Old mama, new tricks!

There aren't many adventures I would like to do on my own, I'm very content going on adventures with/for the kids.  But, when the opportunity for a lifelong childhood dream presented itself, I had to take it! With much encouragement from Kevin and a major boost from my guardian angel (getting hurt would not be convenient), I asked our horse riding instructor if she would take the challenge of teaching me to ride. Our horse instructor has really taken our family under her wing, teaching us all things horse! An amazing mentor and role model to our girls, especially Eli, and just a wonderful friend to us all. Always ready to let Dan help pick out feet or grab all the cones from the arena, although his favorite is picking up horse poop. She truly has been an integral part of our families growth and happiness over the last 4 years. The three girls started out riding this year and then Annie needed to be moved to a new day so I put on my big girl pants and asked if she would be willing to add me in with Annie's lesson. She took me on without hesitation. And just like that, I'm a cowgirl. Just kidding, I'm not that cool yet. Over the years I have learned there is so much more to it than just “riding a horse”, and I am ready to learn it all right alongside my girls. 

Waking up the morning of my first lesson had me with butterflies in my tummy and excitement on my face that was hard to hide. Annie is a great one to ride with too since she has that incredible beginner excitement causing her to jump out of bed ready to go! Hearing Kolbe cry out for me as he woke up in the other room was enough to jolt me back to reality and the fact that I have a slew of other kids to care for. Kevin was taking Caleb to golf on this particular morning and has gotten in the habit of taking Dan along to hit some putts while they wait, which he is loving! So, I had Eli and Brooke there to watch Kolbe. She is a champ and was ready to take on the challenge, but as it turns out it ended up being a chilly morning and our instructor's mom was there with open arms ready to take Kolbe inside. Now, when I say these people are nice, I don't even know how to explain in words how incredible they are. The support from my family and theirs has made this dream possible and I am forever grateful! 

I won't get into too many details, but I have had a blast at my lessons. Most of the time the whole family is there to watch. I'm learning so much and have developed a greater respect for horseback riders. This is hard. My legs are sore after, I need to strengthen my arms and a few more squats wouldn't hurt. When starting to trot I couldn't stop laughing because I just felt so silly that I just couldn't figure it out easily! Having the family all there on the sidelines watching definitely helped lighten the mood, or make me feel embarrassed, but either way they were cheering me on. The patience a horse instructor needs to have is incredible, especially with an old lady like me and a 5 year old. I am always very impressed with how our lessons are run and with how much I have already learned. My goal is to be in a real barrel race someday with the kids!

Kevin and I hope to have our own horses someday (or help the kids get theirs) and we think it is important that at least one of us knows what we are doing with them! Riding horses has brought me a new joy that I never imagined possible. I am very blessed to be able to have this opportunity and I will never take it for granted. I don't really enjoy doing things without my kids, this is something that we can do and learn together for a lifetime. Maybe someday we will have our own horses, who knows, but I do know that horseback riding will always be a part of our family. My unsolicited advice for other moms is to chase your dreams alongside your kids, they will always be top priority, I would give up my lesson in a second for them, but it's very fulfilling to see them achieve their goals and have them cheer you on to achieve yours right along with them.