At church our Pastor asked us to shout out a Hosanna , and of course he asked three times to get the congregation going.
William: He should have heard us the second time.
Me: (choking on laughter)
At home as I got out the clippers to cut Conner's hair.
Conner: Not the buzzers, they hurt my brains.
and how was your day?
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Resurrection Sunday
The holiest of Christian holidays is fast approaching. Easter Sunday marks the day that Christ rose from his tomb. A miracle and the sealing of a promise. But more than the resurrection, what hits me most isn't the fact that Christ rose, it was the fact that he died.
He willingly and humbly went to the cross, knowing the pain and death that awaited him. There were several times when he could have hidden, left, spoken out or performed a miracle, and may have escaped his death.
But he didn't. He knew what was coming. Being a Jew in that time and place, he was familiar with what goes on in a crucifixion. He was well versed in the process and the pain. And he went. He went knowing he was saving countless souls. He went for me. He went for people I will never know. And the most amazing thing, the agape of it all, if he could have only saved me, just me, he still would have gone. Willingly, knowingly, and sacrificially.
We can never have enough thanks. But we can share the love. Live every day with a joyful heart. See the wonder all around you. Feel God's love for you. You are his favorite. Just like me!
He willingly and humbly went to the cross, knowing the pain and death that awaited him. There were several times when he could have hidden, left, spoken out or performed a miracle, and may have escaped his death.
But he didn't. He knew what was coming. Being a Jew in that time and place, he was familiar with what goes on in a crucifixion. He was well versed in the process and the pain. And he went. He went knowing he was saving countless souls. He went for me. He went for people I will never know. And the most amazing thing, the agape of it all, if he could have only saved me, just me, he still would have gone. Willingly, knowingly, and sacrificially.
We can never have enough thanks. But we can share the love. Live every day with a joyful heart. See the wonder all around you. Feel God's love for you. You are his favorite. Just like me!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Spring Soccer 2010
Caitlyn scores a hug from her coach at half time and then discusses strategy with Claire.
Soccer started out amidst our Spring winds. We were all bundled against the chill and flying dirt. James was sick so he stayed with Oh-my. His team missed him but was still able to play because Conner came to the rescue. Coach Jody was kind enough to give the little guy a chance to play with the big boys. He did great! And had a wonderful time.
The Dust Bowl Lives
We joke about spring winds. Well, until you have experienced Spring on the High Plains, you have no idea. I think we had sustained winds in the 40s, and I shudder to think of what some of the gusts got up to. Here are some shots of my pasture, you can't see anything behind it!!!!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Rainy Days and Geocaching
Holly kisses up to Caitlyn
A lazy rainy day, Holly cozies up to Caitlyn.
The boys find the rainy day a great chance for Wii play.
James is the ultimate in rainy laziness
Will managed to get grass stains on his knees while playing inside
We went geocaching for the first time on Monday.
Here we are getting ready to sign the log.
Here we are getting ready to sign the log.
Success! We found our first Cache!
There is some disbelief, this is the treasure?
We searched for this?
Our GPS was quirky and we ended up using old fashioned tech...our own eyes!
We searched for this?
Our GPS was quirky and we ended up using old fashioned tech...our own eyes!
Higher Education
From the time I was a girl, I knew I was going to college. There was no question, it was what a person did when they finished high school. It gives better opportunities, greater chance of career choices and more choices in general. It gives better speaking and writing skills, higher social skills and appreciation for new situations.
I didn't know until I was older, but my own mother was never encourage to go to college. She was always told it was for boys. She didn't need it. Now, to this day, I count my mother as one very intelligent woman. She is intuitive and savvy, she has a quick wit and is perceptive. Yet, with those gifts, I have often wondered how much more she could have been with a college education.
It isn't that possessing a degree instantly transforms you into something better. There are many graduates that really didn't invest their efforts well, and they come out of a college with an empty piece of paper.
What is the true college experience? It isn't the parties, because, let's face it, most of those will never be remembered. It isn't the friends, though you keep some, your high school friends knew you before you were cool, and they stick with you.
I think it is having your mind opened to something different. It could be an elective class that you really didn't think would matter, it could be one of your serious classes, it could be a brief field trip or a moment in the library. But in the end, it has taught you that your education is never over. Never do we stop having chances to learn and higher education shapes our minds so that we are more aware of information and how to process it.
Do I use the information I achieved in college, well sometimes, but I do use the way my mind was shaped. I learned the way to recognize and organize information. I have learned how to sift through that which is immaterial, and how to latch onto things that matter (at least to me) and how to apply that to what has already been learned.
