We Are a 4-H Family

I remember the year that I joined 4-H. I was in 4th grade. My projects were food and nutrition and lambs. My mom and I worked together to make a dish that was healthy but yummy and I had to learn what kinds of nutrients were in the dish and be able to tell the judges about it. My dad and my Uncle Andy helped me choose a sheep that I would learn to feed, set-up and exercise. It was a great first year and both of my projects were 1st place worthy.

While I remember joining and what my projects were, I don't remember WHY I joined. However, once I was in, I wasn't leaving. 4-H was so interesting to me. Learning about something new, telling others about what I learned and being in the stock show just felt right for me.

Trey was also active in 4-H. He showed lambs too and shot guns. Go figure, boy stuff! He joined because his mom had been a 4-H member in Goliad and she was the 4-H program assistant in Goliad. So it made sense for him to be in 4-H. Julie was such an inspiration to so many young people, including me.

4-H was such a huge part of our lives. If we, Trey & I, weren't busy with school and athletic activities, we were busy with 4-H activities. The funny thing is we didn't even know each other but we were both building a foundation of involvement and service that would lead to much more.

In 1989, I attended District 14, now D-11, Leadership Lab in Brownwood, TX. I was going to run for a district office. It was the first time I had ever tried for such a position, and I was very nervous. It was so much fun! The Texas 4-H Center holds great memories for me, but the best one is meeting my husband there. He was running for District President. Well, he had my vote! I vividly remember calling my mom on the pay phone and telling her about this good looking guy from Goliad who was a lifeguard and had lines in his hair (don't ask, but oh they were hot!).

Soooo.....the ending of the story is the President and his Secretary fell in love, went to college on 4-H scholarships and got married. Awww!

Then they had kids. And why not sign them up for 4-H, too! Our boys are enjoying this organization as much as we did. They are learning and serving and becoming positive members! We are so proud and feel things are heading full-circle!

Last night at the 4-H banquet, Weston was awarded the Bronze Star for his involvement, interviewing abilities and hard work. We are proud of his achievement, but also know that the best is yet to come. We tell the boys that they don't need to win awards to encourage them or make them feel good. Involvement and service to others are the awards everyday! Mac and Weston each feel like there is more to do, and they are anxious to get busy doing!


The 4-H motto, "To Make the Best Better" is a great reminder that our work here is never done. We all should strive to keep growing, learning and doing and trying to make our best even better. That doesn't always mean aiming for the top award or getting Grand Champion. For us it means making ourselves better people by what we say, think and do. We tell the boys people will remember how you make them feel and what your character is like more than what awards you win.

So, yes we are VERY proud of Weston and the award he was presented. But we are a 4-H family who is proud of the fine young men our boys are becoming, thanks greatly in part to their involvement in 4-H.

We are a 4-H family! Nothing could be better!