A Dream Come True

 

  Most of you know our little horse-lover, Kammy. She has wanted a horse as long as I can remember. Seriously. I think she was born wanting one. Initially, I think a lot of her love for Jesus was based on the fact that He is returning on a horse. Of course it goes deeper than that now, but that made a huge impression on a little girl.
Her first word was, "Worsie." 

We gave her time to outgrow it, and when that didn't happen, we let her get horseback lessons thinking the hands-on would either confirm her love of horses, or help her realize that she didn't care for them so much as she thought. You guessed it. More love than ever! As time went on, it became increasingly clear, that hers was not a casual love or a passing fancy. Now, think what you will, but we are not "those"
 parents....you know, the ones who give their kids everything they want. We do believe though, that as much as possible and reasonable, we are to model God to our children and God said he would give us the desires of our dedicated hearts. We also believe that part of training up a child in the way he "should go" is fostering wholesome, God-given desires, and that when this is possible and is not done, a child will often turn and fill those desires with sinful habits/ways.

 

Several weeks ago, her best friend, Duchess, the horse she was learning on, passed away. She was heart-broken, and in the moment, we promised to start seriously looking for a horse of her own. We had been looking some already, but this was the nail in the horseshoe so to speak. She waited patiently for the right horse, praying daily and knowing that God's time was best. After looking at several horses and ponies that weren't the right ones, we told her that when God closes a door, he opens a window. She took it quite seriously, wondering daily if today would be the "open window" day. She was incredibly sweet, patient and understanding of the time, responsibility and finances involved. When her little sister struggled with jealousy, she gladly offered to share, and her prayers changed to "Please help Kaite and I get a horse to SHARE."

Our dear friends, Dennis and Lisa (Dennis has been her trainer, and I have known Dennis and Lisa all my life) began helping us in our search, and located Annie. Annie Top Deck, whom Kam refers to as Annie Denise, is a 15 year old registered Quarter Horse. Turns out, Kammy and Annie have a history. Kammy has been riding in the Independence Day parade for several years, and her first year was on non other than Annie! Kammy was also the first visitor when Annie gave birth to her foal, Maybella.

 

Slight detour here. Years ago, my dad worked with Lisa's dad on a survey crew for the State of Idaho. Wayne Aman was my dad's crew boss who became his friend and finally his pastor, after my dad gave his heart to The Lord. Bro. Aman was also a cowboy--he was saved while riding which makes me think of the old ballad "I Saw the Light."

 

Pastor Wayne Aman

Their family and ours was just that. Family. They lived down the street from us and we attended church together. Lisa babysat me and when I got older, I babysat her kids. :)

 

 

Lisa and Karen circa 1982

Anyway, Kammy of course, fell in love with Annie all over again.

Love at First Sight!

Since we do not have pasture at our place, Annie will be staying in Grandpa's pasture for the time being. Grandpa is not a horse-lover, but he is a Kammy-lover! 

Kammy spent the night and helped clean and tidy the lean-to and pasture. It was tiring, but she worked hard! Papa said she needed paid, but Kammy insisted that she was getting all the payment she needed!

Past~ure Naptime!

Last night, with Dennis' help, we went to collect Annie. 

 

Dennis and Kammy have have bonded over their love of horses. Kammy's love of horses takes him back to his own childhood dreams, he says.

 

 

Kammy was beyond excited, yet sober and conscious of her responsibility. I love this picture!

 

My Horse. My Heart~beat on Hooves.

 

Kammy loaded Annie up herself and said there was nothing like the sound of those hooves going into that trailer!

 

 

A hug and teary eyes between (owner) Ron McIntyre, who said all the payment he needed was a hug, and Kammy. I have one thankful little girl. Mommy's heart is thankful too. To Ron, Dennis, my sweet hubby and wonderful daddy, "Thank You!". What great men you are!

 

 

Unloading. Kammy has no fear of horses, but it soothes this Mommas nervous mind to see that she has a healthy dose of respect.

 

 

Journey of a Lifetime!

 

 

Meeting the family, and as Kammy, who just walked up and is reading over my shoulder said, 

"They lived happily ever after!"

Randomness

 The spring clean continues. It's a little too cold (40* as I type) to do much outside yet, so for now I prowl the house looking for projects. Actually, I don't....they just seem to find me. I haven't decided if pinterest is a good or bad thing yet. Smile.

Here is a project I recently ran across on pinterest and wondered why I hadn't thought of it. We have some very old folding chairs that looked pretty embarrassingly sad, but a bit of fabric later they are sooo much better! This was one of the easiest things ever. I cut and hold, hubby staples and screws. One chair takes less than a half yard of fabric and less than a half hour of time. I wish I'd thought to take a before shot, but as per usual, I was too impatient and had it half done before I thought of that.

 

 

I did break out the spring wreath (complete with a new B) for the front door.

 

And there is the littlest man of the house. He is growing way too fast! Soon we will have to get a second chair to rock him in. Smile.

 

He likes to feed himself lately. Yes, he is eating from a pink dish. He has four big sisters, so what can you expect but pink hand-me-down dishes? Believe me, he is all boy!

He's had several flare-ups with his masto recently. We've discovered that he is extremely sensitive to heat and will sweat very easily (always has done this) but now the sweating will cause his spots to break out in hive-like blisters. For example, he can't wear socks and shoes for any length of time especially if it is at all warm.

Today, he is sick with a cold and sharp wheezy cough and fever. Since it is Sunday, I am hoping to avoid quick care and get him in to see his regular pediatrician tomorrow.

He has learned to give the sweetest hugs--there is just nothing like a little person hug to make your day!

 

Sweet little Kaite. Her biggest struggle in life is the boredom she faces during school hours. Playing with her hair-pulling little brother gets old pretty fast. Last week, I found her sitting in a patch of sunlight in Kade's room reading. She said, "I came in Keg-rick's room to read because I noticed there was vitamin D in here." Is that not the cutest thing ever???

 

Kammy had a very disappointing week last week. The horse she has been learning to ride on was quite old and passed away. She was one teary eyed little girl for several days. She does love animals--especially those horses! I think we are very close to a horse of her own though--details next time! I regularly find drawings like this in her room and around the house.

 

And the other day, all of her I's were dotted like below. How could I complain though, when her 3rd grade handwriting is that lovely?

 

The girls and I made a pretty rainbow cake for St Patrick's Day. Daddy has told us all about St Patrick btw, and its pretty inspiring!

 

One last project.....this table is actually to hold the fishie that Kaite will be getting for her birthday. Shhh! She doesn't know yet. She's had one on her wish list since last year and hasn't forgotten, so it must be pretty important to her. This is the after picture. Its a dark gray color now....

 

....but this is what is used to look like. It was really a record cabinet. I barely remember what records looked like. I kept the dividers in place because they work like book-ends. The cabinet was in storage at my Grandma's place and when it was headed to the curb, I snatched it.

 

 

Well, that better do it for now. Thanks for stopping by. I'll be around to check out your amazing spring blogging soon! =)