Caden On His Way

A huge and I mean HUGE rig came tonight to pick up one little black colt. This rig was over 75 feet long, a 10 horse trailer pulled by a tractor trailer. Pictures were taken but I couldn't get far enough away to get the entire rig in the picture with using the flash. The 10 horse trailer was divided into 4 very roomy box stalls. In the first stall were 2 yearling Friesian colts that were heading from MI down to TX. It was interesting to see they were quite a bit smaller than Ayanna and Indy and were brown. It is hard to know just how good the quality of our horses are when there are no other Friesian foals around to compare them to.
Caden very calmly and obediently walked right up the ramp into the trailer even though he has never been on a ramp before. Must be all Steven's handling of him.
Dr. Hoerr was called today for an appointment to draw blood for coggins from Mika, Bunni, Sally, Paris and Jewel. We will also have him look at Sanna's leg, it was swollen today and she is sore on it. Unfortunately they called back and had to put off the appointment until Wednesday morning. I'll spend some time hosing her leg tomorrow and see if that helps.

Mom Update

This morning mom tells us that she is feeling much better but then proceeds to tell of her night time experience. She woke up around midnight feeling faint then started having terrible indigestion and thought she was going to vomit. Now what are we suppose to think? Her blood pressure was where it needed to be this morning and she did look good, well as good as a 79 year old very fit mother of 11, grandmother of lots and great grandmother of many could look. I would put the correct number except I don't know how many.
We had one incident on our walk this morning. Sasha, Rachel's dog was again in the middle of the dam crouching like she was waiting to attack. Diane went ahead to tell her to go home while mom and I stayed back with the dogs. Sasha, instead of leaving started growling and barking and actually came at Diane. Now most people would back off but not Diane, this made her MAD!!! "You BAD dog, go home!" she yelled in a deep voice, picks up a rock and launches it at her. Sasha instead of backing down again came at Diane, by this time we are all yelling at Sasha, Diane finds a bigger rock starts running (in her own way, hey it's not easy to run with artificial hips)toward Sasha yelling, "YOU GO HOME YOU BAD DOG!" this worked.
Earlier Philip asked me to pick up a computer at the Sauders and bring it back for repair and I have to admit I was a bit apprehensive about going over. Diane gets in the car with me with her big stick but both Sasha and Saber were very subservient when we got out of the car. The computer was taken to the shop where Philip is quick to tell me I brought the WRONG one. It will be back to the Sauders to try to hook this one back up and find the one needing repair.
At the farm none of the mares are in season that we want covered. Izadora is now in but she is still too thin from nursing that bruiser of a colt to consider breeding her now.

Now for me in this turmoil of moving:
NIV
Philippians 4:11-13
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.
KJV
Philippians 4:11-13
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

I have had people ask me why I use the KJV, that is the version of the Bible I memorized as a child. This is the one that is familiar, it is a beautiful version very poetic but sometimes hard for people today to understand.

The Party

We met at Avanti's Italian restaurant at 5:30pm for mom, Sparks and Karin's birthday party. Spark, Rhonda, Kari, Noell, Ruth, Rebekah, Diane, Mom, Karin, Mark and I were enjoying the dinner so much we ALMOST didn't leave in time to make it to church. Mom started to feel woozy during the service and by the end of the service we were sure she was going to faint. Once we got her laying down on the bench Stephanie took her blood pressure. Not just once but twice as the first time she didn't believe her ears. Mom's pressure was only 80 over 40 then Sharon Hodel came and also took her blood pressure, then it was reading 78 over 36. Each time mom tried to sit up she started looking gray. Spark knew where a wheel chair was located and brought it up to the front for mom. She insisted she didn't need it and we insisted she did. I actually took a picture of her getting to ride in it, but she forbid me posting that. Suffice to say she was kind of embarrassed to be wheeled out of the sanctuary. We told her, "it's amazing the things you will do for attention on your birthday!"
Once home she was feeling a bit better. We think she worked a little too hard today and didn't get that most important nap in.
Neither Wynne or Dalia are showing, kind of disappointing. Lily is going out and should be checked in 18 days if we want to catch her on her next cycle.

Moving!!

I've lived in this big old house for almost 43 of my 55 years and come June first Mark and I will be moving out to the farm. The Waibels called today and actually would like to move into Pleasant Home the middle of May but we just didn't think we could be out of Pleasant Home by then.
Walking around looking into the garage, basement, attic, cupboards, and closets I can't imagine we will be able to do this. We will be moving from a huge 4 full story house with 8 bedrooms into a 900 square foot apartment. WHAT ARE WE THINKING? People tell me with God all things are possible, this will be quite the test. Can we really do this? HELP!!!

