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~