Yes, Happy New Year and so much more

Looking at my unsettled future

Happy New Year!!!!

What does that mean to an eight year old boy? It means getting to stay up until after midnight and drink bubbly stuff that I don't really like, but I'm going to drink it anyway cause it is cool. (Sparkling Grape Juice) Some big ball drops and everyone seems so happy and "Look at all that litter!" and people are kissing!!! Yuck!!!" It means I have another day off of school. It means mom has to start her taxes again and papers everywhere. It means . . . . . . counting, counting, counting... 358 more days until Santa comes again. It means New Years Resolutions. Here are Caleb's for 2009...
1. Beat Lego Star Wars the complete saga.
2. Skip the third grade.

Isn't life more fun through the eyes of a child.

So today is Inauguration Day.
The 44th President. History has been made with every man before him being sworn in as an American President. Correct me if I am wrong but doesn't that mean that history is made every four years. I totally understand the significance, but that is what is so great about this great nation... he had the opportunity to do what he desired and the paths of his walk led him there. Each of us has the opportunity. Folks he is a man, just like all the others before him. What matters to me is his foundational beliefs, his love, hope and protection of what our country believes and his ability to fight for it and hold it steadfast and true. I am saddened about the way much of our country is putting so much expectation on one man. He is a man married to a woman. They have faults just like each of us, they are human. I see the Change bumper stickers. Folks, change begins with each and everyone of us. Where has that been forgotten? And now I feel that many of my countrymen are getting lost in the hype and forgetting the foundations. My prayer is that we as Americans rethink our so called progress, be thoughtful and see where it has brought us and how we can move ahead but get back the important things we have lost. With so much at our fingertips my deeply rooted belief is that we have lost more than we will ever know. When I turn the TV on, which is very little these days I cringe at what we as a society call entertainment. I cringe at those who do crime but never pay. I cringe at the realization that children are not taught right from wrong because there is always an exception to a rule. Wait a minute are there still rules? I cringe at how the media controls so much and yet no one seems to control them.

I am hopeful as I have always tried to be before and pray that Americans take this chance to better themselves and not wait or expect someone to do it for them. I do find it enlightening that during the election many got the impression that they would be taken care of once Obama was elected. How will he fulfill that? My guess is he will tell each and everyone of us that it is time for us to step up to the plate and be better people and make better choices. For that is what needs to happen. There will be many shocked faces I am guessing after it all sinks in, but I am hopeful in us. After all, we have the freedom of choice... or at least those that make it out of the womb do.

I love making my own bread. My mother was visiting in Sept through November and she helped me get started. I have not bought a loaf of bread since the beginning of November. My son has been experiencing some trouble focusing in school and after speaking with one of my doctors, I took him and us off food colors, additives, artificial flavors and preservatives. Okay, don't go bonkers, it is difficult with those items being in pretty much everything, but I do my best to limit these things from our diet. It has helped tremendously. Making bread is actually not that hard and I receive many compliments on my baking. I have wanted to take pictures of many of the batches and seeing as how I am off work for a while I thought I could pull out the trusty dusty. Let me know what you think... I know I need a food stylist. :)

Hello....
Christmas has come and gone but stays in my heart always. However, this year it was tough. I was so busy before and then was so exhausted I kinda missed Christmas. So.... HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! I wish each and everyone a smile and a laugh, lift your glass and toast someone new and someone old. If you have been hurt or hurt someone, then forgive and forget or get it out in the open. Life is to short my friends. Look around, all we have is each other.
I cherish life and desire to live it Godly and happily.
Love and most Seasonally,
Spring Renee

My handsome boy... just a few snaps of Mr. Personality. A few were taken by a fellow colleague when we switched family sessions. Credit should be given where it is due. Enjoy and What fun!!

In Memory of Cisco

A very sad day on the farm for me. My baby that I saved two years ago, Cisco passed away. I am not sure why but after speaking with the vet and another shepherd, we think it was from something that is called overeating disease. I will be looking into the details of it tomorrow, but for now I am exhausted and my mind is emotionally drained. There are two newborns in the barn but I guess with life there is death. That is a fact. I will miss his sweet call to me in the mornings and his being first to me at feed time. He will be missed greatly.

What a Day!!!! My first deer ever!!!!

For several years now I have wanted to go hunting. So last year I asked my friend Roger if he would take me. He said I had to prove to him that I could shoot. I said 'Great. When can we do that?' A couple of days later we went over and I got my lesson on the rifle and the safety. I took aim and fired away I believe 3 rounds the first time. We all got up and went to see the target. I had done very well... only one out of the big circle. I was excited and said I wanted to do it again. The next time I hit in the tiny circle and several in the smaller one out. I was pleased with my deonstration, but couldn't tell waht everybody else thought. We went inside with me feeling accomplished and glad my shooting lessons beginning at the age of five with my dad paid off. Visiting went on and then it was time to go. As I was putting my coat on to go, Roger said, "Well, you exceeded my expectations. I did not even think you would hit the target. If you really want to go hunting, be here at 5 tomorrow morning and we will go." I was so thrilled and replied, "I will be here."

The next morning was early and cold, but I was there. I adorned the necessary orange coat and hats not worrying about the fashion no no, just ready to go. We went and sat in the homemade deer stand wagon. It was cold and my body was nervous. I kept thinking I saw one, but it never was. What we did see was a beautiful red tailed hawk swoop into the grass. Then a rather large coyote walked right by us and then we saw the most fantastic red fox I have ever seen. He had the blackest ears and the most gorgeous tail that was all poofy with a black ring and then a silver tip on the end. The way he moved across the field was so graceful, I was stunned and even forgot in that moment of beauty that I had my camera and I could have shot him, but then he caught our scent, looked at us and lept into the tall grass. The morning went on and we saw nothing. Back to the house for a late but delicious breakfast.

I did go hunting again on the last day of deer season and I sat in the stand for several hours and saw nothing. however, there was a time that my heart began to race and pound when the leaves were rustling and my mind began to say "It is right behind you. You have to be prepared to shoot it...." I would slowly turn around to see nothing, but I definitely heard leaves moving. Twice that happened and my nerves were shot.... I thought that Roger was trying to freak me out, but no! It was a little squirrel. I found out they are very noisy and deer are not. Dusk was falling and I put the safety on and put the gun down. I was going to shoot SOMETHING this year! I picked up my camera and began capturing the sunset on the bluffs for the colors were radiant. I shot for about 8 minutes and as I finished and turned around, there was a small buck just standing there watching me. He flipped his head and in two bounds he had turned around and disappeared into the woods. OH well, I was his entertainment for the day. At least I had finally seen one. The season ended with my freezer empty but me knowing I could go the next year.

this story and images will continue, but this is rush holiday season....