07.20.2011 A Eventuality come true!!!

Sorry gang it has taken me so long to post. Busy as usual on the home front. Getting the house all finished for the appraisal - should have all our stuff finalized by the 1st week in August. YAY! Hooray! I'll keep you posted.

But this post is really about a DREAM. A dream that recently came to pass. I won't likely EVER forget the date because it also happened to occur on my dear son Erick's 20th birthday.

But it's not about him.

It's about a little girl who dreamed a dream.

A girl whos mommy and Daddy promised her that when all our "house stuff" was finished her dream would come true.

A girl who patiently waited a year, then another half a year.

When mom couldn't take her waiting in quiet silence anymore began to find a way to make that dream come true.

And i did.

Two months ahead of when we "should" have or "could" have. Why? Because in another couple of months school will be here. In another couple of months she will be that much closer to winter and not being able to "ride" her dream.

So i searched.

My search took me many places. Many times my internet found me hovering around Georgia and wondering how we could make THAT happen. Transport alone would cost more than we were able to pay.

Then it happened.

We found one.

He was two and a half hours away. My neighbor was ready to help in the task of collecting...then the dreams were dashed. They changed their mind. My girl was heartbroken once more for what "could have been" and in her eyes what may never be.

It's a hard place to be as a mom, i won't lie.

When your child eats, sleeps and breathes this dream. And you can't make it happen. When all kinds of other things happen...but this very important thing to one precious little girl just reamins out of reach.

I am sure you all know, this is about a girl and a HORSE.

You see...she had been practicing and practicing to be able to care for her very own. Waking up early (in the summer at least) without complaint and feeding, bathing, caring and loving on some "practice horses" a friend has on our property. She was ready.

Yet the sadness in her heart i could see through her eyes was unsettling.

When mommy? When?

So she and mommy searched and searched. Dreamed and dreamed.

It was harder than you might think.

Choices were limited as we were looking for a POA (Ponies of America) or just smaller sized horse - considered a "pony" but not like a shaggy shetland or anything. Just a smaller version of a big horse. This helps with confidence for a young rider and because she and I are both very petite it is just the right decision for now.

Then we found her. She was the right size and GORGEOUS in our eyes. So we went to see her. She was beautiful. But NOT READY. Not even close. She only had 30 days of training and was not at all ready to be sis' dream come true. But as providence would have it, she had a mommy who was. 10 years older, slightly smaller and VERY broke to ride. The owners GAVE her to us...for FREE. We weren't looking for a horse that old, but she would be perfect while the other one finished her training. Mom is a bit on the skinny size and needs to be fattened up, but we got TWO for the price of ONE so figured it was a good deal. It also gives sis a chance to nurture the older horse.

One happy little girl, TWO happy horses.

So without further ado...meet the GIRLS.

Blackie (i know...so original!) is the mom. I didn't get alot of pictures of her, as she is looking skinny and all. These were taken after her bath, she has a pretty curly mane and forelock. (The mane hair on the front of their face/forehead)







Lakota Luna (We are calling her LUNA - though sis likes Lakota) She is a grey welsh/quarter pony cross. She is a full foot taller than her momma. She is "dappled" which means it her coat almost looks spotted though she is not an appy. Her face is a much lighter grey and white which makes her stand out. Especially with a bridle or halter on. She has a small grey lightning spot in the middle of the white stripe.. Very unique. She is graceful and beautiful. Bad part... she is still a bit "spooky". This is mainly because she is young and hasn't been handled much yet. The more time we spend she will likely outgrow that. She is a lover, and will meet you at the fence and be in your face.





We bathed them this weekend and the mom, Blackie, did great. Luna had some trust issues. But she absolutely ADORES DeRell and he was very patient and calm with her. Like the "Horse Whisperer" almost, LOL. And he was able to bathe Luna himself after she got over herself.




Then we got a saddle pad and let the kids sit on Blackie and DeRell lead them around. As you can see when DeRell was leading the kids...she is not a baby sized PONY - she is as tall as DeRell.




Luna got VERY VOCAL at that point and agitated. Either she was jealous or just wanted her momma back in the corral with her! She bucked and whined and ran all over. It was a sight. One i captured on film...yay!









You can see why i am not in a hurry to put my girl on her anytime soon....But we have TIME and PATIENCE. I also think it will be a great oppty for Sis to learn some parts of breaking a horse.


And don't you think this is an appropriate "Wordless Wednesday" post photo?



Except, i couldnt be wordless! A man's TWO BEST FRIENDS - his Horse and his Dog!!!

