Meet Olivia!

One chapter ends another begins and they all flow together to form the story of us.

I put down the last of my own dogs down a couple months ago. His name was Gunner. He was 17 years old. I bought him in 1992. Long before a husband and children were even mere specks of thoughts in my head.

Mesa had come along about the last year of Gunner's life. She'd never been without a companion. After Gunner died, she was somewhat out of sorts at being left alone. Dale and I decided to consider getting her a pal to play with again.

We kicked around some ideas on what might work for us. But mostly what wouldn't - sheds too much, nice for cuddling but too small for Mesa to play with, a puppy vs. older dog, etc. etc.

While we were busy making indefinite plans, the couple who sold Mesa to us had contacted us about a Neapolitan Mastiff/Great Dane mix who was only 1 old and already on her 4th home. Who'd have thunk as a puppy that a Neapolitan/Great Dane mix would get TOO BIG?? doh! So, as she outgrew homes and owners, she eventually made her way to us.

I'd already had an English Mastiff/St. Bernard cross years ago. All 225 lbs. of him. So I gingerly brought up the idea to Dale of adding a canine pony to the family. I think I'd finally worn him down - he's looking to downsize the animal population around here, but has a wife who'd take them all if she could.

He agreed to go see her, and we'd decide after we saw how she got along with our kids and Mesa. Well she was a pathetic site. Having been starved at her last home. Not a problem, we know how to feed 'em here. She was a little aloof and confused not knowing who or what else was in store for her. But we decided to take her as she was gentle with the kids and unconcerned about Mesa too.

Anyway, here she is. She's settling in fine - less of an adjustment for her than for us. While completely enamored at the idea of having such a unique, ginormous dog around, one thing that isn't pointed out in detail in the hopeful honeymoon phase, is the amount of DROOL they produce. Seriously. You have no idea until you've seen it in person.

Good thing she's such a pretty girl, because her personal hygiene habits leave a lot to be desired. :)

The journey begins!

After months of research, I came up with the curriculum for my daughter.

We're using:

Singapore Math and Math Mammoth
Writeshop Primary - grammar and comprehension
Starfall and Phonics - reading and spelling
Spanish phonics
Sign language
Apologia Science - this includes learning some Latin
Bible study
Read-alouds
Handwriting practice
Lots of one-on-one reading time and games that apply to all the subjects

We also use various CD-ROM's, free downloads, workbooks and have discovered the treasure trove of both early reading and nice textbook/educational books at thrift stores.

We need to play a little catch up!

After my daughter lost her sweet old mare last year, we put the word out and found a nice 13.2, 5 yr. old dapple grey pony mare. We named her Lilly. Miss Lilly. She's a sweetheart. The kids are both just starting to ride, but we hope that they come along and enjoy Miss Lilly for years to come. Picture of Jayden and Lilly to come.

Home's Cool!

After year-long consideration and nearly as much research on the subject, we've decided to homeschool our children.

There are many reasons for this. The most important reason is because God gave us these children to raise and no one can love them and bring them along like we can.

The other considerations: we're not crazy about the public school system in our area or our state. In general the school system simply can't meet everyone's needs and both the best and the brightest and the could-be-better-and-brighter both suffer for it. There is potential in everyone and the entire group is shorted when the bar isn't set high enough or not everyone gets the help they need to reach it.

Socialization can be a 4-letter word. We have raised our children with manners, values and compassion. They do not have the skills at this age to discern and handle the kind of people they need to both surround themselves with and separate themselves from.

Understanding and reaching educational goals with a heart and mind on their long-term academic future is important to us. Having the freedom to be able to teach them through various curriculum as per their talents and needs and having more time to do that one-on-one in the home is going to benefit them like no overwhelmed and unfocused school system can.

Proverbs 4:1-17
GOD - In this house we serve and honor the Lord and will bring our children up as He wants us to with the wisdom He's given us.

I won't surrender my children to this world. I will equip them to live in it.

Seasons and things anew!

Winter is turning loose of us here. Not that we had much of a winter between 08 and 09. The wind was our winter this year and since it's impossible to escape the wind in NM, we're happy to see it rise to a comfortable degree.

Earlier this Spring a friend of ours found our daughter a pony. We'd been through a couple of horses for her this past year and had all but about given up on that idea for now. Then came Lilly. Miss Lilly if addressing her formally. Will be posting pictures of her soon.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Doesn't matter what the temp says - it's always beautiful out here. We're blessed!

Christmas photos 2008

Time to round up the kiddos and get some photos taken for the season. The kids are now 4 & 5. The roan mare is 5 now, turning out to be a super horse - one or both of these kids is going to have a jam up rodeo horse someday.

Riding lessons

We haven't been able to find a suitable replacement for Fuzzy, so our next best idea was to get our daughter some riding lessons on trusted lesson horses. Lately we have been hauling her once a week to a 3-Day eventing trainer. She looks so tiny up there! The horse she's riding in the photos is "Socks" - reg. name Mi High Socks. He's an advanced eventing horse but does really well with the little ones too. All the private owner and lesson horses were body clipped for the winter show season. He's a shameless treat-beggar, and known as the "King of Carrots", so the crest on his hip is a crown and carrots crossed like sabers.

Texas Swing in the Big Empty

'Spanish Two-Step' was a simple melody that Bob Wills had made up in the early '30s. He'd written the fun instrumental piece when he was living and working as a barber in Roy, New Mexico, inspired by a style of dance out here. He recorded it in 1935, and renamed it 'San Antonio Rose'.

"The Big Empty" refers to the beautiful expansive rolling prairie, east of the Canadian River, from the northeastern New Mexico Highlands to the Texas panhandle. Those who love this area appreciate it for what it was and what it still is.

Wagon Mound Supply puts on a dinner and dance through the summer months known as the "Solano Starlight Ballroom" out in Solano, NM, which is between Roy and Mosquero.

Here is a photo of the historic buildings where the dances are held. They string the lights and spread corn meal on the dance floor. The band sets up on a flatbed trailer. It's a great time, next year will be their third year to hold the dances. They have four of them - from June - Sept. and it's always a good turnout. Good clean community and family fun.

Via con Dios, Fuzzy. And thank you....

BEYOND THE FENCELINE

When you look beyond the fenceline
and see that I'm not there,
Please remember that I'll never forget
how much you really cared.
I appreciate all the love you put into my soul,
often making me feel as though I was once again,
a newborn foal.

When you look beyond the fenceline
and see an empty space,
I'm hoping for thoughts of joy
to replace those tears on your face.
Although our time together was taken away too soon,
I'll always be watching over you -
through the sun, the stars and the moon.

When you look beyond the fenceline
you should not feel all alone,
for a part of you came with me
the day I went to God's home.
Although I didn't want to so soon, to be put to rest,
I assure you dear friend,
that my spirit and soul still feel the very best.

When you look beyond the fenceline
and think of me for a while,
remember all the fun we shared and
those times I made you smile.
Remember how we'd run the fields but never run away,
I'll never forget your gentle touch on my coat of bay.

So when you look beyond the fenceline,
don't think we're far apart,
for every time you think of me,
I'm right there in your heart.