Hungry?

Time for some lighter fare. Karin had this posted on facebook. They are not my dogs but I could totally see them doing this except the slobber would be dripping down in puddles.

Today is mom's 79th birthday. Karin is quick to tell her, "you are so lucky mom, you're at the dropping off point.
The other birthday today is Spark's. He is exactly 20 years younger than mom as he was born on her 20th birthday. Karin's was the 28th of March and she is 20 years younger than I am and the most fun birthday of all is Nancy's birthday on March 31st.

The Testing, to Test

After a wonderful practice at choir we were invited to eat a delicious lunch prepared by Faith and Jim Carlson. Besides eating an important pastime is visiting with each other and somehow a discussion started about this easy believe-ism now being preached at so many of the churches today. Bob Hoerr recommended the book The Myth of Eternal Security by Dan Corner. I've ordered 3 of them, perhaps on our family vacation in July we can study this.
We are to test the spirits so we won't be deceived. In Matthew7:15 Jesus said beware of false prophets that come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ferocious wolves.
1John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit but try (or test) the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
How do we know a false prophet? This one I actually googled and and this is the first response that came up: To Christians, the most alarming part of the Lord's prophecy is that potentially "even the elect" (God's own people) could also be "misled". Today, false prophets within the body of Christ are masterful & sophisticated in their Christian appearance and mimicry.
It will take sharp discernment in these Last Days for believers to decipher the true man of God from the false one within the church.
Scriptures show that these false ministers within the body of Christ "Are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ, & no wonder, for even satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore, it is not surprising if his (satan''s) servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness...". (2 Cor.11:13-15).
Now that's just down right scary! Do you know the Bible? Study it to learn what a false prophet is, we all agree the Bible is the ultimate authority so spend time each day reading this precious Book asking God humbly for answers.

Snow Flurries

Our eye lashes were catching snow flakes on our walk this morning. The flurries lasted well into the morning but thank goodness no accumulation. Steven Marchal showed up to start on the paddocks. Hopefully the sun will come out tomorrow to dry things up. Wynne was not showing yet but let Raven sniff her all over so she may be coming in. Lily was in her foal heat big time but won't be bred until the next cycle. No sign at all for Dalia.
Work today was brutal, Eva Jean and I worked as fast as possible but did not finish by lunch. At least the studies were all entered, Eva Jean took them home to finish. Only Spark came to lunch with us today, Dan was in Springfield working with a wind generator, Mark was in a class and Philip in a meeting. Right after lunch Anna and Braelyn needed to be visited, supposedly to drop off a gift from Eva Jean Schafer but really to get my grand daughter fix. Braelyn is doing well, she has a light that straps right to her back and she likes it. She was just so content while we were there.
The transport company let me know that Caden will now be picked up Thursday evening. Steven will bring him to Bridlewood as it is much easier for a transport company to come to Bridlewood than go out to the Hanna City farm.
Just soup for dinner tonight as there is usually a lunch provided at choir.
OH YES, On Saturday between 2:00pm and 4:00pm Cathie Trent is holding a fund raiser here at Bridlewood. Wynne and her adorable filly will be brought over for those 2 hours and cotton candy will be served.

electricity

Something caused me to awake out of a heavy sleep in the middle of the night, it took a while to figure out what that was. It was the sound of silence. Our electricity was off, not just ours but the entire block. The small sounds like the humming of a fan or the sound of the furnace (which was really needed last night)were gone, weird but even the dogs were not snoring. For a quick millisecond the thought flitted through my head that perhaps this was the beginning of the end, the silence before a nuclear blast or the pause in heaven before the trumpet blows. My mind at that point would not shut off and allow the so needed sleep.
When the dogs came in to wake us we had no idea what time it was as our clock was flashing 12:00 12:00 12:00 they insisted it was time so we dragged ourselves downstairs to let them out. Who needs an alarm clock when there are dogs in the house, it was 6:00am on the dot!
Today is jam packed with jobs, errands and work leaving no time for a nap before choir.

