Clatsop County Fair 2014

The Clatsop County Fair starts Tuesday!

 The first fair held in Clatsop County was is 1905 in conjunction with Regatta.

and

4-H began in the late 1800's

We have decorated our stalls with our club, Melville Livestock.

We have turned in all our paperwork and Jameson has received his show number.

Tomorrow, Monday, we will load Kody (Market and Showmanship) and Ruby (Breeding) and head out to the fairgrounds where they will live for the next week. 

Us too.

So many kids and their parents have put in countless hours to prepare for this week.

Feeding, bonding, washing, learning about breeds for their animals.

I think one of the biggest misconceptions about 4-H and fair is that it's all about livestock. 

While livestock is a big part of it there is so much more.

Kids learn about growing food, canning and sewing.

There are Lego and Robotic clubs and fashion shows.

 There are shooting clubs where the kids learn gun safety and compete in trap shooting.

This event has started already and ribbons have been awarded.

Baylee here is the Junior Champion Sportsman for 2014.

Way to go Baylee!

Kids participate in giving back to their community with food drives.

There are camps and lock-ins.

Retreats and conferences.

Kids learn how to write letters and speak in front of people.

In 4h there is something for all age groups.

From kindergarten on.

Kids from K-3 can participate in clubs called Cloverbuds

They are able to show small pocket pets like chickens, rabbits and cavy's (guinea pigs)

Madalyn isn't showing in fair this year, but here she is with her hen Lucy.

The value of 4-H reaches far beyond raising animals to auction.

In 4-H you forge lifelong friendship as you watch livestock shows to learn how to show your animal.

Kids learn life skills, dedication and hardwork.

They learn how to budget and keep track of costs associated with raising animals.

They learn how to let go of animals they worked so hard to raise when they are sold at auction.

I am sure by Saturday night there will be some tearful exhausted kiddos.

There will also be some exhausted mommas and daddy's who will help clean up on Sunday put everything away and start preparing for next year.

Jameson is a 3rd generation county fair participant and the first to show goats.

His Papa Moo showed showed steers, heifers, pigs and dairy heifers.

His daddy showed steers, dairy heifers, beef heifers and lambs.

They are my three of my favorite 4-Her's .

So, come see all the precious kids at the fair.

Take a walk around the exhibit hall, livestock and horse barn.

Enjoy some of the fun entertainment from Maddox dancers and the talent show.

Eat your weight in corndogs, elephant ears and the pies baked my those church women.

Check out the Farmhouse Funk sale in the old dairy barn.
The always popular carnival will be there!

Stop and talk to the kids and ask them about their animals and projects.

They have prepared for and are waiting for your questions.

Fair opens Tuesday at 10 am.

Benny The Beaver  will be there on Friday

Beef BBQ hosted by 4-H and Clatsop County Livestock Association is Saturday from

2-530.

Auction starts at 6:00 pm where you can see the kids all spiffed up proud to sell the animals they worked so hard raising.

Maybe you will even purchase one!

We are in the market for a pig to fill our freezer!

There is something fun for everyone!

Check out the CC Fair Facebook page to see what is on tap for the coming week!

Great luck to all the fair participants this year!

Blessed is me....

Paulina Lake

Today we ended our 5 day camping trip to Paulina Lake.

We camped with 43 of our friends.

It was GLORIOUS and just what we needed.

We can't wait to go back!

This group is made up of a bunch of dudes (including Rachel) that The Farmer has been friends with since elementary school.

One friend, Phil, has been his best friend since their moms met in birthing class.

These friends are now raising kids who are also friends.

Here is Mad holding Phils son Amon.

This is a camping trip we look forward to all year long.

A reason to reconnect in real life and have real conversations.

In the last four years the group has expanded with new friends and more kids.

We love every inch of it.

We spend time chatting about the "good ole days"

Funny things our kids say and do

unplugging, for the most part, from technology

playing outside, getting dirty

and eating more than we will ever need to.

