An 18-wheeler on the Dickerson Funny Farm

We've been living out in the country for just over two years.  It has been an exciting time.  We've experienced a lot.  We've successfully bottle fed a calf named Miracle Whip (read here), unsuccessfully bottle fed a calf,

raised a litter of kittens, bottle fed kittens

had a flourishing garden, had this years garden, and too many other memories to list.  My kids have learned to jump hay bales, "build" a tree house, and roam the woods.

 Some time around last fall, Chad and I began talking about horses.  We have a dog who eats like a horse.  

However, the girls really wanted a horse.  Yes, I know that they really want everything they see on tv.  However, the truth here is that I really wanted a horse. Seriously, for every birthday and every Christmas for as long as I can remember I asked my parents and Santa for a horse.  Well, maybe not every year but atleast from ages 5-22.  About 22 I became totally financially independent from my parents and realized that horses eat...a lot!  After discussing the idea of a horse with a couple of our friends who have had horses for years, we began casually looking for a horse.  Our criteria was pretty specific.  We needed a gentle horse for inexperienced riders, a cheap horse for inexperienced investors, and a healthy horse for inexperienced caretakers.  As I found horses on FB groups, I would send them to the trusty Mr. Jackie.  He was always objective and reminded me of the type of horse that I needed for safe enjoyment by the girls.  Although I was disappointed a couple of times, I really did want the perfect horse for our situation.  In December a friend of ours contacted Chad about a horse.  The horse immediately received  two 'checks' as we went down the list of "needs".  She was healthy and she was cheap!  This particular horse had a story.  She was purchased for a girlfriend to be used as a barrel racing horse.  During the learning stages, the relationship dissolved.  The man kept and fed the horse for several years.  Lucky for us, he said if someone wanted to come and get her, they could have her.  Uncle Kent (according to BADkid) went and got the horse and kept her with his horses to determine if she would be adequate for our girls.  

Christmas morning, the girls were shocked to get a horse brush, feed bucket, halter, and a horse.

After several months of riding and evaluations with Kent, she arrived on the Dickerson Funny Farm on May 25.  Me. Kent brought Sparkles and a companion horse for the transition, Dodger. The girls rode Sparkels (in silk pajamas and rain boots) while they were led around the small pen several times.  

We left them in the small pen in an attempt to acclimate them to a new home.  May 25 is probably just a date to many of you, but for Henderson, Texas, May 25 was the date of the Memorial Day Tornado.  We had to leave our home in the wet, dark, wind that night and didn't return until the following afternoon.  Fortunately Sparkles and Dodger survived the weather.  However, they have now realized that life with the Dickerson Girls is similar to 3 F5 tornadoes!

Dodger is an older horse who behaves more like a dog. The firs have enjoyed loving on the old man while they learn to trust the younger, spunkier Sparkles. 

In early June, Mrs. Cheryl came out to teach me how to halter and handle the horse.  It was a learning experience.  I learned pretty quickly that you have to treat the horse like the kids.  Once she realizes who is the boss, she is as gentle and precious as can be.

 The girls began to brush and pet her and build trust.  We spent the entire month of June learning to care for the horse.  Last week, I decided it was time to put the saddle back on the horse.  I've never in my life put a saddle on a horse.  I've seen the process and I can teach Physics.  How hard can it be, right?  Well, lets just say the girls rode the horse with a saddle...after several stops to re-position and tighten the saddle.  We made progress!

Leading the girls around on the horse on the saddle is exciting for about 7 minutes.  Then it's like a four-wheeler or jet-ski.  Riding a four-wheeler and jet ski is fun when you are DRIVING.  So, I asked Mrs. Cheryl to come out and help us transition from leading a horse around a pen to having the girls independently ride the horse.  The learning stage was comical to say the least. Taylor, Miss Confidence, volunteered to go first. 

It helped that she rode horses many times at Pine Cove last week.  She did well walking and then got brave.  She wanted to go faster.  She did go faster.  She quickly informed us that Sparkles doesn't have a trot!  

Little sister peer pressure is tough. Kennedy is cautious--or scared of everything. Truthfully, she is smart enough to recognize the risk and evaluate the cost. She took her turn. 

