Survivor Plainwell

I made it!!! The week is over and I feel like I've been given the immunity necklace or whatever it is they have on that show (I did actually watch a season or so, but it's been a while). We actually did pretty well flying single parent. I hit panic yesterday when the real estate agent called to say someone wanted to see the house today, but my super-mom flew in to help out and the house actually looked the best it has in a long time (also thanks to KS bi-weekly cleaning yesterday which was lucky timing). Also good timing, yesterday I had ~1 hour of nothing and decided randomly to clean the barn. Only minor problem, when I got home tonight, it didn't appear as if anyone had been here. Usually they shut off all the lights and leave a business card - none found. I will be moderately irritated if they didn't show - unneeded stress and time spent cleaning. Oh well, at the least, Steve will come home to a clean house.
Also making life more bearable, todays ambient temp was a balmy 77F. Life is always better when it's warm.
So I've finally finished all my calls today, except for the one I had to reschedule for tomorrow since I had so many emergencies this afternoon. 10:30 is just about the right time for dinner and a few reebs. Yummy egg salad.
Ok, my eyes are crossing. This rambling needs to end before I get kicked off Survivor Plainwell.

Biker Babes

Yeah, I got out my cranky, uncooperative camera and got some shots of the girls because I'm just too proud of them. After only 2 days of practicing, they are both proficient at riding their bikes without training wheels! This amazes me because if I remember back to when I was learning to ride my banana bike, (yes, sadly this was a long, long time ago. Like 25 years!) I remember my mom jogging up and down the road for many days hanging onto the back of my bike and then letting go. Do you remember that mom? So anyways, these two chicas figured it out pretty fast and without much help. My poor pregnant babysitter (Hannah) was the first to inspire them with her sister's old bikes. Then when we got home, I helped them out a bit. Two days later they went back to Hannah's parent's house and rode again. When I got home that day, Gabby was a pro and Rylee was on her way. One of the cutest things for me, was watching Rylee out my kitchen window trying to get it down. She's definately persistent. If Gabby can do something, so can she! About a day later she was doing great too. So here's some pics from a proud mom. Oh yeah, they didn't have helmets when I went out, so we had a discussion:) Don't worry, I've heard the E.R. stats.

YEAH!

I feel like a 50lb weight just got lifted off my shoulders. The guy from Washington accepted our offer to come on as our 3rd vet!!!!! After several let-downs, this is such exciting and relieving news. Unfortunately, he can't start yesterday, but he'll be here mid-July. This is definately an answer to prayer!

Steve's gone to Vancouver, Canada for this next week. Yikes, it could (and already has gotten) get crazy at the Bennecke ranch. Time to put on the super-mom cape:) Hopefully the hubby snags a nice bear to replace the stolen one. He needed some time in God's peaceful and quiet creation.

Ok, I'm outie 5000. Maybe soon I'll get my act together and post pictures. Oh yeah, Steve has the camera and SBM card.

Quickie

I'm procrastinating doing invoices, inventory, and marketing. Good thing I took one business class at Barry. Gotta love having your own business, argh, I think I've created a monster. Part of my "marketing strategy" has involved the fact that I'm basically the only all-ambulatory vet in the area. Everyone else has fancy haul-in clinics that are really nice, but also cost a pretty penny which drives up their rates. Mine on the other hand can be quite a bit lower and I still make money. So with our thriving economy, it seems more people are looking for the "bargain vet":)
So still too busy for my liking. We should know by Friday if the new vet grad from Washington is going to take the job. I'm crossing every finger and toe and praying hard.
Had a great weekend. Finally 60F!!!! Great friend Saioa from Barry University days is doing a 6 week OB/GYN residency internship in Grand Rapids which is super cool! She's freezing as her home base is Hawaii. So it was great hanging out. The girls loved her as Sai is just the loveable sort:) We look forward to seeing her more in the next several weeks.
The kids are starting to learn how to ride their bikes without training wheels. I wonder if my mom was a nervous about this as I find myself? I never even owned a helmet. Now I'm chasing the girls all over the driveway and yard trying to be sure they don't bite the big one. They both can go a few feet without me now and it's only been 1 day. We're excited for AYSO soccer to start soon too. They were kicking the ball around with the dogs and doing well, so it should be fun.
Oh well, business calls. Gotta run.

Where did the "Freetime" go?

Apparently it's melting with the snow. Which I'm not complaining about the onset of spring. This winter was way too long, cold, white, and depressing. You know you live in Michigan when it's March and ~50F and you come home to your kids wearing tank tops, shorts and flip flops! Heatwave! I hated to break it to them, but we could still see more snow.
Things here have been so crazy busy I don't even know what to think or do. Partially b/c two of the last three weeks I've had to work 5 days b/c the boss is gone. But spring is also the beginning of people realizing they have beasts in their backyards with four legs that they want to ride again. Spring shots and blood draw for horses is here! Yeah for money in my pocket, booo for sanity. It hasn't been an easy decision, but I think my four-legged beasts in the backyard are going to have to be sold. I need to de-clutter my life somehow and as I see it I can't get rid of the kids, job, husband, or house so the horses are about the only option. It's sad b/c we've had Daisy for 8 years now and her first baby Dakota is now 6 years old and the biggest sweetie. I'm really hoping to give my old mare Celeste to a friend nearby. She is my favorite horse to ride so if the friend will take her, then at least I can visit and ride. The horse market is terrible, so maybe no one will want them - hayburners. We'll see what happens.
That's about all the freetime I have right now. I'm going to bed I think. I hate going to bed before 11pm, but I've had three 15hour days this week and my shoulder is burning. Please pray things work out and we are able to hire a new vet this spring!

The Champ

C.J. and Ry

NaNa and C.J.

Poppy with C.J. and Caleb - his two grandsons!

Seems like everyone is updating on their kiddos lately, so here's the latest on the youngest since Ry was last time.

So Casey is like a dream child. He is such a good little guy even when he's sick - which unfortunately has been more often than any mom would like. He's almost 4 months old now. He's quite large compared to his agemates - about 16 lbs. This has been a good thing for mom and dad's muscles, but not so good if it's a long distance to carry him in his carseat (20+ lbs). He loves to laugh and giggle and is freely gives out smiles to everyone. He really likes his big sisters, but has recently discovered hair is a fun thing to pull and gets a very loud response. He's getting to the stage where he likes to play with things like an exersaucer or activity mat, etc. He can roll from tummy to back but not vice-versa. I'm worried he'll be an early mover. Kel, I read your blog, and don't read the next part or you'll be really jealous:) C.J. will sleep between 8-10 hours most nights, occasionally less, but a quick feeding or pacifier placement puts him back to sleep til morning. All in all, #3 has been a great experience thus far. I can't imagine life without my little man. I tease Steve that I have a new boyfriend:) He doesn't seem to mind.