2010 Comes to an End

As 2010 comes to an end, I think about the year that I have had. I think about happy times, and about some sad times. I think about what I am blessed with. I think about all the wonderful times that are now part of my memories of 2010.

I’ll start with my saddest times, as I’m hoping that, as the year ends and another year starts, the sad memories are replaced by acceptance and happy thoughts. This past year, with each moment that I thought about Finny, I have been sad. As the year went by, I thought I would be over the hurt and anguish of losing him. But as a good friend and some of my family know, I’m still very sad. I understand everything that they tell me, and I would tell another horse owner the same things, but it doesn’t lessen the pain yet. I pray that 2011 brings me some of the peace that I know my heart needs.

Some of my wonderful family times include a vacation in the sun and beach for hubby and I,

traveling to Colorado for Easter,

and again in June and December to watch the grandbabies play together. We were there for the birthday celebrations of 2 year old Makenzie in CO in December


and 2 year old Caden later this month in Nebraska.

We had many summer afternoons swimming with Jacob, Amber and Caden.

They were also able to come with us to CO for Makenzie’s birthday, and we are so thankful that we had that family time together. Micah wasn’t able to come, as he is still in College and going through finals, and I look forward to the time that we are all together again.

Micah was able to be at Caden’s birthday party and I enjoyed seeing the 2 brothers together, if even for a short time. We tried to get together to watch football on Saturdays as often as possible. We miss seeing Sara, Jake and Makenzie often, but this week, Hubby and I are spending the last 5 days of the year with them at their home.

We traveled to PA twice this year. Sara and Jake were able to bring Makenzie in February and we had a gathering with both sides of the family.

Once again, it was great to see family members that I haven’t seen in a long time.

Tom’s mom is in great health at the age of 90 and my parents are 83. That is wonderful that they are here to enjoy our children and grandchildren with us.

We celebrated my parent's 65th Wedding Anniversary in October.

For my horse business, I have the memories of another vendor booth at the Nebraska Horse Expo. I attended a AAHS, American Association of Horsemanship Safety, clinic in Georgia in May. I rode Shaggy in a Centered Riding Clinic in Colorado in June and I rode him for 4 days at a Peter Campbell Clinic in Omaha in September. I also took my 2 year old gelding Duster for the Foundation Class.

I got my first gaited horse, 4 year old Savannah, a TWH (Tenn Walking Horse) in June.

I competed in 2 CTR’s with Savannah in the fall, and I was thrilled with the rides she gave me, as young as she is.

I purchased Dixie in May, as a backup trail horse and as a lesson horse.

I also took a mini out to Makenzie in June and it’s great to see her love of horses, and of all animals, blossom! She sure loves her bunnies, and chickens, can kitties, and dogs, and horses, and Pody! Caden is enjoying seeing the horses too, and loves to pet them whenever we walk to the horse lots.

I have wonderful memories of Tom and I on a quiet Thanksgiving Day, giving thanks to our family, even though they couldn’t be with us that day. We enjoyed a movie together and some down time. With another grandchild on the way in April, we are remembering that we need to spend more time together with our children and grandchildren. The babies are growing too fast and we don’t want to miss out on too much of their lives.

Centered Riding continued to provide the path of the journey that I am on. I am and hopefully, will always be, searching for the life with horses where I was meant to be. I am teaching other riders the Centered Riding exercises, and will continue to train on horses with that same centered and balanced principles. As I study and learn, horses get deeper and deeper into my soul. The lessons that I have given this year have shown me, that with a Centered Riding influence, we can change how we ride and how horses respond to us.

I want to wish all of you a Happy 2011 Year. I pray the New Year bring you the love and peace of family and friends. I pray that you have the life of horses that you are meant to have also. Remember to enjoy what you have, as we are all blessed by the quality of what we have and what life gives us.

“Embrace the Journey” that you are on.

Caden's 2nd Birthday

December 26, 2010

Caden Thomas is now 2 years old! Pop and I, along with Micah, went to his birthday party on Monday.

Caden was running around, playing with his cousins. He sure was excited! Laughing and playing, and looking at the presents.

More? More? Caden kept asking. Lol Once he opened a gift, he asked for more.

Pop and I got him a stuffed horse, but when a cousin took it, Caden was instantly sad and started crying.

But then he saw the dump truck that was in the bag and wasn’t sad any longer.

Caden loved his cake.

