6 months....who's counting?

When my friend Suzie said "it has been 6 months" I was like....okay...I said all I want to say.  Oops...didn't realize that 6 months was May.  What does that say about my life?.....I don't pay attention to numbers.  I am an English teacher at heart!  I look at words, thoughts, literary expressions, and look for the deepest meanings of movies, books, and the such!  Numbers?  Just look at my bank account...or don't.  Haven't balanced my book in 10 years OR more.  Won't tell you which.  If I want to know my balance I call the bank(don't do online), deduct anything written in the last 24 hours, and I have it!
Therefore, I didn't realize I failed to put summer vacation on this blog. Of course you have to understand me a little too.  If I tell one person everything that goes on, that is often good enough.  My running on about this and that is not always interesting.........except to those who love me the most. Ha Ha.
So...summer vacation catch up.....Makaley finished her "class time" for driver's education.  That went well!  However we then have to undertake 20 hours of driving with an adult other than a driving instructor.  Now, that is excitement since that person is mainly me!!! Let's review.....older mom, teenage daughter (who is sure she knows more than her mom because mom is "too old to remember what it is like to be lively.")  Okay, I will stop there.  Anyway, we decided to make the trip to South Dakota....and bigger decision....we decided to ask Tony to join us!  About three days after that decision, Tim and Traci decided to join us, but unlike the normal trips to the ranch, Kelly's parents would not be joining us.  His dad just didn't feel up to the trek so, we would be staying with our family....the Doud's.  In the basement, with no walls, with a toilet in the middle of the floor with a curtain around it.  Oh who cared?  We were going to have fun.
The first day of driving was very uneventful.  We stopped in Garden City Kansas to go through the zoo which is a tradition. Not sure Tony was thrilled with it like we are, but there were baby monkeys, otters, birds, kangaroos etc.  The next day(Sunday), we headed out......this day proved to be a little more interesting!!!  You see, after Garden City is a quaint little town by the name of Scott City. Gas is always cheaper there, after 3 cups of coffee, it is a great potty stop and the place we regroup after rushing to get packed. As I am pulling out of the gas station Makaley receives a text about our youth minister leaving.  I am trying to assure my two that life will be fine.  I pull in the left lane (4 lanes) so that the "hometown" people can have their road and parking spots outside the churches ets. Soon flashing lights and sirens surround me.  Being a good Texan, I put on my blinker, check for cars and pull over to let them pass.  Only to discover that he pulled in behind me.  Of course Tony being all male says:"are you speeding?"  No, I am doing 35.
Let me get my grump on here!  The YOUNG officer NEVER looked me in the eye.  When he saw my license and insurance he said "thank you; you were doing 35 in a 25 mile zone."  WHAT??????  seriously?
I have driven through this town at least 20 times! NEVER saw that NUMBER!!! Never been pulled over AND I was following one of the "townspeople" who was about to turn left.  BUT...he didn't care!  25 mile an hour???? Really........ My daughter eve said, "Mom, in Texas that is school zone only."  Good girl.  when he returned to my car, he read me my instructions, requested my signature and promptly turned back to his car.  Now, I will admit that I was speeding......in Kansas, BUT we we pulled off all was quiet until my kids died laughing.  when I asked what was so funny, they explained that he never looked me in the eye and they knew that makes me blow a fuse!!!!!  Tony said he was quiet because he didn't want to go to jail for telling the kid to "look at her when you talk to her."  So.....the new number spent in Scott City after 65.00 in gas???  Add 144.00.....and even after filing a complaint with the chief of police, it was still 144.00.  After accusing them of a speed trap....still 144.00.  The secretary of the court and the judge are one in the same I think. 
