Another year has passed us by. As we start 2014, I want to take a second to capture this moment and record this time in our lives, if only for me.
Tim is working at Land 'O Lakes/Purina Nutrition. He is a Mechanical Manager. He seems to enjoy his job but hasn't figured out how to get free feed out of the deal. ;-) He also took on a side job at a local garage. He has enjoyed getting back to some hands-on work. Tim enjoyed helping out as an assistant coach for Drew's T-ball team. He likes playing around with the kids and dogs and is our handy-man around the farm.
I'm still enjoying my role as a stay-at-home mom. I have not been subbing this year, but have been home-schooling Drew and Macy. Between the kids and animals, I stay very busy. I am a dog trainer in the local 4H program and give private lessons at my house now and then. While we didn't have a litter this year, I stayed plenty busy training and traveling to shows. I achieved some great goals this year by qualifying in MVA at Nationals, as well as having 5 dogs in various Finals, not including juniors. Glory and I finished her MACH and I finished several conformation Champions.
Madie is 11, with a birthday coming up very soon. She got straight A's in 5th grade and is now in 6th grade. She sings in the choir, is in Math Bowl, and enjoys participating in Youth Group at church. She had a busy year with her two dogs, Ellie and Quinn. She finished Ellie's Altered Championship and she and Quinn competed in Junior Handling, achieving the ASCA 500 club as well as going on to rank #1 Junior in her 8-12 age category. They also won Reserve Grand in Showmanship at the County Fair and 2nd at the State Fair in Intermediate showmanship as a move up. Madie showed her goat, Candy to a showmanship placement at the County Fair, and her rabbits to some Best of Breed wins at County and placements at State. Madie was also bitten by the horse bug this year and showed 27 year old Rocky in the County fair, earning placements. She ended 2013 by getting her own horse, Romeo. Madie loves to read and play with her animals. Madie wants to be a mom, horse trainer, and dog breeder when she grows up.
Emma is 9 years old. She also got straight A's last year and is now in 4th grade. She sings in the choir and has been doing gymnastics for a little over a year now. She enjoyed her first year in ASCA and 4H, and aged into AKC. She and Nicki won Novice Champion in Showmanship at the County Fair, and 1st in their huge class at the State Fair. They also earned the 2nd Degree of Excellence in ASCA and made the cut to top 6 in the Nationals Finals. Emma also showed her goat Cherry, placing in showmanship at the State Fair. She shows rabbits too. Emma wants to be a mom, teacher, and dog trainer when she grows up.
Drew is 5 years old. He's all boy. He loves to play with trucks, trains, army men, and dirt. He played T-ball in the spring and really loved that. He graduated from pre-school but we decided to wait one more year for kindergarten due to his age. He loves to help around the farm and shadows his daddy everywhere. He went to two dog shows and loves 'teaching' dogs in the agility yard. His favorite stuffed animal is his "Blue" that he's had since he was a baby. He loves school and is learning to read and is really good at math. I know it must be hard being the only boy with 3 sisters, but he's a very good brother to them all! He says he wants to be a doctor and farmer when he grows up.
Macy is 3. Her days consist of following around big brother Drew and playing with the animals. She likes My Little Ponies and stuffed animals. She loves to draw and color and read books. She is a big talker and is never shy about giving her opinion. She's a picky eater and has enough attitude and spunk to hold her own as the baby of the family. Macy says she wants to be a mom when she grows up, but without holes in her ears. (NO earrings!)
With the exception of some illnesses in 2013, we had a great year. We took a family vacation to the Wisconsin Dells with my parents. Madie, Emma, and I traveled to the Colorado ASCA Nationals with my dad. We did our annual weekend in a Brown County cabin to celebrate Madie's birthday in January, as well as enjoyed several local camping trips to Raccoon Lake. We raised our first litter of rabbits and hatched some ducklings.
We're looking forward to 2014 with family and friends and all the new adventures and memories this year will bring.
Friday, January 3, 2014
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
In Defense of the InnKeeper. A Christmas Post.
Tis the season for Christmas songs. If you listen carefully, there at least a dozen chastising the Innkeeper in Bethlehem that turned away Joseph and Mary. The story is that the Inn was full. Of course it was. The town was full of travelers for the census. The Innkeeper had no room and sent them away. If God had wanted his son born in that Inn, it would have happened. If God had wanted his son born in a palace on silk sheets, it would have happened.
That's not where Jesus was meant to be. First of all, it's very likely the Inn was dirty and crowded. The walls would have been paper-thin and the rooms filled with people, noise, and chaos. The beds were well-used and may have had bedbugs or lice. Even with a good house-keeping, the place was soiled and used... as hotel beds will be used.
Instead, God sent Joseph and Mary to a place that was pure and quiet. In the stable they found peace and privacy. Baby Jesus was laid in a bed that no person had ever used before. It was His. They were surrounded by animals, quiet and innocent. Among the quiet shuffle and munching of the animals, the babe was laid in a manger. This is a feeding trough for the animals, one of the most sanitary places in a stable. There was really no worry of disease. God didn't send his son to succumb to an infection in infancy. In more than one sense of the word, the stable was cleaner than the inn.
While born to lead, Jesus' time on Earth was humble. His birth, life, and death were all humble. His story is also unique. His birth was not to blend in and be lost in the hustle and bustle of an Inn. Each year as we view the stable and Nativity, we are reminded of that uniqueness. This may have been Jesus' first parable. The Story of the King born in a stable.
Perhaps the Innkeeper was an insensitive jerk, perhaps he was just doing his job. Perhaps he even felt guilt and thought to give up his own bed for Mary, but if he had, God would have hardened his heart. Jesus was never meant for that Inn. He was meant for the perfect birthplace in the peace of the stable. His story is its own.
That's not where Jesus was meant to be. First of all, it's very likely the Inn was dirty and crowded. The walls would have been paper-thin and the rooms filled with people, noise, and chaos. The beds were well-used and may have had bedbugs or lice. Even with a good house-keeping, the place was soiled and used... as hotel beds will be used.
Instead, God sent Joseph and Mary to a place that was pure and quiet. In the stable they found peace and privacy. Baby Jesus was laid in a bed that no person had ever used before. It was His. They were surrounded by animals, quiet and innocent. Among the quiet shuffle and munching of the animals, the babe was laid in a manger. This is a feeding trough for the animals, one of the most sanitary places in a stable. There was really no worry of disease. God didn't send his son to succumb to an infection in infancy. In more than one sense of the word, the stable was cleaner than the inn.
While born to lead, Jesus' time on Earth was humble. His birth, life, and death were all humble. His story is also unique. His birth was not to blend in and be lost in the hustle and bustle of an Inn. Each year as we view the stable and Nativity, we are reminded of that uniqueness. This may have been Jesus' first parable. The Story of the King born in a stable.
Perhaps the Innkeeper was an insensitive jerk, perhaps he was just doing his job. Perhaps he even felt guilt and thought to give up his own bed for Mary, but if he had, God would have hardened his heart. Jesus was never meant for that Inn. He was meant for the perfect birthplace in the peace of the stable. His story is its own.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Chasing a Dream
I haven't been blogging much this year, mainly because of what I'm writing about in this post. I've been busy. I've been chasing a dream! It has been a busy year of dog shows and traveling, training and grooming, packing and unloading. In between all of that, I have four kids to raise, a house and small farm to run, and a husband that likes to have a conversation with me now and then. This 'year' actually started back in the middle of 2012 and has involved a great about of effort, time, and money. I have relied on the patience and support of my husband, and the assistance of my parents and in-laws to help with the care of our two youngest when I'm away and Tim is working. I've been cheered on and helped by some of the greatest friends out there, you know who you are. It was a team effort, but in the end it was all worth it. In the end, I caught that dream!
I guess you could say I actually had two dreams...
I have been showing dogs for most of my life, and showing Australian Shepherds for 13 years. I have attended several ASCA Nationals and always love to watch Best of Breed and the conformation Finals. I've wandered by as some of the best aussies in the country battle it out at the Agility Finals. And just recently, they added Rally Finals. All of these are invitationals, meaning only the top ranked aussies in the country (ASCA) are invited to participate. I wanted to be a part of it. I wasn't sure which one was the best option, so I set out to take a run at several different Finals. I brought out my best Champion male and decided to special Ryder. While he had had success in the spring and started out well in the new ASCA year, just over a month into it he completely dropped his coat and refused to grow it back! After a few months of battling head to head against the top special in the country (and a fluffy one at that!), I had to sit back and reevaluate my plan. Right at the halfway point of the year, I made a desperate switch. I decided to bring out my 18 month old Indy. She was finished and a nice girl, just not grown up yet. I also had a 6 month late start with her. We gave it a go and I'm happy to say that she did end up making the Finals, ranking #29. (Top 30 is invited) In the meantime, Madie finished her altered girl Ellie. She had had some BOB and BOS wins/points from the classes along the way, so we specialed her two weekends at the end of the year after she finished and she made the Altered Finals at #22! My Boom ranked in the top 20 in Rally to be invited to the Rally Finals, plus Glory had qualified for the Agility Finals! Both Madie and Emma had qualified for the Junior Finals, Madie ending the year as the #1 Junior Handler in the 8-12 age group. And to top it all off, Echo, an altered girl that I had bred and co-own had made the Altered Finals, finishing the year ranked as the #1 Altered dog! We had accomplished every goal to get into the Finals, sending 7 dogs or dog/junior teams to the Finals for the 2013 Nationals. It was a thrill and an honor to step into the ring with the best of the best. While it was amazing to just qualify, it was even better that Madie, Echo, and Boom also walked out with placements in the Finals. (Sadly Glory was unable to compete that week) The success was a confidence boost as well as motivation to set even higher goals in the future.
My other goal was just as exciting, and certainly just as challenging! I wanted to compete in MVA. The Most Versatile Aussie competition is, in my opinion, the epitome of what our breed is about. We have dogs that can do it all- agility, obedience, tracking, stock, rally, and conformation. In this competition, we ask one dog and handler to do it all. The dogs are evaluated in conformation, plus must qualify in a performance event and a stock event. The more you do and the higher levels you compete in, the greater the points you earn. It is a challenge and an honor to qualify in MVA. To place in the top 10 or even win is a fantastic accomplishment. I have been wanting to do this for years and finally bit the bullet and told some people I was going for it. Once I actually said it out loud, I was committed to the challenge of getting Libby ready. She is a nice girl, a finished CH, and is titled in agility, rally, and obedience. I wasn't worried about the conformation evaluation or qualifying in performance. I have never trained or competed in stock. When the opportunity to purchase some ducks came up, I jumped on it and spent the next 6+ months stumbling my way through training a stock dog. A couple of lessons from a pro, some research, and soaking up any information I could find, and I was on my way. I spent the spring and summer training hard, especially on stock. I was overwhelmed and confused at times, and nearly gave up a time or two, even after sending in the entries. I'm certainly glad that I didn't in to that frustration. I just needed to get my foot in that door and go for it. I had imagined what it would feel like to qualify in MVA, but was still a bit stunned when it happened. My darling Libby stepped up and did everything I asked that week, and did it so well! I left proudly holding my MVA rosette and spent the ride home from Colorado making plans to do more and do even better the following year. My next goal is to get a top 10 placement! I now have two dogs in training for MVA and Madie is hoping to compete in MVJ some year.
The new ASCA year has started. (June 1st 2013-May 31st 2014) I don't know what it holds for us, but we're off to a pretty good start. Both Madie and Emma have qualified for the Finals again and have big goals. (NOT going for #1 again, though!) We're still focused on ASCA this year, rather than AKC, but I hope to not have to travel as much as last year. No matter who makes it to a Finals competition, we're looking forward to the rest of this ASCA year, and the Nationals in Texas. I'm sure I'll be biting my nails about my MVA entries again next summer.
This past year's journey has been amazing. I was chasing dreams, and before I noticed, my daughter Madie was chasing her own dream too. Hers went right down to the wire against some top competition. (for #1 ranked 8-12 Junior Handler.) Through it all, we were blessed with the support of friends and family. I try never to hold back on my dreams. I never know what is around the corner, I only know what today holds. I set goals and refuse to wait around or delay. I will give everything I have and go after them now. If I catch that dream, I will cherish the moment, and then set my eyes on the next one.
