Leaving Steiner Dressage 

........ 

Trailering Juliet to William Woods with Sybil's trailer.  

Hunter Jumper area at Willam Woods.  

Juliet's new stall at William Woods 

Walking Juliet around right before leaving her at William Woods.  

Arriving at William Woods 

These are my dear friends who have been wonderful to me. They both have had horses all their life, and they knew exactly what I was going through giving up Juliet. I can't imagine what it would have been like without their support and kindness. I am so blessed to have their friendship and love in my life.  

Juliet's new home, her stall is the one where there is no horse out the stall window.  

School has started!!!

Well, I've moved into the room I will for a while call home. Life is a little different this year due to the fact "home" includeds 3 other girls. We had quite a challege arranging everything that first day, but since then it's been smooth sailing!

Today I got the chance to shadow a nurse at the fantastic hospital we have on campus! I ended up on the pediatric hemotology floor, which was a true blessing and also very sad. I can't even imagine how hard it would be to have a child in the hospital. Many of the children I saw today had cancer, and even those who didn't, they still had a chronic illness that dramatically affected their lifestyle. I got to thinking about how BLESSED so many people are to have GOOD Health. Then I wondered why these people, and not me? I don't understand it, and I will never, but it's still something that people should consider. Be thankful for your health!

One little boy was expecially precious. He was around the age of 3 and going through much more than most people will ever have to experience. After talking with his parents a little, and seeing their need. I decided that I might think about specializing in some type of nursing that would incorporate children and oncology, just like that floor that I observed today.

It seemed after being in the hospital today, I realized I still can help in a very real way, even if I don't move to Africa. For a while now I've had this sense of guilt, guilt for living with so many blessings when so many people are in need of the basics. And while it's a good thing to realize, I don't think it's necessarily always healthy to let that guilt rid people down. Make steps to improve the quality of life WHEREVER you are, think about Africa, but also think about locals. (of course I still would LOVE to visit Africa, but hopefully that'll be a summer even to come soon!!)

And for an update on school....
It's going well. First day today, and nothing too interesting class wise. I am SO pumped to start learning a little more about diseases. (I know, that might sound really quiite strange, but hey it's super interesting!) The only thing bad is that nursing books are expensive. By that I mean, if I bought every book that was required at the bookstore, I'd pay over a $1,000! Yikes, thankfully I've got a couple people who I can rent and buy used books from that will help out that horrid price.

I will leave you with a final quote, for some reason it really "spoke"to my heart. It talks about difficult times, and how those are times for learning. I know that we all have had trials...so maybe you'll appriciate this also.

"I walked a mile with pleasure; she chatted all the way, but left me none wiser for all she had to say. I walked a mile with sorrow and never a word said she, but oh the lessons I learned when sorrow walked with me." ~Author Unknown~

Hidden Moment, registered thoroughbred mare born in 1991. Raced till 1996, purchased by Mrs. Rock, bought by my family in 1997.  

So my shoulders could stand to be back a little more, but Juliet looks absolutely stunning.... 

Getting on film that horse I came to love.... 

A look at her from a rider's view.  

Body Worlds 

Wouldn't this be fun!? What a great place to take some photo's!  

Downtown chicago 

my family minus mom.  

Submarine that was captured in WWII. 

This was a very cool place, I think people who have never seen a cadaver would gain the most from it.  

..... 

... 

Well here's the latest update. It might be a while before I have another post, considering I have so much to do before I go back to school, which looks like I'll be heading back the 19th of this month. Anyway, here's what life is looking like at the moment.

Juliet is doing well. She's finally totally sound. I rode her yesterday and she was herself once again. It was So wonderful to be able to ride her again. She's a fun ride, and really quite pleasant horse to hack around. After a few days to think over her future home, I have decided that I still want to send her to William Woods. Yes, there is a little uncertainty in that decision. As a friend put it, with any decision there seems to be something to give up, but I'm trying to make the most educated decision possible, and that seems to be heading to William Woods. Oh part of me want to make sure that the whole road ahead of Juliet is perfectly paved, with warm loving arms to care for her as I have, but that is just not possible. My faith lies in the God who loves her, more than I do. Now it might seems silly, the creator of the universe caring for "just a a horse" but I know that He's worked through her so much in my life, I have faith that He'll care for her as always. I'm going to tell the lady at William Woods that if they ever sell her, I want to be notified first. Who knows where I'll be in life at that time, but maybe I'll be at the point where I can care for her once again.

