'tis the season

The Christmas season is well upon us and I can't help but to feel blessed. 

I sit here on this crisp Monday morning, with one baby in bed and one off to school, watching My Luvin' Man feed out the window while sipping a peppermint mocha coffee, I know we are blessed.  We are beyond thankful for the opportunities that have been graciously handed to us and this season seems to make my thankfulness richer.

We've been keeping busy here. 

Rylie has been enjoying school, her class was in a Christmas program at the first of the month.  It was very sweet and there is something about a herd of Kindergartners hitting high notes that will make you whoop yourself.  All laughing aside, she did a wonderful job.

Our baby Rein is well on her way to becoming a big girl!  She finally found the courage to take her first steps.  You can see the excitement all over her face as she waddles across the living room.  She almost gets too excited to finish her trek.  She is busy learning and absorbing everything she can, it's precious.

My Luvin' Man has settled into his new job nicely and has gotten into the groove of things.  They have been riding colts almost everyday and have just started caking cows.  Calving will start any day.  If you would keep Mama in your thoughts as I attempt to wrench My Luvin' Man out of bed every other night at 10, 2, and 6 AM to check the first timers.  If you know my honey at all you know this is an almost impossible act! 

We are now done.... DONE, with our shopping and I'm glad!  I have made several things all of which I hope everyone loves.  We are all ready to give and enjoy the season. 

Wishing everyone a Merry MERRY CHRISTmas and a Happy New Year!,
~C~

picture day

I maybe a little late, but today's post is just pictures.  I hope you enjoy.

Tooter Bill starts to dig into cake on her birthday

YUM!

I love this... she's saying "HOLY MOLY, Mama... can you say SUGAR HIGH!??"  haha

Rylie Ann and Boomer

Miss Priss is in the black skirt in the middle cheering at half time with the cheer camp girls

Priss POT!



:)



Rylie's school pic



peace, LOVE & SmiLeS,

~C~

we're not in Kansas anymore Toto... OR are we???

It has been a long time since I've sat here typing my blog, but if I sit in the right spot of our newest new house I can pick up a connection which I'm ever thankful for!!  Speaking of the newest new house, I seem to have a little catching up to do.  Humm... where to being. 

Around the middle of September we stumbled upon a super cute house that we scooped from under a willing friend.  So, My Friend and I, made short work of packing and moving with in a few days.  Where my family and I found ourselves piled into an adorable, small, freshly remodeled house and it was necessary to get things put away quickly.  So, that week I was able to paint a few rooms and get most of our things in the general vicinity of their place. 

During this hectic week we had a little dinner and cake for our big girl Rein. (She dove right in and love every bite of cake!)  Also that week MY Luvin' Man was off to Colorado on the wagon for about a week and the girls and I ventured to Lubbock that weekend.  There's no rest for the weary right... HA!  It had only begun!

My Luvin' Man had a good trip. No big wrecks, which, to me, is a good thing!  The girls and I were able to visit family and friends, attend our Wicky's baby shower, and check in with Dr. Klepper before heading home.  The girls and I arrived home on Monday afternoon and My Luvin' Man didn't make it home until the wee hours that morning. 

That following day, Miss Priss was off to school and I drug My Luvin' Man out of bed to call and touch base with the ranch.  He was asked to go by the office, he threw some clothes on and headed in. 

I couldn't help but question this strange request, but felt pretty confident that all was well.  There is nothing to worry about, I told myself.  They rave about My Luvin' Man to everyone, tell him continually what a fantastic job he does, and they aren't going to sell cattle due to the lack of rain.  Then the phone rang, it was My Luvin' Man and he said, "Well, they fired me."  WHAT.... BUT.... OOOOH! This cannot be happening.  He further explained they were in a bind and had decided to sell off most of the cattle and he was no longer needed.  He was laid off. 

