Sorry!

I am sooo sorry about not putting anything new on here for a while. :( I wanted to write something before Christmas but never did. The excuse? The same but has never been more true! Busy. And that doesn't even explain half of it! You may have guessed from reading a little bit of Britt's blog that it's been really hectic around here. I'll try to do better. And maybe, just maybe, after the holidays things will slow down a bit so I can post more. But you never know! :P
Happy New Year!

I Am A Quarter Horse

Wow, how fitting. :P

Ah, the Quarter Horse. The most common breed of horse owned in America, noted for its calm disposition and sensible attitude. A famous quarter horse played Black Beauty in the movie based upon Anne Sewell's book. You don't let life's problems bother you, and you deal with them in the most practical manner. You are quite intelligent, and it wouldn't hurt to use your talents to have a little more fun, to walk a little more on the wild side, like your ancestors.Your owner will most likely be either a cowboy or a young person learning to ride. You also stand a high chance of becoming a school horse.Your colour will most likely be: Anything, but most likely chestnut.

>
What breed of horse are you? Find out

Horsey News

On the tail of the Miniatures departure came two other horses to fill the empty pasture and our hearts. I traded my mini stallion for this three month-old little girl, sight unseen (meaning; I bought her before looking at her) and I was a little nervous about that because I’ve never done that before. But when she came off the trailer all my qualms vanished as I saw the prettiest bay Haflinger/Quarter Horse filly with all the correct markings that bays’ are supposed to have.
Lexus was not halter broke at all and if we pulled on the lead rope to go forward she would go backwards—FAST! But by the next day, she was leading without any pressure on the halter.

Now she thinks I’m her surrogate mother and when the other horses start antagonizing her, she’ll come and hide behind me. LOL :)

...Tabby and Lexi...

Then a day or two after Lexus came, we drove 60 some miles to see a weanling Paint colt, which stole our hearts the second we saw him. Levi, Dad, and second cousin, Larry Lee went over the next day to pick him up. It took four hours to get him in the trailer as the owners tried to force him in when he got scared and backed off. But finally he was in and they all came home, dog-tired. :P Starbucks got over his frightening experience and soon was buddies with Lexus.

...Starbucks...

So if you’re wondering where I am and why I’m not blogging, it’s cuz’ I’m out in the pasture playing with the sweet little babies. :D

Goodbye Neighs

I didn't ever think I would sell these sweet little creatures but being too busy to really take good care of them, and the only person that was able to ride them was beginning to out grow now the biggest one of all, it was more of a must than a want. So I put an ad for each miniature on dreamhorse.com (a great, reliable place to sell or buy horse related stuff) and received many responses back! Within a week or two, the two mares were in great, new homes, and the stallion will be in one in the near future. :D I didn't dream that I would sell those guys sooo fast!!!!

It's Done!

Well my quilt is finished! I was almost sad to knot the last thread and pull the basting out. But enjoy the pics!

SURPRISE!

Last weekend, Toby and Courtney came up for a surprise visit. Only a few trustworthy people (namely Britt, Gabe and myself) knew of their plans and they kept it a secret right up till the front door opened and Landon walked in with a "Hi Grampa and Grampas!". Needless to say Grampa and Grampas were very surprised and happy to see the Nelsons! :D

Time flies when you're having fun and all too soon the weekend was up and my cute little neice and nephews had to go home. But here is a little glimpse of that weekend...

...my adorable 3 1/2 mo. old nephew...

...Zack and Alex...

...Janae...

...Landon playing the Djembe (doesn't he look like a pro?;))

...Alex fell asleep after a very bumpy ride ;)...

A New Fad of Mine

I told you that I was going to try to keep this updated and I didn’t keep my word. :( It wasn’t that I didn’t want to, I was just quite busy and it was a feat just to be able to get online once last week! Another reason for my absence was this… <<
I started peicing this quilt the beginning of last week and by Friday I was quilting the border. It’s the first quilt I’ve ever made and that’s one of the reasons it’s small (31 ½" x 30 ½"). The pattern is called Tulip Basket and I wouldn’t recommend it for a first quilt :P.