I guess you could say I actually had two dreams...
I have been showing dogs for most of my life, and showing Australian Shepherds for 13 years. I have attended several ASCA Nationals and always love to watch Best of Breed and the conformation Finals. I've wandered by as some of the best aussies in the country battle it out at the Agility Finals. And just recently, they added Rally Finals. All of these are invitationals, meaning only the top ranked aussies in the country (ASCA) are invited to participate. I wanted to be a part of it. I wasn't sure which one was the best option, so I set out to take a run at several different Finals. I brought out my best Champion male and decided to special Ryder. While he had had success in the spring and started out well in the new ASCA year, just over a month into it he completely dropped his coat and refused to grow it back! After a few months of battling head to head against the top special in the country (and a fluffy one at that!), I had to sit back and reevaluate my plan. Right at the halfway point of the year, I made a desperate switch. I decided to bring out my 18 month old Indy. She was finished and a nice girl, just not grown up yet. I also had a 6 month late start with her. We gave it a go and I'm happy to say that she did end up making the Finals, ranking #29. (Top 30 is invited) In the meantime, Madie finished her altered girl Ellie. She had had some BOB and BOS wins/points from the classes along the way, so we specialed her two weekends at the end of the year after she finished and she made the Altered Finals at #22! My Boom ranked in the top 20 in Rally to be invited to the Rally Finals, plus Glory had qualified for the Agility Finals! Both Madie and Emma had qualified for the Junior Finals, Madie ending the year as the #1 Junior Handler in the 8-12 age group. And to top it all off, Echo, an altered girl that I had bred and co-own had made the Altered Finals, finishing the year ranked as the #1 Altered dog! We had accomplished every goal to get into the Finals, sending 7 dogs or dog/junior teams to the Finals for the 2013 Nationals. It was a thrill and an honor to step into the ring with the best of the best. While it was amazing to just qualify, it was even better that Madie, Echo, and Boom also walked out with placements in the Finals. (Sadly Glory was unable to compete that week) The success was a confidence boost as well as motivation to set even higher goals in the future.
My other goal was just as exciting, and certainly just as challenging! I wanted to compete in MVA. The Most Versatile Aussie competition is, in my opinion, the epitome of what our breed is about. We have dogs that can do it all- agility, obedience, tracking, stock, rally, and conformation. In this competition, we ask one dog and handler to do it all. The dogs are evaluated in conformation, plus must qualify in a performance event and a stock event. The more you do and the higher levels you compete in, the greater the points you earn. It is a challenge and an honor to qualify in MVA. To place in the top 10 or even win is a fantastic accomplishment. I have been wanting to do this for years and finally bit the bullet and told some people I was going for it. Once I actually said it out loud, I was committed to the challenge of getting Libby ready. She is a nice girl, a finished CH, and is titled in agility, rally, and obedience. I wasn't worried about the conformation evaluation or qualifying in performance. I have never trained or competed in stock. When the opportunity to purchase some ducks came up, I jumped on it and spent the next 6+ months stumbling my way through training a stock dog. A couple of lessons from a pro, some research, and soaking up any information I could find, and I was on my way. I spent the spring and summer training hard, especially on stock. I was overwhelmed and confused at times, and nearly gave up a time or two, even after sending in the entries. I'm certainly glad that I didn't in to that frustration. I just needed to get my foot in that door and go for it. I had imagined what it would feel like to qualify in MVA, but was still a bit stunned when it happened. My darling Libby stepped up and did everything I asked that week, and did it so well! I left proudly holding my MVA rosette and spent the ride home from Colorado making plans to do more and do even better the following year. My next goal is to get a top 10 placement! I now have two dogs in training for MVA and Madie is hoping to compete in MVJ some year.
The new ASCA year has started. (June 1st 2013-May 31st 2014) I don't know what it holds for us, but we're off to a pretty good start. Both Madie and Emma have qualified for the Finals again and have big goals. (NOT going for #1 again, though!) We're still focused on ASCA this year, rather than AKC, but I hope to not have to travel as much as last year. No matter who makes it to a Finals competition, we're looking forward to the rest of this ASCA year, and the Nationals in Texas. I'm sure I'll be biting my nails about my MVA entries again next summer.
This past year's journey has been amazing. I was chasing dreams, and before I noticed, my daughter Madie was chasing her own dream too. Hers went right down to the wire against some top competition. (for #1 ranked 8-12 Junior Handler.) Through it all, we were blessed with the support of friends and family. I try never to hold back on my dreams. I never know what is around the corner, I only know what today holds. I set goals and refuse to wait around or delay. I will give everything I have and go after them now. If I catch that dream, I will cherish the moment, and then set my eyes on the next one.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Accountability
Macy and I weighed ourselves this morning. She's 26 lbs. Ironically, that's exactly what I need to lose to reach my goal weight! Looking at that little person really puts into perspective how much I want to take off.
I don't think I'm fat, but I'm not happy with my weight. I tend to eat whatever I want and exercise regularly only in the summer. I'm not a kid anymore and my metabolism isn't going to keep me at a regular weight if I don't work at it! I'm tired of wondering if my pants or suits are going to fit month to month. I want to feel like an athlete when I run agility. I don't want to cringe when I see myself in a picture or video. I want my kids to think their mom is trim and healthy, and follow that example.
Ever since my 4th baby I've been carrying the 'Freshman 15', and well, I'm no Freshman. That last baby left me with a belly and my body didn't recover on its own like after the first 3 babies. She's two years old now, so I can stop waiting for it to happen on its own! This is obviously going to take some effort on my part.
26lbs would take me to my goal weight. That weight may be a bit ambitious, but I've never shied from a challenge. I am anxious to get smaller jeans, fit into shorts that have been in my drawers for years, and be happy with my health and fitness. Where before I've always relied on exercise to lose weight, this time I am focused on diet. I know that this will not only help me reduce my weight, but improve my overall health.
I've asked my husband to join me on this journey. I challenged him to a 30 day weight loss 'adventure'. I don't know how excited he is, but he also could greatly benefit from a better diet and weight loss. Since we're carefully selecting our meals, our children are also benefiting! Not only are they reaping the benefit of healthy meals today, but they are learning how to eat and how important nutrition is for their futures.
Obviously the reason I shared all of this is for accountability. I can secretly lose 5 or 10 lbs, and then gain it back without most people noticing. This is a major goal and is going to take some time and a lot of effort. Now I've put it out there. If I fail, everyone who reads this will know. I hope my pride will be my motivation on days when I want to quit.
I have a 26lb weight loss goal. Let's see what I can do!
I don't think I'm fat, but I'm not happy with my weight. I tend to eat whatever I want and exercise regularly only in the summer. I'm not a kid anymore and my metabolism isn't going to keep me at a regular weight if I don't work at it! I'm tired of wondering if my pants or suits are going to fit month to month. I want to feel like an athlete when I run agility. I don't want to cringe when I see myself in a picture or video. I want my kids to think their mom is trim and healthy, and follow that example.
Ever since my 4th baby I've been carrying the 'Freshman 15', and well, I'm no Freshman. That last baby left me with a belly and my body didn't recover on its own like after the first 3 babies. She's two years old now, so I can stop waiting for it to happen on its own! This is obviously going to take some effort on my part.
26lbs would take me to my goal weight. That weight may be a bit ambitious, but I've never shied from a challenge. I am anxious to get smaller jeans, fit into shorts that have been in my drawers for years, and be happy with my health and fitness. Where before I've always relied on exercise to lose weight, this time I am focused on diet. I know that this will not only help me reduce my weight, but improve my overall health.
I've asked my husband to join me on this journey. I challenged him to a 30 day weight loss 'adventure'. I don't know how excited he is, but he also could greatly benefit from a better diet and weight loss. Since we're carefully selecting our meals, our children are also benefiting! Not only are they reaping the benefit of healthy meals today, but they are learning how to eat and how important nutrition is for their futures.
Obviously the reason I shared all of this is for accountability. I can secretly lose 5 or 10 lbs, and then gain it back without most people noticing. This is a major goal and is going to take some time and a lot of effort. Now I've put it out there. If I fail, everyone who reads this will know. I hope my pride will be my motivation on days when I want to quit.
I have a 26lb weight loss goal. Let's see what I can do!
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Welcome 2013! New Year, New Resolutions
Instead of searching for a piece of paper with my resolutions from last year, this time I just read the blog. As usual, I was disappointed that I hadn't fulfilled all of my resolutions, but there were some bonus surprises. Overall I enjoyed 2012 and the experiences that I never could have imagined.
Looking at my 5 resolutions from last year, I did enjoy the first one, the blog. It was a resolution to give blogging a try for one year. I definitely plan to continue. I will take the Tuesday 'deadline' away. That caused too much pressure and there for a while, I avoided the blog all together. I will blog when I can, or when I'm inspired.
I was supposed to concentrate on my health. I wanted to eat better, exercise, and lose weight. Um, not so much. I do okay until late fall when the weather gets colder and I don't want to go outside to run. And then Thanksgiving and Christmas come around with all of those yummy treats. This one will definitely make the list again for 2013.
I wanted to improve my Bible study. Okay, so while I didn't improve much with my home Bible study, we did have a good year for church attendance. We travel quite a bit for dog shows and miss Sundays when we are gone. We did attend every Sunday that we were home. No sleep-in excuses this year. There were times when all 6 of us didn't get to go together due to work schedules or illness, but some of us went.
Number 4 was organization. I made progress but still want to continue with this one. I made new file boxes for the overwhelming amount of paperwork around here. I want to clear out some clutter and make a place for everything. This is a BIG project!
The final resolution was actually a collection of goals with my dogs. I wanted Glory's MACH and ATCh, Quinn's ASCA CH, and Ryder's AKC CH. I did achieve the ATCH and ASCA CH. We didn't quite complete the other too, but made great progress. Glory is only 3 QQs from the MACH, and Ryder is sitting at 13 pts, 1 major in AKC. We only attended two AKC shows with majors this year. A surprise accomplishment was Indy's ASCA CH!
So now I look at 2013. I'm very excited for this new year. Life is going well and I hope we will have many new adventures in this new year.
My 5 New Year's Resolutions for 2013:
1. Improve my health and weight. I am going to be more specific on my personal weight goal. I know that I will have to alter my diet and exercise plan to achieve this.
2. Continue to organize my home. My family knows how stressed I get when I can't find something or the house is a mess.
3. Goals with dogs: My list of goals for this year includes around 20 titles on 9 of our dogs. (6 of mine, 3 are the kids') Now I know we aren't going to get all of those titles, but I have to have something to shoot for with each dog. The big ones I'm going for are a MACH, two AKC CHs, two ASCA CHs, and an RMX.
4. Better time management. In simpler terms, I want to learn to be on time. I'm always about 10 minutes late. I'd really like to be more organized and prompt.
5. More Bible study time. This is a carry over from last year, but also goes with #4. If I can better organize and manage my time, I will better be able to find 15 minutes a day to spend in God's Word.
So here we go! It's a fresh start and I'm ready to go!
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Christmas Letter
I've never done one of those letters that get mailed out around Christmas time. You know, the ones that update you on what happened with a family during that year. I know jokes get made about them, whether they are embellished or just full of lies. I really enjoy reading them. I never get to keep in touch with my friends as much as I'd like, so the letters are very interesting.
Here's my chance to give this Christmas letter writing thing a try, and everyone can take it or leave it!
2012 has been a wonderful year. As usual, it has flown by faster than I could imagine. My kids are growing before my eyes and each year passes faster than the one before.
Our family has been busy as usual. With four kids and a mini-farm full of animals, there is never a lack of work to be done. We added ducks this year and have started working the aussies on stock. We also have a new family kitty, a calico named Sage who joins our 3 teenage calico cats. Our 2012 aussie litter was born in February - 7 blue merle babies from Owen and Ellie. We are due to take our 2012 family picture with the dogs as soon as the weather cooperates and it will be a very full picture! We transferred membership to Dover Christian Church and have been greatly blessed by this church family. We enjoyed a great family vacation at Patoka Lake with my parents, as well as several family camping trips.
Tim started a new job recently. He left Pace Dairy and is now employed with Land O Lakes/Purina Nutrition. He works in a plant that makes livestock feed, mainly for race horses. The new job is a bit further away than his old one, but he is on a nice, normal day shift with most weekends off. He's home for dinner and is able to spend his evenings with the family.