Bilirubin

Had to leave early for the farm to tease Wynne and Dalia before the walk because after the walk Braelyn Jo needed to go to her fist doctor visit. Wynne was a bit more interested today and may be coming into her foal heat. Nothing with Dalia. The walk was cut short as I wanted to be at Anna's by 8:30am. The doctor was delayed so Braelyn was very compliant and didn't mind getting checked over by another in the same practice. The good news is the baby is gaining, she gained 2 ounces since leaving the hospital, the bad news was she is jaundiced. We had to drive to St. Francis for a bilirubin test. Turns out Braelyn needs to be under the lights. Home health care was to deliver the lights right to Phil and Anna's house but we left after 6:00pm and they still had not been delivered.
Wednesday she will have another test done.
We had an appointment back at the farm tonight which was suppose to be at 6:30 but didn't make it until 7:00pm, then FINALLY home. This was one long day and a day I will be glad to put behind me. At least tomorrow we can look forward to Berean work, then sweet fellowship at choir.

Sunday Company

After church Mark and I headed to the farm to unload the new ceiling fans for the office and to tease Wynne and Dalia. Still no sign of them coming in season. Mike and Diane rode by on Sally and Bunni. Anni Davidovics came over to play with the foals and saw the Honeggers go by at a flat out gallop!
Once home Matt and Lisa Waibel with their 8 delightful children came over for a nice visit and some ice cream. With both of our girls leaving Mark and I are thinking of moving out of the big house. We feel that this old house needs a family and the Waibel family would be a great fit. This house was named Pleasant Home by the original builders, my great grandparents Henry and Emma Baer, it easily raised their 10 children and my parents 11 children, then our 5 children, now we feel it is time for another family to enjoy the 4 floors of large spacious rooms.

It's SUNDAY!

We look so forward to this day of rest. Not just because we don't go in to work, work has been known to be done, it just so wonderful to go worship our Lord, hear His living Word and fellowship with the saints, and saints they are! When one thinks of the definition of saint one thinks of those who feed the hungry, care for the poor, visit the lonely, and bring the good news to the lost. Well That's exactly what our brethren do. But what does the Bible say about saints?

The people described as saints in The Bible were however still very much human. They were called, they were holy, and they were extremely dedicated (both in terms of attitude, and in the sense of being set apart), but they were still real people, far from perfect. Saints never stopped being normal people - fishermen, farmers, tent makers, doctors, teachers, carpenters. The "little people" of the congregations were as much saints as the most famous and prominent ones such as Peter and Paul. (e.g. Romans 15:26).

Saints were not infallible (e.g. Galatians 2:11), and sometimes they disagreed with one another (e.g. Acts 15:39). They were most certainly called, converted, good people, but they did not become somehow perfect. As far as The Bible is concerned, God's Word was and is perfect, but God's people, while yet physical, were and are not perfect in knowledge, or behavior.

How thankful we can be that we don't have to be perfect, just forgiven!

Our news today is the GIRLS will be home SOON! Karin called they should be pulling up at the house at 8:30 this morning and we have to leave at 8:15am. The dogs will be SO happy.

TSC

We drove up to TSC at 8:00am, bought ten 50 pound bags of feed, one 50 pound bag of cracked corn and ten 40 pound bags of bedding. Mark was checking out the hydraulic fittings while I checked out the bunnies and newly hatched chicks TSC has for sale right now. The bunnies are cute but I will not ever buy or raise rabbits again. When we lived in our Sioux Trail house I thought rabbits would be a good source of protein for my growing family and a easy animal to raise for meat. Unfortunately the baby bunnies born loved to be held, would hop up to us and snuggle. The very first time I butchered, cleaned and cooked my first rabbit, I couldn't make myself eat even one bite. At that point I sold or gave away my entire breeding stock. As cute as the bunnies are in the picture below, I didn't even pick up or hold them.

Mark found what he thought was the correct fitting, the truck was loaded and we headed out to the farm.

Once the truck was unloaded, Wynne and Dalia were teased, then as neither mare was in season, they were stalled and fed. Izadora was pulled out and also grained. She is not happy in with the herd, tomorrow after graining her we will move her back in the middle paddock. She used to be best buds with Mika but Jewel has taken her place.
Mark checked out the hydraulic fitting we purchased this morning and found out it wasn't correct so we headed back to TSC to pick up the right ones but they were $54.00 for the female fitting and $44.00 for the male. We ended up just returning the first one purchased for $7.00.
Steven stopped in at the farm, checked over the paddocks and moved in 3 more round bales. That will help with tomorrows feedings.
Mark had an appointment at noon to finalize the purchase of the cupboards for the office. I was glad to be along for the final decision on layout. They are now ordered and should be delivered in 5 weeks.