Kennedy sat on the horse for a few minutes before she was willing to even walk.  Finally she did.  In typical Kennedy fashion, she was scared for about 5 minutes and quickly became very confident.  It was so exciting to watch her go from insecure to confident. 

BADkid...well, she's not afraid of anything.  She was perfectly willing to take the reins and ride independently.  

Obviously we didn't let her after the broken foot from falling off the roof that you can read about here.

I still only know about 3 days worth of a high school equine science class about this horse.  We are learning.  When Chad said, "Kent found us a horse, and I told him to get it," I remember telling him, "That's like bringing home an 18-wheeler when all you've ever driven is an automatic Volkswagen bug!"  The truth is that I was right!  It has been scary, intense, and rewarding. It has taken a village, but we are learning to drive the 18-wheeler and BADkid has perfected her cowgirl attire. 

Tough Questions from Girls

Today has been full of the most amazing conversations with my girls.  I'll get right to the point...

On the way home from school...

Kennedy:  Well, I think I'm going to break up with Mr.XYZ.
Me:  Really.  Why?
Kennedy:  Well, you know we used to be able to just talk about stuff and I could just say what I thought.  Now I kind of feel like I have to be careful because I wonder what he's going to think.  You know?  I don't want to make him mad.
Me:  Uh huh. (As I cringe because she cares what a boy thinks)  So you're worried about what he thinks about what you think?
Kennedy: Really, he said something today that I just knew was wrong.  You know when you hear someone say something that you KNOW is wrong, but you don't want to say anything because you don't want them to get mad at you?
Me:  Ohhh.  What did he say that you knew was wrong? (as I'm imagining something really philosophical and important that has me quite curious because this Mr.XYZ is a great kid from a great family that has values and beliefs very similar to ours)
Kennedy:  I heard him saying that Wylie is in the middle of town and that Middle School and High School are way out of the way.  Mom, you know that Wylie IS NOT in the middle of town.
Me:  I agree Wylie is on the edge of town, not in the middle, but do you really think that is worth breaking up about?
Kennedy:  Well, this is not the first time we've had this problem.
Me:  Really?
Kennedy:  Well, not about that exact conversation, but sometimes he says things, and I know he is wrong.  Before he was my boyfriend I would just tell him he's wrong, but now it just makes it too weird.  I think it was just easier before boyfriends.  You know, when we were all just friends and just told each other what we think?
Me:  Life is definitely easier before boyfriends.  I agree that you should take life easy in fifth grade.  But, maybe you could also consider that it's okay for your boyfriend to know what you really think?
Kennedy:  I still think I'm going to break up with him when I finally get the chance to talk to him again.
Me:  Well, you do what you think is best, but remember that he was your friend first and a real friend is nice and says things for herself, not through other kids.

We stop at the pound and see a mom dog with 5 tiny (born today) puppies.  We head on home and do homework, etc.  About an hour and a half later, we leave to take Kennedy to softball practice.

Taylor: Mom, you have to have a bull and a girl cow to make baby cows, right?
Me: Yes.
Taylor:  Mom, so if you don't have a bull and a girl cow then you won't get any calves?
Me:  That's right, Taylor
Taylor:  So, a boy bull and a girl cow can have a baby cow.
Me:  Yes, Taylor.  A boy bull can get a girl cow pregnant so that she can have a baby calf.
Taylor:  How exactly does that work, anyway?
Me:  I'll tell you exactly how that works, but not today in the car on the way to softball practice.
Taylor:  Oh.

So, I call Chad who was supposed to pick Kennedy up from softball practice on his way home from work.  I conveniently offer to meet him to let him take Taylor and Blake home while I wait for Kennedy at softball practice.  It wasn't really avoidance, but I'll admit after I had the plan I was kind of hoping that on the way home Taylor just might say, "Dad, how exactly does that work, anyway?"

On the way home from softball practice, Kennedy surprises me with some questions of her own.

