Snow day

Joe's new Tractor

Too many horses

Poor Emma hid under my dress popping out from time to time. She will just have to learn to stay out of the coral until she gets bigger. Don’t want her to get stepped on. She has become my shadow and staying in a safe place, alone, is not something she wants to do. Oh the things a pup must learn. 

Not a baby anymore

Oh! 5 is so hard for me! I had a hard time when the twins turned 5 as well. It is the beginning of the end. They start school, learn to drive, move out, get married and you never see them again! This birthday is the start of them officially growing up. O.K. so maybe I over reacting, but my mommy heat is breaking all the same. I am very blessed that all 3 of my babies have made it to 5 years old, I know this. I am grateful everyday I have had 5 wonderful years with my sweet boy. I pray for at least 5 more!

Emma

New Puppy

We found the perfect pup! We have been counting the days until she was old enough to pick up. Then work and life pushed the trip back. Oh the long wait! We finally got to get her this weekend. Rufus came along to approve the new family member. He doesn't not like her but it wasn't love at first sight. We had a great time and spent the night in a cabin. We also went on a short hike.

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Water!

Joe ran a water line to chicken house this week. It will be so nice this winter, the buckets of water get heavy. He also set a hydrant at the shop to replace the spigot that was in the shop wall. It was froze most of the winter so all water had to be brought from the house. This will be nice for everyone. We used the boring machine to run the line in front of the hay shed and under the shop pad. We all enjoyed watching Joe run it. The boys played in the dirt and pretended to set their own water lines for days afters this project.

Jasper

Joe and I went to the Troyer’s draft horse sale this weekend and came home with a new friend. An untrained pony! This will be Hank's pony to train so he was given the opportunity to name him. Jasper was the name chosen and I think it fits well.

My first birth

Clair was born this morning around 7:45. I know this because I watched! I decided to go for a walk, I was feeling a little down, and as I came over the ridge and looked into the small valley I saw my mare on the ground. I walked closer, very slow. I was about 4 yards from her when I sat in the grass with the dog at my side. She knew I was there, I thought about running to the house for my camera but what if I missed this? It was good I stayed. The front feet where just out when I sat down, in about 5 minutes a slimy small life was on the ground. Oh, the wonder of it! She made it look easy, painless and quick. She was exhausted and after a sniff and nicker she lay flat. After some time they both started to move, Molly licking her baby nudging her softly. She then got up and looked the baby over, after deciding she was fine she came to see me. Big head hanging down, lips lose and eyes shut, resting in my arms. I loved on Molly then went to the baby. She looked so clean, just wet. Yuck, that is not “just wet” on a baby. Molly nosed her and talked, trying to get her up. The long legs in the front would work and the back would not, then the back would hold and the front would collapse leaving her on her face. Molly did pick a nice thickly grassed spot, free of weeds and dirt, this was good seeing she would be licking off anything that got stuck to the wet fur. I just stood very close watching it all. Molly was uneasy about the other horses and kept running to the top of the hill, looking around then back to her baby. She wanted her up, now. It seemed to take forever, no watch to tell how long it realy was, but she finely made it up on wobbly legs. I turned Molly so baby could suck the right end without moving , didn’t want to chance another fall. After a snack she had new energy, Molly knowing this started her on the long walk to the water tank. As we walked the baby would lean on me, Molly would run ahead leaving the baby and I to follow after. What I joy to have a mare that trusts you with her new baby. I will never forget Molly’s gift of letting me be involved.

Jorgenson

Jorgenson turns 3 this spring and is ready for work. We have been driving him, in a way, off and on from about the time he was weaned. When he was young I would harness him and lead him around. His first winter we had him pull the sled with the children on it. Last summer we drove him some with Katie and this winter we used them to feed from time to time. With our dear Phoebe gone Jorgenson is now need to partner with Katie until we can find her a better match. Today we put them on the disk and they did great. If all goes well Joe or I will do this every few days. It’s good for the field and the horses. The boys enjoyed it was well and walked behind for the longest time. We all need a little exercise this time of year