The Muench Bunch

4/29/16  Jake’s church small group had a family invite all the boys and their parents to their home. Mark and I both took Jake to the get together. It  was  unusually  cold for this time of year and it was held in the evening in the backyard. Thankfully they had a bonfire going. The get together was at Jake’s friend Cademan’s home. They are also the family that we got our two  kittens  from in the fall. They have 5 children, two adopted from the Congo. They have a nice backyard and live near train tracks with a bridge going over. The kids jumped on the trampoline, played frisbee, sat in their hot tub, and made smores. Mark and I met and visited with lots of parents. One of the parents also has a daughter that is in Jayden’s small group. Everyone was so nice and friendly. These are people that I enjoy being around and look forward to getting to know better. When we first started going to Cornerstone, I  wish  we had gotten to know people like this. I am so glad Mark went also. He visit

4/25/16 When something is wrong with your child, it is the worst feeling. As a parent you want the best for your children. You would do most anything for them and want to help them. When they hurt, you hurt. When they are sad, you are sad. You want to take their pain away and make them well. Health is something we all take for granted. There are so many illnesses, ailments, and diseases out there. There are a lot of unknowns with Jayden right now. 10 days ago she went to the doctor for joint pain. The doctor ordered 7 vials of blood, a urine test, and x-rays. Her pain is not normal wear and tear, it is not growing pains, and it is not going away. She has had the pain since being on penicillin since the first of April. I thought it was a reaction to that. The doctor is stating it is more likely caused from a complication in having a strep infection. The most bizarre part is she was tested for strep and it came back negative, plus given penicillin just to be safe. Jayden’s pain is the w

4/22/16 Jacob attended the Cornerstone 180 retreat. He has never done anything like that, never gone to camp, or spent a night without being at a friends house or family member. He was pretty nervous and kept saying he didn’t know what to expect and he didn’t know what he was supposed to do. The sun was shinning and cool but nice in the 60’s. I took Jake to Hidden Acres, checked him in and took him to his cabin. He was staying in the same cabins that Jayden stayed when she went to camp. They do not have closed windows, only a screen with a fabric cover. They had a space heater in the center in case it gottoo cold. I thought it would be pretty chilly and I hoped Jake has enough blankets. There was nobody in the cabin, but most of the beds were already taken. 2 other boys came in that Jake knew and the three of them were ready to venture. One boys parent drove up and he jumped out and they left. The other boys Dad went to the door, handed him his stuff and said bye. I made sure Jake was

Mark came across a pilot that had some old flight manuals. He brought them home for the boys and they thought they were pretty cool. Luke spent a lot of time looking over all the pages and is determined he is going to learn to fly. Both boys spent several days looking over the manuals. On a shopping day, Jacob was along in a store while Jayden was shopping for clothes. What is a bored brother to do while patiently waiting? Leave it to Jacob to be creative and kind of funny. He went around the store and moved all the mannequins arms behind them. I noticed one of them in the store and thought it was a bit strange, but nothing is strange nowadays and I figured that was the new thing. Then I noticed Jake was the master mind behind it. We were in the store quite some time and the employees never noticed. I laughed so hard when i left and Jake was grinning ear to ear.

4/17/16 Sunday morning alarm clock went off way too early. Mark had morning cattle chores and I did horse and pet chores. I told Jayden to just stay in bed. We had early hospitality setup at church. It seems we always end up signed up on a busy weekend. It really takes the joy out of serving and it starts to feel a little like a burden. It is important and we make it a priority. However, this morning we were really dragging. Without kids we got out the door much easier, the sun was shinning and it was beautiful and warm out. We set up the snack and coffee table along with the computers. Mark greeted and I took Jayden’s spot filling in for the 3, to 5 year old class. Those kids are adorable and funny. After church we just wanted to grab lunch quickly at KFC and eat it at home outside. We waited to order and waited. Once we finally got to order we waited some more. They had completely forgot our order and had to ask for it again. That was upsetting, so we just left. This KFC has upset m