Kennedy:  Mom, will you teach me how to drive?
Me:  No.  That's Daddy's deal.
Kennedy:  What do you mean?
Me:  I do bottles, diapers, and homework, but driving is Daddy's deal.
Kennedy:  So you just do bottles, diapers, and homework?
Me:  Well, I'll even do pads and tampons, but driving is Daddy's deal.
Kennedy:  You do boyfriends too.
Me:  Yes, I'll do boyfriends but driving is Daddy's deal.
Kennedy:  So, you're saying you'll do tampons and even boyfriends but you won't do driving?
Me:  Exactly (stated with great authority as I realized how ridiculous it must sound)

It's been an exhilarating, exhausting day as "Mom". 

My Miracle Whip

The post about our wild and crazy April ended on a note about April showers bring Miracle Whip. It's true! 

On May 1, when the girls and I got home after school, we found a young calf lying in the back yard. She was frail and I honestly thought she was dead. Thinking out loud, I asked, "How in the world did that calf get up here in the yard, and where is its mamma?" Kennedy and Taylor immediately developed their version of the story. Naturally, they assumed our old dog Hershey that's never noticed other life and our 12-13 year old crippled, one eyed (with cataracts) dog Buckwheat must have "stolen the baby from its mom and drug it to the house for us to see". Yes, it kind of reminded me of the little girl on Higgleytown Heroes who comes up with the most off the wall ways to solve problems.

So, I took a couple of pictures of the sweet baby and tried to stand her up to see if she could walk. I quickly noticed several gashes in her back near her hind quarters, and she just stumbled around. I called Daddy. He is actually the farmer. He was in Longview and told me to call my Uncle Tim. Tim came down, and he and I began to discuss the possible ways this calf with gashes wound up in the yard without a mamma cow even looking for her. He hauled her long, lanky body out to the shade tree in the pasture where all the cows come up and sniffed her. None of them acted overly interested in the baby.

She stumbled toward the pasture and fell. Later determined that's "Mom"

 After a couple of hours and no rescue by "mom", we decided to bottle feed the heifer. She did not like the bottle, but she was so weak. During all the chaos and numerous sessions of trying to figure out what in the world happened to this calf (that was not newborn), a man in the oilfield approached the house. He asked if I found a calf on my porch. I said, "Well, I found her in the yard. Did you put a calf on my porch?" He chuckled and said that while driving by they saw buzzards on the calf (literally eating her alive) and knew they would kill it. They knocked on the front door and then walked around to the back and saw all the toys and thought anyone with kids would try to ave it. He again chuckled and said, "I could tell the calf was safe from these two ferocious guard dogs but thought they would at least keep the buzzards off the calf here by the house." I'm pretty sure Kennedy and Taylor were offended that he didn't think our dogs could/would drag a calf away from its mom to put on the porch! We were relieved to know how and why the calf was out of the pasture.

 Remember that lists of "dreams" I wrote about here a couple of months ago? I saw my chance and jumped on it. Anything that we were going to bottle feed had to have a name. The girls and I went through thousands of names. I finally said her name needs something to do with May since our journey together began on May 1. Mayo quickly became Miracle Whip. We all agreed that only a miracle could explain her being alive and in our care.

 5:00AM May 2, 2013 I was trying to bottle feed the calf while my dad was puking in the pasture but was determined that I might need some help. Again, Miracle Whip was not happy about the experience. We were finally able to get some milk down her, but decided that tubing her would be the next option if she didn't learn to accept the bottle enough to keep her alive.

 5:00PM May 2, 2013 I was fighting a stronger calf who still was not at all interested in the bottle. Daddy finally tube fed her. Randomly in Texas, a cold front moved in and the lows for the night were predicted to be in the lower 30s with rain. I couldn't stand it, and decided to move the dog pen to the carport and put out blankets, etc. to keep Miracle Whip warmer and dry.

BADkid brushing Miracle Whip

 
 5:00AM May 3, 2013 Calf was stronger from the adequate supply of milk through the tube and got a little more active and resistant to the bottle.

 3:00PM May 3, 2013. Daddy took Miracle Whip to see Dr.Lori Cavitt who gave her some 'miracle' concoction of medicines. She said that she seems healthy and had probably been injured by being stepped on and then couldn't get up or keep up so mom abandoned her. Miracle Whip continued to improve.

