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| photo by Ashley Lenard Photography |
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| photos by Ashley Lenard Photography |
Worrell Wanderings
2015
It is said that every
experience leads to growth. Such truth exists for us and preparing our
Christmas letter to share a piece of our lives with family and friends is a reflection
of not just our experiences, but the realization of how much we have grown with
each passing year. We certainly don’t think we are all that interesting but
want to share our every day happenings with those we consider part of our
tribe.
Pecos is the tallest
kid in third grade but that comes as no surprise. He’s just 9 years old but is
on target to reach the 5-foot mark before the candles on his next birthday cake
are lit. His first show heifer had her first calf this year, a monumental event
that has him eagerly planning for the next one. When a bull catalog turns up
missing from the magazine rack we know it is probably stashed away in his room.
Same goes for the Sullivan’s Show Supply catalog. He had quite a bit of success
at stock shows this year with his Hereford heifer and loves showing off the
hardware he’s collected. It will be a challenge to keep him in front of the
backdrop especially since he’s become fond of it. But it’s the friendships he’s
making along the way and pride he has when he does well that keep us in the
barn working to get him to the next one. He’s also raising a show pig for our
county stock show in January but says next year he’ll be ready for a steer. Too
bad our barn and his mother are not. He
played first base for his machine pitch team this year and put those long arms
to good use catching some wild throws. He has a competitive drive that runs
deep and pushed him to the front of the pack in the 600-meter event of our summer
track program. Casey thought he could actively participate in conditioning
practice only to realize his endurance isn’t quite what it once was. Pecos
looks forward to golf lessons in the spring but for now practices in our
pasture driving range.
Brazos turned 5 and
marched into kindergarten with his typical gusto. That soon wore off and his
amusement with education now centers primarily on the social opportunities
provided. He’s still a self-proclaimed chicken rancher but Casey is nonetheless
working on talking him out of raising broilers when his turn arrives for a 4-H
project. He says he may show a pig, which means it is a little too soon to
convert the pig pen to another cattle run. In the meantime he loves all animals
and has assembled a nice little funny farm. At the rate he’s going we’ll have
enough variety for our own live nativity scene next Christmas. He’s quite the
comedian...just ask him to tell you a joke. If he can’t seem to remember one be
prepared for him to make one up on the spot. He’ll keep going as long as you
keep laughing. He relished our family vacation to Florida this summer. It was a
dream come true for him to visit LegoLand and he thinks we should go back...every
week. Ever the adventure-seeker, he donned an Evel Knievel jumpsuit for
Halloween. There seems to be no end to his energy level so there’s a good
chance we’ll sign him up to bounce and catapult himself within the confines
of a padded space for gymnastics classes. Ninja training is not available
here in Harper.
Erin still enjoys photography
even though the time to practice is limited. The end goal of her learning is
yet to be defined but for now she appreciates the opportunity to attend workshops
and study as much as she can about it. She spent a week this summer in Santa
Fe, New Mexico capturing much of the enchanting landscape. She can’t wait to return...anyone
care to join her? The women’s photography conference she attended this fall
introduced her to new photography friends that are sure to expand her knowledge
and adventures. She finally took the time to attend the Ag Media Summit this
summer to network and learn from others who share the same passion for agriculture
communications, but she was beyond humbled when they honored her with the Best
of the Bunch photography award. She continues working for Demeter
Communications along with taking on a few freelance projects. The ability to
share her skills, help others and learn something new keeps her wanting more.
That may sound like quite a full schedule but it is all built into and around
the time it takes to be a full-time mom, wife and dreamer.
Casey has
successfully avoided the accidents and mishaps that should accompany the number
of hours and miles he spends on the road. He’d like you to believe it has
something to do with cat-like reflexes, but we know he has guardian angels working
overtime. He’ll keep at it as long as the customers keep calling although none
of us would mind if he had time to finish a few big projects here at home, like
expanding and improving the show barn. We are thankful he has the health and
ability to continue doing some of the best beef carcass ultrasound work for the
finest customers. We say it every year but they really make the time Casey is
gone from home worthwhile. Don’t ever doubt that he’ll work all day then drive
all night to get home in time to spend time with the boys and Erin. He’s
enjoying being a stock show dad and has ambitious plans for adding to the show
string. Erin has her reservations about the number of bovine under
consideration. Her efforts to divert those plans are coming up short,
especially when he has Pecos on his side. It’s only a matter of time until
Brazos abandons Erin’s idea for a larger and expanded chicken pen and coop in
favor of dad’s scheme.
We appreciate each of
you for being part of our lives, sharing our experiences and witnessing our
growth. We hope it somehow blesses you, inspires you or at the very least makes
you laugh. But above all we hope you experience the peace and joy that comes
from celebrating the birth of our Savior this season so that you too may witness
growth, for as John Henry Newman said, “Growth is the only evidence of life.”
Merry Christmas and
Happy Blessed New Year,
The Worrells
Casey, Erin and the
RiverBoys
