Girls, Green Shoes and Giggles

For those of you who are acquainted with our family, you know that our middle daughter, Emma, was always the quiet one. When Emma was little, Lindsay did all of her talking. I remember one day in particular when Emma, probably nearing 3 years old, came into the kitchen and simply said "nyeh nyeh." I was both shocked and perplexed. Emma never spoke, and now that she had, I didn't have a clue what she wanted. "Nyeh nyeh" she repeated. What in world...?! I pointed to everything, tried to give her everything, but all she did was stare, stomp, and give me a louder "NYEH NYEH!" Six-year-old Lindsay came floating through the kitchen in her fairy costume and high heels and simply announced "She wants a drink mom." "Hmmm...you think...?" One more look at Emma...nothing but an icy stare. "Is that what you want, Emma, a drink?" She only stared. I filled her sippy cup and handed it over. She took it, smiled half heartedly, turned on her heel and went back to play in her own little peaceful world. I thought to myself "she must get that from Brian." After all, I was never at a loss for words!

When Emma turned ten, we began to notice a little 'coming out of her shell' but still when meeting someone new or encountering a new situation, you could literally watch her "sizing up" everything with that signature stare. No words, no expression, just a deep...dark...stare.

This weekend I was taken back to Emma's younger days when she was...well...quieter. Our family journeyed together to visit church friends near Columbus, Ohio, about a 2-1/2 hour drive one way. There was no lack of chit chat in the truck among the girls. Brian drove, glazed-over in his own little world of thought -- rarely acknowledging the comedy unfolding in the seat behind him while Emma's nonsense made the rest of us either roll our eyes and groan, or bellow with laughter. I claimed ownership of the radio and turned on a station Emma didn't particularly care for. After each and every song she would interrupt her current conversation with "can we change it now?...please?...mom?...are you listening?...seriously mom...hellooooooo...earth to mom...can we change it?...ooookaaaaay...guess not" then she would continue her story as if she'd never missed a beat.

And the storytelling itself? Now let me tell you, you have not lived until you hear Emma tell a story. Starting with her "Okay, yeah, sooo....." and ending with her signature "LOL, right?!" Emma's form of chit chat is kind of a morph between common English and Text verbage. She rarely gets through a sentence without communicating "JK!" At one point in the trip Emma was the only one laughing at her own story, so she followed it with "Wow guys, THAT was an LOL moment...and none of you are LOL'ing." I think it was at that point that Brian, with his quick wit responded "OMG." (See, I told you she was just like her dad!)

As we reached the edge of Columbus, Ohio, everyone in the vehicle was getting hungry and Lily, true to her nature, needed a bathroom (I might point out here that when Lily asked to stop for a bathroom break, Emma declared aloud "Lily's sphincter is full!"). Brian exited the interstate, pulled into a Wendy's parking lot, and announced that he would wait in the truck while we bought sandwiches. Leaving the other girls behind, I rushed Lil inside as quickly as I could. The scene before my eyes upon exiting that bathroom will forever be etched in my memory right next to the "nyeh nyeh" episode of Emma's younger years. Standing there, at the back of the line, was Emma. A huge smile plastered on her face, she was wearing a purple t-shirt, blue and pink shorts, orange, black, and white striped fuzzy halloween knee socks, and her new lime green converse tennis shoes. Whose child was THIS?! This was NOT the Emma that used to need her big sis to talk for her. This was NOT the Emma who used to stare through whoever was trying to speak to her. THIS Emma was a comical jokester! Smiling and laughing, she was wholeheartedly enjoying the stares she was getting from everyone in the restaurant. I rolled my eyes once again (I AM the mom after all...it's my job), but inside I was giggling...she is SO much like her dad! ;)

"Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad." Psalm 126:2-3

Going, Coming, and Chasing

A few changes have taken place over the past few weeks here at Jordan's Crossing. First and foremost, we said farewell to our equine friend Star whose new home is with one of our riding students, Miss M. Miss M waited a very long time to get Star (who was pregnant with Boomer when she decided to buy her), and we were all thrilled when the day finally came that we could deliver her to her new dwelling. Star was a wonderful mare who gave us both Zoe and Boomer, and she will be a great friend and 4-H project for Miss M.

Now for any of you who know this family well, you will rightly ask, "Who took Star's place?" Of course we didn't have an empty space for very long! Soon after Star left Emma learned of a pony named Britches in need of a home. She called the owner, secured the purchase, and away went the truck and trailer to bring Britches home.