I have learned much over the past months of trying to sell Juliet. I'm not sure I'm at the point where I can relay that to you. Maybe someday. But one thing is for certain, it's hard to give up something that I've loved so much over these past 8 years. I would never take back my decision to buy Juliet, but one thing to consider if your ever in the place to consider buying a horse, they are hard to part with. Maybe an animal that you'll never have to sell is something you might want to consider. But on the other hand, I am thankful for that special bond that I've had with my horse all these years, and though it will hurt to see her go, I'll always have those fond memories to go back to.

I can't decide if I'll ever get a horse again. Partly I'm afraid I'd have to sell that horse at some time and it'll be hard once agian. But, I don't think I'll ever get horses out of my mind, so maybe someday I'll end up with another thoroughbred, who will be just off the race tracak. In considering breeds of horses, I would recommend a thoroughbred for anyone who's a semi experienced rider. Thoroughbreds have a lot more spunk than quarter horses. And I personally don't want to be kicking a horse all the time to get them to move. Of course, it all depends on the discipline you prefer and your own personality. I found that Juliet was a fun ride because she's always willing to go. I could ride her for hours and most the time she still was up for anything, but she still had a great heart and perfect ground manners. Now on the other hand, she was up a bit whenever we left the stable. So if your ever in the mood for a horse and want to trail ride a lot, you might want to consider another breed.

Ok so that was a little random...

School is starting so soon! Yikes! This year will be a hard one. The nursing program has a reputation of being the hardest the first year in the program. I am excited to move into my suite. I'll be living with 3 other girls and I'll be about 5 min from the nursing building. Other than being a little nervous for classes, I'm feeling pretty good about this upcoming year. Plus, the food is great at school, I've been missing that a lot this summer!

Plans for this upcoming school year include spending a little more time with friends and not being so crazy into studying every min of the day. But we'll see how that goes. Also on a break I want to visit my wonderful friend Emily and her husband Josh in Colorado. And possibly, if the money works out, I'd love to visit my friend Kelly in germany!

Alex was home for about a week before he went on vacation. He'll be back again for about a day before he goes back to school. It was great to be able to hang out and relax a bit before the mad rush of school begins.

On saturday my family and I head to Body works in chicago. If you've never heard of that google it and find out some more info. It should be very sweet considering my sister is an occupational therapy major, and I just took an anatomy class last semester. Plus, it's been forever since my family has taken any sort of a trip together.

Well that's pretty much it. Life as I know it at the moment. Take care and God Bless.
-Beth

Look at the fountain...yep it's a bowling ball :) Just a little something Alex whipped up a couple days ago. :) How inventive! 

Fountain Alex made.... 

Home sweet home?
Things are looking up for Juliet! Today I got a call from the head trainer for Hunter/Jumper riding at William Woods University. I had sent her a tape of Juliet about a month ago and hadn't heard anything till today. She said Juliet looked like a pleasant horse and she was very interested in her coming to the University. So, if all works well with Juliet, it looks like in about a week we'll ship her to Missouri.
Check out the program at:http://www.williamwoods.edu/Category.asp?271

I rode Juliet 2 days ago and she was doing really well, I believe her hoof is finally healing. It took longer than planned, but I am just thankful that everything seems like it's going to work out for this summer! :)

Praise God. Praise Him if it doesn't work out, and praise Him if it does. He's got this plan that sometimes we don't understand. This I am sure:life changes, and trusting in Him is the only way to go.
Please pray for God's guiding in this situation.
Love,
me

William Woods University Arena 

Willam Woods University 

Willam Woods University .... 

My dad and sister before the Bix. 

Out on the river.... 

the group minus heidi.... 

Alex 

My dad 

Heidi and I.... 

Alex, Heidi and I on the river by my grandma's house.  

My parents and I with my grandma...out enjoying the day by the river. 

from the side 

New haircut....feel loved em this one's for you :) 

Alex and I met up with my totally fun and awesome cousin Heidi at the fair. She's a sweet heart!  

Afer making friends with two 10 year old boys they let me befirend their show calves. I learned a little more about showing cattle that evening.  

This is my favorite part of the whole fair....it's an every year event! The great thing is that since I ride horses I've got an advantage over the general population. :) 

Alex by the grand stand.  

Here's a few pictures from the local fair. Not much time to write anything tonight, It's late and we are going boating tomorrow. Till then...take care!
-Beth

More to come soon!!

Life is a bit on the busy side lately, that is why I have not made any updates on here. I will be making those updates very soon. Take care,
Beth