LINN — Theo Titus, 8, of Loose Creek, stepped into the show ring for the first time Thursday at the Osage County Fair.

Asked why he chose lambs, Theo simply said he likes them. He admitted the most difficult part of the experience was halter-breaking the animals, a process he tackled with help from his parents, Taylor and Catlin.

In fact, Theo jokingly nicknamed one of the lambs “Bucking Bull” during the months-long process. Ironically, the animal turned out to be the calmest of the group.

Behind the scenes, the entire family invested countless hours preparing for the fair. Catlin said all five children — Theo, Naomi, Aiden, Delilah, and Maddox — worked alongside her during the day, while Taylor and Theo often spent evenings working with the lambs.

“I was definitely more hands-on rather than simply behind the scenes,” Catlin said. “We worked a lot during the day (all 5 children with me), then Taylor and Theo would work with lambs again most nights, while I got supper started. My husband is on board with pretty much anything, thankfully, and very supportive.”

Even at 8, Theo is learning what it means to be responsible. “For his age, I find it appropriate that Theo knows how to water them, feed them, and walk them,” Catlin said. “Every day, he waters and feeds the sheep, the chickens, and the dog. I think it’s important that he understands the responsibility of what goes into animal care.”

Catlin said the family’s homeschool approach emphasizes hands-on lessons and real-life experiences. “I think everything is a lesson every day,” she said. “It’s just one of those hands-on things.”

The Titus family has developed a flock of approximately 20 sheep, and although only two lambs were shown this year, the project has become much larger than ribbons or auction prices.

“It’s absolutely for him to learn,” Catlin said, noting that Theo has been there for every step of the process. “Animal life cycles from field to table; it is not free or always easy. Banding and castrating, for example — Theo was right down in there learning. We feel it’s very important to know how to properly care for our animals.”

She said 4-H and raising livestock help reinforce the values important to their family.

Theo’s market lamb, a wether (castrated male) named Spot, started at approximately 60 pounds on April 11-12, and reached 83 pounds by the show on June 11.

“Spot was on the leaner side and younger, which left him a little under-prepared for the month-earlier fair this year,” Catlin noted. “The judge specifically mentioned the lamb was built nicely; it just needed more time.”

Still, Spot was purchased by Mid America Bank. Theo was very pleased to sell it and plans to use a portion of the proceeds to help pay feed costs, with the remainder going into his savings account. “Theo really appreciates Mid America Bank for buying his lamb,” Catlin said.

Before the sale, the family personally visited nearly 20 businesses and sent additional letters seeking support. Catlin said one of her proudest moments came while watching her son operate. “He walked into businesses as confidently as he could, introduced himself, shook hands, and asked to speak to someone about some fair business,” she added. “It was a proud mom moment for certain.”

Catlin showed sheep while growing up, following the path of her mother and aunts. She said it has been fun reconnecting with families she and her brothers, Caelob Stephan, and Cole Stephan, exhibited alongside years ago.

“I showed with Emma. I showed with Kate, and now here we are,” she said, pointing to lifelong friends working with their animals in the fair barn alongside their own kids. “That’s really neat. I guess that’s one of the benefits of being in these small areas.”

Still, Catlin said the family’s goal is not simply to continue a tradition.

‘It’s fun knowing that we are raising another generation of 4-H youth and showing sheep at the fair, but we are not doing it for generational tradition reasons,” she said. “We’re not setting out to follow in the footsteps of others. We’re setting up our own legacy for our children. We are writing our own story and following a path that we pray is right, and only God knows what that is.”

Taylor, a master plumber for a company in Columbia, and Catlin are raising five children while maintaining the family operation.

Although the younger children are not old enough to exhibit livestock, they eagerly follow along and help wherever they can.

For Theo, the fair has been an opportunity to learn responsibility, develop confidence, and enjoy the animals he loves.

And for the Titus family, it marks another chapter in a story they are writing together — one built on faith, hard work, and the lessons learned along the way.

“We are just living in a beautiful part of Osage County, raising our five babies, sheep, cows, chickens, and ducks,” Catlin said. “A life full of God, love, and hard work; it doesn’t get much better.”