A Leave of Absence

Gosh, it has been a long time since I have blogged.  No good reason, 

except that I just haven't taken the time to.  Daddy is home and we are enjoying that. Next week is the Star of Texas Stock Show and Rodeo in Austin.  This past week, Justin spent most of it in Houston.  He only took a couple of sheep and one placed 10th.  Not too shabby.  God knows how many shows I hauled sheep to and was 88 and out the gate in NO time.  Oh boy.....  those were good times though!

I do have to brag though....... Brayden and Bailee's Godparents....  Kyle and Julie Smithwick Smithwick raise sheep.  In a medium weight class in Houston, he had raised 1st-5th place..... craziness.  It just goes to show.... how good his sheep are.  I am so happy for both Kyle and Julie, they put so much into it and deserve it.  

In regards to our sheep, we now have three bottle babies.  I can promise that I will NOT have the urge for another baby.  This bottle feeding, reminds me of having a newborn!  The other day, I came very close to not feeding Sage anymore.  I went out to feed her and bent over to get something and she came up and rammed me head against head.  If you have ever watched a lamb nurse, they butt the udder with their heads as they suck to stimulate the release of milk.  I guess I was taking too long in feeding her.  Needless to say, I was not happy.  This week has been cold and wet.  I am so thankful for the rain.  We desperately need it.  I could do without the cold though.  It has been tough on the herd.  We have lost quite a few babies this week.  That is part of it though, but I don't have to like it.

Last weekend we were at a wedding.  I took some great shots of the kids dancing together. Also, on March 6th, Brayden had his Kindergarten rodeo.  Daddy and I both were able to make it for different parts.  

I am ready for a relaxing weekend!  One more week and then Spring Break!  I envy those that are on theirs right now!  I feel the beginnings of the same excitement as a student in school. remember that....  the few days before a holiday....  oh yes... those were the good ol' days!  You were so excited to have the time off from school, but you wondered what you were going to do during the break.  I knew I would have the DREADED list.  The list was written by mom. It consisted of chores that had to be done that day BEFORE she got home.  Even as I child I procrastinated.... the clock would strike 4:00 and I would scurry around the house completing the list in an hour without a minute to spare.  Some things never change!  Up until recently, I stopped making myself a list before starting to clean the house.  I had always thought that the list had to be your guide when you cleaned house.... I now know better.

Meet Sage, our newest addition!

Today was a great day.  It didn't end up like I had planned and I didn't get done what I thought I would but...... it was all worth it.

It started with the four of us going to church and meeting Grammy there.  The service was great. Afterwards we ran some errands and met Mimi so she could take Brayden along to a birthday party for a student of hers.  Then we headed home for a nice nap... I have grown to love my Sunday naps.  Those of you that know me, know that I love to nap!  

Justin didn't nap long and soon headed to the barn to prepare for the 50-60 baby lambs we are expecting in the next several weeks.  For those of you that weren't aware..... Justin and his dad raise Southdown sheep.  

Although raising sheep takes a lot of time for Justin, this is that time of year that makes it all worth it. Lambing season is my absolute favorite.  Today we had a ewe lamb!  The momma hadn't bagged (a sign she is full of milk and birth is near), so we didn't think she was all that close.  Sure enough, she was.  This little lamb was wandering around with another adult ewe. We went to look for mama, thinking that she may still be in labor with the twin, and might be in trouble.  We found her.  She wasn't doing too well and wouldn't stand.  It looks like we may lose her.  Losing sheep is the hardest part of raising lambs.  Justin of course is pretty used to it and knows it comes with the territory.  I on the other hand, will never get used to it.  

So yes, we now have a bottle baby.  We decided to name her Sage since her mom had a purple ear tag.  Brayden and I were so excited to bottle feed this adorable little ewe lamb.  It immediately went up to Brayden who was sitting on the ground, and started trying to nurse from him.  It was too cute.  

It is taking the bottle so very well.  It is suckling wonderfully.  I don't think Justin is too thrilled with our little endeavor.  I love the fact that we get to expose our children to something like this.  Not many kids get this chance.  I'm not sure though how much I will love this, when I am getting up to bottle feed it in the mornings. 

We did have to have a heart to heart with Brayden.  As I was preparing dinner, Brayden comes in the house with Sage!  I told him that she didn't belong in the house and I was not going to have a sheep in my house.  He couldn't understand it.  He said he was planning on sleeping with Sage in his bed.  Well......  that was NOT happening, so we talked to him about what was allowed and what was not allowed.  

During the last feeding, as Sage finished up, she crawled into my lap and fell asleep.  It was so precious.  The first few days will be touch and go, but so far Sage is doing great!  Here are some pictures of her.  She looks messy because of the stuff.  The brown you see on her is dirt and leaves.  The lambs lay on the ground for a while when just born.  Leaves and dirt end up sticking to them after they dry.  But.... I already asked if we could bathe her, Justin rolled his eyes and said, no and that it would not be good for it and that it produced lanolin and it would be fine.