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Christmas letter, 2004

We are celebrating our 3rd Christmas season in Missouri this year. How time flies! It’s been quite a year. I’m not sure where to begin.
I’m late in getting this written, so I’ll just cover some of the “top stories.” (Sorry, I’m a journalist, what do you expect?)

We’ve had several week-end guests this year, including friends and family from Illinois, Iowa and Idaho. We must be doing something right, because we usually have return visitors. Both of us love to entertain, so whether it’s riding 4-wheelers, playing music in the barn, or just
“visiting,” we certainly enjoy having a full house.

We made a quick trip to Denver to the National Western Stock Show in January to look for new genetics for our Simmental cattle herd. Calving season went well, with all live babies on the ground.

We joined our little country church in April.

Summer came, and once again, we had a big garden. I canned green beans, tomatoes, and
salsa, and froze okra and peppers.

I asked Jim for input on “highlights of 2004.” Without hesitation, he said, “getting a 3rd cutting of alfalfa hay up dry.” It has been a
rainy year here in mid-Missouri. Our grass, although no longer growing, is still green, despite the cold temperatures.

With a couple of 14-year old boys (who have adopted us) in tow, Jim took cattle to a couple of fairs this summer. There were no grand champions this time, but we were “in the hunt.”

We made it back to Illinois for State Fair in August and for The Annual Puyear Family Dove Hunt over Labor Day Week-end.

We celebrated our first wedding anniversary in September.

Jim shot a 10-point buck during deer season this fall, so we’ll have another dead animal to improve the decorating scheme of our home. I, too, shot a buck, but his were buttons, not yet antlers.

This brings us to December. Our halls are decked, the presents wrapped, and Faron Young is singing Christmas carols. God is in His Heaven, and All is well with the world! The weather man tells us we can expect a white Christmas.

Jim continues to enjoy teaching. Between the cattle and the kids, his days are full.

My job at Brownfield is going very well. I have a wonderful staff that understands the meaning of teamwork, so I can get away from time to time without worrying about the product. Their passion for agriculture and truth is awe-inspiring.

At a conference earlier this year, a very successful businessman shared one of his “secrets” for building a great team. He said, “Never reward average.” I am blessed, nothing my team does is average. I learn something new from them every day.

I hope that you are learning something new every day. As you look back on 2004, I hope your memories are not only of achievements on the farm or in your business, but of moments spent with those you love, and of doing what you love to do.

Merry Christmas from Rocking P Ranch!

Cyndi Young-Puyear