18 Already

Where does the time go? Racheal turned 18.  How did that happen?

Seems like yesterday when she was just learning to trot a horse by herself.  Or like we barely bought her first horse Cheyenne.  I am sure she just started in rodeo last year.  Or that this is her first year of High School Rodeo not her last.  I am not really sure where all the time goes.  I just know it goes by too fast.  

Racheal has grown up to be such a beautiful person.  She truly cares about others and their feelings.  She always tries to be helpful almost to a fault.  She is good to her horses.  She has a natural gift for working with animals.  She has became a really good trainer and I don't think she even knows it.  

My only hope is for her to find the things that she truly loves to do and go do that.  She deserves to simply be happy!

First High School Rodeo of the Season

We went to our first high school rodeo this year in Salina.

It was Brent's first high school rodeo ever.  He was pretty nervous. The calves were about 200 pounds.  He caught the first day but couldn't quite get the calf flanked.  The calf weighed twice what he does.  On Saturday he caught but his curl came around and caught both front feet.  The mare was doing her job and she kept pulling.  There was no way he was going to get the rope off.  It was a great first try and we did get both calves caught.

Racheal started the season well.  She caught both of her breakaway calves and both times she was clean at the barrier.  She place 9th on Saturday.  So a qualifying run and points for State High School finals.  This picture is with her breakaway horse.

She also had 2 solid barrel run and a clean pole run on Saturday.  It is a great way to start her senior year.

Utah's Beautiful Fall Day

A couple of Sundays ago, we actually got out of the arena for a trail ride.  Since we have been at a rodeo almost every weekend this summer, this is the first one I have been on.  I know that is so sad.

Anyway, it was a perfect day.  It was warm but not hot.  The leaves had just started to change.  For the most part it was a good trail and our horses did really well.  We rode the back side of the nebo loop.  The trail we were on took us up to an old cabin.  It has be over 100 years old.  It was really neat.

Here are some beautiful fall pictures from Utah.

State 4H 2-Handed Show

Racheal showed at the 4H State 2-Handed Show.  She showed a 3 year old paint mare.  The mare did really well for a show this size.  She had a beautiful trail pattern.  She did not hit a log and she went over every obstacle but she missed one lead and it cost her a placing.  

Here are some pictures from the show.

Juab Homecoming

Last week was homecoming for our high school. Since Racheal started high school, normally homecoming was the same weekend as Richfield's high school rodeo. Of course she chose rodeo over a dance. This year it was earlier. So she actually agreed to go with someone.

I was out dress shopping for her 2 days before the dance. We did not have time to dress shop earlier because we had been to a big 4 day rodeo in Panguitch. Well Brent decided that he wanted to go to homecoming too. So the Friday before the dance, I was looking for a dress shirt and tie.

Here are the pictures from homecoming:

First Tie Down Roping in NLBRA

Brent moved up to the Senior Boys Division in the National Little Britches Association. So this year his events are Team Roping and Tie Down Roping. Team Roping is not a change. He has been Team Roping for years.

It is Tie Down Roping that makes me nervous. It is also Brent's favorite event. It is the one he practices constantly. He is always out roping the calf dummy or tieing the tie dummy.

Well practice paid off this weekend. In Friday's rodeo his time was 19 seconds and he placed 3rd. On Saturday the calf got away from him for a few seconds. His time was 31 seconds and he placed 6th. Sunday the calf was just a little too fast and ran right through his loop. On Monday he was 22 seconds and 4th. I wish I had a video of the first night. It was so great.

Eat A Rainbow Everyday

You should try to eat a rainbow of foods everyday. Choose white, purple red, orange, green and yellow. By eating the rainbow, you are supplying your body with all the nutrients it needs to be healthy. Here is a picture of what the sides for your meals should be.

Hint: There are no potatoes, rice or bread as a side. These all make you fat and increase inflamation in the body.

2-Handed Show Goshen

We went to the 2-Handed Show in Goshen at the end of August. Racheal had a good show. She won the Western Equitation. She had a beautiful trail class except the carry object. She has come a long way with this colt.

Feeling Old

So I now feel really old. Both of my kids are in high school. I can not beleive it.

Racheal has always been older. So her starting high school was not so strange.

Brent has always been my baby. It is so strange to say that he is in high school.

Here is a picture of them on their first day. (Where did all those years go?)