07.03.2011 More Summer Fun!

I haven't done a lot of posting...i let Britney borrow my camera for a few weeks ever since she had her baby. I wanted her to get some great photos and trust she did! I've felt a little off kilter...but at least i had my cell phone to snap some pics at the water park. I've missed alot of cute things with all the kids though so i am happy to be back with my Rebel once more!

Grandpa came to visit...which = work got done on the house. Not much though. Basically we moved the slate tiles closer to our master bath (back deck) and got a 40ft. storage container to hold all our junk while we finish the rest of the house. Translation...garage is cleaned out and now power tools (i.e. saws, etc.) can be used. We finished Grandpa's closet and cleaned out the garage. No cars have parked there for about 6 months or more. Loaded the dump trailer about 1/2 full. Ran out of Shelving material so all work came to a halt and grandpa went home. We have to have the 2 bathrooms, trim downstairs & remaining trim upstairs completed as well as the remaining closet and 3 missing doors added before we can finalize our home loan. We are almost there. After our paycheck Tuesday we should be able to purchase the remaining items and complete it all. I would say we have 2-3 weeks left to go. YAY!

I did manage to get the camera back in time for what might be sissy's last Softball game. We were slated to leave out of town by now, then it was postponed to the 6th of July...now it might be August before we can leave. >>insert sad face here!<< =( Boo Hiss. Didn't get alot of action shots but at least i have more than one picture. She had a great season. She played well, had a great attitude and played some outfield but mostly infield (short stop) which is GREAT! We will spend the rest of the summer working on batting. I think next year she will play baseball and softball to get more time in. We always miss some of the season with vacation!!


Warming up....go #3!!


Sis is up to bat


Danielle - Reigan (her friend since she was 2) - Tristan (who will be in her class next year)

Oh ya, we also found out who the kids teachers will be next year. It is nice that they put that info right on the final report card they mail home! Sis is excited and over the moon that she will have "Mrs. Healy" ...she is super sweet and was her math teacher this past year. Bubba has Mrs. English which i am told is an awesome 2nd grade teacher so we are excited!

Hmmm, what else? Oh, my office is back to its disaster status. It seems whenever things are "moved around" it ends up in here for me to sort through. I can't even see my desk these days...so hoping to get that straightened out somewhat this weekend (Sunday and Monday) It's pitiful....just look.....




Thats what is new on the homefront. Oh and i gained another 5 pounds or so. I look like the stay puff marshmallow girl. Sad but true. No photos of me on here LOL!

06.16.2011 The Indoor Waterpark

**edited and added 7/3/11....never realized this didn't post!**

We were all set to visit our friendly neighborhood aquatic center today to try out the new waterslides they installed last month.

Unfortunately, it was gloomy and COLD and the pool and slide is OUTSIDE. So we took a "raincheck"-quite literally.

It is summer though, and so as not to disappoint the kiddos mommy decided why not drive to Missoula and go to their INDOOR waterslide! So we did.

Bubba's little friend Kaden slept over so we had the 2 boys. Sis had invited her friend earlier in the week to come...so we invited her little brother as well. Three 7 yr. old boys, two 9 year old girls and I braved the hour drive and had a BLAST.

I could hardly keep the girls off the waterslides. The other two boys were big enough...but Bubba is not yet 48inches so he didnt get to try out the waterslide. He also lost his earplug for the all important left ear at the Monster Truck Rally last weekend so we stopped by the audiologist office...but no luck. His new earplugs have not come in yet. It didn't slow him down though! We bought him a swim cap...and though his face/forehead were "scrunched" he was still able to have a fun time. (mostly hanging in his favorite spot....the Hot Tub!)



We all survived it, and even went out to lunch at my kids favorite eatery in Missoula (China Buffet). 5 kids and a buffet is interesting. But fun. Even Kaden ate some "china food" against his better judgment. Thankfully it was a buffet and there were lots of choices of all kinds of food.

It was a fun & tiring day. The 3 boys were fast asleep in the middle row on the car ride home. Precious! The girls never slowed down, and we ended up with an overnight vistor last night (her friend Kit she took swimming with us). That is going on 7 days we have had a friend sleep over. Maybe i should start charging at Le Hotel Coates?!

Isn't this what summer is all about?!

06.11.2011 She LIVES - just barely

WOW. I can't remember the last time i posted, or thought about posting. Life moves at the speed of...well.....LIFE. Here is all that is new...

Bubba learned how to ride his bike...with no training wheels! We can't take any credit! His friend Kaden actually "taught" him. Held his bike, ran with him, and showed him the ropes. I can't get him off of the thing now. It is precious! The kids LOVE to ride and ride around on their bikes.

