Lilypie Second Birthday tickers

Lilypie Second Birthday tickers

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

My Noble Friend, Mac

Peachy Lil' Mac. He has been my horse for about 20 years. Today, Ruben and Matt Knight took Mac down to College Check SpellingStation so he can be a member of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Parson's Mounted Cavalry. We finally made the very difficult decision to donate Mac to the Cav, and believe it will be a great place for him for the next 5 years or so. It took me a while to come to grips with the fact that with the arrival of our precious daughter, the chances of me riding him much in the next few years is pretty slim. He has been on vacation for quite a while, and it really isn't fair to him to not have the attention he deserves. Mac is a great horse.

I went out to Weatherford to say "good bye" to him last night, and I am so glad I did. I am not sure most people would understand what I am talking about when I say that horses are good for your soul. I am a horse person. Always have been and always will be. Horses are strong, sensitive creatures, and I beleive are capable of a deeper understanding of people (at least more so than most would give them credit). Mac knew something was up, or that something was changing. He was especially sweet and stayed close to me as I brushed him out and untagled his wild, red mane. I didn't have my saddle or bridle with me, so I went back to my early horseback riding days and created reins with his lead rope and hopped on bareback. I had a feeling he would behave for me this evening. We took a stroll around the pasture like old times. His ears pricked forward and he strided out with his long thick legs. He was never the smoothest of rides, but I never minded. The sun was setting and the only sound was the chirping of birds and the rythmic thump to his hooves hitting the dirt. This is were I love to be. I wondered to myself if Emme was going to have that passion for horses that I was born with? I hope so. I would love to share with her these great creatures when she is old enough. I also thanked God for giving me parents who supported my passion for horses all those years growing up. My best childhood memories are those where I am on a horse, out riding by myself, probably riding too fast but loving every minute of it. It was a beautiful, poignant moment with Mac. I finished up my ride, and led him to the pasture to meet his bud, Chauncy. I gave him a big hug, he nibbled my boots like he has been doing since he was a baby, and told him that he was headed off to college again. When the Cav retires Mac, they plan on giving him back to us, so I didn't say "good bye", I just said "see you soon, good friend". He stood at the gate as I drove off, so thankful for my life and my time with Mac. That is what I mean about horses being good for you soul... Until then, Mac.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

4 Months and Fabulous

Emme had her 4 month appointment yesterday with Dr. Audrey. She weighed in at 12lbs 13oz. (25th percentile) and was 25in long (90th percentile). Long and lean! Em checked out perfectly and was a brave girl with her shots. The doctor quizzed us on all of the "milestones" and Emme passed them with flying colors. How truly grateful we are to have a happy, healthy little girl.

We received VERY exciting news on the Pigg/Akins front. Molly and Lee announced to us that they are expecting a baby girl in December! YES, another girl for the family. Nan puts it best when she says that we "specialize in little girls". We don't need no stinkin' boys. Actually, Ruben really would love a little mini-Rube. Only time will tell. I was secretly hoping that Molly would have a girl, because I just know that she and Emme are going to be the best of friends. We have so many wonderful experiences ahead of us.

This weekend is the 4th of July. We plan on going to Granbury to celebrate with the Dorsey's and Faye and Tracy. Not to get overly political, but I wish the current administration would step back from their agenda for a moment and remember the history behind Independence Day, and what that exactly means for our country. America and its founding fathers had finally untethered from the dictatorial rule of England. We became a free country. Free! Why does it seem that everyday our freedoms are getting taken away and replaced by government rule? We don't want to go back to the time prior to July 4th, 1776. We want our government that was established "for the people and by the people". We do not want our government to RUN the people. Times are changing, and it scares me for our daughter and all of the future generations. I am praying that the conservative movement, the one that does not pander and bow down to the PC crowd and the "One", will gain strength and reunite to save and protect the America we once knew. Our government should provide life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Our government should not run banks, auto companies, and insurance companies, nor should it tell us what we can earn, who our doctor should be and whether or not we deserve treatment. Wake up, America!

(But don't wake the sleeping baby, she is resting)