The Cutest Clown Around ... {and a little BOO! too}

Happy Halloween!!

Moments with Mack.

Even when we're at our worst, this little boy - full of personality, laughter, and curiousity -makes everything better.

Home.

We're home sick today. Actually, I'm at school making sub-plans at 5:15 in the morning ... but it's because we're sick.

All of us.

Not fun.

Not fun at all.

Praying that we get well quickly and get the rest we need!

** no computer at home right now, so if you need to get a hold of us, you'll have to call. **

Sights of a Saturday afternoon in October.

The Laundromat.

Coins.

Soap.

Baskets.

Detergent.

... and some of the most heartfelt, amazing conversations I've had all week ... with complete strangers.

Mack and I spent 2 hours there this morning ... and I can guarantee you it was the best 2 hours of the week.

Seriously.

The smell of fresh laundry.
People visiting as they folded their clothes, blankets, towels, and matched up their socks.
I felt as if I had walked out of my busy, and hurried life and stepped into a little piece of heaven.
No agenda.
No multi-tasking.
Just {being}.

Why, oh why is it so hard to just {be}?

I wasn't there today because I have no other option of washing my things, and I really didn't know what to expect as I picked out an area in the middle of the room to wash all of our comforters and quilts, but I tell you what - it was indeed the refreshment my soul needed this week - in more ways than one.

This Little Light of Mine.

I keep telling myself that the long, hard weeks are going to end soon. They haven't.

There are good ... actually GREAT parts to each week, but the hard parts are just flat out {hard}, and there is no way around it.

I shared this reminder with a dear, dear friend last night ... but I'm actually thinking it was a song for me. Oh how I loved it as a child, and I pray my boys will too. So much truth, and yet at times, so hard to grasp.

Today, and the days to come, I'm praying for my dear friend ... and can only ask that she would know how loved she is, not only by her friends and family, but by Jesus too!

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This Little Light of Mine

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Won't let Satan blow it out.
I'm gonna let it shine.
Won't let Satan blow it out.
I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Let it shine til Jesus comes.
I'm gonna let it shine.
Let it shine til Jesus comes.
I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Hide it under a bushel - NO!
I'm gonna let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel - NO!
I'm gonna let it shine, Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Let it shine all over the world,
I'm gonna let it shine.
Let it shine all over the world,
I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.


Matthew 5:14-16 {the Message}

Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

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and what's a post without some pictures that make the {hard} parts of a week seem distant and almost non-existent?!

The conversation started like this:

Hi!

Yep.

I went to school today. Mor-Mor took me.

I sang Hallelujah. {which really sounds more like Ha-Lelujah}

Uh huh.

No.

Yep.

Bye.

.............................................................................................

And then it continued like this:

Me: What did daddy say Mason?

Mason: He's coming here.

Me: Oh, good. What else did daddy say?

Mason: He was talking.

Me: I know... what did he say? Did he sell Whitey?

Mason: No. He said Whitey wouldn't fit in the stock trailer. {traiwer}

Me: Really? Is that what daddy said?

Mason: Yep.

Me: So where is Whitey now?

Mason: At Karl's eatin' hay.

I guess we all have a soft side ... and I'm starting to believe that even {traiwers} know how to shrink in size at a moments notice.

Tuesday = Sale Day.

This post is to give you a glimpse of what exactly my hard-working, cattle-loving, bale-making husband was doing last week while the boys and I somehow managed to survive without him. Now I wasn't there, so I don't know how {exact} my "this is how you do it" of the whole "gather, wean, vaccinate, "work", and "push them back into the lower pastures" process" will be, but I'm going to give it a shot.

My husband likes to be clean. Yes, he usually ends up very dirty at the end of any given day - covered in any of the following: grease, dirt, oil, chemical, seed, dust, hay, crap, and straw just to name a few - but honestly, he truly does not enjoy being {dirty}. When he leaves for an overnight trip, or even a three hour trip, he always takes an extra set of clothes. Extra shoes, extra socks, extra jeans, an extra shirt, and even a coat - because you never know when you might get in a pinch.
Right.

His bag, which is really the entire back seat of the pickup, was packed with clothes, boots, hats, coats, a sleeping bag, pillows, and much, much more when he left on Monday morning. Lucky for him none of the rest of us were joining him ... otherwise we would have had to of driven separately ... no joke.
I've learned to not question the amount of items he takes, or what he takes ... I just smile and shake my head, knowing that there will be loads and loads of laundry for me in approximately 6 days, and I'm sure he'll find himself in a pinch. ** Note** He did call on Friday as I was home sick and asked me if I'd bring him another pair of jeans. I hung up.