There is always an "auntie", "uncle"
or a "momma"

to make sure the kids are towing the line and getting what they need.

I love knowing that there are so many people our kids can count on and are loved by.

Our kids know it too.

There can never be too many people that love your kids.

I woke up and spent my mornings here in the quietest part of the day.

All alone.

I drank coffee and read an entire book.

I also spent a lot of time just thinking about how lucky we truly are.

We rode bikes.

The kids did laps throughout our camp spot.

Big kids always watched out for the little's and the little's tried to keep up with the big kids.

Early one morning some of the kids and I rode out of our camp and over to a horse camp.

The kids even got to pet a pony.

There was fishing.

Playing in the lake.

Jameson and Madalyn really took to kayaking.

I think kayak purchases are in our future.

I even went out of the lake even though I am afraid of the water.

I actually really loved it and can't wait to go again.

We ate ridiculous amounts of food.

There is never a shortage and this year we had a seafood feast!

There is a great trail around the lake that is beautiful.

Quiet and serene.

A perfect place to clear your mind.

We hiked up to Paulina Plunge which is a naturally occurring rock water slide.

It was a fun time for all!

Here is The Farmer with is tough hat on headed down one slide.

Notice the tan lines!

and here is Mad going down the other slide.

She didn't love going under water.

Next time I will be better prepared with more drinking water, some snacks for the kiddos and better shoes.

I might even get brave and go!

Friday night after dinner we surprised the kids with a pinata!

It was a hit for sure!

They whacked and whacked from youngest to oldest until candy flew all over the ground.

Maybe next year we can have an adult one!

 Last night was our last sleep and Michael took us up to Paulina Peak.

While the drive up the side of the mountain was terrifying for me the view was impeccable.

I can't even describe how beautiful it was. 

The view went for miles and miles and only got more breathtaking the longer you looked at it.

There was of course smores and campfire.

Laughing until all hours of the night and early morning.

These are the memories our kids are going to have when they look back on their lives.

I would take 1 camping trip with these people over 100 trips around the world.

I hear the kids say things like
"Michael picked me up and turned me upside down"

"When can we go camping again"
"Bailee is really nice"

This is what I want our kids to look back on and remember.

Time is valuable and for the last 5 days 43 people gave us their time.

There is no better gift.

On the drive home I couldn't stop thinking about how much I love these people.

These dudes, plus Rachel, are The Farmers wolf pack.

They are the people he can count on when he is at the peak of life and walking in the darkest days.

They will never be too busy to take his call.

They love him.

They love us.

They have been together through 

life, death, marriage, celebration and defeat.

Some don't talk often, but can pick up right where they left off.

They are the friends that come along once in a lifetime.

They are our family and we couldn't feel more grateful than we do today for getting to share in their lives.

The countdown to Pauline 2015 is on!

Blessed is me...

Another Fun Friday

Today we tried our hand at geocaching.

Jameson wasn't a huge fan and would have rather gone to Bruce's Candy Kitchen to see Grammie Julie!

We found a few, but our favorite was up at the Astor Column.

The kids were excited to sign the log book on their find and to leave a couple treasures in the box.

 While we were at the column the kids rolled their way down the big hill!

Then they wanted to hike down the Cathedral Trail which we were totally unprepared for

except Ryan. He has tennis shoes on. 

Me, well I'm in cowboy boots.

The kids loved the trail and I can't believe I've never been on it! 

It is beautiful!

The kids looked for Sasquatch.

Ryan tried some "squatch calls" as he called them and banging sticks, but we didn't have any luck.

We stopped at Peter Pan Market for some lunch.

Then headed over to Fred Meyer to bless two unsuspecting shoppers. 

I wasn't going to write about this portion of our trip because 

I don't want it to be about "look at us and what we did!!" it isn't about that, 

but I think it needs some words because a lesson was learned today.

By me and the kids.

