All Dressed Up & Nowhere to Go.

Another reason to get dressed up has arrived!

Yep, go all out. Don't hold anything back.

Find your favorite outfit.

And of course don't forget to "accessorize"

After all It's going to be a fabulous time!

Anyone who is anyone will be there,

and you can bet they will be dressed to the 9's!

This is an invitation only Party!

I do hope you will join me.

After all I consider you all to be my very best friends.

Who else would I want to be here?

NO ONE!

So Please think of what you will wear....

Now I want you to be honest..

Have I over done it?

Is this outfit over the top?

Too much?

Don't hold back...I trust your judgment.

If I can't trust your opinons after all we have been through?

Who else is there?

So....

What do you think?

To fancy?

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

What? I said dressed to the 9's!?

I am pretty sure those are my dads socks!

And he wears a size 9!?

he he he!

I look so very proud. 

And it is my birthday.

So I wanted to share some cake.

I wish everyone lived closer.

What a GREAT party that would be! 

Can you imagine...(Wicked Grin)

I will be wishing you all were here, because I actually have to work today.

Also my handsome Cowboy is working out of town:(

Maybe I will stop and get a cake, some icecream...what else...

HELL NO I am not going to get any candles!

I live in a log house!

Holy Up in Smoke Batman!

I will bribe my kids to not sing.

Then I will play Marie Anntionette and "Let them eat cake!"

I hope you all have a fabulous day! 

Thank you for being my friends! 

Who else could I share these "Old" pictures with? lol

Did my parents not think I was the cutest?

Why can I only find 2 pictures of me...

I must look into this....

Happy Un-Birthday to you all!

mmmwaahhhaa

Train

Somebody Watchin You? It might be me?

Do you ever just see something that touches your heart?

Something that is so simple, yet reaches into your very soul?

It makes you thankful to be where you are at that very moment?

I do.

Daily.

I know that some people

may have an easier life.

More money,

a nicer home,

fancier cars.

A maid.

Yes, there are more fortunate people in this world.

People that don't have to worry about bills.

What to pay, what to wait on.

Who seem to have an endless bank account?

Sure they are out there.

I am definatley not driving a porshe.

I worry about expenses.

I wish I had a maid!

Or a pool boy...(sigh)

uh, err ahem...

sorry day dreaming took over momentarily... he he

However, I am not complaining!

I may not be wealthy.

But I am happy

 and we have been blessed.

I see beauty, and moments

 that I am afraid many of these "fortunate" people miss.

I see everyday occurences

that are simple

and beautiful.

And yes I will stop to take pictures!

I am not going to miss a chance to capture a precious moment.

A moment that may only come once.

A moment to share.

One that may brighten someone elses day?  

I am not afraid of who will see me. 

I am capturing a moment in time,

a gift to pass on.

These moments must be preserved.

I am here for you my people!

 As long as I have battery life on my camera,

I will take pictures.

As long as Cowboys ride,

I too will be ready camera in hand.

Sitting in my husbands truck,

hidden by the tinted windows,

 taking photos of unsuspecting,

handsome cowboys,

in their Cinch jeans,

pressed shirts,

and dusty ol' boots.

And no I wasn't waiting till he turned around...

I would never!

What?! (innocent blinking)

Now if I would have know his first name...heh heh

So, I may not be the richest girl around,

and I love my F350 White 4x4

with taller than need be

probably too wide tires,

that really would look awesome

 with a 2-4 inch lift,

 but my husband said no,

truck,

and my not quite finished,

still paying on it log home.

But I am HAPPY!

AND Oh so Blessed!

I hope everyone had a Wonderful Christmas!

Have a safe & fabulous New Year

Heros Have to Start Somewhere

This is my oldest son.

He just turned 5.

Ok, Ok, well it seems like he just turned 5!

He actually just turned...(gulp) 19!

Oh Lordy! Can I be that old?

Maybe.

Do I feel that old?

HECK NO!

Because it is his Birthday,

as all mothers, fathers and anyone who has someone special

celebrating a Birthday knows...

A flood of memories comes this day.

Memories of how fast the time flew by,

and how the heck did it go by so fast!?