I've been busy with the dogs. I personally finished two conformation champions that I bred, and watched another dog I bred earn an Altered CH, and go on to a Finals invitation where she earned 5th place! I also got to watch a co-bred dog earn her CH. I was thrilled to complete Glory's ATCH, the Agility Trial Championship. I showed Ryder to several Best of Breed wins. I stay busy at home and running to several dog shows a month. I also substitute teach occasionally, teach classes in the 4-H dog project, and do several 4-H judging assignments during the summer.
Madie is 10 years old and is growing into a young lady, no longer our little kid. She's in the 5th grade, sings in the choir, and loves training and showing her dogs. She put several titles on her dog Ellie, earned her first 500 club in the first 4 months of the ASCA year, and won 1st place in her showmanship class at the Indiana State fair. She now co-owns Quinn and is doing great using him in junior handling, earning many Best Junior wins. Madie has added horse-back riding to her hobby list, and also ran her first 5k this summer. She showed in dogs, goats, and rabbits at the county fair.
Emma is 8 years old and is doing very well in the 3rd grade. She got her first puppy this spring, a blue merle aussie named Nicki. They are best buddies and she's doing very well training her. They've already earned a Best Junior Handler win together! She's looking forward to starting a gymnastics class next month.
Drew is 4 years old and in preschool. He loves school and is a great student. He has learned to read his letters, say the days of the week and months of the year, and loves counting to 100 with a little assistance. He loves trains and trucks and is the best big brother to his little sister. He did another dog show this fall and loved it.
Macy is 2 years old and thinks she runs the world. She is a talker, and so opinionated that she always has something to say. She's Drew's shadow and tries to keep up with everything he does. She too is learning to read her letters and loves to count. She sings all of his preschool songs. She plays with My Little Ponies and Matchbox cars.
We're already making big plans for 2013. Both Madie and Emma with be in 4-H this year. Drew is hoping to start T-ball. Our dog show schedule is full and we plan to attend the ASCA Nationals in Greeley, CO. Tim and I are making more home improvement plans. I pray that we will continue to be as blessed in the new year as we have been in 2012.
God Bless you all! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
-The Williams family.
Here's my chance to give this Christmas letter writing thing a try, and everyone can take it or leave it!
2012 has been a wonderful year. As usual, it has flown by faster than I could imagine. My kids are growing before my eyes and each year passes faster than the one before.
Our family has been busy as usual. With four kids and a mini-farm full of animals, there is never a lack of work to be done. We added ducks this year and have started working the aussies on stock. We also have a new family kitty, a calico named Sage who joins our 3 teenage calico cats. Our 2012 aussie litter was born in February - 7 blue merle babies from Owen and Ellie. We are due to take our 2012 family picture with the dogs as soon as the weather cooperates and it will be a very full picture! We transferred membership to Dover Christian Church and have been greatly blessed by this church family. We enjoyed a great family vacation at Patoka Lake with my parents, as well as several family camping trips.
Tim started a new job recently. He left Pace Dairy and is now employed with Land O Lakes/Purina Nutrition. He works in a plant that makes livestock feed, mainly for race horses. The new job is a bit further away than his old one, but he is on a nice, normal day shift with most weekends off. He's home for dinner and is able to spend his evenings with the family.
I've been busy with the dogs. I personally finished two conformation champions that I bred, and watched another dog I bred earn an Altered CH, and go on to a Finals invitation where she earned 5th place! I also got to watch a co-bred dog earn her CH. I was thrilled to complete Glory's ATCH, the Agility Trial Championship. I showed Ryder to several Best of Breed wins. I stay busy at home and running to several dog shows a month. I also substitute teach occasionally, teach classes in the 4-H dog project, and do several 4-H judging assignments during the summer.
Madie is 10 years old and is growing into a young lady, no longer our little kid. She's in the 5th grade, sings in the choir, and loves training and showing her dogs. She put several titles on her dog Ellie, earned her first 500 club in the first 4 months of the ASCA year, and won 1st place in her showmanship class at the Indiana State fair. She now co-owns Quinn and is doing great using him in junior handling, earning many Best Junior wins. Madie has added horse-back riding to her hobby list, and also ran her first 5k this summer. She showed in dogs, goats, and rabbits at the county fair.
Emma is 8 years old and is doing very well in the 3rd grade. She got her first puppy this spring, a blue merle aussie named Nicki. They are best buddies and she's doing very well training her. They've already earned a Best Junior Handler win together! She's looking forward to starting a gymnastics class next month.
Drew is 4 years old and in preschool. He loves school and is a great student. He has learned to read his letters, say the days of the week and months of the year, and loves counting to 100 with a little assistance. He loves trains and trucks and is the best big brother to his little sister. He did another dog show this fall and loved it.
Macy is 2 years old and thinks she runs the world. She is a talker, and so opinionated that she always has something to say. She's Drew's shadow and tries to keep up with everything he does. She too is learning to read her letters and loves to count. She sings all of his preschool songs. She plays with My Little Ponies and Matchbox cars.
We're already making big plans for 2013. Both Madie and Emma with be in 4-H this year. Drew is hoping to start T-ball. Our dog show schedule is full and we plan to attend the ASCA Nationals in Greeley, CO. Tim and I are making more home improvement plans. I pray that we will continue to be as blessed in the new year as we have been in 2012.
God Bless you all! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
-The Williams family.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Tough Love
Sometimes being a good parent can make you feel like a rotten person.
My 10 year old Madie and 8 year old Emma are in a Bible club at school. (A public school!) Each week they have an assignment to read 7 chapters and then write a summary. My girls are notorious for putting this off or forgetting about it as the week goes by. Each Wednesday night or Thursday morning we have drama as they rush to get the assignment done.
Last week as I scrambled to find them each a flashlight so they could complete the Bible assignment on the morning bus ride, I warned them, "There is a new rule. If you don't have your assignment done by 8pm on Wednesday night, you don't get to go to Bible club on Thursday." Heads were nodding and two little girls quickly agreed.
Fast forward 6 days and there we were again on a Wednesday night and there were moments of panic as they remembered their assignment. Sadly, neither girl had completed the work by 8pm.
I had to do it. I hated to do it. I told the girls that they would have to come straight home after school the next day, they couldn't stay for Bible club. What followed was noisy, to say the least. There was weeping and gnashing of teeth. Emma went upstairs to her bed where the wailing could still be heard all over the house. Madie pleaded her case, told me how important Bible club was to them. I responded that if it was so important, they would complete the assignment on time.
I know the girls were upset with me. I know Tim didn't agree with my decision to keep them from this activity. He offered me several suggestions to get out of the declared punishment. I moped around all night, disheartened to see my girls so upset. Madie came down at 8:15pm, the end of their reading time, to tell me she had finished the Bible assignment. I told her she hadn't made the deadline and would not be able to go. More tears. Emma announced the next morning that she had finished hers. When I reminded her of the rule, again, there was more crying.
I sat both girls down and explained my situation to them. I have to have their respect and trust. I have to follow through on what I say, or they wouldn't be able to believe in me. I need them to take me seriously and know that I mean what I say. One day I will tell two teenage girls that if they are not home by curfew, there will be a consequence. They will know I mean it and that I will back up my words.
I hate to see my kids sad. I hate to see them miss out on fun events, especially in a situation where they weren't being bad, just made a mistake in their organization and time management. But I'm teaching my kids about life. I'm teaching them about consequences. I'm teaching them that I love them enough to be tough on them and teach them about behavior and consequences. It started with the first time I swatted their toddler bottoms to keep them safe and obedient, and will last through these childhood days. It will last through the tough teen years, and will follow them through the rest of their lives when I will be the constant voice of a mother, of experience and wisdom.
The good news is that they survived the consequence. They never thanked me for being a tough mom with strict rules, but they have laughed and hugged me and declared me the 'best mom ever' just after the incident. Sometimes loving them is easy, and sometimes it's hard. But I love them enough.
My 10 year old Madie and 8 year old Emma are in a Bible club at school. (A public school!) Each week they have an assignment to read 7 chapters and then write a summary. My girls are notorious for putting this off or forgetting about it as the week goes by. Each Wednesday night or Thursday morning we have drama as they rush to get the assignment done.
Last week as I scrambled to find them each a flashlight so they could complete the Bible assignment on the morning bus ride, I warned them, "There is a new rule. If you don't have your assignment done by 8pm on Wednesday night, you don't get to go to Bible club on Thursday." Heads were nodding and two little girls quickly agreed.
Fast forward 6 days and there we were again on a Wednesday night and there were moments of panic as they remembered their assignment. Sadly, neither girl had completed the work by 8pm.
I had to do it. I hated to do it. I told the girls that they would have to come straight home after school the next day, they couldn't stay for Bible club. What followed was noisy, to say the least. There was weeping and gnashing of teeth. Emma went upstairs to her bed where the wailing could still be heard all over the house. Madie pleaded her case, told me how important Bible club was to them. I responded that if it was so important, they would complete the assignment on time.
I know the girls were upset with me. I know Tim didn't agree with my decision to keep them from this activity. He offered me several suggestions to get out of the declared punishment. I moped around all night, disheartened to see my girls so upset. Madie came down at 8:15pm, the end of their reading time, to tell me she had finished the Bible assignment. I told her she hadn't made the deadline and would not be able to go. More tears. Emma announced the next morning that she had finished hers. When I reminded her of the rule, again, there was more crying.
I sat both girls down and explained my situation to them. I have to have their respect and trust. I have to follow through on what I say, or they wouldn't be able to believe in me. I need them to take me seriously and know that I mean what I say. One day I will tell two teenage girls that if they are not home by curfew, there will be a consequence. They will know I mean it and that I will back up my words.
I hate to see my kids sad. I hate to see them miss out on fun events, especially in a situation where they weren't being bad, just made a mistake in their organization and time management. But I'm teaching my kids about life. I'm teaching them about consequences. I'm teaching them that I love them enough to be tough on them and teach them about behavior and consequences. It started with the first time I swatted their toddler bottoms to keep them safe and obedient, and will last through these childhood days. It will last through the tough teen years, and will follow them through the rest of their lives when I will be the constant voice of a mother, of experience and wisdom.
The good news is that they survived the consequence. They never thanked me for being a tough mom with strict rules, but they have laughed and hugged me and declared me the 'best mom ever' just after the incident. Sometimes loving them is easy, and sometimes it's hard. But I love them enough.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
The Olympic Experience
I anxiously counted down to the start of the 2012 London Olympics. Not only do I love the Olympics, but the Summer Olympics are by far my favorite and this time they were located in a city I would LOVE to visit someday. I enjoyed watching every minute of it.
I appreciate the two and a half weeks of the Olympics. Not only is history made, but it is a time of 'peace'. It is a distraction, perhaps, from life around us. For just two weeks we can push aside politics and wars in foreign lands and just cheer for the home team. At this time, we Americans are all cheering for the same team. We're united as a country in our desire to see our athletes succeed. We hope they can be the fastest runners, highest jumpers, and best paddlers or shooters in the world. We secretly hope the crying Russian girl stumbles or the Chinese get slightly out of sync on a dive. We cheer together for weird sports we've rarely even seen, (trampoline?!) and shout like a coach at the TV when our Americans 'take your mark' on the track. Not only are we united as a country, we are watching individuals who spend the rest of the year competing against each other, now come together and work as a team. They depend on each other and work together for the win. Athletes of different sports are attending their fellow Americans' competitions just to be heard as an American crowd. Even better, the big picture is a huge competition of people from all around the world who on any other day, might be enemies. But these two weeks they cheer and hug and pick each other up when one falls down. They shake hands and congratulate the winner and forget about their differences, even if it's just temporary.
These Olympics have already made history. I watched the opening ceremonies wondering what drama lay ahead. Would judges cheat or someone test positive for drugs? We watched amazing feats such as a man with no legs run a race, history made in women's gymnastics (first African American All-Around gold medalist as well as the first American to win gold in both All-around and team), badminton players disqualified for trying NOT to win, and a legend of a swimmer earn his 22nd Olympic medal to make a statement in Olympic history that may never be broken. These athletes from around the world include ages 15 to 71. There are countries I've never heard of being represented. Countries are being represented by anywhere from 2 athletes, to over 500. New world records are being set all over the place.
