Harvest 2011

This past Thursday night and most of Friday I got to enjoy some time with Charlie out at the family farm while he helped his dad with harvest.  While it was the first time I've been out to ride along with Charlie this season, I'm sad to say it will probably be last.  Let's just say...I pretty much knew my body was not going to like me going out there, but...I was stubborn and still went.  My lungs and allergies DO NOT like the dust, pollen, etc. etc. and being out there for a couple hours on Thursday night and from about 1:00 in the afternoon until 9:30/10:00 Friday night was a bit too long for my body to handle, and boy am I paying for it now.  My lungs are all wheezy and it feels like my heart is working overtime to get the oxygen I need, I feel like I have a fever, and I have a massive headache I think from my head just being so stuffed and probably not getting enough oxygen.

Anyways, I'm sure those of you who have husbands that are farmers know that when it comes to harvest time, you will not see your much of your hubby at all unless you go out and ride along with them.  Charlie usually tries to get over to the farm at harvest time as much as he can as he has the "farmer's blood" in him and just really enjoys it, but on top of that he's also been working at the sheriff's office.  So, I have learned that if I want to see him at all between his hours at the sheriff's office, working out at the farm, and sleeping, I have to go over there and ride along with him.  There were several days this week I did not get to see him at all as our hours were completely opposite and we had several different things going on.  So when it came to be Thursday night/Friday afternoon I was pretty excited to spend some time with him even if that meant riding in a combine/tractor for hours and paying for it later.  Thursday night I rode along with Charlie in the combine for about an hour an half and then I headed back to Mom and Dad's house and worked on some homework for awhile while mom worked on some sewing projects.  Then mom and I enjoyed watching the Mentalist on TV for awhile before I just about feel asleep on the couch.  On Friday I had to work until about 1:00 in the afternoon and then I headed back out to the farm and rode with Charlie the whole day until late that evening. (By the way thanks Dad for giving us the newer combine to ride in so that not quite as much dust would get in for me...I appreciate it!)

Here are some pictures from the day:

Wagons waiting to be filled

Taking a load to the elevator in Craig

A view of the farm from the field

The elevator in Craig

Charlie taught me how to drive tractor

I even drove it all on my own with a wagon attached out to the middle of the field ;)

Unloading the beans into the semi

Dad in the combine

There's the tractor & wagon I drove out to the field

Boe & his dad Jasper enjoyed running around all day together

The combine head or reel or whatever it's technically called

I just thought the rows looked so cool from inside the combine so I had to get a picture

Dad in the other combine across the field from us

And this is probably what my lungs look like right now (full of dust...yuck)

Charlie & Dad

Taking the tractor out for the night the finish off the last few rows of beans

Riding in the combine together

(I loved the second seat...it definitely beats sitting on the arm rest for hours)

 

A view of the beans from on top of the combine

Unloading the last of the beans into the wagon for the night

Opening for Guy Penrod!

Monday night my sisters and I had the privilege of opening in concert for Guy Penrod (who used to be apart of the Gaithers) at the Orpheum in Sioux Falls, SD. The evening was opened up with a group called the Masters Voice Quartet out of Sioux Falls, then our group did a couple numbers and the evening was finished out by Guy. We had a great afternoon getting to know Guy, the members in his band/family/crew, the men from Masters Voice Quartet, as well as the many individuals that put the event on. The evening went great and the songs sounded amazing in the orpheum.

Getting ready back stage in the green room











Warming up backstage


Prayin' it up backstage with Kansas' husband Danny


Merch table set up and all ready to go


Our Amazing Parents Jim & Jan


Hanging out with Guy backstage before performing


Masters Voice Quartet, Guy Penrod & Us


Performance Time...


So, there was only one technical difficulty the whole night...
The CD happened to skip on Kasondra's verse during our very last song. Guy decided to come on stage and "chit chat" with us and the audience while they worked on fixing things. It was no big deal...we all made light of it and no one really seemed to care :)


Enjoying Guy Penrod's Performance

Monday was also our parents 31st Wedding Anniversary! We want to wish them a very Happy Anniversary and thank them for once again giving up their time to come and support us along with our little sister.

Benefit Concert in LeMars

Sunday afternoon we had our benefit concert in LeMars, IA to continue raising funds for our upcoming mission trip to Haiti. The weather was perfect, it was a gorgeous sunny day outside and we had a great turn out. We shared several of our new acapella songs as well as a brand new song that features our little sister Jamaica (who has been begging to be apart of True Emotion ever since she could talk lol)! She did an amazing job we were all so proud of her. We feel so blessed by those who came out to support us at the funds that were received that day~God is Good!

Setting up...




Jamaica helping watch the little ones

Danny our Sound Man

Chilling before the concert




Jamaica sound checking for her first appearnce
with True Emotion singing her very own verse on a song!

Super Grandma...she's always so good about watching the grandkids so we can focus on our ministry



To God Be The Glory




 

A Special Happy Birthday to Dad Z too who's birthday was on Sunday!

Saturday Girls Night Out

Saturday was girls night out!  Charlie worked the 6 p.m.-3 a.m. shift so I had to find things to keep me busy.  Kelsie sent me a text early that afternoon and asked if I wanted to go out to a movie with her and Kasondra that night.  I couldn't pass that up.  I hate being at home by myself when Charlie is gone working.  I grew up in a house where there was always someone around and something going on, it's quite a bit different now.  So anyways, Saturday night Kelsie and Kasondra and I had sisters night out and went to the movie "Abduction."  It was a great movie.  Probably not the greatest when you're going to be home all night by yourself though.  Luckily, just as I was headed home from the movies I got a call from my girlfriend Jen.  She was bored and just wanted to get out of the house and do something.  So Jen and my other good friend Bethany came over for the night and we just enjoyed chilling at our place and catching up with each other!