. Jayden was sick, she never did throw up, but was feeling bad. She had a fever all night and her stomach was really hurting. I debated for a long time going back and forth whether to go or stay. Jake was willing to stay home with her and watch tv, draw, and help her. There is just something about needing mom when you are sick. Jayden wouldn’t be happy unless I stayed. I could not leave and felt I needed to stay. Yeah, I pouted a bit. I think Jayden, Mom, and I all pouted a bit.  Then I got over it and did my mommy duties and tired to give Jayden some TLC.

 Jayden was starting to feel sick and stayed home from her 180 youth group. Mark just got over the stomach trouble, going to the bathroom frequent for 3 days. Before that Luke had been sick, so now I am guessing it is Jayden’s turn. Tonight, Luke had his Taekwondo testing. Once we got to class, Luke practiced his form over and over. He had it down. During testing three boys went at the same time. They are to do the form on their own count. This can be confusing and both the other boys did the form incorrect. Luke did his correct, but questioned himself when he saw the other boys. The instructor had the three boys do it a second and third time giving them an extra chance to get it correct. I thought Luke looked really good. He is fun to watch and takes it very serious. We got to see several of the others test using weapons and sparring in the higher levels. I wish we lived closer so he could get to two practices a week like all the other kids. That night, when I tucked Luke in to bed I

 Today is our third day in the field planting. It has been problem after problem from the start. A brand new 36 row John Deere planter that costs $300 some thousand dollars should not come with so many problems. Mark is pretty discouraged. The first problem was some kind of pump issue, then a hose came lose and leaked 30 gallons of oil. That happened twice even when Mark suggested to the mechanic to replace the attachment and the mechanic assured him it would be fine. There was another issue with the planting discs spinning and shutting everything off. Today it is a sensor on one of the tires. Because of the sensor sending off an alarm, it shuts the planter down. To make matters worse, Mark is not feeling very well. Not a good start to the planting season. The planter blows my mind. Just when you think they can't get any bigger, they do. This planter seems ginormous to me and they do make them bigger. Today the weather was beautiful, upper 70’s. I took a bike ride and enjoyed bei

Today all our kids had the day off from school. Allie stayed the night and stayed for most of the day. The kids all went and got horses groomed, braided manes, and saddled while Mark and I were at a funeral. We attended Sylvia Holbert's funeral. She was a neat little lady that lived to be 100 years old. She was a member of the Baptist church in Stratford. I always enjoyed her kindness and sent her Christmas cards and photos of the kids over the years. A few weeks ago Jayden was visiting the nursing home with Grandpa Po and stopped in to see Sylvia. Jayden told me she was reading her bible with her magnifier machine that blows the words up 100x. She said Sylvia also prayed with them. Sylvia was very sharp and wanted to know anything she could pray for you . As the preacher said at her funeral, she was definitley salt to this world. Once back, we  rode horses with Allie in the arena. Then we worked hard cleaning out the tack area in the horse trailer. In the evening, Jake went to th

 Easter morning was filled with excitement with eggs scattered throughout the house. The kids filled their baskets with their specific colored eggs. They ended with a clue and found something extra special, a DVD. We managed to get everyone up dressed and ready and to Ames for the early service. That is not easy for this family. We rejoice in this special day that our Savior died on the cross for our sins, a perfect and sinless Jesus, crucified for us. Not only did he die, but he came to life and that is what it is all about. Making sure the kids understand that and not just jelly beans and Easter bunnies is the most important.  After the church service we had lunch at Karen and Orrie's. The rest of the families went other places for lunch this year, sadly the kids were really missing their cousins. Eventually Allie joined us too. She stayed for the day and spent the night. We all enjoyed having her stay.  Later in the day the kids and I went to my parents. Grandma had eggs sc

Jayden spent the night at Makenna's along with friend Alyvia. The girls spent the afternoon primping and getting their nails done at the salon where Alyvia's mom works. The Spillman's took the girls to The Pony Express dance. The girls said the dance was pretty lame, only old people and little kids danced. I think they had fun just being together. Today I took the same girls and Jacob to a horse operation near Altoona. Luke had to stay home because of tummy trouble. Warren B. was helping host a tour and lunch at one of the race horse owner's farm. He has so much enthusiasm for his horses and loves to show them off. We joined a group called the Fun 100 making us part owner's on claims of some horses. One of the perks was getting to attend the farm tour today. We arrived to a larger horse operation with big barns, pens, and horse walkers. It looked like a very nice place. We got to wander and see the barns and a few horses. WE saw one of Warren's horses a 2 year

Jake seems to be drawing more all the time. He spends his free time at his school desk drawing in great detail. He googles images on the computer then sits down and draws in great detail. He gets satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment when he finishes his work. Lately he has been on a sprayer kick. He has a lot of talent.