While the spirit of the competition and the truly amazing ability of these athletes are what draw us to watch, it's the personal stories that steal our heart. We hear the stories of triumph and failure. Whether an athlete is overcoming an injury, mishap at a former Olympics, positive drug test, or a barely missed qualification in the past, they celebrate their true achievement of being an Olympian, and just hope for the chance to stand on the medal stand. Just being there, for a chance to represent their country and compete in the sport they love is a dream come true.
I spent far too much time over the past two weeks watching TV. I laughed, I cried. I cheered for the Americans, and when they weren't competing, I cheered for someone else who looked like they deserve the win. I learned the rules of water polo and feel an odd desire to try white-water kayaking. I ached, usually in vain, for more coverage of the equestrian events. I averted my eyes during weightlifting, held my breath during gymnastics, fell asleep during rowing, and paid my bills during some ridiculously long tennis matches. My kids sat with me to cheer for the US and watch what can happen when you are truly passionate about something and work hard, sacrifice everything, and strive to make your dreams come true.
We will wait another 2 years before the world comes together like this again, and 4 years before another summer games. Many athletes are already dreaming and training for the next Olympics. They spend their lives in a strict training regimen of practice, exercise, and diet. Some are already dreaming of redemption for something gone wrong at these 2012 games. I admire their dedication, wish them luck in their training, and anxiously await the next time we get to cheer for them as they chase their dreams.
I appreciate the two and a half weeks of the Olympics. Not only is history made, but it is a time of 'peace'. It is a distraction, perhaps, from life around us. For just two weeks we can push aside politics and wars in foreign lands and just cheer for the home team. At this time, we Americans are all cheering for the same team. We're united as a country in our desire to see our athletes succeed. We hope they can be the fastest runners, highest jumpers, and best paddlers or shooters in the world. We secretly hope the crying Russian girl stumbles or the Chinese get slightly out of sync on a dive. We cheer together for weird sports we've rarely even seen, (trampoline?!) and shout like a coach at the TV when our Americans 'take your mark' on the track. Not only are we united as a country, we are watching individuals who spend the rest of the year competing against each other, now come together and work as a team. They depend on each other and work together for the win. Athletes of different sports are attending their fellow Americans' competitions just to be heard as an American crowd. Even better, the big picture is a huge competition of people from all around the world who on any other day, might be enemies. But these two weeks they cheer and hug and pick each other up when one falls down. They shake hands and congratulate the winner and forget about their differences, even if it's just temporary.
These Olympics have already made history. I watched the opening ceremonies wondering what drama lay ahead. Would judges cheat or someone test positive for drugs? We watched amazing feats such as a man with no legs run a race, history made in women's gymnastics (first African American All-Around gold medalist as well as the first American to win gold in both All-around and team), badminton players disqualified for trying NOT to win, and a legend of a swimmer earn his 22nd Olympic medal to make a statement in Olympic history that may never be broken. These athletes from around the world include ages 15 to 71. There are countries I've never heard of being represented. Countries are being represented by anywhere from 2 athletes, to over 500. New world records are being set all over the place.
While the spirit of the competition and the truly amazing ability of these athletes are what draw us to watch, it's the personal stories that steal our heart. We hear the stories of triumph and failure. Whether an athlete is overcoming an injury, mishap at a former Olympics, positive drug test, or a barely missed qualification in the past, they celebrate their true achievement of being an Olympian, and just hope for the chance to stand on the medal stand. Just being there, for a chance to represent their country and compete in the sport they love is a dream come true.
I spent far too much time over the past two weeks watching TV. I laughed, I cried. I cheered for the Americans, and when they weren't competing, I cheered for someone else who looked like they deserve the win. I learned the rules of water polo and feel an odd desire to try white-water kayaking. I ached, usually in vain, for more coverage of the equestrian events. I averted my eyes during weightlifting, held my breath during gymnastics, fell asleep during rowing, and paid my bills during some ridiculously long tennis matches. My kids sat with me to cheer for the US and watch what can happen when you are truly passionate about something and work hard, sacrifice everything, and strive to make your dreams come true.
We will wait another 2 years before the world comes together like this again, and 4 years before another summer games. Many athletes are already dreaming and training for the next Olympics. They spend their lives in a strict training regimen of practice, exercise, and diet. Some are already dreaming of redemption for something gone wrong at these 2012 games. I admire their dedication, wish them luck in their training, and anxiously await the next time we get to cheer for them as they chase their dreams.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Raising Kids in Dog Shows
This past weekend has been a reminder that I am raising my kids in a sport. They are learning about life through a type of competition. I stood and had a conversation with a reputable figure in our breed and she commented on my parenting, as well as the passion that the girls show in the sport. They want to be there, they aren't doing this for mom. They are largely among adults who take this sport and love of the breed very seriously. They have been forced to act in a mature manner as they play an adult's game. Along the way they are making friendships with other juniors that will last them a lifetime. They will learn how to win, how to lose, and how best to play the game. More than anything, I want to teach my children to play with honor. No matter what sport or hobby your family is involved in, there are opportunities to learn good and bad lessons. I can speak at my kids all I want, but they will follow what I do, not what I say. The best I can do for them is to be an example.
These are the lessons I hope they learn:
Hard work in training your dog will reap the best results. It takes effort and dedication to be successful. It takes a sacrifice of time and money to follow your passion. If it is truly your passion, you won't mind what you give up.
You will lose. Lose with grace. Congratulate the winners and be truly happy for their success. We are all there for the same reason, because we hope to win. Pouting because you didn't win won't change the results. It's best to rejoice with the winner and hopefully they will celebrate with you when you get the chance to experience the joy of winning.
You will win. Win with dignity. Thank the judge and happily accept congratulations. Remember that each win is truly an honor and a celebration of your hard work and effort.
Play with honor. Follow the rules and hold your head high that you are playing an honest game. As long as you know you are honorable, you have nothing to worry about. When people attack or question your ethics, you can walk away knowing you are right, and they were wrong to question you.
Politics are a part of every sport and game. The strategy of bad-mouthing, back-stabbing, and playing the two-faced friend never has a good ending. It's better to avoid it all. The immaturity of high school comes back into play too often in life. I'd rather win or lose knowing that it was based on the merit of my dog, not because of who I am, who I know, or any tricks I played.
No matter how much you love the sport, it is never worth a hit to your integrity. Always keep in perspective what is truly important in life: your self worth, your faith and values, your family and friends. Play the game and take the lessons it offers, but never let the game play you. Always remember who you are and why you are there.
The dog you came and leave with is valuable because of the love you share, not because of ribbons won. The dog didn't choose this sport nor ask to go to the show. Cherish them and take care of their every need as you enjoy the time you spend with them.
Authority figures are to be respected. Judges, coaches, and leaders have earned the right to our respect. We must follow their instructions and speak to them with the respect they deserve.
It is better to listen than to speak. Wisdom comes from experience and from the words of those with experience. Knowledge will come quicker when you accept advice, rather than trying to figure everything out on your own. Humbly acknowledge that you don't know everything, that regardless of what you already know, there is always more to learn.
These are the lessons I hope my children learn in life. Dog shows are the venue I have to teach these life lessons. I pray that I can be a positive example to my kids. I know they have a love for the sport and could continue for a long time. I would love to continue showing with my adult children. Along our journey, as they move toward the teen years and adulthood, I hope they become young women and a young gentleman that I can be proud of. I hope they become positive influences not only in this sport, but in life.
I will raise my children, not just watch them grow up. I will guide them with instruction and with discipline. I will guide them with love as we enjoy this adventure in dog shows.
These are the lessons I hope they learn:
Hard work in training your dog will reap the best results. It takes effort and dedication to be successful. It takes a sacrifice of time and money to follow your passion. If it is truly your passion, you won't mind what you give up.
You will lose. Lose with grace. Congratulate the winners and be truly happy for their success. We are all there for the same reason, because we hope to win. Pouting because you didn't win won't change the results. It's best to rejoice with the winner and hopefully they will celebrate with you when you get the chance to experience the joy of winning.
You will win. Win with dignity. Thank the judge and happily accept congratulations. Remember that each win is truly an honor and a celebration of your hard work and effort.
Play with honor. Follow the rules and hold your head high that you are playing an honest game. As long as you know you are honorable, you have nothing to worry about. When people attack or question your ethics, you can walk away knowing you are right, and they were wrong to question you.
Politics are a part of every sport and game. The strategy of bad-mouthing, back-stabbing, and playing the two-faced friend never has a good ending. It's better to avoid it all. The immaturity of high school comes back into play too often in life. I'd rather win or lose knowing that it was based on the merit of my dog, not because of who I am, who I know, or any tricks I played.
No matter how much you love the sport, it is never worth a hit to your integrity. Always keep in perspective what is truly important in life: your self worth, your faith and values, your family and friends. Play the game and take the lessons it offers, but never let the game play you. Always remember who you are and why you are there.
The dog you came and leave with is valuable because of the love you share, not because of ribbons won. The dog didn't choose this sport nor ask to go to the show. Cherish them and take care of their every need as you enjoy the time you spend with them.
Authority figures are to be respected. Judges, coaches, and leaders have earned the right to our respect. We must follow their instructions and speak to them with the respect they deserve.
It is better to listen than to speak. Wisdom comes from experience and from the words of those with experience. Knowledge will come quicker when you accept advice, rather than trying to figure everything out on your own. Humbly acknowledge that you don't know everything, that regardless of what you already know, there is always more to learn.
These are the lessons I hope my children learn in life. Dog shows are the venue I have to teach these life lessons. I pray that I can be a positive example to my kids. I know they have a love for the sport and could continue for a long time. I would love to continue showing with my adult children. Along our journey, as they move toward the teen years and adulthood, I hope they become young women and a young gentleman that I can be proud of. I hope they become positive influences not only in this sport, but in life.
I will raise my children, not just watch them grow up. I will guide them with instruction and with discipline. I will guide them with love as we enjoy this adventure in dog shows.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
NOT a Stay at Home Mom!
I never thought I could be a stay at home mom. I wasn't even sure what they did all day, but I did know that I didn't want to be stuck at home that much! Heck, I didn't even like kids much. It sounded like some sort of torture to be home with diapers and laundry and bills and daytime television.
That, of course, was before I had my own children. I went back to work after my first baby. I loved my job, but hated that someone else had my baby all day. After my second baby, I quickly went to working part time, and after the third, I quit teaching all together to stay home with the kids. It was a hard decision, but I was completely at peace with it. That's when you know it's right. I had visions of finally getting my house clean and organized, and keeping it that way. The bills would always be caught up, the checkbook balanced, the meals would be works of art from cookbooks, and I would always be dressed with my hair fixed before the kids woke up in the morning. During the day I would sit on my clean floor and play puzzles and read books to the kids. During nap time I would knit a scarf or read a book. If you are, or ever have been a stay at home mom, you're laughing now.
None of that happened. I can't keep the house clean, the laundry is never caught up, and my to-do list never seems to get any shorter. I LOVE my job! I love that I am with my kids all day and can't imagine doing anything else. Besides the fact that I have four mess-makers, why can't I get everything done?
I really thought I was just doing it all wrong until my aunt, also a mother of four, made the comment that I really wasn't a stay at home mom. I am an 'On-The-Go' mom! Ah Ha! That's the problem. In order to have a clean house and cook big elaborate meals, you must actually be IN the house! I'm rarely at home! Sure, the first few years of your child's life are based around the house. But soon enough, your little ones are heading off to Vacation Bible School, T-ball practice, ballet class, or piano lessons. Then come the invitations to friends' birthday parties, choir practice, and now the sports have practices AND games/meets. Whoa, now add in summer camps and school field trips and 4-H and more sports...
That's just one kid. I have four. And that's just the kids' schedule. I'm proud to say that I still have a life too! I have dog shows and...., and..... well I just seem to have dog shows. But that keeps me VERY busy! I compete two or three weekends a month, and several of those are out of town stays. I feel like I'm always packing or unpacking. As a family we have church, family get-togethers, weekend camping trips, and a week-long vacation. My calendar is filled with notations. It's rare to ever see a day without something written on it. Our six lives are filled with adventures and commitments. Sure we could cut some out. We could sit home and play puzzles on the floor, but this is the life we have chosen and love.