I had a few challenges with sewing angles and squares together. Next time I’ll pick something a little more basic :).

When I started quilting, I was literally "all thumbs" but now I think I’m getting the hang of it (barely) ;). And it’s starting to get addicting!

My friend also is working on a quilt. We didn’t know that the other was making a quilt at the same time the other one was (talk about great minds thinking-er sewing- alike)!

So if you all are wondering where I am, I’m probably sitting on my bed, pricking my fingers, and making chicken tracks all over my quilt. Happy Seams! :D

My Personality

Well, I think that's correct. :P ;)

Take the 100 Acre Personality Quiz!

Oops!!

Dear me! I have neglected this blog terribly!!! I am really, really sorry! I don't have any excuse whatsoever, but I'll try to keep this up and going from now on. And I mean really try!!!

WRITER'S BLOCK! :( :P

I have been attacked by writer’s block AGAIN (or maybe I’ve just always had it :P)! :( I’m sorry for lack of life around here. I’m not even going to make up an excuse because there isn’t any logical one :P.

In 3 days I will see my new nephew (and everyone else in the Nelson household for that matter)!! I CANNOT wait!!!!! 72 hours seems like a long time to wait, but a short time to get ready for them :P. Pray for me so I don’t lose my head in all my excitement. ;)

5 Reasons Why I Love God

My sister tagged me. I wish these rules said you could tag back, but they don’t. :P ;) Anyhow, here goes.

I love Him because of His redeeming love. "Its not that He died for the whole world; that humbles my heart, brings me to my knees, but that He died for me!" It is hard for me to comprehend why such a perfect, all-powerful God would love such a one as me!

His wonderful grace. Wonderful!! Unending!! Greater than MY SINS!!

He first loved me, how can I help but love Him?

I love Him because He said that He would never leave me or forsake me.

He is holding me in the palm of His hand and will guide me in the path that I must go.

Okay so now that I did it, I’ll tag…
Gem from Gem’s Little Corner
Bethany from Bethany’s Blog
My bro. in law Toby from The Metaphysical Winged Sand Monkey.
And Dustynne from Dustynne’s Journal
Tagged, you’re it!! :D

"Watch Out! I'm Going to Cast!"

We had some friends over last Thursday with a night of fishing in mind. Right after they got to our house, the guys left to check out a fishing spot. When they got back with word that the fish weren’t biting there and they were going to a lake with a promised supply of fish. They invited anyone who wanted to go and so us three girls (Gabrielle, Stephanie, and I) went with (we are slightly the fisher-woman types :)).

We get to the lake, the guys take the best spot, so us girls find some other place to fish. We get set up (grossing out at the worms on our hooks ) and cast out. Oh, somebody’s bobber just disappeared! After a series of jerks, reeling, and squealing, the line is wound back up and we look earnestly for the fish on the hook. Aw, it’s just a piece of seaweed (or is it called lake weed in our case?).

Okay cast back out; making sure you don’t hook yourself or anyone next to you. Or that you don’t fall in the lake while you’re casting (and there were a few close calls to both of those precautions! ;)). I hooked Gabrielle’s shirt sleeve!!! And once she came close to falling in the lake when she cast!

Despite our novice beginnings we caught a few fish between us girls although none of them were big enough to keep. But we enjoyed the scenery; setting sun, fog slowly drifting over the water, fish jumping at the bugs, and sounds of the warbling of bull frogs. It was quite peaceful and we had a nice time.

In fact, everyone had such a good time that we want to do it again. I just hope that none of us really hook each other or fall into the snapping turtle infested lake next time :D!!

