Once upon a Week

On tuesday me and Tom crossed wires and I ended up having to walk from the Mesa Library to Jesse and Amandas house to wait for Tom.
I get there as Carsyn is going out the door to play. Paisley had a fresh container of popcorn and she offered me a bite. I went over to work on the quilt. Paisley followed me all the time asking "pop or". It was a joy being shared too instead of being the sharer.
Paisley is a tender heart.

On Wednesday morning the Red Tailed Hawk that had circled us the two previous mornings was at it again. I don't know if we are the only thing happening at 6 a.m. or if is sizing Mobie up for a meal. She circles and then lands on the same telephone pole and waits for us to go by. It takes a minute or two to get in the spot, but this morning I decided to coo at her. That brought Gideon to a halt and he turned to look at me with those big brown eyes that say "what mom?". It must of sounded like my cattle call in a way cuz not thinking I raised my arm to point at the bird, and off he ran toward Power Rd. I immediately called him back. He was on a high speed chase to find those cattle. I am thinking since my arm was so high he thought that meant way out there.
Gideon is an obedient heart.

Me, the dogs, and others went to work at the big mill. The cattle that for the last three feedings were not accounted for have been found. They were not at the big mill previous, but they are now and so we need to make sure there is sufficient water. Batteries were dead on the generator. As we study it out more we found that the bolt holding the alternator in potion had vibrated out and was gone. We found bolts on the windmill frame that would work. Got it set, jumped the batteries and pumped water. As we were leaving Grandpa Nicoll said " I do hope this is the last winter that we have to keep your mom up here. It is to cold for us anymore. I want to keep coming and helping. We just can't winter anymore."
Grandpa is a good heart.

Proud Mama

I haven't been fair to Vaquera. She has had no puppy time compared to Gideon. With Gideon I was religious about 5 minutes 3 times a day on training. I don't know where my life has gone or my commitment to her is, but tonight I decided to change that. Yes I taught her to sit and to come when called. That is nothing compared to what I did with Mobie and Gideon. I spent time helping her learn about chickens but that was also with Gideon training along side of her.

I sent the other dogs in the house and decided to teach fetch. I grabbed a tennis ball. Called Vaquera to me. She came happily. I bounce the ball twice to get her attention. Tossed it, at the same time I said go. That way she would acquaint the word "go" to working cattle. She went for and returned with it. Wow, first time and so far every time. Mobie can't fetch, he takes the ball and runs. Gideon went for the ball but when I called him he dropped it, and came running with out it. It took some time but not long.

The other day it was time to put away the chickens. Found all but one. After 45 minutes of looking. We (me and the two dogs) went into the back yard to see if she had come out to start roosting now that it was getting later in the evening. There I found her, outside of the yard. I said, see it. Gideon knows that phrase and went on alert, looking in the direction that I was pointing. Vaquera took to the excitement and tried to follow Gideon. I opened the gate, they ran in the direction of the chicken. The chicken started running the wrong way then turned and dove under the small hole in the fence. Both dogs turned toward the fence, Vaquera turned once again and ran toward the back yard to finish the job. Gideon stopped at the fence looked at me and then took off to the back yard. The chicken was put away. Yea.

Gideon amazed me on how smart he is. Vaquera scares me on how smart she is. Can I stay a step ahead of her?

LOVE, TRUE LOVE

For anyone that doesn't know, I cry every time something involves a new born baby. Seeing one, holding one, talking about one, movies showing them, etc. Always human ones but even animals. So that is my weak link.

Every time one of my grand babies are born I have fallen apart. Everyone stares at me until I am done. One day in October or November Billy said I could come watch my first missionary be born if I wanted. He didn't even finish the sentence and I was crying. Not to mention this was in the down stairs office and once again I got stared at. I have gone back and forth. I really didn't think I would keep my composure. Just in private times thinking about it I watered my cheeks.

Wow, got up at 5 am and noticed I had a 2 am text. Oh my Hannah's water broke and they were at the hospital. Got to fly. Just wanted to hold my little boy. Didn't even cross my mind of staying in for the birth. Truly thought I had missed it. And hadn't convinced myself to stay anyhow. Get to the hospital and I am not late. Get a text from Alicia that I had better stay in there and watch. She has stated that her and Louise don't want me in their delivery rooms so I better take the chance while I had it.

I walked in the room. Started crying. Stated that I don't think I should stay for the birth. Hannah said not if you are going to make me cry. Well I had some time. Hannah wasn't half way there yet. Tom showed up. Tell ya I had to fly. Left him home, didn't take care of my animals. I was starving. Good thing Tom cleans up after me. He fed my animals, fed me and didn't cry.

Now it is time, Tom left the room and I was going to hide in the corner and be good. Just had to wait for the doctor so Hannah could push. What is that, the doctor wants me and her mother to hold her feet. Is the woman crazy. I will be down there with nothing to look at but, butt. Naw just had to put that in. Too tempting. So I decided to look into Hannah and Billys face. Hannah gave me the evil eye so I looked down. Low and behold it was the most beautiful thing I have witnessed. Birth. I've seen so many animals born. But this takes it all. No tears, believe it or not. Just pure love filled the room. I don't recall feeling those feelings before. I have felt love, but this was a new love.

While helping dress my sister for her funeral. I felt a new love, different for all other loves and different still from the one I experienced watching birth. The Lord has blessed us with so many loves. I guess I am going to have to live to find them all.

So now is the question, shall I become a doctor so I can revile in that joy more often or just work at a funeral home so I can feel that joy? Ah who am I kidding. I got no cooth and will just have to keep cowboying and feel that joy.

Love to all my family, especially if they can take my humor and my love.