Soon, I decided that it was time for Makaley to get some Hwy. time. (Highway on our trip is 2 lane with 18 wheelers, windmill parts, and tractors. So...why not.  Needless to say......I was placed int he back seat and Tony took over the front. In less than an hour, she killed her first bird, missed the only turn between Scott City and McCook Nebraska, and passed her first truck.  Hello, I was sucking the upholstery up from the seat.  Now I know why Kauy always has his eyes on a game boy and earphones in his ears.  She drove for 3 hours, and made two BIG left turns.  Once we hit South Dakota, she took over the wheel again and drove us to the ranch!  Yep, I missed having her grandparents there to see her do that....and I thought how proud Kelly would have been!  To anyone other than us, that is no big deal, but to her.......It was!
The rest of the stay was wonderful.  Tony learned to drive a tractor, and got up daily to help Rick in the fields.  We picked fresh mulberries,  rhubarb, cucumbers: drank fresh milk and made homemade pizza and bread!  Makaley had a lesson in cooking! We also went to the Black Hills for the a couple of days. Tim and Traci went home(not avoiding Scott City but avoiding the officer) much earlier than we did.  And yes...when we drove through Scott city on the way home.....I drove 15 just to be safe!
After arriving home, a new set of numbers showed up.....8.  That is the number of pigs sitting in our barn right now in the middle of this deep artic cold snap.  8 is the number of pigs my children must go hand water every couple hours.  8 is the number of pigs causing the numbers in my checking account to decline quickly!  Now, you know me.......would I change that?  Probably not.  We love each pig....even the ones that are CRAZY!  We have decided that one thinks he is a miniature bull and out to win the PBR.  Let me introduce you to their names and a little about them.  I was going to include photos, BUT my computer is not allowing me to do somethings so...that will have to wait.   Hopefully NOT 6 months!
We have Domino - the one who thinks he is a bucking bull.  He is CRAZY!! No seriously!  Ask Jordan to see the photo of his leg...or Kauy to see the photo of his bloody nose, or Makaley as he got between her legs and started the "twist and roll" routine.  We started to name him dumbo since his ears are as big as his head!
Next to him is Pistol - named him that before we got to know him.  He is a pistol for sure!
In the next pen is JJ and Maxwell.  JJ had an ear tag of 48.  48 is Jimmy Johnson's car.  Jimmy Johnson won the race the next day then won the whole NASCAR thing.  Guess who this pig belongs to.  lol  Kauy hopes that JJ is a winner in the arena.  Maxwell is the only solid white pig in the barn.  Named because of the commercial for that insurance company!  Little did we know that Maxwell would squeal like that pig does on the commercial.
We have Riata and Lucky Shot.  Riata is our only girl and she is getting pretty big! Hopefully she will go to a good breeder and be a mom some day.  Lucky shot........well, we can only say that we hope he lives up to his name.
Finally we have Gunslinger and Berky Berk.  Gunslinger is tough baby!  I know...that is a great combination.
Berky Berk....is a baby.  He is still tiny and really doesn't have an official name.  He is sooo cute.
We are sitting in an Artic blast and hoping that the Major stock shows will NEVER be like this.  Icy and cold.  I can do cold.....too old to learn ice skating.
On a final note.......my computer is acting STUPID!  sorry for those who don't like that word.  I can't get my cursor to go in and correct mistakes so.......you get what you get and you don't throw a fit.  Excuse the strange wording in places....the misspelled words, and things that make your eyebrows move up and down.  yep.......I teach English Grammar.....this is one of those nightmares. I am closing out because I just can't stand to read this mess any longer!  lol 