Cousin Night

Our cousins Bobby & Tania Meister along with Eddie & Dana Meister asked if we would get together today at the Old School Center for dinner and reminiscing. The picture above is how the tables were set up for the dinner. The food was great, the grocery store right there in Farmington, IL supplied the delicous meal.
Ellen brought some of her daughter-in-law's famous scones for dessert.
We actually had a great time. Eddie found a bunch of old slides he put on a cd. Bobby took a few, blew them up and framed them for mom. In the picture below Bobby is explaining to all of us that the picture he was holding in his hand was the reason dad fell for mom.
When we passed the picture around there is mom and dad in their swimsuits in a canoe at Lake Girard. Yes, mom was HOT with her long flowing hair and hour glass figure. Amazing what 11 kids and 61 years later will do.
After dinner Spark gave a tour of the Old School Center for those that had not yet been in the huge amazing building.
, then it was off to the library to watch the slide show Eddie put together. We really laughed at the early pictures of the boys. It was touching to see these old pictures of our grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins some of these pictures more than 60 years old.

Come Dance with Me

The filly in the picture above and the video below belongs to Megan Stout-Gallaway. She is a 4 year old RAVEN daughter and this is her very first jumping experience. She is a NATURAL, but what else could we expect? Her registered name is Come Dance with Me and her barn name is Salsa.

Thanks Megan for sending along the video. Salsa is such an elegant TALL mare.
She was born March 8, 2007.... Named- Come Dance With Me aka "Salsa" dark bay, small star, and 2 swirls on her forehead, and 17 hands.
Megan has her listed for $7000.00, if interested give her a call (256) 309-9994. This is an amazing tall mare with a lot of talent.

A Brand New Filly

We just received a birth announcement and this is how it went:
Born Approx 10:30 P.M.
Thursday, March 24th, 2011
Proud Parents:
Raven of Horsemeister - http://www.horsemeister.com/
Nighthawks Grace
Brett & Beth Ulrici
Blessing Hill Friesians

I read this far, went back to the top and read it again questioning, did Grace have a boy or girl?
Finally finished reading her email and there is Beth's new blog with all of the information on the filly. So to read the rest just copy and paste the blog address below:
http://blessinghillfriesians.com/news
I'll also link her blog to this one, and anyone will be able to read about Beth's Friesians by looking to the right under my favorite blogs. Hers is named Blessing Hill Friesian Blog.
Congratulations BETH on your beautiful new black filly out of your Andalusian mare GRACE!


She is BEAUTIFUL!

Teasing

We had a good group this morning on our walk both dogs and people. As we walked the first farm loop the boys were showing off by rearing up on each other. In the pictures above the first one is Evan coming down on top of Valiant and the second is Valiant coming down on Evan. Both had reared straight into the air but by the time the pictures were snapped I missed them both up and only got one in the air. Oh well that's why we have a professional photographer in the family. Our only problem on the walk came as we started crossing the dam to Rachel's house. Her dog Sasha was in the middle of the dam not allowing anyone to cross, a bit like the story of Billy goat Gruff. Even after Sasha was yelled at to 'go home' she didn't so instead of maybe causing a dog fight we gave in and mom went the second farm loop with us. Ruth and Rebekah needed to leave for work. Mom invited Diane and I in and cooked a wonderful breakfast starring perfectly done crisp bacon. We had a good visit before heading out to work.
Steven Marchal drove in to help with the teasing of the mares but neither Wynne nor Dalia are in. We put them along with Izadora in stalls and gave them their grain.
Mike moved a new bale in the middle paddock and one in for the herd.
While we were waiting for the mares to finish their grain we were watching Lily's filly, Keira driving her mom nuts by running around, bucking and just having a grand time playing. She finally stopped and posed for the pictures below.


Notice her nice short back, straight legs, rounded rump, this is going to be another special one, can't believe we are going to sell her.

Winter Returns

Yesterdays temps never got out of the 30s and this morning it is obvious winter is not giving up without a fight. We have a rain snow mix predicted today. It wouldn't be so bad except we had that delightful tease of warm sunshine and 70s where we could walk around outside without coats. Now it's back to bundling up.
I'm anxious to hear how Anna and precious little Braelyn did last night. Rachel's family should reach the condo this morning joining their son David, Karin, Rhoda, Sarah, Taunya and Addyson. That group is leaving tomorrow night for home. The girls can hardly wait to meet their new niece.
Wynne needs to be teased today and if in season covered. Raven will be glad to start getting some work. Dalia also needs to be teased. Both fillies are filling out at an astounding rate. Each day they grow not just taller but wider. It is amazing how mom's milk is so perfect not just for horses but humans, cows, whales, dolphins, cats, dogs, and the list goes on to include every mammal. God doesn't make mistakes!

