It was a time warp, I swear!

Wow. I can't believe how delinquent I've been at keeping up with this blog! I blame it on a tear in the fabric of time and space. It can't possibly have anything to do with me and my dysfunctional time management skills. No way!

First off, I have a new blog that I'm actually pretty good about updating. It's my running and racing blog, but it seems like a good place to dump those things that might be inappropriate for a family blog, heehee. Here it is: http://caffeinatedhummingbird.blogspot.com/

Anyway, since we seem to have experienced a time skip, lets get all caught up.

Since spring, lots has happened.

I got a new horse, Miller. He's awesome!


Wil and I ran Bloomsday together. He nearly killed me.



I ran my first half marathon!



And my second!



And my third!



And Spokane to Sandpoint!



Lola ran her first race with me. Freaking adorable!




There was the first ever "Barley Beer Run" relay! Go Team Saucy Tarts!!


We fished, hiked, and played outside all summer long!



We got a new dog, "Decoy" the wimpy Doberman. At least he looks like he would protect me.

Well, maybe not:
I lost my beloved old mare, Lipsey.



We had puppies.



Lola had another birthday. My baby is 6......6!!!!



Wil and I had an escape to Portland for his birthday. We really enjoyed seeing our good friends!!



And that is that.

As soon as the time space continuum settles down a little, I will start updating regularly again!

April Showers Bring May....Showers?

Wow, this has been a rainy rainy spring. We were all starting to get extremely sick of it. Still, we managed to find some pretty entertaining ways to spend our wet and rainy days.

One day Lola was drawing monsters. This is a favorite pastime of hers. She drew this particularly interesting monster.




Together, we turned it into this:



Lola loves her monster, and it really wasn't that hard to do. If you have a creative kiddo, some stuffing, some felt, and a sewing machine, or even some glue, you too can make your very own monster.


Easter came and went with the usual level of excitement. One thing we just didn't do this year is color eggs. I know, I know. Mother of the year award, blah blah blah. To make matters worse, I had to work the Saturday before Easter, which is the day of the big Easter Egg Hunt in town. I worked right up until the last minute, drove home, dressed the kids in their cute Easter clothes, and we hustled into town. Wil and I each picked up a child and ran with them from our parking spot several blocks away from the park. Despite heroic efforts, we were 30 seconds too late, and everyone knows 30 seconds is all it takes for 50 screaming children to find 300 plastic eggs in the grass. Our kids were devastated, standing there, eggless, when some friends came over and shared their eggs with Rowan and Lola. They were instantly happy, running off to play. Despite that, I still felt like a big loser.


To make up for the egg hunt disaster, I bought and filled 50 eggs with stickers, jelly beans and other fun goodies, and hid them around the yard. When the kids got up from their nap they were so excited to have their own private egg hunt. The day was saved!

Lola enjoyed her dance class this year. Sadly, I rarely get to see her dance lessons as they are on a day that I work. A friend is nice enough to pick her up from daycare and take her to dance every week. One week, I happened to have that day off, so Rowan and I got to take her to dance. Rowan decided that he wanted to join in. Another Billy Elliot in the making, perhaps?



Wil and I ran Bloomsday together this year. It was very fun! Of course I trained dilligently for months to run the 7.4 mile course, while Wil ran two or three times in preparation, with no problems. We ran the race in 1 hour and 12 minutes. Not bad! My cousin says that you should drink chocolate milk after a long run. We looked and looked for the chocolate milk garden, but all we found was this lousy beer!



Far more important than Bloomsday, was completion of the "Canine Canter," a grueling 5K course in which you run with your dog. OK, it was so not grueling, especially since some friends and I took my three chihuahuas. I'd say it was downright leisurely. Very fun, and the dogs walked the whole way, even though I brought a backpack just in case.


Finally, I have to introduce my new horse, Miller. (So named because he is smooth enough to never spill my Miller Light on a ride.) I love Rio, but I've come to realize that he is just too much horse for me. Sadly, I started searching for a new horse, and was lucky enough to find Miller. He's amazing!


OK, so we are almost up to date. I'll try to be less of a slacker, but I'm not making any promises. Oh, and I started a new blog to keep track of my running, but I see it morphing into a place where I can write about stuff that doesn't really have to do with deciding to have kids. Should be fun. Check it out at http://caffeinatedhummingbird.blogspot.com

And then he was three!

OK, so I'm REALLY REALLY behind on this blog. We are clear back in February. I'm so embarrassed. That just means that I'm a busy mom, so dedicated to my home and family that I have no time for nonsense like blogging, right? Uh huh. Bear with me while I write a few short posts to catch us up.