Unique View From The Inside

We were traveling to the Little Britches National Final Rodeo in Pueblo, CO. Racheal was reflecting on our year and what it took to get here. She came to a very interesting conclusion.

She said "mom you know rodeo make no sense right." I said "why?" She said "we work so hard. We spend hours and hours practicing each week.

We go to a rodeo and spend 3 to 4 hours. And what do we do all of that work for a 21 second pole run, a 16 second barrel run and a 4 second breakaway run. The total time I spend in the arena competing is less than a minute at a rodeo!"

Rodeo really is a crazy event but I had never thought of it that way.

Junior High State Finals

Brent qualified for the Junior High State Finals in Breakaway, Ribbon Roping and Team Roping. The first day was really rough. He did not get a qualified time in any of his events. It was a cold, windy and wet day in Heber.

He had redemption in 2 events in the second go. Brent and Rhett placed 3rd in the Team Roping. Brent had an awesome heal loop. With this placing, they were sitting 5th coming into the short go. There was only one point between 3rd, 4th and 5th. They take the top four to Nationals. He placed 8th in the Ribbon Roping.

So we qualified to go to the short go in Team Roping. I think we may have placed too much pressure on Brent and Rhett. They knew they needed to place in the short go to go to Nationals. Unfortunately, they did not get a time.

I know they were both devasted. They tried hard and worked hard to get there. They finished in the top 10 in the state and they should both be proud of that.

1st NLBRA All Around Win

Racheal had her first All Around win in National Little Britches at the May Rodeo. She placed in the top 7 in all 6 of her events including goats and she does not even really goat tie anymore. She had a great day overall.

New Horse Sandy (Darling)

Racheal started riding a new horse for Breakaway Roping. The mare is owned by my brother in law. She is his Tie Down horse. And she is his baby. He calls her Sandy Darling.

She sits so hard when she stops. Reiners would love to see her in the show ring. Several times we look where she has stopped for roping and she has slide marks for 5 to 6 feet.

She is athletic and extremely fast. It has taken Racheal awhile to get used to her and get her confidence with her.

We took her to Morgan for her first High School Rodeo. Racheal caught in 5 seconds. Not her best time but a good time for a new horse and she placed 9th. Here she is in action:

Tooele High School Rodeo

Racheal had a good rodeo in Tooele. It must have been her day. She placed 5th in Barrels and 4th in Breakaway Roping.

Here is a picture of her and her horse Fluke flying home.

I Am Back - Sorry For The Blog Holiday

Yes, I know it has been awhile since the last post. I am sure you can guess what we have been doing. Oh yeah rodeo and rodeo and did I mention rodeo.

We also had some work things and some family things.

Here are some great rodeo pictures. I will get more updates coming.

Worth Quoting

"The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your problems are your own. You do not blame them on your mother, the ecology, or the president. You realize that you control your own destiny."

- Albert Ellis

Personal Best

We went to a Little Britches Rodeo in Salina the last weekend of March. I just have to share how excited I was for Racheal. We got a new horse last fall for her to run barrels on. They have been coming together. She won a rodeo on him in October and has placed in several.

On Saturday, her barrel run was 16.2 seconds. She placed second that day.

On Sunday she beat her personal best time. She ran a 15.9 second barrel pattern. I could tell from the second she entered the arena it was going to be a great run. She really drove him the entire pattern. She was in complete control. It still gives me chills.

This was the first time she has ever beat 16 seconds. I was so excited that I am sure everyone in the arena heard me. I had tears when I went out to talk to her.

Sometimes when you kids acheive the next level, you feel as much accomplishment as they do.

Junior High Rodeo Tooele

Team roping was Brent's best event at the Junior High Rodeo in Tooele. Brent and Rhett placed 6th Friday and 2nd Saturday. With the points from this rodeo, they are 7th in the State. They will be competing in June at the State Finals to see if they can qualify for Nationals. Junior High Nationals are in Gallop New Mexico in July.

Brent has a chance to make it in the Breakaway and Ribbon Roping too. But he will definitely need to bring his A game in June.

This is a picture of Brent with Rhett at a previous rodeo. They are both so cute!

Junior Prom

So I know everyone is waiting for the pictures. Here they are: Day Date

Racheal and Justin
Ready to Go
At the Prom

Apology

Sorry for the last post, sometimes hormones cause you to be terribly honest.

