Back in the saddle again

One thing that I thought I would have to give up for good when I moved to Uganda was horses. And I did for ten years. And then God gave me the opportunity to start riding again! And not just on any old horse either, but a great little mare who is beautiful and truly a joy to ride (and I'm picky when it comes to my horses!). In addition to that, great people to ride with and a beautiful area in which to ride.

This has come at a time in my life when, um, I really need it. I've probably always needed it, but I really do now (burnout anyone?!) and my kids are old enough to occupy themselves unsupervised around the stables while I ride. So far they haven't showed much interest in riding themselves and honestly, I haven't pushed it. It is great to ride with other adults and not to worry about them, especially since we like to move along at a fairly good clip.

I feel truly blessed and like God is truly looking out for me, as horses in Uganda are very few and far between. If you do find them they are more in a business environment and not in a family setting. I love that I have been paired with one horse in particular that I can develop a relationship with and that these are well loved and cared for horses - not business endeavors! It's also nice to ride with people who have even more dogs than I do :). Makes me feel almost normal!

Some of the girls, all getting a drink before they go out to pasture

My beautiful Choco stead, while out on a ride 

Water trough also doubles as a swimming pool for the stable dogs

She is a bit of a character. Can be a bit pissy when you are on the ground but once you are in the saddle she will do anything - and in a halter! 

I like this horse. She is not a super friendly horse at first, but is slowly warming up to me.  Once you are on her back she will do about anything for you and is very steady. I haven't ridden for ten years, and am ten years older (!), so wanted someone steady to ride. She has lots of go and will pull enough moves to keep the ride interesting! 

We took the Zemba farm dog and her puppies to the clinic today, for vaccinations and baths. Frankie was a big help with the puppies! 

Ella willingly assisted David as he worked on his old dog, Lawrence

When we went to drop the dogs back at the farm we got to see these THREE HOUR OLD piglets! I was rather amazed at how vigorous and active they were. It's amazing to see how God created animal's instincts to survive. 

And this? This is when you KNOW that it is time to separate the baby rabbits from their parents. This is TOM, the father rabbit, underneath that pile of baby bunnies! Haaa! He was totally overwhelmed. 

And Freya, committing the ultimate faux pau - Bridger's face says it all. We DO NOT share dog beds! She is clueless :) .  

God is good. I thank Him for the great life He has given me in Uganda and all the blessings He continues to bless me with. 

Bed Hogs

In case you were wondering, there are many ways to lay on a dog bed. In fact, there are many different kinds of dog beds!

We brought a new dog, Freya, home from the USPCA shelter on Saturday. You can check out more about the Uganda Society for the Protection and Care of Animals here.  It has been fun to see her discovering and enjoying the dog beds! I don't think she'd ever had one before, but took to them like a duck to water!

Freya, telling Rudy off of the dog bed. We had the covers off as they were in the wash. 

Perched on side of the dog bed, like a little bird!  

The top one is a bit small but Freya has no problems making the best of it! 

Hazel sort of looks like she's crashed out on top of a giant cow pie!! Hazel really gets the most out of her sleep. 

Picked this new dog bed up at the USPCA, when we picked up Freya. ALL the dogs LOVE it! 

It's so nice to be able to find good quality, locally made dog beds! 

Freya loves it too. She was so glad to be in a home! 

Happy Hour!

Just a "few" pictures of a Sunday afternoon "Happy Hour" amongst The Pack. I'm sure loving my new camera!

 I think this is called "The Tug Boat." They go around and around the yard like this forever! It tires them both out (win-win!). 

 Pulling Rudy up the stairs is a greater challenge. A couple of times I thought Frankie was going to go over backwards!

Hazel is Frankie's ally. When he can't get the rope from Rudy, Hazel will come along, take it from Rudy, and drop it at Frank's feet :) But here they are tugging. 

Rusty likes to join in some rope fun too! 

Ella has Hazel jumping for a stick

 Frankie uses some interesting techniques to try to get Rudy to unclasp his jaws! 

