Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Lazy B Ranch





Today I took some of my students to the historic Lazy B Ranch south east of Duncan on the border of Arizona and New Mexico. This ranch is incredible, with over 3,000 head of mother cows and calves and 200 bulls (the new foreman and father of one of my students is still counting) the size is amazing.
Todya my students learned about handling horses, grooming, shoeing and much more. The format for the day went as follows:
8:45 am - arrived at the ranch
9:00 - demonstrated grooming and saddling
9:30 - horseback rides
10:00 - judged a halter class
10:45 - gave reasons
11:00 - critqued horses (kudos to my horse judging team, they ran this part of the show and did awesome!)
12:00 - learned to shoe horses
12:15 - lunch
12:30 - fed cattle, branded 3 bulls
1:30 - loaded up on the bus and headed home!
way fun day! What more could you want? being able to work on a ranch and teach? Love it!

family pictures


We traveled to Globe this weekend to spend some time with family. Here are a few pictures taken in the dealership.

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Blessed to be healthy

Definition of Blessed: divinely or supremely favored; fortunate: to be blessed with a strong, healthy body; blessed with an ability to find friends.

This post is for my friend Misha. Some fo you know Misha, some of you have heard me talk about her. She and I went to college together at CAC and took nearly all of our classes together because we were both ag-majors. We instantly became friends as she has such a wonderful, bubbly personality. We took a dance class together our sophomore year of college and that is really when we got to know each other, and some of the most fun we have ever had.

After graduating from CAC, we both moved on the U of A and graduated 2 years apart, both with B.S. degrees in Agricultural Education. I went straight into teaching, she got married, had a baby and was planning on taking this year off to raise her son and be a mom. Things will never be the same.

She was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma this past November. She is documenting her changing life on her blog and everytime I read it, I cry. How selfish am I to think that my life is so tough, rough and terrible? How selfish am I to pity myself and cry over nothing more than spilled milk? How selfish am I to think that I have it bad? Misha is literally fighting for her life while her husband proudly serves our country in the Marines, and raises her son, Remi who is just over 6 months old (I think). She is so thankful and so vibrant, even as she looses her hair - you need to read her blog, it will tug at your heart.

I am 25 years old. My friend Misha is 24, recent college graduate, mom, wife and SURVIVING hodgkins lymphoma. I am inspired by her, and I am blessed to be healthy, to have a healthy husband and healthy son. I am blessed to have a friend who even when she is not healthy, lives her life knowing she is blessed to be alive and to be who she is.

if you would like to read Mishas' blog, http://mishaegan.tumblr.com/

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

save the date...


Case will be turning 2 before we know it, so his birthday is already planned! Believe it or not, it will be at our house here in Duncan this year, so you better be ready to do some sight-seeing and travel to our little farm!
we would lvoe for all of you to make it, and this is why we planned it so far in advance, so you can plan your time wisely!
Hope to see you and your favorite truck at Case's birthday number 2!

Saturday, January 16, 2010

The "Duke"

We picked up our new dog yesterday evening. He is cute as a button and his name is Duke. Perfectly fitting into our family, everyone loves him, he is mellow, friendly, explorative, bouncy, and so much more. We are very happy with this family dog and want to say thanks!

Eric, Case and Duke in the oats field


Duke making himself comfortable in the field

Duke and me


Eric showing off his new pride and joy

Case loving on Duke.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

New Boots and Pearl












Case loves my mare, Lily Pearl. Everytime we go out to feed he says "ride? ride?" He affectionately calls her Pearl and gives her hugs everyday. He recently got new boots and of course had to have a ride!

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Bump and we all fall down!


Case and Clyde are partners in crime. Over the winter break Case jumped after Clyde jumped. Sadly, Clyde landed and Case fell. The bloody ear is the damage done.


Life in the country..

We love the life we live, we are happy, and home is where we have placed our hearts, here in the small town of Sheldon.