Rowan's third birthday was everything a little boy could hope for. After some very serious deliberation, he decided to go for the monster truck theme this year. We had monster truck plates, decorations (hand made decor by yours truly, thank you very much) and a lovely monster truck cake. Since Wil and I were heading out to a vet conference in Las Vegas and would be gone for Rowan's actual birthday, we had the party the Saturday before. We invited Rowan's friends, and of course our friends too. It was a great party.




The party started with a prefunk though, as I stayed up half of the night making these little truck cupcakes for Rowan's daycare party. These are cute, but insanely tedious. Easily a 2, maybe 3, glass of wine job.



Of course having the party before his actual birthday meant that Rowan would have several days of birthday fun. The birthday extravaganza was only enhanced by the fact that the kids would be staying with Grandma and Grandpa while we were at the conference.

Wil and I thoroughly enjoyed the vet conference, despite me being in continuing ed classes an average of 9 hours a day. We still had plenty of time to enjoy Vegas and several days of just us.

Unfortunately, we came back from beautiful 60 degree weather to our minivan completely covered in snow at the airport parking lot. Ugh.

The good thing about snow is snowmobiling! Wil got the snowmobile running and he, Lola and some friends were serious die-hards outside one afternoon. They played and played, only coming in when the kids were pretty sure they were freezing to death.



The chihuahuas, however, did not appreciate the snow.



All in all, February was pretty stellar. Now, lets see how long it takes me to get to March.

Get back on the horse

Two and one half years ago I fell off my horse and broke my back. Not many people know this little tidbit of information. I guess I must have hidden it well at the time. It was the day before Halloween, 2008, and I was invited to take a lovely ride into the mountains in Idaho that brisk and sunny day. I was riding my horse, Rio, whom I had only ridden twice before since purchasing him in 2007. Only days after buying Rio, I had found out that I was pregnant with Rowan, and common sense dictated that I not ride my new horse with only 30 days of training while I was carrying a child. Consequently, I found myself a little over a year later, 3 miles up in the mountains on a narrow logging trail with a couple of friends, riding a very green horse. It was a beautiful day, and I paused for a moment to rest my right ankle and admire the tamaracks that were turning a beautiful shade of orange.

Unaware that we had stopped in a hornets nest, I blissfully removed my foot from the stirrup and rolled my ankle while contemplating the amazing view of the mountains. Well, you can only imagine that a nest of angry hornets attacking my horse's belly had an adverse affect on his calm demeanor, and he bolted. Unprepared for the sudden spook, I fell from my 16 hand horse and hit the ground hard. I remember attempting to get up several times, each time flailing around like a wounded bird, until I realized that I really was hurt, and that staying still might be a sound plan.

My horse came back and stood over me, apologetically, as if wondering "why are you down there? Did I do that?" After awhile, I was able to get up and climb back up in the saddle with help from my friend. I don't remember much of the 3 mile ride back down the mountain, but I do remember loading my horse in the trailer, and calling the vet clinic to tell them I would be stopping by for ibuprofen and ice packs. Wil met me in town and we drove to the ER, where they told me that I had torn muscles from my pelvic bones, and that time and rest would bring a full recovery. 10 months later I was still sore, so I finally had radiographs taken, which revealed a freaky congenital abnormality that had broken in the fall, and had since grown a weird butterfly shaped arthritic bony structure...this was the cause of all the pain. A few months later I worked up the courage to visit the MRI machine. I found out that two of the intervertebral disks were nearly gone, and two more were bulging out.

About this time I had the opportunity to send my horse to horsey boot camp with a friend's horse in Poulsbo, Washington. We decided to make the trek. We borrowed a trailer and loaded both horses for the nearly 400 mile journey. Coming down the hill into Colfax, a lady kept flashing her lights and honking at us, and I looked in my rear view mirror to see my trailer door fly open and cross multiple lanes of traffic. Panicked and using combinations of swear words that I had never thought possible, I pulled into a gas station (I did need gas) to make sure the horses were still alive. Watch out for those red concrete poles that guard the gas pumps, people, because they are trailer eaters. I smacked the borrowed trailer fender right into one of those poles, bending the fender nearly into the trailer tire. My friend and I stopped to consider the implications of this unlucky event on our journey. We nearly turned around and dumped the horses so that we could go to the bar, but we rallied and continued on after a nice man from the Grange came and used a crow bar to straighten the fender. About this time the brake and turn signal lights on the trailer gave out. We hit rush hour in Tacoma on I5 with no lights and in the middle of a rainstorm. After many near misses involving impatient people in Prius cars, we finally made it to our destination.