He blew the candles out, with Mommy and Daddy’s help, and wanted them “on” again.

He loved his piece of cake, first starting to eat it with a fork, then finishing it off with his hands.

I think he is going to be neat like his daddy.

We enjoyed seeing Caden running around and playing. He was being silly. What fun to see him at this age! I wondered how long it took him to go to sleep that night?

Happy Birthday, Caden. We love you!

Baby Jesus draws us back to Church

I wanted to go to church Christmas Eve to feel closer to Jesus. I wanted to go to church Christmas Eve to sing Silent Night at the end of the service. I wanted to feel the peace and quiet of the church. I wanted to feel the “specialness” of the church during Christmas time.

But we had a misty rain that, when the temps decreased to below 32 degrees by 4 pm, left a slick, icy layer on everything. When I stepped out on the gravel driveway, my feet were slipping on the slick stones. When my son came to spend the night, he said he was spinning coming into the driveway. I wondered if that was because he was coming into the drive too fast???

Regardless, I figured by 11 pm, the roads were going to be ice. Even though the small town church was only 5 miles away, I didn’t want to be out on icy roads. Christmas church would have to wait until the Sunday after Christmas.

Hubby and I went to church religiously every Sunday morning. When the kids were toddlers, we rarely missed a Sunday. While the kids were in grade school, they had Sunday School, as well as the parents. Then horse shows began to take our Sundays, and before we knew it, the kids were teenagers, and Church attendance decreased. We had summer shows and winter barrel races. We still went to church every Sunday we were home.

Over the last 2 years, hubby and I have gotten into the bad habit of “just existing” on Sunday mornings. His work schedule was terrible, sometimes 7 days a week. When we had a free morning or afternoon during the winter months, we wanted to sleep in, have a good breakfast and do nothing.

On one hand, that was good. We needed down time. But on the other hand, we started to attend church less and less. Then that became habit. Then something was beginning to be missing.
I need church in my life. I need to say the Apostles Creed. I need to take Communion….the actions of Communion. I need to sit quietly in church, feeling the presence of the Lord.

I needed Church during Christmas time. I love tradition. I love Christmas songs and decorations.
We attended church this morning. It wasn’t the same, since our old pastor moved on to another church. We have a new pastor, and I wanted a sermon based around the birth of Jesus. As he preached on the Old Testament passage, I daydreamed about the time when Jesus was born.
It doesn’t matter where we remember the baby Jesus, we just need to remember Him. He brings us hope and peace. He brings the peace that we search for.

During this holiday season, bring Christ into your life. Remember what He can do for you. Serve him and rejoice. Baby Jesus is here for everyone. Joy to the World.

Christmas Songs

There are many Christmas songs. Some that make me think of the Baby Jesus. Some that make me think of the angels. Some that make me think of home. They all have one thing in common. They make us remember the true meaning of the season. Jesus was a baby in a manger. Angels, and Kings, and Shepherds and sheep, and many animals welcomed him. I sense the love and peace that was there in the manger.

There are many songs. Some that come to mind are below, along with some lyrics. Tell me what the songs mean to you. Add you own favorite songs and lyrics in the comments.

Hark the Herald Angels Sing, glory to the unborn King (I picture many angels with beautiful voices)

I’ll be home for Christmas (always makes me sentimental) It starts… I am dreaming tonight of a place I love even more than I usually do. And although I know it’s a long road back I promise you…I’ll be home for Christmas…

O Holy Night, the Stars are brightly shining, (how peaceful) It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth…

Silent Night, Holy Night, All is Calm, All is Bright, (picturing singing softly, with candlelight, walking out of church), Round yon virgin mother and child, Holy infant so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.

Silver Bells, Silver Bells (just listening as the bells are tingling, picturing my daughter playing bells at church) City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, Dressed in holiday style, In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas, Children laughing, people passing, meeting smile after smile, and on every street corner, you’ll hear….Silver Bells, Silver Bells, It’s Christmas time in the city…

The First Noel, the angels did say, was to certain poor shepherds in fields where they lay…(can just see the field of sheep, the angels appearing to the shepherds)

I know this next song isn’t a Christmas song, but I love this song and think about it at Christmastime too:

Angels Among Us (I just love that tune! Isn’t it Brad Paisley who sung it as a child, and then now)…
I was walking home from school on a cold winter day.
Took a shortcut through the woods, and I lost my way.
It was getting late and I was scared and alone.
But then a kind old man took my hand and led me home.
Mama couldn’t see him, but he was standing there.
and I knew in my heart, he was the answer to my prayers.
Oh I believe there are angels among us.
Sent down to us from somewhere up above.
They come to you and me in our darkest hours.
To show us how to live, to teach us how to give.
To guide us with the light of love.

