March Madness...

Well March has nearly come and gone...around here it came in like a lion with the running around we had to do to prepare for things to come. We started the month preparing appetizers for a "Taste of Italy" dinner that our women's ministries group had at the church. A good friend and I cut and chopped our way through most of a day to have appealing appetizers for just over 100 people. Doug stepped up and was the punch/drink guy, along with another friend. The next night we had a blast with an impromptu dinner with two close couples. The next week started out crazy...we got our pictures taken for the church directory, the guys headed to Chicago for a three day conference, and I delivered Erik's items (for display only) to the Oaklawn Benefit Auction. The theme this year was western...Erik let a gal that works on the program peruse his barn and she found lots of treasures to use for decoration. We wrapped up the week with Katie up at the FFA State Convention...her Ag Issue Group ended up with a Silver Award. Katie also got an Outstanding Junior Award. I met up with friends and finally saw my BFF Melissa. It was only for a brief time...but it is always good to make that connection. The steers were weighed in on Saturday the 12th. The kids again took on the responsibility in getting them down and weighed-in. They tried to be first...but Erik's good friends beat them. I think maybe he (Erik) should have bought some donuts then...right Avery? All that week I was prepping and preparing items for my freezer...making menus, stocking up items, for....... Our trip to Hawaii!!!! Doug and I went to Maui Hawaii for 10 days. What a wonderful time we had. I (the nervous traveller) did awesome, thanks to my prayer warriors! Even the 8 hour flight didn't even bother me. We saw some good movies to keep the time occupied. While there we...biked down a volcano, surfed, worked on our tan, visited the island of Lanai taking a boat over and back. While there we toured the island some, snorkeled and then we even ended up with a school/pod of dolphins that came near shore. They were just 10' below me in the water it was incredible!! We also, survived the road to Hana, and rode a helicopter back to the other side of the island, saw some incredible waterfalls, relaxed, walked over an hour every day, worked on our tan, saw a beached monk seal, (there are only 1100 left in the world), saw whales every time you looked out into the water in one direction or another, went to the Aquarium getting a view of the things in the water we didn't see, snorkeled by our hotel and saw sea turtles larger than a ring I can make with my hands, and saw a theatrical performance of Hawaii...oh yeah...and worked on my tan! :) We had a blast, the kids got along (for the most part), and we are back into the swing of things. While we were gone Erik went to the State FFA Alumni Convention that was held in Marshall and did an awesome job auctioning a few items they had for their live auction. We got a text from a friend saying he did great! We returned on my nephew Edwardo's birthday and the first of the month our niece Lena had a birthday too. Since we have been back the twins were in a play...they did an awesome job! Doug is breaking ground for his next new projects while getting ready for the planting season. Erik is preparing to have his wisdom teeth out next Monday...I will write in April how that goes. The first calf was born...actually two calves have been born but the first one we lost. Both were bulls...so...life is good...Katie is set for next year...hopefully she will have lots to choose from. So we are back, and on track for the planting season. I can't say that there haven't been days that I could jump on a plane and head right back there...something to look forward to in the future. That is all...that is my March briefing...or more like novel...may you enjoy your April showers and all they bring and also my friend...Be blessed! :)