"Miracle"

"Miracle"

I decided to put this post here since this event happened on a school.  It's incredible what a couple of weeks can do.  The first picture is just a day or two after birth.  We tried to wrap his back legs to offer support, but the wrap just didn't help.  You can see how the back, left hind foot is folded-over.  It was very difficult to watch him try to move around when it was like this.

In this second picture, you can see some darker wrapping on the back foot/ankle.  John and I put a splint on the back leg, with Caleb's assistance.  The splint made it harder for the little guy to lay down and get up, but he adapted to that rather well after a short while.  We left the splint on for as long as we thought possible.  After a week and a half, we decided he had grown some and we worried it would get, too, tight on his ankle.  So, we removed it ... to find ...

That he looked so much better.  He was still a little weak, but within a matter of minutes he took off running allover the pasture.  He was so excited to be "free."  It was a beautiful moment to watch momma and baby interact outside of their small pen.

Just a quick up date to let you all know he is doing awesome!!

Educating in Christ,

Momma Pam

Crosspost with our homeschool blog....

Yum Factor and Focusing on Health

2013 is bringing in a change in the Parker household.  A lifestyle change involving healthier eating and more exercise.  Okay, so this time of year many people are proclaiming their new years resolutions.  How many people actually stick to them?  I sure don't know the statistics, but it's probably very few.  I was most definitely one of those folks.  I'm not exactly sure what is making a difference this time....but I  know my health is playing a huge role.

For example, I know the history of my family's health is against me.  Parents and grandparents with heart troubles, high blood pressure, and diabetes to name a few.  I knew without a doubt I was headed down the same path.  Last November I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and put on medication.  That moment was like a turning point for me.  Uh-oh.  The very thing I've been saying I didn't want to happen to me, is happening.

A major turning point.

The switch flipped.

I had to make changes.......but how?

It started with a change in our family doctor to one who follows a real food eating plan.  He wrote a small book.  I read it cover to cover.  Basically, if my grandparents grandparents didn't eat it, neither should I.  Did it look easy?  Not really.  Did it make sense? Totally.

So, one day at a time, one bite at a time.....we are making progress.

Here are a few new things I've tried and enjoyed very much!

Zucchini BLT's without the L.....

Brussel sprouts with bacon.....

Zucchini chips.....I forgot to take the after picture, but here they are before they went into the oven.  Parmesan cheese and your favorite seasoning....bake til just turning brown.  A tasty treat and you can eat a bunch for almost no calories. - like 20 for 60 calories or something like that.

Yogurt with berries and a sprinkling of Stevia on top...

Like I said, one day at a time.  Can I see a difference yet?  Not greatly, but I know I feel better.  I'm less bloated after meals....my sweet craving is virtually gone....and I sorta just want the good foods.  Now, don't get me wrong.  I want to sink my teeth into the not-so-good stuff, but when I do, I notice how bad it makes me feel.  So, it's happening less and less.  

Exercise is my next hurdle.  I've been working hard on understanding the food and trying to get it down.  I knew exercise was next as it's a necessary part of healthy living.  I began my exercise routine last Monday.  It was written by my doctor and is for beginners.  Whoa!  It's only like, three or four exercises every day or every other day, yet I'm SO feeling the muscle aches.  I know it's working.  Yes, I could probably make faster progress if I did more or spent more time at it.  But, my doctor says baby steps are better.  Concentrate on developing the habit.  Then build on intensity.  So, right now Caleb and I are doing this together.  He's a great motivator and reminds me every day, "mom, we need to do our exercises.....we need to go for our walk...."  It's awesome!  Johnny has gone to work early a few times to get his exercise in, but his schedule is a little crazy so it doesn't always work.  Again, baby steps....

So, here's to our fresh start.  I'll keep you posted on our progress.  I'm in no hurry.  It took me years to gain all this weight.....I expect it to take a while to get it off.  I at least look forward to a post a year from now that pictures a very different me!

In Christ,

Off With the Trainers

A big day!!  Off with the training wheels!!

Caleb pulled his bike out and dusted it off a while back.  He's never really showed much interest in riding it.  But, suddenly, it was fun and he was riding it all the time.  After a couple of weeks, I told him he was doing so well, I really didn't think he needed the training wheels anymore.  I watched him do some "off-roading" like, going off the porch, over the edge of the driveway, stuff like that.  It brought back visions/memories of my brother doing stunts when he was a kid and I figured Caleb wasn't far off, but he certainly needed to be rid of the training wheels first.  He didn't like that idea, too, much when I mentioned it.  But, in typical "caleb-fashion," everything has to come in HIS time.

Today, John catches Caleb outside and he has one training wheel completely removed.  He found the right wrench in dad's tool box and took the training wheel off all by himself.  I was quite impressed.  I guess he decided he was done with those things.  John worried maybe he better not be so drastic.  So, they put it back on and he raised them up.  Caleb road around the yard for a little while with them like that.  We both noticed that the training wheels weren't even touching the ground.

So, John and Caleb took them off.  He was off like a rocket.  He only needed a hand to the back for the 2 seconds it takes to get going....

 And then he was cruising......