Afterward, as the brain is less elastic, and capable of less growth, these pathways to learning remain, and give a person a lifetime of exploration. They give pleasure to start new hobbies, clear thinking and a joy in life. Days will always be open in adventure, and all conversations will be saturated with a potential treasure trove of information.
It is never too late. If you feel that college isn't an option, take a class through the distance learning office at your closest University, audit a class, go to community college and take a course on anything that interests you. Don't feel the urge to work on a degree, work on your yourself. You are worth it. It will be a gift that lasts forever.
Explore your world!
I didn't know until I was older, but my own mother was never encourage to go to college. She was always told it was for boys. She didn't need it. Now, to this day, I count my mother as one very intelligent woman. She is intuitive and savvy, she has a quick wit and is perceptive. Yet, with those gifts, I have often wondered how much more she could have been with a college education.
It isn't that possessing a degree instantly transforms you into something better. There are many graduates that really didn't invest their efforts well, and they come out of a college with an empty piece of paper.
What is the true college experience? It isn't the parties, because, let's face it, most of those will never be remembered. It isn't the friends, though you keep some, your high school friends knew you before you were cool, and they stick with you.
I think it is having your mind opened to something different. It could be an elective class that you really didn't think would matter, it could be one of your serious classes, it could be a brief field trip or a moment in the library. But in the end, it has taught you that your education is never over. Never do we stop having chances to learn and higher education shapes our minds so that we are more aware of information and how to process it.
Do I use the information I achieved in college, well sometimes, but I do use the way my mind was shaped. I learned the way to recognize and organize information. I have learned how to sift through that which is immaterial, and how to latch onto things that matter (at least to me) and how to apply that to what has already been learned.
Afterward, as the brain is less elastic, and capable of less growth, these pathways to learning remain, and give a person a lifetime of exploration. They give pleasure to start new hobbies, clear thinking and a joy in life. Days will always be open in adventure, and all conversations will be saturated with a potential treasure trove of information.
It is never too late. If you feel that college isn't an option, take a class through the distance learning office at your closest University, audit a class, go to community college and take a course on anything that interests you. Don't feel the urge to work on a degree, work on your yourself. You are worth it. It will be a gift that lasts forever.
Explore your world!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
A Visit from the Monkey Master
Behold the Monkey Master, released from Oklahoma for a visit!
Seems like Conner has missed him!
Friday, March 19, 2010
History Day
Oor high School kids at Dora Schools put on a history day. We had a half day before Spring Break and they used it well! All of the younger kids proceeded to have a guided tour to various points in American History.
The older students did an incredible job making various times in history immediate and fun. The dressed up the rooms, had kids crawling through tunnels, tug of warfare and costumes made this day memorable.
However, the best part was while in the American Revolution with the third graders. This group is smart, wry and cheeky. The High School student dressed as George Washington was their own teacher's son. The know him well.
He recruited a bunch of students to the "Patriot" side of the room and then started talking to them.
"Who am I?" he asked, remember he is dressed as George Washington, complete with white wig.
"You're Ethan!" they yelled.
"Okay, who else am I?" he asked, trying to guide them.
"You're a senior" they yelled again, giggling.
"Okay, who am I pretending to be?" ready to start thumping heads.
"Your George Washington!"
Extra points for his patience!
The older students did an incredible job making various times in history immediate and fun. The dressed up the rooms, had kids crawling through tunnels, tug of warfare and costumes made this day memorable.
However, the best part was while in the American Revolution with the third graders. This group is smart, wry and cheeky. The High School student dressed as George Washington was their own teacher's son. The know him well.
He recruited a bunch of students to the "Patriot" side of the room and then started talking to them.
"Who am I?" he asked, remember he is dressed as George Washington, complete with white wig.
"You're Ethan!" they yelled.
"Okay, who else am I?" he asked, trying to guide them.
"You're a senior" they yelled again, giggling.
"Okay, who am I pretending to be?" ready to start thumping heads.
"Your George Washington!"
Extra points for his patience!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Ponderings and the Power of Shoes
As my close friends know, I am pensive and full of worry these days. My beloved Shiloh is at an equine clinic in Muleshoe. While there have been encouraging signs, he is my boy and I fret until he is safely home.
On top of this worry, someone has discovered that I no longer accept anonymous comments and has opened a private blogger profile to continue to leave me comments that are....hmmm, meant to be hurtful, while invoking Christian beliefs. The latest has come under the blogger ID with a Christian reference for the name. This is sad.
But it would be an inexcusable condition of the human soul to dwell on negativity, to wrap its toxins around me and let it seep in. In the deepest part of my heart, I know who I am , and so does God.
"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."