For the week of "gathering," Karl's cabin is inhabited by two Lonesome Dove loving, coffee drinking, cattle barons. (and Jack and Jill)
They rise early in the cool mornings, stoke the fire, drink some coffee, and wait for daylight. The horses are saddled, their spurs are slipped on, and off they go into the hundreds (or maybe it's thousands) of acres on which our cattle and their calves roam. The first day Ian rode 26 miles, got lost at least 4 times, and found only eight cows. Not a good sign. But each day got better.
Each evening, they shower, discuss the mishaps of the day, make a game plan for the next day, head to elk camp to "pillage" ... is that even a word?? Ian insists it is and can't believe I don't know what he's talking about ... and watch a little Lonesome Dove before falling asleep in the cabin.

Each day, a new pair of pants, and clean shirt is put on (even if the one from the day before wasn't that dirty, a new one is necessary) ... because you never know who might see you on your horse in the middle of the forest. The daylight hours are spent searching for cows and calves, soaking in the beauty of the area we are blessed to have our cattle graze (thank you Karl), and "pushing" those red and black pairs toward home.

Wednesday is weaning and shipping day. The babies (not so little anymore) are vaccinated and then loaded onto the trucks parked in and around the pens to be taken to Terrell's for a month. Calves and cows are bawling. Now, again I know I wasn't there, but the sound of a mother being separated from her calf only needs to be heard once to remember for a lifetime. It's bitter-sweet & is a sound that has to happen. It's a day that is full of sweat, blood, and muscle.

Thursday is when the cows are "worked" and "preg-checked" ... and the cattleman hope and pray that the bulls had been busy over the late spring and early summer months. The pregnant mamas are given the opportunity to "roam" the mountains another month, but the "open" ones are loaded up and brought home. Some years there are just a couple, other years, there are more. This year, Whitey joined them.

Whitey is Mason's favorite cow. Every day last winter he would search the group for Whitey and quickly check to see if Whitey had had her baby ... and right up until the end of calving season, Whitey had not had her baby. The day she did, we had a party!!

When Ian called me on Saturday as he was bringing a load of cows home, he mentioned that Whitey was open. 5 years ago I would have thought Whitey was a store, but on Saturday just this last week, I knew exactly what it meant. Whitey was going to the sale.

Ian: I've gotta drop a load off at Karl's. Then I'll be home. Oh yeah, Whitey's open.

Me: No way. Are you sure.?

Ian: Um. yeah. Did you want to check?

Me: No. That stinks Ian. (long pause) Do you have to sell her?

Ian: Well, she's open. (long pause) Do you think Mason will notice?

Me: Yes he'll notice. The only cow that has ever been named is Whitey ... it's his.

Ian: Well, we'll see. Tuesday is still a few days away. (long pause) I'll talk to him.

** Later that night **

Ian: Mas - should we sell Whitey?

Mason: no.

Ian: well, Whitey isn't going to have a baby.

Mason: Yes she is.

Ian: no, she's not. I checked her and she's open.

LONG PAUSE & some staring off into the distance by both "men"

Ian: Should we sell her?

Mason: yep. she's open.

End of discussion.

I so wanted to say something. Something about the picture Mason has of Whitey. Something about his favorite cow being Whitey. Something. But I didn't. I just sat there in disbelief that my 3 year old understood what "open" meant (or at least he acted like he did).

So today... Tuesday ... is sale day. Ian left early this morning to get a load of "open" ladies. Just as he was about to shut the door, I asked, "Are you taking Whitey? ... there's always next year ...."

His reply: I don't know ... and then he just smiled and kissed me goodbye.

So later this morning, when the sun starts to make it's way over the Blues, Whitey may stay at Karl's home pasture ... or she may arrive at the sale.

And today, I learn one more thing about life as the wife of a cattleman and the mother of a future cattleman. It's not easy being me, but I keep telling myself, "someone has to do it - so it might as well be me... and I might as well enjoy it!"

** Note to self: Thank God that I'm not a cow, because today - I'd be going to the sale.

He's Home.

Yep. It's true. I think Mason is still in shock.

And you know what we did to celebrate??

Went to Sharis, enjoyed {breakfast} for dinner, and let someone else clean up the mess.

{oh yeah... and the bonus part ... kids eat for free on Saturday and Sunday nights}

Life doesn't get much better.

Frequently Asked Questions ... and a few answers.

What kind of camera do you have?

