Wryder – The Bless Your Heart Blog

Summer So Far

Today is the *official* first day of summer…but we’ve been calling it “summer” for well over a month now. Lucky for us {insert sarcasm here} summer is really showing off and it’s supposed to be over 100 today. Gag.

Despite the heat wave, we’re really enjoying our summer! The kids are at such fun ages and we’re in a season where life is relatively easy again. (I know, I know…it’s time to have another! We’ll have to see about that…) We’ve tried to take full advantage of our time and resources and do some fun things!

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We started June with a birthday party for the big guy! He turned 35 this year and has been wanting to have a Minute to Win It party with some of our favorite friends so, that’s what we did!

We played silly, ridiculous games – and had a blast while doing so!

The classic knock the water bottles over with pantyhose on your head game... — The classic knock the water bottles over with pantyhose on your head game…

At the end of the night, this team DOMINATED the competition…which, I mean, look at them. Bonafide athletes, all of them!

We made their trophies out of something from each of the games we played. If they made it home, I’d be impressed! HA!

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Sawyer got a new horse from her friend Mr. Jeff. This sweetie’s name is LuLu and we. are. in. love!

LuLu is strong and stout and as sweet as they come. She loves to eat treats from your hand and will stand all day where you tell her to.

These two are going to make a lot of good memories together… We just have to keep the fighting down when it comes to who gets to ride her!

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A mobile Children’s Museum came to town so we checked that out! It was fun enough inside. The kids got to build and color and explore…

The best fun was outside! They had a chore challenge race that was a LOT of fun! They had to move the cow, throw the “cow patties”, haul the corn, churn the butter and shoot a buffalo! The kids had a BLAST at this station!

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Of course, we’ve already hit up Cody Park!

This is their favorite ride because it's FAST! — This is their favorite ride because it’s FAST!

I’m sure there will be a few more trips here for some good, cheap fun!

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We celebrated Father’s Day with this sweet guy!

We had yummy food (his love language – ha!), watched shows with snacks (Wryder’s idea), rode horses and played outside!

My kiddos are so incredibly blessed to have this guy as a daddy. He received two different father’s day cards in the mail that BOTH said, “I believe you are the kind of father that the Lord intended men to be.” I couldn’t agree more…

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We just got home from a mini-vacation to Kansas! Wrex had to go to the feedyard down there so we tagged along and had some fun when he was done!

We stayed at fun motel that had bunkbeds for the kids, checked out the local zoo (it’s free!!) and then went to the new indoor water park called Parrot Cove. It. Was. A. BLAST!

This one just wanted to roar... — This one just wanted to roar…

They had 4 little kid slides, a lazy river, several pools, a rock climbing wall, 4 big water slides – it was a LOT of fun! We can’t wait to go back!

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Sure do love these littles…and they’re only little once. We do our fair share of work around here…we kinda like to work hard and play hard. Can’t wait to see what the rest of summer brings!

RaRa Robin

Wrex bought an old, bred milk cow that Wryder really took a liking to. He named her RaRa Robin (after his grandma). She’s the sweetest ole thing…and she really loved him, too.

We all waited so patiently for her to have her baby and prayed and prayed that the kids would be able to watch see that baby born.

In the days before she calved, Wryder took such great care of her. He’d walk to the corn stalks south of our house and grab a couple of partial ears of corn, bring them home and shell them for her.

We’d been watching her and checking on her every few hours every day. Wrex was even getting up in the night to check her. One Monday morning, they went out to check her and then Sawyer came runnin’ back to the house telling me that RaRa’s water bag was hanging out!

I threw some shoes out and sure enough, a baby was about to be born! Wryder brought a lick tub over outside the fence and within 10 minutes, the kids got to see LIFE!

RaRa had a sweet little heifer calf that Wryder has named – are you ready for this? Betty Harbor Baby Whanny Kroeker Phipps. Ahem.

Despite that big ole bag RaRa has, there’s not much milk to be had so we all made the decision to sell her so that Wryder could buy a cow to really get his herd started, just like Sawyer did at four.

My big boy was so brave! He loved sweet RaRa but understood that it was the responsible thing to do. He didn’t cry at all…and I bawled all day!

He took her to the sale barn with dad on Monday and got her sold.

This boy is just one of the sweetest, funnest, brightest balls of energy I’ve ever met! Saying goodbye to a good friend – even when that friend is an animal – is never easy and he did it with such grace. So proud of my brave boy. Here’s to finding the next great one!

Worth 1,000 Words – Dance Dance Dance

For Sawyer’s 6th birthday, we signed her for dance lessons. She’s taken jazz and tap lessons for the past year and has really enjoyed herself!

