Got to start updating again....

I have pictures taken.....just haven't had the urge to post but I am getting much closer.... I will probably update this weekend...

I have pictures of my one month old babies.....they are just so cute.

Chris

I lost my dad on Jan 16th, 2008

After twenty eight years of, I want to say battling many heart problems, brain tumors and bone cancer, etc...my Dad would have said just keep moving, he passed away in his sleep at the Mosses Taylor Hospital in Pennsylvania on Jan 16th, 2008. He had a will to live like steal and taught me many things about life and living I could never replace. My mother was my Dad's primary care giver for the entire time......only God knows how she did it. She is just wonderful.....I thought I would have to help her through the grieving process and in turn she is the one who is helping me. She is a person of great commitment and integrity. Fifty two years ago my mother and father promised each other they would care for each other regardless of what came their way......and she has fulfilled that promise many times over. She did so much for my father only God knows all of them.

I would like to pass something we still do as a family each night....even if we can't physically say it to each other we can in our heart.
Each night before we went to sleep we would say we loved each other......if anything was bothering us it was then talked about until we could say we loved each other and once it was settled we said it and then off to bed. My Dad said the reason is, we should always go to bed loving each other because we never know what tomorrow will hold or if we would get that chance to say it again. There were no secrets that weren't shared no problems not talked about and resolved. In fact the night before his passing we talked on the phone and we ended saying we loved each other as we have done my whole life. I will miss him dearly but I know in my heart he is in a much more wonderful place. If there is one thing I would request is that everyone who reads this to do the same. Look beyond and remember that it is only Love that will keep us here and Love that keeps us alive. Mother Teresa once stated a phrase that has had and will continue to have an impact on my whole live and it is: "Love is giving until it hurts."

I am worried about my mom but, if she could care for two for many years.....she will be able to take better care of herself now. I love her so dearly and didn't realize how strong she is. If it weren't for the love my parents showed me I would have never gotten to where I am today. They also provided another strong message......as they would say; "We brought you into this world to live your life not ours so do and go where you want and we will always be here." Wow, powerful words that they live by even today.
I would like to thank Aunt Flossie and Joanie for their unconditional love and help in getting my mother and I through this time. They are just so wonderful. If it weren't for the love and caring they have for my mom I would worry and wonder whether I should go back to PA but I don't have to...they have it all.....so I love you both so dearly....My house is always open for you whenever you decide to come and visit.
I deeply thank all those not mentioned for their help and support during this time. Al Hughes Funeral home was a blessing. Thank God for the Funeral Director......they are just great at getting to what needs to be done. Without them I would have just put off doing anything...until I don't know when......they are a great help in moving a process that is so hard emotionally.
I would also like to thank Father Fran of St. Ann's Basilica in Scranton, Pa. He did an outstanding service and made it so personal I cried through most of the mass. He is a priest of deep devotion and love and I thank him for that. If anyone get a chance to see Scranton, Pa...Visit the Basilica to St Ann it is just beautiful.
Thank you to Susie Rummens for taking care of my herd while I was in Scranton. She did such a great job of taking care of my new mom's and kids I never worried about them....she was just great. Friends like her are rare in these days......so don't forget to them you love them.....Susie, 'I love you' for all the things you do and wonderful support you give to me in times of need.

Writing this helps me to understand there is still a lot of love around....all we have to do is reach out for it.

Chris

PS....My dad would say.....'Just keep moving'....so I will take his advice.....keep moving.

I missed it again!!! Angie has her baby.

Well, quarter to five came way to fast.... I dizzily got up and got dressed and laid on my bed for what I thought was a moment....when I looked at my clock it was a quarter to 6....oh my god.... I jumped up and hurried outside....it was foggy with everything just dripping wet. I hurried to the pen....and surprise!!! Angie's baby was out and up. I got in there and started doing my thing. The baby was wet and cold so I first dried him with the towels and then with the hair dryer. The hair dryer was the trick.....during the process I used it on myself a few times.....hey it was cold out there. Anyway, the baby dried nicely and I tried to do my plug and play....but no way.....that baby had a set of lungs on him..... He just did not want any help from me....so I patiently waited and continued drying here and there, a little on me...a little on him...sometimes on Angie.......and wouldn't you know. Nature is just so wonderful....he found the teat and the rest is history and I was exhausted.

My only concern is Angie's baby is only using one of her teats......I got both going but for some reason he favors one side...maybe the milk is better on that side.....better tasting I suppose.

Life is just wonderful.

Enjoy

Angie is down at midnight......oh...I think something is going to happen.

Oh boy...here we go. It was midnight and Angie is down and pushing. So I made sure everything was in order. I was worried because it was so wet...but I was ready. It really looked like baby was coming when all of a sudden everything stopped and she got up and casually strolled over for something to eat. I stood there dumbfounded.....she looked at me like...'what....I am hungry so I am eating'. Then I didn't know what to do with myself so I started checking on her every 20 to 30 minutes and by.....2:30am...I decided I needed to get some sleep or I would just fall over. She would lay down....do a little pushing then get back up and walk around..... Oh my...this was driving me crazy.....it was so wet....I was like, come on, lets get this going so we can all get some rest....but no. Angie was going to have her baby when Angie was ready. I finally passed out around 2:45 am and set my alarm for 4:45am....it was only two hours....what could happen.

C

Cherry - I'm not sleeping on the wet ground....I am smarter then you think...

At midnight, Cherry was in the feeding box as it was probably the driest thing in the pen.....she looked at me like was disturbing her beauty rest. She looked at me as if to say.....'can't you see I am in my bed....go away'. I told her I have important stuff to do because I am checking on Angie to see is she is getting ready. So, she turned her head and went back to sleep.

C

Monday Jan 7th Sunset....Will Angie have her baby?

The sunset is beautiful but the picture just doesn't capture it all. The colors were just amazing and while the sunset was happening I was worrying about Angie in the rain having her baby. So I decided to get things as ready as I could just in case. Got the extension cord running out to the pen with the hair dryer ready to go...towels, blanket and bucket all ready......now I wait...

C

Angie is going to have babies!

Angie, my Queen of the Goats is going to have babies either tonight or early Tuesday morning. She is laying down and pushing, however the next moment she is up and walking around...... It is going to be a long night of checking on her.

I have everything ready to go from towels to the hair dryer. It rained tonight so I want to be ready to dry the babies.

Because I have everything ready she will probably wait until I give up waiting and then deliver.....we will see.

Well, when she is ready babies will come.

Chris