It is very understanding why Althletes can be so superstitious.  There are many uncontrollable variables that truly impact the outcome of an athletic competition.  This is especially true for equestrians.  Not only are humans susceptible to mood swings and hormone surges, so are horses.  In addition, the horse and the rider need to be in top top shape to compete.  If one is not then things will be less then optimal.  Since this is an outdoor sport the weather has a great deal of influence on the horses ability to compete.  The events basically go on in rain, snow, wind storms, blazing heat, freezing cold etc.  There are very few weather related elements that prevent a show from occurring. Horses are very sensitive animals.  They are not only sensitive to the attitude of the rider and all of the other horses around him/her, but also to the weather.  They can get hyper in certain types of whether and sluggish at other times.  If one is a control freak - who likes to know that they can work their rear-end off and then they will be rewarded with success commiserate with their level of preparation - then this is not the sport for that person.  It is really hard when one is a control freak parent, who feels the need to see their child consistently improving with every competition.  None of this bunny hot stuff.  Yet that happens here in the horse world all of the time.  

All in all, Horse People are just different.  They have to be to survive.  They work so hard that I am literally amazed that they can function at the end of the day.  Yet, after all of that work a simple bad day on behalf of the horse can mean that the days work is all for naught.  Spending so much time at horse competitions has made me a little superstitious as well.  I hate being superstitious.  I feel like it is a pile of phony baloney.  (I type this as I knock on wood).  I have tried the "fake it till you make it" positive attitude.  The hold my breath until it is all over and ignore everything attitude.  The expect the worst and then you will always be happy attitude and none of them have panned out.

This is my awakening.  Two weeks ago when were here at this show I prayed for one of my daughter's horses.  An honest pleading with the Lord for help.  This horse has been trouble ever since we got her over a year ago.  The next day the vet performed an ultra sound on her legs and found nothing wrong.  She was fine.  Then, her trainers decided that they just needed to show her intensely so that she would go lame again and then we could figure out what is making her lame.  They put her through the wringer last week.  Yesterday my daughter jumped her in a class and today she will be jumping her again.  I cannot ignore that the power of prayer has been the one thing that has been a constant here.  I have found peace.  I used to be so stressed out - mostly because I feel like if she doesn't win every class my husband is going to be unhappy.  But I don't care what he thinks anymore.  I not longer let his negative energy push my buttons and I am filled with the peace of knowing that if Annika is meant to go to Young Riders she will be able to go.  That as long as Annika can keep a positive attitude and as long as she remains humble and has faith, that God will provide.  I have seen this through Anka.

I believe that I need to give credit where credit is due.  This is just an analogy for me that applies to life.  Annika works as hard as she can.  We do everything we humanly can to prepare the horse and she does all she can to prepare herself.  Heavenly Father makes up for the difference.  This is true in all of our endeavors.  I am so blessed to have such a fantastic daughter, that we were directed to work with Lara Schleining and that Lara brought Garrett to the barn family.  We feel divine guidance in all of this.  We feel so fortunate that we are part of a barn that is so positive and uplifting.  We absolutely love being with everyone who is part of this barn family!

 QUESTION OF THE DAY . . . . 

How do I turn this. . . . .

 

Into this . . . .????????

I love how the "new year" means that every magazine has at least one article on "organization solutions."  My question is, where do you put the rest of your stuff????  Sure, if Bill and I had 7 pairs of pants, 14 shirts, 10 pairs of shoes, 11 sweaters, and 8 different bags and or hats this closet would be a dream.  Yet, if we only had that many items our closet would already be an organizational dream!   I have been through my closet and disposed of things that are not being used, or things I spent so much money on I could hardly part with (even though I never use it).

I am constantly trying to get my closet organized, and then once I do I go buy tons of new stuff.  What is up with that?  I have a friend who gets rid of something every time she buys something new.  What is the purpose of that?  The new seasonal colors are magnificent, so I buy some new shirts... but that means I have to get rid of perfectly good clothes that I like that I could still wear?  