Our world came crashing down in the matter of minutes.  I felt like I was in the spin cycle.  I prayed.  I cried.  I prayed. I cried some more.  All I could think of is how we were going to feed our family, pay our bills, get Rylie to school everyday, feed our herd of animals, the list just kept on and on.  What were we going to do!?  I was not ok, but I knew that worrying would get me no where and I felt like My Luvin' Man and the Lord above would take care of us. 

HE did just that.  My Luvin' Man instantly starting calling around, spreading the word to get all the day work he could handle and asking about jobs.  We caught word of a few jobs with in the day and made a call or two.  Two days after we had been knocked on our ears, we had a job interview. 

For that I was beyond thankful, but this job would be in Kansas or dang close to it.  I had no intentions of moving my big girl into yet another school and it broke our hearts at the thought of leaving Follett.  None the less, we headed north and took a gander at their digs.  Man! It was NICE, BUUUTTTTT it was in Kansas. 

We fought our head over this deal for several days.  They called and made an offer on a fabulous opportunity.  Yet we were stumped.  We could stay here, My Luvin Man could day work and such OR we could have a steady job. We prayed and prayed some more.  My heart was telling me "move to Kansas Toto".  Then a few words were spoken to me that echoed in my head... "Do what takes you furthest in life". 

That's that.  I sit here in Nowhere Kansas writting this blog, with no site of Toto OR Dorothy YET!  That's right, we were unemployed on Tuesday and had a job on Thursday.  WE ARE BLESSED!!!  We are very aware of that and tremendously thankful!!!  We now reside just west of the three mile marker, Kansas USA. 

We repacked and moved a lil north.  I'm flat worn out and I think I maybe morning the departure of Follett TEXAS just a tad.  We loved it there and had full intentions of raising our family there, but everything happens for a reason and there is a reason for this too. 

We tried to get Rylie into school at Forgan OK, but had to send her to Meade.  It seems like an awesome school and we have heard great things about it.  She has adjusted wonderfully and I'm overly greatful for that.

Our newest new house is very nice.  The place we live on is beautiful and the people here seem to be very genuine and kind.  Our camp is more like a small community and I have neighbors, which will take some getting use to, but I'm sure it will work out nicely.

In the end we have made it through this too, we always do.  (I will work on getting some pictures posted.)


from the yellow brick road,
~C~

this, that, and the other

Fall is upon us!  Well, it's almost Fall and that makes me beyond happy!

Here at our camp we have been busy.  Busy doing what, I'm not sure I could put my finger on anything, but we are always busy. 

Miss Priss has slid right into Kindergarten.  She is doing very well and has only gotten in trouble once.  In her defence, everyone in the class also got in trouble, so I let it slide this time.  She is loving her class mates, she complains about a few of the boys of course, even though she's batting her eyes the whole time.  I'm in SOOOO much trouble! 

The Kindergarten drama stories never get old and I LOVE hearing them!  P.E. has apparently been very hard on the entire class, My Luvin' Man's lil cousin, Hayden, is also in Rylie's class and taking P.E. hard.  He told his Mom how much he dis-liked P.E. class and how horribly hard it was. So, that day I asked Rylie what they did in P.E., they played duck-duck-goose! HAHA!  That's tuff stuff I suppose.

Lil Miss Priss is becoming just that!  Rein is everywhere and into everything.  She's not walking yet, but it's just around the corner.  She can crawl 90 to nothing!  She loves to play with sister's play jewelry, purses, caps, hats, and bracelets.  It's funny to me how fast they pick all of this up.  She is also always talking in the phone or using a toy to talk into or just acting like she is holding a phone.  She puts it up to her ear and says "HI!".  She's going to be a priss too, but Dad is hoping that she will get dirty from time to time also.

My Luvin' Man has been busy trotting pastures, doctoring calves and doing a lil day work.  He will be in Colorado at the end of the month for four days.  He's got the tee-pee and bed roll ready to go.  I think I might throw in another blanket when he's not looking, I wouldn't want him to freeze! 

We have a new pony in our bunch.  We actually traded our cute lil bronc for a handsome dun horse.  I think it was an excellent trade.  A few Saturdays ago we ventured up into Kansas to fetch our new four legged ride.  He doesn't have a name yet, we've tossed around several and I like Sancho, but we shall see.

