We wrapped up WD’s birthday on Wednesday and I think it’s safe to say he had a really good day. 🙂
Happy birt-day!
He got a BIG box in the mail full of presents from Gramps!
Look at me!A tractor full of legos!!And I can ride it, too!
I got a birthday present, too. He loves to watch Sesame Street so we turned it on for the morning and he wanted to snuggle me while we watched. Happy birthday to ME.
Love this sweet boy…
***************
Sawyer’s heifer, Cindy, calved this morning!
Cindy and baby
We bred her to a Charolais bull and got a sweet little creamy, yellow, butterscotch heifer calf! We were all so excited to bound out into the pasture to see her this morning. I gotta be the next in line to deliver, right?! 😉
***************
The Partners in Education hosted a fundraising carnival in town last night and since it was rainy and Fun Friday, we decided to take the kids in as a surprise. Tickets were $0.25 per game – how do ya beat that?!
This girl LOVES to get her face painted!Cute as a button, yes?Wryder got a race car “tattoo!”Winning prizesBounce house fun!Organized chaos in here…Sister helped protect him a little bit…She even got to get cotton candy!AND, went down this HUGE slide, all by herself!
It was a really fun night! We thought all the extra energy burned would put them right to sleep. It worked for Sawyer. I think the thunder was a little too intriguing for Wryder.
He laid in his crib for two hours saying, “Momma, that noise? Bunny, that noise? Brown bear, that noise?”
Wrex re-tucked him at least twice. He never acted scared…just really puzzled! Plus, how do you REALLY explain thunder to a two year old?
***************
This. This is just plain funny.
Thankfully, I sent it to Wrex before he could send it to me. 😉
***************
Tonight is Wrexy’s ten year livestock judging reunion at CSU. (Yeah, that makes us feel old). We’re trying to get around to head to town so he can catch up with his old teammates. With all the excitement around here this morning, we’re running a bit behind… I’m sure that trend will only continue as we add one more to the mix. 😉
When the kids go down for naps, I attempt to make a little quiet time for myself, too. I usually spend the time paying bills or writing blogs or doing a little Bible study or catching up on the news or other blogs.
I have to guard my heart a lot on what I do choose to read but the ex-newsy in me just can’t get enough most days. I find I’m always sending things to Wrex to read…things that either touched my heart or were full of Godly counsel or were inspiring, interesting or just downright incredulous. (There’s usually quite a few of those).
Today, I’ve decided to post some of my top reads of the week.
I ran across this one just today and I loved EVERY thing about it…other than the fact that the man is dying of cancer. He’s working his buns off so that when his time is up in a mere few weeks, he leaves behind less headache and stress for his single-mother granddaughter. Take a minute to read this story that spans the gap between race and age and consider donating to the GoFundMe Account! They’re uber close to their goal! 😉 Pun TOTALLY intended…
This report just made me sick. Our justice system is completely reprehensible when it comes to child abuse and neglect. 14 years isn’t enough. Not. Even. Close.
This one. Oh, this one. I’m sure this wasn’t the most fun for her to put out there and share with the world, but I have no doubt that she’s spoken right to some mommas’ hearts…including mine. Oh, Lord, I need heaps of grace…and I hope I get better at giving it as well.
Now this is one of those incredulous ones. In fact, when I sent it to Wrex I captioned it with, “Please don’t let me be this woman.” I have to hope that her intentions were far better than it appears. I’m all for ideas and information…but I hope I do it with a little more grace…or a few more flowers than blunt edges? I don’t know. Read for yourself and see what you think!
The sun’s trying to peak out a little around here and the overcast lover in me is not liking it one bit! Give me a few more hours (if not days) of rain and clouds…pretty please?!
Happy birthday, Wryder Roo! You’re two! TWO! Even though when we ask you these days, you tell us you’re six…ahem.
The birthday boy!
You are all boy – from the tip of your head to the bottoms of your feet. They stink. Really, they do. You have the stinkiest, sweatiest feet of anyone I know and I think it’s adorable. I must be your mother, huh? It just reminds me of just how all boy you really are.
🙂
Anything that makes noise or has wheels or involves mud or rocks or sticks or jumping off of something – you are all about it! You are very dexterous like your daddy and almost always have something in your hand. You love to put rocks in your “pot-tet” or carry around a stick or throw dirt…we’re still working on that one, aren’t we?