Introducing......

I would like to introduce to you Dr. Traci Lyn Merkel Yandell.  Anyone who has worked as hard as she has deserves to have a title and 4 names!!!!  I am so proud of her.  People who know us know that my sister and I are night and day most of the time, but some days we are right on the same hour! I guess all kids are like that.  Fun facts about Dr. Yandell:
She is my little sister...in age, height, and weight.
She is my big sister...example wise.
She almost was flushed down the toilet after she was born, but my great-grandmother stopped that.
She would shiver and shake giving you a 30 second notice that she was about to wet her diaper(before pampers) and you better get her off your lap.  She was done when she smiled. Seriously!!!
She has always been the funniest of the two of us.
She is the bossiest also. That is why she has this degree and I don't.  ha ha
She tattled on me any chance she got, but when I got a spanking, She would sit there and beg mom not to kill me. 

She would put bubble bath in her pixie stix so I would learn to leave her stuff alone, and I would chase her around the house with the vacuum or chicken skin (this was when you had to buy the whole chicken in the grocery store.)
She threatened to "tell my great-grandmother" on my grandmother for letting me drive before I was 10.  Now she is a better driver than I am!
She is the only grandchild I remember my grandmother every threatening to punish. (and I can't remember why that happened)
She studied for her classes.  I learned where the library was during finals.  Consequently, she was in National Honors Society in HS and higher than 2.75 GPA in college.
She has a degree in Dietetics and Education.
She is my rescue number; the number I call when someone in my house needs comfort; the one who called my house EVERY morning for 10 years after Kelly passed away to be sure that I was up and able to handle the morning. She has driven to my house at all hours of the night to help me.
She is the BEST Aunt, sister, nurse, daughter, granddaughter and friend you could ask for.  My life would be nothing without her.
So Proud of you sis!  oops Dr. Sis.  This title is wonderful, but the best title you have is the one of Sister!!!

Dr. Yandell front right!

I would also like to introduce to you my soon to be Sophomore daughter in her FFA "dress".  Sorry it isn't bigger, but she has on a skirt AND black hose!!!! I am so proud of her accomplishments this year.  We have had many ups and downs (ask her Aunt), but she has trouped through it and constantly lets me know that there is more to life than homework, yard work, dishes, a clean room and laundry.  I think she looks pretty dad-gum cute in her little outfit(that I pressed) and her nice straight hair(that took an hour to do) and our second pair of shoes because the others had a piece of silver design on the top.  Very Very strict on this "dress" but I love it!  Ag had been a true blessing. Her friends are either band geeks or Ag kids.  Great choices that she made there!!  I must say that yesterday we all three (the son included) sat around and mourned.  Seriously, I had planned to take her to get her driving permit, and she didn't want to go.  She just didn't have it in her......her day had been flipped with a roller coaster of emotions.  Her first and favorite (not because he is the first) Ag teacher announced today that he will be leaving to take a job out of the Education world (yes....I am a tad jealous).  Mr. Smith was a blessing to our school.  He got things where they needed to be however, I understand him wanting to be at home with his family more.  He has two younger children, and in today's world, I agree that Daddy needs to be there more!!  Bless his heart, he started looking for "stock" in August.  Continued that through the first of October, and taught school, built a barn, and got things on track.  He then attended judging contests, major livestock shows, and MORE judging. In all of this, he set a wonderful example to my children of how you work and complete what you commit to do! Makaley loves "Smith", and I could not have asked for a better way to start our freshman year. The good news is that he will be in town, and we (really Jordan and the kids) still have him to call on and hang with. His daughter shows pigs, and she hangs with "the older girls" most of the time.  We love that family.
Finally.....My pianist showing off their ability.  Makaley played a piece written last year by our neighbor who was 17 at the time.  It is absolutely beautiful and she played it by memory perfectly.  I hope that we will be able to get a good recording of it and on her wedding day (way down the road), she will walk down the aisle to her own accompaniment.

And now..................we are ready for summer!!!!  Pigs are just months away and we are going to rest up!

And in your other spare time......(part2)

Yes it is a beautiful day outside,but I just wanted to get this post in before I get ready to post again.  Hahaha..go ahead and laugh.  You think I won't post for another 6 months, but have I got news for you.  Well, will have for you (and NO, I am not getting married but someone in our family is changing a name!)
And so when you have spare time what do you do?  From my previous post, you can tell that most of my time is consumed by pigs and kids.  Just today, Makaley and I were driving thru town, and she saw a street named "Green Acres"..she started singing the song and then talked about the pig Arnold.  A few streets over was "barrow" street.  She whimpered and said...."I miss my barrows".(yes Jordan, she did!).  And then about 6 streets over is "Grand" street.  She said something about winning "Grand" at a major.  This family is "ate up with it".
Believe it or not, there are other things to do in your spare time besides feeding, washing, and showing pigs.
For example....you can attend Benefits for Breast Cancer Awareness.  My mom, cousin and I traveled to Odessa to attend the Pink the Basin with my other mother's daughter Susan. Go ahead and think on that one! lol.  You know Suzie...friends for 41 years. Anyway, it was a wonderful, wonderful day.  Even the newspaper was pink that day. Food was great, speaker was WONDERFUL, but family and friends...priceless!!!.

