Beef Blurb

Shelby Diehm

director of youth activities, director of marketing & communications

Home for the Holidays

Ever since I started college in 2012, the time around Christmas are some of my favorite days of the year. As a college student I was six hours from home, and I have now doubled that distance as a Kansas resident.

Since I live so far, I only get to see my family a few times throughout the year, especially my grandparents. At times, that distance can be really difficult because of special occasions I may miss out on throughout the year. Birthdays are just sending a card and a few minute phone call or maybe a Facetime. My gramps will be turning 90 this year and I will miss being in Texas for that special day. I am lucky enough that I am close to my in-laws. Seth’s grandpa is only about two miles away from our house and his parents are maybe three miles away. We live in what we like to call “the Diehm circle.” So, while I am far from my family, I am fortunate we can be close to his family. They are there whenever we need them.

Going back to Hamilton, Texas, for the holidays is my favorite because I get to spend time with my three siblings, parents and be back home where I grew up for several days. As we have got older, the four of us “kids,” have grown really close even with all the distance between us. We have a fun group text and call each other all the time to chat or when we need help with something. We used to have the best family vacations with six people in one car traveling from Texas to Montana or farther, but it is nice that our relationship is even better now as adults. When we get together, we are guaranteed to have lots of fun.

Another favorite part of traveling back to Texas in December is the weather. If you know me at all, you know that I don’t really like snow. We get way more of that in Kansas than I want. And this was the first year since I lived in Kansas that it hasn’t snowed on Halloween! When we go back to Texas for December, usually it can be in the 60s or 70s for high temps. One year we even killed a rattlesnake the day after Christmas. The weather is a nice break from the cold of Kansas.

The last thing that I really enjoy is the ranch and seeing all the cattle. My parents usually leave some cattle work for when all the kids are home so they can get a lot done with help. There is just something special about being back on the ranch working some Hereford cattle with my family. It is what I grew up doing and I enjoyed it when we lived it home. Plus, I know my parents enjoy having us all back home working together. Even though Seth and I have land of our own now, we don’t have cows yet. Our goal is to have some by 2024 so when we are in Texas, we enjoy seeing cattle.

Being back in Texas also reminds how lucky I am for the life I had growing up. It helped make me who I am today and is part of the reason I am in this job now. My cattle gave me a passion for the industry. My family encouraged me to run for the junior board and now I am lucky enough to lead the best junior board in the country (I may be a little partial). I love this job and the people I get to work with that make it even more special.

I love Kansas, but I will always be a Texan at heart. I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! I look forward to seeing everyone in January at Cattlemen’s Congress.=

Our first Denver, 2001

Hidden Oaks Ranch ad, styled by mom, 2004 Rogers family Christmas 2021