Farm boy
You love ANYTHING tractor (especially the green ones). Thankfully, the guys across the road are going to be planting alfalfa soon and have had to do a lot ground work in preparation for that. You’ve stood on the porch and watched them for hours already…you just wait til they start swathing and baling – I might never get you inside!
Watching intently as the neighbors work ground
You LOVE to eat. Even just the mention of the word snack or supper gets you to drop what you’re holding and run to your seat in the kitchen. We haven’t found too many things you won’t eat…in fact, I’m not sure I can think of a single one. You are definitely your “father’s son” (as Sawyer says) and you love meat and potatoes…and any sweet that gets put in front of you.
A birthday treat from our waitress yesterday…
You seem to love the ladies, ahem, which we’re ok with. Daddy does a great job (and will continue to, no doubt) show you how to treat a woman according to Christ. Your extroversion serves you well in this department…as does your general charm and the ease at which you throw around your “I wuv yous.” Just do us a favor and be kind to ALL the girls, not just the young, tall, dark haired ones, ok??
With Gillian, one of his faves
Despite all that masculinity you have coursing through your veins, you are so good at showing love…
You love your family fiercely, which I adore. Your sissy is your best friend and daddy ranks a close second. I suppose I’m not really ever gone enough to test your allegiance, but I’m ok with that. 😉
Lunchtime hugs
Every time I hear your little voice say, “Momma hug. Momma kiss,” I just melt. I shall give you all the hugs and kisses you shall ever want…and probably quite a few you’d not.
Oh, I love him so…
Your laugh and zeal are SO contagious! You are easily excited by the things in your world that are so important to you…tractors and baby calves and monkeys and Booey and sissy and Bandit the cat and going to town and cowboy hats and birthdays and semi trucks and cookies…and it makes us excited, too!
On the run!
You’re an emotional little guy. Change, especially abrupt change, is hard for you. We have to take our time to tell things “bye” or prepare for whatever comes next. I suppose you get that from your type A, anal retentive mother. Ahem.
You’re very persistent when it comes to…just about everything. We’ve discovered that the “just ignore him and he will stop asking/repeating/whining” thing doesn’t really work with you. It works best to nip it in the bud and attempt to move on. I have no doubts that this will serve you well in some (or many) arenas in your adult life one day.
Cheeeeese
Your whole existence has been a big change for me! You and Sawyer aren’t just a ton alike and that’s taken some getting used to. (See above paragraph regarding change. Ahem.) I feel like I’m finally getting in my boy groove…and it. is. good. You have added an element to our family that I didn’t even know was missing and man-oh-man, it has been so rewarding and fun…for all of us. We are better because of you, it’s true!
Ride a little pony…
On your second birthday, we bless you in the name of Jesus! We bless your hands – that they would do the work of the Lord. We bless your feet – that they would carry you far from mischief. We speak to your future and call it blessed and we pray that the deep persistence that abides in you will be used to stand firm for the Lord as you further His kingdom. We pray that as you hunger and thirst in life, that your greatest ones will be for more of Him and His word and His presence. We bless you with a life that nurtures your boyish heart; one of adventure and excitement as you follow the Lord!
We love you so much, handsome! The Lord redeemed “tax day” when you were born!
I’m ready to labor and push and bring her outside of my body.
I’m ready to snuggle her and swaddle her and get to know her outside of the womb.
I was scared to death of the whole labor process with both Sawyer and Wryder and I don’t feel that way this time…and I pray I don’t pass that point of readiness.
I feel like I’m perched on the diving board and I’m READY to take that leap into the deep end…the house is cleaned and organized and bags are packed and the ‘big brother/big sister’ shirts are made and we have diapers and wipes and formula and bottles and the carseat is in the truck…but labor hasn’t commenced so I can’t take that leap just yet.
I don’t want the longer I wait to increase anxiety, because that happens sometimes doesn’t it? When you feel SOOOO ready and you just wanna jump in feet first but you have to wait and then the enemy starts whispering fears into your ears…general anxiety sets in…and you’re a blubbering mess. Don’t ask me how I know.