Baseball and my running of the baseball concessions is over. No more 5 nights a week at the ballfield. Woo-hoo. Bubba did great his first real year- they even got trophies and he was so proud. His skills are improving all the time. Daddy bought them a pitching machine so it will work out great for both the kiddos bcuz....

Softball (practice at least) for Sis started on Tuesday. She is actually quite good. (Notice the hint of surprise in my words....my girly girl actually ENJOYS all things "sports") I have no idea where she gets it from. My only sports endeavor is finding a great bargain and some serious shoe shopping or mall outing in an hour or less! She is hitting her "tom-boy" phase. Note to family...she will no longer wear dresses of.any.kind. EVER. It's sad really. ....moving on.......

School officially ended for the kiddos at 11:30 on Friday. We got an extra hour sleep this morning. We made up our summer chore list and they are on board. (It even comes with "allowance" this year which is new to both of them). We all are super excited for SUMMER and a nice long visit to California.

I start watching my neighbors 2 kids for two days a week on Monday. (only until i go to California so it should be less than a month) It's a good thing. Its fun to have kids 6, 7, 8, 9 all playing together. For the most part. LOL. (...Except the tattle telling....) We are gonna have to nip that real early. I am hoping to get out an DO stuff. Our aquatic center just completed a small water slide for the outdoor pool so i can't wait to try that out. (though only 2 of the kids are tall enough to do it). I am all about wearing them out...tired kids don't tattle. They crash out on the way home in the car..hehehehehe. I have crafts planned, and cooking,...we are gonna make a CAMP out of all our fun...with themes. YAY SUMMER.

We can't forget VBS though. My kids love them some VBS. They would go everyday if they could!!! Gotta get busy checking that out. I only know of one so far, last summer they went to THREE!

I started working with my neighbor Alisia (the mom of the 2 kids i mentioned i will be watching)and her horses this past Monday. It was fun and crazy all at the same time! I walked bow-legged for 2 days afterward. It was hilarious. I am SOOOOO out of shape its not funny. Then her "spirited" horse decided to have fun rearing up and coming down on the wheel fender of the trailer and dented it! Another one broke the back light out. They obviously need to get out more. Her "kid" horse is waaaay rusty and i wouldn't trust her with any kids yet - including Danielle who is a far better rider than me. So we have our work cut out for us over the next few weeks to get 2 horses tuned up and ready for summer rides.

My precious girl Britney (bff Wendy's daughter) had her baby on Thursday morning...after more than 3 days in the hospital with labor not really happening, then being stopped, then not really happening. One un-planned c-section later Micah was born. He is absolutely ADORABLE and BEAUTIFUL and mom is doing great although she is exhausted. I can't wait to get her permission to post some pictures. He is awesome! Babies just make me smile =)

Happy Birthday to Darla (my sis) who turned "OLD" on Friday. We love you (and Uncle Lloyd) bunches and can't wait to spend some serious fun pool days with this summer.

My last bit of news is that I (and in a strange twist of fate- similar story for Darla) will most likely be having Erick back in Montana by the end of summer. (And Cortney back with Darla in Moreno Valley). We are excited for them both to be back with family & friends and motivated to find some gainful employment. It's been lonely for Erick in Nevada with no real friends to speak of. Your 20's are so important socially i think. They shape who you will become. I just know i love and miss him so much it would be great to have him even a smidge closer.

Whew! That's most of the news. I'll post some pics of our summer and stuff soon. Heading off to a birthday party. So i guess that will make the kids i am watching 7,7,8,9 after this weekend!! HeHe. Happy 7th Birthday Kaden. We love ya!

04.24.2011 Easter Weekend

Spring Break has been a blast. I wish i had photos of everyday. We spent spring break in California. We went to the coast and stayed with my sister. The kiddos got to spend lots of time with their cousins. Its great to see my two younger sisters in one visit. We did the park, we did the zoo, we shopped, we swam, we hunted eggs (twice) AND were visited by the E.B.

As a special treat my older sis came up for Easter weekend too. So all 4 of us girls were together....the cousins had a blast and were spoiled to high heaven. We got to take some great photos. Its not that often the kids are dressed up (and can wear a sleeveless dress no less!) and all the sisters are together.


Kelly, Lynnette, Missie and Darla - Easter 2011


I'll try to recap the week at some point. For now...here are some of my favorite Easter day photos.



They were good sports


The cousins - Bubba and Addy both were "done" by this point


(Partial) Family photo...Daddy didn't get to come...he was working

Sis was definately photogenic today so i have like 50 of her. Something about that cute lime green with her porcelain skin and freckles.....I'll have to blow some up for the frames at home! Let me know your favorite!!!


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