The Muench Bunch

 Monday morning started with a vet appointment for ACE. We got the news we wanted to hear, Ace is recovering and can build up to his normal riding. Wahoo, now that Jayden’s rodeo season is done until finals  and youth rodeo in September, maybe he will be ready. We got groceries and feed. We were scrambing to get the horses in, groceries out of the car, and feed unloaded before the rain. The sky was getting dark and the rumbles were very close. Lightning was flashing in the distance and we only had minutes to spare and down came the rain. The sky was wicked and I got a cool shot before the rain. 

I called and had a long visit on the phone with my  Aunt Rose. It was so good to hear her voice on the phone. She sounds a tiny bit different, but I could tell she was smiling and doing so well. She gave everyone quite a scare. Her recovery from her heart surgery was pretty miraculous. She had a possible  stroke  and  spent  many days in the  hospital  completely  unconscious . She talked of all the people that were praying for her. It was pretty amazing to think how far out the prayers went through  friends  and  family  and prayer chains. She literally had people praying from another country, so prayers from all over the world. This photo was taken a month ago as she was preparing to move to her rehab center.  God's ways continue to amaze me..... Since June 5 all of this has happened: 1 open heart surgery, 3 grand mal seizures, 2 "code blues" that required 1-2 shocks, 1 slight stroke, and 10 days in a comatose state. Today this amazing miracle lady is rockin'

Friday night was TMRA in Boone. It was a miserable hot and humid evening without any air movement. The whole family went and got to the fairgrounds at 5. The rodeo was held on the race tracks and we had several friends come to watch. My parents, Mark’s parents, Elm’s, and the Buhr family came. Angelia sat on bleachers in the heat and she is 7 months pregnant. That is a true friend! The rodeo started at 7. As the sun went down, the sun wasn’t as hot, but it didn’t seem to change the heat. Jayden had a good run on Tex and got second. She ran against her two competitors, one being Makenna. We went for ice cream at McDonalds at 10:30PM on the way home. It was very eye opening to see the people that were in their having their bedtime snack of super size Big Mac and Fries meals. Its no wonder this country has an obesity problem. Saturday, Jayden hauled with Spillmans to yet another TMRA rodeo. This time it was in Emmetsburg. She decided to see how Traveler would run and took him. The girls

7/20/15 Monday I took Jayden and Luke to my parents to spend the night and help with RAGBRAI. My parents had a booth in front of the Veteran museum in Williams. They were handing out water and "Stars" and selling candy. Jayden and Luke were their helpers. I think they were very entertained. After RAGBRAI Aunt Alice took Jayden to meet me at the ISU breel race. This was the last of the series. I ran first in the open on Traveler. I felt we had a pretty good run, but it was nothing fast. The competition is tough and the winning time was a 16.0 and I ran in the 19’s. That puts me in my place. Jadyen ran in the youth running both horses. She ran an 18.2 on Traveler and had a really nice run. Wow, that really humbled me. She is doing great and I am so proud of her, but it really shows me that I just don’t have it any more. I think this cowgirl needs to hang up her barrel racing spurs for good. It has been 7 years since I have competed, maybe more. My goal for this barrel series

 Friday was my one day home this week and much needed. We packed our bags to head south for the weekend to Weilbrenners’ family reunion. On Saturday morning we decided to have the girls in one vehicle and the boys in the other. Karen, Jayden, and I drove, Mark, Orrie, Jake and Luke went in  the Suburban. At the Burn's everyone sat around  visiting  and the kids went swimming and played some volleyball. It was hot outside, but bearable. Lots of relatives from all over came. We had a shower of gifts for Darrell and Lauren. There was some game playing, Sequence. Karen's favorite game she takes everywhere. They are expecting in September and know it is a little girl. We got the most adorable pink frilly bathing suit and swim hat for the baby. Suzy decorated her garage in a tropical beach theme and we had amazing food, the best brisket that was catered. I never dreamed they would allow that! There was a brief game of "The dating game" with all the married couples. E

