Kashton turned 12 March 5th. The kids are so busy right now we celebrated Kashton's birthday with a family dinner on March 7th.
Of course he wanted me to make his cake as all the kids do!
This is the card I made him.
Reading my card before he opens the present from us.
Good thing Vanessa gave me what he wanted. Don't you just love his expression. He's like this with nearly every gift he receives!
It's a soft pellet gun.
He got some other gifts too. Vanessa had a "taco bar". Keannon's mom was there and Vanessa's brother Jacob, his wife Alyssa and son Barrett. We had a good time.
This at bat she got on base because she took a ball to her helmet!
Kennedy has gotten to suit up and play some with Varsity. She got a hit in the game the night before this video (March 19). I posted this video because they announced her then coach called her over to tell her something. Unfortunately she struck out when she got to bat.
Part of Kennedy's Christmas or birthday (maybe both, I don't remember) Mom & Dad gave her tickets to some concerts she really wanted to go to. One was early February.
I apologize for being MIA. It's been very difficult the last month.
I've been treating Fancy for a limping issue for months. I thought we were finally on the mend when the limping started again. Bottom line....when I saw her on the morning of February 8th I knew this was the end. Something happened overnight that caused her to injure herself beyond fixing. She was in great pain and could hardly walk.
I took her to the vet and he confirmed what I already knew. I had to put her down. She was 18. Losing any of my horses was hard but this was the last one. The end of life with horses. You might be thinking, "why not get another horse?" I could, but it really doesn't make sense at this stage of my life and the fact we don't own any land.
It's not just that I lost my last horse. I lost my little haven of "country" in the middle of town where I watched many a sunset and saw all types of wildlife. Then there are the barn cats. I'm sad. Really, really sad.
I've had horses for most of my adult life. Feeding them twice a day all those years. I feel lost.
I continued to go out to the pasture twice a day for about a month to continue feeding the cats. I talked with my horse neighbors who graciously said they would take them on to feed.
All the grands except Remi got to ride Fancy.
I am thankful for the time I had with her. Even though I am grieved, I believe God has something else for me. Something good. For now though, I shed tears easily.
Wow! I'm still trying to wrap my brain around the fact that my Lil' Peanut is not so little anymore. She's almost a grown woman! Just turned 15 on December 18th. A freshman in High School. It seemed to come so quickly!
She attended Mineral Wells High School Coronation Saturday January 25th. This event has been happening for over 90 years! It's a much bigger deal than prom! All the kids get dressed up. It is so fun to watch them gathering to take pictures in their formal affair.
Vanessa let me know that Kennedy would be at the Crazy Water Hotel to take pictures at 4pm. I did get a sneak peak of the dress when Vanessa took Kennedy shopping last weekend.
Isn't she beautiful?!
Here is a back view.
Mom didn't feel like getting out so Vanessa took Kennedy by for her to see.
Kennedy and Vanessa.
Geez, who is that old lady?! 😏 I wished I had thought about what I was wearing and changed before I went.
Nana (Vanessa's step-mother) and Kennedy.
Kennedy's date! Vanessa says he's a great kid. He and Kennedy are the same age and share the same birthday!
We had our first stint of winter weather January 9th and 10th. The Meteorologists were predicting 2-4 inches for us. I've learned that winter weather is very hard to forecast. All the right variables have to come together. January 9th started out with sleet and 32 degrees. It did change over to snow but the temperature rose to 33 and stayed there until nightfall. It rained nearly all day. So instead of the fluffy white stuff our snow was liquid. I was a bit bummed. Many communities around us got several inches.
It did drop back down below freezing after sunset and we had a little snow on the grass Friday morning January 10th but there were never any issues with the roads.
This is what the horse pasture looked like.
This is the wooded area next to the horse pasture.
Vanessa always takes a great picture of their tree the night before Christmas. "The calm before the storm". 😉
Korin 10, Kashton 11, Kennedy 15
Korin's reaction to her "big gift".
Korin was overwhelmed.
Kashton gets a new ball glove. He really likes playing baseball.
Doyle got a new jacket from the kids.
Kennedy excited about getting a new phone.
Mom wanted a door camera that didn't charge a monthly fee. Doyle found one. Now to learn how to use it so I can teach her 😁.
I gave each of the kids a photo book.
Kashton looking at the photo book I made for him.
Kennedy looking at her photo book.
Korin checking out her photo book.
Doyle got Keannon a battery operated leaf blower. He was excited about that.
I got Vanessa a couple more pieces for her Willow Nativity set.
Vanessa gave each of the kids a gift that had letters. They had to put their letters together to figure out what the gift was. Korin's response at discovering the identity of the gift was unexpected. Watch the clip here.