Braelyn at 3 hours Old

Dragged myself away from Braelyn to run down to Meisters and pick Mark up so he could see his new grand daughter. When we got back to the hospital mom had already finished her bath and she was sound asleep in the nursery. Mom was rocking a little baby boy while the nurse was checking out Braelyn before bringing her back to Anna.
Rachel Sauder actually arrived to get newborn pictures of her as a gift to Phil and Anna.
Once this sweet little bundle was finally back in the room we were anxious to unwrap her and dress her up for the professional pictures.






Now isn't she adorable!

Braelyn Jo

Announcing the birth of Braelyn Jo Sceggel. Born 10:20am Thursday March 24th, 2011 7 pounds 1 ounce and 20 inches long. She is a perfect baby girl!
Proud parents are Phil and Anna Sceggel and very proud grandparents are Dennis and Gertie Esslinger along with Mark and Judy Sceggel.
We are so thankful Braelyn Jo made her safe entrance into the world. Below is Phil and Anna sharing the good news with the family.

She is so cuddly and cute we can't help smiling!

The nurse let Philip finish dressing her, first showing him how to bundle her up. Below he is putting the finishing touches on this precious baby girl.

Great grandma Meister is giving Braeyln her very first bath! How wonderful that she is a volunteer at St. Francis and works in the nursery. Great Grandma is enjoying holding her newest great grand daughter.

The RACE is ON

The race to 100 could be settled soon. Anna is at St. Francis in labor. Spark was called so I could gloat just a bit, saying "Spark you'd better tell Tara to get a move on if she wants to win!" Spark picked up right away what was going on. Now mom on the other hand... She was called to see if she could switch her volunteer job from Mondays to Thursdays. "No" she replies, "I quilt on Thursdays" OK what if just for today you switch? "Why would I want to, I don't want to miss quilting" When she finally realizes why I'm asking she starts crying. Mom volunteers at St. Francis on Mondays and gets to give the newborns their first bath. There is no one more experienced than my mom and of course I WANT the BEST for this little girl.
I was dressed to go to the farm so need to change into something more appropriate before heading up to the hospital. I can't wait to meet my new little grand daughter.
The office fridge is to be delivered today between 11:00am and 1:00pm, will need to get someone to sign for that.
Hopefully, prayerfully, the next post will have pictures.

to Blot or Not

Sorry all more preaching, just skip down for farm news but with what is going on in the world how can I not write.

Last night's sermon was For Such a Time as THIS! We think of this only with Esther but it is so relevant NOW.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears: and they shall turn away their ears from the truth and shall be turned unto fables.

Revelations Chapter 3 verse 5 . He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. But... what is pretty scary is we know the Book of Life is a Book that has every single saved and born again believer recorded in it. Once you accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, your name is then written and recorded in this Book. The word "blot" means "to rub or wipe out, to erase or get rid of."
Jesus is warning us that our names can literally be blotted out from this Book. So don't just confess Jesus with your mouth, live for Him. Be in subjection to Him. Read His WORD, learn for yourself.
Craig Stickling had the service last night. Each time he sits down we are not ready for the service to end. I'm asking my children to get online and LISTEN to this service, not with itching ears as we heard last night but ears that are not hardened and want to hear.
How thankful I am that we have a church that preaches directly out of the Bible. Our ministers don't pick or choose verses to read and expound on, we get to hear the truth even when the truth is unpopular and hard. But if you don't believe what you are reading or hearing,
Go directly to God the Father in prayer and ask Him to show you what the real truth is.
Verses to consider:
Hebrews 6:4-8
Hebrews 10:36-31
2 Peter 2:20-22
1 Corinthians 6:9
Galatians 5:19
Matthew 7:21 and verses to back that up Acts 19:13-16 More on that Mark 3:20-30
Galatians 5:4
Try to read at least 4 different versions. Don't just read the verses noted but read the context. Study the Word with all your heart.
God loves you so much, He doesn't want you deceived.

Midnight

This was sent to me from Marvin, a strange use of funds but heartwarming.

