~The Zomermaand's~

Friday, November 4, 2011

2:00 A.M.

Ok...so here it is 2 a.m. and I am exhausted but I cannot fall asleep for the life of me. I got off work at 4:30 today, headed home and picked up the house a bit before I headed over to my parents at about 5:00. I got to my parents house and we headed over to Orange City right away where the Dordt Volleyball team was going to take on Northwestern College. My sister Jasmyn plays on the JV team and also suits up for Varsity, so I like to try and go to as many of her games as possible, especially when they're close to home.

I talked to Charlie a few minutes this afternoon quickly when he stopped in my office, but he was off to work already by 3:45 so I really haven't had much time to talk to him at all over the past couple of days. Anyways, I was planning on running supper over to him in Hull as he was the Hull patrol car tonight and I usually take supper there to eat with him, but I warned him tonight might be a later just depending on how long the games take, etc. Sure enough, the teams ended up playing four matches and was about 9:45 when we were leaving the gym and we haven't eaten supper yet... I was starving and my poor hubby probably was too. I tried to call Chinese and Pizza to order to pick up so I could grab it and head over to Hull right away but go figure it's too late and most places are closed by 10. Thankfully Subway was still open...thank you, thank you, thank you. So I quick ran to Subway and told Charlie I would be leaving any minute and heading over to Hull. He said he could probably just swing by home and just quick pick up the sub and head out as he had to run to the Office in Orange City to drop some paperwork off. It was probably about hour or so later and he showed up, grabbed his sub and chatted with me for a few minutes before I heard some voice talking through his earpiece. I could tell something was up as his eyes focused like he was listening really closely to what was being said (and not just a normal "look" but one that seemed like something was up). Of course being who I am, I always worry and wonder what is going up. But, as soon as the person on the other end of his ear piece (probably dispatch or another office) was done talking he got up right away and said I got to go and was out of the house like that. I didn't ask questions and just said, "ok I'll see you later". I try not to be nosy or interrupt him when he has things to deal with and quite often needs to get out right away, but I just can't help let my worries get in the way sometimes. He was supposed to get off from his shift at 12:45 tonight (or technically this morning I guess) and it's already 2:21 a.m. and he is still not home. I sent him a text right at about 12:45 when he was supposed to be getting off just asking, "You going to be home in time" in hopes of some response so I knew everything was ok and he was just busy with something and might be late. But sure enough, no reply. I just hate it when I don't get a reply back after a decent amount of time. Yes I understand he's probably dealing with something important, but trust me if you were the wife of an officer you would probably wonder if he was ok too and what is going on sometimes when it has been awhile after he was supposed to be off shift. So anyways, like I said, I'm exhausted but I just can't fall asleep as I wonder where my hubby is and what he is doing at the moment. It's been awhile since I've had a chance to blog so I just thought while I was up and couldn't sleep I'd write you all!

By the way have any of you seen the movie Courageous? I have been wanting to see if for a couple weeks now, but we just haven't had a chance to make it to a showing yet. I think this weekend we may trying to finally go and see it though.

Anyways, you all have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend!

Jamie

Sunday, October 2, 2011

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

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

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!