This blog is a place for me to share pictures, tell stories and write about our family, our farm in Dover, Arkansas, our Faith in Jesus Christ , and our love for nature, animals and people. I hope it often makes you laugh, sometimes causes you to think, and sincerely gives you insight into who we are as we travel this amazing journey.
We had a fun night with Grinch, Cindy and ClaireAnna tonight. Claire rode Cindy for the first time since Grinch was born and Ted and I walked Grinch along. We went all over the farm and into the creek bed and around the cows. He got a good lesson in new things! When we got back, we loaded Cindy in the trailer and Grinch followed right in. Then we gave him a lesson in lifting his feet. And for all his good learning, he got a pan of grain. Isn't he just beautiful?
What a perfect day it was! It is hard for me to believe that is was twenty four years ago today. It sure has been an adventure! And God has blessed us as a couple more then we ever dreamed. You are it for me, Baby! And I am yours yesterday, today and tomorrow. 2-gether, 4-ever! Happy Anniversary! I love you bunches!
Bocephus on the left, Shani on the right.
This is Shani with her goats. She holds her head down like this and I think she looks like a wolf.
I know I promised regular update of the pups. But hay...I mean, hey, I live on a farm....I'm busy! They were 8 months old on August 4th and as you can see, they are HUGE! Shani has a wolf like look to her, sort of lanky and hunched. She is VERY affectionate and submissive to people. She is one of those dogs that lays down and rolls on their backs for a belly rub almost every time you pet them. Bocephus is much larger then his sister, more filled out and bigger boned with a square head and upright, rectangular body. It is amazing how physically different they are. He is also very affectionate. They are both very smart. I taught them each how to sit, down and come in just 10 minutes. As you can see, they are very good with ClaireAnna. They don't jump or nip or anything. These are some of the best dogs we have ever had and we just adore them! 
Here is the corral full of sale animals, waiting to be loaded on the trailer. The black cows are Bossy and Star, 2 of the original 4 recip cows we bought before we even moved here. They say you should not keep a cow past 10 or 11 years. These two old girls are at least that and maybe older. We have had them for 6 years and they were as old as 6 when we bought them. 
This is Star, in the middle of this picture, the big black cow with white on her head. She is scarred and ugly, but she was a fun cow. She had a funny personality that just made you chuckle. When ever we would go out to check the herd, Star would lift her head and moo really loudly. She was asking, "Have you got anything for me?" If we said nothing, she would go back to her grass. However, if we gave our "come and get it" call back to her, she would come running like a banshee. She would go anywhere and do anything for food. We have had Star GALLOP after us behind the 4-wheeler, following a bucket of grain, all the way from one end of the farm to the other. She was hilarious! Star is the mother of my beloved Annabelle, ( Annabelle is one of 2 cows I have taken as my own and who will never be sold) and because of that, she is special to me. I never thought I would cry over a cow, but I did. The guys at the sale barn had a good laugh. But Star was special and I really enjoyed her presence on the farm. I will miss her.
It goes like this. Ted uses the tractor to pick up 5 bales and load them on the trailer. Then he grabs another bale and we both drive up to the barn. He unloads all the bales onto the ground in rows. Then we switch vehicles and I drive the tractor down to the field while Ted drives the truck. Then we switch vehicles again and start over. It took 17 trips and about 8 hours. We did this ALL DAY! The next day, Ted's dad put them all into the barn, all 103 of them! 
After a couple of hours at the beach, I told ClaireAnna I was going to take her to the coolest park ever. Bowen Park in Waukegan, is a place we have been going for many years. Jessie had her second birthday party at a picnic table there in the woods. It has always been a great playground too. But little did I know that while we were gone, they redid the whole thing and made it way cooler then ever!
We finally made it back to Jes's apartment and got cleaned up for dinner. I have been dreaming about my favorite meal in all of Kenosha for 4 years and tonight was the night! Steak and Vegetable Kabobs on Rice Pilaf at Charcoal Grill HERE I COME! Ted and I had gone there many, many times and I had never ordered anything else. I told everyone that if they wanted to see me on my last night, that is where I would be and to come on out. Eleven of us met at 7:00 PM and sat down to order. Much to my surprise, the menu looked different. Ahhh......not good. I search and search......no steak kabobs. I ask the waiter....."we don't serve kabobs anymore".......WAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. I am not kidding either! I almost cried! I didn't have a clue what to order and finally settled on a ribeye with a side of rice and some green beans....close.....but no cigar. Oh well....we all had a great time and took the opportunity to finally take some pictures since we didn't Sunday night.
Barb and Dave and Lisa
David, Lisa and Laura
Laura, Nathan and Lisa
Lisa, Jes, Kate, ClaireAnna and Jason
Mom and her three kids
My friend Mary and Me
We got back to Waukegan about 5:30 and hit the local Jewel, ( ahhhhh, to be in a Jewel again!) and grabbed a rotisserie chicken and some veggies and fruit for dinner. Then we all went to the last game of the season for Cornerstone's softball team. And guess what? Jes is on the team! And guess what else? She played second base and made 4 outs and helped the team achieve their first win of the season! The small crowd of Cornerstone supporters went wild! It was too much fun. Way to go Jes!
Claire was excited to take her very first train ride and bus ride! Below are the revolving doors at Ogilvie Station on Madison.
We walked to Millennium Park and saw the "Bean".
Here's ClaireAnna playing in the face fountian. These faces change and then spit water out. It's weird.
We stopped in front of the Art Museum but didn't go in. We walked to the Shedd Aquarium. This shot below is just outside the Shedd.
Beluga Whales
This is inside the oceanarium, looking out across the dolphin pool, through the window at the lake. Our favorite things at the Shedd were the dolphin show and the sea dragons - very elaborate sea horses - crazy looking animals! After the Shedd, we walked to the Field Museum.
Looking out at the city standing on the steps of the Field Museum. 
Yummy! Cheeseburgers and Chocolate Shakes! 
The train ride home with an Ed Debevic's hat on. 