Last weekend we went back to pick up the horses. We rode for an hour under the instruction of our trainer, and headed for home. It didn't feel real, riding again for the first time in 2 1/2 years. At first I shook, and then I teared up, and then I felt it all coming back to me again.

Tonight we took our horses to the arena and I rode. I rode for real, without fear, and without hesitation. I could feel my muscles working they way that they were made to work, and I felt like I was a team with Rio, and it was wonderful. After the accident I felt fear of a horse for the first time in my life, and I think it is because I worry so much about my children. Tonight I had no fear, only exhilaration and an an awesome appreciation for a second chance at the amazing bond that can form between a horse and a person. Looking back I am so thankful that I have been blessed with the ability to be whole again, and to ride again. I know I have a long road to haul, but I am so thankful to have been given the chance to fall, and to get back in the saddle again.

Lola's Church Pictures Part 1

Lola likes to draw in church. Left unchecked, she will draw all over the comment cards and other papers left in the pews. I am fairly certain that these items are not left there for children to draw on, but Lola seems to think otherwise. Lately I have been letting her draw in the little notebook I keep in my purse. Here is the first sample of her artwork that I will post for your viewing enjoyment. This drawing is entitled, "Sad Kitty in the Rain"

Enjoy.

On Wings of Horses

This blog, started as a simple way to keep in touch with friends and family scattered across the world, has become so much more to me. I realize now that it has become much more than just a record of our family life, but an account of how I myself live that life, with all its ups and downs. Most entries are definitely about the kids, but here and there I have sprinkled in a few entries solely about my own thoughts and feelings. This is going to be one of those entries.



To my mare,

When I met you I had been searching for a fairytale ideal. I wanted a tall flashy steed, black and white with flowing mane and tail, and the grace and style of a Lipizzaner stallion. Instead, I saw you, a small, round, brown mare, only four years old, with a short black mane, and a lazy disposition. Instantly I knew you were the one.

We bonded fast over the love of long rides in the evening, and I soon realized that your lazy approach to life disappeared at the first glimpse of a coyote or a deer in the field. We would run faster than I could ever imagine your short legs could move, chasing our target through dusty stubble until I would whisper "whoa girl" and sit back in the saddle, and you would slide to a halt, blowing and snorting final warnings to the poor creature we had been pursuing.

I dressed you in silly blankets and coverings to keep your coat smooth and your mane and tail nice for shows. You participated willingly, and I could see you roll your eyes at the competition, knowing we would win. Whether we won or lost, I know we both had fun, jumping, reining, trail riding, or pretending that we could do dressage.

You were my best friend, my confidant. I could tell you anything, and you would look at me with those large brown eyes and I know you understood in your own way. We spent so many hours together that we were a true team, you and I. A dream come true. And then I left you, and went away to pursue other dreams. You were bored, and I had no time to visit. There was no more galloping through the fields, kicking up dust and scaring the wildlife.

I noticed that your feet seemed sore one day. You were fifteen. The vet diagnosed navicular disease, and I tried medications, but you hated them. You would laugh with your eyes as I tried again and again to force the paste in your mouth, ending up with most of it in my hair. I gave up, and decided to let you be. After all, I was still in school, and couldn't ride you anyway. I retired you to pasture with some other horses, and there you remained for years.

By the time I had reached my career goals, you were nearly 20, and I was still busy. Your feet seemed to bother you more, and I took you to see the specialists. You gave them a run for their money! They told me you were "difficult" and I just smiled and said "she's an old stubborn lady, what can I say?" More problems were diagnosed, and I chose to ignore them.

More years have passed, and you are twenty-four. I have watched your joints swell and I haven't seen you run in over a year. I watch you try to keep up with the herd as they gallop across the pasture. You whinny at them, imploring them to wait, but they are youngsters, and you are getting old. I watch you trot after them, ears back in irritation, tail swishing, until you finally slow to a walk, and then stop, dropping your head with a great breath. A sigh? You are too sore for me to climb up on your back. Our riding days are over.

Last month I saw you lying down a lot more than usual. Last week you stayed in the same spot by the corner of the barn all day long. The black pony kept you company for awhile, but eventually he moved on to chase the huns by the creek. I finally walked out to look at your legs. How did this happen? How did you get so old so fast? Your eyes lit up when you saw me, just like they always do. I ruffled your forelock, and realized with a great weight that you are not long for this earth. You hurt, and I can see it in your eyes, your posture, and the way you watch the other horses as they run.

Today the tractor came. You watched it with mild interest as it dug a great hole on the hill. I chose a spot in the grass field, near the pond, where you could watch the sun set over the wheat fields. The snowflakes fell, covering the tracks as the tractor rumbled away, its job done. The sun came out and you seemed to feel better, a good day.

