Random Update for Early Summer 14

loves playing in the hose and helping water the flowers

hanging with Will and Grandpa

Happy Father's Day

Pre-School brought many activities to Summer School this year...Bike Day!

I was recognized and awarded with the National Agri-Marketing Association Dilworth Award in April for innovation in leadership

approximately 7 months post ear surgery...time does heal

ear is all healed and feeling great! cosmetically looks great too!

Discover Monsanto: What Questions do you have for the Experts?

I have learned a lot in my five years at Monsanto. In conversations with our breeders, scientists and researchers I consistently ask them to take their knowledge and science down to a fourth grade science level for me. And that is fine. My brain works in ways theirs don't. I need to understand the process, the science, the products in order to create relevant marketing programs and advertising messages for our dealers and farmer customers. And now, we need to be able to take this science out in a way that resonates with you, the consumer purchasing food from your grocer, butcher, etc.

I don't claim to know all of the answers but we have resources for you.

At the below website, you can submit any question you have and get answers from experts in the field. I encourage you to do this, educate yourself and help share your stories with your friends and family.

http://gmoanswers.com/ask

Jenna

Our Little Fishy

Emma is doing so well at swimming. We started her in private lessons with Ms. Sara at Lifetime Fitness last September and she is now floating on her back nearly by herself, going under for dive sticks and swimming with her face in the water.

We have spent a lot of time at the pool this summer and her comfort level swimming, running, jumping in and playing continues to grow.

We are so proud of you, sweet pea!

Frozen Under the Stars

Chesterfield's Parks & Rec hosted a Frozen Under the Stars sing along earlier this summer. It was amazing to see the park fill up...there had to be 2,000+ people gathered on the lawns of the amphitheater and signing along to "Do you want to build a snowman?" and "Let it go!" Emma enjoyed herself and was dancing and singing into the night!

Discover Monsanto: Top Questions Surrounding GMOs

I have been working in agriculture for roughly 7 years now and in marketing and communications for 12 years. I did not grow up on a farm-in fact hadn't really ever been on a farm; I did not go to school for agriculture; I didn't ever think I would be a part of this industry. But I am so glad I am. I have been at Monsanto for a tad over 5 years. I have held many different marketing and communications jobs across our portfolio of biotechnology, seed brands and crop protection. I am currently the Geographic Marketing Manager for North Dakota, Northern Minnesota and South Dakota. And I absolutely love it!

I am consistently asked by my family, friends, leaders in the St. Louis community the following questions:

• How can you work for a company that is so hated?
• Are you just drinking the kool-aid?
• I don't understand biotechnology and GMOs...can you help me understand?
• Why is the campaign for GMO haters so much louder?
• Do you think your company's products cause cancer?
• What happens when there is a March Against Monsanto on campus?
• Isn't organic better? healthier?
• Is it safe to eat food derived from your crops?

My response is always consistent and starts the same...the people I work with are amazing. I have never worked with more caring, hardworking, genuine people than I have in this industry. My colleagues, my agency partners, my dealer customers and our farmer customers can be described this way. In fact, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, my team grew closer together, they supported me like never before and they gave me the motivation to take the time needed to beat this nasty disease so I could return to the team healthier and more motivated to reach our unified goal...providing food, fuel and clothing for the growing population.

We are a united team at Monsanto. We are mothers, brothers, scientists, researchers, daughters, breeders, friends, colleagues. We all care about these same issues. We do the grocery shopping for our families and we want to make sure our food sources are safe, reliable and healthy.

So let's tackle some of these questions.
Source: http://gmoanswers.com

GMO Answers is funded by the members of The Council for Biotechnology Information, which includes BASF, Bayer CropScience, Dow AgroSciences, DuPont, Monsanto Company and Syngenta. The members are dedicated to the responsible development and application of plant biotechnology.

GMO Answers was created to do a better job of answering consumer questions—no matter what they are—about GMOs. It is important to seek out and listen to the questions consumers are asking so that we can provide answers and links to resources that help address consumers’ concerns about GMOs, the technology behind them and their role in agriculture.

So if you are interested in learning the facts behind the answers to the following questions, please join us in the conversation at gmoanswers.com.

If livestock eat genetically modified grain, will there be GMOs in my meat?
Are GMOs contributing to the death of bees and butterflies?
Why are companies against labeling GMO foods? 
Are GMOs causing an increase in pesticides? 
Why aren’t long-term health studies conducted on GMO plants?
Are GMOs contaminating organic food crops? 
Are GMOs Increasing the Price of Food? 
Are big companies forcing farmers to grow GMOs?
Are GMOs causing an increase in allergies?
Do GMOs Cause Cancer? 

Avery turns 4!

Our niece and Goddaughter, Avery, turned 4 over Memorial Day! She had a great party at Build-a-Bear! Happy birthday to the most spirited, ornery, energetic, red-headed, might be a trouble maker in the making, loving and smart girl!

We love you!
Aunt Jenna, Uncle Rett and Emma

Gymnastics Update

Emma was invited to join the Developmental team for the competitive team at Olympiad Gymnastics. She started going to the gym two nights a week for 1.5 hours each night. It is quite the commitment but she seems to really enjoy tumbling, walking on the beam, jumping on the trampoline and learning bar skills.

Unfortunately this meant she wasn't going to be in gymnastics with Lulu anymore. But Emma has been able to continue in class with Nora and meet new friends.

Although she does get distracted with the team girls in the gym too, it has helped with her discipline, listening skills and learning to take direction from her coaches. Hopefully she can will learn life skills beyond gymnastics skills to grow into a strong, healthy, confident girl!