What Did You Do Today?

At least once a day Nick calls to visit. He’s currently at Fort Ripley taking his BLC (Basic Leadership Course) virtually. Another thanks to COVID-19. Nick isn’t one to sit in front of a computer, but unfortunately, that’s his new normal for three weeks as he works on advancing to Sergeant.

Nick and I were multitasking and had bouts of silence. Typically I would end a call once silence began. Not so much anymore. A few times over the last 10 days we’ve both hung on the line while doing what we were doing. As kids wonder in and out I pass the phone off until it’s returned back to me.

Today Noah hopped into Dad’s rocking chair and carried on a conversation.

A few minutes pass and Noah laughs. “Know what I’m going to ask you next?”

“What did you do today?”

Noah is so very interested in his Dad’s daily activities. Not so much the computer stuff.

“Do you think the corona stuff will clear up before you go?”

“You’ll really be gone for a year then huh?”

I think he’s starting to come to realization. The last two nights he hasn’t been able to fall asleep. Too many bad dreams. Dad’s spot will be kept warm until he returns. 

Everybody Loves Charmin

After the last fruit went home I told Nick we wouldn’t foster any more pups until after he leaves for the Army.

Then this came across my feed. I showed her to Nick and staled our claim to foster three little fluff.

Snowy was quickly renamed to Charmin. She’s a six week old unknown breed. Incredibly snuggly with her soft white hair. She came to the rescue with a broken right rear leg. Xrays showed a significant gap between her bones and the vet said no rush to amputate. Let’s see how she does. I bandage her leg with self-adhesive wrap and did my best to keep her still.

It wasn’t long before she started jumping out of the clothes basket and hobbling around chasing the Belle and Lena.

She was given temporary wheels to help her stay off her leg yet be mobile enough to be a puppy.

She hated them!

We are now on having Fluffy/Charmin/Peanut/Killer/Bauer for a month. In two weeks she gets a follow up X-ray to determine next steps. She gets around great like her leg was never broken.

Meet the Fosters

I offered to foster dogs but because we don’t have a fence, we couldn’t be foster.

Loop hole found...

Puppies!

Sam and I volunteered to foster a 4 month old puppy. When we got there I offered to take two and then said I might as well take all three that were transported in the same kennel. At 4am Sam and I were bathing out there new foster pups from the Oklahoma fruit litter. 

They were scared and would cower away when we entered the room. During the two weeks they stayed with us they were loved and spoiled. Apple went to live with our friends Matt and Lindsay Sheldon. Peaches moved by LaCrosse and Banana headed north to Inver Grove Heights.

They were a savior for Distance Learning and keeping butts seated to work on school. Thankfully Apple visits often. 

Rescue Road Trip

After adopting Lena, I offered to help Emotional Rescue with transports from Eden Prairie to Hastings. Shannon, the founder and heart of Emotional Rescue asked if any volunteers would be willing to pick up a newly paralyzed dog from Hot Springs, South Dakota. Road trip?! Heck ya I jumped on that.

Seth and I headed out in the early afternoon to sight see a bit before the 9am pickup the following morning. Seth drove all the way to the Badlands at which point I took over some I knew the roads and was just there a year ago with Nick and the other three kids. (Seth stayed back to go to the races). We took in the sheer peace and quiet of the deserted Badlands. We were a week or two into the COVID-19 outbreak and the start of the Shelter in Place orders.

I wasn’t too concerned with the drive and exposure. It was a great way to have alone time with my boy.

Our trip from the Badlands through the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Indian Reservations was quite interesting. The sun was almost setting and effectively blinding us from the road. Washboards vibrates the suburban and soupy mud bogs pulled us all over the dirt road. 

We booked a single night at Bluebird Mesa through Airbnb. It was such a cute place. I’d love to go back. No contact whatsoever. Door was unlocked, keys on the table.

Large windows offering panoramic views. Spacious bathroom and a kitchenette.

The next morning we picked up Anuk. A young dog who sustained so much in her lifetime. From recently becoming paralyzed, old gun shot wounds, trauma healing at different stages. She was scared.

From there, we headed for home. 

