Wordless Wednesday: Bunny Love n' Cuddles

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Life On The Ranch: Storms

Well, we were without power for a day and without internet for a few days due to some crazy storms that came through last Wednesday. Thankfully everyone is fine. The huge amount of water that came so fast caused a lot of flash flooding/water damage in the area.

The evening before the storms hit - the clouds were large and beautiful.

The morning after the storm we decided to head outside and take a look at all the water. The kids had a fun time exploring the creek that runs through our property when it rains like this. I'll just share a few pictures from the last few days.

This is a dam in our property that has been in place for a few years. The power of the storms and water broke it right in half like it was nothing.

Ever seen a tree struck by lightning? Well, here ya go. Sometimes the trees will be split in half, but this one held up so far.





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Life On The Ranch: A Boy & His Bunny

O has a little bunny who is named "Leo." It was supposed to be a "she" and was named "Lily", but that changed, so HE is now named "Leo." Leo was also supposed to be a French Lop, but he turned out to be a French Lop cross (I think crossed with a breed called the Rhinelander). He's only 4 months old and already a big guy! 

O and him are so cute together.

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Life on the Ranch: Lily, O's Bunny

Little O had named one of my bunnies that I had kept as a baby a year ago or so, "Lily." It was kind of "his" bunny, but then he said I could sell her. So, after sometime, I sold her. He then was disappointed I sold her and said he wanted to name another bunny, "Lily."

I had an idea come into my head that we would get a French Lop doe (I've kind of always wanted one anyways), name her "Lily" and she'd be O's bunny.

He kept asking me when we'd get "Lily", but it took some time since we had to find the right one first. Well, about a month and a half ago, we found her. She ended up being a French Lop cross, but he likes her a lot, so doesn't really care. O is so cute to watch with her, as he is so gentle, caring and so concerned that she's always okay.

Lily's gonna be a big girl, but thankfully she is super mellow, so O has no problem carrying her around (she's already about 6 lbs at 11 weeks old!).

Hopefully we'll be able to train her to walk on a leash soon too. O's walked her on a leash once already, but she needed to grow into the harness a little bit more before we try again.


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8 Blessed Years

8 years ago this month, my life changed forever. O & his twin sister, Yo, were born. 

I was 16 years old at the time and had been running the house with my then 14 year old sister, Ez, because the twin pregnancy was tough on my mom. Finally, one Wednesday night, my mom went into labor, so down to the hospital we all went. After a long night, the twins were born. 

Ez & I had stayed with my mom in the hospital all night, so we were exhausted as we stood in the hall outside of the operating room waiting for the news of the twins arrival. Eventually the nurses wheeled them by us in a little bed. I remember their tiny little faces both staring up at us as they whisked them by. They were so small. So cute. And we were so excited for their arrival. 

Shortly after they were taken into the NICU, my dad came out of the NICU saying, "there is some bad news..." I know I've posted this before, but it's so clearly etched in my memory of their birth. I remember exactly where we were standing and I have a picture of that moment frozen into my head. After my dad said those words, in the second before he finished his sentence, my sister & I's hearts sunk, not knowing what he was going to say. My dad finished his sentence by saying, "it looks like the little boy might have Down syndrome." Our hearts were relieved and I felt like I could breath again. We both said, "that's not bad." 

And his diagnosis is not bad. I was completely clueless at the time as to the details of what Down syndrome was. In my 16 years of life, I had never once thought about having a sibling with a "syndrome" or special needs. But, was the excitement of having two new siblings going to change because one had a "syndrome"? No. It's just another step along this journey of life. And I determined to jump on the bandwagon with him and do whatever he needed and whatever we would need to do. 

I quickly learned a lot about Down syndrome. That first year there was a lot of learning that had to be done. And it had to be done quickly, because a little guys life and well being depended on it. 

Throughout the years, we've had our challenges. But, it's just part of this journey. I couldn't be more thankful that God put O in our life. I'm so thankful he was put into a large family, because it has been a tremendous help for him. Having so many "cheerleaders" around him all the time, has encouraged him to get to those milestones.

It's hard to believe O & Yo are 8 years old now. I remember not being able to picture what it would be like when he would be 5 years old, let alone 8. I remember when I first joined certain listservs and I would be getting advice from parents with "big kids" who had Down syndrome - their kids were 5, 8, 10 years old - and that seemed so far off.

It has been a blessed 8 years. O struggles with some things still, but is thriving. He is doing so well, it's truly a blessing. His biggest delay has always been his speech clarity, but most of us (who are around him all the time) understand him. He says full sentences, just needs help in clarity.

Seriously, I think a lot of people would be way better off if they had the blessing of someone with Down syndrome in their life.



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Life On The Ranch: Babies Everywhere

Well, there is new life on the ranch everywhere. Lambs. Baby goats. Baby bunnies and more. Here are just a few fun pictures of the babies getting to run around outside on one of the sunny days we had this week.

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Beating Heart/Who Do You Think You Are? Music Video

A couple months ago my good friend wrote an anti-abortion song called "Beating Heart." It's a moving song. My sister put a music video together shortly before the New Year and she did an amazing job.

It brings me to tears anytime I watch it. So incredibly sad that so many people are so cruel and heartless.

I'd encourage everyone to watch it, although it's not for the faint-hearted.



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31 for 21: Life On The Ranch, Last Night with the Grandparents

Today was the last day for my Granny from California with her 3 week visit. So, a few of us had to go drop her off at the airport. My other grandparents from California will be leaving soon also, so it was time to spend the last little while with them before they left also. That meant we had a family BBQ tonight.

It was a beautiful, still night, perfect temperature, with a full moon and a great time around the campfire. Truly blessed and thankful!

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