"What we dwell on is who we become"...
(quote by Oprah Winfrey)
....and 2007 for our family has been focusing on all the positives of what we want to become, all we want to dream as well as what we have all been blessed with as a family....
Our first little "Blessing" and Miracle no doubt, was the arrival of our special little man "Layne Madison"....he arrived May 7th, 2007 and was 7 1/2 weeks early. He weighed in at 4 lbs 11 oz and was delivered by emergency! This little boy has been a little miracle in so many ways, and once again, that early morning, someone was really looking after us to get him here safely! It was a very trying time, as mom spent weeks in the hospital with baby Layne and dad and the kids were left at home to keep things going....oh my! We were heavy info foaling season, training, school, baseball, dance lessons and dad's very very busy time at his office. Thanks to grandparents, friends and neighbors from everywhere. All pitched in to keep things going. We can not say thanks enough to everyone who sent their many players & blessings for Layne Madison.
And yes, we did just enough shows to get qualified for Nationals and we were Nationals bound! This year was not about chasing points and getting in lots of shows, but just getting through it and getting there. With three kids showing, it has always been about having fun and keeping it fun! And, now, with a new baby in the picture, more then ever we had to follow through on this! And we can not say how wonderful of a year we had, WOW! It has been a dream, a blur, never could we have imagined...thanks to the whole Country Lane Crew for getting us there....but most of the credit goes to a 13 year old boy, our young man and son, Sheldon! 2007 brought alot of responsibility to Sheldon, including all the training and conditioning of the show horses. He also did almost ALL of the showing at our Sanctioned Shows to get qualified! Thanks to our dear friend Mary Ann Bartkewich of Bartkewich Miniatures and Arabians for taking Sheldon and two of his horses along to the National Area V Show. What a great experience for Sheldon to do everything without mom and dad and on his own. He had SO much fun!
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Champion after Champion that this young man would lead through the ring, not sure if it was hitting home to him what he was accomplishing....Till that last show in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Sheldon led our Over WarDance daughter to the title of Champion of Champions! We could not wipe that smile off his face, and more and more, mom and dad started to realize the talent and passion this young man has, as well has his love for these Miniature Horses! And no doubt, the highlight of our 2007 show season was having our A division gelding Named the "2007 NATIONAL GRAND CHAMPION" gelding at AMHR Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma! When they called his name, we just all stood there and looked at each other, we couldn't move, couldn't breathe and could not believe what was being awarded to our gelding. We will never forget that moment....and as they placed that neck ribbon on Chico's neck and took his photo, I gave that young 13 year old boy with dreams of someday training the biggest hug, tears falling and whispered in his ear, " Congratulations Sheldon, you've done well"....
Congratulations also goes out to Sheldon for being on the National Judging Team!
Congrats also to our little Miss Montana who has always done well at Nationals, but was awarded her 1st AMHR National Reserve Title, also with our gelding! And to Dusty, winning his own Reserve title once again and placing in all his classes, despite having moved up to the next age division! We are so proud of you all and you have worked so hard this year!
Thanks also to Alanah for all your help at Nationals. You are a very important part of our team! And once again to your family for watching over the herd while we are away time and time again!
We also want to thank Leonard Davenport for awarding our family the 2007 AMHR Nationals Madge Davenport Sportsmanship Award! We were truly honored to accept this award in honor of your mother, as of course, family means everything to us!
And so the Dream continues.....