While Frank and Rudy play, the rest of The Pack looks on. They are in various stages of Sunday afternoon activities - many which involve naps!! Hazel was looking at a couple of birds on a wire. 

Our little fluffy Olaf boy. Please, no one tell him that he's not part German Shepherd! 

Rusty and Hazel in action

Again, different techniques are used to get the rope toy out of Rudy's mouth. This isn't one of Frankie's safer ones... ;) 

Facial contortions always help! 

Boy and Basenji - exhausted at last

Note: when playing with your dogs, it helps to wear a long sleeved shirt buttoned up to the very top. In addition to your shorts. Always trying to make a fashion statement, is this one! 

Happy Birthday to my TEN YEAR OLD!!!

Hard to believe that Ella turned 10 years old this year. The last seven years have gone by fast! Her birthday (9th Feb) is also my anniversary of coming to Uganda. If you'd told me ten years ago when I landed in Uganda, a little fresh faced 23 year old out to save the world, that a decade later I'd still be in the same country but with a 4th and 2nd grader, a house and a fiance, I would have laughed you right out of town! But ten years later, here we are. Isn't God good?!

My big 10 year old girl, with Baby T (no, he's not ours!) 

Ella's birthday happened to fall on their first day of school this year. For many people that would seem like a bummer, but for L.... that means another PARTY!!!!! She took cupcakes and juice to her school and enjoyed sharing with everyone, then had a small "family party" when she got home with me and Frank, that included another cake and LOTS of presents!

Ella and Frankie, ready for their first day of 4th and 2nd Grades

Birthday Loot. The kid scored this year! DVD's from Granny, hairbands and earrings from her Auntie Spronk, and Legos from me!

Cutting her birthday cake

Frankie gave her a little sister for her birthday!!! We all got a total kick out of our cross dressing Frank :) 

Since two little parties were not enough, on Saturday we got together with friends at the farm and had yet ANOTHER birthday cake to celebrate our L! She also got money from her aunt and we went to Nakumatt and bought $30 worth of more Legos. We love Nakumatt! 

Since I couldn't find any candles at the house, we stopped by the gas station on our way to the party in hopes of finding some. Unfortunately they were out of actual birthday candles but had this interesting Chinese contraption!!! It unfolded into a flaming pedal that rotated and played Happy Birthday! 

Haaa! It was properly atrocious! While it did open and flame and spark, it didn't exactly rotate and it only produced the tune to "How Old Are You Now?" over and over and over and over and... you get my point!!! She was actually scared of it at first but was finally brave enough to blow those suckers out!

Cutting the cake (not cheese fortunately!) 

My ten year old, Lego loving L. She brings such joy, enthusiasm and kindness to our family! 

Last week before the new school year!

This was the kids last week before the new school year starts. Most schools started on the 2nd but a few stragglers start on the 9th, like our school. It was a rough, rough week but despite the roughness, there were lots of fun, happy moments as well, which I will post pictures of!

Boy and Basenji Dog find a rather good sized worm-snake (I should google it). Both are fascinated but cautious! 

  

Closer... 

And closer! Rusty was so fascinated by it he stepped on it. Didn't even bother to look at it!

Pretty good sized compared to most of this type that I've seen.  They aren't dangerous as they don't seem to have mouths! You really can't tell which end is which until it slithers away. 

 It's been HOT. Even the five week old baby bunnies were hot and needed to stretch out to cool down! 

They are so cute they look like a picture or stuffed animals!

Choco and me, after a ride

Baby bunnies are still nursing, only now they are big enough to chase Mama Peace down! 

A girl and her guinea pigs! 

"SMILE!" 

Ella doesn't really play with her guinea pigs like most children do. She always has to "inspect" them, which includes their teeth!!

Pilot, Bella and Esther

A bit of free parenting advise (because I'm so experienced and successful! Haa!!!): Every almost 10 year old child NEEDS at LEAST one guinea pig!! Guinea pigs and children were MADE for each other! I love them myself, simply to just feed them. For some reason they are so cute when they are fighting over a tomato :) (simple minds!)