Purpose and Passion

Seasons Greetings, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year all rolled into one!

At a recent family Christmas celebration we were tasked with giving a gift that meant a little more. Something given with a reason, to really represent that person or a hope you had for them. I had my 14 year old niece. Not always an easy task. So I focused on the dreams I had for her and came up with the words Purpose and Passion. I want my niece, and the rest of my nieces and nephews, my children, my husband, my family and friends and myself to have Purpose and Passion in life. I’ll explain shortly, but first an update.

While many of you have been by my side and near me during the last few years, I wanted to write this update, to put down on paper (or the internet, which lasts forever) the memories and special moments for my kids to read later. Life goes fast.

My personal life has been in a whirlwind of change over the last 18 months. For the better. After hitting mental and emotional bottom, I’ve been doing all the things possible to get my feet under me again. Our family doesn’t revolve around me, but without one piece of our family puzzle, the whole thing falls apart. I’m so blessed to have chosen a husband, and created kids that are beyond loving, empathetic, compassionate and supportive. We are strong and resilient. We can traverse the winds of any storm, together.

Through counseling, group therapy, medication, physical activity, supportive family and friends, a community to lean on and more, I am feeling much better. In April of 2024, I traveled with a dear friend to Tijuana, Mexico to undergo gastric bypass surgery. I’m so thankful to my friend Tiffany, who gave up time from her busy life and family to travel with me during this life changing experience. In July I joined a gym, new to town, for a ten week course. I had great reservations and zero confidence walking into 222 Trained that first day. However, it has become a second home to me. My trainer, Jordan, is amazing and the ladies I work out with have become good friends. I’m also creating the body I’ve always wanted. A body that is health and strong. A body that is energized and capable. A body that can give to my family for many, many years to come. As of writing this letter, I am down 105 pounds from my heaviest personal weigh in. That’s a huge weight off my shoulders (pun intended). Along with my journey to better health, inside and out, I’ve been doing a lot of the usual mom things. I still work as a substitute teacher. I am a poorly-paid taxi driver. I’m better at dishes and laundry then I’ve ever been, thanks to LOTS of practice.

The rest of the family is doing wonderfully. Just over a year ago, Ross took a new job with a logging company. He spends most of his time buying trees from land owners that his company then cuts and sells to mills. Occasionally he helps cut trees too. He enjoys the variety of work and the challenges it brings. He’s very good at his job and has been wonderfully successful. It also helps greatly that he is appreciated by his boss and his skills are supported. Ross is constantly on the move, if not with work, with the farm and family. He loves his cows and fields. He REALLY enjoys working on maintaining all the vehicles and equipment on the farm… or at least he’s good at keeping everything going. He has a very specific set of vocabulary to use when working on such projects. Last April, while participating in a Rodeo, Ross has a bad accident. He had an intense interaction with a steel post and his shoulder. The post won. After a few nights in the hospital, a major surgery and several trips to Iowa City, he is healing really well. His doctors said they have never seen anyone heal so nicely. A statement which went immediately to Ross’s head. Haha. Ross still continues to beg to go back to riding, but his very mean wife refuses to allow this to happen. Please feel free to inform Ross on your own that you feel his bronc riding days should be over.

Before I get to the kids, I want to go back to Purpose and Passion. Purpose. A purpose is what gives us meaning. A purpose spreads motivation, a goal, a reason to try. It is purpose that creates a space to move forward. We all need a reason for simply being. Purpose gives us that. And Passion, that’s our enthusiasm for life. Passion is the personal piece, that part that is special and unique to each of us individually. Passion is what drives you, what gives you reason to continue, to finish the task. Purpose is our plan, and passion is the love we need to complete it. It is through both purpose and passion that we create our path to success. Success in intention, success in devotion, success in life.

Purpose and Passion are gifts I hope to instill in my children. And, without bragging, they are doing a really good job. I’m so proud to be their mom. They are awesome humans… at least 74% of the time!

Josiah is so hard working and driven. He loves farming, his animals, fishing, art and all things rodeo. Josiah was able to show a pig, sheep and steer with 4H during the Allamakee County Fair this year. He was a great asset to his football team, playing both offense and defense as well as kicker. Josiah is hard at work to turn his hound dog in to a world class coon hound, thanks to the inspiration from his favorite book, “Where the Red Fern Grows.” While starting middle school has not been his most favorite activity, he continues to go and we are thankful for that. Josiah’s most favorite activity, and one he’s always willing to discuss, watch and always participate in, is rodeo. He is becoming quiet a good bull rider. Over the past year he’s had opportunity to ride in lots of rodeos, both big and small. He even traveled with his brother, dad and friends to Oklahoma this year to participate in the PYRA National Finals. Josiah never gives up, no matter what kind of injury he received or how good or bad his ride was. His determination is above and beyond that of most people I know.

Charlotte is a friend to all, kind and genuine. Charlotte loves school, being in fifth grade, and is a leader at her school. Charlotte took up clarinet this year and is making great progress. It’s not even that painful for mom and dad. Char also keeps busy with fair animals, showing a sheep this year. She planned to show a steer as well, but that darn bovine was just a few pounds too small. She still enjoys 4H and all the learning and growing it brings. She will be ready for next summer! Charlotte played park and rec volleyball this past fall and is very excited to start spring club season soon. She loves to join mom at the gym too. Charlotte is a big rodeo fan as well. She spends lots of time on her horse, Pan, barrel racing and just riding around the farm. She has gained a lot of confidence and speed. She even got to carry the flag during the National Anthem at a recent rodeo and it made this momma’s heart swell with pride.

And last but certainly not least, little baby Eli as I affectionately call him. Eli is a very unique person and he lights up our lives while giving us lots of grey hairs. Eli continues to excel in school, when he wants to anyway. He enjoys the company of lots of individuals, always able to find someone to spend time with. Eli loves hot wheels cars, farm toys, jumping on the trampoline, and riding his pony, Oven, all over! Yes, his pony is named Oven. When we got the pony and were bringing him home, Eli declared, “You put the Pi (one of our horses) in the Pan (another horse). Then you put the pan in the Oven! His name should be OVEN!” And that was that. This young man celebrated his First Communion in the spring, and we are so proud of his delight in choosing his faith. Eli continues to grow his culinary skills, becoming a master of the frozen pizza and chicken nuggets with bbq sauce. Eli, like the rest of the family, loves the rodeo. Eli is not only a great bull rider he also has become a skilled goat tier. His greatest achievement in rodeo is becoming known as “The Dancing Cowboy” for his amazing footwork skills to Cotton Eyed Joe. That boy can move! If you ever need a good chuckle, call for the latest Eli story- he’s always got something up his sleeve.

As a family we spent last Christmas in Chicago, seeing all the wonderful sights and eating lots of yummy food. In January, Ross and I went on our first cruise to the Caribbean. It was a wonderful week, minus the sea sickness. Josiah got to spend a week away to Florida and on a cruise with his grandparents. It was a very special time for all. I also traveled to Santa Fe for a girls trip with my mom and sister. We spent lots of time with family and friends from near and far. My family all supported and help to grow our business, Stammeyer Signature Events- If you need helping with planning an event, wedding, baby shower… you know who to call! And of course we spent a lot of time, you guessed it, at the rodeo!

I’ll say it again because I can’t say it enough, we are blessed. We not only have lots of good things in our lives, we have wonderful people all around us. We have goals, aspirations and dreams. Life isn’t perfect but it’s definitely worth living.

Thanks for following along on my ramblings. I hope you will enjoy some of the pictures below, they are a small piece of our journey.

Happy Harvesting,

Leah and the rest of the Stammeyer crew