Happy 2nd Birthday Kinsley!!!

Today is Kinsley's 2nd Birthday and I decided that I am done feeling bad for dropping my kids off at the babysitters on their birthdays. So I took the day off and the kids and I had a great day. We had pink pancakes for breakfast, got ready and headed to Idaho Falls. We ran a couple errands and went to lunch at Chik Fil A so the kids could play in the play yard for 1 1/2 hours, then to get birthday balloons at the party store and then to Blast Off for the kids to play for another 2 1/2 hours. All three of us had a great time, no schedule, no deadlines, just fun all day, it was much needed for all of us. We wandered home and Wade brought pizza home, we opened gifts and ate cupcakes. WHAT A GREAT DAY.

Ryder in the ball pit, he had so much fun and was sweating most of the day from running constantly.

Kinsley had to try on all her outfits and push her stroller. This picture is the best because it captures Kinsley's attitude, humor and cuteness in one pose....

It took about 15 tries to get the candles lit since the kids would blow the minute Wade lit the lighter! So funny, good laughs.

She never even ate any cupcake, it was all frosting.

And here's a great pic capturing Ryder's attitude, personality, humor and cuteness all at once. Notice how sweaty his hair is!

They were absolutely perfect kids today. If they would promise to be that good everyday and I didn't need the paycheck, and no insurance, I would quit my job and stay at home full time!!

We had a lot of fun. Can't wait till Ryder's birthday! My kids are wonderful and the light of my life, Wade's in there too.

I can't believe how big they are getting, shocking. They change weekly and mature a little less often! Good times.

Thought for the day:  "Happiness is a Choice."

Thoughts and Prayers

So this past week has been a roller coaster. I have been informed of just three of the many people in our community that need our thoughts and prayers.

 

We are sending out well wishes to Anita B. and her entire family as they embark on a difficult journey over the next few months. I really don't know that I have ever met any nicer people and am thankful that they are such a huge part of my family's life. Keep them in your thoughts and send them well wishes.

 

Another family needing our support is Jessie Woodland's family. She is just 25 and in her second battle with cancer. I have included the information for donations to her for medical bills. Please keep their whole family in your thoughts and prayers, they need all of us right now and we wish them the best.

 

A fundraiser has been set up for Jessie online at www.gofundme.com/755rqk with a goal of $10,000.
Raffle tickets are being sold for $10 at Blackfoot Medical Clinic and A to Z Pawn (in Blackfoot) for chance to win an XDM-45 subcompact handgun. And, an online auction is being held through Uptown Photography in Pocatello. For information on the auction, find Uptown Photography on Facebook.

 

We are also asking for you to keep Grant Hacking and family in your thoughts. He has a severe heart condition and is in Salt Lake. He needs lots of support and well wishes. There are two fundraisers being organized, one of which is tentatively scheduled for May 10th in Blackfoot. There is to be a live band, food and live auction. I will keep you posted as more information becomes available.

 

Some things in life don't make much sense, but I believe everything happens for a reason. We just may not agree with the reason.

 

Stay safe. Hug your loved ones and live each day to the fullest.

More Ag

Good morning, hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the beautiful rain we are receiving. It's a little inconvenient, but we will be dang glad we had it this summer.

Calving is in full swing, that's why the rain may be a little inconvenient, but sure needed. I wanted to give out a little more information about Ag in Idaho. I mentioned before the Idaho Preferred Program, I wanted to give out a little more information on this, because I don't think many of us know what this is all about.

Idaho Preferred is a marketing program set up by the Idaho State Department of Agriculture which promotes the quality, diversity and availability of Idaho food and ag products. If you take the time to look in the grocery store you will see the Idaho Preferred label on some of the items. If you see this logo it identifies products grown or processed in Idaho. Which in turn means you are supporting local farmers and communities. Their website: www.idahopreferred.com has links to help you find local products, programs and events, Idaho recipes, gift ideas, school events, nurseries and retail & food service partnerships. It will also help you determine what fruits and veggies are in season at a particular time. Everything from apples to winter squash and what you can expect to see at your farmer's markets. This is a great website, everyone should check this out.

In the above picture you will notice the Idaho Preferred logo that we should all be watching for when grocery shopping. Idaho ag has so many great things to offer, we as consumers just need to support it!

Ag Facts

I am all about agriculture and have learned that I need to be more of a promoter of all ag, since my entire livelihood depends on it. I have a unique situation since my family and/or myself have had cattle my entire life and for the past 8 years I have worked in the ag lending field, so literally my livelihood depends on agriculture and it's success.

Since completing my last session and graduating from Leadership Idaho Agriculture I have come to the conclusion that I have lived with blinders on my eyes for quite some time. I have always assumed that people in Idaho know where their food comes from, how it's produced, grown and harvested! WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!!! There are people of all ages right here in Idaho that don't know where their food comes from and granted due to our overwhelming exports from other countries a majority of our food does not come from Idaho, yep I said it, we have got to buy Idaho. Here's a couple interesting facts provided by Idaho State Department of Agriculture:

If Idahoans had to consume all products produced within the state in 2012, every Idaho resident would need to consume EACH DAY:

• 210 slices of bread
• 55 potatoes
• 2 lbs. of cheese or 43 glasses of milk
• 1.5 lbs. of beef
• 2 onions
• 3 cups of beans and more......

Amazing? Yes, why are eating food that is not grown in Idaho? How much safer and fresher can you get than grown right here in our beautiful state?

Top 5 Countries we Export to:

• Canada
• Mexico
• China
• Japan
• Korean Republic

2012 Top Idaho Commodities as a Percentage in US Market:

• Potatoes
• Trout
• Hay
• Austrian Winter Peas
• Barley

We are #1 in he US for the production of: potatoes and trout; #2 in Hay, winter peas, barley, sugar beets and wrinkled seed peas and the list goes on......
Another growing industry that many don't know about is the wine industry. The first grapes were grown in Idaho in 1864! We now have over 1600 acres of vineyards with over 50 wineries producing wine!!!

Top 5 Idaho Commodities:

• Milk
• Cattle/Calves
• Potatoes
• Wheat
• Hay

A little shocked that potatoes are #3, join the club. We produce many crops in Idaho in larger quantities than many are aware of; dry beans, onions, mint, trout, lentils, peaches and mink - just to name a few.

Anyone know what the average age of an Idaho farmer is?  57
Nothing against these 57 year olds, we wouldn't have much of what we all have today without them, but this says to me that we need young farmers/ranchers to step up, take control and start producing.

This is my vent subject for today. We need to buy Idaho, grow Idaho and support the young producers entering the market.

SUPPORT LOCAL AGRICULTURE