"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empites today of its strength." ~Corrie ten Boom
Hannah has been getting a little bit bored around here. She likes to be outside but that only goes so far. Yesterday we made a fort in the living room with chairs, a sheet, and a big box. She banged her head many times as she would try to steady herself on the sheet and it would give way. Overall she had a great time. Daddy even took some time to play in the fort with her.
Last night we went to Family Night at the Malin Pool. You are supposed to shower before you enter the pool. I walked in, turn on the shower, and Hannah immediately screamed bloody murder. We made it quick. We skipped the hair because we weren't going under water anyway. Daddy claims he never showered when he went. At the threat of being kicked out if we didn't comply we quickly followed the rules.This was not a good start to our first "big pool" swimming experience. We got in the water and Hannah wined, wined, wined. We got out and played with the fence and tried a few other distractions. We got back in and it wasn't much better until Mommy started blowing bubbles, and then she was sold. She loved it! We swam for about an hour until I decided that she was getting too cold. Unfortunately she didn't fall asleep on the way home but bedtime when very smoothly after all of our activity.
Hannah, Gus and I have been diligently watering the alfalfa after first cutting. Emma doesn't help yet. She willingly runs to the house when she hears the Gator start up. First cutting went well and now we are trying to give second cutting a good start.
Hannah has been going with me every time I change the wheel lines since Ben has been way too busy to watch her while I do it. Really we haven't seen much of him at all, but at least he's got work to do. Hannah has been enjoying the water changes a little bit more than she used to. She's still not a fan of having her clothes and diaper changed while she's asleep only to awaken to a sweatshirt being pulled over her head, then finding herself riding on Mom's knee through the brisk morning air down the bumpy field road, and is then made to stand in the field while the wheel lines are moved. She has found the evenings to be much more enjoyable as you can see from the pictures. 
She really does know how these things work. She tries to do it for me. Soon enough I'm sure she will be able to. In the last couple of days of watching her I won't be surprised in the least if she ends up being a left-brained thinker...but she would come by that honestly. She is definitely watching and figuring things out.
I couldn't resist this last picture for some reason. It's like she's posing by her valve opener. Only a farm girl!
I named our new little dog Emma. I told Ben I wanted to hold out and name a little girl Emma some day, but he assured me I had better just name our dog that. Apparently Emma was only going as far as an animal at our house. So, Emma it is.She is super sweet. She loves to be held and petted. She will sit on your lap to be loved as long as you will love on her. Her favorite place to nap is just inside my closet. I think that's going to get a little bit tighter for her as the months go on. Several people have fallen in love with her but I'm holding on tight. We'll see how her long hair does out in the country but I think I'm already in love with this breed.
Yes, I know it was a quick turn around but I had my eye on these puppies before we got Thor. I called this afternoon and they still had some. We now are the proud owners of a female Golden Retriever. I have always wanted one and so I guess we will give her a try. We haven't named her yet. She is definitely very cute and lovable............and she can hear! I forgot how nice it is to say "no" and have your dog respond. She is already following Hannah around and seems to be a sweet dog.
I know that I never really announced that we had this puppy and that's because Ben warned me that he was going to get run over. About a month ago we were given a deaf Border Collie puppy. My Dad pointed out that I must like projects...OK maybe but he was so cute! I spent time working with him trying to get him to respond to some hand signals and learn some manners. Over the last week in particular he was starting to develop some distinct Border Collie traits...herding birds, chasing cars and trucks, etc. You can't yell at your deaf Border Collie and get him to come back when he's chasing something. So this morning he was out chasing the trucks running up and down our road and sadly was hit. Hannah and I didn't see it but we did spend a little time this morning laying little Thor to rest out back. He will be missed by many. I really should have sent him home with the our family that fell in love with him this weekend. He really needed a home with a well fenced yard since we actually should have named him Houdini.
It for the most part has still felt like winter/spring here. Hannah and I were getting pretty bored in the house so we bought some new things to play with. I was hoping Hannah might be ready to play with markers. I set her up at her highchair and tried to help her draw. It appears that she's ready for lipstick but markers are not that much fun yet. Thankfully they are non-toxic!
I was reading my Mom's hiking blog, and she being the older and much wiser in the three generations picture, pointed out that the trail ended at a magnificent lava flow. Apparently in my frustration at meeting a steel cable with no foreseeable trail ahead, didn't recognize the beauty in front of me. I'm sure the fact that I was counting on not having to hike back up the "hill" that we just came down added to my frustration. We really do live in a beautiful place. It's not always lush or green like a valley but it definitely has it's own high desert beauty. We are definitely blessed to live here. I hope you can appreciate the beauty that surrounds you where ever you live.
On Saturday Hannah and I went hiking with my Mom and a ladies hiking group she belongs to. This weekend's destination was Whitney Butte Trail in the Lava Beds National Park. The trail was 3.3 miles one way and rated as "easy." However, it doesn't feel "easy" when you are packing 25 extra pounds. 
Here's Hannah and I all bundled up and ready to head out. The weather was typical for here and was everything from chilly to warm, and rainy to sunny.
We weren't sure when we started out if Hannah was going to tolerate the trip. She was quite fussy but as it turns out she was just tired. She slept most of the way in. Here we are at the end of the trail. The trail did not go up the Butte but just when around to the backside. It was decidedly anti climatic as we met a metal cable at the end of the trail. I had to look at it as exercise and good conversation. Hannah and I had a great time on the way out singing and doing action songs. Wow, it's hard to hike and sing at the same time!
On the way out we also took a 3 generation picture. My Mom assured me that I would appreciate it when she's gone and I'm sure I will. I reassured her that I would appreciate it even while she's around to enjoy. The wildflowers were very pretty right here. They were a purple-blue color and lined the trail. Unfortunately they don't show up very well.All I can say after this was 6.6 miles of "easy" trail is about all that I'm up for. My hips and legs were definitely tired and sore!