As for Mama, I've been running back and forth to school, chasing a baby, getting my Fall decor out and making new.  I adore Fall time!  The cool nip in the air, the delicious smells, yummy cooking and snuggling on the couch just warms my heart!  I've made a scarecrow and pumpkins here and there, fired up the oven and made some yummy dinners.  I've also made Rylie a cheer leading outfit.  I'm still sewing on it, but I must have it done by tomorrow so she can wear it to the pep-rally! She's PUMPED! This time of year just makes me happy!

I hope that everyone is enjoying school, football, and the cool weather.

peace, LOVE & PumPkiN SpiCe!,
~C~

a friend like that

You know those houses setting out in pastures fallen to bits?  Do they make you want jump out of the pick up, do a belly crawl while trespassing and rummage through it to see what kind of cool treasures you can find?  Well, I do!  I do not trespass, but that's doesn't mean I don't want to!  Not very many people are overly excited to rummage through old houses and barns that are knee deep in poo, dirt and brain eating birds for 100 year old goodies in 100 + degree weather.  Well, I have a friend like THAT, My Running Buddy is just like that!!  I'm blessed with a friend that lives right down the road and though we come from very different worlds, we have a crazy amount of things in common.  It's a blessing and a BLAST!

The house above is a random picture I found, but we've been junk hunting in houses and barns in this condition for weeks now.  We have tracked down people and begged them to let us pilfer in their old run down houses and barns, this is usually followed by a strange look.  I think they join our kids in thinking we drink our bath water, but they have no idea the joy it brings to our hearts to find old crystal door knobs, tin gas cans, galvanized feed buckets and wash tubs, metal lawn chairs, rickety tables, rocking chairs held together with bailing wire, 40 year old coffee cans, family heirloom saddles that are falling to bits, rod iron head and foot boards, the list goes on and on!  We are amazed at all the things people chalk up as trash and we gather in blood, sweat, and tears with HUGE smiles on our faces!

This is a display at My Running Buddy's house, after a hunt or two.

Then yesterday on a leisurely junk hunt scoping out houses we yearned to scavenge, we hit the mother load!  Don't get me wrong we have drug home several pick up loads of adored treasure before yesterdays adventure, but we found diamonds in the rough. When I say rough... I mean ROUGH! 

You see, as we were cruising back roads we came across a house we had our eye on for a while.  So, after we finally got the go ahead and a "there's nothing in there", we found it!  There in this house amongst large holes in the floor, the ceiling caving in on top of us, the plaster from the walls crumbling to the floor, there was two very well built room petitions with trim and molding, drawers and cubbies.  They were beautiful, at least we knew they would be. 

As we inched closer we were bombarded by two enormous brain eating buzzards!!  They were HUGE AND ugly AND stinky AND scary.  They hissed and flapped their wings at us, but we were more determined to gather our treasure than they could ever imagine!  So, My Running Buddy threw paint cans at them as we screamed and yelped, she saved us from the brain eating, 3 feet - NO - maybe 10 feet tall buzzards!!!

We were so excited about our find we could hardly contain ourselves. We had to go home, put our babies down for naps, get our big kids from school and wait for the Dads to get home from work.  After everyone was home, feed, and settled, off we went with our "Emergency Kits" in hand!

We pulled up to the scarier than usual old house in the light of the moon and tore out to collect our goods.  With hammers, saws, and flash lights from our Kits we pounded through the house hoping not to come face to face with any more brain eating buzzards.  Successful at being scarier than them, we were alone in the house with our treasures. 

We worked and hammered AND sweat and worked AND sawed and sweat AND kicked and pushed AND pulled and FINALLY we got one out.  Then the other took the same punishment.  I must say, things are not made the way they use to be!  We got them loaded and set off to gather the other stock piles we had.  By the end of the night we were loaded down with a rocking chair on top, which gave me the urge to bust into song and holler "Y'all come back now ya hear!?". 