 May 4-5, 2013 Miracle Whip had ups and downs. It was similar (though much less traumatic) as a baby in NICU. One afternoon I would think we had turned a corner, and by that night I'd be in tears thinking she was going to die. It was the craziest experience. The girls began to love on the calf and brush her, etc. She was so sweet, but every single morning she would refuse to get up, stand up, etc.  I hoped that her serious regression was too to the abnormal cold/wet weather each night.

 8:00PM May 5, 2013 Miracle Whip declined. She would not take bottle. She would not do anything cooperative. My hope was that by the morning, she would be hungry and cooperate.

 5:00AM Monday May 6, 2013,I tried to bottle feed the calf without any significant amount of milk going down. Frustrated I decide to tube feed her. She fought that too. She was healthy enough and recognized the tube so that I could no longer manhandle her alone to get the tube in correctly, open the valve, etc. I came in the house and threw all the stuff in the floor of the utility room and told Chad to just go shoot her because she was going to die anyway. I cried and cried. He made the same attempts at feeding her. He finally said, "Well, she will either live or die, but we've done all we can do." I called Daddy and made arrangements for him to come try to help tube feed the calf that evening...if she was still alive after 36 hours without significant milk.

 3:30PM Monday, May 6, 2013 I came home from school and put the leash on Miracle Whip to try to get her to walk around (per Dr.Cavitt's suggestions). The other cows were up in the front pasture. Miracle Whip immediately headed toward the other cows and tried to get through the fence to get to them. I opened the gate and let her in. The cows were curious about her, but obviously a little skittish with her bright red collar, bright red leash, and human attachments. I finally let the leash go so that she could approach the cattle. I knew that if I needed to, I could catch her with the leash so I wasn't very concerned. The mamma cow let Miracle Whip try to nurse. I watched them for a while. I finally decided that I should get Miracle Whip back. And, the fun began.

 As I tried to sneak up and grab the dangling leash, she ran. I ran and she ran some more. I tried to corner her in a section of pasture and she ran and jumped and kicked like a healthy calf. I decided to rest a while and get a better plan. I herded all the cows to a smaller section of pasture and tried to sneak up on her and grab the leash again. She saw me and jumped and ran and kicked and ran and ran and ran. When she stopped and looked at me her tongue was hanging out. That meant that she was tired and ready to give up, right? Wrong, she continued to run if I even thought about approaching her. My three kids were sitting on the trailer out of the way cheering and yelling "You almost got her!" and "She sure is fast Mom!" It was a circus. 

After admitting defeat by the "sick calf", I called Daddy and said that I didn't need him to help me feed her, but I needed him to help me catch her to get the leash. We were finally able to pen her in the corral and get the leash off of her. We turned her back out to the pasture with her goofy mom and hoped for the best. It was such a bittersweet moment. My kids are too young to leave the nest, but it must be a tiny glimpse into that experience as a parent. I was so proud that she was able to be a cow and hoped she was strong enough to survive, but a part of me really wanted her to need me and come back to let me love on her some more. Every single day for the next few weeks, I went out and looked for Miracle Whip. She was always there and always doing okay. She was easy to pick out with her red collar. I'm sure the other cows were jealous of her bling!

Miracle Whip sporting her red collar in the pasture with "Mom"

 Finally, last week Daddy, Chad and I had to pen her up in the corral again to get the collar from around her neck. She had grown enough that it was going to cause a problem in the near future. Again, it was bittersweet.

 She's been back with her mom for over a month. She is growing and being a normal cow.  Even without her red collar, she is easy to pick out. Remember her tongue hanging out because she was tired? Well, apparently she's got some kind of problem. Her tongue is always hanging out. I asked Dr.Cavitt if she was retarded. She said, "I would say neurological".  She may be "neurological" but she's My Miracle Whip!

April: Ahhh, it never slowed down

What.A.Month

April 1-4:  STAAR EOC testing.  Obviously, my personal children were not directly affected with this testing.  However, it made life at work stressful.  Oh, and the fact that I failed to order mandatory tests for 2 students didn't really help my stress level.  In the end, it all worked out.  And yes, I do still have a job.