I gave the kids a choice we could give 1 person a set amount of cash or we could split the money and give it to two people.

They decided on two.

The first amount went to an elderly couple who asked if the money was real.

The second to a mom pushing a cart with a baby.

The kids walked over to her and said

"excuse me we wanted to give you this for your groceries today"

Her face dropped as did her hand that was holding a calculator.

She glanced at me and asked if we were serious.

It appeared that she keeping track of what she was buying.

She almost instantly grabbed them and hugged them.

She was elated.

I told her to have a great day and we went on our way.

The kids then went to look around the store to see if anyone found their love notes and were happy to find that they were gone.

I hope whomever found them was happy they did.

 

In the truck the kids asked why the lady hugged them and "acted funny".

I got to share with them that sometimes people don't have enough money to buy food after all the bills are paid (if all the bills get paid).

I don't know if this was the case with her, but you just never know.

 

Our kids are lucky.

For them the thought of not having enough food as never entered their minds.

They have never started or ended their day with an empty tummy.

I pray they never do.

 

Sometimes we get caught up in the haves and have nots; myself included.

We need to remember there are people in our own backyards who are fighting legitimate struggles.

Our job is to reach and and help when we can

even if it is just a tiny bit. 

 

We headed home and wrapped up the day with some slip and sliding!

Giggles and shrieks all around.

After Ryan went home with his Momma I told the kids they needed a little quiet time on their beds reading, coloring or whatever else they wanted to do that was quiet.

They both chose naps

Fun Friday can be tiring I guess!

The kids are excited about what is on tap for our next adventure and I am too!

I hope when they are all grown up they look back on our Fun Friday's as some of their best days.

I know for me they have turned out to be much more than expected.

Blessed is me..

Fun Friday and Love Notes!

This summer I have decided to dedicate Friday's to doing something fun with the kids!

We are calling it 

Fun Friday!

Life is going by too fast and these little lives aren't going to be little for long.

Soon they wont want to hang out with me.

Last Friday we loaded up our bikes in our beast of a farm truck and headed out to

 Fort Stevens State Park.

We rode from Coffenbury Lake to Battery Russell and then onto Peter Iredale.

They were sure to ask me if the shipwreck was there when I was little.

I think all kids think adults are SUPER old!

This morning I shared with the kids our plan for Fun Friday and they were jazzed!

I found this website a year or so ago and I just love the concept of spreading love all over.

The World Needs More Love Letters

is just about spreading love, giving someone a smile or even a little hope.

Writing a note and hiding it for a stranger to find can change a persons entire day!

If you know me at all you know I love love.

Love can be shown in so many ways.

A tender touch

A tight hug-my favorite

In words

Even in silence

I think if we loved more and pointed fingers less we could change the world.

I was surprised as I gathered the cards that the kids were so excited to get started.

We talked about Random Acts of Kindness and how maybe we would help someone that was having a bad day feel a little bit better

.

It's amazing how a lesson like that comes to light for kids sometimes so quickly.

On our way to guitar lessons today I stopped for coffee at Starbucks and the car in front of us paid for my coffee. 

Thanks Heidi!

Jameson excitedly said "HEY! That was a random act of kindness!"

We paid for the car behind us and Jameson beemed.

I love those learning moments.

Ryan, Madalyn and I  wrote out our cards while Jameson was at guitar and Jameson did his in the car.

We did 18 in all.

We labeled them like this so people would know they were for them

Mad even added some extra to hers

All the cards were written with zero prompting from me.

I didn't get to read all of them, but I did sneak a peek at some.

We headed to places in Warrenton and Astoria.

The kids were giddy in the car and couldn't wait to hide the cards!

I hope whomever finds them knows they were written with love in mind.

We then headed off to the pool for a swim!

The Linder/Stenblom kids are like little fishes.