On the walk today we get to Diane's house and there is a big tree down in front of her garage lying across the driveway. The skid steer was there ready to move it but it was out of diesel fuel. Mike drove to the only gas station in Hanna City that carries diesel and the pumps are shut down they are all being worked on. For a little bit of time we thought Diane was going to get to stay home but Mike came up with plan B and dragged it off with his truck. The foals are doing great, they are starting to be interested in each other but the mom's still won't tolerate them getting together yet. Tomorrow, Kenzie is a week old which means time to tease Wynne. We would like to get Wynne bred on her foal heat but not Lily we don't want a February baby. After the walk mom picked some of her now blooming bright yellow daffodils and gave them to whoever wanted to take some of this sunshine indoors.


Phil came up for lunch and gave the championship volleyball report. For the second year in a row their team won the championship. Hope Ben makes a video of the games to post.
Then came the phone call from Taunya all the way from Gulf Shores. Grandma... Addyson NEEDS you! She is getting in to everything, we will fly you down. If only if only.

Dark Cloud

The moon is out, it was full last week so is still quite bright. We were commenting on the no rain again when the dogs came back in WET. It is raining, there must be a cloud directly above our house as the sky is clear to the south, east and west. It's still too dark to see north yet. That's kind of scary, we are under a dark cloud and not just metaphorically. At least its a warm 51 degrees.
Down in Gulf Shores, David Jacob caught a massive black drum fish off the fishing pier. Karin took a picture of Rhoda holding this HUGE fish and emailed the picture of it so it could be posted here. Thanks so much Karin! We heard you all ate it for dinner last night and have lots of left overs.

The kids are having a great time with bright sunshine and 80 degree weather. This is the first year in a long time that Mark and I are not heading south at all. My mom was a very wise person when she and dad purchased the Gulf Shores condo. Mom saw it one day as she was walking on the beach, she decided this is the one she wanted. It wasn't even for sale. The owner had to be looked up and asked and when he told dad the amount they would be willing to sell it for, Dad told mom she could have 2 on the pool side for the same price. Diane told mom, "don't give in mom, don't give in!" and how thankful we are that she didn't. We LOVE going down to her condo, sitting on the porch swing facing the Gulf of Mexico, watching the dolphins fishing and playing in the gulf, the pelicans diving, the fish jumping, then walking down from her balcony across the sugar white sands right to the water. Her condo is a small taste of paradise. Time for all of us kids to say, " THANK YOU MOM!" By the way, mom rents this little paradise out if interested copy and paste the link below:
http://www.meyerre.com/property/Lani_Kai_Village_2_128
The pictures below are of the porch swing on the balcony, then looking out toward the Gulf. These are supposedly professional pictures but Rachel does so much better showing how near the beautiful beach is from mom's condo.

Matthew 7

WARNING do not read this if you are tired of my preaching. Just skip this entry but it is one that I feel must be posted! The time is short, the end is coming, but at least we know who wins in the end!

Besides the study of the book of Esther Mark and I are doing together I was reading some of the minor prophets yesterday. Reading Joel was so hard in the beginning. Tell ye your children of it, let your children tell their children and their children another generation. That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten. Awake ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, for a nation is come up upon my land strong and without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a lion.
Joel is warning and warning the people to repent.
Verse 12 in chapter 2 reads, Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart and with fasting and with weeping and with mourning: and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for HE is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness.

Over and over the Bible tells us that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Repent, humble yourselves, ask forgiveness and He will abundantly bless.
Then I started on Amos and realized the hard hearted do not WANT to bow their knee to the King of Kings. After finishing Amos, I didn't have the heart to go on without hope and decided now is the time to start the new testament. How I love reading that, except I get to Matthew 7 verse 13 and start to weep again.

Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat; Because strait is the gate and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (How shall we know a false prophet?) Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is heaven.