Can you guess which one is my cousin Brandi?  Seriously, she would say she is the one with no hair and no boobs.  BUT...that aint the case now!!! That girl has the cutest hair growing in and has bi-racial boobies! She said they didn't have two alike when she was ready, so she bought "friends".  BEST OF ALL...she is free!!! No more chemo, medication, no cancer!!!!!  I am so proud of her.  All of our family(except my dad and kids) attended at least one doctor's appointment or "draw" with her. So I could say...in your spare time you could WHOOP cancer!
Or during your free time, you could create a planet.

This is Kauy's science project. He designed it while sitting in a pig pen in Ft.Worth. It was ready for class a week before it was due.  Yep....I thought I had returned home with the wrong kid! of course, with the name of the planet being "Planet Goodyear", with a NASCAR theme, I knew it was the right kid!! Notice the ring around it..Next to the Flag is a NASCAR race car. There were moons(not in this picture) called "the intimidator" and "Junior", and Lake Lagano.  He did a great job and received an A.  Most expensive A ever made I can promise!!!  I am saving it incase NASCAR would like it for their museum.  At this price, I need to get lots of wear out of it.
Now...if you have some real good spare time you can have surgery!!!! Makaley was diagnosed with scoliosis in November of 2011.  By 2012, the curve had changed 15 degrees and was at a 64 degree curve and the bottom one was about 30 or so.  It was decided that we should correct this since if left untended, it could become a severe health concern.  Like it wasn't already?  Hello!!!  As a mom, I was sick to my stomach.  I wanted to reach into her back and fix it for her.  I wanted God to let me act as one of His apostles, lay hands on her and fix it.  But I couldn't.  I cried myself to sleep one night because I needed her daddy.  I just wanted to snuggle up to him and say, "Aren't you nervous?"  But you know...when that can't happen, you do the very best thing....Snuggle up to God and tell Him.  We prayed for our Dr. by name.

I had no idea that my baby girl was in so much pain until a few days before surgery. She never once said anything close to wanting to put this off, being scared, or having second thoughts.  She was a ROCK! Her doctor, Dr. Rathjen is amazing.  She also had a "Dr. McDreamy" who woke her every morning.  He signed her back the morning of her surgery.....they know your face, but I guess everyone looks the same from the back!  So he wrote his name so he was sure they had the right girl.We told her she didn't have to wash that spot for months if she didn't want to. They also decided to only put one set of rods in after visiting with each other. My girl was up and moving the day after the surgery. We walked the halls, and walked the halls again.  AND I cried and thanked God for wonderful doctors, and prayer warrior who carried us to His throne daily and during the surgery. We had great friends who came to the hospital and visited. I didn't do this alone....My sister Traci went with us.  I have the MOST WONDERFUL sister!!!! Scottish Rite Hospital is WONDERFUL.  We had the greatest experience there! Not because the surgery was successful, but the people there LOVE their jobs and it shows in their every move.  We felt like the queens!  Below is a picture of her hospital room, and then a picture of her 3 weeks after surgery, the Sunday before she returned to school for 1/2 a day. Fast track girl.

Look Mom...I am 1 1/4 taller!

If that doesn't take up your spare time, sign up for scoliosis research with your doctor.  Makaley decided to be a part of the ongoing research the doctors at Scottish Rite do.  She was excited even after she found out it was mainly just paper work to keep track of her.Oh, and the doctor apologized that he was unable to take some of the "teenage temperament" out of her while she was on the table.  Said that would be my problem to take care of!  Thanks....

Or....if you aren't into research, invest $386 in driver's ed.  Yes folks, she will begin driver's education in May.  I am full of mixed emotions again.  I told her she has to sit up straight behind the wheel and be proud of that new back! I can't believe she is ready for this because I'm sure not.  lol

I know that I missed a few things like..........going to NASCAR.  Kauy went with Suzie and Bobby....AGAIN.  They promise me that he acts great when he is with them.  I want a video!  That boy keeps us laughing and still holds my hand.  Gotta love him.  Of course, he isn't 15 yet.

I guess you could say that my spare time has been well spent!  We have had our valley moments and our mountain top moments, but God has blessed us through all of it.  I miss my grandmother so often.  Would love to hear her "smart" remarks on this past year! 

