Like many herds, ours began as a 4H project, really a pre-4H project
many years ago. Despite the many changes over the years in my life,
the goats have always remained a constant. After marrying Mike on
July 12, 2003, the herd and the family once again grew and evolved.
On the family end my three children---Dylan, Shanna and Chase were
joined by Mike’s son Garrett and then we were blessed in June 22, of
2004 with twin daughters Faith Michael and Hope Madelyn. Truly a
“yours, mine and ours”.
In the barn, I had just 6 milking does and a dozen dry does those
years ago, mostly LaManchas. Mike thought he would like Alpines, so
in an effort for marital harmony we purchased some to increase those
numbers. After a couple of years of the Alpines producing well, he
thought Saanens would be a good idea and of course his father in law
was there to fulfill that wish with two does from the des
Ruhigestelle herd, so now had those as well as a few recorded grades
to round things out for good measure. From 3 children to 6 and from
18 does to 60. It has been quite a ride.
Thank you to my wonderful and supportive husband who now likes the
goats as much as me... I never thought I would say that about anyone
much less a spouse. Without you none of this would have
been possible! He is there to keep me grounded and sane and to take
care of me and all of it when he has to. Mike was the one who
insisted we go on official test, Linear Appraisal, and go to
National Shows again. "How is everyone going to know what you got
without doing these things?" he would say. I don't like to admit it
too much, but he was right!!
I felt it was very appropriate to add a giant THANK
YOU to this page this year. Where to begin is such a difficult
place, I will first start with saying that I am sure most of you all
have heard about the house fire that my family and I suffered
September 12, 2007. I would like to thank everyone who have done
so much for us in this time of need. From sending of care packages,
checks, cards, donations to the Come To the Farm Auction, the buyers
who supported the auction, to my community here at home...you don't
know what you have until it is gone. It has made me extremely
grateful for my family, the goat community and how they care for
each other. Without the generosity of each of these individuals I
don't know what we would have done. It has allowed us to stay above
water, keep the goats and hopefully rebuild a home. I can not
possibly name everyone that has helped us, but thank you to
everyone!
Thank you to some of the best friends that I could
possibly have---Kelley Nielsen Hines, I don't remember but Mike said
I called Kelley the night of the fire before I called any actual
family (as in related by blood). Kelley listened to an awful lot of
hard times from me, was administrator of the CTTF Auction and sent
countless cards, care packages, and pick me ups for me and the
kids!! She is my little red headed sister in FL! Marilou
Webb---another one that God blessed me to have met! I thought it
was just to have allowed me to have added great animals in my herd,
but no - Marilou is a wonderful person and friend as well. Again,
she is only a phone call away when needed.
Tim Vanzant and Kirt Schimpke my "peoples" in the
show ring! These guys are the best, standing long hours and working
their tails off making our girls look good, never too tired to take
in a doe when I have had too much! They even have their "own" girls
they have to show in our herd!! I know they handle them like their
own and I couldn't do better. Tim always writes a nice ad in the
UCN thanking Mike and I for our help at Nationals, he owes us
nothing---sorry I am just now getting around to putting in print our
thanks to him!! Both these guys stepped up and helped us out after
the fire too, true friends.
Thank you to my web designer Coni Perry who also
works long and hard to make me happy with this site!! I so
appreciate you!