God doesn't want ANY ONE to perish, He gave His son so that ALL could be saved.
St John3 vs 16 For God so loved the WORLD that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Names and Registrations

Work just seemed to drag today, the storms didn't come, the sun was out and the weather turned beautiful, a warm 75 degrees. So glad the horses were left out. Once work was over it was off to the farm to work on registering the foals. Tail hair needed to be pulled and it was relatively easy on Wynne's foal Mike named Kenzie (an Irish name meaning light as she glows in the dark with her star) but when it was time to pull Lily's filly's hair, it didn't want to come out. It was so unfair, she was lying down taking a nap, didn't get up when I went over, she was enjoying the petting and scratching then all of a sudden someone pulled her tail hair! She jumped up and started bucking. It took 3 tries to get the amount needed. She is now named Keira (Keer uh) Irish for dark.
Anni and Ryan Davidovics came over to play with the foals, so nice to see them gently handling both of them. Kenzie is the favorite, she is just so striking with her white star and loves to be cuddled. Keira is more standoffish but enjoys a good scratch.
The paper work was finished all placed in a big manila envelope and sealed before the check was written out. Rats, had to try to open it back without tearing it! When the check was included the envelope was sealed up good with tape and mailed.
We are now caught up on registration until the next foals are born.

COLD, RAIN, SNOW?

It looks as though our nice weather is going to leave us and go South. The report is thunderstorms today then a cold front moving in and chance of snow by Friday. The fillies are probably old enough to leave out if the mothers would just learn to SHARE the SHELTER. So who should be locked up? Based on the cleaning of stalls, Lily will stay in and Wynne out. Lily is just a tad neater but both are big mares and leave plenty of evidence when they've been locked in. Yesterday I meant to buy more bedding, but didn't get down to TSC so today after work I get to go shopping. TSC is the only store I enjoy visiting. As one enters the store the wonderful odor of sweet feed hits the nostrils then sometimes there are soft fluffy new chicks or ducklings to hold. It's even fun to dig through the bins of bolts looking for different sizes that would come in handy some day.
Good news for the Davidovics is that the mass on Fedi's lung has disappeared. Ruth came over for lunch yesterday and shared the news. Don't know what the x-ray technicians thought they saw when Fedi had the first test but it was enough to scare anyone to get a call "we see a mass on your lung and you need to come in for a CT scan."
The picture below was sent to us yesterday. It is a Raven daughter born last year out of an Andalusian mare owned by Beth U. The filly was sold to a lady in Florida and this is what she wrote to Beth:
I measured Jenis today and she is 14.2. The pictures of her do not do her justice, she is much prettier in person.
I brought Jenis to a neighborhood birthday party yesterday and she got so much attention. They thought she was beautiful and I told them there is another one on the way just like her. Some of these people are horse owners. She was so well behaved and drew a large group of people. She never lets me down no matter where I take her, I’m so proud to have her.
Nancy

Beth brought her mare Grace(the Andalusian) up last year for a breed back to Raven, hopefully she gets another just as beautiful this spring!
8:30am: When the farm was reached this morning the other mares were checked first when I hear a soft nicker. Lily's filly saw me and called. Of course my heart melted and I just had to in to play with her a bit. As she was getting some attention, Wynne's filly also comes up and asked to be scratched. How sweet that both fillies like human attention. After the walk both mares were standing inside the shelter this morning, Wynne's filly standing quietly by her side and Lily's playing with the automatic waterer. The decision was made to leave them both out and hope the predicted thunderstorms aren't too severe.

Quality Quarter Horses for sale

Dennis from Monmouth IL needs to sell 3 horses. The are all quality and all papered. The first is a 15 year old stallion, bay roan used for cutting, broke and used for breeding, just make an offer. The stallion has Leo on his papers probably around 15.2 or 15.3. The other 2 are both geldings not yet started around 7 or 8 years old one has Sonny D Bar on his papers and the other is Impressive bred. They can be purchased for a mere $300.00 each.
Please call Dennis at 309-337-9292 if at all interested, if they don't sell they will be going to an auction. They were owned by his 82 year old uncle and he now needs to find them homes.

For Sale?

The dilemma is what to do with Lily's filly. Do we keep her as another brood mare or place her for sale. In my heart I know she is worth much more as a brood mare than the $5000.00 we could get for her by selling her. But I really don't need ANOTHER brood mare, we just can't keep them all. Every one of these fillies when bred to Evan would produce a foal so beautiful, 7/8 Friesian with just a touch of Westfalen. All of Lily's offspring look just like a purebred Friesian and have unbelievable movement. Just look at Ayanna's video below, Lily's 2010 foal.

The first three foals Lily had were all colts and each one sold at weaning. The first went to Texas to a nice family. The second was purchased to perform at Medieval times, and the third went to the east coast to Friesian's of Majesty.
The foals are so special they exceedingly love to be with people and want to please which makes them so easy to train. Just look how Emily Ricketts was able to train Ciera to drive in only 2 months, not just drive but perform in front of thousands of people. The video below is some of the Horsemeister Friesians performing at the IL Horse fair this month. Ciera is the filly pulling the cart.