She finished up her 4th recital for the year and did so well (and looked as cute as a button)!

Quick photo with mom before she hit the stage

Space jam...with her tongue out! — Space jam…with her tongue out!

Brother was awfully proud of her and picked out a hot pink rose for her!

We’re gonna take the summer of and see what this next fall will bring!

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Mother’s Day 2017

I’ve had some really good Mother’s Day celebrations…like last year, celebrating a less than week old Sayble.

I’ve had some not-so-great Mother’s Day celebrations…like the year Wryder was born and I was sicker than a dog. I mean, SICK.

This year? This year was one for the record books – it was just a really, really good day.

The kids had me stay in bed until they said I could come out. Well, if you insist!

Wrex had breakfast cooked and they had some really fun gifts and cards and pictures for me – melt my heart!

Happy Mother's Day, mom! — Happy Mother’s Day, mom!

A Lego Mother's Day wish! — A Lego Mother’s Day wish!

We spent some time outside and then I got to spend the majority of the day with the girl who made me a momma as she performed in her last dance recital of the season.

When she was all done, we came home and hung out with the rest of the family outside because it was beautiful! We took a little golf cart tour into the neighboring pastures and Wryder got to show me the dead cow he’d seen – a real treat! Ha!

I remember going through a season where being called “mom” (by a friend, out of sarcasm and a nod to my mature, responsible nature) felt like an insult. I was young! I was fun! I wasn’t a mom! I don’t quite know what was going on in my heart…but just let me say oh, how the tides have turned. There’s not much sweeter to my ears than hearing, “Mom/Momma.” (I mean, the 580th time on a Friday, I might not enjoy it as much as the first time I hear it on a random Tuesday, but still…)

Being “momma” is a badge I wear with pride! So thankful for these sweet little cubs – some of my favorite people/best friends/the most wonderful little humans on the planet! They are the product of our love, our reward, our heritage.

It’s an amazing thing to have the opportunity to shape the future by what you spend your time on and pour into today. Nothing is wasted in the Kingdom of heaven and nothing is wasted in motherhood – no hug is addled, no words will return void, no teaching or training or correcting will turn up empty. It ALL matters. I am thankful I get to be the full time shoe tier, hands washer, book reader, swing pusher, hair brusher, nap time tucker in-er, school teacher, morning pray-er, owie kisser…

I’m thankful for their daddy, too – for lots of reasons – but especially for the fact that he works so diligently so that I can be at home during the week to actually BE momma.

Some days in mommyland are just plain hard. Some days are just plain cake. But all of them? All of them are worth it.

Cheers, mommas!

The Calm Before the Storm

For a January day, it sure was a nice enough one! We’re all bracing for a nasty snow and ice storm that’s supposed to roll in tomorrow, but today? Today was pretty pretty. (I think the lack of wind helped as much as anything!)

Sayble has been dying to go outside since she’s gotten her wheels under her, but it’s been REALLY cold prior to today.

As dad got ready to head outside to do chores, Sawyer and Wryder wanted to go to. Well, once Sayble saw them suit up, she sure wanted to join in the action. We got her all bundled up and out and the door we went!

How cute is this little toot?! Can you see her under there?

I bet she walked a good mile or more this morning, quite a ways with her little legs!

She looked so tiny next to the house... — She looked so tiny next to the house…

Of course, we had to stop and pet the doggie…

and the kitties…

Say and Tractory. Wonder who named that one?!

and haul one around…

Say with Damilla Willa. Don't ask. — Say with Damilla Willa. Don’t ask.

We spent some time at the park with brother and sister…

Good grief I love these kiddos... — Good grief I love these kiddos…

then we spent a little time swinging before heading inside for a peanut butter sandwich!

Who knows what this weather will actually bring…but we took advantage of today!

A Little of This, A Little of That

The kids got Wendy’s coupons for free Junior Frosties a while back and we decided to use those puppies for Fun Friday!

She ate the whole thing by herself! (Don't even think of helping her with that spoon!) — She ate the whole thing by herself! (Don’t even think of helping her with that spoon!)

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Earlier this week, as we were rushing around getting ready for Awana/Cubbies, I looked at the calendar and with about 12 minutes to spare, saw it was a “crazy hair day.” Normally, we would fall under that category anyways but we wanted to go with something a little more purposeful.

We decided upon a donut..on a donut plate. I made a quick bun and an even quicker donut frosting with sprinkles out of foam. (Have I told you how much I love foam?? LOVE that stuff.) Thankfully, this had a sticky back and we stuck it right to her hair!