Merry Christmas everyone. May you feel the love and peace of our Saviour's birth tonight.

The Christmas Tree is Finally Up!

We have finally decorated as much as we are going to decorate this year. Tree, stockings, and a few decorations around the house. Holiday tablecloths are on the tables. A few red and green candles on the buffet. And I placed a large red candle holder vase on the island, with a white candle inside.

Why does it take so long to do something that you really want to do? I used to love to put up lots of Christmas decorations. I still do. But I just ran out of time this year. And energy. And desire. What happened?

I feel like this year is the end of doing things like how they used to be done. Next year will start a new way to doing things. For now, this year is a transition year.

The tree came into the house last weekend. The lights and balls got on tonight. It only took me a ½ hour to find the tree decorations. They are ALWAYS in the same spot, and last year, I must have changed the spot. I had to move a few other Christmas decoration boxes to find it. But I finally found the box of lights and balls. And the angel that goes on top.

The stockings were found and hung. Well, actually, laid on the hearth. I didn’t bother to find the stocking holders. A few wooded nativity décor items were placed around the house. I didn’t bother to put out the larger Nativity Barn, people and animals. A few welcome signs were hung. I didn’t bother to put out the other 3 boxes of décor items. I didn’t even set out 1 Christmas House.

Why bother? Because something is missing. Next year, I am going to bother myself to do more. I am missing all the decorations. I love having the Christmas Houses out. I either put them on the buffet or table as a town or I put them around the room on the tops of the bookcases or shelves.
I usually have Nativity Sets everywhere. I have a Santa display. I love all the Christmas houses. I have welcome signs, and wreaths, and garland, and bows.

Never mind that it usually takes me a week to get everything out. The end result puts you into the spirit of Christmas, because Christmas is all around.

Christmas is still all around me. I just need to be still and feel the peace and love of the holiday.
I love Christmas Eve services. I love the traditional songs. I love leaving the church after singing Silent Night.

Christmas is here, and all around us. Remember the birth of Jesus, the shepherds and Wise Men, and the Reason for the Season.

Getting Last Minute Gifts

Yesterday was the first day of winter. I'm sitting here, looking outside at 4:30, and it seems like dusk is starting already. I'll be ready for the days to get longer.

I have Christmas shopping done...how about you? Did you get anything horsey for anyone (who you know won't be reading this)?

Sara will get some westerny dishes from the store (but she knows that already, she just doesn't know what). I’ll surprise her with one other small item.

Some of the guys are getting some shirts from here. And maybe a few small “guy” things from Dad. Hubby loves to shop the almost-free items from Menards Home Store, and gives the kids a box of odds and ends. And all 3 kids, 2 of who are married, anticipate and love their box of items. Some years, there actually were pots and pans in the box, other years had extension cords and hammers. Anything on sale with rebates, that once redeemed and gives you the items for free, is game for buying for “The Box”.

One of the girls are getting clothes from here. Nice, winter wear. Warm and Cozy.

Some are getting some Ariat shoes. Once again comfy, with great arch support!

Catching the drift yet? I've shopped from the store for a lot of my family! But why not, it's here. I'm here. Perfect fit.

The 2 2 year olds aren't getting something horsey, but they got (Makenzie for her birthday_/will get (Caden on his birthday soon) a large horse stuffed animal. And a horsey or John Deere Book. But their Christmas gift is something else, but I can't post here until we see Makenzie on the 30th! Sara better not be peeking, as we took the gifts out when we went for M's birthday. Caden is getting the same thing, so I hope Jacob and Amber can keep it a surprise from Sara and Jake that long!

Tom opened his gift today!!! It came in the mail and he beat me to the mail! Surprise honey! But he said he didn't know what it was until he was telling me on the phone, and I said, no that was your gift, so I kind of blew it too! I'm not saying what so maybe Tom will forget about it (probably not) but I don't want Sara (who is on here) to ask him about it and remind him. Maybe he will forget, or actually act a little surprised.