AND here it is...The front of one cabinet.

The other, there are also little drawers for the top left hand side.

The back of both and the drawers.

I realize that to most folk this doesn't look like more than a nasty heap of scrap wood, but it's SOO much more!!!  See......

Cool. huh? We moved a door, but it's still awesome!



In the end we get to look at our lovely "trash to treasure" and grin.  Here are a few other finds we have, not so graciously stumbled across.

These are two lawn chairs and an ammo box.

This table was heaped with cow poo and I gave it a make over!



This is my cool wash tub with a drain specked.



Here is my rod iron head board, I have to foot board to match! They were being used as gates.

I replaced my broken bedside lamp globe with this insulator.

OH!! How I love JuNk!!! 

I hope your inspired to make trash into treasure and become a REAL junk Gypsy! 

Peace LOVE & jUnK!,
~C~

kindergarten

As I sit here on this cool summer morning over a cup of coffee, listening to the cows and my babies sleep, I'm reminded that Summer is almost over and Fall is a coming.  Oh how I love Fall, it's time for Friday night football games, the trees turning, time for the scare crows to perch on the porch, and cabbage, mums, and pansies to grace the flower pots. 


This all means it's time for school to start again.  This is a sure sign I'm an old lady, not the young filly I think I am.  Why you ask?  Well, because my baby is going to be in Kindergarten this year.


WWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!  

Yep that precious baby, that looks remarkably like her baby sister is going to Kindergarten.  This in turn means Mama has to get back in the groove of things.  Back to a routine, back to a schedule.  No more letting the girls sleep until 10 o' clock while I enjoy the peace and quite, then getting them up and deciding what to do for the day.  No more day trips to the creek or the ranch.  Nope, I have to be on the ball. 


This isn't all bad you see.  I might be a tiny bit glad she's going back to school to play and learn.  Most of all to run off some of the everlasting energy she seems to burst of.  She has been excited about going back too, which has been exhibiting it's self in her behavior. wheww!!  I'm also a tad OCD and I'm a routine kind of gal.  So, it's a good thing.

We're all ready for school with the supplies and a few new clothes.  I feel that Rylie's bedroom needs a supervised cleaning before I set her off tomorrow... as does under the bed, behind the door, in the closet.  All the hiding places she thinks I've never used before. 

On that note I better get myself up and get to work cleaning the girls room and play room.  I'm gonna get Rylie to help, pray for us both!!!! 


peace, love and the smell of crayons,
~C~

a list.

Following in the steps of a lovely, caring lady in my life, I'm making a list.  A list of things I'm thankful for.  Sometimes I think people are quick to forget what and who they are thankful for.  I'm thankful and I try my best to give praise as often as I think of it.

1.  First and foremost I'm thankful for my little family.  I'm thankful for my loving husband and my precious girls!  I would be nothing with out them.

2.  I'm thankful for the opportunity to be at home with my babies.  I cherish every moment.

3.  I'm thankful for the blessing of living in God's country.  We love it here!

4.  I'm thankful for the friends in my life.  Everyone of them has a special spot in my heart, some are crazy, some are fun, some I need their shoulder to cry on, but the memories and stories never get old!  I can't wait to make many more.  

5.  Our extended family, I'm thankful for.  Although we are not close to them all, they all mean a lot to us. 

6.  Every time I'm able to be horseback or watch My Luvin' Man ranch rodeo and/or cowboy, I'm thankful.  What more could you ask for, than to do what you love.  It's a blessing indeed!

7.  I'm thankful for My Luvin' Man's job and the people he works for and with.  They are good, kind people and I'm thankful he enjoys going into work everyday.


This is only the beginning of all the things I'm thankful for, but it's a good start. 

thankful from the north,
~C~

lions AND tigers and BLUE GILLS.... OH MY!

It's been hot!  I think the pretty lady on Channel 4 said it has been over 100 degrees for 26 days straight!  I'm not sure if there's been any rain in those 26 days either... WAIT, yes there has, just not enough to speak of. 

