The Muench Bunch

Monday I met with some Cornerstone church friends for lunch in Boone. It was nice to sit with them and and have great conversations. Tuesday Jayden's youth group leader and daughter came out to experience a day on the farm. They have had very little exposure to farm life so we showed them around, did some animal chores, did a little roping lesson, drove the Gator, and had lunch. I think they really enjoyed it. I am continually amazed at how anyone from Iowa can have no exposure to a farm. Monday and Wed Jayden and I did our Krav class. It has been a little more challenging this week. There are new people joining the class. They are not new to the class but have been gone for awhile. They are experienced and strong men that don't really hold back. We have such a big class averaging between 12 to 15 each time, so many that I cannot learn names. Jayden and I have nicknames. The newest addition I call Drill Sargent, we later found out he is an Ames cop. He is very strong and

Like Father Like Son.. . Mark got in the field on Monday and began training Jake. After a few hours, both he and Mark were running the big John Deere tractors with Salfords. Jake and Mark ran in the field together Monday through Saturday. Jake worked an average of 7 hours and ran 12 hours on Saturday. He really liked it, but as a mom I thought he was working too long of hours.  Maybe I am just not ready for him to grow up. By Thursday we had the planter going and planting corn. I took lunch to Mark and Jake each day in the field and evening meals a few nights during the week. I got about an hour of school in each morning with Jake before he went to the field. That was a challenge in itself. The boys wanted a photo and I really liked the father/son and their tractors. Those tractors are such beasts in size! Navy Retirement... Friday evening Mark and Mike quit early in the field in order to attend Dan Buhr's retirement party. He retired from 30 years in the Navy and from ISU ROTC

Some days I just throw my hands in the air and want to quit my job. What!? Job, but I am a mom, how can I quit my job. I am also a homeschool teacher and that is where I often struggle. Every day I start my morning on the right path, in a good mood, and I have expectations. I know how I want the day to go, I have a plan, an agenda and I am ready to roll. The day never goes as planned and you would think by now, I would expect that. Yet still I get all bent out of shape when they don't. I lose my patience, I get frustrated and irritated and then get angry. Once I am angry, I lash out and pretty soon I have stolen everyone's joy and they are all frumping and angry too. After I calm down and realize I probably did not handle myself the best and am disappointed at myself. Why couldn't I have stayed calm, why couldn't I just let it go? Luke cries often and Jake gets so upset and I am not helping matters. The kids seek praise for their good work and need to know they are doin

Friday- Jake had spent the day and night at Grandma and Grandpa's to pick out and buy tractor rims for Jake's Farmall M. Today they brought him back, waited until Spanish was over, and then took Luke home to spend the weekend.. In the evening I took Jake to his youth group 180 retreat out at Hidden Acres. He was super excited to go and insisted we drive his truck out. He was feeling pretty good and wanted to be seen in his truck. There was so much going on, kids were too busy to take notice. Celebrating... Saturday we celebrated. It was my moms birthday and Allie passed her pharmacy tech boards and quit smoking. We all went out to Texas Roadhouse including Wade's family and Aunt Alice. After dinner Jayden, Mark, and I and Allie and Blake went to the movie,"I Can Only Imagine" It was a great movie and I am so glad we went. Now I know the story behind the song. That song has been out for over 20 years and still popular and impactful. RETREAT... Sunday after

Tues April 4th was like a winter snow storm. New snowfall and 45 mph wind and dropping temperatures into the teens. April 12-14 Once again we are dealing with SNOW! The weekend ended with a sunny warm Thursday high into the 60's, then Friday falling temps and thunderstorms. Saturday it was a winter storm with early rain, sleet, then snowfall. Big white blowing flakes of snow. It was a heavy snow that covered and the temps were in the 30's. We keep thinking, "this is the last snow". I don't know how many times I have packed away the snow gear just to bring it out again. This time of year is so hard on the cattle ranchers in the Dakotas. Calving season is in full force and lots of babies aren't going to make it in this weather. The map of weather alerts on April 14 was all over the place. i have never seen so much variation going on over the state. It was a little bit of everything!! On Sunday morning the roads were covered in an icy snow mixture and many c

 Friday morning Mark took Jake to the DMACC career days for an automotive and diesel tour.. Although Jake is only in 8th grade, I wanted him to see what he could look forward too and motivate him in school. I was so glad that Mark wasn't in the field so he could be there. They had a great time and Mark said Jake was very enthused, he took it all in with a grin. He shook hands and told them that is where he plans to be. Part of the day the took a tour of a trucking company and got to see some engines and diesel mechanics. Rodeo...... Friday night was Jayden's first IRCA rodeo for the season. The forecast showed the high would be 27 and the low 14 along with wind. 2 years ago Jayden ran at the Horse Fair weekend opener and got so sick. She got chilled and that started her on a long road of joint pain and sickness. I was worried about her being out in the cold. The Iowa Horse Fair has a nice indoor arena pavilion to run in, however the only time you get to be inside is during

Copied from FB psot: On Thursday, Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of  the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton, Colorado, was invited to address the House Judiciary Committee's subcommittee. What he said to our national leaders during this special session of Congress was painfully truthful. They were not prepared for what he was to say, nor was it received well. It needs to be heard by every parent, every teacher, every politician, every sociologist, every psychologist, and every so-called expert! These courageous words spoken by Darrell Scott are powerful, penetrating, and deeply personal. There is no doubt that God sent this man as a voice crying in the wilderness.. The following is a portion of the transcript: "Since the dawn of creation there has been both good evil in the hearts of men and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroi

Easter morning we had a few Easter eggs scattered for the kids to gather. Its probably the last year, they are all grown up now. We went to church, then went to Karen and Orrie's for lunch with all the family. There was a feast and a beautiful cake made by Lori to celebrate Karen's birthday. The second part of our Easter, we headed to Williams to see the Wahlert side. Alice and Wade's family joined us at my parents for some more food and visiting. We got to play with Levi, who is growing up before our very eyes. He is such a sweetie with a happy smile. He wore his bunny ears for a long time and let everyone hold him in their lap. He loves a remote control and iphone. He has so much hair, his mom puts a hair clip in to keep it out of his eyes! Mary had a little lamb... Jayden fell in love with Alivia's little lamb. They are so darn cute when they are little. Why not bring him in the house?