Surprise

Zeak had a surprise party brewing in his head.   Unbeknown to be he had already talked to Mitch and had most of the party planned.   I was left to prepare the food and the rest Zeak and Mitch would provide.   They had the cattle arranged for, got the bbq grill, they had invited the Winn's Shepherd, Neilson's, and Carters.  They were all coming before Dan got there and the plan was for the boys to run the shoots and the adults to rope.   We were going to have hamburgers and hotdogs.   Zeak wanted all of the horses saddled and ready so Dan could step on and go to roping.   Mitch and Zeak had come up with a wild story on how Tuff was hurt and they had hauled him to Nephi and Dan needed to meet them at the arena.  I'm not sure if he bought their story but he was surprised when he pulled in and saw all the horses, steers, and friends, and family.   His next surprise came when they roped him and gave him birthday spanken's right off the bat!   Zeak was elated when a guy from Arizona was looking at buying some horses and agreed to open shoots so the kids could rope with their dads.   It was a fun night they ate and roped until dark.  It got serious when the rally caps came out and the flag!   I know Dan enjoyed his night and hopes he knows how much we all love him especially Zeak!

My Pot of Gold

Today I received a txt from a friend that had a list of all the things she was thankful for.   Then Kaci brought home a punch of Lucky St Patrick's Day things.   Suddenly I knew I had to blog about my favorite Holiday.   St Paterick's Day.  So what is this silly holiday and why do I love it so much.   Funny that I love it and don't even know or maybe remember its meaning and history.

Saint Patrick's Day^] is a cultural and religious holiday celebrated on 17 March. It commemorates Saint Patrick (c. AD 387–461), the most commonly recognized of the patron saints of Ireland, and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. It is observed by the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion (especially the Church of Ireland), the Eastern Orthodox Church and Lutheran Church. Saint Patrick's Day was made an official feast day in the early seventeenth century, and has gradually become a celebration of Irish culture in general.

The day is generally characterized by the attendance of church services, wearing of green attire and the lifting of Lenten restrictions on eating, and drinking alcohol, which is often proscribed during the rest of the season.

The last part strikes me as funny church services but then we lift all rules after the service?  Kinda crazy but I guess tradition is tradition and its ok because we went to church first?

  So why Shamrocks and the color green.  According to legend, Saint Patrick used the shamrock, a three-leaved plant, to explain the Holy Trinity to the pre-Christian Irish people.  So what is Holy Trinity it is the belief of God being three divine persons, God, The Son, and the Holy Spirit.   They just have a different view on God being all three. 

Not far off what I believe.   Just that I believe they are separate personages.   I believe the Father and the Son are two personages with their own body and spirits.  We believe in the Holy Ghost.  

First Article of Faith.

 1 We ^abelieve in ^bGod, the Eternal Father, and in His ^cSon, Jesus Christ, and in the ^dHoly Ghost.

Originally, the color associated with Saint Patrick was blue. Over the years the colour green and its association with Saint Patrick's day grew.^[13] Green ribbons and shamrocks were worn in celebration of St Patrick's Day as early as the 17th century.^[14] Saint Patrick is said to have used the shamrock, a three-leaved plant, to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish, and the wearing and display of shamrocks and shamrock-inspired designs have become a ubiquitous feature of the day.^[15][16] In the 1798 rebellion, to make a political statement, Irish soldiers wore full green uniforms on 17 March in hopes of catching public attention.^[13] The phrase "the wearing of the green", meaning to wear a shamrock on one's clothing, derives from a song of the same name.

Today even though most people int he United States observe St Patrick's Day it is not an official holiday.   In the US it is not typically observed with church services rather lots of food and alcohol.  

Now that you have had my history lesson for the day I guess I should explain my love of the Holiday.   I was born on March 16th for the longest time I wished I would have been born on St Patrick's Day.   I really have no idea why other than, maybe in my simple childlike mind that would have made me more special to have my birthday on such a unique holiday.    My wonderful mom must have sensed my lack of self worth and confidence because at the age of 12 she made a big deal of my birthday being the day before St Patrick's day and gave me my very own shamrock plant.   From that year on she gave me something green to let me know how special and important I was.   So for that reason alone I have developed a love of this holiday.   Now 36 years later I have come to learn how special I am.   First,  I am a daughter of a King a Heavenly Father who loves me and wants what is best for me.    Second,  I am a daughter of earthy parents who love me and have taught me what is right.   Third, I am a Wife to an imperfect most wonderful Husband in the world.   Fourth, I am a Mother to three amazing children who teach and love me every day.   Fifth,  I am a Friend to so many amazing people.    The list could go on and on today.   My heart is very full and I am so very blessed.   Because of this in a few days I will not go searching for a pot of gold.    As you can see my pot is already pretty full of GOLD!   

CUJR Award Baunquet

The boys had there awards banquet the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. We tried not to let them know how they had done but someone slipped and told Zeak. He finally won his first saddle and he was pretty excited. He had an awesome year and improved a lot. He Loves to rope and can't wait to rope in his new saddle. Him and Dan also won another set of team roping buckles that they were excited about. Dan said there is nothing like winning a buckle with your son.

Jake had a great year as well he held the record for the fastest barrel run of the season for all three age groups. Him and Stran were the only two boys really in contention for the saddle this year and they had a great year it was so fun to watch them improve and gain confidence this summer. Jake said, Stran can have the saddle because there is no way I am riding a calf and I am pretty sure Stran would choose riding a calf over any of the other events.

They promise we can have a little break for the Holidays before we hit the practice pen hard but, with Zeak's new saddle I might have a hard time keeping him off.

Technology Is Great!

Normally I take my camera every where and this is one weekend I regret not taking it more.   For years my  family has spent time helping with the church ranch operation in Nephi.    For many reasons I have never actually been on a horse moving cattle with them.  I was either pregnant or had babies.   I never minded and was always fine staying at the ranch and watching the other kids and helping with dinner.    Don called us and ask for help moving cows.  Things were in transition for Dan at work and he was able to work from horseback with his cell phone.   Because Kaci Fae is older and Jake and Zeak were with us I was invited to ride.   I am so glad we took that opportunity it was so fun and relaxing.    I wish I had a photo of us horse back and I really wish I had a photo of Dan with his cell phone to his ear and reins in the other hand.   Doing what he loves while still making a living.   Since I don't have a photo of that you will just have to imagine it.  Dan comment several times he was so thankful for technology which allowed him to work from a phone.   The Shepherds were with us and the kids had pony races and swam in the big water tank.   They would race the ponies for  awhile water them in the water tank and then they would go swim in the water tank that they just watered the ponies out of.   I know a little gross but at Grandpa Don's anything goes.     It was an awesome weekend full of memories. 

Dan did several Brazilian BBQs this summer. He served a mission in Salvador, Brazil and he loves to share with others. This BBQ was for the scouts. We make beans and rice with the meat, everyone has to be brave and try them. My favorite part of the BBQ is the BBQ pineapple. I LOVE IT and so does most everyone. Lucky for us this BBQ isn't just a summer thing we love to BBQ year round.