So, when it's hot and dry around here we load up our floats, the quilts, a few towels, and a hand full of sandwiches, CREEK bound!  What better way to spend the afternoon and evening than taking a dip in your favorite swimming hole and having a picnic!?!? 



Ahh, that's PURDY!  I just love it! 

 Big Foot lives here.  He's so lucky!  ;) 

He really does live here, just ask the kids.... they happen to think if they get out of line Big Foot will take care of them for us.  Of course, they just look at us like we've been drinking our bath water and shake their heads. 

As you can see the creek even comes equipped with a sand box for the lil ones to play in.  We usually have to haul off the cow patties first, but that makes it even better! 

Our youngest has a tendency to put everything in her mouth... and I mean EVERYTHING!  I won't get into what I've had to dig out of her tiny mouth with my fairly clean fingers, while she tries to bite me with her two ferocious teeth. So, we try to keep all potential finger foods out of her path.  Sometimes she will find something that doesn't crawl or fly or has gone through a digestive system or been on the bottom of someones boot.  ( OH MY!... this is sad, but true.  I vacuum and vacuum and pick up everything I see that baby could or will or might put into her mouth.  Try as I may she still finds things, it puzzles me!  I'm looking forward to this stage to be over.  Ew! )  ... BUT sometimes she's finds something good, and good for her!



WaTeRmELoN!  This is the watermelon crawl! 



Yes that is my sweet babies head buried into a chunk of watermelon!  I think she may like it more than her Mama, which is hard to beat!  She almost ate that whole piece, which resulted in lots of wet diapers, but that's ok!  I'm just so glad she found something that wasn't... well... I'm glad she found a big ol' juicy piece of fruit, instead of... never mind!

My Luvin' Man and I enjoy taking the girls (and a friend or two) to our favorite swimming hole and plan to go every chance we get... even though the Blue Gills have it out for My Luvin' Man, they bite him almost every time! HAHA!! hehe!

Here's to sweet summer time and the fish biting!,
~C~

no fireworks

Not a lot to speak of this fine Thursday morning.

Our fourth of July celebration wasn't the same this year with the lack of fireworks, really there was no celebration at all.  It just seemed like another weekend around here. 

We did get to drive over to Canadian TX, an absolutely gorgeous little town about 40 min south of our camp, to a ranch rodeo.  My Luvin' Man was entered up on Sunday evening.  We had a sitter for the girls, so that Mama and Dada could enjoy the festivities a lil.  I packed the camera to attempt catching a few shots, I was pretty entertained by the challenge.  I've about decided I want to buy a BIG FaNcY camera with one of those big 'o long lenses, live in a trailer and travel the world capturing rodeo one shot at a time.  Then I figure there are enough crazies in this world that do the very thing, no need to add another. 

My Luvin' Man is 6th man over with two of his team mates on either side.





I don't think my friend would like this pic, but I wanted to show how rank this dude was.

This is My Luvin' Man with two feet.

The wild cow milkin'... that's My Luvin' Man on the tail.

The rodeo was a lot of fun!  You can't tell, but it rained cats and dogs the whole night.  All the guys were soaked to the bone and not one complaint!  Our handy bronc rider lost his footing and didn't make a time.  Other than that, they had a good time in every event and were setting pretty good in round one.  Round two rolled around, the teams took advantage of a nice dry evening, there wasn't even a mud hole left for them to fall in.  We took the girls and our running buddies the second night and had fun watching.  I'm not even sure were our team placed or who won for that matter, but a good time was had by all.

On Saturday we journeyed over to the big city of Darrouzett for our first taste of Ducthes Fest.  There was a "BIG" parade, followed by some yummy German foods, and ending with bounce houses at the park.  It was quite the ordeal you see.  Anyone and everyone that has ever had anything to do with Darrouzett came back for the big event.  They also had softball tournaments and a golf scramble.  My Luvin' Man took the afternoon off to golf a lil, his legs that rarely see daylight suffered.  The night before this shindig, My Running Buddy and I had gone over to walk, the town a buzz!  I was shocked at the sight of all the people that had come to town.  It was a good time and I'm sure it won't be the last!

