The Muench Bunch

 If the vaccine does not prevent transmission of the virus, then why get vaccinated? If the vaccine does not prevent you from getting the virus, then why get vaccinated? If a tiny number of children have gotten the virus, then why vaccinate them? If there hasn't been much research to know the effectiveness, the side effects, then why are we giving it? People have had serious side effects, people have died from the vaccine, people are needing a third shot as a booster, some vaccines were pulled, some vaccines have caused problems in women relating to fertility. The vaccine is claiming to keep people from ending up in the hospital and claiming that the symptoms from coivd will be milder than without the vaccine. How can you prove that when everyone responds so differently? Why are we forcing a vaccine that has a 98% survival rate? Why is the government pushing so hard to mandate everyone? What is behind all the nonsense? Someday we will have all these answers, but then it will be too

Nov 28, Ali called in between contractions to tell me she was in labor.  I got very little information until later in the evening when Blake told me she tested positive for covid. She had been coughing a lot. Ironically she had posted something on facebook about being to the point in her pregnancy when she wished the baby could come. We don't know the exact reason for the early labor, she recently was diagnosed with gestational diabetes too. Little Titus was born at 6:20 in the morning Nov 29th, weighing 6 lbs 12 oz. Just hours later, he was strapped in and transferred to Blank Hospital in Des Moines. It was later discovered that he had a bacterial infection that may have caused the early labor. He also had a little trouble breathing the first day.  Ali was excited to share the news and sent a group message to all her Muench cousins stating that his name was Tofu! I think that is so funny and wonder if that will stick for his nickname.  Mid morning Ali told me that the hospital was

 We had Thanksgiving in Des Moines at the Uncle Dave & Aunt Marcia L for lunch. Mark and Laura B came from Minnesota. It has been so much fun connecting with Laura since the pandemic. We frequently video chat and pray for one another in our different life experiences. I was glad to get to see her along with many of the Laugerman's. It is nice to catch up with the relatives that I rarely see. James and Deanna had there darling little family with the newest addition, Zoe. She was so happy and anyone could hold her. The time went fast and we were trying to make it to the Anderlik's by 6:00. Ali was anxious to see us at the Muench Thanksgiving. Blake was home sick and Ali told everyone all of Blake's co-workers had covid. I kind of questioned her being at a large family gathering knowing that Blake most likely had covid. By the time we arrived several of the family had gone home. We stayed and visited awhile. The day went fast and going to two families in one day is not ide

 We just want to get Jayden back home to Iowa. She is so ready to be back and she has been feeling stuck. She is not enjoying her lifetsyle and we can't wait to just have her home so she can start in a new direction. She is down to the final days of college, the countdown is on with only a couple weeks and she will be on the road home. She was planning to be home for Thanksgiving. We have been talking about it for the past several weeks. She would come back, bring as much stuff from her house and a few horses home. We would have Thanksgiving and see family. She could get her "Little White House" all situated to her liking. Last minute her horses got sick. After she brought home a sale barn horse, all her horses have coughs and runny noses and require medication twice a day. So coming home for Thanksgiving was no longer an option. Noah convinced her to go to Texas for Thanksgiving and would go right back so she could care for her horses. She was just as bummed as we were.

 After leaving the rush from the State Football championship game, Mark and I went on to spend a relaxing weekend away. Every year after harvest we try to plan a brief getaway. We drove on to Dubuque and ate at a wonderful Italian restaurant, Mark knows they are my favorite. This one was on the same block as our hotel. We stayed at the Hotel Julien in downtown Dubuque. There is a lot of history in the river town. In the morning we went to the local western store, then split up to do our own thing. Mark drove the scenic areas into Galena and visited the US Grant museum, while I walked the blocks and shopped the local boutiques. It was chilly, but the sun was out and little to no wind. The wind can make or break a day. I enjoyed the walks and the sunny day. The shops were interesting, most items were very high priced and most of the clothing were busy and more for the older ladies crowd. I found a few knick knacks for Christmas gifts. I was fortunate to book a 30 minute massage at our ho

I attended 5 football games to watch Rylie and his team make it all the way and win the state title for 2A champs. What and exciting win for these small town boys. I was so glad I took the time to watch it unfold. The first game I went to, I was blown away at how good the team was and how exciting their game was. I had a feeling it would be a big season for the team, but I didn't realize how big, I just knew I didn't want to miss it.  Each game they played was exciting to watch.  The playoff game on Nov 5, was another exciting game and  close to the very end. The Jags had a good lead and were looking to pull off another big when, with under 2 minutes of the game, the other team scored a touchdown, and then another. All of the sudden the win was about to get stolen if the Jags weren't careful. It was an intense game down to the final second. 34 to 28 was the final score, the Jags were going on to state to play in the big UNI dome. On Saturday morning  Nov 6 we watched the SE

 Luke enjoys a variety of hobbies. He likes to fish, hunt, and trap. November started the trapping season and this year Luke took it a step further. He didn't have anyone to help him, so he watched videos to learn technique. He bought wax and heated it to coat his traps in. He bought all kinds of traps and scents and holds, etc. He set his traps and caught a few coons. He skinned one and had a nice fur. He also caught a coyote, but it got away with the trap. He set his stake in the ground, but the coyote thrashed around and pulled it out. Later in the week, the coyote dog hunters were out and we told him about the trap. Later we got a call that they caught Luke's coyote with his trap still on his leg. They brought him both. for him. Trapping is a lot of cold early mornings. Luke seems to enjoy the sport. Cousin Rylie likes to hunt and trap too and has gone along with Luke a time or two. He invited Luke to go pheasant hunting with him and Zach one weekend too.

