Hopkins County Steer Show

What a week!!!! We've survived a milestone birthday AND a steer show....and did it with style:-) But first, the best news of all....Josiah should be coming home Wednesday!!!!! He is doing well and if he has no major issues between now and then, we'll go pick him up and bring him home that day! He no longer has the feeding tube! I am excited and a little nervous too. WHY? It's not like I haven't ever done this before. He's about the size Samuel was when we brought him and Rachel home and yet I feel like I'm bringing home a baby for the first time. Maybe it's just because of how early they were and what problems they have had and could have, but I have to realize that fear and anxiety is not from God. I must remind myself to rest in Him and trust Him for the outcome. I mean, hasn't He proven that over and over with these boys? So I will remind myself what He has brought us through so far and know that He doesn't leave us just because we are bringing the boys home. The nurse last night seemed to think Gideon could possibly come home the next Wednesday. He is doing better on his oxygen and hopefully they will lower that again this week. He has taken a bottle the past two days. The kids are getting excited about meeting their brothers for the first time!!

The kids (Aaron, Rachel and Samuel) showed their steers last night at our county show. This is what they work all year to prepare for. Aaron got 4th in his class, out of 6. Rachel was in the same class and got 2nd. Samuel was in a different class and got 1st place! Then he made Reserve Champion!!!! (This is the 2nd best steer of the 24 steers that were there) He was SO excited!! Rachel won this award last year, so he had already declared it was his turn! So now they both have a championship belt buckle. I guess next year will be Aaron's turn to get a buckle. Rachel also won Intermediate Showmanship for the 2nd year in a row. This is where the judge is looking at the kids and not the animals. It still surprises me a little when Rachel walks in the ring. She is so calm, no matter what her animal does. She has an air of confidence about her and...oh yeah.... and then she smiles! Seriously....what judge wouldn't pick her! Her whole face lights up and her eyes sparkle and suddenly I see what a mature and beautiful young lady she has become! It's an awesome thing to see. Aaron did really well in showmanship as well. He and Rachel and another young man we have shown with for years were the top 3 in showmanship. I think all 3 bring out the best in each other! That's what I love about showing. They are all very competitive but when they step out of the ring they slap hands and congratulate each other for doing so well. Oh, and all 3 Stanley's made the SALE!!! Woo-Hoo! That's what they've been working for all year. So today we go for the sale and awards. Rachel will get a blanket for winning showmanship and Samuel will get his belt buckle! I'll go see the babies tomorrow since I can't breathe today, after being in the barn all day yesterday! Good times!