Surely you don't think I'm speaking of Britches without sharing a funny story...? What would a new pony be without a funny new-pony story?! First a little background: Britches had a short "vacation" here last winter -- he lived with us for 10 days between transfers from one owner to another (both of whom are friends of ours). Britches has always been known for one particular bad habit - playing "catch me if you can" in the pasture. When he stayed here that short span of 10 days, Emma was getting pretty good at convincing that pony to come to her without a chase. Well, the day Britches came to live with us for keeps, Emma was at a friend's house so Brian offered to pick him up and bring him home. Somehow Brian got totally distracted that day and absent-mindedly turned Britches out into an open 2 acre pasture. Bad idea! Just about the time night fell and it turned completely dark, Brian remembered that Britches had a wound that needed attention and he tromped out to the pasture to doctor him. Brian was gone for a very long time before my phone rang. "Can you come help me please?" I slipped on my boots and headed out to the barn to see what he needed, and was shocked to find him saddling up Dixie. "What are you doing?" I asked increduloulsy. "I can't catch that pony, and I can't let him win this battle, so I've got my lariat over there and I'm going to rope him I need someone to stand at the gate and come out to hold Dixie once I catch Britches." Now, I KNOW my husband is a cowboy in his heart, but seriously, I don't recall ever seeing him PRACTICE with a lariat before, and I was pretty darn sure that Dixie didn't have a clue what roping entailed. But not wanting to pierce his pride, I walked with him out to the pasture and opened the gate. As he entered the pasture and took a moment to set Dixie up, Lily hollered "Dad, how are you going to see anything out there?" He responded "By the light of the moon, babe, by the light of the moon!" And off he went to corner Britches. Now I won't bore you with all of the details, but I will say that if there had been the least bit of light that dark and beautiful night, it would have been a comical show I'm sure, but all we heard were hoofbeats and whinnies...back and forth...back and forth. After about 30 minutes and a long pause I finally yelled "Honey, you have to THROW the rope, not just hold it!" His response? "I'm afraid I'll miss and spook Dixie!" And with that, he tossed the lariat, which went flailing behind him, caught in Dixie's tail, and caused her to jump and dance and prance past the gate as Britches ran full force to the south end of the pasture. I couldn't hold my laughter any longer, and that got a glare with a "humph," at which time Lily hollered out "Dad, are you having fun?" And he replied, "I sure AM Lil!" That did it for me -- I KNEW it! This wasn't about catching a pony at all, but about my husband's sheer desire to feel like a cowboy under the blanket of stars. The end of the story is this -- Brian never caught that pony with his lariat that night, but as Dixie trod her way back to the gate to leave the pasture, Britches sure did follow her. He didn't like that his new playmate was leaving him. He let me pet him at the gate, but he wouldn't let me put a rope on him. Emma came home around midnight, and the next morning all three of us went out to try to catch that pony again. But guess what? Emma didn't need our help. Brian learned one very valuable lesson...it always helps when you arrive with treats in your pocket. :)

Enjoy your goings, comings, and chasings -- "...do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you." Hebrews 13:17

Wow, it's only been two weeks since my last post?! Maybe I'm beginning a new pattern here! (Eh, don't hold your breath...)

Today Brian had an opportunity to visit the Agape therapeutic riding center in Cicero, Indiana. He came home with pictures, stories, and excitement for all he witnessed there, having found great inspiration. We've been praying for guidance and direction for Jordan's Crossing lately. We have had impressions that it's time to expand our program, though we're not exactly sure yet what that will entail. Your prayers in this area would be appreciated as well.

On Thursday of this week we will exhibit at Reid Hospital's Pediatric Resource Fair. If any of you plan to attend, please stop by our booth and say hello!

New Season, New Students

The hint of fall is in the air! We can see it, smell it, and feel it. Autumn is our family's favorite time of year. This season finds us juggling our schedules as riding students return to school and try to work around their own busy schedules. We recently increased to 25 students. We're not exactly sure how that happened so quickly, but we're enjoying the hustle, bustle, and flurry of activity as new students become part of our Jordan's Crossing family! Some have special needs, some are just looking for an opportunity to be with horses, but whatever their needs, they are always welcome here. Please pray collectively for our students and their varying needs, and don't forget to reach out a helping hand to others around you who may need some encouragement along their rocky road. Happy Fall! :)

Angels in Hay Season

The girls and I just returned from a mini holiday at Kings Island near Cincinnati. They had never been to Kings Island before. I hadn't been in 22 years. Brian doesn't enjoy Kings Island...AT ALL! He hates the rides, he hates the walking, and he hates the crowds. I, on the other hand, LOVE IT! Going to Kings Island was a family tradition for as long as I can remember. Being from a large family, it was not hard to find enough people to go together and get the reduced "group rate." (My mother reminded me this morning that she remembers paying $6 per person...a far cry from what we paid this week!)

