July 28...Although we just got home after our long drive back from Colorado and were super tired, had lots to do, I still wouldn't have missed our invitation to our friends, Dan and Angelia. Dan retired from the Navy and took on a job in Cedar Rapids. He started his new job in May and has been traveling back for the weekends. They still have their home in Ames and come back for the weekends. We hadn't been able to get together with them for so long. They are in the process of selling their current home, living in an apartment, and buying a new home. Dan grilled some awesome steak and Angelia made all the fixins. She even made a delicious homemade chocolate cake. The boys went along and hung out with Samantha and her boyfriend and Lizzy. Somehow our kids always manage to end up hanging out with "the boyfreinds." They were hoping their boys, Gannon and Griffin would be there too. IT was sad to sit in their back patio among the trees knowing it would be for the last time. They fixed up an awesome area with fire pit, refrigerator, speakers, lights, furniture, the works. We are so thankful for good friends. Having them move will be sad for us. We do so much together and cherish their friendship.
Sunday Barrel Race... Jayden wanted to keep Ace running and try to get some kinks out. She also has Joker who is young and being seasoned as a barrel horse, and now a new horse Astro, who she needs to make a lot of runs to get used to. Today she hauled all three horses to Madrid to a barrel race and I went along to help. I didn't think she should be going anywhere alone with 3 horses. In the morning she told me I should run Ace. This didn't sound like the best plan to me since I haven't ridden him in awhile, haven't ever barrel raced on him, and haven't competed in barrel racing in years. Great plan. I decided to go and do a warm up and enter for run. I decided to just go and not worry about it. I took him through a warm up and it felt ok, he really steps in tight on the backside of the barrel, so much so, I rimmed all three. Then it was time for the open division and I went in at what felt really fast. I didnt kick him or push him, but felt like we were moving. Our turns were a little wide, but not terrible. I heard my time and was surprised at how slow it was. i really felt like it was kind of fast and Jayden told me Ace was loping fast. Wow, it has been awhile. I also tweeked my back in a new spot and I know I will hurt. Jayden ran Joker and Astro. He runs werent bad, but they weren't as well as she was hoping. Jayden is competitive and a perfectionist and tries so hard. She has high expectations for herself. I know in time she will get it all figured out. It was a hot day and probably not what I would have chosen to do for the day, however I know these times with Jayden are limited and this was one more memory we can look back on. The day mom ran Ace!
Cousin Visit... July 30 My cousin James Laugerman brought his family out to see our horses. I invited them to have lunch as well. They recently moved in with his parents while transitioning as the lead worship leader of a new church. James started out at Cornerstone Ames and transferred to Cedar Rapids with the church plant. Once again he and his family are involved in another church plant of Cornerstone in the Drake college area called Cottage Grove. He has a sweet family. His wife Deanna is super sweet and his girls Mayley and Jo Jo are adorable. Baby Nigel is a cutey around 9 months. Jayden helped me with the girls on the horses. They were so excited to come out and ride, but froze when they got up close to the horses. The only way they would ride was if Jayden was on the back of the horse with them. It was pretty cute. We walked with them and asked them questions. I grilled and had lunch with them. Our relatives don't stay too close or see each other two often. It was nice to reconnect.
Sunday Barrel Race... Jayden wanted to keep Ace running and try to get some kinks out. She also has Joker who is young and being seasoned as a barrel horse, and now a new horse Astro, who she needs to make a lot of runs to get used to. Today she hauled all three horses to Madrid to a barrel race and I went along to help. I didn't think she should be going anywhere alone with 3 horses. In the morning she told me I should run Ace. This didn't sound like the best plan to me since I haven't ridden him in awhile, haven't ever barrel raced on him, and haven't competed in barrel racing in years. Great plan. I decided to go and do a warm up and enter for run. I decided to just go and not worry about it. I took him through a warm up and it felt ok, he really steps in tight on the backside of the barrel, so much so, I rimmed all three. Then it was time for the open division and I went in at what felt really fast. I didnt kick him or push him, but felt like we were moving. Our turns were a little wide, but not terrible. I heard my time and was surprised at how slow it was. i really felt like it was kind of fast and Jayden told me Ace was loping fast. Wow, it has been awhile. I also tweeked my back in a new spot and I know I will hurt. Jayden ran Joker and Astro. He runs werent bad, but they weren't as well as she was hoping. Jayden is competitive and a perfectionist and tries so hard. She has high expectations for herself. I know in time she will get it all figured out. It was a hot day and probably not what I would have chosen to do for the day, however I know these times with Jayden are limited and this was one more memory we can look back on. The day mom ran Ace!
Cousin Visit... July 30 My cousin James Laugerman brought his family out to see our horses. I invited them to have lunch as well. They recently moved in with his parents while transitioning as the lead worship leader of a new church. James started out at Cornerstone Ames and transferred to Cedar Rapids with the church plant. Once again he and his family are involved in another church plant of Cornerstone in the Drake college area called Cottage Grove. He has a sweet family. His wife Deanna is super sweet and his girls Mayley and Jo Jo are adorable. Baby Nigel is a cutey around 9 months. Jayden helped me with the girls on the horses. They were so excited to come out and ride, but froze when they got up close to the horses. The only way they would ride was if Jayden was on the back of the horse with them. It was pretty cute. We walked with them and asked them questions. I grilled and had lunch with them. Our relatives don't stay too close or see each other two often. It was nice to reconnect.
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