April 5:  Daddy had a stress test.  We've been so blessed with his health since his diagnosis of diabetes and his triple bypass years ago.  Annual stress tests have become a "non topic" because they've been uneventful.

April 6:  HGSA pictures and first games. Kennedy played well and the Thrillers won.

Kennedy playing second base.

April 7: Buy refrigerator and stove for the new house (to be delivered on Wednesday)

April 8: Telpas testing, appraisal on Henderson house, news that Dad's stress test was abnormal, 7:45 softball game

April 9:  Telpas testing day #2, appraisal on Minden house, tumbling, 6:00 softball game

April 10: Spend two hours on the phone with The Home Depot people trying to locate our new appliances.  They were supposed to be delivered to the Tyler store.  The people at the Tyler store assured us that they were not delivered there.  I called the Longview store (where we actually purchased them) and explained the situation.  The guy assured me that the computer said that the appliances were delivered.  I clearly explained to him that they were NOT at the Tyler store where they were supposed to be delivered.  His brilliant response..."Oh, that's not good".  Exactly.  Not Good, and I'm NOT P-A-T-I-E-N-T either.  Two managers and 18 hours later, the appliances were located.

April 11:  Dad's heart catheterization and stent placement.  Before the procedure, Dad was in an area of the hospital with several curtained areas around a nurse's station.  After the procedure they brought him back to the same "room".  As he was coming out of the anesthesia, he would ask, "Did the doctor come in and talk to us yet?"  We kept telling him that the nurse talked to us, but that the doctor had to leave the hospital and would be back to talk with him.  After about 30 times of asking, he surprised us when he asked"Am I back in the same stall?"  I giggled and assured him he was in the same "stall".  He said, "So when I put those clothes on, they should be mine and fit, right?"  "Yes Daddy, they are yours and should fit, but I don't think you'll be needing them in the next few hours.  You're going to spend the night tonight."  Naturally, his next question was, "Did the doctor come in and talk to us yet?"  Ahh...I love that man.

"Enjoying" his meatloaf

April 12:  Blake Alayne turns three!  We had the traditional doughnut and candle for breakfast. Click here to see her early years and here to see her one year ago.  April 12 was also the last night we spent in our home in Henderson.

 

No, she did not get to eat "free doughnuts" even on her bday.

Pinky finger needs a little help sometimes

April 13:  The big move.  Although we had been moving things for a month, this was "the moving day".  Kennedy ended up staying in town with the former neighbors.  Taylor called to come home.  Naturally, we were full of energy and everything was put away at the end of the day so when Taylor began to puke it was no big deal.  Yeah.  Stomach virus on night #1 in the new house.  She was pretty pathetic when I found her literally snoring in the bathtub after several episodes of being sick.

Thankful she propped her head up before going to sleep

April 14-19:  Appointments out of town, dog groomer, softball games, gymnastics, life in the new house, close on Henderson house

April 19:  Bad weather day for me, but not the girls.  I was able to eat lunch with Taylor for the first time all year.  Secretly made homemade icing for cupcakes for birthday party.  Taylor ate a cupcake and said, "The cupcake is good, but that icing is naaasty!"  Awesome.

April 20:  Blake's birthday party.  Who really plans a party at home exactly one week after moving?  I did, and it was a terrible idea.  However, we had a good time and no one died from looking at the unpacked boxes and stacks of things to put away.  This was truly one of the best birthday parties ever.  Miss Susan and Mr.Jackie brought their team of mules and wagon for the kids and adults to ride.  Blake sat up front and rode and rode and rode.  We had to bribe her away from the "horses" with cupcakes and gifts.  After about 45 minutes, she was back to the wagon rides. 

Mr.Jackie, Blake and Sophi leading the ride

As if bringing mules and a wagon wasn't awesome enough, Mr.Jackie and Mrs.Susan also brought Blake a rabbit for her birthday. As you mothers out there gasp with shock, consider this fact--she actually brought EACH of my girls a rabbit for Blake's birthday!!  For the last 9 years, I thought we were friends.  Seriously, I adore animals and had considered buying ONE myself so I agreed to her gift ahead of time.  After all, remember why we moved to the country?  Each of the 3 rabbits has a distinct personality.  Kennedy named her rabbit Spotty.  He/she is quite fast and not thrilled to be handled.  Blake named her rabbit Honey Bunny, and she is...well, you can see for yourself.