More Gabe Pictures

Okay, for all of you (Britt included ;P) who have wanted to see more pictures of Gabe, here they are. Everytime I see him I take advantage of the opportunity to use the camera. :)

Need I say that he missed the ball? :) ^

Pictures

Okay here they are. Sorry for the delay. I've been extremely busy this last weekend and didn't even have time to be online. So enjoy the pictures and little story! :D

Gabe's plane was scheduled to come in at 7:30 Friday evening, so we left at an hour safe enough to stop at the zoo for a little while. We got to the zoo and found out they had closed about ten minutes before we had gotten there. Well then lets go see what the amusement park has. We drove around the corner and stopped in front of the park and went in to see what was going on. We weren't in there for more than 20 minutes just looking around and not seeing anything interesting enough to ride, we went back to the van. Everybody piled in and Dad turned the key, the engine tried to turn, but something wasn't kicking in. We all looked at each other with bewildered looks; our great van was turning on us!!! And of all places to break down (60+ miles from home!)!! After waiting ten minutes or more, Dad tried the key again. No luck. Just then, a family was walking past the van, on their way out of the park. They stopped and tried to help. We were quite amazed (this was in the Twin Cities) but we welcomed they're help.

Here it turns out that these people are from Kenya, Africa, and they are Christians!! We exchanged names and they took Dad to a gas station to buy some starting fluid to see if that would work. They tried it and the van started but it was only running on the fluid and then shutting off after they stopped spraying it. It was then that we realized it was the fuel pump that wasn't working.

In the meantime we had gotten a call from Britt saying that we were aunts, uncles, and grandparents for the third time! We all were thrilled and couldn't wait to get out of this predicament so we could make plans to go down and see him. :P

We had been calling around to our friends to see if they knew anyone that lived in the Cities and knew about mechanics and such. Someone gave us a number for someone who would help us atleast get us to the airport to get Gabe.

We got a hold of them and they said they would be happy to help and would be right over. We figured out who would go and who would stay and then left with this couple (Alan and Joan). We got to the airport right on time with Gabe's flight and we met him right by the baggage carousel.

Oh, it was soooooo good to see him! We at first didn't recognize him (his back was turned and he looked like the other soldier next to him).

Until we got right in front of him did we realize who it was! Sorry about the bad lighting :(.

After retreiving his belongings, we headed back. Dad called us on the cell phone and said that he had got the van going (something about pounding a hammer on the gas tank while turning the key) and to come straight back to the park!

We made it safely home, and stayed up a few hours talking, watching a dvd of the boot camp, and talking some more :D. So that was our night. I hope we don't have any more of that kind of excitement for a little while! :)

He's Home!

I guess I should let you all know that Gabe made it safely home last night! ;) I'll get a real post up with pictures and all as soon as I can! So stay tuned!! :)

Slight Change of Plans

Gabe called us last night and he told us that he would be coming in tomorrow night!!! All the better I say! :D

Verse & Quote

“Is thy God… able to deliver you from the lions?” Daniel 6:20

Strengthen yourself in the Omnipotence of God. Do not say, “Is God able?” say,
rather, “God is able.”
Andrew Murray

Never A Dull Moment

The other week, on a bright Sunday morning, I looked out my window and saw the Quarter horses in the round-pen. That was weird, they were supposed to be down in the pasture. And why did they go in there? Well whatever the reason they could still get out of the round-pen, so Levi quickly ran out and put them into a secure pen.

We were busy the rest of the day with church and things so I wasn’t able to go out and see where they had gotten out. The next day, Levi and I went down to the pasture and received quite a surprise. One whole side of the pen was down, wooden posts were busted, and the T-posts, still in the ground but very loose! Either a pretty large deer or one of the horses charged through the fence but whoever had done it had made a huge mess! Groan. :(

We set to work right away. Me driving T-posts in, Levi digging holes for the wooden corner posts. He finished before I did and came over to help with the last of the T-posts.