I am afraid I am going to have to sell a kidney, and then take our closet to the next level.  Build a multi-level closet utilizing the attic space above my room.  I am sure the kidney won't cover all of the expenses, but maybe they would like my spleen too?  I don't think that is a very important organ.  People lose their spleens all of the time in car accidents when they don't use their seat belts and they seem to be doing alright.  I am O-, so I got that going for me -should be easy to find a buyer!

In the meantime I will practice my amazing ability to pull the same outfit out of my closet every time I get dressed.  Probably because it is on the end and is the only one I can reach!  Be kind when you see me wearing the same thing over and over.  I am organizationally challenged and I am very sensitive about my disability. :)

HOW MANY BLOGS CAN THAT GIRL DO IN ONE DAY?

It feels like I went all year without brushing my teeth and I have a dentist appointment coming up so I am going to brush my teeth 730 times before my next appointment. . . but in blogs.  Just making up for lost time, or I have really been bored and this seemed more fun than watching TV and I am too tired to read (despite the 5 tantalizing books that are sitting right next to my bed, waiting to be ophthalmologically devoured).  

Here's an idea:

A little distraction that is often called retail therapy. . . .

Loving these booties from MICHEAL Micheal Kors!!!

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My new go-to color!  This is the it color this year!

Both items can be found at bloomingdales.com YUMMY!

January 12, 2015

Horse season is starting again.  Cha Ching!  Gearing up for this season is pretty exciting.  If everything goes as we hope, Annika will be going to Kentucky in July! Time is moving so quickly!

I am trying to think of ways to earn extra money to help pay for the horse show expenses.   As a "homemaker" I know how important my role is in being a stable presence at home.  I watched my brothers careen out of control in their teenage years and, unfortunately, they had a lot of freedom to do so because we had a family business and my parents had to work very hard.  I know I cannot control the choices that my children make or the futures paths that they will follow.  I do know that I am blessed to be here to hopefully guide them in the right direction.  If nothing else to set an example and remind them of how precious they are.  So, it's a dilemma.  Earn money from home is more of an option than it used to be - but I don't even know where to start.  I suppose that would be prayer.  After all God knows me better than I know myself and he also knows what is out there that I can do.

James 1:5
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

Just so you know, I will be asking!

January 8, 2015

Blogging is not my strongest suit.  Here goes another attempt.....  

Over the years certain phrases have been particularly poignant to me.  When I was first diagnosed with Lupus, a friend of mine asked me if I had figured out my "new normal."  In that instance she was, of course, speaking about what physical pain would be "just the usual" and what would be more than usual living with Lupus.  However, I can see the application of this question in so many other areas of my life.  It is now my favorite "go to" question.  As our children get older, and as our family changes with each new stage in their lives I am constantly evaluating our family based on the question of whether or not this is "a new normal."  

When I regard things that (as in the serenity prayer) I need to accept and I cannot change, I accept those things as our new normal.  I suppose that seems so simple and a little rhetorical.  It is probably what sane people do subconsciously. However, in the past, I have found myself stuck in a destructive loop of thinking that life basically stays the same and we all just have to "get through the tough stuff." I see now that those tough stages create permanent changes in all of us.  Regardless of how I react, if I fight it or if I learn from it, it will still create a "new normal" in my life.  There is no "going back." There is no "the good ole' days."  Trying to go backwards in life is like trying to undo plastic surgery.  

Haven't blogged for a while.....