— John Wooden
So, while I know reputations in a small town can be important, I don't think they are important to me. The people who know me and are truly concerned for me, talk to me and write to me without the shroud of anonymity clouding the issue. Those are opinions that matter, those are the voices that I pause to reflect on.
So, mystery commenter, be warned. I am moderating all comments, those that persist in hiding their identity, well that tells me they have some thing to hide, maybe the motives behind the remarks? I don't know, I never will. I am fine with that, but I will not allow the comments to taint my blog. Please find something else to do.
SHOES!!!!
Who would have thought that a bag of hand-me-down shoes had the power to chase worries and tears away?
Caitlyn, upon finding that Shiloh had been transported, was very upset. She and Shiloh have been growing closer these last few months. Cait feels comfortable riding solo around the house and through the pastures. He greets her approaching figure as he would greet mine.
Caitlyn was curled up on the couch, watching a Disney soccer movie, but the face was sad, and tear tracks still marked her cheeks.
I was feeling badly too, but I grabbed one of the huge bags of hand-me-downs that my mother brought back from my sister.
My sister has twin girls, Kate and Kimberly. They are dear sweet children, but very very different. Kate prefers nondescript clothes, unisex in cut and style. Rarely will she indulge in anything overly girlish.
Kimberly is a fashionista. She would change three times a day if she could.
This bag opened to reveal shoes....Kimberly shoes.
Sandals, slippers, sneakers, flats and wedges. They were all there. At least half a dozen fashion flip flops.
Caitlyn took the bag I gave her and wonder spread on her face. Gone was the sadness and replacing it was a look of astonishment.
She tried them all on, one after another. She walked back and forth, she posed, she danced.
I watched each one, knowing no matter how seasonal or slightly small it might be, she would keep it and cherish it.
She gathered them all lovingly in her arms and took them to a spot in her closet.
This morning she came down in shoes (and outfit) that weren't suitable to our two-faced weather. I sent her back up. She came back in the perfect combination, with a pair of new (to her) shoes. It helped her last night, and it helped her get to school this morning, as she wanted to stay home and wait for news.
Ahhhh, the power of shoes.
And how was your day?
On top of this worry, someone has discovered that I no longer accept anonymous comments and has opened a private blogger profile to continue to leave me comments that are....hmmm, meant to be hurtful, while invoking Christian beliefs. The latest has come under the blogger ID with a Christian reference for the name. This is sad.
But it would be an inexcusable condition of the human soul to dwell on negativity, to wrap its toxins around me and let it seep in. In the deepest part of my heart, I know who I am , and so does God.
"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."
— John Wooden
So, while I know reputations in a small town can be important, I don't think they are important to me. The people who know me and are truly concerned for me, talk to me and write to me without the shroud of anonymity clouding the issue. Those are opinions that matter, those are the voices that I pause to reflect on.
So, mystery commenter, be warned. I am moderating all comments, those that persist in hiding their identity, well that tells me they have some thing to hide, maybe the motives behind the remarks? I don't know, I never will. I am fine with that, but I will not allow the comments to taint my blog. Please find something else to do.
SHOES!!!!
Who would have thought that a bag of hand-me-down shoes had the power to chase worries and tears away?
Caitlyn, upon finding that Shiloh had been transported, was very upset. She and Shiloh have been growing closer these last few months. Cait feels comfortable riding solo around the house and through the pastures. He greets her approaching figure as he would greet mine.
Caitlyn was curled up on the couch, watching a Disney soccer movie, but the face was sad, and tear tracks still marked her cheeks.
I was feeling badly too, but I grabbed one of the huge bags of hand-me-downs that my mother brought back from my sister.
My sister has twin girls, Kate and Kimberly. They are dear sweet children, but very very different. Kate prefers nondescript clothes, unisex in cut and style. Rarely will she indulge in anything overly girlish.
Kimberly is a fashionista. She would change three times a day if she could.
This bag opened to reveal shoes....Kimberly shoes.
Sandals, slippers, sneakers, flats and wedges. They were all there. At least half a dozen fashion flip flops.
Caitlyn took the bag I gave her and wonder spread on her face. Gone was the sadness and replacing it was a look of astonishment.
She tried them all on, one after another. She walked back and forth, she posed, she danced.
I watched each one, knowing no matter how seasonal or slightly small it might be, she would keep it and cherish it.
She gathered them all lovingly in her arms and took them to a spot in her closet.
This morning she came down in shoes (and outfit) that weren't suitable to our two-faced weather. I sent her back up. She came back in the perfect combination, with a pair of new (to her) shoes. It helped her last night, and it helped her get to school this morning, as she wanted to stay home and wait for news.
Ahhhh, the power of shoes.
And how was your day?
