Small Victories are Pretty Big

Kara is doing so well with horse lessons.  Not only does she have issues with her muscles and joints,

Seeing her ankle able to bend like
this will NEVER get old for me.
Hopefully one day it will go even further!

but athletics aren't her strong suit (bless her, she gets this from me).  While I am proud of her for being a great reader or being fabulous at pottery, these things come easily to her.  Watching her struggle and move ahead at a very slow pace makes me even more proud of her accomplishments.  She was terrified to trot and even fell off the horse when she was learning to trot!  (That was terrifying to watch!  And that thud was super loud.)  It is very bouncy, and if your entire body isn't in the right position, you will fall right off.  Her body couldn't get in the right position before all of her physical therapy and casting, then she had to re-learn her new joints/muscles afterwards.  Now she is able to get into the right position and can stay on the horse while trotting.  This lesson, she was trotting 100% of the time and I was so proud of her!  She used to get a terrified look on her face as she was trotting, but week after week she would make tiny progress and be so proud of herself!!  These lessons are so good for her.

Being a good writer, being a good artist, being a good reader, being a good potter - these are gifts she has that are so wonderful.  Watching her not give up at something she does not excel in, watching her make tiny progress, watching her accomplish little goals, all of this develops her little character.  And I couldn't be more proud of this little girl.

Walking her horse to the mounting block.

She used to struggle to get on, now she does it in 2 seconds.

Kicking up dust trotting:

Learning a new position from Ms. Amy:

Okay, now let's practice it.

It's hard to get into that position when the horse is bumping you along in a trot!

Not bad for her first day trying this position!

Great job, Kara.