The Muench Bunch

  Having just been in Florida in February and seeing this damage left behind from the storm brought it close to home. Sanibel is one of our favorite places to visit and the damage left behind will take years to recover. The very hotel we stayed just before the causeway had severe damage. The news reporters were airing live from the very balcony we stayed. We watched as the beach, pool, and trees were overtaken. It is so sad. I feel for the people with homes and businesses and the loved ones that didn't leave when warned. So much damage! I pray for those living in Florida. Hurricanes are no longer a surprise. Meteorologist's watch and follow them for quite a time preparing residents for the storm. They warn and educate people of the dangers. They have mandatory evacuations in some areas and hope others will be smart and make the right choice. Over and over they tell people once the storm occurs, if you have an emergency, responders will not be able to help or rescue. Taken from

 Jayden asked me to attend another Dallas Market, I just couldnt say no!. I arrived on Wednesday August 24th as I flew into Dallas through some giant fluffy clouds. Upon arrival, I have to laugh as all the quiet electric cars gracefully floated in and out picking up passengers who were waiting like myself.  All the cars were small economy, maybe a small truck here and there and then in rolls Jayden in her big, tall megacab Dodge Ram with extra loud turbo. Out hops this little, beautiful, tall blonde. I am sure we turned some heads. We found an Outback steakhouse as we drove towards the hotel for supper. We talked, planned out the next day including our outfits, and read our books before calling it a night. In the morning we waited a bit for the shuttle and decided we would just take the truck, the truck that barely fits into a parking spot at the hotel. This experience was different from our last Market in that it was the 100 year anniversary of WESA event. This meant more on site stor

  Luke's been spending more time roping. Ever since the county fair, he has been more inspired to rope and likes to get Tex out on his own, go for a ride, then practice his roping stationary on big Tex. He is such a good horse. My friend Jessica's grandma Marion turned 100! I think she is the only person I have ever known to be 100. She still lives in her own home in the little town of Williams. They had a birthday party for her. I enjoyed seeing these photos.    Luke mowed hay and moved hay with the semi. It is giving him some semi experience by moving it through the field. Can't believe my boys are driving semi's.  8/20 Mark and I took the horses and trailer and stayed at Brushy. I love to pack the living quarters of the trailer and overnight camp at Brushy Creek. We found an awesome spot secluded in a half circle of trees. Someone had reserved it for a friend who could not make it and they gave us the spot, we didn't even have to pay. We took our two palominos, m

  Big changes and firsts in the Muench house! No homeschool for this mama and it is bitter sweet. Jake started his first semester of college at DMACC in Ankeny. I asked for a first day photo and he sent me one. Yes, that is his old Buick in the background. He wanted to have two vehicles down there with him, a truck and a car.Jake will be taking Deisel Technology courses 5 days a week 8 until noon. In adition he has a college experience class and Communications class.  Both boys took their Rocking J backpacks for class. They are repping for their sis! Luke started his first year of public school and first year of high school as a freshmen and first time driving with a school permit! Luke will take Biology, Algebra, Ag Studies, Industrial Technology, Strength and Agility, English, World Cultures, and Workplace Readiness.We are excited for Luke and Jake as they start these new phases of life. We pray for God's protection and direction in their years ahead. 

 College move in day could have gone so much better. I think we had a disaster move in and I'm not sure how it could have gone much worse. Jake and I started down to DMACC with his essentials. I couldn't believe how much stuff we had when moving Jayden verses Jake. The Campus housing is unique in that it is located on campus, yet it is not a DMACC college housing. This apartment was the only housing that is strictly college students. Jake was moving into an apartment with 3 other boys in a 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom apartment. He had little communication with his roommates and nobody replied as to what they would contribute for the kitchen, appliances, and cleaning items. The night before move in, Jake got a phone call that his roommate from Malaysia had covid. He was to wear mask and gloves in the kitchen and remain in his room during move in. Well, that was the first strike. Jake and I didn't worry too much about that, we didn't wear mask or gloves. Move in had a specific

 For over 2 weeks, we have enjoyed wonderful weather. The temperature has lingered around 70 and 80. I love the cool mornings and warm afternoons. It's feeling a lot like fall. We spend a lot of time outside on days like this. The Iowa State fair had beautiful weather all 10 days. When you combine the state fair with great weather, you get massive numbers and they did break all kinds of attendance records. The boys went one day with Jayden and another day with Mark. I was fine not going, the fair is great, but not something I really get excited about. When I see the photos of the people, it almost gives me anxiety! That many people would be insane. I would be terrified to have little kids along and lose them in that mob. No thanks. It's great they had such a huge attendance, but not for me. Mark and the boys went on a Saturday, which I new would be even crazier. These are the photos from Saturday!

  Tiny Hearts Tiny Hearts are given to mothers whose newborn infants have been admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).  This fabric heart is worn against the mother’s skin, inside clothing, so that the fabric absorbs the scent of the mother.  The heart is then placed with the baby in the isolette to bring comfort to the baby from the familiar scent of Mom which calms the baby.  These can be made from the comfort of your home and mailed to us for distribution. I came across this organization while watching a Sunday morning show called, "Iowa Cares." It was about a little girl that was born a preemie and now at the age of 11, she makes tiny knitted hats for preemies in the NICU of the hospital. I have a soft spot for the precious lives of little tiny babies, preemies. When I found this website, I wanted to do more than just give a donation. I discovered a neat way to help. I printed a pattern and bought some fabric. I wanted to have someone make these along with me

 The past two years we went with our friends to Watercolor and this year it wasn't going to work for both our families. We decided since Jacob was going to be heading off to college, we would let him choose our summer vacation. Some of the options included, going out west to Colorado or visiting a favorite Florida spot. Without any hesitation, Jake said he wanted to go to Okoboji. He has always liked Okoboji. I think he also liked the idea of not having to take a long car trip or travel on an airplane. Mark and I also decided that we wanted our parents to join us for some of our vacation. We decided to have parents each stay 2 nights and then we would have a family night. We also invited Ali, Blake and their family, however they had other plans. Friday Jake drove Karen and Orrie and Luke, Mark and I drove the truck. We had 2 bikes in the back for morning bike rides. The condo I booked was brand new, so new it wasn't completely finished. It was so very nice, clean, neat and spac