I would LOVE to go into labor on my own this time. I haven’t had that luxury with either kid prior…apparently my womb is quite comfy. 😉 I keep telling the Lord that He knows the desires of my heart, but I trust that He’s knows best as well. He has been so faithful this pregnancy, friends.
I had so many fears going into this one. My heart so longs to be obedient to Him and I wasn’t certain that He was ok with us having a third one. I was reminded that He views children as blessings…He wants us to fill our quivers! We have the means and the ability to create more warriors for the Kingdom and He would bless this addition. He is the giver of life so even despite our efforts, if Sayble wasn’t meant to be, she wouldn’t have been. But she IS.
Her story has looked different than the other two, but no less full of His goodness and grace. After watching momma’s go through tough pregnancies and walk beside some as they lost babies and after having a bout of pre-eclampsia the day I was induced with Wryder, I have been so scared that I wouldn’t make it with this one. I didn’t want her to be born early and spend time in the NICU in a different city…I didn’t want to be scared to death and have my life threatened with pre-e…I didn’t know how I would carry her to term when I already felt so huge…
But? We’ve made it…and none of that has come to pass. He has showed me that He is trustworthy…again and again and again… Lest we forget…
We go in for another checkup tomorrow…and until He’s ready for her to make her debut, we will wait expectantly for her arrival. I will savor these kicks and stretches and countless bathroom breaks and never-ending house cleanings and day dreams about her sweet face and the last happenings as a family of four.
Pray for our family in this time…that we would wait well and that we would savor these days together…that labor would come in His time and that all would be safe and well and healthy…that we would honor Him with our story of Sayble’s life…all of our lives…He is most worthy.
In our Sunday best!Trying to get a good pic of 2, 2 year olds is challenging…We tried hard though!With the grands…Reading books with Goo GooMy sweeties…The Easter bunny came for a visit!So funny!Wryder was ready to tear open that Easter basket!Breckyn was all about the chocolate…His face is SO cute in this one! Eggs are exciting!The Easter bunny was a big helper…Hunting the harder onesTelling the Easter bunny bye…Bunny hugsRoot beer float time!And cousin bath time!Snuggling the Goo GooCute girls with Uncle Warner!Posing with PaPa and RaRa
Our sweet little Wryder loves tractors. They are, hands down, his favorite thing right now. He loves to watch them work ground all around us or look at pictures of them on the internet or play with his or ask Mr. Rick for rides… With his second birthday coming up, we knew a tractor party he should have!
He prefers green tractors 😉Wrex cut these tractors out of foam for me and I painted them upI love the little John Deere boy…reminds me of WDIt was yellow and green everywhere!He got such a bang out of the plates and napkins – so glad I bought them!The party scape…
We had some of his favorite things to eat, including:
harrowed hamburgers
sickle mower sweet potato fries
garden tractor veggie tray
four stroke fruit
compact corn on the cob
duel fuel lemonade
The dessert table – always the best part!That cake…My fave, hands downSawyer, Breckyn and WryderHe’s a little blurry with excitement!Gifts!🙂He LOVED the cake, too!Especially eating it 🙂
He got some great gifts including a barn that folds up with the animals inside that he can take to the sale barn…
What’s in here?This got lots of play time this weekend…
Some baby ducks, now named Jack and Danny…
DannyJack
and his favorite gift, a “boy cow” hat!
🙂He loved it!Look at that smile!SOOOOO handsome!
I can’t believe this little guy is almost two! It feels like his first two years went faster than they did with Sawyer. Hard to believe she’s gonna be five. Yes, five.
We’re all still trying to regain some rest after such a fun weekend with the fam and the kids are definitely going through grandparent detox. Don’t act like you don’t know what I mean… 😉
One of the many things that attracted me to my sweet hubby was his love for family and kids. That’s pretty darn attractive, let me tell ya.
With our sweet friend Jadia
I’m not just a huge kid person myself. I mean, I LOVE mine…and I like other well behaved, disciplined, polite children *ahem*…but he innately loves kiddos!
With Baby Breckyn and Sawyer
I distinctly remember a visit we had from some family friends about a month or so before Sawyer was born. We were still in Denver at the time and they were talking to him about working so much. They made a comment that that would probably change soon once this sweet little girl was wrapped around his finger.