Kind of at in a rough patch.  Had to get through some briars and thorns to get this far.  Hopefully, things will start to settle down.  What to do when your child does not believe in God?  Not just religion, but actually doubts the existence of God???  I am perplexed.  I understand teenage rebellion - very well in fact.  But regardless of my rebelliousness, I always knew there was a higher power I would have to answer to and could also turn to for help.  He has helped me so much in my life - "deserving" or not.  He helps me every day.  He is my reason for moving forward.  He is my inertia.  I can't imagine how dreary life would be without him.  And I am scared for my child who insists on ignoring his presence.  I know I can only keep trying to teach him.  And keep trying to help him see how much Heavenly Father loves him.  But in the end it will be something else that will drive him to his Lord and Savior.  I only hope that it isn't devastating.  I have such a strong testimony that my Heavenly Father has been there for me.  He has guided me in my life and he has helped me to be who I am today.  I love my child with all of my heart.  My heart is aching for him to have a better relationship with his Heavenly Father.  I am praying fervently for Heavenly Father to soften his heart and let His love in.  I am thankful for my own testimony and my ability to have the faith that someday Heavenly Father will be able to reach this very precious spirit.

Family.....

My babies are growing up.  Annika is almost 16.  Andrew is starting to grow facial hair.  How much time have I wasted nagging them?  How much time have I wasted being too busy with housework or other tedious tasks?  Why didn't I just stop and play a game when Andrew asked?  Now he doesn't want to play board games anymore.  Why didn't I go on a walk with Annika?  Or just go outside with them?  How many "no's" and "maye later's" could have just as easily been "Yes's?"

I feel like when Cassie died something died inside of me too.  I was so tired and sad.  I just haven't been able to find my new "normal."  I haven't found my groove.  When the kids were little we used to dance, and have so much fun.  We would sing out loud with the music blasting while I cooked dinner.  We would cuddle at night and read books.  Unfortunately, I was also dragging them around to the mall and other stores when I was bored at the house.  Then, after Cassie died I barely even did that.  I remember Drew saying, "mom why are you always so tired?  You never used to be tired."  He was only eight at the time and that broke my heart to bits.

I am still tired all of the time.  But more than anything, now that Annika and Drew are teenagers I sometimes find myself hiding from the drama of it all -- in the bathroom.  (where I am right now)   So I am thinking - what am I hiding from?  What am I missing?  It isn't always fun dealing with teenage drama.  Especially when your husband works 16 hour days and only wants to come home to a quiet house, where everyone is excited to see him and there are no issues.  Virtually a world that does not exist with teenagers.  No matter what I do I cannot make it so.  But even so it is LIFE.  I missing their lives.  The good, the bad and the ugly.  What happens when I spend all of their teenage years hiding in the bathroom?  What kind of an example am I setting?  What kind of relationships am I building?  I suppose the same could be said of hiding behind household chores, books, computer work, scrapbooking, etc.  The funny thing is that when I am really in the bathroom for legitimate reasons I am always being summoned as if I were just leisurely typing on my computer, or reading.  I have ruined my bathroom time.

Right now Drew is spending the night at a friends, Annika is riding her horse, and Christopher is with the sitter downstairs playing games.  The dogs are all in time out for trying to escape earlier and then trying to eat the UPS man - who we really rely on here in the little Rogue Valley.  The house in a complete disarray.  Dust is everywhere (remodeling).  My desk is a mess - papers all over it.  Bill is on his way home, we have a party we have to go to.  And I just want to stay here in the bathroom and cry over all the years I lost when my children were mere babes.

I suppose this venting will have to do for now.  Hopefully my children will forgive me someday for being such a slothful mother.  A nag, an escapee, and a "tired" mom.  For now I will just try to be better - one day at a time.  Starting with turning off this computer and getting out of the bathroom and spending time with Christopher.

Moving forward

In Sacramento at the last horse show of the year.  We are going out with a bang.  Annika is rocking it, and I am spending way too much!

lately I have been pondering my lack of wisdom.  I haven't done much to better myself.  I have just been on a merry-go-round, doing the same actions over and over without any new knowledge or activities.  My new goal is to start personal growth again.  Reading books, working out, and trying to be a better person.  I suppose it is easy to get in a rut sometimes.  Especially when you live your life primarily for your family. Aside from getting my hair done and buying clothes I shouldn't buy, I don't do anything for my own personal enrichment.  My mind is going to start to rot if I am not careful! I could stand to be more healthy also.  I was totally off pop and then I started drinking it again.  It totally tears my body up. That along with the sugar is horrible for my Lupus - and my figure!  So, starting now it is time to begin my personal growth. . . . I'll let you know how it goes!