I couldn't let you go today. You don't know it, but you are more than just a horse. You are a connection to a lifetime that is forever gone. When I look at you, I can fade into memories of warm summer evenings, running through the fields, racing cars as they drove on the confines of the black road. Your life has spanned so many changes in my own, and you are the steady thread that runs through those changes, a constant that could always be counted on to never change.

Unfortunately change is inevitable to all, and now your body has changed, slowing crippling you, and there is nothing that can stop the slow aging process. I checked on you tonight, and you were standing there, in your spot, looking out at the fields. I'll never know what goes on behind those soft brown eyes, but I like to think that you are remembering happy days.

I'm morbidly comforted by the hole the tractor left us today, knowing that soon we will part, but that it can be on our terms, with no "scheduling". Sometime soon, you will tell me with those eyes when you have had enough, and I will let you go. I will keep a watchful eye on you, and I pray that we can make it through the chill of this one last winter, so that you can enjoy one more warm summer.

I promise I will be there when it happens, to help you slip from this world to the next. I will stay until the life has faded from those tired brown eyes. And when you are gone, I will still visit you in that quiet spot on the hill, and remember how much I loved you.

Christmas 2010

Christmas 2010 was wonderful. So wonderful that I can't even think of a witty or sarcastic title for this blog entry. The only bad thing about it was how fast the holidays crept up on me. I felt rushed, not entirely ready for the actual day to arrive, but when it did, I wondered what I had been stressing out about. Christmas was perfect despite a few of our cards sure to not arrive in their recipients mailboxes until after New Years, despite the mess in the house, and even despite me being on call for the clinic all weekend.

We got our tree the day after Thanksgiving, at the local feed store. The boy scouts were selling them for 10 bucks. It was a little bit of a Charlie Brown tree, but it sure looked good with all of our mismatched mish-mass of ornaments on its branches! Our ornament collection is a box full of memories. The ornaments, mostly mine, were given to me by my parents or friends or relatives as I grew up, and then came with me when I started my own family. The newest ornaments on the tree belong to the kids, and will eventually follow them to their households for their family Christmas trees. The kids love hearing stories about each ornament when we hang them up!



Of course Santa came to visit Palouse. Unfortunately, I did not get a good picture, because both kids were too busy telling Santa what they wanted for Christmas to turn around and smile at me. I am now 50% on good Santa pictures. Maybe next year. We did enjoy our wagon ride though!




The Christmas program at church was entertaining, as always. The big kids did an awesome job singing their songs, and the little kids...well...they did a great job putting on a show!



Christmas Eve is one of my favorite nights of the year. I love the Christmas Eve service at the church. All the kiddos get to come in their PJ's. Lola especially enjoyed getting to hold her own candle for Silent Night this year. Wil and I were slightly worried about the church's fire policy, but she did ok. After the service, we went home to put out cookies and milk for Santa, and of course carrots for Rudolph. I thought that last year was Lola's final Christmas believing in Santa Claus, but she seemed to enjoy the idea of him this year. Maybe she was just playing make believe, and maybe not, but it was fun to watch the kids put out those cookies, and whisper to each other about how Santa would make it down our chimney without burning his behind. Both kids went to sleep fairly easily that night, which was awesome. About 11 pm, I couldn't find Ivy to put her in her kennel. I found her downstairs, keeping watch for Santa with Lola.



Christmas morning brought stockings full of fun, and gifts under the tree. Soon the house was a complete disaster, and Wil and I were cursing the toy manufacturers that insist on locking up the toy cars and horses like Fort Knox. Seriously, why would they feel the need to make you go get a freakin' screwdriver to release a toy airplane from it's cardboard prison? And the twisty wires? Come on people, do you need to wind them six thousand times around Barbie's wrists? And what is with sewing the cardboard and wire device to Barbie's actual hair? Honestly, the people who designed those next to impossible toy trapping cuss inducing contraptions must have never had to listen to a toddler repeating "Where's my airplane? Can I have my airplane? I need my airplane" over and over while sustaining strangulating wire injuries to their fingers trying to remove said airplane.




We have since settled down, gotten most of the Christmas decorations put away, and are back to the usual routine. Here are the kids and the dogs enjoying a leftover box.


Anyway, aside from a few minor temper tantrums (mostly mine) the holidays were great. Thank you all our friends and family for the cards, gifts, parties, and good times. We appreciate you all, and wish you all a very happy 2011!

Oh, and an update on Rio, here he is at horsey boot camp, learning to be a real horse! He will come home next month. Yeah!