Enjoy your spare time!  I have!!!

When do you get spare time? Part 1

Spare what?  When I have spare time, it is either while I am in a show barn, a doctor's or dentist's offfice, or sitting in line somewhere.  And of course, those places do not accomodate you getting dinner cooked, laundry done, or a house cleaned. I promise, I don't sit around and eat ice cream bars!
So...let's talk spare time in the show barn.....go ahead and dream that is so.  If you have spare time in the barn, you can make the most uncomfortable chair the best "napping" spot ever.  And of course, all the kids take you photo and tell you you snore.  BUT...I was alert enough to get the score card right.  Here is the final outcome of this years pig shows!
Meet Squeaker: 5th in Ft. Worth and Pork Producers hat and bonus  Kauy's pig,Throwback, threw his back right into the "farm to Market" trailer. 

Meet Warfare(left) and Swagger(right)

This was the daily morning greeting.  Warfare was Champion Barrow at the Wylie Show, Reserve Cross at Taylor County, and Second in his class at San Antonio(placing in the sale.. plus another Pork Producers cap and bonus!

Makaley and Warefare and they battle for first place. Second made us just as proud.

Kauy and Swirl.  As a team they placed 9th in San Antonio! 

Rudolph and Swagger.  Swagger was Breed Champion and Grand Champion at Taylor county.  Rudolph was 1st  in his class at County also.  However, you can see them again at your local HEB.  They went straight to the trailer which was VERY hard on the old mom!
   

Finally meet Jorge....long story on that name...but this dude won 5th at the Star of Texas Show in Austin Texas.  Yep...put a few miles on the old Tahoe huh?  But they were fun miles I promise!!!!!!

We had a wonderful, wonderful year.  Our "team" set goals and achieved them! Our "team" represented our breeders very well whether we won or trucked right to the trailer.  One thing I have tried to instill in my kids is that you are a winner for even getting to where you are, and there is no need to blame a judge or pout when we didn't make the top nor is there reason to gloat for a win.  Kauy has a lot of his dad in him and that drives Jordan crazy sometimes.  When he wins, he just grins, takes the ribbon back to the pen and heads off to other things.  He lets the rest of us act the crazy fool!
And so...in this moment of spare time that I had(due to bronchitis) I want to say a few things about my spare time in the barn.  I LOVE it!!!  Thank you Jordan and Ashley for getting us to this point!  Thank you for loving my kids even when they are not doing what you want.  Thank you for wanting the best for them and "keeping on keeping on" when you think they don't listen.  We miss our pigs!  Just saying....
Thank you breeders....Jason Lackey, Will Winter, Craig Bessent, The Cobb Family, The Jones Family and Dirk.  Thank you for checking on us during the "growing" period and being at the shows to cheer for us.
Thank you Cody Smith, our new Ag teacher!  Wow, we loved working beside you.  We love the fact that you and Jordan had serious moments to study and advise! I am glad that you don't teach driver's ed., but if I needed anything, you were there in a NASCAR minute. And in Kauy's words..."Your not any Sacajawea." Thank you Suzie and Aunt Traci....probably Bobby and Timmy also.  You two were with us all the way.  Suzie didn't miss a show(from county to Austin, Jan. to March) and set with me while my nerves were on total edge!  Aunt Traci wasn't actually at a couple shows, but still didn't miss one because she watched them on line.  She would text me and say "tell that kid to"....whatever she felt needed to be done.  Thank you to the Phillips and Cagles who showed up or cheered from their living room chairs.  I think they also got a little Leighton time.  Thanks to you who listened to us ramble, or liked our photos on face book.
Finally, thank you to my prayer warrior, Margaret.  She began praying for Jordan and the kids as the pigs were being purchased.  She prayed the pigs through the spells of health issues and then prayed for us as we went to each show.  She is a single woman who understands the love between people and their animals...even if they are pigs.
Now, that is all the spare time I have today.  Dinner must be cooked, clothes folded, and homework completed. Yes, my kids could do all of that....could being the operative word here!
Hang on.....part two is coming soon.  Suzie, remind me in about 2 weeks.