That's not to say that I don't get to sit down and play with the kids. I love to read them books and cuddle each one on the couch. But it's much more likely that I will spend time chatting with one of my older girls about life on the drive to a dog show. I'll laugh and hold hands with Drew on a hike during a camping trip. Macy will fall asleep in my arms on a boat in the middle of a lake on vacation. My most vivid memories may not be made at home, but rather in those moments when we are away from our house.
I may be technically a 'Stay At Home Mom' by name, but good luck finding me there!
That, of course, was before I had my own children. I went back to work after my first baby. I loved my job, but hated that someone else had my baby all day. After my second baby, I quickly went to working part time, and after the third, I quit teaching all together to stay home with the kids. It was a hard decision, but I was completely at peace with it. That's when you know it's right. I had visions of finally getting my house clean and organized, and keeping it that way. The bills would always be caught up, the checkbook balanced, the meals would be works of art from cookbooks, and I would always be dressed with my hair fixed before the kids woke up in the morning. During the day I would sit on my clean floor and play puzzles and read books to the kids. During nap time I would knit a scarf or read a book. If you are, or ever have been a stay at home mom, you're laughing now.
None of that happened. I can't keep the house clean, the laundry is never caught up, and my to-do list never seems to get any shorter. I LOVE my job! I love that I am with my kids all day and can't imagine doing anything else. Besides the fact that I have four mess-makers, why can't I get everything done?
I really thought I was just doing it all wrong until my aunt, also a mother of four, made the comment that I really wasn't a stay at home mom. I am an 'On-The-Go' mom! Ah Ha! That's the problem. In order to have a clean house and cook big elaborate meals, you must actually be IN the house! I'm rarely at home! Sure, the first few years of your child's life are based around the house. But soon enough, your little ones are heading off to Vacation Bible School, T-ball practice, ballet class, or piano lessons. Then come the invitations to friends' birthday parties, choir practice, and now the sports have practices AND games/meets. Whoa, now add in summer camps and school field trips and 4-H and more sports...
That's just one kid. I have four. And that's just the kids' schedule. I'm proud to say that I still have a life too! I have dog shows and...., and..... well I just seem to have dog shows. But that keeps me VERY busy! I compete two or three weekends a month, and several of those are out of town stays. I feel like I'm always packing or unpacking. As a family we have church, family get-togethers, weekend camping trips, and a week-long vacation. My calendar is filled with notations. It's rare to ever see a day without something written on it. Our six lives are filled with adventures and commitments. Sure we could cut some out. We could sit home and play puzzles on the floor, but this is the life we have chosen and love.
That's not to say that I don't get to sit down and play with the kids. I love to read them books and cuddle each one on the couch. But it's much more likely that I will spend time chatting with one of my older girls about life on the drive to a dog show. I'll laugh and hold hands with Drew on a hike during a camping trip. Macy will fall asleep in my arms on a boat in the middle of a lake on vacation. My most vivid memories may not be made at home, but rather in those moments when we are away from our house.
I may be technically a 'Stay At Home Mom' by name, but good luck finding me there!
Thursday, May 10, 2012
The Adventures of Drew. Part 2
**I've had some technical difficulties and haven't been able to post for a few weeks. Hopefully I can get my laptop and this website to get along!
Tim asked me last night if I could have guessed how special my little boy would be to me before becoming a parent. I said definitely not. I wasn't raised around boys and had always dreamed of having little girls. When they laid that tiny little baby boy in my arms, my heart melted and my life changed. Never have I kissed a baby as much as I did Drew. He's certainly different than my girls, but so special to this momma's heart!
And then there are days that he drives me nuts!
I remember the winter he had a bad cold, one of those where his nose was running constantly. We taught him to blow his own nose and were proud that he was so independent in taking care of that chore. It was a few days into the cold that I stopped to inspect his 'tissue', only to realize that he was using Swiffer sweeper cloths to blow his nose! The box was nearly empty! Any Swiffer fan knows how much those darn things cost!!
I knew I was truly broken in as a mom after one particular trip to Sears. My mom and I had taken the 4 kids to get their Christmas picture taken. I had baby Macy in a stroller and was trying to make her happy in her cute little dress. Madie and Emma had wandered off with my mom to look at the pretty clothes in the girls department. Drew was interacting with a mannequin model. She was headless, and wearing a shorter skirt than my girls will ever wear. Drew decided to climb up on the pedestal with her and started belting out a song that made perfect sense only to a two year old. He was dancing and bopping when his poor headless lady friend went flying! She ended up on her shoulders (no head) and the little skirt flipped up. Drew jumped down to retrieve his lady friend, hoisting her back up on her stand into the upright position. I was barely paying attention to all of this, but was impressed and grateful that he had righted the situation without my assistance. With one last shove, Drew sticks up his little hand and shouts "STAY" at the plastic lady, and wandered away like it was no big deal.
I was sitting on the couch one day when Drew came over and kindly put chapstick on my lips. What a sweet boy! Then he motioned to our old schnauzer who was laying in her chair with a somewhat annoyed expression and said, "I put on Abbi face too!" Lovely.
The first White-out adventure made a reputation for Drew. I also got to hear a lot of White-out jokes and threats of gifting Drew with a case of white out. It was the SECOND White-out adventure that really sealed the deal. Poor Drew now has a restraining order from the stuff, not allowed within 10 feet.
Tim and I were sitting in the living room chatting when we realized the two 'little ones' were being very quiet. I said I was sure they had just gone into the kitchen, which meant they were just a few feet away. I walked into the room to find the two of them on the floor. Drew was covered in White-out and in the process of giving Macy a matching paint job. Of course I had to grab the camera.
As Drew sits here snuggled up next to me, I can't imagine life without him. Through all of his crazy adventures, he has a heart of gold. He's the first to run to comfort when someone is sad. He gives me random hugs now and then, 'just because'. He is full of laughter and joy, energy and inquisitiveness, just as a little boy should be. He stole my heart from day one. God gave us this child to keep us humble and to make us laugh. I am forever grateful and even look forward to whatever new stories he will bring.
Tim asked me last night if I could have guessed how special my little boy would be to me before becoming a parent. I said definitely not. I wasn't raised around boys and had always dreamed of having little girls. When they laid that tiny little baby boy in my arms, my heart melted and my life changed. Never have I kissed a baby as much as I did Drew. He's certainly different than my girls, but so special to this momma's heart!
And then there are days that he drives me nuts!
I remember the winter he had a bad cold, one of those where his nose was running constantly. We taught him to blow his own nose and were proud that he was so independent in taking care of that chore. It was a few days into the cold that I stopped to inspect his 'tissue', only to realize that he was using Swiffer sweeper cloths to blow his nose! The box was nearly empty! Any Swiffer fan knows how much those darn things cost!!
I knew I was truly broken in as a mom after one particular trip to Sears. My mom and I had taken the 4 kids to get their Christmas picture taken. I had baby Macy in a stroller and was trying to make her happy in her cute little dress. Madie and Emma had wandered off with my mom to look at the pretty clothes in the girls department. Drew was interacting with a mannequin model. She was headless, and wearing a shorter skirt than my girls will ever wear. Drew decided to climb up on the pedestal with her and started belting out a song that made perfect sense only to a two year old. He was dancing and bopping when his poor headless lady friend went flying! She ended up on her shoulders (no head) and the little skirt flipped up. Drew jumped down to retrieve his lady friend, hoisting her back up on her stand into the upright position. I was barely paying attention to all of this, but was impressed and grateful that he had righted the situation without my assistance. With one last shove, Drew sticks up his little hand and shouts "STAY" at the plastic lady, and wandered away like it was no big deal.
I was sitting on the couch one day when Drew came over and kindly put chapstick on my lips. What a sweet boy! Then he motioned to our old schnauzer who was laying in her chair with a somewhat annoyed expression and said, "I put on Abbi face too!" Lovely.
The first White-out adventure made a reputation for Drew. I also got to hear a lot of White-out jokes and threats of gifting Drew with a case of white out. It was the SECOND White-out adventure that really sealed the deal. Poor Drew now has a restraining order from the stuff, not allowed within 10 feet.
Tim and I were sitting in the living room chatting when we realized the two 'little ones' were being very quiet. I said I was sure they had just gone into the kitchen, which meant they were just a few feet away. I walked into the room to find the two of them on the floor. Drew was covered in White-out and in the process of giving Macy a matching paint job. Of course I had to grab the camera.
One of Drew's biggest misadventures didn't even require him to be present at the moment. I was getting ready for bed and went into the upstairs bathroom to remove my contacts. I couldn't find my glasses or contact case. There were some other odds and ends missing too. I usually sat these things on the windowsill and noticed the window was open. With one last look around the bathroom, I sighed and stuck my head out the window. As I suspected, on the porch roof below the window sat my glasses case, contact case, as well as some random toys. Random BOY toys. I had no doubt who the suspect was. I needed those items. The bathroom window is small, not designed for human beings to be crawling in and out of, but I figured I could manage it. I stepped up on the tub and awkwardly stuck my legs out the window and dropped to the porch roof. I quickly realized that the roof of the porch is much lower than the inside floor of the bathroom. The windowsill was now nearly at my neck. I picked up the various items and tossed them back into the bathroom and contemplated my situation. It was nearly midnight and I had a bedroom on each side with two sleeping kids in each of them. Tim had already gone to bed downstairs and probably wouldn't hear me even if I did start yelling for help. I decided against jumping off the roof of the porch, and I definitely wasn't dressed for a fire rescue team. I had a moment where I imagined my family finding me the next morning, shivering outside the window. I finally decided that I had to find a way to get back in the window. With a lot of jumping, flailing, struggling, and kicking the side of the house on my way up, I was able to fling my body into the tiny window far enough to wiggle in so that I was hanging half in, half out. I am SO thankful that we do not have any neighbors to the west of our house to see that sight!! At that point I realized there was no way to swing a leg through to land on my feet, so it was with an ungraceful 'thump' that I landed back in the bathroom with a scraped belly and very little dignity remaining.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
The Adventures of Drew, part 1.
I've done some serious posts lately and thought it was time for a bit of levity. It's time for some Drew stories! Over the past two years, I've noticed that Drew stories come in threes. Just when I think the boy has settled down and things will be 'normal', he suddenly pulls out a serious of Drew adventures that make good story material. I should knock on wood before I say this, but he hasn't been up to much mischief lately. We'll have to see how long this dry spell lasts. Here are a few 'oldies but goodies'...
As soon as Drew could walk we knew we had a character on our hands. One my first memories of his 'big boy' adventures was when he was around a year old. I found him in the bathroom with his two sisters who were screaming in the shower. He kept flushing the toilet, stealing the hot water from their steamy shower. When they screamed, he would laugh so hard he would double over. Evil little toddler! This may have been the day Drew went from being their adorable baby, to an annoying little brother!
One day I was sitting at my computer desk, working on the computer. Little Drew toddled into the room with a mischievous grin on his face. He had recently started putting things in his mouth. He didn't chew or swallow, just carried them around in his mouth. I could tell by his mouth and the sparkle in his eye that he had something. I called him over to me and told him to open his mouth. He obediently opened and stuck out his tongue. There sitting on his tongue, very clean and shiny, was my wedding ring. There is a time to scold a naughty child, and there is a time to smile and carefully move closer until you can snatch your jewelry out of his face!!Drew has always loved our litters of puppies. I remember him when he was in his walker, wandering down the hall to the laundry room. He spent many hours there with his tiny fingers through the x-pen bars for the puppies to kiss. It didn't take long for him to repay the generous nature of puppies. It was the next litter when he woke us to a stampede of puppies. Tiny puppy feet stomping down the hall on the wooden floor, followed by tiny toddler feet. When he woke up, instead of coming into our room, he just decided it would be fun to release the litter of puppies and run around the house. They were all having SO much fun!
I read in a magazine that your face cream will stay fresher if you keep it in the refrigerator. Ever since adding a male child to our family, I seem to be getting fine lines. In every attempt to avoid wrinkles before my time, I use special moisturizer on my face. In every attempt to preserve and maximize its efficiency, I keep my face cream in the fridge. It's unfortunate that toddlers can't read. Face cream appears to a two year old to be a yummy snack. I found him sitting on the floor with an open refrigerator door, snacking on my anti-wrinkle cream. I hadn't thought of that method of application. No wrinkles for Drew! Lesson learned, not everything in the refrigerator is edible!
