Christmas Morning

Jaden still wasn't feeling very well on Christmas.
So Chloe had to wake her up this year.

Chloe was SO excited!

Roxy's new toy! Forgot to get a pic of Ziva.
Oh and yes Jackson (the horse) got a gift also. :)

A new horsey bank

We both got the stables!

HELLO KITTY!!!

The Ultimate surprise!!!!
Sarah had know idea we got her a lap top computer.
I knew she wanted one, but she would never ask
because she felt it was to expensive. So she was totally
surprised! 

Merry Christmas!

I know I am a little behind. Dear hubby and I both got sick a week and a half before Christmas and are now finally starting to get over the nasty cough. Poor Jaden also got sick with the same bug and Chloe something different. The only one spared was Sarah. So far she has not gotten sick. Oh and yes we still had a houseful as usual! I know it was the Lord who gave me the strength do get everything done. Thank-you Doreen and Julie for all your help in cleaning up! 

It was so appreciated and such a blessing to me.

For there is born to you this day in the city of David
a Savior who is Christ the Lord........
Luke 2:11
Emmanuel...... God with us!

The greatest gift!

Chloe thought baby Jesus was lonely.
So she laid her baby with Him.

May we all celebrate and worship our
Savior everyday of the year!

God Had Other Plans!

We did have one family member that wanted absolutely nothing to do

with horses. She didn't even want a helmet or boots.
(I bought her a helmet anyway) Her thinking was they were a
disgusting animal. She thought we were all crazy. She didn't
even want to try a few lessons.There was no convincing her.
Until......... our neighbor wanted her to feed her three horses. :)
She even started taking lessons from the neighbor and is doing really

well. God has used the horses as great physical therapy for her also
in helping to break her out of her shell. She is starting to open up
saying more then one or two words with us when we are trying to
get her to have a conversation with us. She was teased so much and
called names by some of the nannies in the orphanage because of
the way she speaks (do to her movement disability). Then add to
that learning a new language. This child has been afraid to talk to
anyone for fear of being made fun of.
Stan shared with me how she surprised him one day recently when
he had said something to her and she actually had a conversation with
him. He was thrilled! She usually only speaks to me. Dec. 7 will be her
4 yr. family day So around here this is a big deal!

Her first lesson a few months ago.

She has to put the halter on and tie the horse and then pick her hooves,
 groom her and get her saddled up to before she even gets in the saddle.

Sarah enjoying her lesson.

Sarah loves our sweet baby boy Jackson.
 Yes sometimes they sneak a ride without their helmets.

How It All Started Continued........

 I always dreamed of having a horse. My dear hubby found
out and worked very hard to get everything ready to make
my dream come true. God has blessed me with such a thoughtful
and hard working man!

 

How It All Started.....

A couple of years ago Jaden discovered horses and her love and passion for them just keeps growing. She loves reading books, watching movies involving horses and even researching info on the internet.
This girl has even turned the footboard of her bed into a horse, using her blanket for saddle pads and pillows for saddles. Her bridles and halters are made out of head bands and hair ties. (love her imagination) Even the arms of our chairs and sofas have become her horses. ( until  mommy sees her) Our poor boxer ( Roxy) has been treated like a horse since she arrived here a year ago. Even to the point of Jaden checking her hooves (paws) and using a stick as her hoof pick so she can pretend to clean them. This girl even turns her leash into reins and pretends to ride her. She is even teaching her to jump all kinds of obstacles. Roxy is such a good sport, she just goes along with all of it.
So for her birthday we decided to get her a grooming kit and a book on taking care of horses. Her big brother Kevin and his wife Megan (who has a beautiful horse) gave her another book on horses. She has enjoyed reading through them and soaking up more info. We decided this summer to have Jaden start taking horseback riding lessons. She also went to a couple of camps. The Lord has given her such a heart and soul for horses. She is a natural.

Jaden and Peanut were supposed to go over the ground poles,
 Peanut had other ideas. The next time around Peanut decided
to jump Jaden just went into the position for jumping
 (forward 1/2 seat or 2 point) which surprised her instructor
because she hadn't taught her that. When I asked her about it
she told me, "I saw how to do it on the internet". On our way to
camp that morning we had prayed for God to give her just the
right horse for her. She later told me, "Peanut doesn't listen and
she is very stubborn and always wants to do things her way".
My comment, "Hmmmm...... maybe God is using Peanut to show
and teach you something." She sighed and agreed.
I just love how the Lord uses different circumstances in our lives
to teach us. 

Cruising around the arena and getting ready to go around
a couple of barrels.

Starting at 8:00 am and it was still to hot. This past June
we broke records staying in the 3 digit temps. for most of
the month.

Jaden trying to get Peanut out of her space as the head back in. 

A Very Special Arrival!!!

At 4:45 am we received our long awaited phone call from the
truck driver letting us know they were about 45 minutes away!

He is here!
We were all very excited! Chloe couldn't wait to..........

   Sneak A Peek......

at our newest member of the family!
Who is very tall dark and handsome.

 Checking out our family project..... his new home.

Poor guy is from Virginia and is probably wondering where in the
world am I? What happen to all the green?
   

Checking each other out. Roxy has seen a few horses when we have
been out walking. Our horse is used to riding with dogs running around
and following along with him.

The poor horse is trying to figure out what is up with this
crazy dog and that tongue action.  It is just the way Roxy rolls.
 Her tongue is always hanging out even when she sleeps. 

So curious and

sweet!

He really likes Stan.

Did I mention how sweet he is?
He has been home 3 1/2 weeks and we are all in love with our
sweet baby boy!

 Don't you just love that lightning bolt on his head?
 We still haven't decided on a name for him. So for now I
just keep calling him Sweet Baby Boy or Mr. D
 (is given name is DaVinci)

Major Project Going On

We all have been SO busy working very hard on our new family project. I should have taken pics of before we started and of the girly girls working so hard. Except I was shoveling dirt along with them. : )

Working on Electric

One hard working Daddy!

Still needs painted. I will be starting tomorrow
 about 5:00 am to beat the heat. :~/
Update: Whoo-hoo! Jaden and I painted all
but the trim around the door, window and very top!

Here is a couple views of part of the backyard from project area.

A couple of views outside our wall.

More to come.........

Happy 4th of July

We went on a little road trip down to Sierra Vista to spend the 4th with our son's family.
Yummy food,  great fireworks and cooler temperatures!

Happy 4th of July! 

 We decided to avoid the crowd this year and went
up on the roof.  If you click the pick you can
see the looks on their faces. Chloe wasn't to sure
about all of this yet.

Mesmerized 

Still not sure of all the loud booms this year.
Maybe next year.

Sarah had a great time with her big brother.

Quietly taking it all in. (her norm)

Now THAT'S a sparkler! : )

Whooooooa!

Hey, "I like this!"

Cheerleader in the making

Cuteness!

Oh and of course the two biggest kids!