Cute as a button and sweet as...a donut! — Cute as a button and sweet as…a donut!

Of course, with all the picture taking, Wryder wanted in on the action.

One handsome rascal! He picked out his entire outfit all by himself. Swoon.

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We got a new game for Christmas called “Life on the Farm.” The kids couldn’t wait to bust it out and it really is fun to play, for a couple of country kids especially. You get to buy and sell cows for the most part – right up dad’s alley, too.

Dad had spread himself kind of thin and had to pass up an opportunity to buy cows for a really cheap price.

Sawyer: “Wait, why in the world would you pass on a cattle auction?”

Oh, yes, a girl after her daddy’s heart…

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We’ve started school again (after a lengthy and well-deserved Christmas break). This time around, Sayble is only napping once a day instead of two, so we’re all trying to figure out what that looks like as far as school (and mom’s sanity) goes.

Lately, there’s been a lot of this:

This sweet little thing LOVES to write! As long as we can keep it on paper, I’m A-ok with that!

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Over New Year’s, we all traveled to North Platte to do some post-Christmas shopping/errand running and Wrexy insisted on pedicures for the girls! (We didn’t object much!)

I sure love this girl... — I sure love this girl…

Sawyer had her first one before her 5th birthday and has loved them ever since!

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We also took a tour of the Perkins County Museum! It’s in a beautiful, historic home right off Main street and she’s been wanting to go in for a while. That morning, I just happened to see that they were open so I surprised her with a visit!

It was really neat and our tour guide was just as sweet as pie! So many cool things to see but I loved the old school house, but didn’t get a picture. What the what?!

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We have the privilege of throwing a sweet one year old’s birthday party this next week! I’ve been working on cutting and stringing and all kinds of little paper crafts. I can only give you a sneak peek for now but I’ll make sure and post lots of pictures after the fact!

Someone's growing up... — Someone’s growing up…

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It feels like we’re getting back into our routine again after the holiday season. We’re currently bracing for a snow/ice storm that we’re all hoping isn’t as bad as the meteorologists are predicting. I’m hoping to get get my fair share of football games in if the electricity will stay on!

Farm Fun

Our sweet neighbor – who takes care of things when we are out of town, helps us thaw frozen pipes, rescues me when my battery is dead…seriously, he’s a saint – invited the kids over the other day for some farm fun!

There are new baby lambs on the place so we had to go check them out!

How cute is this guy, backwards hat and all?

She's pretty cute, too! — She’s pretty cute, too!

Sayble loves having her wheels under her and just wanted to explore!

Gettin' a little help from dad... — Gettin’ a little help from dad…

We are so thankful to have such wonderful neighbors!

They’ve Been At It Again

I’ve written several times before about funny things the kids say. I’ve had a growing list on my phone so I decided I better get them on the blog so they can live in infamy! 😉

Wryder-isms:

Boobie button = belly button
- “Look! I can see Sayble’s boobie button!”
Lucas = mucus
- “I’ve been swallowing a bunch of lucas.”
Flushel = shuffle
- “That is so cool! When I can learn to flushel?”
Gutter = udder
- “That cow has a big gutter!”

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Other funnies he’s said lately…

He and Sawyer were playing Awana and practicing the pledge to all the different flags. They starting pledging the Bible and while Sawyer was saying, “I pledge allegiance to the Bible, God’s Holy Word…” Wryder was saying, “I pledge allegiance to the Bible, Bob’s Holy Word!” I about busted a gut…and then wrote new lesson plans to go back to the basics of our Bible study time.

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Sawyer has her fair share of funny/interesting observations. She was telling Wrex about how bad the feedlot stunk one day and she said, “It smelt as bad as your poop!” Wrex looked disgruntled, as he thinks the only legacy he’s leaving with the kids is how bad he smells. Sawyer saw his face and was afraid she hurt his feelings, so she quickly recanted, “Ok. It didn’t smell THAT bad!” I loved her “apology!”

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Wrex was not feeling 100% one day after work and I was asking how much water he’d had that day (because it’s usually not much). He began explaining that that might be the case. He said, “I shouldn’t have gotten pop earlier but I stopped to get gas and they were” and before he could finish, Sawyer chimed in, “worth it!” They come by their love for pop honestly, trust me…

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I’m SURE there have been others, but these are the ones I’ve taken note of in my phone lately. I’m also certain that little Say will have her named added to these lists of hilarity in short order!

New (Eaglet) Life!

We have had more fun checking on the eagles (via live cam) in Florida who were incubating two eggs. We checked in on Harriet (the mom) and M15 (the dad) several times a day and finally got to see their sweet baby Saturday morning!

