Latest goings on

As I write this we are headed to Lily’s first softball tourney of the travel season. It’s in IA City and since we are missing church we have Christian music on (Dad’s favorite ;)  it’s raining so I’m hoping that stops!  

Lily’s last middle school music concert was this past week- she did well singing and playing trumpet. It was a 2 hour concert with really good pieces!  She also had her 8th grade class trip to the Kalahari on Friday which was fun for them all. Track is going well for her - she is strongest in shot and has placed every meet.  Her last 2 meets are this week.

We had a successful Spring Fling in Elizabeth yesterday. Each year more and more people attend, and so it is gaining momentum!  Archer and Willa participated in the pet election. We added music this year which helped  

Caden graduated from UD yesterday, and his celebration was nice at Happys Place last night. 26 years ago we had my class dinner there for Loras, and it’s the last time I was there!  They have really great pizza.  Caden plans to move to Colorado with his girlfriend, we we will add that state to the “need to travel to see our family” list :)  his girlfriend is very friendly and easy to be around. 

Hoping Willa behave while we are gone today- we have Emma Boop helping take care of she and Archer. It isn’t easy being gone for an entire day when there are critters involved.  And Ayden Chambers is helping clean the studio and hub today, since that is typically a Sunday task.  Yoga is at the studio on Sunday nights, so that is the push to get it cleaned, from the prior weeks dance classes. 

We are getting quotes to have the driveway resurfaced, as Dad and I are tired of the $ and time we have put into it over the last 8 years, when it washes out.  So far we aren’t liking the quote we have been given - yikes $$$!

While writing this, the temp has gone from 50 to 53 degrees and the rain has stopped.  I will take it!  

Parents weekend @ KState

Dad and I are visiting Avery at K State this weekend for parents weekend. It's hard to believe she only has three more weeks left of her sophomore year. She's done so well here, academics and extracurricular wise, and we are very proud of her. We will take Willa back home with us, so she can focus on finals these last weeks, before returning home for the summer. Might be pretty hard to separate the girl and her pup though!

Manhattan is a neat little oasis in the middle of Kansas. On my run this weekend I ran by the Krusteaz company hdqtrs and the Kansas National Guard in Manhattan. I smiled to myself because Krusteaz was a staple of our kids' breakfast when they were younger… They make a great pancake mix that I could buy in bulk from Sam’s! 

The 130th Field Artillery Brigade’s home is there.  I was reminded of the strength of that combat branch - Bryton’s “King of Battle”  branch of our military. 

May God Bless America!

April 23, 2026

We got a kick out of going through this blog earlier this week - and so I'm thinking it might be a good idea to try and update it again, from time to time... Today is a big day for our family. Bryton, you took off on your deployment. I'm extra thankful for the time we got to spend with you and Reese - our entire family together! - over Easter. The hugs we were anxious to give and the cheek kisses were given a plenty as you well know :) We soaked up time just being in each others presence - sometimes not doing much of anything - and it was pretty perfect. While you are deployed, I am committed to being your strong Mom, trusting in the Lord, and knowing that God will protect you while you are doing your job over there. I will say extra prayers, especially to St. Michael the Archangel, for your protection. I will look up at the stars each night w/ a "Night Bud" message for you in my heart - (even though you'll be in a different time zone :) I love you to the Moon and Back, Bryton Victor. xoxoxo ~ Mom

Here we go...2016!!!

Our Christmas Celebrations Begin

Cats Win 1st Place!

Congrats, Wildcats...you've worked hard this season, and have improved lots! Conference Champs!!!!

We Believe

Praying for Peace

It is difficult to talk to our kids about what has happened in Paris over the past week - most difficult to explain "terrorists" and the "why" behind the horror. We don't think Bryton and Avery are too young to hear details - we share more with Bryton than Avery, as his teachers discuss it in school. We discuss 9/11 - and those who serve and protect us, including family members. And - we don't want them to live in fear - I saw this on the news today, and I will be sharing it with our kids...a Facebook post, from a victim's husband: YOU WILL NOT HAVE MY HATRED Friday night, you took an exceptional life -- the love of my life, the mother of my son -- but you will not have my hatred. I don't know who you are and I don't want to know, you are dead souls. If this God, for whom you kill blindly, made us in his image, every bullet in the body of my wife would have been one more wound in his heart. So, no, I will not grant you the gift of my hatred. You're asking for it, but responding to hatred with anger is falling victim to the same ignorance that has made you what you are. You want me to be scared, to view my countrymen with mistrust, to sacrifice my liberty for my security. You lost. I saw her this morning. Finally, after nights and days of waiting. She was just as beautiful as when she left on Friday night, just as beautiful as when I fell hopelessly in love over 12 years ago. Of course I am devastated by this pain, I give you this little victory, but the pain will be short-lived. I know that she will be with us every day and that we will find ourselves again in this paradise of free love to which you have no access. We are just two, my son and me, but we are stronger than all the armies in the world. I don't have any more time to devote to you, I have to join Melvil who is waking up from his nap. He is barely 17-months-old. He will eat his meals as usual, and then we are going to play as usual, and for his whole life this little boy will threaten you by being happy and free. Because no, you will not have his hatred either.

Introducing Archer Max Engle...

...the newest member of our family, and we love him dearly! We've been busy making campfire pizza's, dressing up for a Middle School Halloween Dance, playing in the "Girls' Fort" out back, building a railing for Grandma Joyce, and putting together a kennel for Archer!

Miranda Lambert concert 2015!

We had a GREAT time, rockin' our boots w/ Miranda Lambert. Opening acts were Clare Dunn (one of my very fav's - a bad arss cowgirl :) and Raelynn (Avery just loves her). Thank you, Grandma Cheryl, for such a special 10th Birthday TREAT!!!!

Happy 10th Birthday, Avery Lynn!!!!

You are officially double digits! You are sweet, organized, friendly, polite, and hard working. On this day, and always, we appreciate your gypsy-like spirit :) You enjoy time spent with family and friends, love from your parents and siblings, picking flowers, taking care of animals, playing babies, school, and house... and eating ramen noodles when your mother lets you! Hugs and kisses - Happy Birthday to YOU, sweetheart! (Can't wait to rock our boots w/ Miranda Lambert!)

Bryton

...He is a good kid, even though this Mama wishes he would pay attention to what he's being asked to do a little more often :) He'd much rather be hunting, playing catch, shooting hoops, playing video games, picking on his sisters...anything other than following directions! (thus the reason last night he got to make his bed AND ours, b/c he "forgot" to do his laundry chores after supper...sighhhh) Love him.

August Sunset, Our New Front Porch, and Growing Pre-Teens....

Happy 3rd Birthday, Lily Grace!

We thank God for our Lily Grace every day - can't imagine what life would be like without her smiles, giggles, temper tantrums, sweet singing, book reading, question asking, and sassy "testing" responses (from time to time :) Lover of all things furry, skirts, shoes, and babies....she is a happy, energetic, and healthy 3 year old! Happy Birthday to YOU!!!

May You Rest In Peace, Crazy Jake

I don't like that this is the first post, in a long time. We have to say goodbye to Jake today, due to bone cancer. Jake has brought us (and Nana Cheryl) many laughs - and lots of frustration, from the first day we brought him home 8 years ago!!! There was rarely a dull moment with him - such an active, fun loving, vocal boy. We will miss your "smiles" and "talking" to us - and I greatly miss my morning running buddy, and bedside security blanket. We love you, Jakey (as Lily calls him) and we know you will be running around, being good-old crazy you, in heaven!

Time With Our Great Grandma's....

....is always treasured :)