I have planned for future Fun Fridays some geochaching, a trip to Tillamook Cheese Factory, a ride on the Rockaway Beach Steam Train and a day at Jasper Farms for a field day hosted by our 4h club.

We also have a few camping trips and our first Clatsop County Fair for Jameson.
We will probably be doing more love letter deliveries too because the kids loved it!

We are planning to pack as many memories into this summer as possible.

These three kids are only going to be 

8, 10 and 12 for this summer so we need to make the most of it!

Blessed is me...

One reason Mrs. Kraft is a bad ass

This beauty here is Jean Kraft.

She lived on our farm into her early 90's until she fell and broke her hip and had to be moved to assisted living in Seaside.

She lived alone at the farm when Johnny that big stud of a man leaning up against the tractor went to be with The Lord in 1994.

Oh, and she is also a bad ass.

Here's why.

When we bought the farm from her we also got to keep quite a few of her things including this mower

She pushed mowed our yard that is approximately the size of gigantic and very steep well into her 80's

In addition to the yard she also push mowed our driveway that is really long

Now, I have mowed this yard and driveway many many times.

On a riding mower!

Early this week I wanted to push mow some areas that the riding mower just can't get to.

I had never started the push mower before, but let's be honest how hard can it be.

Well, it was harder than I thought because I was doing it WRONG!

The Farmer was out tedding the hay field so I was on my own.

There are bars and levers and I didn't know what was what.

After trying what felt like a million pulls of the cord I gave up and hoped on the rider.

When The Farmer came home I informed him what a piece of junk the push mower was because I couldn't get it started. 

He informed me that it was not a piece of junk and that
"if Mrs. Kraft can start it you should be able to"

Oh..

I didn't know it was Mrs. Krafts mower.

So tonight I planned to conquer the mower and start that thing on the first pull!

And, I did.

I make my way down the driveway doing quite nicely getting as close as possible to the fence posts.

then..

Sputter sputter dead.

The mower was out of gas and I was at the end of the driveway.

I make my way to the barn for a gas can, thinking 

"that stupid mower I should just leave it there and get the rider! NO! If Mrs. Kraft can do it I can too"

Fill up the gas tank give the cord a pull and I'm on my way again.

I get the driveway done and the small grassy area by the stable and thought I should just move onto the yard!

NO NO NO 

I should NOT have.

I started our pretty strong around the trees and the fence line making a big circle of the yard making sure that all the trees and flower beds were nicely mowed around.

Now, you must be very very careful going down the hill because the mower will want to take off like it is in a NASCAR race and will drag you behind not caring if you fall or not.

You must push very very hard going UP the yard because the mower suddenly becomes the weight of a large tank.

As I am making my way around the yard The Farmer comes out from finishing his dinner and says
"What are you doing? Why don't you get the rider? Oh, are you trying to prove that if Mrs. Kraft can do it you can too?!"

To which I replied

"No, well, maybe I NEED TO GET BACK TO WORK!"

I started the mower at 5:30 and I didn't finish until almost 8:00

I also ran out of gas AGAIN.

At some point during the mowing I thought I really should just get the rider, but talked myself out of it.

The closer I got to getting done the more I wanted to quit and just leave that piece of crap in the yard until I had enough diesel to BURN IT!

Light it on fire and not even care!

When I pushed that mower over the last blades of bright green grass I felt like Rocky Balbo at the end of a winning fight!

I wanted to jump up and down with my fists in the air!

Until I had to push the mower up to the carport.

That is when I noticed my feet felt like I had walked of shards of glass that had been dipped in hot lava. 

My feet had been sliding back and forth in my shoes as I made my way up and down the yard about a hundred times making them a little raw.

My legs were shaking like I had just run a marathon and my hands were vibrating like I had run a jack hammer all day long.

I was sweating in places I didn't know you could sweat from.
I am not sure If I should wash or throw my tow strap of a bra and the rest of my clothes that are sweat covered.

As soon as I came inside I stepped into a nice hot shower so I could wash all those grossness right down the drain.