Thursday I had lunch with my good friend Carolyn after bible study.  Back home, Jayden had Makeena and Alivia come and ride horses. The girls set up barrels, poles, and goats. Jayden has been working with Ace on poles a lot. He has not done poles and is coming along really well. Goat tying was kind of funny to watch. The goat Priscill has horns and is a bit overweight. It was good for some laughs. 

 Luke was feeling better after being sick, but still tired. I took him to taekwondo because it would be his last practice before testing.  Allie has been back in Iowa for the week. She called and went with us to Ames. She went to youth group with Jayden for the first half. Allie lost her really awesome job she had at the hospital about a month ago. She has gone back to working at O'Reiley's Auto parts working part time. Her mother also got out of prison recently and I am really hoping she won't drag Allie down. It seems when things are going really well for Allie it is short lived. I pray that she can stay on the right track. 

It snowed, not just a little, but inches and the ground is 100% covered. Saturday was 80 degrees and felt lik summer. We just get a tease now and then and then it turns back to winter.  Luke got the stomach bug and was sick again. 4 times in the past 3 months, ugh! 

 We were invited for lunch at the home of the Burr family. We had met them recently in church. They moved to Ames in November from Clarion, Iowa. Dan has been in the military traveling all over and is now part of the ISU ROTC program. He has done so much in his years and has lots of photos on the walls and awards to show for. He is a very neat guy and fun to listen to. They have an amazing home and 4 children in a blended family from previous marriages. They are super nice awesome people. I look forward to getting to know their family more and invite them to our house.  It rained from morning until night and was cold near 30’s. And to think, yesterday it was almost 80. 

I felt like a busy soccer mom today. We had a bit much on our schedule for one day.  First I dropped Jake off in Lehigh to go to 4-H rifle discipline with Grandpa W., then went to Luke’s game . Luke had his first soccer game in Gowrie.  I really didn’t know what to expect. I worried he would be too little, that he would not be able to get close enough to the ball to kick it, and that he would get pushed around. He did great. He got to play quite a bit and did really well, especially considering all the kids are 7 and 8. He kicked the ball a lot, and seemed to catch on to what he was supposed to do right away. It was a nice day, warm in the morning and got up to 80 by afternoon. It was breezy, but the sunshine was nice. Mark made a surprise appearance and got to see most of Luke’s game before heading back into the field.   After the game we drove to Williams for Alivia’s birthday party. It was pretty crazy with lots of loud kids. Alivia turned 7 and this year had a horse party. Even th

 Today got up to 78 with wind. Yesterday was really warm and windy too.  I tried to stay outside as much as possible. The kids and I raked old leaves out away from the house, laid on a blanket in the sunshine and rode horses.While Luke was on his horse Winnie, Latte, the cat decided to join him. That cat has jumped on a few horses. Luckily he hasn't dug his claws into any of them yet.   Yesterday and today were Mark’s first days in the field running a Salford. He has lots of interest and people trying out his Salford's and gets paid $10 an acre. He enjoys taking the Salford to their field and setting it up for them. I think he could keep himself busy enough just doing that alone.

Since Grandma Karen hurt her shoulder the kids went to help her out. Jayden did some house cleaning and cooking. jake worked hard outside cleaning out flower beds. He really works hard when he likes the job. He likes to rake and does it well. He earned $20 which was exactly how much he needed to buy the Fareway semi he has been wanting. Its good for the kids to "want" and earn it.

Well, I am officially a soccer mom. Not that I haven't felt like one for the last 14 years running here and there and everywhere with my kids, but now I really am a soccer mom. Last summer while practicing volleyball with Jayden we noticed how fast Luke can run and how well he kicks a ball. We started talking to him about soccer and he was all about it. We got him a soccer outfit and his own soccer ball for Christmas brought all the way back from Jamaica. We would kick it around and play soccer in the house. Yeah, I did say in the house. We waited and waited to hear something about soccer sign ups for spring. One day Luke told me his classmates had soccer practice. I made some phone calls only to be discouraged. Any other sport would be begging for extra players, but soccer was this big deal. I could not believe how hard it was to get to be on a soccer team. I was very discouraged and it was looking like too bad so sad Luke was not going to be in soccer. I practically begged. It t

 This week our church had the opportunity for Dannah Gresh to come and do a retreat. Dannah Gresh is a christian author of whom I have read some of her books. She wrote the "Secret Keeper Girl 8 Great Dates With Your Daughter" book that I just loved. She writes mostly on the topic of modesty and purity. Her most well known book is called, "The Bride Wore White". I was very excited to attend. On Thursday after bible study I helped put name tags together and happened to be there when Dannah was being given a tour of the church. I got to meet her which was cool. My small group leader Sarah invited me to lunch and I would have gotten to have lunch with Dannah, had I kept my cell phone on me and not in the car. Bummer. Friday was teen night. We took Michelle, Makenna, and Kelsi Janney. It was great to hear Dannah. She is very down to earth and real. She is also funny and easy to listen to. She talked a lot on our desire for boys and how to get lost in God and live your