A pip! We could see the eaglet moving around inside the egg!

You have to love modern technology when it comes to stuff like this. Very cool to watch the eaglet pip out, break all the way out of his shell and then be fed and cared for by mom and dad.

The parents have brought a LOT of fish to the nest!

We got to see both of them on the nest a few times!

New life is always miraculous, whether through birth or hatching. I can’t help but awe over the majesty of the Creator…

He's sure a cute little thing! — He’s sure a cute little thing!

We’re still waiting on the other egg but are starting to wonder if that one has a sweet little eaglet or not… Either way, this has been SO very fun!

Christmas 2016

This Christmas has been one for the memory books! It doesn’t hurt that I love this house and decorating it (even as minimally as we did) was a lot of fun and made being home something to be treasured…

My real live wreath from a dear, dear friend! (I've always wanted one!) — My real live wreath from a dear, dear friend! (I’ve always wanted one!)

Our tree full of special ornaments from years past

and it doesn’t hurt that the kids are at such fun ages, where everything is exciting and they want to be a part of everything holiday…

There was lots of nativity play and Christmas store re-enactments

and it doesn’t hurt that I love to invest myself fully into the advent season with a slow down in our schedules so that we can really focus on Emmanuel.

I remember fondly celebrating Christmas when I was younger. We always had our family Christmas and would invite my dad’s parents (who lived across the street – if only I TRULY knew what an incredible gift that was at the time) to join us. Then, we’d have a Christmas celebration WITH them and the rest of that side of the family. Then we’d usually travel to my mom’s parents and do Christmas there, which was Christmas done BIG. While we were there, we’d usually do Christmas with my grandmother’s side and my grandpa’s side. Christmas was always this full, loud, joyful, family-filled celebration and I loved every minute of it!

Things feel a little smaller now and while that’s not always a bad thing, I miss the multitudes of family and piles of paper and lots of cousins and aunts and uncles and mounds of good food and Christmas treats and the excitement of all of the different places we’d go and people we’d see.

This year, we traveled to Kansas to Waco’s for Phipps family Christmas. They just built a beautiful new house and we all got to be the first house guests – a really big treat! They were wonderful hosts and though it was a mad-dash, quick trip, a really good time was had by all!

ALMOST all of the grandkids! (One REALLY didn't want her picture taken - ha!) — ALMOST all of the grandkids! (One REALLY didn’t want her picture taken – ha!)

We tried again on the stairs... — We tried again on the stairs… Pictures are hard, unless you’re Sawyer or Breckyn. 🙂

These 2 had fun together, too... — These 2 had fun together, too…

She's got this present opening thing down! — She’s got this present opening thing down!

He LOVES his Paw Patrol sleeping bag from Goo Goo!

We made RaRa's favorite iced sugar cookies! — We made RaRa’s favorite iced sugar cookies!

Sawyer with the bird she picked out just for RaRa

We came home on Christmas Eve and had our family Christmas over the next two days. Since Wrex had the week off, we spread our gift-opening out so the kids could enjoy every last little thing!

For their big gifts, we splurged a little this year and got them each (save for Sayble) metal pedal tractors. We knew this was a gift they would love and really have fun with and could pass on to their own kids one day.

Two hours of work later... — Two hours of work later…

She's a good tractor pedaler! — She’s a good tractor pedaler!

Little Say wanted in on the action, of course... — Little Say wanted in on the action, of course…

She got her own truck, trailer and horses so she could play with brother and sister!

Train tracks might just be his favorite gift - who knew?! — Train tracks might just be his favorite gift – who knew?!

She has had her eye on this chicken house for months! We were so happy to get it for her!

Sayble LOVED the blanket Sawyer made for her... — Sayble LOVED the blanket Sawyer made for her…

Sawyer’s other special gift this year was a Calico Critters set. She’s talked about them for a while and I had one as a little girl that I absolutely cherished! I wish I still had that thing… They were on sale on Zulilly one day so I got her her very own. Sweet girl cried because she was so happy. It was a special mother/daughter moment that I’ll always remember…

With her Calico Critters tree house... — With her Calico Critters tree house…

We’ve had daddy home all week and get home him for three more days! I never look forward to the Monday after our Christmas break but I’m sure we’ll survive…

2016 has been such a good year for our family. This has been a year of the Lord’s faithfulness (which I’ll share even more of later). In a lot of ways, I hate to see it end. I wish I could just freeze time right this very second…our kiddos are at such fun ages…we’re all healthy and whole…we love where we live…business is good… I’m not a fan of the unknown, but I know that whatever 2017 brings, He will be right there with us. He IS Emmanuel…