Dealing with disappointment

Well, it was a VERY long week last week. I knew it would be, but you just don't realize the full extent of getting ready for a stock show until you are in the throes of it. Admittedly, I didn't even do very much to help get the pig ready for the show. Kevin and Abby were in charge of loading him up in the trailer, hauling him to town, unloading him at the show barn, penning him, washing him, clipping him, walking him, feeding him, etc...I kept the boys at the house as long as I could, but 1) I was feeling left out of everything and 2) Byron couldn't stay away very long either. So, up to the coliseum we headed. The idea of having an open barn consisting of about 75% dirt was heaven on earth for my little 3 yr old. I lost him every time I turned around. Collin was my main concern, although I did end up letting him play on the floor and in the dirt. Please don't judge me for that. I can only hold a 9 month old who is desperately trying to push away from me to get down on the floor for so long. He didn't put anything in his mouth or even get close to anything that would make even a farm mom cringe....I think.....but I am not going to dwell on that.

After all was said and done, the outcome from the show was not what we had hoped for. There were five classes of Hampshire breed pigs consisting of about 9 pigs per class. Abby ended up 9th out of 9 in her class. I think I am still more upset about it than she is. The whole point of it is that it doesn't really matter what kind of body you are trying to accomplish by feeding all the right stuff for 3 or 4 months. Even if you end up with what you think is a perfect hog, your opinion may be completely different from that of the judge that ends up at the show. Well, apparently, that was the case. Funny thing to me was that Abby stood at the edge of the show ring for a while after she was done showing and that judge asked her if she wanted to help him judge. She thought that was pretty cool, so she said yes. When he asked her what kind of pig she liked, she told him she didn't like flabby pigs, but smoothly muscled pigs (the kind she knew she raised). That judge said, "So do I".....

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!

You like the pig she described, the very pig she raised and you sifted her into LAST place?!?! Are you serious?!?! I couldn't believe it.... I still can't. But, in the end, what can you do? Really, all we can do is hope for a judge who thinks more like we do next time. And next time is THE BIG ONE--San Antonio. So we raise this pig for a few more weeks and pray for better results next time.

So here are a few pictures from the weekend. Hope you enjoy!!!

Byron loved when the lambs would start to nibble on his sleeve.One of the many, many, many times Mom told him to sit down.Collin had his own pen, but there was some complaint that there was no bedding in there. Well, not the pig kind of bedding.....But he enjoyed himself and drew MUCH attention from everyone.And this is how we felt after the week was over and then we decided to go to Abilene Saturday for a new washer and dryer! We are slowly working back into more sleep and the normal routine. Speaking of which....Good Night, All!

Wordless Sunday....

nephew, bil, niece, sil

An ATTEMPT to catch up....

The amazing snow and its angels....

The dog enjoyed it just as much....

Christmas Day 2009

Decorating the tree and time to give some love.....

The precious and mischevious tree-toppling culprits...

Aunt Dana & cousin Mattie

Uncle Sam

My older in age but younger looking sister....

Two of her four kids.

My niece Haley taught Byron to say, "I love you, but you smell."

Thanks Haley. Luckily, he has never said it to anyone but her...yet.

My Beautiful Mommy and Aunt

My granddad called them The Three Amigos. All 3 were born within a month--11/23, 12/3 & 12/23. We are lucky to get to celebrate together occasionally.

(My cousin Reid, Abby, and my nephew Rusty)

PawPaw, Abby and THE jewelry box.

I am trying to start 2010 off right by getting caught up. I don't have alot of time to organize all the pictures I download to this right now, but here are a few things that are included. I hope you are able to figure out what statement goes with which picture. I have added a few caption to clarify some pictures.

- Abby got a BEAUTIFUL jewelry box that was handcrafted by her grandfather, J.B. Tate, for her birthday. It is exceedingly better than anything you would ever be able to pick up in a store. I will elaborate on it at a later date...I hope.

-We had a FANTASTIC thanksgiving in Missouri with my sister and her kids, my mom, and my uncle and aunt and their kids. BEST THANKSGIVING EVER!!!!

- I took ONLY 3 pictures of our Christmas festivities at home. I didn't want to waste my time behind the camera, but I did take one of each of the children on that day.

- I wanted to take a picture of our family on the first day of the new year, but unfortunately, we (4 out of 5 of us) have been under the weather, ranging from just slightly nauseous to "when does the doctor's office open so we can start calling?". I will take a picture soon, but we did get one shortly before Christmas, which is quite good. Dad helped us decorate the tree, and, surprisingly, it ONLY toppled over twice....with help of course.

There are a few extra pictures that are not commented on--just fun stuff I wanted to include. I will try to clear that up later.