This is the kids waiting for candy at the parade.

All and all it was a great weekend, even though I didn't get a firework show.  The country side wasn't burned down by a spark from fireworks, so I will survive and wait to see the beautiful bursts next year.  I hope everyone had an awesome, safe weekend as well.

peace, love and bronc peelers!,
~C~

horses, cows, and early morning rain showers

This morning I cranked myself from our kinda comfy bed and pulled on my boots n' spurs.  I gathered my longer than usual hair into a pony tail and threw a cap on top.  I then proceeded to brush my teeth and pack my baby for a morning with my Runnin' Buddy, Mama was going to help Dada. 

You see My Luvin' Man works for a good size outfit, they run approximately 3000 cows, but he is the one and ONLY horseback cow hand.  Before he trotted along, this place was operated by a few guys on four wheelers.  That man of mine wouldn't sign on to work cattle atop something motorized, so he doesn't.  They appreciate his hard work, even on our four legged friends and consider him an asset. He has even a ranch remuda started and the bosses son bought everyone bedrolls, for playing cowboy. HA!  He stays busy cowboying and all that applies, but there are a few times he appreciates a bit of help from company horseback.  Lucky ME!!!!

So, after I dropped my lil beauties off for the morning, I ventured out to join My Luvin' Man to move pastures.  He was a top Jim Ed Love, the newest young punk of the remuda, and I saddled  Sister Sarah.  Off we went.  We trotted out from headquarters through the pasture and across the road, I couldn't help but bask in the glory of God's creation and be thankful.  Thankful for the smell of rain as I walked out of the house this morning.  Thankful for the gorgeous sunrise and the clouds that it was glowing through.  Thankful for the enormous blessing of being horseback this fine morning with my love, my best friend!

There we were pushing the herd to the back of the pasture along the fence and through the gate, where they will call home until the grub is gone.  We made our way back to headquarters and crossed paths with the lone Mama of HQ pasture and her twins.  They took one glace at us, threw nines in their tails and headed for the hills.  Now that will make you smile! 

On my way back to pick up my own herd, of kids that is, the Lord sent another little rain shower to see me home.  Thank YOU!! 

MMM, mmm, MMM... the smell of rain,

~C~

daddy day

What a wonderful man I have. 

The Lord has blessed me beyond my imagination!  The road that has brought me here has been a lil bumpy, but without those bumps you never realize how truly blessed you are.  So what can I say, I have an amazing relationship!  I have never been more considered, supported, charmed, romanced, or truly loved in this way, ever in my life.  For every moment of this I'm overly thankful!  I love that I can spend my life with a wonderful friend and loving husband.


With that said, this Luvin' Man is an even better Daddy and Daddy C. 

If you don't know, My Luvin' Man is Rylie's step Dad and he does a great job at it.  By her own decision, she calls him Daddy C.  As he would say, he will never take away from her Dad, so he's made sure that there is a difference between the two names.  Rylie gives Daddy C a run for his money, as she does the rest of us, but he supports her in all she does and does the best he knows how to guide her in her journey. 


One winter morning I had been expecting mother nature to show her self, I was awaken by a dream that I was pregnant.  So, I jump out of bed and took the test, sure enough we were expecting a babe.  The look on my sweet man's face I will never forget; weellll, that is.. after I unburied my own face from the pillow I was weeping into. HA! You see, a new baby wasn't something I had expected, but My Luvin' Man was elated. I knew that he had been dreaming of being a Daddy for many years and the Lord had chosen me to be the mother of his beautiful children.  I'm honored!


This was taken right before Rein was born.

2010 lead to a long, hot, hard pregnancy; accompanied by a shortage of funds and the Daddy-to-be enduring another surgery.  We made it through the tough times and once again, it made us ever thankful for the good times.  Then in late September we were blessed with this precious baby girl.  She brings joy to our family!

