no calves yet

Everyone keeps asking how the calving is going and I have disappointed them when I have told them that we have not really begun.  One cow had a calf very early but she was able to handle the situation all on her own.  Then we have had a few others, and finally the first heifer had a calf this weekend.  Luke did give the calf one bottle and it has been find with the mother ever since. 
Allie had a basketball game on Saturday.  Her team finally managed to win a game.  They won by only two points.
We all crammed in the pickup along with Hannah and we went and checked cattle.  Lucky we did, one side of the hot wire fence was down.  So after fixing that we headed back to the house to enjoy the nice weather.
The kids got some drones from Christmas but it has been so cold, or the wind has been blowing.  Finally, they got a chance to fly them on Sunday.  Weston’s would not take off.  Addie and Allie were both able to fly theirs.  The batteries in them did not last long.
Weston was sick this week and kept a little cough around.  He got to spend the night with his cousin and he informed me that he was not even scared. 
My parents came to Allie’s game and my nephew’s game on Saturday, next weekend they will be at another grandchild’s game.  They will be heading up to see my sister and her family.  They have several birthdays close together and enjoy seeing everyone.  Maybe they can take a few pictures of snow so my kids will know what it looks like.

Banquet

Most of the staff from the Rural Messenger got to attend the Pheasant’s Forever banquet in Hutchinson this past weekend.  We played games, and my kids drank as many pops as the could and we all had a chance to sit around and catch up on non-office ideas.  Steve and Joyce Gilliland were also able to join us.  I hope they enjoyed their evening.  Nick Hollister of United Country in Newton was the auctioneer for the evening.
The Atrium Hotel and Convention center hosted the event.  I was surprised how big the banquet room was.  Most of the dinner was just so-so.  But I did hear lots of people say how wonderful the brisket was. Everyone also got to enjoy a slice of apple pie.  The meal was good considering how many people they served. 
All of the kids got a Pheasant’s Forever t-shirt and free one-topping pizza from Papa Murphy’s in Hutchinson.
I just hope my boss didn’t have any surprises when he paid his tab!

Into the fire

On Thursday in Pratt the unimaginable happened.  A house fire quickly burned and because of the fast-moving fire 4 children and their mother passed away. Allie and I drove by the house Saturday and the street was still blocked off.  The fire investigators are still working to find the start of the fire.
On the news we watched as the fire fighters first pulled up to the home site.  We could see one of our friends running by in his uniform to the scene.  I thought about how most fire fighters are “do-ers.”  They DO the hard things that need done.  Most people run from a fire, they run into the fire.  When they signed up to start their firefighter training, I am sure they knew that hard days would come in the future.  I am sure this was their worst nightmare come true.  No amount of training can prepare a person for dealing with the loss of a child. I imagine that these guys could only lay their heads down, but not sleep.  As they laid their head down, the scene played over and over in their minds.  What could have been different, could they have arrived sooner?  Questions I am sure continue to troll through their minds.  Many of them went home to see their own children and shed a few tears.
On Sunday our pastor prayed that the first responders would be free of guilt.  I too hope they will be free of guilt.  Even though most people know it was no fault of the firemen, I can see how they might carry around guilt. 
Perhaps I should summarize by saying how thankful I am for the DO-ERS in the world.  I am thankful so many wonderful people are willing to put their live on the line and run into danger.  I see these guys out training and their families also give sacrificially to the community.  They have taken time away from their lives to be ready in an emergency.
Many donations have come in.  If you feel compelled to donate this is one link https://www.gofundme.com/chfcjy-help-the-egglestonwheatley-family