Drew's most famous escapade may be his adventures with White-out. Ah, but which episode you ask? Well you'll have to wait for the sequel until another blog. This one is the original. You know how they say to never trust a quiet child? I learned my lesson quickly with that one. Just one day after watching his two older sisters paint their toes, Drew disappeared upstairs by himself. A few minutes later I go to check on him, and find myself following white footsteps on the stairs, past a large white puddle smeared into the upstairs hall, and into the bathroom. A little boy with white toes, white legs, white hands, face, clothes.... The mom in me, the mom that was not yet used to mothering a little boy, grabs him and puts him in the tub. Some soap, water, and scrubbing later, I discover that White off does not wash off! Quickly accepting our fate, I redress the child and snap a few photos. He's thrilled with his new look. The white blob on the floor remains in our upstairs hall to this day.
I'll have to stop there for the night, but don't worry, I'm not out of Drew stories! There have been a few times when I've almost missed the humor of a Drew story. I've now become so used to his antics that they fail to phase me. It's only when I step back, having survived with some dignity still intact, that I realize the humor. I am always quick to point out that the boy never means any harm! He has a heart of gold and just falls into these situations quite innocently. While that is definitely part of his charm, it's also part of the entertainment!
I treasure these memories of my little buddy!
More Drew stories coming soon!
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
How are those New Year's Resolutions working out?
I'm probably very similar to other people in that I make big plans and goals on January 1st, only to let them fade and be forgotten. This year, I have a public record of my 5 New Year's Resolutions. Three months of this year have already passed. It's time to check in on my progress and see if my goals are being met. I've decided to give myself a report card.
1. Write a weekly blog. I'm going to give myself an A on the blogging! I set the goal to blog once a week, even said I'd post them on Tuesdays, and I've done a pretty good job of sticking to that! Only once did I miss my deadline when I had a post wiped out because of computer problems. I still got that one posted the next day that I was on the computer. The only problem I have with the blog is my nasty habit of procrastination. Sometimes I feel like I'm back in college with a paper due at my 8:30am class on Friday. I tend to wait and whip something out Thursday night. (Back in my day, we had to have the thing printed and neatly presented for class. We didn't have the luxury of emailing it to our professor by a midnight deadline!) You can often find me right here, typing away on a Tuesday night to meet my self-imposed deadline. I very well know that if I had started earlier, with more time to rethink, revise, and edit, the end quality would be better. Still, I'm satisfied with the work I'm putting out and think I should pass the class. =)
2. I'm going to give myself a C on my health goal. I wanted to lose weight, exercise more, and eat better. I haven't really lost any weight, just maintained. I do exercise pretty consistently, and better now that the weather is warmer. My diet is my weak point. I love yummy food. I don't do well with portion control, especially when it comes to my favorite yummy foods. Probably my biggest weakness would be my love for sweets. I love desserts, especially chocolate. My best strategy is to record the foods I eat. As long as I have to write down everything I eat, and how much, I feel more accountable and better able to resist temptation. I started out the year writing everything down, but haven't continued with that. I prefer to just eat whatever I want. I do realize that's not best for my body and will try to improve in this area.
3. Bible Study. I'm going to be honest and give myself a D on Bible Study. While we've done pretty well with Church attendance this year, and we uphold our daily prayers and walk with God, I've been pretty bad about reading my Bible! I'm going to move the Bible to the top of my pile of books by the bed and try to improve on this. This goal only takes a few minutes a day to achieve and certainly shouldn't be the area where I'm failing!
4. Organization. I get a B on this on! I've actually made some improvements in my life to get things in order. Paperwork has been my big nemesis. I have piles of paperwork everywhere. You name it: bills, papers from school, 4-H stuff, ASCA club stuff, and tons of dog papers. I went and bought 4 portable file boxes. One is for 4-H, divided up by the different projects the girls do. Another is for the dogs, one folder per dog. I already had a file system for them, but this one is updated and easier to keep handy. Another file is for each litter and the breeding program. I have a folder for the paperwork involved from each litter, as well as for my stud dogs, and one file for all of the paperwork that goes into the puppy binders. The last file box is just mine. It's a miscellaneous collection of all of the paperwork that sits around and has nowhere to go. School papers, club papers, bills, and on and on. I'm very happy with my new system. I also made up new dog binders, organizing all of their registrations, health clearances, titles, etc. That makes it so much easier to find everything. I still have a long way to go in getting my life and house organized, but I am happy with the progress.
5. Goals with dogs. I get a B+ on this one! I have several goals in training and certain titles I want this year. The main four titles I'm after are 4 big ones! I want a MACH, ATCH, ASCA CH., and AKC CH. It's the first of April and while I haven't achieved any of those titles yet, I have made some good progress!! Ryder got a major in AKC, meaning he just needs a 4 point major to finish his CH. Quinn picked up a major in ASCA, meaning he just needs 2 point to finish his CH. I'd have to look, but I know Glory has earned at least two QQ's so far this year towards her MACH. We haven't had any ASCA agility trials yet, so no progress on the ATCH yet. I'm always happy with progress, it takes me a step closer to the goal!
We're only a fourth of the way through this year. I've already seen great things happen and am in no hurry to see this year rush by. My goals are just that, things that I strive to achieve. If I reach the end of the year and haven't accomplished them, they can be next year's goals! For now, I'll continue to work on my resolutions, they give me focus and bring me joy, peace, and satisfaction. They cover many different areas of my life and can only help me become a better person. I'll check back in a few months and see how things are going at the halfway mark. Until then, carry on and keep reaching for those goals!
1. Write a weekly blog. I'm going to give myself an A on the blogging! I set the goal to blog once a week, even said I'd post them on Tuesdays, and I've done a pretty good job of sticking to that! Only once did I miss my deadline when I had a post wiped out because of computer problems. I still got that one posted the next day that I was on the computer. The only problem I have with the blog is my nasty habit of procrastination. Sometimes I feel like I'm back in college with a paper due at my 8:30am class on Friday. I tend to wait and whip something out Thursday night. (Back in my day, we had to have the thing printed and neatly presented for class. We didn't have the luxury of emailing it to our professor by a midnight deadline!) You can often find me right here, typing away on a Tuesday night to meet my self-imposed deadline. I very well know that if I had started earlier, with more time to rethink, revise, and edit, the end quality would be better. Still, I'm satisfied with the work I'm putting out and think I should pass the class. =)
2. I'm going to give myself a C on my health goal. I wanted to lose weight, exercise more, and eat better. I haven't really lost any weight, just maintained. I do exercise pretty consistently, and better now that the weather is warmer. My diet is my weak point. I love yummy food. I don't do well with portion control, especially when it comes to my favorite yummy foods. Probably my biggest weakness would be my love for sweets. I love desserts, especially chocolate. My best strategy is to record the foods I eat. As long as I have to write down everything I eat, and how much, I feel more accountable and better able to resist temptation. I started out the year writing everything down, but haven't continued with that. I prefer to just eat whatever I want. I do realize that's not best for my body and will try to improve in this area.
3. Bible Study. I'm going to be honest and give myself a D on Bible Study. While we've done pretty well with Church attendance this year, and we uphold our daily prayers and walk with God, I've been pretty bad about reading my Bible! I'm going to move the Bible to the top of my pile of books by the bed and try to improve on this. This goal only takes a few minutes a day to achieve and certainly shouldn't be the area where I'm failing!
4. Organization. I get a B on this on! I've actually made some improvements in my life to get things in order. Paperwork has been my big nemesis. I have piles of paperwork everywhere. You name it: bills, papers from school, 4-H stuff, ASCA club stuff, and tons of dog papers. I went and bought 4 portable file boxes. One is for 4-H, divided up by the different projects the girls do. Another is for the dogs, one folder per dog. I already had a file system for them, but this one is updated and easier to keep handy. Another file is for each litter and the breeding program. I have a folder for the paperwork involved from each litter, as well as for my stud dogs, and one file for all of the paperwork that goes into the puppy binders. The last file box is just mine. It's a miscellaneous collection of all of the paperwork that sits around and has nowhere to go. School papers, club papers, bills, and on and on. I'm very happy with my new system. I also made up new dog binders, organizing all of their registrations, health clearances, titles, etc. That makes it so much easier to find everything. I still have a long way to go in getting my life and house organized, but I am happy with the progress.
5. Goals with dogs. I get a B+ on this one! I have several goals in training and certain titles I want this year. The main four titles I'm after are 4 big ones! I want a MACH, ATCH, ASCA CH., and AKC CH. It's the first of April and while I haven't achieved any of those titles yet, I have made some good progress!! Ryder got a major in AKC, meaning he just needs a 4 point major to finish his CH. Quinn picked up a major in ASCA, meaning he just needs 2 point to finish his CH. I'd have to look, but I know Glory has earned at least two QQ's so far this year towards her MACH. We haven't had any ASCA agility trials yet, so no progress on the ATCH yet. I'm always happy with progress, it takes me a step closer to the goal!
We're only a fourth of the way through this year. I've already seen great things happen and am in no hurry to see this year rush by. My goals are just that, things that I strive to achieve. If I reach the end of the year and haven't accomplished them, they can be next year's goals! For now, I'll continue to work on my resolutions, they give me focus and bring me joy, peace, and satisfaction. They cover many different areas of my life and can only help me become a better person. I'll check back in a few months and see how things are going at the halfway mark. Until then, carry on and keep reaching for those goals!
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Confession
We had to make a big decision here recently at Revelaire. You'll have to suffer through a story or two to hear what I've done.
When I bred my first litter, it was from my red tri girl Sky. I dreamt of a red tri boy that looked just like his mom. I could imagine gaiting him around the ring at shows, or picture him posing in the back yard. When the litter arrived, there he was! He was gorgeous- full white collar, great bone and structure. But he wasn't mine. As weeks passed it became obvious that the red merle male was obnoxiously begging to be mine. I felt no connection with the beautiful red tri male of my dreams. But a young lady on the waiting list, who had hoped for a red merle boy, was drawn to the red tri. Go figure. We all followed our hearts and it was a very happy ending. That red merle is my beloved Boom. The red tri boy went to the perfect home where he accomplished great things.
Fast forward several years to my Spencer x Glory litter. I was hoping for a black tri female. Good girl Glory gave us three black tri females to choose from! I spent the next several weeks looking over the three girls, dreaming of which one might be mine. I tired to ignore the pesky dark blue merle girl that was trying to get my attention. Guess who stayed here at Revelaire? Yep, that pesky blue merle is my Libby. I can't imagine life without that special girl.
I'm a breeder and once a year we have a litter of pups join our lives for 8 weeks. While I love each puppy we produce, I don't get attached to them. I get great joy of sending them off to their perfect homes. I love meeting up with them at shows or when they come to visit. They are happy to see me, but happier to go home with their loving owner, the person or family they were meant to be with. People ask if it's hard to let puppies go to their new homes. It's not really, they were never meant to be mine. I have no connection with these pups beyond that as their breeder, they have a destiny with someone else. When the right person is matched with the right pup, it's a beautiful thing!
And then there comes a time when you weren't even looking for a puppy, but one chooses you. Yes, it's time for the confession. A puppy picked me in this litter. I wasn't even keeping a pup. Emma was getting her first dog out of this litter, and the rest were to be sold. I've tried to ignore this puppy for the past 7 weeks. Every time I walk by their pen, he's staring at me. The others are wrestling and playing. When the puppies are out and about, he's between my feet, just to be near me. When visitors came to see the litter, he ignored them. I don't know why this is meant to be, but I'm sure it is.
I always have a hard time with big decisions. You should have seen what I went through with each decision to add a child to the family! I've stressed and worried and prayed over this. This isn't a child, we won't be sending him off to college or planning a wedding. Still, we are adding a new pup to our family. It's important. Sometimes you just have to follow your heart. I've learned that everything happens for a reason, and your gut feeling is usually God leading your life. In this case, God put a pup at my feet. It took a while for me to give in, but I did. I picked that pup up and let him into my heart.