This week has been crazy busy. We are putting on a rodeo in 2 weeks and it is crunch time. Getting all of the enteries in, prizes finalized, stock contracted and help arranged. Plus I still have to work full time, get the kids to school, and do normal mom stuff.

Today I am feeling a little anxious. I don't normally have anxiety but pretty stressed this week.Brent has a junior high rodeo in Tooele this week and it is Racheal's Junior Prom. So I imagine the week is just going to get more hectic. Trying to stay positive.

Period Day 1 Cure

So I have found it. It has taken years and I have tried everything. I have the most intense chocolate craving on day 1. It is really is uncontrollable. I usually get a chocolate shake with chocolate chip cookie dough or a brownie sundae.

But today I have found it. The ultimate cure is Ben & Jerry's Half Baked. Just listen to the description and you will know. Chocolate Ice Cream with Fudge Bites and Gobs of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.

My husband and children might survive the night.

Tagged (Really?)

So I have been tagged to list 7 interesting things about me. I will try to come up with things that people who are around me regularly may not know.

1) I grew up in Las Vegas. I spent most weekends and all of my summers on a ranch on the Arizona strip riding horses and chasing wild cows.
2) Both of my children are adopted. Most people who find out can not beleive it.
3) I am not a member of any church. I am spiritual person. But I do not like organized religion.
4) I am truly an independent and not registered as a Republican or a Democrat. I think they both get it wrong.
5) I hate the cold. I love the warm sun. I could live in 90 degree heat year round.
6) I want to move to a foreign country for a year at least once in my life. I have traveled to a couple of different countries for work. It always amazes me how people are so different but so much the same.
7) I never went to Disneyland as a kid. So when my kids were old enough, I took them 3 times in 2 years! I also spent more time in the park than either of them did!

Rodeo Is Not an Event - It is a Lifestyle

We were practicing roping on Sunday. During the winter in Utah, we have to ride indoors. So we have to haul the horses, the cows and all of our equipment to the indoor arena.

We spent over 4 hours between practicing and hauling horses, kids and cattle back and forth. This is what our life consists of constant practice, chores and traveling to the next rodeo.

We were having dinner on Sunday night with my brother and sister in law who came down to help. As we discussed the days events, my daughter says hey mom when are we going to get a new dishwasher? (Ours broke about a week ago.) My reply was well we have 2 rodeos to enter in March and several more in April. So probably not until next fall.

That is when my sister in law and I both laughed. Rodeo is not an event. It is even more than a sport. It is a lifestyle. You have to live it to understand it. I really had no idea how involved it is until my kids started living it. You sacrifice the nicer things in life to make it to the next rodeo.

Some may think we are crazy and we probably are. We love what we do. We are very close as a family. My kids have learned some amazing lessons about life, sacrifice, competition, and hard work through rodeo. I wouldn't change a thing. (Except to have lots more money to rodeo full time.)

Junior High Rodeo

Brent and his partner are getting ready to Team Rope. We spent another weekend in St George for the Wrangler Junior High Rodeo. Although, the weather was not near as nice as a couple of weeks ago. We spent Friday all huddled together in the stands sharing as many Mr Heaters as we could.

This was not such a great weekend for Brent. His roping was par to poor. Now, I always like people to be accountable for their performance but sometimes there are circumstances. In rodeo, we call it the draw. The draw determines what stock or cow you are going to try to rope, ride or tie. Sometimes the draw is just not in your favor. This was one of those weekends. A lot of times, you will just get one bad draw in a rodeo. It may only be one day and for one event.

This weekend, I think Brent just had no luck at all. He drew 2 really fast calves in the breakaway roping. He roped one at the end of the arena in 8 seconds and took 9th. The other one just out ran his horse and he never got a shot.

So we had a good time seeing everyone but not a very productive weekend. Brent was really disappointed. His practice has been so good. He was sure he was going to do well.

As you can see from this picture, I need a new camera. My really nice had been to one too many rodeos. It finally just stopped working at the Dixie 6 in November. So I need to do some research for one that is rodeo proof.

Little Britches Rodeo Recap

So last weekend, we went to sunny St George for a Little Britches Rodeo. We had a good weekend. The weather was good until Sunday. We hung out with all of our friends and watched the kids compete. It is why we love to rodeo.

