Rosemary + Thyme + Four = a Spice Cabinet

Last fall, we took our ewes (then a year and a half old) plus 6 bales of alfalfa hay to Parma, where we purchased them, and left the girls for a month with the hopes that they would get pregnant during that time.

And, despite our knowledge and access to ultrasound technology, Chadwick and I had to wait until the end of February to really tell if they were, in fact, pregnant. Neither of us have access to a large animal ultrasound machine and as far as we know, no one is manufacturing a pregnancy test for sheep. By the middle of February, their wool is thick enough to give the appearance of pregnancy, so it was hard to tell. Thyme was the first to really show signs of pregnancy; judging by the size of her girth, we were betting she was carrying twins.

Extra hay, extra grain, trips into the back yard for fresh grass....we spoiled them as much as possible during their last month. Given the fact that we didn't know their exact breeding date, we had to guess as to when they were due. (Gestation in a sheep is about 5 months.) Were they bred at the beginning of their time in Parma? Or the end? So many questions without enough answers.

Poor Thyme! She looked SO uncomfortable, and I had the greatest empathy for her; all expecting mothers reach a stage of pregnancy where they just look and feel large. She was like a giant cotton ball on toothpicks....

The morning of March 22 I went out to feed the ewes and found, to my delight, two little lambs on the straw in the barn. Still wet, they were tiny and brown and perfect. Thyme was tired but delivered them without a problem. I kicked Rosemary out of the barn and left the new mama to try and figure out what to do. For several weeks prior to her delivery, the kids would ask every morning, "Did they have their babies?" That morning, I got to say YES! We all sprinted back to the barn to admire the new life. She had a male and female - named Nutmeg and Cinnamon, respectively. The next day, Chadwick's boss from the clinic came over with an elasticator to castrate the little male.

We've never had so many people ask to come over. Not to see us, of course, but the lambs. A friend asked if I felt used. Ha! It's been fun to show them off. And I hardly saw Morgan for the first couple days after their birth as she spent all her free time hanging out in the barn. Made me happy.

Rosemary continued to enlarge, though she never looked quite as uncomfortable as her pasture-mate. She delivered twins sometime in the afternoon of April 2nd, another male and female. We named them Herb (thanks, Sara!) and Basil.

Both ewes have been great mothers to their lambs, though it bothers me that they will ram the other lambs without a second thought. Thyme took it to Darwin several times when he was in the corral whining and causing a ruckus. The look on his face the first time she broadsided him was priceless, though I felt bad for him the couple times she had him pinned against the barn wall, repeatedly head butting him, as I fumbled to get the gate open and set him loose.

Now over a month, the lambs have lost their tails (banded as well), are eating grass like adult sheep, and attack me each evening when I offer grain as a treat for coming in from the pasture. The older twins were handled a lot right after birth and are much friendlier than the younger ones. Note to self, get out and maul all the lambs starting day two! We have freezer homes for the males and hope to find the females a pasture to spend their days.

Welcome, spring!

Making Covenants

With the age of eight years comes the age of accountability - the ability to discern right from wrong, to be held accountable for choices and actions. A child's spiritual journey sort of begins on this day with baptism by immersion and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. They can learn to repent, to make covenants with Heavenly Father, and to listen to the still, small voice capable of providing guidance and warning. To have their names "officially" in the records of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Basically, it's a big deal!!

Morgan chose to be baptized at the beginning of April and it was a wonderful day! She had great support from family and friends and seemed to enjoy this day set aside to celebrate her and her choices.

Steve and Nancy weren't here physically but they sent a wonderful picture of themselves holding a poster. 

My three parents came to Meridian to be with us and hopefully were able to feel the sweet spirit that accompanies such an event. Also in attendance were Chadwick's brothers, James and Stephen, and their families, his cousin Nathan and family, as well as the Olsens next door and the Paskett girls. Morgan shared the event with another boy from the ward who happens to be the son of a woman with whom Chadwick went to high school. I couldn't have chosen a better family to join for the afternoon. 

Morgan said she was nervous on the ride to the stake center, though she went through the motions of getting her white jumper on and sitting quietly through the opening exercises like a champ. How did my little girl get so big??

After the talks and songs in the chapel, our ward was excused to the room in which the font is located. Ladies first, so Morgan went into the water with her father. The small children were invited to the front of the room for a front-row seat. Chadwick raised his right arm and with a clear voice stated Morgan's full name. He followed with the phrase from D&C 20:73 which states, "Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen." He then immersed her under the water for a brief moment and brought her back up with a smooth motion. She later told me that the water was warm. 

She changed into her white dress and received the gift of the Holy Ghost, also through Chadwick's authority. Uncles James, Stephen, and Nathan joined in the circle for the confirmation. Many hugs later, we left the church to come back home for snacks and visiting. 

I loved the feeling of love and friendship that was present both at the church and in our home after. Many of the people in attendance aren't members of the Church but came because they have a love for Morgan and our family. How blessed are we to live in this house, this neighborhood, and to be part of such amazing families. 

A big thanks to Brie who took time for a photo session at the Meridian Idaho Temple one Sunday afternoon. I love these photos!

I am excited to see her continue to grow with her knowledge of the gospel and in her testimony. What a wonderful, smart spirit she possesses! 

An Update

Found this in my Inbox this evening; it's from Intermountain Pet Hospital where my hubby is a veterinarian. Guess it's now official....

"It is with deep sorrow that we inform you of a recent tragic incident involving Dr. Douglas Wick. He was involved in a canoeing accident and is still missing, even after search and rescue efforts. We are heart broke and fear the worst; that we have lost an amazing doctor and friend.

Dr. Wick truly embodied the values, spirit, and heart of Intermountain Pet Hospital and was a true champion for providing the best care possible to every pet he has seen here.

These past weeks have been a very trying time for all of our staff at IPH as Dr. Wick is very loved and respected by everyone here. We know his circle of influence, love, and care extended to you as well."

Our prayers continue to be with his wife and family. I still can't begin to comprehend what she has been feeling and will continue to feel.