That feeling

Last week we went to look at a horse.

We have been trying to downsize a bit but a trade was in the works.

The woman trading us warned of this horses really poor physical condition and before we arrived both Dusty and I were pretty skeptical. Neither of us wanted to trade a healthy horse for one that was going to kick the bucket.

We pulled in and both he and I did a once over- not good. But we drive all that way so we took him over to the arena. 

The ladies daughter jumped on and he did everything she asked.

Ellie got on and he slowed down even more and got softer- he did everything she asked. Lucy got on (which doesn't happen) and again he was a real gem.

Penny at this point was dying. She wanted on. I threw her up and she rode that guy all over the pen. When she slide down she asked if she could hold her horse. She sat and scratched and pet him and he fell asleep in her little arms. When it was time to go she walked him back to the pen and he obediently followed behind her. She was so sad we had to leave him there. My kids love horses and they love getting a new horse- it's exciting. This was different. 

Meet Douglas.

He is in pretty rough shape but we are all hoping with a bit of time and love this guy will be back to himself. Penny was so happy to have him here so she can take care of him. In a previous life he was loved and it took a bad owner to almost destroy him. The people we got him from have been doing a good job trying to bring him back and hopefully we can take him the rest of the way.

Rock-a-bye

It's a drizzly day

We bundled up and went out for groceries. Normally he likes a costco trip but today.... Not so much.

He came home tired and cranky and totally unwilling to sleep in his crib. 

Now he's passed out and I am afraid to move!

Andy's Sweater

Well I FINALLY got his sweater finished! Good thing in my "wisdom" I made it a size two! 

It is soft, cuddly, and going to be perfect for camping! 

Now I want one!

I found the pattern on Ravelry! 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/stormy-day-jacket

I love it!

Lots to Say

We have had such a great month. The weather has been so helpful in allowing us some time to get some things done outside. We have been out fixing up some of our pens and coop. We have been riding and cleaning up the shingles that blew off of the shop this past winter. It feel so good to have spring. To get out and not have to trudge through snow or muck.

This past week we got to go to a HUGE horse expo. It was so nice to get away from home. I love home but it has been very hectic- it was so nice to just focus on the clinics and what was happening around us in the moment. I was so surprised at the clinics. I totally enjoyed some that I didn't think I would of had an interest in like reining but then the ones I thought I was going to love- I didn't. AND then there was a competition of trainers. Three trainers- 3 hours- 3 different 2 year olds. Crazy good. One of the guys was AMAZING. Knock your socks off good.

I can home so motivated. We got our round pen all set up and we have been working with our yearling bullseye and I started riding Honey with a bit. The girls also came home with the bug. Dusty has been building us obsicles like a bridge and rope gate so that we can have a little trail course in the arena!

Penny's Day

 The most exciting part of a birthday is

EVERYTHING!

Penny has had her birthday bash planned for quite a while.

She wanted to go "camping"

so we headed up to a beauty of place.

It was snowing when we got there so we found

an enclosed camp kitchen with some fireplaces

which worked

perfect for her hotdog menu!

We roasted hotdog and ate chips

had some cake

and

all with our favorite people.

She loved it.

She got some candy

(I am not sure why we spend any money on gifts when it's the candy that is the most coveted!)

and some money

a new outfit

a warm and cozy quilt

and

roller skates!

A fantastic birthday.

Snow Distracted

I have been knitting Andy a sweater.

(It's been a long while....)

I keep getting side tracked 

It gets put down

And I find other things to do.

So yesterday as the snow started to fall

I pulled it out.

I have three rows to go!

And then buttons.

But

I am SO close!!!

Easter Bunny and More Important Things

This little picture pretty much sums up our Easter Bunny experience.

It is simple.

Exciting

but

we don't put too much fuss into it.

We spent Thursday colouring eggs

and 

that night we hid them.

Friday Morning

(after a Thursday memo down a local bunny hole)

That tricky rabbit came.

Everyone was thrilled with the hidden treats.

Andy spent the rest of the day packing around his ninja turtle bucket!

The girls flipped and flopped all over in their new footwear.

Friday afternoon was spent preparing our Easter meal.

we spend the evening eating foods that would of been prepared in old Jerusalem.

The kids love it.

Dusty and I love it.

Sometimes we invite people over

but

it was just us this year and it was perfect.

We then spent the evening going through a little Easter activity

that represented the last days of our Savior.

Saturday and Sunday have been quietly spent eating treats and listening to messages of 

Christ.

I am pretty sure as a kid I would of thought this was

"stupid" or "boring"

but

I look forward to this time with our kids

and

surprisingly

even when given opportunities to skip this

my kids choose not too.

This weekend fills me with gratitude for all the gifts I have been given.

I am so grateful to be a mother.

I never had an intense yearning to have children

but

as each of them have arrived

I feel more and more like this was always what I was meant to do

I am so grateful for my parents and sisters.

For the lessons I learnt in my childhood

and growing up on an acreage.

I am thankful for my Dad and his patience with us tagging along on hunting and fishing trips.

For the skills (sometimes forced) in cleaning animals
and
helping me understand what it takes to physically put food on a table
and where it comes from.

He taught me what honor means.

What integrity is.

I am grateful for my mother.

She taught me to never limit myself. What you can do if you work.

She gave me stories and taught me about my family and "roots".

She gave me expectations to live up to.

That is a gift without measure.

My sisters have let me learn what it is to love someone
even
when you don't agree with them.
They teach me about talents
I appreciate how beautiful a family is with differences.

I am grateful for Dusty.
I tell him everyday.
even when I am mad.

I am grateful for our house.
For our animals.
for every lesson
learnt every day.

I cannot measure my gratitude for God
for His Son.
For letting me live each day
For letting me make all my mistakes
For letting me learn all these things
For giving me a chance to hope
to believe
to know

I know that we all walk different paths.
I am grateful He is here with me on my path.

Waiting

If you look closely there is hay smashed in with the nose crusties. 

We HAD to move horses this morning

(Truly there was no other option)

It is windy and cold

By the last three horses we were in full blown melt down.

It is a good thing the horse I had did not care about the flapping crying writhing little boy in my arms.

By the time we hit the barn I put him in his "barnyard babysitter" and he screamed in there while we sorted. 

Occasionally one of the old mares would go stick her nose in to see what the commotion was all about.

Finally- face down in the hay he fell asleep.

(Of course 2 minutes from when I could of taken him in the house)

Now he sleeps in my arms out of the wind but I am too scared to wake him to wipe his hay nose !

Ellie's Recorder Ensemble

Ellie LOVES music.

and

She LOVES her music teacher.

She was in both choir and recorder ensemble 

which meant extra time during recess and after school for practices.

They did so well at the year end festivals!

This is a piece from her recorder ensemble.

A day well Spent

There are few things better than a warm sunny day and laying on the trampoline. We are done our chores and the baby is napping.

We look at clouds. We listen to birds. We talk about life.

When I am 80 I hope I can still climb on this bad boy!