When My Luvin' Man is in "Daddy mode" he is the most precious man you've ever seen, or so I think!  When I think of his parenting and his way of loving these lil beauties, a gorgeous song, sang by Holly Dunn comes to mind... it goes like this....

Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin'
Daddy's hands were hard as steel when I'd done wrong
Daddy's hands weren't always gentle but I've come to understand
There was always love in daddy's hands.
I remember daddy's hands workin' 'til they bled
Sacrificed unselfishly just to keep us all fed

Every word of this describes My Luvin' Man and the endless effort he pours into our family.  I'm extremely honored and proud to call this man my husband and the father of my children.  I am profoundly thankful for the endless love and support he selflessly floods us with everyday. 

Thank you doesn't say enough!

"even though we ain't got money, i'm so in love with you honey"!,
~C~

lil gals and cowboys

I've been a busy gal this last week or so.  The second round of calf draggin' has come and gone.  I cooked day and night, then cleaned in between.  It's amazing the mess 8 or 10 grown men leave behind. The boys all seemed pleased with the grub, but I think they were just happy not to be eating dry chicken cooked by the hippy.  Me being the cook meant, I was stuck inside and out of the draggin' pen.  That's ok though, I enjoyed tending to these fellas.  There are still about 600 head left to drag to the fire, so it looks like I will see the bunch again in a week or so. 

Rylie has also been keeping me busy with T-Ball.  She has been playing hard and making a hand at it... when she has the mind to, that is.  When she's not playing ball, she's kept me running to the river, the creek or the horse pens.  She's a hand full and keeps me on my toes... that's for sure!!  I was able to surprise her this last week with a visit from her BFF.  It was so good to have them come up and we look forward to seeing them again soon!

Rein is getting so big, she will be nine months in just a few days.  I can hardly believe it.  She's not crawling yet and I'm not sure she will.  She may just skip it and go right to walking.  She does scoot everywhere and when she finally gets to where she's going, she finds something to put into her mouth.  I have to keep a close inventory on the tiny things she inserts in her mouth.  I think this girl isn't going to know a stranger and is going to be quite the ham!

My Luvin' Man has been running non stop.  He is pretty worn out, but he has gotten to rest a bit.  I think he could use a few days of sleeping to catch up, but he keeps on keeping on with out a complaint.  He's such a good man!  :D

As for me, I have been couped up at home for the past few weeks and I'm ready for an outing... which may be brewing.  I will keep you posted.  ;)

Peace, LOVE, & lil beauties,
~C~

this and that

The last few weeks have been steady going.  We haven't done much, but have done a lot all at the same time. 

School is now out for summer and Rylie keeps me on my toes and my head, while pulling my hair out. haha.  Lord knows I love her though!!!  Who could resist these angel kisses??

We had a run of company, My Luvin' Man's parents came up for his step brothers high school graduation.  He graduated from a town a few miles down the road, so they bunked with us and we all went over for the big event.  This event was held in a tiny room with half of the folks peeping through the door way from the hall.  Afterward we went to a dinner, it was nice to see everyone!  I think Grandma and Grandpa were glad to see two lil gals I know!  ;)

Rylie also started T-Ball... BAHAHAHAHAHA... it's quite entertaining to say the very least!  There are a few kids that are engrossed by the very sight of the ball.  Then there are all the others, they are watching birds, playing in the dirt, picking their nose, and performing pirouettes in the out field.  Rylie is the latter of course. The first game she was doing great, batting and going for the ball.  She was racing a lil boy in the out field to fight for the ball.  That was all she wrote... one game.  Now she's had enough and I'm not sure she would notice if the ball hit her right on the head.  That's ok though, being the "mean" Mama I am, she has to finish it.  I'm a, "if you start it, you have to finish it" kind of Mom.  I had to do the same growing up and I think it was good for me. The last game we played was a doozie.  The other team had practiced, A LOT!  I was pretty sure some of those kids were Sr.'s in high school!  WOW! 