Annika and Anka kicking butt at the Del Mar horse show.  What a beautiful pair!  After today's show we spent the rest of the day in La Jolla shopping at the galleries.  We found some great art for the billiard room!  I just hope Bill loves it as much as Annika and I do.  I can't believe it is already Thursday night.  We only have a few days left here, the time has flown by.  It is so beautiful down here.  But I won't miss the traffic!  As usual, as the summer winds down I find myself several pounds heavier.  All of this travel is hard on an "older" girl's waistline.  When we get home it is time to hit the gym hard! It is going to be weird coming home and sending the kids off to school the next morning.  I always miss them when they are away at school.  I am sad at how fast time is passing.  I just want to make the most of every moment we have them at home.  They are growing up too fast!

Drew's new hobby is so exciting!  I am already looking up racing schools I can go to.  It looks like so much fun!  He is a natural.  And he loves milk!  Watch out Tony Stewart!

The travels continue....

Getting ready for another horse show.  This one is in Del Mar, ca.  I always seem to have to little time to prepare! Especially when Annika and Drew start school the day after we get back!  Yikes!  How am I going to have time for them to be prepared?  I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to get everything ready, but it still not enough time!  I hope she has a good experience this go around.  Doing only equitation has been hard on her.  She wants to be doing Grand Prix today.  I suppose if I am going to be worth anything I will get some sleep. 😁

Good-byes

Today is the first of the sad anniversaries.  It is the anniversary of the day that Cassie was stabbed and beginning of her end.  Two weeks later she was shot by her husband.  I just recently learned that she spoke to the EMTs when they picked her up.  She never spoke again.  She officially died on the 27th. Justin also died this month.  He died on the 16th, a few years after Cassie died, from a seizure due to bullet fragments in his frontal lobe.  Our only consolation is that Justin spent the 5 years after being shot completely changing his life.  He became a preacher and wrote a book about addiction. He remarried and had two beautiful little boys.  August 30th is Justin's birthday and September 1st is Cassie's birthday.

This past week being with my cousins was bittersweet.  I adore them and love being with them.  However, the youngest is Cassie's age and she reminds me so much of her.  There are three sisters - just like there used to be in my family.  Now we are down to one, me.  (My other sister died in 1992 in a car accident, she was hit by a drunk driver).  Ironically, the deaths of my siblings has made me even more reclusive.  I used be such a good friend.  Now I am the worst.  Most friends give up on me, save a very precious few.  (Note to the precious few - YOU ARE AWESOME!)

Everyone reacts differently to death.  Bill sees it all the time at work.  His perspective is different from mine.  After Mandy died I decided to live my life to the fullest.  I no longer gave into my fears.  Her death inspired me to be fearless.  When Cassie died things changed.  I had to fight battles I never imagined I would have to. Her death literally changed my entire family. (After years of court battles we were able to adopt her then 18 month old son).  The battles wore me out.  I was empty.  Then, when Justin died (the brother we all thought would somehow out live us all) I really snapped.  I remember flying out for the funeral and thinking "how can all of these people go about their business when my world is crashing down?"  I almost started screaming in the airport.

I have since been able to come to terms with these deaths - through various types of therapy.  However, the scars will never completely heal. 

The Rose Still Grows Beyond the Wall

Near a shady wall a rose once grew,

Budded and blossomed in God's free light:

Watered and fed by morning dew,

Shedding its sweetness day and night.

As it grew and blossomed fair and tall,

Slowly rising to loftier height,

It came to a crevice in the wall,

Through which there shone a beam of light.

Onward it crept with added strength

With never a thought of fear or pride,

It followed the light through the crevice length,

And unfolded itself on the other side.

The light, the dew, the broadening view

Were found the same as they were before.