The Canon Rebel xti is my first SLR. I bought it 5 months ago. I chose to buy the body only and bought the 50mm f/1.8 lens to go with it. That lens has no zoom, so my body is the zoom. If I want to be closer, I jump the fence ... if I want to be further away, I jump back over the fence. Most of the time, I shoot with the lowest ISO possible and in the AV mode. I also set my " white balance" to {shade} most of the time. I feel like the shade setting makes my pictures feel "warmer" without editing them - and the less I have to edit the better.

I also have the Canon 3SIS that has amazing zoom, video, and is still my favorite because it does so much.
If you're not in the market for SLR, go for the 5SIS (the new version of the 3SIS) ... it will do a fantastic job for you.

What do you use to edit your photos?

I use Picasa (free download from Google) most often. It's easy, it's not hard to understand, and it re-sizes your pictures for sending in emails and for blogs very easily.

Photoshop Elements 4 is my other editing software. I purchased it over 5 years ago when Ian and I bought our first camera. It is what I use to make my banners, add the "burned edge" to my pictures, and edit pictures that need a little more than what Picasa offers. It is not as easy to understand and requires practice. 5 years later, and I'm still learning stuff. There are great books about how to use it (I just haven't bought any of them) ... and Pioneer Woman Photography offers tutorials every so often too.

Do you take your camera everywhere?

Yes, pretty much. It is dusty and well loved and not even a year old yet. I love capturing the life of my family. I love looking back and remembering the "not-so-exciting" moments that have made our life interesting and unique.

Is photography something you want to continue to pursue?

Well ... I'm a mom, a wife, a teacher, and a whole lot more. I truly enjoy that photography has become a hobby that I love, but realistically, it's just that - a hobby. I love my job, I almost always love the busy schedule we have with each season, and pursuing something more with photography than what I already do seems a bit much ... especially when I remind myself that my life motto is to {live simply}. :)
My camera captures my family and the area we live in, in amazing ways. That's what I love.
Someday, in 20 years or so, when I'm retired, maybe I'll do more, but today - it's just for fun. It's for my family, for my friends, and for my blog. :)

What do you do with all of the pictures?

I have enlargements (8x10, 11x14, 12x18, 12x12) all over my house. Lately I've been framing them in the {CLIPS} frames from IKEA ... just really enjoying the photos with no mattes.
I back-up all my pictures on my external hard drive each week as well, and when I have extra time, I burn them onto disks. I also have them stored online at ScrapbookPictures.com.
What I will do with all of these thousands of pictures ... who knows, but they're safe :)

I also make note cards with my pictures instead of buying cards. It's a lot more personal and cost effective for me to print a variety of pictures, buy some card-stock and adhesive to make note-cards to send to those important and special people in my life. I still love a good Hallmark card, but my own cards are most likely what a person will get when I send them a note.

Does your husband care that you always have your camera?

Hmmm. No comment.

Why don't you write for the paper more often?

Well, honestly it's a {time} thing. Up until now, I haven't written anything new for the paper that hasn't already been on the blog. I figure that if it goes over well on the blog, the public will like it too {or not}. :)

Are you going to have more kids?

I'm good with two. God doesn't give us more than we can handle. But, my doctor says ... never say never. I'm pretty sure 2 is it!

Where do you buy your clothes? :)

GAP jeans are my favorite. I also shop at Old Navy, Target, Andees {a local shop here in town}, and my new favorite is online at Modbe. I'm all about comfort, but a good pair of Franco Sarto boots and long jeans just MAKE MY DAY!

Are you a cowgirl?

Um. No. I am a farm/ranch wife that rides the 4-wheeler & isn't afraid to get dirty or work, but I'm not a cowgirl. We have beautiful horses that love for me to take their pictures ... and I know they prefer that I let the men in my life ride them. I'm sure that is what they whispered to me just last year.

What is your favorite thing about your life?

That God has given me a wonderful family, the hardest-working,yet loving husband, two beautiful boys, amazing friends, a comfortable home, and the ability to see, hear, taste, feel, and smell His love. Even when I don't understand all that life brings {which has been often lately} ... I know His love is greater than I can even comprehend.


Any other questions that you have ... feel free to comment or email me ... I'm more than happy to answer them (well, most of them)!

Have a beautiful day!!

Fresh Air ...

is exactly what we needed today!

{for more reasons than one}

... and this quote from a card given to me by Katie

is perfect for the end of my week as a "single mom"

"there are easier things in life than dealing with boys ...

like nailing jello to a tree, for instance."