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~