Anticpation Rewarded

I am so excited, after weeks of anticipation and several nights spent tossing and turning, wondering when my very own steer will arrive, he is here.  When I got the text this morning, telling me that the steers would be at the FFA farm and ready for picking at 2:15.

Now, because I have been having a sick week this week ('tis the season), I came up with a brilliant plan so that I would have optimum energy for steer selection.  I would take a nap until 1:30, throw on my boots and start driving by 1:45.  So I started my brilliant plan and was in bed at 12:20. 

At 12:37 I double checked the text to make sure we were meeting at 2:15 not 1:15.

At 12:43 I tried to run through potential steer names, an effort that I declared useless by 12:55.

At 1:04 I reviewed key things to look for when choosing my steer.

At 1:16 I received a text from my incredible FFA advisor explaining that "they are beautiful!!!!" Unable to wait any longer, I jumped out of bed, threw on my boots and headed out the door, never mind that I was nearly 14 minutes early!

I got to the farm at 1:58, over 15 minutes early, so I decided to furtively drive by the backside of the farm, right past the beef unit to get a first peek at the steers.  I was unable to see the steers from the road, what I did see however was my friend Rachel's car.  Rachel was also getting a steer.  Seeing that I was by no means too early, I spun the car around (who knew you could break speed records in a 1991 Ford Tempo?) and hurried to the beef unit. 

As soon as I got to the pen where the steers were currently lounging, this little guy caught my eye. 

Pretty soon Mrs. Lacey and the other two, Victoria and Makenna had arrived and we were ready to begin.  Makenna, being the most experienced with two steers already successfully raised, picked first.  I let out a breath as she picked a large black bald steer. Next went Victoria who picked the dark red Shorthorn Charolais cross.  Another silent sigh of relief, my steer was still in the running.  Finally Rachel chose an adorable black steer that was heavily muscled and reminded her of the steer she had two years ago.  If I hadn't been sick I would have jumped for joy, my first choice steer was mine. 



I settled him in his pen and reluctantly left my little guy alone for the night, but not before he demonstrated to me that while he may seem little, he is more than capable of taking me for a nice.... er.... run.  We'll have to get that fixed pretty soon!

The only question left is what to name him.... Any suggestions?