I am going to share with you

one of my most favorite memories of this curly headed kid

A defining moment.

Before I get started on this tale,

Let me first share this 

I know you will find this hard to believe...but I was a shy kid.

Yep!

 Hide behind my parents legs shy!

It was painful. I hard a hard time in school.

Kids teased me, one in particular was down right mean!

Because of this I worried about my son.

I did not want him to struggle as I did.

The thought of kids picking on him?

Made my blood boil!

(Anyone seen the Hand that Rocks the Cradle)

I would have been like the nanny!

SERIOUS!

Also with that being said,

 I  taught him the importance of being kind.

To everyone.

To share, and try to get along.

Mind your teachers and do as they say.

So much to prepare your little scholar for!

It was his kindergarten year.

 This was when my son's true character would show.

After the Christmas break I recieved a note from the school.

It explained due to many of the children not paying attention in class,

"toys" and other items were not allowed.

Only on the designated Friday could the children bring one item for show & tell.

Well? I guess that made sense.

So I explained it to my little crayon carrier.

No toys.

Only on Fridays.

Simple enough.

Well So I thought.

Thursday, came.

As I was zipping his jacket, I noticed his little pockets?

They were Quite full.

I reached in and pulled out a letter magnet?

I reached in his other pocket...

His pockets were stuffed full of the brand new alphabet letters

he had gotten from "Santa!"

He had stuffed as many as he could fit in his small little pockets.

I was stunned.

 

Son?

You know I told you could not take any toys to school?

I explained this already.

You cannot take anything to school except on Fridays?

Show and Tell Only!

(I was stern.)  

I did not want my child to be the

"Rebel"

He needed to understand.

I kept my voice controled and firm.

Do you remember?

He nodded his little hooded head up and down.

Then why would you disobey me?

Why?

After I explained this to you would you still take toys to school?

Do you want to get in trouble?

He shook his head slowly.

I thought I was doing this parenting thing right?

Explain, be patient, make sure they understand?

He understood a few days ago?

I was at a loss.

"Ok" I asked,

Then why did you fill your pockets with your new letters?

 To which he replied looking right into my questioning eyes.

"Yesterday a new boy came to our class.

and we are learning letters." 

"Mom he can't see."

 "Our teacher said it was cuz he was blind.

And my letters have those little bumps on them. 

You said it was so kids that can't see can read too?"

 "I wanted to help him, so he could learn his letters." 

Well let me tell you...

As my eyes welled up,

And I tried not to burst into tears!

I put all those letters in a bag.

Wrote a note to the teacher.

Gave him a great big hug.

& 

Told him how proud I was of him.

Oh and yes I felt like one of those tiny bumps on the magnets!

That was the day.

My Son became My Hero.

He never had a problem with shyness, or making friends.

Here I thought I was supposed to teach him to be a good & kind person.

He was teaching me.

And he continues to teach me.

Thank you my magnet toting son.

Happy Birthday

I Love You

John Deer "Clean"

Am I that bad?

I mean as a mother?

Do I really expect that much? Really?

As a mother of 5 (gulp) yes 5.

 (Ok so two are "bonus" kids, but  I consider them my own.)

I expect certain things from all of them. 

 I am only thinking of them when I set down these rules & expectations.

You know the ones... No picking fights.

If someone is picking on you, walk away.

If the bully stops you from walking away?

Swing Hard.

Yes I stand behind my kids

I won't tolerate a bully!

Respect your elders.

No back talking.

Come home before dark.

No climbing trees, why is it that they want to climb trees?

Here is where the problems arise...After the "look" Cowboy tells me "they are kids,it's ok to climb trees." blink blink

Does he not realize they could fall out and break their angelic little wings?

Stay outta the creek...the same "look"

"Oh let them swim" 

Me "Do not get dirty."

Cowboy "Aw we live in the country how do they not get dirty?"

Opposition at every turn! GAH!

I can only imagine the trouble they get in when they are with him?

What is a mother to do? 

On one occasion we went to look at a head horse for my supportive Cowboy.

(very sarcastic tone being used. heh heh) 

I was witness to a simliar situation.