 I kept saying that after the fair our summer would slow down and I was looking forward to that. We still manage to be busy. Monday, we took both dogs to the vet, Tuesday, Spillman's invited the kids and I over to swim in their pool. It was a hot day and the kids had a blast. That night, Jayden and I had our ISU barrel racing, Wednesday, we had serpentine practice. The practice was in the rain and it continued in a light rain all night. It made for a soggy unpleasant time. I got to practice the entire night in my original position, and it felt so good. We also carried flags for our first time and it went great. I sure hope I don’t have to be in an alternate spot. Mark stayed with the boys each night while we were running and Thursday he took them out to eat and to the Minions movie.  Thursday was a Tuff N Nuff rodeo in Cherokee Iowa, we left home at 3 and got back home at 12:30. Jadyen hauled her horse with Spillmans and rode in the truck. She sat in the back with Makenna AND he

  Sunday, Jayden and I were at the fairgrounds checked out of the hotel by 8. She fed Tex, warmed him up a little, then it was 9 AM and start time. First was Break the Gait. This is a favorite class and always a challenging class. The horse must stay in the correct gait. Tex did it without a problem. He picked up his leads, stopped, backed, trotted. He won it with a quick stop and just planted his feet and stood. Wahoo, another trophy for Jayden. She was all smiles and excited. I felt like the fair was a success and could go home now. Next it was egg and spoon and she took first place and a trophy in that. After the egg and spoon, all classes were outside in the blazing sun. Today was the hottest day so far this year, It never fails, on game day the sun is scorching. I gave Jayden lots of water and Tex too. The high was in the 90’s with a heat index 100. This year I found one of the only shade spots under a tree. We had the whole fan club there to watch, my parents, Mark's parents

Saturday morning Jayden and I were up bright and early, had  continental  breakfast, checked out of the hotel, got to the fair and did chores all before 8AM. After Tex got his hay, it was time to saddle and start day one of the horse show. Jayden showed Tex in the 2 nd class of the morning, halter. Tex looked so pretty and slicked up and clean. I was so proud of Jayden as she decided to band her horses mane all by herself. She didn’t exactly know how to do it , but saw a picture and took off. It took some time and patience, but what made me proud was SHE did it. There are many things about the fair that irritate me and today I saw it all. As I looked through the barn at the many parents grooming, banding, and fixing up their horses for their kids. One girl the same age nearby, her mom even saddles her horse for her. Down the aisle I noticed another girl had set out her table in front of her stall in preparation to hold all the many  trophies  she was expecting to win. Wow, I thought

Thursday we stayed home from the fair during the day. Jayden and I still had serpentine practice. I had to ride all night in an another persons spot. It is so hard and confusing.  Practice was over at 9. We took Traveler home then went back to the fair with Tex to check him in for the night. We got him settled in his stall around 10:30 PM. It was a late night getting home! We still had chores to do. Friday we were up early so we could get back to the fair and do chores. We picked up Alex Spillman on the way and I had the boys along. I felt like a cat chasing a mouse the entire day. I didn’t sit down much at all between Jayden needing something to the boys. I had to constantly keep track of them,. Jake had his phone and did a good job keeping Luke with him. Sometimes I had to find Luke. He could almost always  be found next to Torrie at the New Coop stand. They also needed money for food and drinks constantly. It was quite wearing. I watched the nieces show their cattle. Maggie did rea

The fair has begun. Tuesday was judging day. Jacob had the most with 5 photos, 3 of which were held back for state fair consideration. One of the photos got honorable mention. His farm chemical safety project was also held back, but only ended up with a blue. Grandma and Grandpa Wahlert helped him with the entire project, teaching him along the way. This was probably the most involved project that took the most work. He did a 4-H poster of a harvester harvesting corn that had 4 leaf clovers. That was held back, but got a blue. The most disappointing was his two drawings. He had a tractor and a motor home. The judge was very critical and particular. She complimented Jacob on his ability and took me aside and told me he is an artist and will go places with his talent. She was very impresssed and said I need to start making a portfolio of his progress through the years. She gave him 2 red ribbons because she felt he needed to include his source. He even had a write up that listed the el

In anticipation of the county fair, I looked up the forecast for the week. I kind of wish I had not looked. 90's in July are dreadful. It never fails!! It starts out perect and by the horse show it is hot hot hot. UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!