The scalding hot water never felt so good.

It was glorious except the feeling of hot glass shards on my feet.

I know, I know some of you are thinking I am just a sissy lala.

I assure you I am not.

But, if you still think I am 

I offer up this challenge to you.

Come mow our yard and driveway.

I will make sure the gas tank is full and the can is out for refilling.

It will need to be done again in 2-3 days and then in 2-3 after that and again after that.

You get the picture.

Our yard needs to be mowed a lot!

From now on I will be doing it on the rider and I have plans for The Farmer to bring home and excavator and dig up some of the yard so there is less to mow!

*hint hint Farmer

My only one explanation for why Mrs. Kraft could mow this yard

It is because she is truly a

Bad. Ass.

There is no question about it.

Blessed is me...

Our Teachers

There is so much in the news about public schools, education and teachers.

Common Core, union contracts, budget shortfalls, class size and so much more.

There is a lot that needs attention.

 There is also SO SO SO much good that we rarely hear about.

 

We have great teachers. 

 

Our kids have attended school in the Astoria School District since kindergarten.

Each year we hope for a teacher.

Sometimes we get the teacher we hoped for and sometimes we don't.

 We have always been over the moon with who our kids ended up with despite not always getting our wish.

These teachers have helped shape our kids, helped them to learn new skills, loved them when our dog died, they share in life lessons, they celebrate achievements.

They have become people our kids know they can count on.

 

For Jameson:

Mrs. Laugle helped him get over the fear of the first day of school by getting down on his level and comforting him.

 

Mrs. Brewington will always be one of his favorites. 

I'll never forget the day we saw her grocery shopping. Jameson tells me "there is my teacher can I go say hi?"

He swiftly, almost running, went over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

She hugged him right back.

This showed me that she had a profound impact on him.

 

Mrs. Beiderman stretched his writing skills by entering him in a writing contest without him knowing.

 He was terrified when he found out, but as we sat in the public library and he shared with me that he really wanted to win.

He did win first place and 5 dollars.

He was really proud of himself.

 By the end of the year he was also reading out loud in class.

Mrs. Gardener let Jameson move through math as fast as he wanted even though she didn't always have time to teach him the extra things.

 She let him do it anyways.

Ms. Herr provides such a safe environment that Jameson shares about his weekends in morning meeting. 

This is huge because as you know he isn't a sharer of much.

She also lets him go ahead in math and he is currently working through 5th grade math while in 4th grade.

For Madalyn:

Mrs. Stelzig helped form a firm foundation of structure and fun.

Madalyn wishes that I could talked like Mrs. Stelzig.

I can't

She has a quiet soft voice.

Madalyn will still go over for a hug everytime she sees her in the hallway.

Mrs. Brewington had both our kids and we were so lucky to get her twice. 

Her loving firm tone is just was Mad needed to keep her chit chat to a minimum. 

We Linder girls are a teeny bit talkative.

Mrs. Beiderman and Mrs. Grauff are job sharing this year.

I wish every teacher could do this.

This year she has got to learn about gardening which she loved.

Mrs. Grauff is fluent in Spanish so she is teaching in both English and Spanish

Mad thinks it is really funny to call her dad a potato by switching how you say papa or potato.

This has been one of my favorite parts of 2nd grade. 

Mad comes home and teaches us the Spanish that she has learned.

We are hoping to continue it through the summer for both kids.

Mrs. Beiderman loves teaching the kids about the Underground Railroad.

Mad LOVES this. She can tell you all sorts of information about it and has checked out books in the library to reread information she has learned.

Both kids have/had also had Mr. Babbitt and Mr. Lambert for PE and various reading teachers.

 

I'll be honest it makes me a little sad that this is our last year at Astor.

So much has happened in those hallways.

Friendships have been formed with those teachers not only by our kids, but with us too.

I can't say enough good things about our teachers and their passion to fill our kids up.