Picture this:

It was a grey day, it had recently rained. Not so much cold, as just muddy.

Two very "active" little boys running around.

(I thought they were brothers).

Later the Father of the one told me they were cousins.

Well these little boys were running around, and chasing each other as boys will do.

The father kept hollering at them to settle down.

It was obvious they weren't paying attention.

Or maybe just weren't listening would be more accurate.

Whatever the case it was entertaining.

They were having fun.

The poor dad was really trying to get them to settle down.

"Don't get dirty! Your mom will kill me!" 

Really? ha ha

So...it isn't just me!  

As I watched these two little dirt magnets tackle each other,

 and roll in the arena, getting covered in mud.

I thought of my own sweet little Angels.

Could it be that my Cowboy has just taken the easy way out?

Fully aware that he cannot control these little devils...Angels of ours? 

It was an entertaining thought.

Well these little fellas continued to have their fun.

As we got ready to leave,

I looked over and saw one of the sweetest, funniest moments ever!

I had to capture it!

Evidence that we as moms hold some kinda control!

He wasn't so much worried about his son having fun, 

as he was about himself once it was all over!

Ha ha

I heard him telling his son..

Now you"ve gone and done it, your mom is going to kill me."

I couldn't help but laugh.

Here is this grown man, trying to clean up his boy, with the only thing around.

A HOSE!

So neither one would get their hide tanned!

So when I tell My kids to not get dirty, or stay outta trees?

Oh I know they are going to do it.

And if there is any way their dad can cover it up?

I know he will do that too.

What makes me smile?

It is the pure unconditional fear that I am going to find out!

And the fact they will all be parents someday.
So they stick together, it's ok.

That is what dads are for.

Moms are the ones that know all, see all and still love them. 

Now Please tell me I am not the only one!

ha ha ha

Train

Some Place I'd Rather Be.

I Hope Everyone has a Wonderful Thanksgiving.

I know I will remember all I am thankful for tommorow.

I try to remember each day, but I am guilty of overlooking some of my blessings.

You know like when it is so cold in the morning & it takes me 15 mins to start my truck.

I know I should be thankful I don't have to shovel the walk to get to it.

Because you know I would be wearing flip flops ;) he he

Blessings to everyone, have a great weekend.

What Little Girls Dream Of...

What is it that little girls dream of?

When they close their eyes and drift off.

When they look out the window for hours on end?

When you hear the whispers of secrets and giggles of laughter?

What is it, that they are keeping so close to their hearts?

So quiet on their lips...

Why they are dreaming of what every little girl (and some older girls) dream of!

They are dreaming of a Beautiful Carriage drawn by a team of white horses.

With a handsome Cowboy coming to take her away.

Or maybe two Cowboys?

Hey a girl has to keep her options open! 

One can never be too sure when it comes to those smooth talking, looking good in those jeans, steer roping, cattle branding, can't get enough of those chaps wearing Cowboys!

Wow! They leave me breathless..he he

Girls dream of small inexpensive "I love you's"  

Ones that will bring a quick smile &  fill her heart.

Knowing her fella took time out of his busy schedule

to bring  something for no reason at all. 

Just because...

Small gestures of love as little as they may seem, will stop a girls heart in an instant.

Don't get me wrong,  I...er...ahem ..

I mean, Girls love small sparkley things .

However, never under estimate the power of Love on it's own.

Dancing on the porch, holding hands, a door opened for you.

Saying "I love you"...

 "Let me do the dishes for you tonight, you need to go put your feet up..."

(Ok so that is in my dream? he he)  

Yes all girls dream, little girls and women.

It is good for your heart, after all if you don't dream, how will you live?

Everyone should have a dream.

Of course if you are dreaming of  a "Cowboy?"  Dream your research, they are hard to train, ahem...I mean they can be stubborn at times.

They will groan, and make a fuss if you ask them to hold your purse,

 or anything with fringe of frills.

But they are truly better than any knight in shining armour.

After all who do you think is going to have to polish that tin can!?

I wish you all a

"Happily Ever After"

The End

Happy Birthday Stevie, you have the most beautiful family!