Goats, Llamas and a Dog or Two

This past Wednesday Katie and I went to our MOPS group's play date at May Farm. May Farm is a petting farm with oodles of goats, donkeys, chickens, roosters, cats, rabbits, beefalos, etc. This is the fourth year that we have gone and Katie always enjoys herself. When we were there this time I was reminiscing about our first time. Katie was just a little doodlebug and I was scared the goats, which you can feed, were going to snap her fingers off. But she made it with all digits intact.

 As soon as we arrived at May Farm, Katie made a beeline for the dog. Yes, there were goats and llamas and donkeys, but she wanted her picture taken with the dog.

 Katie and her friend McKenzie. "Pet animals?! No. We'd rather play in the sand."

 Waiting in line to ride the horse. They have to use the picnic table so they can get on him.

 II wanted to take a picture of Katie and McKenzie, but when McKenzie figured out what I was doing she absolutely refused to smile.

 Katie and her friend Zoey. McKenzie had changed her mind at last minute and did not want to ride the horse with anyone else. Zoey, bless her little heart, was happy to ride with Katie. That little girl has such a good heart and I see it on a regular basis when she and Katie play.

 Katie, Zoey, Miss May and the horse.

 Katie feeding a llama.

Here's Mr. Photogenic. I remember this ham from last time we were at May Farm.

Last night we had some friends over for steaks on the grill. I discovered this wonderful marinade that works on steak, chicken and pork. It is Jack Daniels Honey Teriyaki and it comes in a zip lock bag, which allows you to marinade your meat without using a bowl. Unfortunately when I was in Wal-Mart the other day, they stopped carrying that particular flavor of Jack Daniels marinade. Of course. I guarantee if I really like something, be it perfume, lotion, candle scent, nail polish, mascara, etc., it will be discontinued. I guess that means I have unique taste (unique=crappy). Back to last night. Our friends, who are a husband and wife, currently have five children. They do foster care for medically needy children. Over the last few years, they have had 10 different children in their home. They have adopted two boys who are now 6 and 4 and currently have three foster babies ages 18 months, 9 months and 4 months. As mentioned, the five little boys are labeled medically needy because they suffer the effects of drug-abusing mothers. The number of illegal drugs and illegally gained prescription drugs that were consumed by these pregnant women had me going, "What the hell." The two older boys have made progress, but all three babies have neurological damage (just to name one issue of the many) with two of them having various vision problems including being legally blind. Here's a kicker. The piece-of-shit woman who gave birth to the 9 month old is pregnant again. Can you say forced sterilization? Anyway, you look at those little faces and you would never guess how rough life has been for them from the moment that they were born. Our friends obviously have incredibly big hearts. Going to the endless therapy appointments, doctor appointments, case worker appointments and legal appointments is a full-time job. Shortly after the 18 month old's birth, he started going through withdrawals and almost died. How could anybody care that little about a human life? It's is no different than murder albeit slower. The father of the 18 month old is trying to get custody of the boy and let me tell you the biological father is as bad of an addict as the biological mother. Furthermore he doesn't believe there is anything wrong with the child. If the bio. father is in denial he will never seek help for his son, such as physical and occupational therapy. Anyway, we had a very nice evening minus the horror stories of the boys.

On to more uplifting subjects. I took pictures of Katie yesterday and I thought I would share. Be warned that the color and clarity in the pictures are off.

 Katie and Cody. Both are growing so much.

 Outdoor ballet recital

Our little doodlebug.

Today I went into Abilene to buy flowers from Lowe's. Katie remained home with Rick and it was so nice to actually take my time and look at things. It was like a mini, mini vacation. Anyway, it just so happened that Lowe's just clearanced out flats of petunias. I got four flats and some other types of flowers. I have to wait to plant them since we have had double digit temperatures (105--111 degrees) the last two days. My mother-in-law warned me if I plant in the heat of the day, the flowers will wilt and it will take about 3 weeks for them to recover. She advised me to plant in the evening that way they have at least one night to get used to their new home before the sun bakes them. I look forward to the yard, outdoor living area and fairy garden blooming with color.

Got to go. Dinner will be kielbasa kebobs on the grill. I know I am forgetting to tell you something of interest . . .hmmmm.