{this moment}

A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Birthday Girl

C turned 8. I'm pretending that she's only 5, but just tall for her age.

She wished for a slumber party.

My memories of slumber parties from back in the day are kind of crazy. I was a little nervous to host a slumber party, but there was no reason to be. It was really fun and I wouldn't mind doing it again. A few sweet friends, games, crafts, movies, and just hanging out...I think we covered everything that C was hoping for and more.

She is an amazing daughter and I think that she teaches me more about life than I teach her. We love her to pieces!

Here are a few party pics:


We turned the front room into the party room for eating and crafts.



Here are the owl cups from Target that I fell in love with and the doll cupcakes.


C and Nana.



The silliest of the sillies together....the morning after the party.



C with Meme and Poppa.



Her new bike.

I love the bike she chose. She has been needing a bigger bike for quite some time now. As soon as we got home she and G hopped on their bikes and went to riding....nevermind that it was cold and rainy. Oh, to be a kid again!

May we all have her sweet carefree spirit this Christmas season and always!

2011: The Year of the Babies :)

We have had such a blessed year. We have welcomed two nephews and one niece into the world.

Here is our newest little arrival. He is so precious and perfect.



I predict that in a few years he and G will be getting into quite alot of mischief together. And I'm just fine with that. :)

His Wishes

G turned five last week. His wishes for this birthday started as soon as he blew out the candles on his "four year old" birthday cake. He blew those candles out and said, "Next year I want a Buzz Lightyear birthday party at Chuck E Cheese!"

This has been a trend with him starting at two. The day of his two year old birthday he promptly said that he wanted a Thomas the Train party for three, and the day of his three year old party he said that he wanted a cowboy birthday for his four year old party. He is so sweet to give me a year to plan!

He also has other wishes, like getting to play with fire.

So we let him light his birthday breakfast muffin this year.



He had an art show at preschool on his birthday. Super duper cute.



We got to Chuck E. about ten hours early because he just couldn't contain his excitement.



The Buzz Lightyear theme cake.



The crown that he asked for 1,234 times.



Loved his excitement!








Getting to do the ticket blaster that he talked about for weeks before the party. Great marketing Chuck E.


It was a super fun time...and a little super crazy, but he had the best time ever! It was so fun to watch him with his friends enjoying his birthday. I think that all his birthday wishes came true!


As parents, our wish is that he always be this excited about life. Love you G-Man!!

Lovin' This

Birdie Awards

This past weekend was fast and furious, but so fun! We had lots of friends and family here for the opening days of dove season. Shockingly, there were lots of birds. We officially have no water in the creek or the tank so we weren't sure what that would mean for hunting. It actually was the best hunting in years. Nobody was disappointed. (except for maybe the birds)

The kids had a blast. This is the first year they got to "hunt". I think it was mainly that they got to play with friends that made it so fun. I know that's what did it for me. I'm not so much the hunter. More of a watcher. Big surprise, I know.

And now for the long awaited Birdie Awards...

Best artwork for the '11 dove season:


The cutest hunters for the '11 dove season:


Best buddies for the 2011 dove season:



Most scared to hold a dove for the '11 dove season:


Most serious hunters for the '11 season:


Most dove killed for the '11 dove season:



Most shells left in the pasture for the '11 dove season:


Love you Trav! G wants to know when you are coming back. He has been brushing up on his wrestling skilz.

I Chuckle

Sometimes I get the question..."aren't you bored being a "stay-at-home" mom?"

First, let me say that I do not take for granted the privilege of getting to stay home and tend to my people. It really is humbling when I think about it. I do plan on re-entering the workforce soon, but every minute that God has granted us for me to stay at home has been an extreme blessing.

BUT, I do chuckle at that question.

So far today....

Made the lunches.

Kids are at school.

Took the farm truck to get the flat fixed.

Striped the soccer field for tonight's practice.

Killed a snake.

Yes, you read it right.

Big enough to need a hoe, small enough that I didn't have to call a boy.

Got the cows out of the hay pen.

Fixed the fence.

Dishes done.

Laundry almost done.

....and it's only a little past 11:00 AM.

I also managed to squeeze in a Starbucks. :)