 Jake turned 18! When asked what he would like to do for his birthday, he enjoys a dinner out with grandparents and family. This year we went to Hickory Park to celebrate Jake. I cannot believe my little boy is 18 and will be facing the big world on his own next year. He has taken his DMACC class very serious and takes pride in being on the honor roll and works to stay at the top of the list. He likes to keep himself busy with projects, working on engines, cars, and trucks. His mind is always thinking and he is always preparing for the next thing. He has learned so much by doing and by fixing things that break down. He is also learning patience and many life lessons. Jake is a great friend to his buddies and helps anyone he knows with a tire change, car jump, trailer haul, or pull out when stuck. He is always there to help. He is thoughtful and generous. He has avoided the girl drama of relationships and I know God has a girl out there for him when the time is right. She is going to be

From the internet...  "It's not the police who need to be retrained, it's the public. We have grown into a mouthy, mobile phone wielding, vulgar, uncivil society with no personal responsibility and the attitude of 'it's the other person's fault, you owe me'. A society where children grow up with no boundaries or knowledge or concern for civil society and personal responsibility. When an officer says "Put your hands up," then put your hands up! Don't reach for something in your pocket, your lap, your seat. There's plenty of reason for a police officer to feel threatened, there have been multiple assaults and ambushes on police officers lately. Comply with requests from the officer, have your day in court. Don't mouth off, or fight, or refuse to comply... that escalates the situation. Police officers are our sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters. They're black, white, brown, all colors, all ethnicities, all fa

 Jayden really is something. She frequently walks to class while on her phone placing large orders of inventory for her business. She not only places orders, she has to deal with the business's sending her the wrong items, not enough items, and back orders, which trickle down to her customers. She deals with suppliers and customers on a daily basis. She takes pride in getting orders packaged and shipped in a timely manner, or as most would say super quick. She runs her business all by herself from orders, inventory, sending invoices, to shipping. Not many college students run a small business wile going to college. She is so impressive. What used to be a high for weekly sales has become a daily high for sales. She hit her goal early this year at the end of October. November was a record month too. She would have record sales in one single day that were 3 X her goal last year. What a success this has been for Jayden.   On Nov 13, Jayden set up a booth at an event as a vendor. She se

 The other day I was getting a scone at a coffee local shop and the lady behind the counter remembered me from 19 years ago!  I had taken her a meal because she was going through cancer treatment. She told me out of all the people that brought her food, I was the most memorable. Why? Because we didn't even know each other. She said that had such an impact on her! She even remembers the car I drove, the silver 300M. WOW. I was blown away too! 19 years is a long time. You never know what a small act of kindness can do for a person. 

 Since returning back to Cornerstone church, I was ready to get more involved, join a connection group, and sign up to serve. I signed Luke and I up to help in child care once a month, signed our family up to serve coffee once a month and I also signed up to help provide a basket once every three months for apartments that are housing homeless families. While I was helping my first day in K/1st grade classroom, I met a college student named Rie. She is from Japan and has been in Iowa working on her masters. I asked if she had visited a farm while she was back in Iowa nd she said no and that she really hoped to. I invited her to visit our farm and watch harvest happening. She got very excited. I then told her we have horses too and she about jumped out of her chair, she was super excited! We exchanged numbers and a few days later she and a couple friends came to visit our farm. I knew that our harvest was in the final days, so we had to make quick plans. In fact when they arrived we onl

 It's hard to wrap my mind around the fact Jayden turned 22. I still think of her as 16 and in my mind she has stayed that age. She is my little girl. She has been something extra special from the day she arrived early into this world. She has always been mature, bright and driven. She sets goals for herself and accomplishes. She walks in faith and is genuine, forgiving, and caring. I have been told by many from the time she was very young, how exceptional she is. She truly is an amazing young lady. We want to see her happy, achieving big things, and follwoing her dreams. There is a big world out there and so much to see and do, I pray that she will use her many many gifts to do great things in her life and let her light shine before others. Praying she will walk the path that God has and follow his ways. Happy birthday Jay bird!

 We took Luke the end of July to the orthodontist to start his braces.  His teeth are kind of a mess. This is the before picture. He had an expander put in the roof of his mouth. Every other night he had to crank them to expand the roof of his mouth. Then in November he got his top braces. Now he really looks like a teenager.