Visit

Jayden had talked of her friend Shark flying to Iowa and helping her make the long drive back to Oklahoma. We liked the idea of her having someone to ride back with very much. I had wanted to meet him and we were still trying to figure out the whole relationship. It has been a bumpy road for them and we didn't know if he would even follow through in coming. He was not only coming to Iowa, he last minute came a day earlier than expected. 

Mark and I had been planning all summer to take the Bloomer trailer with living quarters to Brushy Creek camping. There was always something that came up or the weather didn't cooperate. Jayden takes the trailer back to college so we had this week left to take it and this was our last chance. We had to cancel our overnight trip, however we still went for a trail ride and enjoyed the evening. The kids and I whipped the house into shape as best we could for company and Mark and I headed to Brushy Creek late afternoon. We went on a trail ride with our newest horses, Winnie and Roany. The roan horse Tony brought for a few weeks to try for his son and we were also giving him a try. Roany is a quick name I gave him, he is a big stout horse and walks out very fast. Weenie is shorter and takes his time checking out every branch and shadow. We were always a good 25 feet back. It was a lovely evening and we enjoyed our ride and supper over the fire. I brought my favorite campfire foil packs with hamburger patties, potatoes and carrots. We sat around the fire enjoying the quiet peaceful evening before heading home around 10:30. 

We arrived home just a few minutes before Jayden. I officially got to meet Shark, also known as Noah. Now that I finally met him in person I will call him by his name. I think both Noah and I were nervous. He was tall with pretty blue eyes and dark hair. He had a great smile and smiled more than I thought he would. He doesn't smile in any of his pictures, so it was hard to know what his personality would be like. When asked a question he answered with "yes, Maam" with his southern accent and did so all weekend long, which I really like. Mark came to introduce himself with wide eyes and a questioning look that we all later had to laugh about. Inside he met the boys and Jayden showed him around the house. He got settled in on the couch in the basement and Jayden and I talked before she went to bed. It sounded like the boys all stayed up really late playing video games. Sadly, Jayden was feeling sick the last few days. She had a sore throat, then head congestion and a cough. She and I had the same analogy. This is a typical Jayden cold she gets a couple times a year. If she were to go to the doctor, they would want to test her for COVID and then probably would call it a positive even if it was not. The COVID testing has been so wacky, they send people positive test results who haven't even been tested and they group several viruses results into a positive test. I had to agree and so we waited it out. She never had a fever and we decided if she got one or got way worse we would decide what to do. So adding that into my many daily prayers, Jayden having COVID would have been a disaster. It's not so much the fear of her having it, young people easily recover, it's the spreading of it to Noah, grandparents, relatives, etc.

     

Friday everyone was moving pretty slow. Jayden showed Noah around the farm and the boys wanted to be everywhere he was. Jake took the day off working and before long he and Noah were in the shop working. Noah helped Jake take an engine off the old Honda 4 wheeler and helped Jake build a motorcycle stand by welding. He taught both boys how to use the welder and even had Luke welding!! Mark hasn't taken the time to show the boys how to do that, so they were loving it. The 3 boys were no doubt bonding and enjoying each other. Noah was also showing off his riding skills on their motorcycles. He is a daredevil doing wheelies and jumps. He was teaching the boys how to jump. I was not too thrilled with all of that. I like that the boys are cautious riders and I prefer they stay that way. Noah could hold a wheelie for 50 yards. Later, Luke showed me his battle wounds from jumping and landing hard hitting the handlebars. He didnt want me to know for awhile. He was pretty bruised up but tough about it. For lunch I grilled some burgers and made some excellent sweet corn on the cob.  

    

Friday night we went to Ames to Hickory Park where Ali and her family, plus Izzy joined us. It was nice to get to know Noah better and let him enjoy our favorite dinning.  The kids were up late again watching a movie together. 

   

   

Saturday morning the boys goofed around in the shop riding on the toys and hanging out like boys do. They were soaking in their time together. In the afternoon, we rode horses and did some roping. The boys ran the chutes and Jayden and Mark roped together. Jayden and Noah rode horses together a little while too.  Karen and Orrie and my parents all came down to watch and meet Noah before going to the graduation party.  He was a gentlemen getting off his horse to go and shake Peepaw's hand when they arrived. After an afternoon of roping, we all got cleaned up for the graduation party. Maggie's graduation party was outside in the backyard. Melinda had all kinds of food, beef sundaes and an ice cream machine with all the toppings. There was a good crowd, there would be so many more if it were normal times. 

   

      

Sunday morning I made blueberry French toast bake for breakfast and we sat on the couch for church. It was a sermon on respecting and obeying your parents. We spent the middle of the day at Spring Lake where we had lunch and enjoyed a car show. I knew Jake would want to see the car show and all of us enjoyed it together. The day was sunny and warm, the car show had 150 cars, and of course my favorite part was getting my favorite chocolate cherry ice cream. We did have to stand in a really long line for it, but Noah was more than happy to wait and he surprised us by paying. That was a kind gesture and Mark and I were very impressed. The boys continued checking out cars a little longer while Jayden and I went back to the house to start packing. When the boys returned Noah helped Jayden clean out the back of her trailer, unload old hay and pack in new bales. They decided to take one more ride on the horses, Jayden on Weenie, Noah on Ace. I heard Ace was a little peppy and spooked to the side at one point almost losing Noah. They had fun and were cute together. I saw him out the window throw Jayden up on his shoulder like a feather and walk away with her. She also showed me how she can lay on his back and do push ups. He is very muscular and strong. Mark is super impressed with his football talent and abilities. I am impressed at how humble he is about it. He can run the 40 yard dash in 4.39 seconds and can bench 140. He was the fastest runner out of 800 students at Midland, Texas, the football capital of the country. 

    

In the evening we grilled steaks and sat outside around the fire pit. Jayden and Luke were a little more tired from the weekend, while Noah and Jake played more video games until late. I sat with Jayden on her bed and talked awhile before telling her goodnight and praying over her and her drive, relationships, and safety. She is still half sick, but seems to be improving. I like when she is home and miss her when she is gone. I like Noah and was impressed with him. He is kind and respectful. I am still trying to read him and determine how into Jayden he is. It is hard to tell, I keep saying time will tell, I just hope they figure each other out sooner than later. It is in the Lord's hands, if they are meant to be it will work out for them.  I will continue to pray for them for guidance with God's hand in their relationship. It was comforting knowing Jayden isn't all alone and has someone. She has spent much of her college alone.  We gave Noah and Jayden a chat before they left.