Just Jump

Trampolines.  They are responsible for a number of accidents each year, just ask any insurance agent.  But they can also be a source of much fun and laughter.  As a kid growing up we didn't have much exposure to trampolines.  About junior high age I had my first friend that owned one and I was in awe of their flips and their ability to jump way too high.  When I began working for Bahrns Equipment I realized that they sold trampolines.  We don't sell them anymore, but I was able to save up and buy one at a little over cost so my kids were lucky enough to grow up with a trampoline around.

We didn't experience any broken bones.  We had a few bumps and bruises, more than our share of bloody noses, but we also had a lot of fun.  I realize as I watch the grandsons jump on this trampoline that it is hard to not smile when jumping.  It is hard to not smile when watching someone jump because the fun they are having kind of overflows to everyone around them.

This picture is of Kale jumping really high, or at least that was his opinion of this session.  He was almost to the sky and having a great time.  After giving birth to three children, I am much less likely to jump on a trampoline these days, but after seeing this picture again, I am going to make an effort to take a few sessions of jumping with the boys myself next summer.

Laugh often, Love deeply and Live Life like there is no tomorrow, because there very well may not be.

Joy

Another Summer picture.  I love Summer.  I love being Grandma so I decided to post another summer picture of a grandson.  I called this one joy because seeing a kid have fun and being able to be part of why they are having fun is one of life's greatest joys.

I remember swimming being one of my favorite summertime activities.  A group of friends would go to the beach and spend the entire day.  I don't think we ever used sunscreen, but I don't remember ever really getting burnt very often.  My brother would get burnt to a crisp and he would peel and he would go back for more.  We really didn't know much about sunscreen or the terrible affects of too much sun.  Now it is habit to grab the sunscreen before doing anything else.  The grand kids stand in front of me in an assembly line fashion with their eyes and mouths closed and their arms straight out.  No one argues about putting sunscreen on, it is just a way of life.

I remember learning to swim and going off of a diving board for the first time like it was yesterday, even though it was so many yesterdays ago.  Being able to go in the deep end at the public pool where my dad lived was a big deal.  It was like taking a huge step in the growing up process.  My brother and his friends would always hang out in the deep end before I had the skills to join them.  I realize now that it was probably just a way to get away from his annoying little sister without giving me a reason to tattle on him.  I think he was probably as disappointed as I was proud of the day I made my first jump, while holding my nose of course, off of the low diving board.

I remember we would ride our bikes to the pool because we were too young to drive.  Dad and Kathy would spring for a summer pass for us so we could go every day.  The only days in the summer that we didn't go were when we were on the road at a rodeo or when the weather was bad.  I look back and realize that even when my brother was avoiding me he was always still looking out for me.  There were a few times that someone would pick on me at the pool, and if it wasn't one of his buddies he would just seem to show up and hang around until the person would leave me alone.  Getting bullied didn't happen often, but I do realize that he has always had my back.

I remember the joy I felt the first time that I had the guts to climb the high dive ladder and jump off.  It seemed like it took days before I hit the water but when I came up to the surface afterward I felt a sense of accomplishment that I can still remember.  Above is Kaden, I know when he first started going off the diving board he seemed to have that same feeling.  This summer when he finally learned how to dive, I saw an accomplished look on his face, and it was priceless.

I will always love Summer, it is my favorite season, and I will always love the memories I have.  I know I am not a fan of Winter, but without it I don't know that I would realize how much I love Summer.  If there were never bad in our lives we really wouldn't have the ability to appreciate all the good.  We all need to take the time to experience the joy, and appreciate life in general.

With Fall here, and knowing Winter is around the corner, I will reference those Summer memories and try to remember without one the other isn't so sweet.  I challenge everyone else to do the same.

The old bird dog that didn't hunt

This is Lou.  Lou has been in our family for about 15 years now and he an English Setter.  Lou was introduced to us by a friend who had gotten a bird dog that was a "little gun-shy".  I am starting to believe being a "little gun-shy" is like being a "little pregnant"...

Lou is a good dog, although a little skiddish, and he has been since we brought him home.  He likes to hunt, as long as there is no shooting going on he will hunt all day.  When the first gun goes off he likes to find a hole or dig a hole to hide in.

Why would any hunter keep a gun-shy dog around and feed him year round?  Meet our family.  We tend to take in those animals that no one else wanted and give them a home to live out their natural lives.  What did we, as a family, get by taking in this particular porch hound?  He, as most dogs, has always shown unconditional love and loyalty.  He has also fathered one of Todd's favorite hunting dogs.

In our lives many dogs have come and gone.  We have had some that haven't been around long and we have had those that have secured a place in our hearts and will always be remembered.  As for Lou, we are estimating his age to be somewhere around 17 or 18 and although he is starting to show his age most days he is still pretty full of life.

This weekend is the coveted opening day of another quail season.  After Todd and the other dogs leave for their daily adventure I will try to have a special treat ready for Lou to enjoy. I will be able to look out my front window and see Lou, sitting in the front yard looking toward the road waiting for their return.  He always looks so sad, as if he wants to hunt, but knows it just isn't possible.  As we look at another winter, we wonder if this will be Lou's last one, or if he will make it through it at all.

Loyalty is something that is often overlooked and unappreciated.  We can depend on Lou to be there, at least as long as the good Lord allows him to be.  Sometimes we think we have been put on this Earth for one reason because  we have always been told that, when in actuality maybe our purpose in life is something completely different.  This English Setter was born to hunt, or at least that was what they thought would be his main purpose, but this one was destined to be something different and in some ways something more.

Enjoy..... Really Enjoy

I have gotten very lax with my blog posts and am hoping to put it as a priority again.  I really enjoy posting and love getting feedback from those that read what I write, so I am not sure why I have let it slip down on my list of priorities, but I have.  

This picture was taken in a family member's pool.  It was a memory for me of two brothers having fun together.  They are 10 and 4 but they still, for the most part, enjoy one another's company.  This summer I got to take them with me when I went to house sit for my in-laws and had the opportunity to spend some much needed Grandma time.  

As I write this I am waiting for a call from my youngest daughter to let me know that another grandson is ready to make his entrance into the world.  I have three grandsons now and am looking so forward to another one.  Can I honestly say that I would have been disappointed if the sonogram earlier this year had shown that I was going to need to start shopping in the little girls section?  No, I would have been happy with a little girl too but I am also excited to add another boy to our bunch.  

As for this particular picture, the smiles automatically make me smile.  The days that I can sit back and enjoy, I mean really enjoy my grand kids are some of my most treasured days.  To listen to a giggle that you caused by something you said or did can make any day better and bring me out of any negative state of mind immediately.  To hear the word Grandma, or ma ma as my grandsons have called me when they can't pronounce grandma is one of the best sounds in the world.  

The ability to spend time with kids and enjoy them is a treasure that is worth more than any monetary thing could be.  If you have kids or grand kids, or nieces or nephews take the time.... really take the time to enjoy the moments you get because they won't be little long and the days that they have time for us will be only a memory.  Their lives will get busy like our lives are now and when the shoe is on the other foot we will be wishing we had taken the time to enjoy...... really enjoy them when we had the chance.