4/16 Days like today are are more busy than I like and it takes some major planning. The kids and I were up early and on the road at 9 with the truck, trailer, and horse. That meant we had all chores done and all stuff loaded. We had to remember so many things. I get grief for forgetting things all the time, but I have to think for so many people. The kids just worry about themselves and I have to think of everyone. We had to have all the rodeo stuff, coolers and food. I planned to grill supper so I had to have charcoal and grill. We had to have all Luke’s soccer gear ready. I also had to have Alivia’s birthday presents and the boys overnight luggage, cash to pay for things and the video camera. My head was spinning by the time we left and we were piled in the truck when we left. First we took the horse to the arena and dropped the trailer. Jayden stayed and hung out with Makenna until rodeo time at 1:00. Next it was soccer in Gowrie. This was Luke’s very first game and a wonderful day

4/15 The end of March, Jadyen was sick and went to her normal doctor. She told her she just had a virus and she would get over it eventually. After two day s of feeling worse and having a fever, we took her locally to the Ogden doctor. She was tested for both strep and mono, both came back negative. After the April 1 st rodeo, Jayden started getting pain in her joints. I thought maybe it was from the antibiotics. Once she quit the penicillin, her joints got worse and she was in pain at night and when she got out of bed in the morning. We took her to the doctor again and this time he decided to run some tests to rule some things out. They drew 7 vials of blood, took a urine sample, and did x-rays on her knees and hips. Being this young and having all this pain for this long doesn’t make sense. Now we wait and pray. It can take 7 to 10 days to get all the results. After Jadyen saw the doctor, we took the horses to the vet. I knew it would take most of the day and would not be quick.

4/11/16 Monday was our first day in the field spring planting. We are one of the few farmers that plant 100% corn and no soybeans. Friday we had the Ogden homeschool Food Fest. Each family that participated chose a country to learn about and make food from. We chose Germany because so many of our ancestors are from Germany and we have been studying World War II all semester. The boys helped with the information and we made German Apple Dip. It is very yummy and tastes a little like cookie dough. It has cream cheese, pecans, chocolate chips and coconut in it. There were 4 families that participated all with younger kids. All of the kids were super shy and quiet and my boys even froze being in front of a large group. Mawgee came down and Po came as well. There was lots of fun food to sample and interesting displays. When we got home, Michelle delivered our newest farm animals, our very own chickens. We got  6 week old hens and put them in a cage and under a heat lamp. I hope we can ke

The TMRA held a winter bull riding series. Jayden and Makenna have gotten to know many kids through TMRA and wanted to attend the winter rodeos to see their friends and watch some of them compete. It was ideal for the girsl to try out their new driving skills and to be responsible and go alone. The girsl took truns driving and often a brother would go along too. They had so much fun amd took many selfies. Kids these days are all about the selfies.

4/6/16 When Jayden was a junior 4H member she interviewed and got to attend a trip to the zoo. This is the junior awards trip you can get as a 6,7, or 8 th grader. Jayden said it was a blast and really enjoyed it. The kids even spend the night with the animals either under an aquarium or along side the penguin room. I wanted Jake to have that experience too. I know Jacob would not feel comfortable going unless he knew somebody else going. I thought it would be really cool if Rylie and Jake could go together. The two boys have such a good time when they are together. I lined it up to take both Jake and Rylie for their interviews. Ferrari’s were not planning to take Rylie, so it was up to me. The boys got all dressed up and went in for their interviews. They were pretty excited and feeling pretty good about it. Jake feels pretty good with his tie and jacket. He had to add some shade, hat and toothpick for the car ride.  I was under the impression the interviews were in addition to yo

