Prayers For My Cousin

My cousin Jeff Race and his wife Mandy of Colorado Springs are expecting their first child, a baby girl, in January. She's had some serious complications and yesterday she had to be hospitalized. She is now on complete bedrest for the rest of the pregnancy! Please send up some prayers for them and their sweet baby girl.

First Day of School

Gracie starts 4th grade today, Gemma starts 2nd grade and Luke starts 4's preschool!

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Yet Another Purple Grand Champion!

After being disqualified for cantering in the Walk/Trot Pole Bending class, Gracie recovers and takes a Purple Grand Champion in the Walk/Trot Barrel class!

For those of you unfamiliar with 4-H scoring, purple is the top ribbon, blue is second, red is third and white is fourth. Grand Champion is "1st place" in the class and Reserve Champion is "2nd place" in the class. So, more than one child can receive a purple, but there is only one Grand and Reserve Champion.

Yesterday, the judge ruled that Gracie could not compete in the Western Games in English tack (we were originally told she could) so last night we had to quick fit Shadow to a western saddle as well as make a late night Walmart run to buy Gracie a long sleeved white shirt, dark blue jeans and a black belt! Don't worry Marti, the judge let her ride in her English bridle so Shadow hardly knew any difference!

Gracie takes another purple Grand Champion in English Equitation class!!!! Mom is a blubbering idiot.

Gracie takes another purple Grand Champion in English Pleasure class!

Gracie takes a purple ribbon at her first 4-H event in Jr. Showmanship!

Ready For County Fair

County Fair starts tomorrow so we've been busy ironing shirts, shining boots, cleaning tack and bathing horses! I think she's as ready as she can be and if nothing else, Gracie looks like a million bucks! If you're here in Seward, stop down to the fair grounds tomorrow or Thursday and take in some equestrian fun!

New Friends

Daisy and Stormy are getting pretty comfortable with each other.

It's Official!

Well, it's official! Our friends, the Trecaso's, are taking Karen's horse, Bonnie, back to Ohio with them! Adrienne fell in love with 4 year-old Bonnie when she discovered that Bonnie would jump anything she asked her to! The best part of the arrangement is that Bonnie will be "leased" to the Trecaso's for the next four years, meaning that Bonnie will return to Nebraska right about the time Gracie or Gemma will be ready for a larger, faster, higher jumping horse! Adrienne is an awesome rider and we all sat in amazement as she led Bonnie over heights we didn't even know she was capable of!! They are sure to make a great team.

My Best Friends

My Best Friends!

John and Christina and I and all our kids are playing in downtown Lincoln today. We started the day with a blood draw and trip to the veterinary lab for a horse who may be traveling back to Ohio with theTrecasos! Then we enjoyed an amazing lunch at "The Bread and Cup" in the Haymarket, then shopped and made jewelry together at Euphoria.

Breathless

There are moments in a mother's life when she must take a deep breath and realize she cannot be in control. A time when she can only ask God to send angels to protect her children and keep them safe from harm. I took one of those deep breaths today.....but I forgot to exhale and nearly passed out! As I juggled a camera, a 4 year-old and a 17 month old, Gemma and Gracie were having the time of their lives with their Aunt Karen and "The Pony Posse"! (Kara Einspahr and Adrienne and Olivia Trecaso.) You can view more photos HERE.