Honey Bunny, the "baby"

 Taylor's rabbit is a lionhead rabbit, and he/she is super cute.  Taylor calls him/her Swirls.  However, I call him/her Benadryl.  Can you guess why?

Sorry, I couldn't get this one to rotate but isn't she cute with hives and swollen eyes?

April 24: First day to come home right after school.  As an attempt to reinstate "normal" I planned to serve grilled burgers and bacon wrapped jalapenos for dinner.  After just a few moments, I smelled smoke and realized that my meal had been transformed into charcoal briquettes.  Since the goal was "normal" I decided quick and easy fish sticks were appropriate.  For the record, I do not serve my family fish sticks often. 

April 22-25: TAKS and STAAR testing.  This time is affected my job and my child.  Kennedy was so excited that she could wear clothes other than uniforms to school.  The weather was beautiful.  She headed for the car with a jacket.  I asked her why she needed a jacket.  Clearly irritated with my questioning, she said, "Because those teachers are so stressed out on testing days that they keep is freezing cold and walk around doing this (fanning her face with her hands) while we are cold."  And, that's another post all together.

April 26: Close on house in Minden (that we've been living in for 2 weeks).

April 27: TAAF State Gymnastics Competition in Denton.

Taylor's Split Jump

April 29: make up softball game
April 30:  G/T field trip to Art Museum in Tyler and softball game


You know that saying "April showers bring May flowers"?  Well, April showers brought us Miracle Whip!  Stay tuned for the details!

Life on Mimi and Pop's Farm

Here's what started it all. Yes, I know. It really is gross to see your mom and dad kiss. But, aren't they just adorable? They truly are great people, parents, and examples for us younger folk!

My cousin Ashley came out to Mom and Dad's house on Thanksgiving to take some family pictures. She did such an awesome job! (Thanks Ashley!) She's going to do some of just our family one day soon. We scheduled a session over the week of Thanksgiving but had a H-U-G-E unexpected surprise. More about that later...but enjoy the show!


This is the crew. Mom and Dad with the grandkids on the tractor (minus Addy and Ayden). Standing is Trisha, Steven (my little brother), Me, Chad, Stacey, and Keith (my older brother).



Here's what happens when Popsi thinks no one is looking! Kennedy and Taylor L-O-V-E to ride the tractor with my Daddy!



This is one of my favorite pictures of the day...very creative and combines two of my loves...my kids and the Tractor!



And then there was this cow...

Her name, according to my kids, is "Crooked Horn Betsy". Crooked Horn Betsy has been on the farm a long time. She is quite gentle. Several months ago my daddy got a crazy cow that destroyed a lot of farm equipment type stuff. I didn't grow up on the farm, so I don't know the proper terminology. But, the cow was crazy and my daddy said on more than one occasion that he should've just shot her where she was standing! I don't allow profanity on my blog or I would quote his top 10 things to say about the crazy cow. After months of Joe vs. Cow, which included penning her long enough for her to destroy the corral and ruining a friendship between my dad and the "friend" who sold him this gentle cow, my dad hired a "real cowboy". This "real cowboy" was hired to come out to the farm with his dogs to haul the crazy cow some cows to the sale. Now, if you know my daddy even a little, you can just imagine how difficult it was for the tightwad to part with even a penny for something like this. However, his health was at risk. His heart and my mom's ears couldn't take it any longer...and it was getting expensive replacing fence panels, etc. One morning back in September or October, the two cowboys showed up with their many, many dogs and began rounding up cows. Yes, Chad, myself, mom, dad, and the girls were all outside on the porch watching what proved to be a pretty uneventful cattle round up. Dad had discussed selling several of the older cows. One of the ones on the list of "probably" for going to the sale was "Crooked Horn Betsy". Taylor was clueless about this development until she noticed the cows being herded into the corral. Very politely she said,"Popsi, I know you're not gonna sell Crooked Horn Betsy, are you?" I'm not real sure what happened after that. Six weeks later, guess who's still on the Akin Farm?



Yeah, her name is Betsy!