While pounding one in, we noticed how it quickly and easily pierced the dirt. Levi reached down and pulled on the post to test how sturdy it was and it came out! Then he pushed the post back in with his hand and went in as far as that post-pounder had drove it! We had gotten A LOT of rain in the past few weeks and the ground where we were was pretty soft. We think that must have made the fence give so easily to whatever animal that ran into it. Needless to say, we put that post in a dryer part of the ground! ;)

I’m still puzzled as to why the horses didn’t run away, but went into the round-pen that BTW, has no food whatsoever in it! But I’m very glad they did! :D

Five Days Left

...and I see my soldier bro! I'm getting so excited! Can't wait to see him, and hear his voice teasing me incessantly (yeah, I've missed that too :)).

Saturday is just not coming as soon as I'd like it. The clock has never seemed slower :P.

It’s Someone’s Special Day!

My best pen pal, friend, and fellow blogger, Becca has turned Sweet Sixteen today! Although the miles separate us for long periods of time, I’m so thankful for the W.W.W. to make it possible to wish my friend the happiest birthday ever. So would you all join me in a Happy Birthday Cheer?! All together now, ONE…TWO…THREE… HAPPY BIRTHDAY BECCA!!!! Love you dear! God Bless!




It's also my late Gramma Gayle's birthday. If you haven't already seen what Britt wrote about it. I'd advise you to go over and see it.

A Few Favorite Verses

Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him.
Psalm 37:3-7a.

Horsy Moments

Naptime

“Hannah, You Need To Update!”

Those were some of the first words my big sister said when I answered the phone today. It has been a while since I’ve posted and I’m really sorry.

I told Court that I was nursing a severe case of writer’s block and she advised me to take some vitamin C and apple cider vinegar with garlic :). I wish that was all it would take to cure it.

What do you when you have writer’s block? If you have any suggestions please comment. I love comments!

Hahaha

Such a sweet couple!

Joygurl Excerpts

(…something to keep my blog methodical, and more congruous…)

Well, this is the second Excerpts post. I’ve added a few more things to it. Enjoy.

An Inside Look

(…a peek into my very ordinary and sometimes exciting life…)

Hello, between chattering teeth, from freeze-your-toes,-nose,-and-everything-else-off WI where the warmest the thermometer says is –5 F, and the wind-chill is –20 F to –30 F. Brrrr! It’s cold. This morning we woke up to no water. The pipes froze. :( :P. But now the problem is fixed and I’m counting running water in my blessings list. : D I hope spring comes early. It probably won’t but I’m still hoping it will. :)

So all I’m trying to do right now is to get warm and stay warm ;). Plus keep up with Tabby’s quirks and sayings. Lately she’s been trying to act grown up and it’s been quite amusing to watch her behavior.

A few days ago she told me she was going to act like a 19-year old, so later on that night (when she was supposed to be in bed sleeping) I found her on the computer in the livingroom.
"Aren’t you supposed to be in bed?" I asked.

"I’m looking something up Hannah." She rolls her eyes at her "childish" sister and keeps clicking away.

I guess that’s what she thinks a 19-year old does at night. :). Where does she get her ideas?!

Inspirational
(…quotes, bible verses, things that have inspired me…)

Psalm 103:1-5,22b
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
Who satisfieth they mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.

Horsing Around
(…anything to do with horses…)

The other day I went out into the horse pen and started brushing Amigo. Tinker, who was about thirty feet away, saw what I was doing so he went over to the dirtiest spot in the pasture, and rolled, and rolled, and rolled! Then he came over and waited patiently for me to work on him. Grrrr!!! Guess he wanted to make sure he got enough attention that day. :P :)

Around the Web
(…other bloggers, websites, ect…)
This family just experienced a horrific accident but they were reminded of the mercifulness of God when no one was critically hurt or killed. Go check it out.

Laughs
(…jokes or facetious scenes that I have heard, read, or done…)

I was acting really blonde the other day. This is one of the things I did.