He was kinda sheepish about the whole ordeal. I wouldn’t say he was trying to deny the fact that she would be wrapped around his finger…maybe he knew…
But maybe he didn’t quite know just how deep a daddy’s love for his little girl would really run.
Fast forward a month to her birth and he was so in love.
Baby Sawyer, a few days old…and one proud daddy
She slept with him the first night becaus her body temp was a little down and they wanted someone to snuggle her. I was exhausted and could barely take care of myself so he took over. Pretty sure that sealed the deal.
Fast forward nine more months and we were living on faith and our savings account as he searched for another career that allowed him more time with his family. I’ve got one amazing man…
May I just say, the words of our friends have come true, too? She’s definitely wrapped around his finger…in a good way, too.
There is no one she trusts more than her daddy. He is such a pillar of unwavering everything! He’s even tempered, he’s consistent, he’s faithful, he’s gracious, he’s merciful, he’s a man of his word…and he’s just plain fun.
I know how well and fully he loves me and I see how well he loves our children, too. He works so hard to go above and beyond to provide for us. He makes us a priority. He never treats us like we’re a burden. He teaches us and leads us. He gets us into adventurous mischief. He prays for us and over us. He takes time to do and talk about the things that are important to us. Like pink sorting sticks…
There’s a guy at the sale barn that uses a pink sorting paddle and Sawyer has had her eye on it for quite some time. She’s mentioned it to me before and yesterday was no different. Wrex saw her talking and pointing and I told him she wanted a pink sorting paddle like Mr. Kyle. He smiled and kinda giggled and I didn’t think much else about it.
We loaded up and went home and daddy finished buying cows and come home a little after supper. He called me outside to show me something…which usually involves feathers or fur *ahem*…but not this time.
He had gone to the vet clinic to grab some meds for some calves and he picked up a little something else…a pink sorting stick. I will forever have his face tattooed in my mind’s eye; it was another one of those sheepish looks that was oh so sweet. He knew it wasn’t anything she NEEDED. We have a green paddle and a couple of sorting sticks. He knew it wasn’t for a holiday or birthday…he just knew he loved his little girl and that the smile on her face would be well worth the potential “spoilage.”
He was right.
She was ECSTATIC. Wanted to sleep with it, even. She shoved her last two bites of supper in her mouth, threw on her boots and was headed to the barn.
Can ya tells she likes pink?
She helped him “work calves” with it last night…
Showing the goatsThey approvedMoving calvesThis girl is good!Got ’em in!
…and a few goats, too.
Brother had to help, of courseCalling it a night
I don’t know what it was about that silly stick that got me so teary…but it did. Still am.
Maybe because I wasn’t expecting it myself.
Maybe because my parents would’ve done the same thing.
Maybe because it was so unlike his frugal character.
Oh my word, I’m behind. We’ve had a busy week already and it’s only Tuesday!
We did a little Easter celebration with the kiddos this past weekend. We’ll be in Nebraska with the grandparents over Easter and we’ll have LOTS going on there, too, so we wanted to go ahead and celebrate the resurrection as a family before we do it again with the rest of the fam!
Easter tablescapeBunny breakfastSawyer’s Easter basketWD’s Easter basketThis girl loves stuffed animals!Wryder was all about the chocolate!He even put them on his plate…We did a little Easter egg hunting…Someone, in their underwear. Girl can’t handle the heat…
Checkin’ out their loot!She was quite pleased!
We were outside pretty much all weekend. We did some clean up and organization on Saturday and daddy’s been getting the lawn ready for spring. He had a good helper…
In her underwear…again.
Mr. Rick came over on Saturday, too and gave the kids a ride on his new toy! Wryder was quite uncertain at first…
Almost in tears…
Sister was FIRED UP!
Love that smile!
Wryder cried quite a bit but then the rest of the day, he kept saying, “Rick ride! Rick ride!” Silly boy. This girl had a ball! She almost refused to stay home with us, as she wanted to go work with Mr. Rick. We told her we’d set that up one day that was convenient for him. We’re blessed to have such wonderful neighbors!
Sawyer and Mr. Rick
By Sunday night, we were all pretty pooped…can ya tell?
He got a BIG box in the mail full of presents from Gramps!
Thankfully, I sent it to Wrex before he could send it to me. 😉