And it lost itself in beauties new.

Breathing its fragrance more and more.

Shall claim of death cause us to grieve,

And make our courage faint or fail?

Nay, let us faith and hope receive,

The rose still grows beyond the wall.

Scattering fragrance far and wide,

Just as it did in days of yore.

Just as it did on the other side,

Just as it will forevermore.

A.L. Frink

Goodbye my sweet sisters and brother.  I will love you forever.

Cassandra Roberts Martin Died 8/27/2006

Amanda Roberts Died 1/12/1992

Justin Charles Roberts Died 8/16/2010

Why is it that when you travel a lot it becomes easier to sleep when you are away from home, than when you are at home?  I suppose that when I am at home I fret about so many things that don't even cross my mind when I am traveling.  Bills, laundry, junk drawers that need cleaning out, and now school! I have to admit I have been a little uptight at home.  There is so many things to do I actually freeze.  I think that things will be better when the remodel is complete and I can fall back into some sort of natural routine.  Maybe even start working out again!  (so I keep telling myself)

We picked up Drew's go-kart today.  It was so fun watching him drive it.  He is a natural!  Now I have to learn to drive a trailer for sure.  What would we do without youtube?  At some point maybe I'll start to haul our own horse. Save some money on the horse shows - of course that means buying a horse trailer. . . is that really saving money?  It also means taking twice as long to get to the shows.  AUGH.  I'll have to really think about that one!

The down side of staying up so late is the potential snacking opportunities. More time awake means more time to eat!  Why can't I be like my friends who simply quit drinking and then lose 10 lbs.  I guess that means that if I drank I would be 10 lbs (or more) heavier!  Note to self:  don't start drinking!

The other day I looked at Drew and he was suddenly a young man.  He actually has facial hair.  I don't know when that happened.  He is still so lanky, but more mature.  He's a mini-man.  Annika is a full grown woman.  She is so beautiful.  It doesn't seem that long ago that I was pushing her around the house in the laundry basket making racing noises.  I just keep thinking about that book, "Love you Forever," where the mother rocks her son (even when he is a grown man) and then, when she is too old and frail, he rocks her. Makes me cry every time I think about it.  It's going to be a blink of an eye before they are fully grown and on their own.

Christopher is still full of youth. . . we have a lot of years left there :)  If I had a clicker (like the movie) I would spend most of the time on "pause."  I feel like I am constantly screaming "wait" in my head.  Wait for me to catch up.  Wait for me to burn a mental image of this time in my head before you keep moving forward.  Let me drink this time in.  Then, at the same time I am running around "doing things."  I don't want to do meaningless things, I want to play with my kids!

This past week I have been very emotional.  The littlest things set off the waterworks.  I always keep the saying "It's not the number of breaths we take, but the moments that take our breath away" in the back of my mind.  I ran across that personal "mantra" about 11 years ago when my little sister died at 16 years old in a car accident.  As I get older that saying has found it's way on plaques and artwork all over my house.

After a I would see the words, but lack the feeling beneath them.  This past trip to Sunriver I really felt that mantra again.  I am known for always hauling my camera around, always trying to capture each special moment. Many times I fail horribly.  I look back at the pictures and I didn't capture what I thought I had at all.  Every now and then I can snap a picture that is really meaningful.

A surprise waterfall. . . 

Drew flying past me as he expertly maneuvers his go kart....

Annika's laughter after playing freeze tag with a dozen 2nd cousins - all under the age of 8. . . . .

Christopher's consistent joy, regardless of his circumstances . . . .

It occurred to me today that as I have gotten older there are fewer and fewer moments that "take my breath away."  Have I become desensitized over the years, making what might have been breathtaking once long ago merely the daily grind now?  Or is it that I have been looking at life, just like the plaques around my house, seeing the actions but not feeling the emotions?  Maybe I have just given up on feeling breathless (except for when I try to work out). Who knows, maybe it is a mid-life crisis (augh!)

