Cows 1, Sarah 0

We just started calving this last weekend and have about 5 calves so far. On Sunday I was out with Bryan, and Casey and Dustin were here visiting. We finally got all of the cows and heifers into the calving lot. We walked through all the cows in the lot and got to see 2 of the new calves. Then we headed into the barn to move a cow and her calf that was born the night before. Issac had fallen asleep in his carseat, so we left him to sleep in the warming shed for a few minutes while we moved the cows. Bryan went to open the barn door and asked me to bring the cow and calf through. As soon as I moved my arms to turn the cow around, she charged at me. I remember having my hands on her forehead as she charged at me, and backing up as fast as I could. She knocked me to the ground, and as soon as she left I got up and ran out of that pen. But I felt some ribs crackling around when I took a breath, and it was painful to talk and breathe, so I told Bryan that I better go get checked out.

Tim, Kristi, Jeff, and Kim were here in no time, and they took me down to the emergency room in Harlowton. Bryan rode with me in the ambulance, Cindy and Marvin took Issac, and Dustin and Casey met us at the hospital. I had a beautiful shiner that swelled my right eye closed. The x-rays showed 2 broken ribs, #7 and 8 on the left side. I got some pain medication, and they told me to take it easy. Ribs will take 4-6 weeks to heal completely, so I'll be home for a few weeks. The hardest part is not being able to pick up Issac right now. I won't post a picture of the eye, Bryan doesn't want to take one.

Laughing Boys

4 Months & Maddy the Stock Dog

Issac had his 4 month check-up and immunizations yesterday. We went early and visited the nursing home-they all just loved it, and almost everyone got a smile! He weighs 15 pounds now, and has grown to 25 inches long! He just learned how to make razzing noises, so that has been his favorite entertainment lately. He also enjoys rolling around on the floor, chewing on anything he can get his hands on, and being naked! We tried to feed him some rice cereal a few days ago, but he just wanted to spit it out. I guess we'll just keep trying.

Maddy had her first official cowdog training last weekend. We attended the stock dog clinic at the Winter Fair in Lewistown. Bryan and Maddy got to work with a lady who trains stock dogs, Sarah and Issac sat in the car about half of the time since it was below zero all day. We all learned a lot, and now have a good idea of where to start with her training. She has a good start, but now we have a better idea of how to get her to do what we want her to do around the cows.

Issac's First Sled Ride

What a beautiful day! After the 50-60 mph winds last night, the day turned out great. Temperatures in the 30s, and almost no wind. We all needed some fresh air, so Issac got to go for his first sled ride. Bryan was out working in the corral, so we found a smooth drift nearby and went sledding.

Winter Poem

In the spirit of the latest blizzards:

It's winter in Montana
And the gentle breezes blow
Seventy miles an hour
At twenty-five below.

Oh, how I love Montana
When the snow's up to your butt
You take a breath of winter
And your nose gets frozen shut.

Yes, the weather here is wonderful
So I guess I'll hang around
I could never leave Montana
'Cause I'm frozen to the ground!

Happy New Year!

Happy 2009! May this new year be wonderful for all, a new beginning for hope, faith, love, peace, and happiness.

This was included in an e-mail I received from one of my best friends:
Here's an thoughtful article about chosing a word for the year, instead of a traditional resolution. I think I might try it.
http://christinekane.com/blog/resolution-revolution-a-better-way-to-start-your-year/

Christ Bell

THE BELL

I KNOW WHO I AM

I am God's child (John 1:12)

I am Christ's friend (John 15:15 )

I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)

I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20)

I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)

I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8)

I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt 5:13-14)

I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)

I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)

I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil 3:20)

I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31 -34)

I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor 5:17-21)

I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)

I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)

I cannot be sepa rated from the love of God (Rom 8:35-39)

I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor 1:21-22 )

I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28 )

I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16 )

I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12 )

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)

I am the branch of20the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)

I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)

I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). I have been justified (Romans 5:1)

I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)

I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil. 1: 5)

I have been redeemed and forgiven ( Col 1:14). I have been adopted as God's child (Eph 1:5)

I belong to God

Do you know

Who you
are?