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.

Anguish

This morning, Chadwick received a call from a colleague at the veterinary clinic where he works. I could tell from his posture and lack of conversation that the call did not bring good tidings. Tying his tie in preparation for church, he told me that a fellow veterinarian and friend, the man who occupied the desk next to his for the past year and then some, was missing. My stomach dropped to my feet as I tried to understand. "Missing? Like he didn't show up for work today?" It seemed unusual for Dr. Wick to go AWOL. Grimly, Chadwick informed me that while canoeing on the Snake River with his wife over the weekend, the canoe capsized. He hasn't been found, despite a search with boats and helicopters from agencies in three counties. Missing and presumed....dead. The search will be officially called off tomorrow at 3 pm.

My sweet husband headed out the door to their house in the north end of town to see how he could be of assistance. I admire his dedication to serving those in his circle of influence. How he can drop everything and go where needed. Meals were organized under his supervision for the wife (also a veterinarian in town), her parents, and her in-laws, who are with her at their house. Many of the clinic staff met this evening to get an update and huddle in the midst of the crisis. 

After Chadwick left the house on his grim errand, I collapsed in tears, pleading with Heavenly Father to let the body of this man be located. Alive would be preferable, but found in general. To give closure to his wife. To his parents and family members. To put an end to what is likely the worst nightmare this woman has experienced. I grieve for her pain, the anguish at coming up out of the cold water and not being able to locate her husband. For the hours spent trying to find him and making dreaded phone calls to parents and work. 

I've met them a handful of times at the clinic holiday parties. I used to giggle because Chad-wick sat next to Doug-Wick in the doctor office. He had a boyish air that says growing up is for other people, a great smile, and was well liked by the staff and, in all likelihood, his clients. I don't think they have been out of vet school for more than 5 years. 

A thousand questions run through my head that will never be answered. 

I feel weighted down by mortality and the knowledge that things can change in the blink of an eye. And it's a reminder to love deeply, apologize quickly, and cherish the normal days we experience. 

And my heart continues its silent, sad prayer.

Ear Piercing

I got my ears pierced for the first time when I was six and then again when I was twelve. For years, I happily wore two sets of earrings. First year of school at the WSU College of Vet Med brought discussions with the LDS missionaries and a challenge to treat my body as a temple; one of the presidents of the Church asked the youth and women to remove extra body piercings and leave only one set of earrings. I had been mulling over the invitation to remove the extra earrings for several days and remember one evening studying in the anatomy lab (the smell of formaldehyde never quite leaves your nose during that first year of school) and made the decision to commit. Whole-heartedly. I removed the studs from the upper earring holes and set them on the lab counter top. The belly button ring soon followed once I got back home. I'm guessing I gave up my occasional cup of coffee around that time as well.

My Morgan hasn't expressed much interest in having her ears pierced, unlike Mallorie who has asked intermittently since she was old enough to realize such a thing could be accomplished. My Tia sent Morgan a beautiful pair of earrings for her 8th birthday and sparked a desire to get her ears done. The first Tuesday of track break, we hit the mall, just the two of us. Claire's was the first stop. She chose studs that represent her birthstone and sat nervously while the sales associate prepared for the piercing.

As the woman raised the "gun" to Morgan's ear to place the earring, Morgan ducked her head sideways. Laughing, the associate informed her that in order to get this done, she had to hold still. This was repeated two more times. I was on the verge of having her get out of the chair to try in a few months when she bucked up and held still long enough for the "pow!" of the little machine. A look of surprise and pain flashed across her face....I was shocked she didn't move more than once as the woman went to place the other earring into the lobe of her ear.

Ears still stinging, Morgan picked out some extra earrings, got her bag of earring cleaner and instructions and out we went. The grimace didn't leave her face for a good 30 minutes, during which we ate a pretzel (she downed a whole one by herself) and bought some much-needed new tennis shoes. By the time we got back to the car, the pain had dulled enough for her to take a few selfies. She was quite proud of the earrings and did a great job caring for them for the first few weeks.