As a kid, the day of that "big event" brought alot of excitement and anticipation. We would all gather at Uncle Paul and Aunt Dee's house early in the morning. The men would squeeze into the front of Uncle Paul's blue pick up truck with the white camper shell. My mom, two or three of my aunts, and a whole passel of cousins would climb in the back where there was a mattress and a cooler full of food. Singing songs and laughing, we would crane our necks to peer out of the camper shell window vents, each of us hoping to be the first "spotter" of the Eiffel Tower. It was always a great deal of fun! We would ride ride ride, eat lunch in the parking lot, take in a show, and ride some more until the sun set and the fireworks began. (Funny, I don't remember the rides home. Probably because we kids would sleep all the way, likely being carried to bed by equally-exhausted parents!)

That trip was always a summer highlight for our family, and I really wanted my kids to experience something akin to it, so Brian and I agreed they deserved a mini vacation. I talked to my best friend Rita (who has 4 children close to our girls' ages), and we made the plans and reservations for a two-day event. In a nutshell, we had a BLAST! Rita, who is not a rider by any stretch of the imagination, followed the two little ones while I took off with the five teenagers. It was so nice for our families to enjoy the time together.

On the flip side however, was the "fun" that Brian had here at home. As the girls and I were leaving Tuesday night, Brian headed out to pick up two wagonloads of hay. While we girls were chill-axing at the resort, Brian and three of his buddies arrived at the field to find only one wagon load of hay ready. They waited about an hour for the 2nd wagon before they headed out. On the way home they had a flat tire...ever try to change a tire under a wobbly load of hay? When they finally got back to the barn and started unloading and stacking, one of the helpers pulled a shoulder muscle. Needless to say, the job didn't get done Tuesday night! Brian was exhausted and frustrated when we talked early Wednesday morning. After I hung up the phone I said a little prayer specifically asking God to aid my husband in his tasks at home.

Thursday morning dawned and I called Brian again. He was trying to figure out how to give riding lessons to five students and unload and stack that hay. Feeling guilty for being away from home when he needed us, I offered to leave the park early enough to be home in time for the girls to instruct the lessons. He insisted we stay and enjoy our time there. "I'll work something out. Don't worry."

I should learn by this point in my life that I don't need to worry when God is in the matter, for "something" did work out, and it was nothing Brian planned. God delivered angels in the bodies of our students' parents! While the girls and I wrapped up our "mini vacation" and Brian instructed students in their riding lessons, three parents and a male student unloaded and stacked hay. And when the final lesson was over, that student and her grandfather stayed to help feed horses. Those acts of kindness were a major blessing to Brian and us girls. Those men and that one little girl performed a labor of love that served us all! Yet again I have been treated to a "God moment" lesson. Yet again, I am humbled to think that His promises were fulfilled in these acts of kindness. "Seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

Where Does the Time Go?

For months I've been thinking I should update our blog. It seems only yesterday we were laughing at Shotgun's Predicament, but more than half a year has passed since then! Where did the time go?

So much has happened since my last posting, and I could kick myself for not having a journal record of it all. Emma celebrated her 14th birthday, a new foal was born, we went on our annual spring trail riding vacation, many new students started riding at Jordan's Crossing, Lily performed in her third dance recital, Lindsay graduated from high school...where did the time go?

We just completed the 2009 Wayne County 4-H Fair. We were there for 9 days and 8 nights, but it flew by with a "WHOOSH!" It seemed we were moving in one day...moving out the next.
It was Lindsay's 10th and final year as a 4-H member, and it was so difficult to wake up every day thinking "this is her last one." 10 years of memories flashed through my mind so many times this week, and I kept asking myself "where did the time go?"

It seems everything moves so much faster these days. We stay so busy. Days swirl around us and fade away before we even realize we've lived them. I find myself trying desperately to capture every moment of these special days and hold them -- just briefly -- in my memory. And still...I sit and wonder..."where did the time go?"