Once again......
Please make a note, this is a personal blog full of personal opinions and observations.
If you don't like it, don't read it. You needn't write me nasty grams.
Refresher course:
http://chaosmayhemandtrouble.blogspot.com/2009/11/just-heads-upsomethings-everyone-should.html
Understand that cyber harassment is punishable by law.
What was it someone tried to throw in my face over and over again:
Judge not, lest ye be judged....
If you don't like it, don't read it. You needn't write me nasty grams.
Refresher course:
http://chaosmayhemandtrouble.blogspot.com/2009/11/just-heads-upsomethings-everyone-should.html
Understand that cyber harassment is punishable by law.
What was it someone tried to throw in my face over and over again:
Judge not, lest ye be judged....
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Horse on the Porch
So, it is an ordinary afternoon. I am headed over to Mom's house to check on her horses. I step in the door and my phone rings. It is Caitlyn. Shiloh won't get up, not even when she offered yummies.
I rush back home and there is Shiloh, laying in the barn and no amount of Cait's sweet talk is motivating him to move. We get him and and get some meds into him. Caitlyn was great about keeping him walking while I prepped the meds. A bit of banamine and he was drinking and trying to graze.
We left him in the backyard to continue grazing and drinking while we had dinner.
Shiloh has always been a social soul, and being in the backyard has one great big perk, the big window.
As dinner ended, Shiloh came forward to check out the kids, the dinner and anything else that was interesting to him.
Could have been worse....we have had a pony live in the garage for a week.....
And how was your day?
Friday, March 12, 2010
The DemonSlayer
All hail the DemonSlayer, Saralyn! During her riding lesson, Saralyn took on and was victorious over a Fear Demon. Saralyn showed courage and grace and has now gained self confidence, strength and skills!
In her riding lesson the demon tried to scare Saralyn out of riding her mighty steed, Shiloh, through the passage between two pastures. Saralyn was nervous because of angry cow on one side and flakey mare, Bella, on the other. Saralyn showed incredible poise and grace under pressure and rode on. Shiloh behaved, too.
Upon her victorious return she was greeted with accolades by her mother and myself. James the squire brought forth kool-aid for her, to quench her mighty thirst.
Saralyn then proceeded to surprise her instructor but untacking her steed, solo.
Saralyn, today is your day. We salute you!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Soccer and Snow storms
Spring soccer season has started. My eager young players are ready to refresh their skills and expend their energies. Alas, this morning we had a small blizzard. Maybe not a full scale eastern blizzard, but it was tons of wind driven snow pouring down. Winds gusted and swirled.
How are we to start soccer in this? Luckily, this being New Mexico, the snow was gone by noon and while the wind gusted, we were able to go to practice. The kids wore hats and mittens, hoodies and parkas, but still hit the field.
My team of Under 6 boys have lost none of their skills over the winter break and showed lots of growth. They still randomly tackle each other and wrestle, but that is just fine by me!
I chased them up and down the field several times, threw balls for them to block, and tried to block their kicks to the goal. I left tired, but I am pretty sure they were just getting warmed up.
Hopefully, this freak snow is the last we will have, and we can run happily down green fields!
And how was your day?
How are we to start soccer in this? Luckily, this being New Mexico, the snow was gone by noon and while the wind gusted, we were able to go to practice. The kids wore hats and mittens, hoodies and parkas, but still hit the field.
My team of Under 6 boys have lost none of their skills over the winter break and showed lots of growth. They still randomly tackle each other and wrestle, but that is just fine by me!
I chased them up and down the field several times, threw balls for them to block, and tried to block their kicks to the goal. I left tired, but I am pretty sure they were just getting warmed up.
Hopefully, this freak snow is the last we will have, and we can run happily down green fields!
And how was your day?
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
The Error of Hypocracy
Once upon a time there was a woman who made a mistake. She put pictures on her website that contained images of someone else's child. It was an honest mistake, the thumbnails didn't show everything and it had been a while since she had looked at the photos.
She received several vehement emails on every email she had access to, demanding that the photos be removed. She removed the photos and apologized. She swore she would never post photos of the other woman's children again.
Now is where it gets interesting. This woman was recently told that pictures of her own children are on the other woman's facebook and blog, without permission, as well as picture of this woman's personal artistic creations.
Pot, meet Kettle. Your black.
She received several vehement emails on every email she had access to, demanding that the photos be removed. She removed the photos and apologized. She swore she would never post photos of the other woman's children again.
Now is where it gets interesting. This woman was recently told that pictures of her own children are on the other woman's facebook and blog, without permission, as well as picture of this woman's personal artistic creations.
Pot, meet Kettle. Your black.
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