When I bred my first litter, it was from my red tri girl Sky. I dreamt of a red tri boy that looked just like his mom. I could imagine gaiting him around the ring at shows, or picture him posing in the back yard. When the litter arrived, there he was! He was gorgeous- full white collar, great bone and structure. But he wasn't mine. As weeks passed it became obvious that the red merle male was obnoxiously begging to be mine. I felt no connection with the beautiful red tri male of my dreams. But a young lady on the waiting list, who had hoped for a red merle boy, was drawn to the red tri. Go figure. We all followed our hearts and it was a very happy ending. That red merle is my beloved Boom. The red tri boy went to the perfect home where he accomplished great things.
Fast forward several years to my Spencer x Glory litter. I was hoping for a black tri female. Good girl Glory gave us three black tri females to choose from! I spent the next several weeks looking over the three girls, dreaming of which one might be mine. I tired to ignore the pesky dark blue merle girl that was trying to get my attention. Guess who stayed here at Revelaire? Yep, that pesky blue merle is my Libby. I can't imagine life without that special girl.
I'm a breeder and once a year we have a litter of pups join our lives for 8 weeks. While I love each puppy we produce, I don't get attached to them. I get great joy of sending them off to their perfect homes. I love meeting up with them at shows or when they come to visit. They are happy to see me, but happier to go home with their loving owner, the person or family they were meant to be with. People ask if it's hard to let puppies go to their new homes. It's not really, they were never meant to be mine. I have no connection with these pups beyond that as their breeder, they have a destiny with someone else. When the right person is matched with the right pup, it's a beautiful thing!
And then there comes a time when you weren't even looking for a puppy, but one chooses you. Yes, it's time for the confession. A puppy picked me in this litter. I wasn't even keeping a pup. Emma was getting her first dog out of this litter, and the rest were to be sold. I've tried to ignore this puppy for the past 7 weeks. Every time I walk by their pen, he's staring at me. The others are wrestling and playing. When the puppies are out and about, he's between my feet, just to be near me. When visitors came to see the litter, he ignored them. I don't know why this is meant to be, but I'm sure it is.
I always have a hard time with big decisions. You should have seen what I went through with each decision to add a child to the family! I've stressed and worried and prayed over this. This isn't a child, we won't be sending him off to college or planning a wedding. Still, we are adding a new pup to our family. It's important. Sometimes you just have to follow your heart. I've learned that everything happens for a reason, and your gut feeling is usually God leading your life. In this case, God put a pup at my feet. It took a while for me to give in, but I did. I picked that pup up and let him into my heart.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Checking in on puppies..5 weeks old.
Time is flying by and the puppies are already 5 1/2 weeks old! They are now little dogs that run, tug, bark, and chew on your shoes. A lot has changed in the last three weeks, it's time to catch up!
The puppies don't need momma Ellie much any more. She checks on them and nurses them about three times a day. We're working towards getting them fully weaned in the next week or so. She doesn't sleep with them anymore. They still have a small x-pen in the laundry room, but spend their nights in a kennel in the dog room. With the weather so nice, they have been spending much of the day outside in a double x-pen.
They started on puppy mush around 4 weeks old, and are now on dry puppy food. They drink water from a dish just like the big dogs. They love to carry toys and the girls have even introduced some of them to walking on a leash. They play in a tunnel and climb up and down steps. We'll add more agility equipment soon.
Today the puppies got their first bath! It was interesting to observe their personalities with this new experience. Tailor and Jokey fussed, Hefty didn't make a sound or struggle a bit. They are listening to CDs of household sounds, farm animal noises, and dog show racket. At night they listen to country music like the rest of the dogs. We raise good down-home, country dogs here!
Around 7 weeks old they'll go for their CERF(eye) exams and we'll do an evaluation of each puppy. At that time, based on my observations of temperament and personality, we'll start making decisions. First we pick which puppy or puppies stay with us. We've done the breeding with the intent of continuing our bloodlines, and will pick the pup/s that have the strengths we are looking for. I say that like it's purely science, but must admit that often it's certain puppies tugging at my heartstrings.
I'll admit right now that there is a certain...*cough*...MALE puppy that is begging to be mine. I told him that I'm not looking for a new puppy right now, and he's the wrong sex anyway. But then Tim reminds me that's exactly what I said about Ryder, and look how that turned out!
When we're sitting out on the lawn I watch the puppies carefully. I'd love to focus on how cute they are and who is pulling on the ear of another puppy, but what I watch is how they move. I scan for the puppy that is moving at a gait (trot), away from me, towards me, or just gliding across the yard. I watch for stride and topline and neck. I watch to see if they are converging or flipping a foot. When they stop I look for angles and presence. I always keep in mind that they are only 5 weeks old and still have a lot of developing to do. But even at this age I already know who has show potential and who will probably do better in a performance-only home.
When they are playing, I watch for temperament. I observe how they react when Macy picks one up or Drew goes running by like a banshee. Do they startle when a ball lands near them or the cat jumps in the pen with them? How far do they wander from the rest of the litter or from people? How quickly do they respond when they see people, or when we call 'puppy puppy' for them? How pushy are they when I open the gate, set down their food, or when they want attention, or down from being held. Honestly, we don't have any bullies in this litter. I have some that are more out-spoken or adventurous, but nobody is too dominant. None of the puppies are skittish or shy, although we've already seen them go through minor fear periods. Those tend to come and go extremely quickly as they grow.
Soon it will be time to make decisions. I love that many buyers rely on my input when choosing a pup. I always try to steer them towards the pup I feel is best for them, but still want them to have options. Obviously that depends on the waiting list and number of available puppies to the buyer. My favorite thing is to watch how puppies react to the buyers. Often I've watched puppies pick their person, only to get ignored as the person looks at another puppy. In the end, the puppy usually gets his/her way, once the buyer feels the same bond that the puppy already felt.
I know our time with this litter is drawing to an end. It's been wonderful (and confusing!) sharing our time with these seven blue merle babies. I'll be sad to see them go, but excited for each of them as they are paired up with a new owner. There is nothing better than sending a pup out the door knowing they have a great life ahead, and knowing that a special partnership has only just begun.
The puppies don't need momma Ellie much any more. She checks on them and nurses them about three times a day. We're working towards getting them fully weaned in the next week or so. She doesn't sleep with them anymore. They still have a small x-pen in the laundry room, but spend their nights in a kennel in the dog room. With the weather so nice, they have been spending much of the day outside in a double x-pen.
They started on puppy mush around 4 weeks old, and are now on dry puppy food. They drink water from a dish just like the big dogs. They love to carry toys and the girls have even introduced some of them to walking on a leash. They play in a tunnel and climb up and down steps. We'll add more agility equipment soon.
Today the puppies got their first bath! It was interesting to observe their personalities with this new experience. Tailor and Jokey fussed, Hefty didn't make a sound or struggle a bit. They are listening to CDs of household sounds, farm animal noises, and dog show racket. At night they listen to country music like the rest of the dogs. We raise good down-home, country dogs here!
Around 7 weeks old they'll go for their CERF(eye) exams and we'll do an evaluation of each puppy. At that time, based on my observations of temperament and personality, we'll start making decisions. First we pick which puppy or puppies stay with us. We've done the breeding with the intent of continuing our bloodlines, and will pick the pup/s that have the strengths we are looking for. I say that like it's purely science, but must admit that often it's certain puppies tugging at my heartstrings.
I'll admit right now that there is a certain...*cough*...MALE puppy that is begging to be mine. I told him that I'm not looking for a new puppy right now, and he's the wrong sex anyway. But then Tim reminds me that's exactly what I said about Ryder, and look how that turned out!
When we're sitting out on the lawn I watch the puppies carefully. I'd love to focus on how cute they are and who is pulling on the ear of another puppy, but what I watch is how they move. I scan for the puppy that is moving at a gait (trot), away from me, towards me, or just gliding across the yard. I watch for stride and topline and neck. I watch to see if they are converging or flipping a foot. When they stop I look for angles and presence. I always keep in mind that they are only 5 weeks old and still have a lot of developing to do. But even at this age I already know who has show potential and who will probably do better in a performance-only home.
When they are playing, I watch for temperament. I observe how they react when Macy picks one up or Drew goes running by like a banshee. Do they startle when a ball lands near them or the cat jumps in the pen with them? How far do they wander from the rest of the litter or from people? How quickly do they respond when they see people, or when we call 'puppy puppy' for them? How pushy are they when I open the gate, set down their food, or when they want attention, or down from being held. Honestly, we don't have any bullies in this litter. I have some that are more out-spoken or adventurous, but nobody is too dominant. None of the puppies are skittish or shy, although we've already seen them go through minor fear periods. Those tend to come and go extremely quickly as they grow.
Soon it will be time to make decisions. I love that many buyers rely on my input when choosing a pup. I always try to steer them towards the pup I feel is best for them, but still want them to have options. Obviously that depends on the waiting list and number of available puppies to the buyer. My favorite thing is to watch how puppies react to the buyers. Often I've watched puppies pick their person, only to get ignored as the person looks at another puppy. In the end, the puppy usually gets his/her way, once the buyer feels the same bond that the puppy already felt.
I know our time with this litter is drawing to an end. It's been wonderful (and confusing!) sharing our time with these seven blue merle babies. I'll be sad to see them go, but excited for each of them as they are paired up with a new owner. There is nothing better than sending a pup out the door knowing they have a great life ahead, and knowing that a special partnership has only just begun.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
A Snapshot In Time
One of my motivations of blogging was to capture memories, a diary of sorts. My life is flying by and I don't want to forget one precious moment. Four of my most precious treasures are asleep upstairs right now. They give me joy and inspiration in every day. There is no better topic that I need to capture, as we all know their youth is fleeting. So now I'll snap this one moment in time to remember them as they are today.
My darling Madison recently turned 10. She's officially a pre-teen, or a 'tween', somewhere between a child and the young lady that she will soon become. She's still my little girl at heart. She's outgoing and bold, motivated and a bit bossy. Unlike her younger siblings, there isn't a shy bone in her. She's a born leader, with an opinion and a bit of a selfish nature. She loves competition and loves to succeed. She does very well in school and enjoys the 4th grade. Her friends are very important to her. She's not really into boys yet, but I can tell she's becoming more aware of them. She likes projects and goals. She's very sensitive to my emotions, always checking on me if I seem stressed or tired. I've always had a very strong connection with this little girl, my first born. Her best buddy is her dog, Ellie. They have a very special bond. While I'm proud of the young lady that she is becoming, part of me wants to hold on tight to her and keep her to myself.
My sweet Emma is 7 and in 2nd grade. She's such an honest and simple little girl. She likes pretty clothes and wants her hair to look nice, but can climb a tree like a monkey and wears dirt like a tom-boy. She is gentle and a bit shy. She's a follower. She does well at school and loves to please her teacher. She has friends but doesn't work to please them. She likes salad and sweets, but no pizza. What she sometimes lacks in confidence, she makes up for in natural ability. Athletics and academics come easily. She's laid-back, and sometimes stuck in slow speed. She always wants to do the right thing. She's always been in a rush to keep up with Madie, walking and talking at a young age. Sometimes we forget that she is 2 1/2 years younger than her sister, and needs to be treated like the little girl that she is.
My buddy Drew is 3. He's in preschool and loves socializing with friends. He's all about dirt and cars and climbing things. He's very active and loves to talk and sing. He likes Barney, the big purple dinosaur. He hates thunderstorms. He wants to be just like his dad, snuggle with his mom, and never be too far from his stuffed elephant 'Blue'. His partner in crime is our youngest miniature schnauzer, Kira. He plays with trains and dinosaurs, and loves to take a bath. He adores his little sister and while they can fight like cats and dogs, he carefully watches over her to the point of pampering her. He has a kind heart and never means to get into trouble. He can walk into the room and have a conversation with a dog like any friend. He lives to help others, and to keep everyone happy.
My baby Macy is 21 months today. She's a doll. She's a grumpy little man in the body of a toddler. She can scowl one moment, and grin the next. She is a talker! I have no idea how big her vocabulary is, but it must be several hundred words. I stopped writing her list of words when it hit 100, and that was several months ago. She speaks in four and five word sentences. She sings her ABCs and counts to 10. She loves to sing songs, most are ones that Drew has taught her, so not all of the words are right. She has a rainbow-colored stuffed animal named 'Bear' that she wants to carry everywhere. We have to hide Bear away during the day because when Macy has her, she pops her fingers into her mouth. Without Bear, no fingers. Macy is a lightweight, but she's tall. She is a picky eater that seems to exist on fruit, bread, and meat. She won't touch pasta, has never even tried it! She's a good sleeper and loves to snuggle when she's sleepy. She's my last baby and I may hold her just a little tighter.
