Weekend gift - Day one at Oak Meadow Ranch

 My boss gifted me a weekend with T and a friend.  Well it's been hard, everyone is busy.  So I split it into two things... day one.. Oak Meadow Ranch with just me and T because I just couldn't ask Balfour to pay for another person... it's pricey!!

Everyone was introduced again, beautiful music was played...

we went to church service outside and while it was chilly.. it was the best service ever - surrounded by animals and animal sounds the whole time!

Jesse even attended!

T looooved Jesse!

Then before our tour, we ran into the Liu's who came and stayed the night before. I was SO thankful that Michele and Lauren chose to do this!!

We had cotton candy drinks... SO FUN!  T MAY have had two.. bad parenting, I know.

And they came out and sang to him for his bday -it was hilarious!  

I think this is going well...

First up Baby Yoda!!

Prince Harry was next!

Prince Charles and his baby!

WE LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE LEMURS!!

Zeus came out to greet T and of course... Jesse

Then time to meet Puzzles!

He loved T and I but not a huge fan of the others we were with.

too cute!

Then we went out to meet the Kangaroos.. and I can't remember their names

bwahahahahaha

Princess Diana likes the men...

Princess Kate just wanted the food!

you don't get to touch the Lemur but they sure do get to touch you!  HAHAHAHAHA

Roo Kisses...

THEN ... SIR WINSTON. OMG

Is this not the cutest?

I gave T most of my holding time.  And it was worth it just for this shot!!

Kitty time.. and they weren't overly playful.  

then some water buffalo time (and I am SO swimming with them this summer!)

Camel:30... Sal and Al (not in photos)!

Awkward family photo.  When you blow on them.. they kiss you.  HE kissed me. LOL

I met so many new animals that I missed last time.

That big boy is Chewbacca .. I loved him!!

so many horns.. they wanted snacks!

Then in the end... when it was time to go... I went down to the church.  OMG. It was beautiful.  I cried.

I cried not knowing when I would be back.  But knowing that this place fills my soul.

Here is my post on Facebook... blessings to myself for next year...

Last year I felt a heavy sense that I was supposed to say “yes”.. so I did. I said yes to opportunities at work and with friends, trips and time alone, even scary parenting choices… and I grew. This morning during service at Oak Meadow Ranch I felt an overwhelming sense that I was supposed to focus on RECALL. These last few years have been hard. Bone tiring, tear soaked pillow HARD. But I never stay there. So this year, as the Pastor today reminded us … when things get hard we should recall the great things the Lord has done, the wonderful friends and experiences. Hard times will come, and we need to allow sadness and grief, and sometimes anger, but don’t stay there. I am so grateful for Oak Meadow Ranch. For Kristin and her family, the staff, the animals, the CONSERVATION… the commitment they have to this world. I’m so proud to know them and I pray I can be involved in any capacity in saving animals from extinction. I cannot stress enough how wonderful this experience is. I sat in this outdoor chapel and shed a few tears… this place shines brighter than any star I’ve seen. I can’t even explain it… but my soul is filled the moment I start up that dirt road.

So very blessed and thankful.

Oak Meadow Ranch... I miss you. But I'll be back!!!