And cruising....

I wasn't allowed to put any pictures on Facebook, even though I was so stink'n proud at how quickly he learned to ride.  But, Caleb never mentioned momma's blog......so here I will brag just a little...

In Christ,

The Arrival of "Miracle"

Today was a rather eventful day.  What started out as a soon-to-be-momma-heifer in labor, turned into a rather wild event.  Red momma-to-be decided to have her baby on the worst, rainy day we've had in a long time.  Normally, that would have been okay, but after hours and hours of labor without progression things were beginning to get quite worrisome.  John was at work with some important people from out of town and it took him a while to be able to get home to me and access the situation.  It only took my experienced hubby one look to determine the baby was breech.  "Those are hind legs," he says to me.  And then tried to explain how to tell.  I'll admit it now, my mind was frazzled and worried and I just nodded yes because I wasn't sure, in that moment, I would ever understand.  I can grin about it a little bit now though.

The real panic set in for me then as I realized she'd been trying to have the baby the wrong way for four hours.  John and I tried our best to pull the calf from her, but we were unsuccessful.  We decided that a vet was needed so we called our local vet and he was there within 30 minutes with an assistant.  Within  15 minutes they had the little fella pulled from her.  

I will admit, once I observed the process, it was quite evident to me that John and I would not have been able to pull that baby out by ourselves.  The vet used a "come-along" to get him out and we do not have the strength of a "come-along."

So, here is a picture of the little guy, soon after birth.  I regret that I did not get a picture of him immediately after he was born, like, when he was hanging upside-down over the fence.  I wish I had, but I remember thinking the vet would call me nuts if I ran to get my camera just then.    Poor baby.  John had him by the hind quarters ad he hung upside-down over the cattle-panel.  We were trying to get the fluids out of him.  Sadly, before he was born, the vet was pinching on his legs and didn't see even the smallest of flinches.  He told us around a big ole' cigar hanging out of his mouth, "I believe you have lost the calf." We were all QUITE surprised to see him gasping for breath when he came out.  

Here you will see a progression of pictures.  Caleb has named the bull-calf, Miracle.  And I would say he earned his name quite justly.  While Caleb was OUR biggest Miracle of all, this new baby on the farm is one we are enjoying quite a lot.

Miracle right after birth.

Miracle after momma cleaned him up.

Miracle being force fed.  Vet said we HAD to get colostrum in him TODAY.  Tomorrow will be, too, late!

Caleb excited to actually get to touch the little guy.

One of many attempts to bottle feed him. 

I watched my husband, one of the kindest sweetest men I know, care for this young calf.  While many thought we were a little crazy and should have put him down, my Johnny just never gave up.  I caught this picture as he watched the little guy nursing momma for what we thought was the first time.  This photo brings tears to my eyes for a couple of reasons...Nature in progress, humble husbands, and miracles...

Another attempt at bottle feeding.

Sissy was over to see the new baby and wanted to help Johnny try again to feed the baby.  She borrowed my boots and was determined they would find success.

Did they find success this time?  Uuummmmm, no.  This little calf would naw on the nipple and pull away, repeatedly.  Then, he would turn and run to momma and try to draw some milk from her teat.  It's was like he was saying, I only want the real thing folks!!

Our little guy giving Miracle a scratch under the chin.  He loves to be scratched under his chin and will s-t-r-e-t-c-h his neck out for more!

God is so good.  Each day, Miracle is improving more and more.  He's gone from two bum legs, to one of them appearing to have regained it's strength and getting around like a trouper with the other leg bound in a splint.  We're not sure what the leg will look like when the splint is removed, but were banking on improvement and that God has done some healing.

Did we do school today?  Um, no.  I think there was tons of education going on right in front of us and Caleb took in every bit of it.  As they were pulling that calf, he was hanging over the fence, watching every second.  I saw a few tears in his eyes when he saw what was happening to the momma, but he quickly regrouped.  That's my boy, a softy, yet strong when necessary....

    In Christ,

Adding Water = Fun

Hello Folks!

I know.  It's been a long time since you've seen a new post here in Our Place in Papalote.  I'm sorry about that.  Life in general has been throwing some curve balls.  Lots of illness in the family.  None super serious, but stomach bugs, upper respiratory infections, and a case of walking pneumonia were a few we've been dealing with.

Our part of the country has seriously been lacking rain.  Major drought is what most of us are calling it.   A lot of weather patterns have come this direction only to skirt around us and leave us dry.   

But, Praise God, today, we did get rain.  Three inches to be exact!

And what makes outdoor play a little more fun?  Well, rain water, of course!

First Caleb brought out the toy boat.  He received it for Christmas and I guess he figured this big puddle was the perfect spot to give it a try.

It didn't take long and he pulled out his bike.  He was determined he was going to ride through this puddle and get to the other side.  But, the more he tried, the muddier it became and I was certain his chances of getting across were becoming less and less.

Look at the mud on his back!!  He was soaked through.  Those clothes went into the wash all by themselves!

Well, until another day!

P.S.  Since these photo's were taken, Caleb has learned to ride his bike WITHOUT the training wheels...

In Christ,