They go the extra mile when they don't have to.

They reach out when they know that our kids need an extra push.

They love when we aren't there.

They encourage when our kids are discouraged.

The cheer on achievements and give correction when needed.

To us they are champions in their field.

 They have all set the bar very high for our future teachers.

To Mrs. Laugle, Mrs. Stelzig, Mrs. Brewington, Mrs. Beidermand, Mrs. Grauff, Mrs. Gardener, Ms. Herr, Mr. Babbit, Mr. Lambert and all our reading teachers

we tip our hat to you.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all you do for our kids.

We appreciate you more than you will ever know.

 

Blessed is me...

Barn boots and bliss

Today after I brought Mad to dance I drove in the driveway to see

chickens pecking all over the yard cleaning out every last bug and slug they can find,

Duck who thinks she is chicken scurrying all over the yard and

Dottie with her calves laying in the backyard.

I came inside our home which was empty.

I sat down with a cup of coffee for a little quiet time before making dinner.

I hear the back door open and Jameson burst in out of breath.

He just rode his bike back from Papa and Grandma Moos where he had been showing the goats to our friend and her kiddos.

He quickly gets his clothes changed and his boots on and yells "I'm going back to the farm to help daddy feed and move the bull!" the door slams and he is off again on his bike.

As I watched him peddle his little heart out down our long driveway tears well up in my eyes.

I can't believe this is our life.

We are living our dream.

A dream where our kids can run outside, climb trees and get dirty.

They get to tromp through the woods on adventures.

They get to lay under our giant maple tree while gazing at the sky.
They can run from the stable to the barn with their pseudo business set up selling goat harnesses they have made from baling twine.

They wake up to birds singing and are lulled to sleep by the frogs evening song.

They get to see the tender quietness as babies enter the world inside Papa's barn.
They get to eat dinner in the fields during hay season.

 Lessons are learned daily
 Like  how to get a goat to nurse a baby that wasn't born to her
 How the placenta attaches to the mother and holds the baby
How to care for sick animals and the work it takes when a momma dies.

the work it takes digging post holes and running wire for fence,
getting cows to go from one place to another on the road while cars wait.

Lessons about where our food comes from and how it should be raised.

We have only  lived here just over two years, but I feel like I have been here my entire life.

This place is where Mad learned to ride a bike
 where Jameson found his confidence
and where The Farmer and I had our toughest year in marriage.
We have had numerous celebrations here.
Growth has occurred here.
The stretching of our faith has happened here.

Love lives here.

Today I was asked if I ever imagined that I would be a farm girl.
The answer is no.
I don't think The Farmer imagined it either.
Now I can't imagine living anywhere else.
I can help birth, vaccinate and castrate a goat.
I can preg check cows
and butcher chickens
all while, wearing earrings, full make up and Zella leggings
because let's face it a girl has to look good.

When I step into our barn it feels like love.
I can imagine the work that Johnny and Jean did inside those walls.
They loved this place.
They put their heart and soul into every inch of what is now ours.
I think they would be happy with what we have done and are doing.

When we have children over who have never held a chicken or gone to find eggs in a coop it warms my heart to see their eyes light up.
When a little girl squeals in delight that a cow just licked her face it makes me giggle.
The kids are always excited to share about their barn boots.
I'm told Johnny and Jean loved having kids at the farm too.

Someday our barn will be filled with life and the smell of fresh cut hay.
Someday we might even be real farmers
Someday our grandkids will be the ones riding their bikes to our house to help Papa.




I wish every kid could mix up a bottle and feed a bummer calf or see a baby be born while sitting on a hay bale.
I wish all kids could sit and hold a chicken or be licked by a cow.
If you ask me there is no better life.

Tonight as my kids are tucked snug in their beds and my hubs watches his daily dose of news
I am overflowing with gratefulness.
I hope we never take for granted the gifts that have been given to us.

Blessed is me...