We did get off to a rough start on Friday. We all missed in the breakaway and team roping. Racheal hit poles and missed her first barrel.

However, the kids readjusted their focus and Saturday was a much better day. Brent won the breakaway roping with a time of 2.87 seconds. That is smoking fast. Racheal took second in the breakaway with a time of 4.17 seconds.

On Sunday Racheal and Parker placed 6th in the Team Roping. Racheal also placed 6th in Poles and 7th in Barrels.

Although I love to watch my kids compete, I also love to watch the kids that travel with us. Cole my nephew placed for the first time in Barrels on Sunday. He also placed in the Poles.

We have been helping Racheal's Team Roping Partner Parker learn to tie calves. This was his first weekend at a rodeo in Tie Down Roping. On Friday, he had no luck. He was just too nervous to throw his rope. On Saturday, he did a little better. He caught his calf but missed his slack. So the he only had the back legs. It is hard to tie 3 legs when 2 of them are stuck in your rope. On Sunday, he made it look easy. He roped the calf around the neck right out of the chute. Then he got off like he had been doing it forever. He got all three legs tied and it stayed down the full 6 seconds. His time was 15.6 seconds. That is a good time for seasoned ropers. We were so excited. I am sure you could hear all of us yelling.

Yes I Am Moving

I hate the cold. Really I do. I only live in Utah because my husband lives here.

It is so hard to get motivated to go ride or practice when it is cold. We have spent a lot of nights at the indoor arena riding, roping and practicing this winter but it is hard. We have to get all bundled up with our warm clothes in layers. Then we freeze while we are saddling and getting horses ready.

This weekend we were in St George for the Little Britches Rodeo. The weather was really beautiful especially since we came from freezing weather. It was about 60 degrees and sunny. I just sat out in it all day Saturday. I even got a sunburn! Yes I was excited about the sunburn.

Perhaps I have seasonal depression. I know I would rather cuddle up with a blanket and watch TV all winter than go out in the cold. I like to hibernate!

Anyway, I have made my decision. I am definitely moving to a warmer climate. I am not sure when it will be feasible but it is going to be sooner than later.

Partners

Team Roping can be a difficult sport. You have two kids, two horses, two ropes and one cow. There are a lot of places that it can go right or wrong.

One issue that we have struggled for Racheal is finding the right partner. We started off High School Rodeo with a really good partner. Then due to a family conflict, Racheal had to find a new partner. She has had several since then.

It is almost like dating, the partners have to get to know one another. They have to get used to the way the other one ropes and handles the cattle. They have to be able to support each other. They have to be able to agree on how hard they want to work and the amount of time they are going to spend at practice.

Racheal and Brent both have great partners this year for Little Britches Rodeos. Both of their partners want to practice. They seem to support each other at pratice and in competition. Racheal and her partner won the last go of the Little Britches Rodeo in Salina. Brent and his partner have placed in a couple of Little Britches Rodeos.

Christmas Party

Every Christmas we try to have a special Christmas party for the kids from Moab. Since their home life is less than ideal, we try to make our get together what every family party should be. We have a nice dinner. We included not only my mom their grandma but their great grandparents.

Since they are so far removed from our family, their grandparents only get to see them once or twice a year. So it is really nice for them to be able to spend time with the other side of the family.

We start with a big dinner and of course there are lots of treats. Then we get to play Santa and hand out presents. We also get the kids a stocking with lots of fun things as well as things they can really use.

Emma is really entertaining. For only being 3 she loves to get clothes and she really loves my grandpa. That is unusual because most younger kids are scared of him. He is a little gruff. She made Coy and my grandpa babysit the new baby she got. It is funny when a 3 year old tells adults what to do and they all listen.

Haillee just idolizes Racheal. She likes to be included in whatever Racheal is doing. Since we can't give her a real horse, I got her a digital horse to take care of. She loved it.

Tristen is into video games and TV. He just wants to play the Wii while he is here. This is really different from our family who is all about being outdoors and doing things together. I think he really enjoys time up here where he does not have to stress or take care of the girls.

When we spend time with them, I remind myself and my kids that our lives are truly blessed. We have a great family life. We do not have the strife and the heartache that they go through. Although I say we are blessed, the reason we live the way we do is we choose to. We choose to get along, work hard, be responsible, play hard and love each other. Life is a choice. We have no excuse not to make the most of it.