Sometimes you just have a bad day and need to vent. Why, because teaching your kids is hard. Nobody said it would be easy and I took on the challenge. Being a mom and a teacher is so stressful and then it affects how you are as a wife. As the school year goes on it seems to be getting rougher rather than better. Jake need needs me at his side keeping him on track.  Luke is a new student for me and I struggle so much. Most of the struggle comes from having both boys together. They distract each other, annoy each other, and fight. It gets very old and is such a challenge. I cannot really separate them because they both need me watching over them. Luke does not like getting into trouble and many days there are tears. I really wanted him to stay in the public school system in 2 nd and 3 rd grade, but Mark insisted we start homeschool with him. I have been tempted to send him back next year. I wonder if he does better there than he does for me. He does great school work, he is smart, rem

Jayden has big goals and big plans and has wanted to do some horse training. She really wants to start a colt. An opportunity came up to take on a 15 year old horse that has not been ridden in 3 years and needed some major tuning. Jayden jumped at the challenge. Her first week has gone really well and progress is being made. Lots of time is spent riding in the indoor arena. Jayden rides several times a week. The boys, not so much. It is on occasion that they ride. Today we all rode and Luke got into the baby powder and had the most fun with that on his face. Jayden did her best at giving Jacob some roping lessons. Both boys did some riding their horse Eagle. Here are a few photos of the boys on their horses. Riding the winter and the rainy muddy spring days, Jayden has enjoyed riding with these two, mother and daughter serious barrel racers, Loree and Marlee Stewart. They are kind people and fun to talk to. We tell them they are welcome to ride anytime and they always leave us a $20

4/3/16 The big rodeo shootout was today, but first things first. We were hospitality for church today. We were up early and to church by 9. After church we had quick sandwiches at home before loading up to go to Des Moines. Today, unlike Friday was sunny and warm, high of 72. The wind was really whipping, but the warm sunshine was wonderful. Mawgee and Peepaw came to see Jadyen run. Karen and Orrie were going to watch a cattle show, if only Ace were a cow. Peepaw was so excited for Jayden he wasn’t going to miss it. The boys went and found their cross necklaces with Dad while Jayden got her horse ready. Luke has been on a mission for over a month trying to find a certain cross necklace. The one he found, he treasured! It even has beads made from deer antlers. He wore it with pride and Jake got one too.  Jayden got her horse ready and waited to run. She doesn’t get nervous unlike myself. She was fourth to tun. The girls were running fast, so much faster. The first girl knocked a barr

>4/2/16 Rose and her new husband, John came to my parents for the day. I finally got to meet John and see Rose. It has been a really long time since I have seen Rose and I thought she looked great. She seems very happy and John is very kind. The two of them are starting their new lives together with a bang. They are taking the next 5 weeks to travel the country  visiting  friends  and family from all over. All the way out to California and up to Canada and many other places all around. I am excited and happy for them. They are so blessed to have each other to spend the rest of their lives  together .  Today we saw the results from the Horse Fair rodeo and Jayden made the top 10!! This is so cool and we were just in  shock  and awe. Peepaw was so excited for Jayden. He was all giddy just like a little kid. He has been down the road many miles and many years with me and he understands how big a deal this is. If it were cattle, the other side would get very excited too. Po told Ja

One of Jayden's goals for her 2016 season was to compete in an IRCA rodeo. I was not sure about it until recently. She has been working her horse and has competed in three barrel racings already. In all of those she has placed at the top against some tough competition. My eyes were opened as to just how good her little horse is. We decided to let her enter and compete at the first IRCA rodeo of the season and her first IRCA rodeo ever at the Des Moines Iowa Horse Fair. Rodeos are not like NBHA, youth rodeos, or jackpots, they are tough competition. I always say it is where the big dogs run. You have to be good to compete and you have to be real good to place. I ran in the IRCA rodeos back in the day and it is tough! We knew the rodeo was a Friday and Saturday night. We also knew that her being a new cardholder she would very likely be in slack and running at midnight. It was almost accidental and very lucky that she got to compete in the performance. Not only would she be in the pe