I suppose that my next goal should be to look at life through new eyes and see these precious moments for what they are, and allow myself to take a moment to feel how special they are.

For now my precious moments will be spend doing a kitchen full of dishes and laundry from our little trip.:) 

August is a big month filled with birthdays, anniversaries (some sad), horse shows and SCHOOL.  I can't believe that the summer is almost over.  We have one more horse show and then school starts.  With 2 in high school I am looking forward to an interesting year.  We just got back from spending a few days in Sunriver.  It was a nice get away. It gets easier and easier to make that 3 1/2 hour drive.  

Drew and his friend Max had a blast surfing and riding their bikes.

Christopher had fun playing with his 2nd cousins!!

Happy Birthday Bill!

Bill was born on August 4th in some town in Michigan I cannot pronounce.  He and I met in 1991 and from the moment we met we simply clicked.  After 6 months of dating we figured out that neither of us had dated anyone else or had an inkling to do so.  Bill will gladly tell you that if it weren't for him we would not be together.  However, what he doesn't tell you is that if it weren't for him I would never be as happy as I am.  Without sounding too mushy. . . my "soul" new we were supposed to be together.  He was my better half to be sure.  I know that he could have had a dozen women who were better elevated, educated, and even better looking.  Somehow he stuck with me, through the best and thickest of it.  20 years of marriage and we are still. growing and learning.  I have seen him grow to be such a caring and sensitive father.  He is an outstanding surgeon (as everyone knows) but he is an even better man.  He is one of the selfless men I have ever met.  He has a wicked sense of humor and an appreciation for everything that comes from the heart. He is the love of my life for time and all eternity.  I am not always the best at sharing my feelings.  I used to be better  . . . but I want him to know that he is the best thing that ever happened to me.  I am so proud to be his wife!

Happy Birthday Drew! 

Andrew was born in Medford, Oregon on August 7th, 1999.  The little stinker tried to come a tad too early (on July 4th and he was due Aug 22nd) so I had to enjoy the leisure life of bed rest while tending to 18 month old Annika.  I knew he was a boy before they even told me.  He is exactly what I expected. He is wicked smart about so many things.  He has such a creative mind.  He is a secret artist with out of this world talent.  He also has a very sensitive and caring heart (like his dad).  He is very selective of his friends and also the people he allows himself to get close to.  He is so funny he makes my ribs hurt.  His smile lights up my life.  He is such a good son, he is always making sure that I am ok.  Although he is very funny, he is also very serious.  He takes things in deeply.  What a blessing he is to us!

An introduction to 2013

Welcome to the family!

Bill, Melissa, Annika, Andrew and Christopher, aka the Faught gang.  We are a typical family who tries to cram as much as we can into our schedules as possible.  2013 may have been the most crammed yet! However we have had a blast!

Just to get things started . . . a quick recap on the year so far.  In February Annika and I went to Thermal (Palm Desert, CA) where she rocked the horse show and earned Grand Champion of her division!

We Love you Agnes!

Then it was off to Hawaii for our annual Spring break.  FUN TIMES (Picture above). I can never get enough of Hawaii!  This year we were able to bring Anna DeKorte.  I realize that the more people we have with us, the more fun we have!!  

Two weeks after that, I took Annika and Andrew to Europe for a horse buying trip.  We had so much fun!  I was in constant awe of the culture, the architecture and the absolute beauty of Europe.  I can't wait to go back and spend more time there - maybe even more time out of barns :)

Horse buying Dream Team!

It was here, on a little island off of Germany, that we found the new member of our family -- Anka.

Anka is so beautiful and talented.  We are very blessed to have found her! She and Annika make a wonderful team together!  

After that we weren't home very long before Bill and I celebrated our 20th anniversary in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.  What a beautiful place!  We had so much fun.  We realized how much we love spending time together.  Now we are looking forward to another romantic getaway, as soon as my mom recovers from all of the weeks she has held down the fort at our house.  This may not be in the very near future (LOVE you mom!)