War Zone

I live in a war zone. I live in a war zone, and I live in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Today was the first time in my life that I spent time with a family who just lost a son, a husband, a father, a friend who did not die of old age, he did not die of cancer, he did not die in a car accident, he died because he was murdered. He was murdered by a Mexican who was here illegally. He was shot as he was out checking water on HIS ranch. We live in a war zone and we live in the USA.

Every politician wants to turn their heads, close their eyes and ears to the war that happens everyday on this border. When will they wise up? When will our rights as an American citizen be more than those who come here illegally, and break our laws, take away our freedoms, and kill our neighbors? I am tired of being told that I don't count and that I do not matter.

People really don't understand what it is like to live close to the border. Our friends don't even think about leaving the house without a pistol and a rifle and they are ranchers. They live in a war zone. These are dangerous people, who are not afraid to take anyone's life so that they can continue to haul their drugs into the US.

How many lives have to be lost before Washington will stop playing games? This is not a game. And don't believe for one second that our borders our secure! That is a huge, HUGE lie. Check it out for yourself at www.borderinvasionpics.com. This is all happening in our backyard.

I have been pondering all day as to what we can do. First of all, pray. Pray for our friends and family who risk their lives everyday just by being out on their ranch. Pray for our leaders in Washington that they will finally use a little wisdom. And second, we have to voice our concerns. We can't just complain about what Washington and our state governments are deciding for us. We have to get involved.

They did not catch the man who murdered the rancher. They should have, but they did not. When will we the citizens finally say "enough is enough". Or will we have to stand by the motto of "live free or die"?

Winter in the Desert

The winter here has been incredible! We have enjoyed rain in the valley and lots of snow in the mountains. Last weekend Janette was here, so we spent a little time up in Turkey Creek. It is so beautiful!! It is a special time to get to see the water in the mountains. It's amazing how the sound of water is so peaceful and refreshing. As farmers, we pray that this water will help our water situation in the valley.





I love living in AZ where the scenery can change so drastically in just a 20 minute drive! We had fun with you, Nette! Ready for you to come back soon, and maybe the water will really be running when the snow starts to melt!

Jason

I came home for lunch and this is what I found. I've been teasing Jason about not getting me anything for our anniversary or for Valentine's day. He keeps telling me that he is looking for that "special something".

Well, today is special and for him to think of me this day is way more important than either of the other two days. Today it has been one year since I miscarried. It's hard to believe that a whole year has gone by, and that I still miss and think about that baby everyday. But, today, my sweet husband remembered me and my pain, and along with the card he wrote me a note. I have decided to share it with all of you.

It seems hard for me to understand the pain and the loss completely the way you do right now. But I feel it, too, as much as I can. And I love you deeply and can't even express in words what you and your happiness means to me! Thank you for being who you are, even when I'm not who I need to be. Your support, encouragement, and love promise me that we can handle whatever is to come in our future....with God's help!

I praise God for such a wonderful husband who I do not deserve. His compassion and understanding is what helps me endure days like this. I love you, Jason!

Playing catch up

I'm still alive, I promise! This is just a "catch up" blog. Usually, the winter is what we refer to as our slow time...not this year. Our calves kept us SOOO busy and now that they are gone I feel that my life is without purpose. OK, it's not really that bad but I do miss them terribly! Last month we sold one group of calves here in Willcox, and the other group we shipped to La Junta, CO. As a bonus, I got a small vacation out of the deal!! The calves left on a Saturday morning and we left Sunday morning.

We went straight to the sale barn in La Junta to check on the calves. They remembered me!! That was my last moment with #36. Sad isn't it! But once we knew that they were all ok we headed to Colorado Springs. We called a few people and gave them "hey, we just happen to be in town......what are you doing?" We were able to spend time with Jason's friend Eric, his wife and new baby, and his parents. We had a really good visit with them, and then we went and saw my cousin, Aaron, and his wife, Christina. We had a great visit with them as well. The next morning we went to Focus on the Family! That place is so awesome!! And if you like Adventures in Odyssey, you will LOVE their Whit's End wonderland park. We both agreed that one day when we have children old enough we are going back!

We left there and went back to La Junta to watch my babies sell. I was so sad when we left....I cried. Jason looked at me like I was crazy, but I just couldn't help. Even now, as I write this, tears. I told him that I would rather just have yearlings all year than farm. It was so much work, but so much fun! I miss them so much.

Anyway, since then we have added to our family. Her name is Daisy and she is a yellow lab puppy. And she is all puppy! She has been bitten twice on the face by one or both of our other dogs because she doesn't ever stop biting....ever! Jason loves her, but the jury is still out for me. Not really into the whole puppy stage. She is cute though.

My mom and my grandparents are in Israel at this very moment! She sends a text everyday and they have been to the Jordan River, where they could be re-baptized if they wanted, the Mediterranean Sea and now they are on their way to Jerusalem. They are going to Egypt as well. I can't wait to hear about their stories and experiences in the Holy Land. I'm jealous!

A fun filled Christmas

Hope everyone had a fun, safe, and a very Merry Christmas!! Our tradition is to start off Christmas morning at my Grandma's house for her famous cinnamon rolls, a family picture, and our gift exchange. Then we head over to my parents house for another gift exchange and Christmas dinner.

Here my parents are modeling the wild rags that I had got my mom. Aren't they cute?!?



This is our White family picture. My grandma has so many Christmas pictures hanging on her wall, and we all agreed that we are looking better as we age!

Rocky, Preston, Andrew, Dad, Jason, Chris
Paul, Paula, Kathy, Mom, Jodie, Grandpa
Denise, Brooke, Grandma, Sydney, Me








Two of our very sweet cousins! Denise is a nurse at the hospital in Sierra Vista, and Andrew is playing college baseball in Oklahoma.

Denise, Me, Stacey, Andrew








My parents always fry their turkeys. So this year my grandpa thought that it would be a great idea to fry a sand hill crane. My dad looks proud, but my Aunt Kathy doesn't look so sure.

Now we are waiting for Jen Jen's Circus to come to town so that we can finish celebrating!

Busy Times

Merry Christmas from Arizona! Good friends of ours had there annual Christmas party yesterday, and this was her Christmas tree. She had the local FFA chapter make the ornaments which were brands from ranches in the area.









Jason and I have been so busy taking care of our calves. This pretty much consumes most of our day everyday!! But as you can tell I'm in love with some of them. That is 36 giving me a kiss on the check. He is so sweet.....I'm going to miss him the most when they are gone.





My most recent cake. Not only did it look good, but it tasted really good! I think that I've found a new cake recipe.





Hope you have a wonderful Christmas celebrating the birth of our Savior!!

Tis The Season....

for cotton harvest!! Dad started stripping cotton yesterday, so I took the opportunity to snap a few shots. The field is so white that from the highway it looks like snow. This could possible be one of his best fields ever, and he has grown some pretty good cotton these last couple of years.











This picture is blurry, but he had just dumped a load onto the bowl buggy, which my brother is driving. And Preston is moving the cotton around so that they can get more into the buggy. The first time you see this done you think that they are going to dump it on the ground!










Here he is dumping the cotton into the module builder, and from there is gets pressed into a nice block of cotton that can be hauled away.

















Isn't it beautiful?










"Riding off into the sunset"!











When I was little, my family raised lots of cotton as did others in this valley. I remember getting to jump in the cotton trailers to smash down the cotton so that they could get as much as possible in the trailers. We also lived right next to the cotton gin, and I remember one time spending the night inside of one of the trailers. All those fun memories came flooding back yesterday with the smell of the cotton! What a wonderful life growing up as a farm kid....and being a farmer's wife!!