Anuk has since adjusted to her new wheels and is even starting to show movement in her hind legs.

How extremely gratifying! I can’t wait to go on another rescue road trip. 

Lena’s Home

This last February we adopted a two year old German Shepherd, named Lena, from Emotional Rescue in Hastings for Sam. She was found in the Badlands full of mange, sadness and lacking hair, amongst other issues I’m sure. 

After eight months of care, medication, love and a soft place to lay at Emotional Rescue, Lena came home to us. She fits in great with the family and tolerates Noah’s close snuggles. She loves attention and learns pretty quick.

Slowly but surely those ears are perking up, right where a German Shepherd ears are expected to be.

Duck ~ Duck ~ Chicks

Since Seth found two wild ducklings by the river, or flock has been steadily growing.

One duckling had a brief interaction with Belle that left Duck Duck all alone. Seth and Sam rushed me off to Tractor Supply to buy Duck Duck a friend. Unfortunately Tractor Supply didn’t have any ducklings so we left with the minimum purchase of four baby chicks and uneducated guesses of what to feed them. No food, only snacks, and no bedding. But we grabbed electrolytes to add to their water. Ha

Fast forward two weeks. Oh, I forgot to mention that somewhere in there, Seth finally caught Tractor Supply with baby ducklings. We now have three ducklings.  We picked up a free rabbit hutch. Set up a play-yard around it and built a ramp so they can be outside. 

Great right?!

Not so much. Belle is persistent and somehow pulled three of the four chicks out of the pen. Sam had taken the ramp out earlier so they had no way to safety. 

Seth heads straight to Tractor Supply and brings four more home. The next day, Seth and Sam bring home another four chicks.

We are now a farm of 9 chickens, 3 ducks, 4 dogs and one cat.

Going nowhere fast

What do you do on a hot day when you are bored in the pool? Be like Sam and paddle board. 

This girl cracks me up with her goofiness and carefree self. She’s all about finding her own fun. 

She’ll be going nowhere fast. 

Lucky Number Seven

My baby boy is seven! Look at that smile! He’s such a sweet loving boy.

Highlights to bring six

• Playing Mite Hockey
• Favorite position is goalie
• Learning to swim
• Losing his first tooth
• Flying to Florida
• Going to NASA
• Starting 1st Grade at Kennedy Elementary
• Experiencing Distance Learning and hating it. 
• South Dakota/Wyoming camping trip
• Ohio’s Cedar Point Amusements Park
• Jet boat to Put-in-Bay
• Waterfalls of Watkins Glen Upstate New York
• Bennington, Vermont
• Boston, Massachusetts Observation Deck and Cheers
• Orange County Choppers
• Punxsutawney Phil
• Amish Country
• Wisconsin Dells
• Broken foot from launching from a trampoline
• Driving dad’s farm tractor

His favorite things to do

• Watch Roblox videos on YouTube
• Play Farming Simulator on PlayStation
• Veg in front of YouTube
• Ride his cool new green glowing bike
• Play with foster pups
• Shoot BB guns with Dad

A Mother’s Hug

The kiddos seem to be doing well with Dad leaving. We talk about him a lot. Comparing my dinner skills to his. What the chicken would have tasted like if Dad made it. Where exactly he lays in bed. What he is doing.

Today feels no different than him being gone at his annual training. I’ve been giving out a lot more hugs to the kids. Trying my best to keep in mind that now isn’t the time to push. I need to hug them. They are dealing with something so much larger than they are used to. Figuring out what their new normal will be. Wondering when they get to hear their Daddy’s voice again. When they can hug him again. 

A hug is so therapeutic. We did a lot of that yesterday. Why stop?

We managed to keep our tears in check until Grandma went in for a hug. Her voice broke as she said goodbye in her son’s ear. With that, our eyes welled. I honestly cannot recall the last time I’ve ever seen them hug.

For now, I’ll hold them tight. Everyday. 

Deployment Day

It’s been a little over a year since Nick shared his possible deployment with us. 

It seemed so far away.

Today is the day. I don’t like today. I don’t think anyone does. 

It was difficult to say goodbye. Even more so after Grandma Linda said her tearful goodbye. 

May 2021 is forever away.