Then something is coming tomorrow, and I told him NOT to get the mail. I told him about staying away from Thursday's mail, but forgot to tell him about today's mail. bummer!

Did you get my other drift? Who I didn't shop for from here, the gifts are coming in the mail, barely in time for Christmas! I love Amazon.com. And Overstock.com but didn’t shop there for Christmas. So what isn’t here at the store was at Amazon! Almost everything, except for Tom’s one gift! It was a gift card, and that is all I’m saying. You all can try to guess for what! And keep it clean.

oh well....time to go home tonight and trim the tree. It's only been standing since last Thur or Fri undecorated. But it's at least it’s in water. I think it will look pretty with lights, some balls, and maybe some ribbon trim. Hmmm…

I wanted to make Peanut Butter Kiss or Reese Cup cookies. Maybe that will get done tomorrow night, or Friday night.

What about you? Are you ready?

Anyone making any vegetable that is not Green Bean Casserole? My family loves it, but I’m getting tired of it for ALL the holiday meals. Help!

Makenzie's 2nd Birthday

Makenzie Ruth turned 2 years old on Dec. 10th.

Pop and I, along with Jacob, Amber and cousin Caden, drove to Colorado on Friday. Makenzie’s birthday party was Sunday afternoon. We planned on staying all day and coming back home on Monday. I didn’t want to miss 1 minute of her celebration!

We left about 2 Friday afternoon. The weather at home was suppose to turn into a cold wind and bring night time temps into the minuses. We were about an hour from Cheyenne and started running into wind. The northwest wind was strong and our SUV was swaying. I’m glad the whole trip wasn’t like that. 7 ½ hours of that would be too much on the stomach. Once we headed south, we lost the wind.

We arrived Friday night. Makenzie was in bed but Sara told me to go in and give her a kiss good night. She stirred some, but stayed asleep as I gave her a goodnight kiss on her forehead.
The time change made us lose an hour, but that was ok. Caden was ready for bed, and so were the adults.

Saturday morning came too early. We were all awake before Makenzie.

Caden is an early riser and was happily playing. When she started talking in her bed, they told me to wait to make sure she was waking up. Yea, right! I was going to wait after not seeing her for 3 months. When she saw Caden, she said “Hi Caden!” in a quiet, little voice.

Makenzie was all giggles to play with Caden.

The sun was bright, and we thought it was going to be a nice day, until we walked outside. The wind was bone chilling. Temps weren’t as cold as home in Nebraska though.

Sara was home during the morning, but Jake had to work. This weekend was Jake’s company party. After he got home from work at noon, they had to do chores and leave by 3.

We spent Saturday morning helping Sara with last minute party preparations, which included baking the two, chocolate sheet cakes, and putting it together with a middle layer of strawberries. She decorated the cake with a My Little Pony picture, and I thought it was deliciously adorable.

We watched Makenzie and Caden play Saturday morning and afternoon. They put coats and shoes on to go outside with the guys, but they were soon back in. I think Grandpa thought the wind was going to blow them away!

We took out an Alphabet bus toy for both Makenzie and Caden that I found at the Take 2 clothing/toy consignment sale. We had to laugh when Pop was playing with Makenzie, and she turned and looked at Pop, help up her little finger, and said “Pop, stop!” That was really funny. Then she did it again, even though he had stopped singing.

Makenzie is all action.

Caden is quiet. Caden would go off a little and play by himself. Then they would sit and play in the same area for awhile, each doing their own thing.

Come bedtime, Makenzie loves the movie, Cars, and would say, “watch Cars, ok?” She sure does like to snuggle down under covers on the couch.

The party on Sunday had both little ones up too long without a long nap. With a few friends and older cousins, Makenzie had a grand time running around and playing with everyone.

She opened her gifts, and then everyone went outside to ride Pody.

Makenzie had gotten a baby stroller, and would not leave the stroller to ride. But eventually, she pushed her stroller into the outdoor arena and left it parked to pet the horse.

I held her on the horse to get her picture taken, even though I didn’t put her helmet on. She just wasn’t going to leave that baby stroller for very long.

Everyone went back inside for cake and ice cream.

We had a few minutes of down time with Sara, Jake and Makezie after everyone went home. Before we knew it, the weekend was over. We said goodbye this morning after kisses and hugs, promising to see Makezie soon for the holidays.

I miss Makenzie already. It’s going to be a long 3 weeks before I can see her again.