Baby Rein is growing like a weed!  She has two teeth shinning through now and she's trying to crawl.  She moves all over the place and if you aren't looking you would never know how.  She scoots until she's makes it to her destination smiling from ear to ear the whole time!  She such a happy baby, unless she's hungry or you take her food away.  HA!

We made a lil trip to the river, the Canadian River that is.  My Running Buddy and her family joined us for the big adventure.  This is a picture of Rein enjoying the out doors, that is her sister playing in the water behind her.  It was a lot of fun and we ended up camping there for the night.  This is a spot we have visited before and hope to go many more times before cold weather hits.

This week has began the second round of calf draggin'.  Most of the herd of boys moved in on Tuesday and the rest will trickle in over the weekend.  They will go until Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.  I have been up at 3 AM cooking breakfast and have also been cooking supper for them all every night.  Oh the trip to town to buy the heap of chuck was dreadful!  We all made it out alive and my house is busting at the seams with grub.  Did I mention I have been getting up at 3AM?  YIKES!  That makes me tired... I need a nap!  I do go back to sleep for a few hours before the lil beauties wake.  Still a nap is in order.

The weekend is upon us and I'm sooooOOOOOoooo excited I can hardly stand it! Rylie's best friend and her Mama (another running buddy of mine! ;)  are coming to visit!  I haven't told Rylie yet and I can't wait to see the look on her face when they get here!  I think we may play in the creek, we may even take another trip to the river we'll just have to see.  Whatever we do I know it will be fun and I know Rylie will be beside herself!

Well I better get.  There are t-ball games to get ready for, a herd of cowboys to feed, and company a coming! 

PEACE OUT!  :D

~C~

ranch sponsored summer vacation

The weekend before last I had prepared My Luvin' Man to head to Stillwater OK to A.I. school with the bosses son, the lil boss.  At 6:30 Friday morning, when I had planned to sleep as long as possible, I was graciously awaken by My Luvin' Man.  He asked if the girls and I would like to go to Stillwater with him.  After I emerged from my sleepy fog, I tried to process what he was asking me.  The thoughts that were flying through my head was the laundry I had to finish for the girls, all the toys, diapers, wipes, bottles, snacks, socks, undies, swim suites and every other tiny article I would have to gather and pack for a sort get away with my lil family.  This of course didn't include the packing I would have to endure for myself.  At this moment MONEY popped into my mind, as unfortunately it always does, I said to My Luvin' Man, "we can not afford to do that".  He assured me that the lil boss was going to bless us with the means, so what the heck, right!?!  I cranked my self from my comfy sheets and proceeded to gather our life into bags.


We departed for the lovely, deeply humid Stillwater OK, so My Luvin' Man could assist a few Mama cows in having babies (this is how we explained it to the ornery gal).  He dropped us off at the hotel and he went to class.  The hotel had advertised a restaurant in house, but upon arrival we were told that it was no longer in service.  So, I toted the lil beauties to the near by taco joint for supper.  Then we hurried back to the hotel for a dip in the pool. 

We visited the cool spot several times over the few days.  We also went shopping and hunted down fabulous bargains that I delight in.  On Saturday night we had planned for a nice supper.  Nice supper for us is usually defined by our local corner store, so we were quite excited about the outing!  The thought of a few yummy steak houses began our conversation, but I quickly put out that fire when reminding My Luvin' Man that we eat beef three meals a day.  As we pondered one eating establishment after another,  RED LOBSTER was decided on.  Supper was delicious and we went back to the room for an evening slumber.

Rylie took this on the way to Red Lobster

Sunday My Luvin' Man went to class until noon and then we headed to the City, ZOO bound!  We made it to the ZOO around 1 that afternoon and made our way through the gorgeous scenery!  Of course I took my lil camera and took a few pix.

Sweet girls!



MAMA, it's HOT!



aww!

OH! There were a few animals too!  ;)

 

The ZOO had a brand new baby... sooo cute!



dmm-dmm-dmm... gOOd bye! 
(which was also the end of my cute lil pink camera, for it took a swim in fresh squeezed lemonade)   :(

lions, tigers, & bears... OH MY,

~C~