StillwatersIowa

On the spur of the moment we invited the kids over for hot dogs last Sunday evening. I wanted to get together and make a special evening for two of our grandsons who were leaving for the International Cadet Camporee in Canada. Gideon and Cody's folks brought them to Pella to board two greyhound buses at 4 am on Tuesday morning for a 30 hour trip for Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. Leaving and being gone for 10 days might have been harder for the mom's than for the boys worrying and wondering about them. Oh well, that's what mom's are for. Hope you guys are having fun. Monday noon we celebrated Zac's 4th birthday. Sweet corn and birthday cake. I read a good quote this week by the late Dear Abby, "If you want your kids to turn out well spend twice the time with them and half the money on them." Jan and I enjoyed a visit with friends and great landlords, Marv and Jean. About 45 years ago as a young teenager I used to babysit their kids. Well Frida...

Good morning. The pictures in our visit this week show a number of extracurricular activities our family was involved in.   Cousins watching the sheep show   Since they are rather self explanatory I won't bore you with details. I think I'll share some of my favorite quotes. A few are my own. Many I have heard and saved over the years. Ethan showing sheep  " Remember the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing" Motocross at the Washington County Fair  "85% of communication is voice inflection and body language" Dad and boys  "If you make a mistake make sure you make it at full speed" Elijah mutton busting   "If everyone is zigging, zag. If everyone is zagging, zig" Elliott's catch  "Don't wait for the light at the end of the tunnel. Go down there and light it yourself" 64 lb catch out of Lake Keomah "The future will always be to those who see the possibilities before t...

Harris Jordan was welcomed into the world by his brothers about 3 hours after he was born. He weighed 10 1/2 lbs and was hungry the minute he arrived. These four boys belong to Brian and Becky.  The older three brothers stayed over for a couple of days. They enjoyed Grandma's cooking and helping Grandpa, always asking if we could use the Ranger during our jobs.   Grandma still loves and gets along well with babies. Harris is our 16th grandchild. We are so blessed to have our children live close and see their families every week. We couldn't have prepared, planned, or even dreamed of the changes, opportunities, trials, and blessings we've experienced since our first was born 37 years ago next month.  Brother Bill and his wife Julie are grandparents for the second time. Daughter Hannah and husband Tony welcomed Evelynn Tiah into their family this past Wednesday.   The grain markets are thinking we have a big crop coming. The corn m...

Happy Independence Day. A countries independence and freedom only works if it's citizens hold on to trust, integrity, and character. A business and career is most successful when it's proprietors hold on loosely by sharing the credit for their success, by sharing the wealth they produce, and by acknowledging all things are given by or allowed to be taken away by a higher power. As we roll into July for the most part the planting, fertilizing, and spraying are about wrapped up. The biggest factor in crop production in July and August is the weather which is beyond a farmer's control.   Southern and central Iowa had some strong winds come through giving new meaning to the term "knee high by the 4th of July". Southwestern Iowa had a serious batch of hail destroying crops for many miles. All of Iowa has had heavy rain events. The rising rivers have flooded bottoms. Many local farmers have lost significant acres. Thanks to all of you who sent m...