And now I'll sneak off to watch them sleep, a tear in my eye. I watch them grow each day and know they are slowly slipping away, each destined to be something bigger and greater than just my child. Someday they will make their mark on this world. But tonight they are all mine, and this day has been documented and locked away in my heart.
My darling Madison recently turned 10. She's officially a pre-teen, or a 'tween', somewhere between a child and the young lady that she will soon become. She's still my little girl at heart. She's outgoing and bold, motivated and a bit bossy. Unlike her younger siblings, there isn't a shy bone in her. She's a born leader, with an opinion and a bit of a selfish nature. She loves competition and loves to succeed. She does very well in school and enjoys the 4th grade. Her friends are very important to her. She's not really into boys yet, but I can tell she's becoming more aware of them. She likes projects and goals. She's very sensitive to my emotions, always checking on me if I seem stressed or tired. I've always had a very strong connection with this little girl, my first born. Her best buddy is her dog, Ellie. They have a very special bond. While I'm proud of the young lady that she is becoming, part of me wants to hold on tight to her and keep her to myself.
My sweet Emma is 7 and in 2nd grade. She's such an honest and simple little girl. She likes pretty clothes and wants her hair to look nice, but can climb a tree like a monkey and wears dirt like a tom-boy. She is gentle and a bit shy. She's a follower. She does well at school and loves to please her teacher. She has friends but doesn't work to please them. She likes salad and sweets, but no pizza. What she sometimes lacks in confidence, she makes up for in natural ability. Athletics and academics come easily. She's laid-back, and sometimes stuck in slow speed. She always wants to do the right thing. She's always been in a rush to keep up with Madie, walking and talking at a young age. Sometimes we forget that she is 2 1/2 years younger than her sister, and needs to be treated like the little girl that she is.
My buddy Drew is 3. He's in preschool and loves socializing with friends. He's all about dirt and cars and climbing things. He's very active and loves to talk and sing. He likes Barney, the big purple dinosaur. He hates thunderstorms. He wants to be just like his dad, snuggle with his mom, and never be too far from his stuffed elephant 'Blue'. His partner in crime is our youngest miniature schnauzer, Kira. He plays with trains and dinosaurs, and loves to take a bath. He adores his little sister and while they can fight like cats and dogs, he carefully watches over her to the point of pampering her. He has a kind heart and never means to get into trouble. He can walk into the room and have a conversation with a dog like any friend. He lives to help others, and to keep everyone happy.
My baby Macy is 21 months today. She's a doll. She's a grumpy little man in the body of a toddler. She can scowl one moment, and grin the next. She is a talker! I have no idea how big her vocabulary is, but it must be several hundred words. I stopped writing her list of words when it hit 100, and that was several months ago. She speaks in four and five word sentences. She sings her ABCs and counts to 10. She loves to sing songs, most are ones that Drew has taught her, so not all of the words are right. She has a rainbow-colored stuffed animal named 'Bear' that she wants to carry everywhere. We have to hide Bear away during the day because when Macy has her, she pops her fingers into her mouth. Without Bear, no fingers. Macy is a lightweight, but she's tall. She is a picky eater that seems to exist on fruit, bread, and meat. She won't touch pasta, has never even tried it! She's a good sleeper and loves to snuggle when she's sleepy. She's my last baby and I may hold her just a little tighter.
And now I'll sneak off to watch them sleep, a tear in my eye. I watch them grow each day and know they are slowly slipping away, each destined to be something bigger and greater than just my child. Someday they will make their mark on this world. But tonight they are all mine, and this day has been documented and locked away in my heart.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
My Glory
I was asked to write an article for our club website. It features the story of a member's dog each month. I was excited to do this, but the big decision was, which dog? I've had dogs that have touched my lives in so many ways. I grew up with dogs that inspired me to continue in training. I had aussies that made me fall in love with the breed. I've had dogs that took me to big titles, dogs that gave me an education. This is the story of a dog that has been my teacher and my friend.
Loyal Spirit Be My Glory CGC MX MXJ OF GS-E RS-E JS-E-OP
There are dogs who let us learn on them, and dogs who insist on teaching us whether we asked or not. Glory has been a dog that insists on teaching me. She wants me to be a better handler, a smarter trainer, and quicker at dispensing treats. In return ,she pours enthusiasm and heart into everything we do.
There are dogs who let us learn on them, and dogs who insist on teaching us whether we asked or not. Glory has been a dog that insists on teaching me. She wants me to be a better handler, a smarter trainer, and quicker at dispensing treats. In return ,she pours enthusiasm and heart into everything we do.
A breeder friend was planning a litter and asked me if I might want a pup. I was still young in the breed, planning and dreaming. I was gathering dogs that would be my competition partners, as well as the future of my breeding program. I looked at her plans, pedigrees, and pictures, and put my bid in. I told her I’d really like a blue merle bitch. Yep, I was one of THOSE buyers. The one that not only asks for a certain color and sex, but wants a BLUE MERLE FEMALE! The litter was born and there was ONE beautiful blue female in the litter. I got to hold her in my hands as a newborn and hoped she would be mine. I waited and watched, and returned to get my perfect blue girl 8 weeks later. We bonded from day one, she was stuck to my side.
We spent her first week playing with a clicker and a dumbbell in my kitchen. She was highly food motivated. (still is!) In just a few days, she was retrieving a dumbbell to my hand. I knew she was a smart girl and was driven to learn new things. I put her in a puppy class where she spent the playtime running from one obstacle to another on the puppy agility equipment, while the other puppies chased each other and wrestled.
She brought home some nice wins in conformation from the puppy classes, became a junior handling dog for a friend, and trained in agility. Agility was, and is her passion. She quickly moved up through the classes in both AKC and ASCA. She’s a demanding partner, running with drive and passion . She barks. I mean she BARKS through the whole course. It’s not stress or frustration, it’s pure joy. I never have to rev her up to run, nor calm her down. She walks on the course like she owns it, and runs with me because she loves it.
She never gives me an easy run. She runs at a distance, which requires perfect timing and communication on my part. She’s sure to let me know when my cues aren’t clear, are late, or are just WRONG! It’s never her fault when we mess up. She doesn’t run to please me, nor make a mistake to spite me. We run as equals, both for the love of the game.
Sometimes a dog is just a great dog. And sometimes they are your friend, your partner. You have those special dogs in your life that teach you to be better. They love you and cuddle with you, and then push you to be a better trainer, handler, person. Glory is that dog.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Two weeks of new life.
It's time to check in on the litter. They are two and a half weeks old, and a lot has happened since I shared their birth story.
The first two weeks are always one of my favorite times. The mom is content to snuggle and nurse her babies. They sleep quietly most of the day and night. They stay in one place and really don't make much of a mess at all. We change their towels once a day and that's all of the maintenance their area requires. The mom keeps them clean and manages their toiletry needs.
One would think the first two weeks are quite boring. Actually, these puppies have been through some amazing adventures already! After surviving the harrowing experience of birth, they were rubbed and licked and pulled and rolled. Some even got to swing head-down to clear their airways. What an introduction to life! They were deaf and blind and knew nothing other than to smell their way to mom and nurse. They couldn't walk but pushed around with a swimming motion, shoving their heavy head in front of them. Soon they were able to lift their heads, climb over siblings, and sleep in creative positions.
The first few days of life included a trip to the vet. This is my least-favorite part of being an aussie breeder. The puppies need their tails and dewclaws removed, and need it done in the first few days of life. I always supervise this, although I hate hearing them squeak. Honestly, they yell more about being restrained by the tech than the actual procedure. As soon as they are back in the box they snuggle in and go back to sleep. I'm not sure who is more relieved when this is over, me or the mother dog. She checks over her babies and cleans all of the vet cooties off of them. They nurse and sleep and forget all about it.
We leave them alone the following day, but then it's right back to their education. Besides tons of holding and fondling, we do ENS. That's Early Neurological Stimulation. It's also called "Super-dog Program". There are five exercises that are performed on the puppies that are shown to stimulate brain function. They include holding them in different positions, touch stimulation, and thermal stimulation. This conditioning has been shown to produce puppies that are stronger, healthier, and more resistant to stress.
We also begin to introduce different surfaces. The puppies have crawled on towels, linoleum, wood floor, and several types of fabric. They have been carried and held in different positions, smelled many different smells, and slept in our laps. They have had their nails trimmed and mouths pried open.
As they reached the 2-week mark, their eyes and ear began to open. Now, just a few days over 2 weeks old, they can wobble around on all four legs, even climb up on the piggy rail in the whelping box. One puppy had to show off and walked all along the length of one rail. They can bark and growl. They are beginning to play and wrestle with each other and one even tried gumming a puppy toy tonight.
I can already see personalities developing as I watch them greet the world and interact with what is around them. In just 18 days of life they have gone from helpless little beings, to wobbly, curious little puppies. I watch in awe as they develop daily into the dogs they will be come. In another 2 weeks they will be bouncing around, bringing chaos to the house. Just 2 weeks after that they will no longer need their mommy. And yet just two weeks later, they will leave us, ready to take on the world and live their lives.
Their 18-day lives have already had an influence on who they will become. They are innocent, but I dream of what lies ahead of them. A great group of people wait to find out which puppy will join their families. These individuals have big dreams, I have great hope. Take your time growing up little ones, let us enjoy you for a while.
The first two weeks are always one of my favorite times. The mom is content to snuggle and nurse her babies. They sleep quietly most of the day and night. They stay in one place and really don't make much of a mess at all. We change their towels once a day and that's all of the maintenance their area requires. The mom keeps them clean and manages their toiletry needs.
One would think the first two weeks are quite boring. Actually, these puppies have been through some amazing adventures already! After surviving the harrowing experience of birth, they were rubbed and licked and pulled and rolled. Some even got to swing head-down to clear their airways. What an introduction to life! They were deaf and blind and knew nothing other than to smell their way to mom and nurse. They couldn't walk but pushed around with a swimming motion, shoving their heavy head in front of them. Soon they were able to lift their heads, climb over siblings, and sleep in creative positions.
The first few days of life included a trip to the vet. This is my least-favorite part of being an aussie breeder. The puppies need their tails and dewclaws removed, and need it done in the first few days of life. I always supervise this, although I hate hearing them squeak. Honestly, they yell more about being restrained by the tech than the actual procedure. As soon as they are back in the box they snuggle in and go back to sleep. I'm not sure who is more relieved when this is over, me or the mother dog. She checks over her babies and cleans all of the vet cooties off of them. They nurse and sleep and forget all about it.
We leave them alone the following day, but then it's right back to their education. Besides tons of holding and fondling, we do ENS. That's Early Neurological Stimulation. It's also called "Super-dog Program". There are five exercises that are performed on the puppies that are shown to stimulate brain function. They include holding them in different positions, touch stimulation, and thermal stimulation. This conditioning has been shown to produce puppies that are stronger, healthier, and more resistant to stress.
We also begin to introduce different surfaces. The puppies have crawled on towels, linoleum, wood floor, and several types of fabric. They have been carried and held in different positions, smelled many different smells, and slept in our laps. They have had their nails trimmed and mouths pried open.
As they reached the 2-week mark, their eyes and ear began to open. Now, just a few days over 2 weeks old, they can wobble around on all four legs, even climb up on the piggy rail in the whelping box. One puppy had to show off and walked all along the length of one rail. They can bark and growl. They are beginning to play and wrestle with each other and one even tried gumming a puppy toy tonight.
I can already see personalities developing as I watch them greet the world and interact with what is around them. In just 18 days of life they have gone from helpless little beings, to wobbly, curious little puppies. I watch in awe as they develop daily into the dogs they will be come. In another 2 weeks they will be bouncing around, bringing chaos to the house. Just 2 weeks after that they will no longer need their mommy. And yet just two weeks later, they will leave us, ready to take on the world and live their lives.
Their 18-day lives have already had an influence on who they will become. They are innocent, but I dream of what lies ahead of them. A great group of people wait to find out which puppy will join their families. These individuals have big dreams, I have great hope. Take your time growing up little ones, let us enjoy you for a while.
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