Mallorie has declared that she wants her ears pierced for her 6th birthday....we'll see how that goes. 

A Few Funnies

I love the things kids say. I love the way they say the things they do. How they repeat what they hear with their own flair.

My favorite of the week was from Mallorie: her primary teachers gave her a card, basically welcoming her to their class and expressing gratitude that she's there with them. It was written in cursive, neatly worded and signed by both brethren. A sweet gesture! Especially since she's the only girl in the class and not particularly loving the fact. Well, the class was talking about the card at some point and Mallorie sweetly informed her teacher, "I don't think my mom can read cursive. She was born in Mexico." His wife is a friend and she texted me when he told her what Mallorie had said. I giggled about that for several days.

She has also been talking recently about where she's going to live when she grows up. For many months, she was going to live on a farm with all the dressings. However, things have changed and her future living spot will be in a "department." Today, questions revolved around what kind of animals you can have in such a place. And if she should live on the bottom or top floor.

Spencer has a couple things that crack me up. When asked to do something, and he's feeling amiable to assisting, he'll replay, "Yep. I can," then run off to do what was requested. The other thing that makes me laugh inside is when he has pooped and his bottom is sore. Instead of saying it hurts or is ouchy, he tells me that he's ready to change his bottom because it's "spicy."

His new favorite song is "You Are My Sunshine." However, since watching an episode of Care Bears from the library, he now calls it "funshine" (the bear with the sun on its belly). I like the new word better anyway.....

Morgan, You're Turning EIGHT!!

I was made a mom the first time in the early afternoon of February 26, 2010. This chubby-cheeked, blue eyed girl has been melting my heart since the first time I held her in my arms. She rivaled, and my opinion surpassed, the cuteness of the Gerber baby, has an natural curiosity that keeps me on my toes, and is turning into a beautiful and smart little lady.

Morgan loves to read. She devours books, page by page, at every free moment both during recess and while at home. Yes, it gets her into trouble as she places her nose in the book when she ought to be getting dressed/doing homework/completing chores/going to sleep. She reminds me of myself when young in that regard. School still seems to come easily for her and she loves reading and science and social studies. Library is, of course, her favorite special. Lately, Morgan has been exploring the world of Google as she researches places like Australia or animals from a prehistoric time. Drawing/coloring are her other favorite past times, especially in the winter months when she can't be out playing in the barn or riding her bike. 

For her birthday, she requested a family ice skating outing, so off to Ice World we went, through the snow and wind of the day. 

By the time the open skate was complete, Morgan was skating more and falling less. However, the effort took its toll and she requested an ice pack for bed for her bruised elbow! Mallorie also enjoyed the outing, more so once we snagged her a "stroller" which is a hard plastic piece that can be pushed on the ice in front of you like a walker. Spencer....he made it about two laps happily and struggled for the duration. His poor little ankles just aren't strong enough to hold him up yet. He enjoyed trying to eat the ice off the bottom of his skates.

In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, of which we are members, children are baptized when they reach "the age of accountability," which is eight. It's a big deal - you're making covenants with Heavenly Father to take His name upon you, to serve others, and to account for the mistakes you make in a bigger way. Choose the Right (CTR) is a slogan often used on jewelry, backpacks, and logos to remind the children to make good choices in their lives. Morgan wanted a cake that reflected her decision to be baptized, and with the help of some fondant and my friend Saramarie, an edible "masterpiece" was created!

Family came over for cake and ice cream on Sunday. Presents were opened Monday morning before school.

 And I snagged her for a quick bite at McDonald's during her lunch break. 

Dinner was home made cheese pizza at her request and we held family home evening. Overall, a great weekend celebrating this amazing girl! I am grateful for her help, her smile, her curiosity, and to see what she makes of this life as she continues to grow. We love you, Magoo!