So do I place this new filly for sale? Mark says very emphatically YES! He thinks we need new appliances for the office like washer, dryer, stove, fridge, and dishwasher.
Lily and her filly were turned out into the paddock before the walk and it was so entertaining watching this filly drive her mom nuts by galloping around I was almost late for the walk. Wow did we have the dogs on the walk this morning. Besides Emma, Ebby and Heidi, Ruth brought Karin's dog Studly as she is dogsitting while Karin is in Gulf Shores. Honey, the neighbors dog also joined us this morning.

Beautiful Sunny Weather

Arrived at the farm by 6:30am and both mares were quietly waiting for their breakfast. They were fed, both fillies were played with, water buckets filled and stalls cleaned all before 7:15am. We are watching Lily's filly for dummy foal syndrome as she was stuck in the birth canal and needed to be pulled a bit. If the umbilical cord is crushed between the foal and birth canal it stops the blood from going to the brain. The foal is born and acts fine but when the blood starts flowing back into the brain it causes swelling and the foal becomes retarded. The symptoms don't show up until the next day or even 48 hours later. So far she is fine, but of course if she shakes her head or is slow to get up we panic. She was nursing well today after church and has started following Lily which is great. Sometimes I feel we know too much and start seeing problems too quickly.
The weather today is 73 degrees and sunny. It was predicted to rain, in fact weather.com was reporting an 80% chance of rain but as the sun came out Steven got to the farm early to let the mares out to enjoy this weather. Pictures were taken of Wynne and her filly out in the field having fun running around. Many were taken but the rest of the pictures were placed on Wynne's page on the website.


Below is Lily's filly having fun at a flat out gallop, She is stretching out those LONG legs as far as she can! We only got a few pictures of her, Lily took off at a run and both disappeared out of camera range.

Steven moved in a new round bale for the kids, yesterday the middle paddock, Lily's paddock and the herd all got new bales. Mike and Steven worked yesterday at cleaning out Lily and Wynne's shelter and now since it didn't rain both mares are enjoying being out. We will put Lily back in the stall tonight as she won't share the shelter with Wynne yet. Both mares are too concerned with their foals to think about standing together.
Once we put the mares back in the paddock, Anni went in to play with Wynne's filly. Ciera stuck her head through for some loving.


Wynne's filly is so friendly and loves a good scratch. She was almost falling asleep in Anni's lap.

The kids made it down to Gulf Shores around 9:30am. They were laying by the pool when we called. They report it is HOT!

Wedding & Baby Shower

Wynne and Lily were fed, watered and given new bedding around 10:00am. Both mares are so proud of their new babies. Wynne was feeling it was time to take her baby out and show her off to the other mares but the time wasn't available. The day was jam packed.
We attended the wedding of Anna's brother Anthony starting at 1:00pm and finally was able to slip out after 5:00pm. As soon as we arrived home it was, quick pack the car and head to Anna's for the planned baby shower. We were actually surprised at how well the shower was attended, Anna's house was jam packed full of Esslingers and Messners from Winthrop, MN along with lots of Peoria people.
Below are a few shower pictures.





Karin, Rhoda, Sarah, Taunya, Addyson and David Jacob left from Annas with a full packed van, heading down to the sugar white sands of Gulf Shores, AL. This year they are going without any parents.

Land of the Living

Rachel Sauder of www.momentscapturedbyrachel.com came over right after the birth last night and just now posted pictures of Lily as she was introduced to her new filly. Is there anything more precious than a mare meeting her foal for the first time?





I've joined the land of the living. Steven sent a text at 5:30am the filly was nursing on her own. Hallelujah!! Between the hard cold night and my age I'm glad Steven was around to help. This filly would not be alive without Steven's assistance last night. This was Lily's biggest filly by far and Lily really struggled giving birth to her. Steven was able to help her with the head and shoulders, Lily did the rest by herself. The main problem last night was this filly is so tall, she could not figure out how to duck her head way down to find the udder. She would get so mad at not finding the milk bar she would buck up and run around her mom. Steven was very patient and did not leave the farm until she was nursing on her own. He really needs a job at a big brood mare farm, he knows when to give assistance and when to wait. He runs heavy equipment, is a hard worker and willing to relocate as long as he can take his dog with him. Below is the video taken last night.

Before leaving both foals were given their foal shots.