I was trying to get my school done, and my pencil was getting dull (I like to keep my pencils needlepoint sharp all the time so I sharpen it quite often). So I got out my sharpener, and to keep my desk from getting full of shavings, I squeezed between Brittney and her desk to reach the garbage bin (to catch the little slivers of wood), and sharpened my pencil. That’s done so I migrated back to my desk; while putting the sharpener away, I noticed that it already had a little garbage container attached to it.

I started laughing at how dumb it was to get under a desk and hold a pencil and sharpener over the garbage can when there was nothing for it to catch. And of course Britt wanted to know what was so funny, now she won’t let me forget it. : - P

Photo of the Day
(…pics…)

Britt and I with Landon and Janae last October(laughing at my photography abilities or lack thereof)

Who?

My sweet, darling sister is the intruder of private domains. I advise all of you to watch out for her! You never know what she's going to do next.

TRESSPASSED!!

Sneaking in on somebody else's blog, violating the geneva convention and making a mock of privacy laws. I just wonder, who is the culprit??

Joygurl Excerpts

Sorry to keep you waiting. I’m not sure how this will go or if it will work but please bear with me. If you have any ideas, please let me know.

Not much has happened lately. Toby and Courtney have been gone for 2 weeks now and I miss the kids a lot. Oh, and I do kinda miss picking on Toby :P

At the moment it is cozy and warm in the house, but it’s not that way outside. We’re going through a very cold snap, and a few days ago we received a little blizzard, so now it’s not only feeling like January, it’s looking like it too.

We are down to two puppies (sold one, gave one away, and a car hit one :(). Does anyone want an adorable, sweet, playful, very smart, lovable, puppy? They have their dad’s love for the green tennis ball.

I started making an old-fashioned cloth doll the other day and now it’s finished. Well I have to touch up on a few things but the main part is done. I’m not an avid sewer but once in a while I like to make little pillows and dolls. The pattern I’m following is in a book called Make Your Own Old-Fashioned Cloth Doll & Her Wardrobe by Claire Bryant. I like the patterns in it, but I made a couple alterations to suit my preference for instance I sewed hair on it rather than painting the hair, face, and hands. I still might paint the face but I want to look around for other ideas first. This is my second doll I’ve made from that book. I want to get a few more cloth doll patterns to have a bit of variety. Do any of you have suggestions?

Inspirations
(…quotes, bible verses, ect, ect…)

Eternal Light! Eternal Light!
How pure the soul must be
When, placed within Thy searching sight,
It shrinks not, but with calm delight
Can live, and look on Thee!
The spirits that surround Thy throne
May bear the burning bliss;
But that is surely theirs alone,
Since they have never, never known
A fallen world like this.
Oh how shall I, whose native sphere
Is dark, whose mind is dim,
Before the Ineffable appear,
And on my naked spirit bear
That uncreated beam?
There is a way for man to rise
To that sublime abode,---
An Offering and a Sacrifice
A Holy Spirit’s energies,
An advocate with God:
These, these prepare us for the sight
Of holiness above;
The sons of ignorance and night
May dwell in the Eternal Light,
Through the Eternal Love.
Thomas Binney (1798-1874)
Taken out of The One Year Book of Poetry (January 12)

Funnies
(…jokes or funny scenes that I have heard, seen, or done…)

Tabby informed me the other day that her favorite song Signature Sound sings is (in her words) "I Grant My Allegiance" or the real name " I Pledge My Allegiance".

Recent Readings
(…a review of the many books I am reading…)

The Man Who Listens To Horses
The Story of a Real-Life Horse Whisperer
By Monty Roberts
It is the story of Monty’s life and how he learned the silent language of the horse through watching wild mustangs near his California home. I have learned a lot. His stories can be funny, sad, or exciting. If you are a horse lover or an avid reader on the subject of horses, I suggest you read this book.
I am reading a few other books but I’m not very far into any of them to be able to give you a thorough review.

That’s all I have for now, I’m thinking of posting Joygurl Excerpts bi-weekly. Like I said before if you have any ideas, please let me know.