The Chunk

The Grimster is growing! Beginning of May he was gelded, he'll be weaned soon. 6 months old next week. You love to be groomed and still have to shed your winter woolies, but overall you're doing good, colt!

My Baby

Has such heart for "little" animals. And my goodness, do I love her for it!

FarMin a Fence

As the weather grew warmer, the horses grew more restless within their small "dry lot" that kept them captive through the winter months. They've long ago eaten anything of value, and with the wet spring they were anxious to move. The one other pasture we've had is in the trees, and I'm very careful to make sure they don't overeat the grass in there - once they eat it down too far, it's hard to get it back.

So T and I set out to fence in this area, about 4-5 acres, with aims to fence in the entire perimeter in the near future. The pasture isn't great, but it's better than nothing and they can get out and run. Something Grimmie fiercely needed.

We first connected their current pasture to the pasture in the trees. They had escaped the dry lot a few weeks ago, tearing down the latches in the back of the dry lot and running through the trees. Our neighbor tracked down T, and he anxiously called me announcing their status. The girls and I drove to the barn, and the horses ran up to the truck. Needless to say, they knew they were out and had done something wrong. So when we opened the back of the dry lot and told them to check it out, they ran - thinking they were free. They ran from fenceline to fenceline, unsure about the changes (fence construction) that had occurred since they last were in the area. I love to watch them run.

T and I took a couple of days to put in posts, with the aid of my dad for childcare and general labor. I was scared of the corner braces, but after the first we got the hang of it...we think. Anyway, they haven't fallen down yet.

This area took an entire day to dig. To the left is a large gravel hill, and then an even larger hole that they grabbed gravel from for our driveway. We decided, for some odd reason, that this would be the perfect place for a gate. And yes, the rock in front of the gate was 2' down in the ground, before we hit it with the auger, then dug it out by hand. After hitting 2-3 boulders, 7 hours of digging (mostly by hand), and many *smaller* rocks, we were beat.

This is one of the edges of the fence. We chose Premier 1's Intellibraid and Intellirope, 2 strands of each. They are meant to be electrified, but we haven't gotten around to that yet. So far, the horses respect it. *knock on wood* :)

Good fences make good neighbors, we hope. We all have been spending more time out at the property, and we feel at peace there. My mom passed along a blog the other day, www.aholyexperience.com. On there Ann wrote a notable quote:

"God gives green space to the Mamas needing heart space."

That sums up my love affair with our property, with nature. The calming effect it has on my heart. My passion to teach my girls the how to enjoy God's creation, how to treat it with respect and tend it and watch it grow - and how it comes more natural when we are out in open spaces than when cooped up in the house, and even outside in the yard. The unbeatable glorious mess that welcomes us when we venture through the tree lined lane and out into the field, and it just. feels. right. Day by day, day by day Lord, we trust in you. Knowing that you will give us what we need to keep going. This land is proof of that.

Wez Dun Did Move Our House

T borrowed a sliding fifth wheel hitch to try with our trailer. So during this glorious bit of rain Monday night we decided to try a new spot. I don't know about you, but we kinda like it.

That's hot...

**FarM disclaimer: for those of you worried, this is not really our house. Merely our portable home that is conveniently located on our property for naps, escape from the wind, sun, and rain when needed.**

Happy Mother's Day!!!

From one mother to another, Happy Mother's Day!

Being a mother is a Blessing, a huge undertaking, but one I love. I hope and pray that every mother receives the encouragement to keep going strong today!

Here's the girls last week. Adalynn, the horse lover, insisted that her baby horse needed a picture too.

This picture is likely my favorite of them at this point in time.

Derby Day, yesterday, Nana made us some great hats to celebrate in. Girls, never lose your willingness to celebrate!

Today, girls, even while fighting me for pictures (Keely) and even when I discovered my camera was on the wrong setting during the good pictures, you are still a blessing to me.

Thank you

always and forever

for being my girls.