guess what?!

Dear Mack,

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  You don't really know what that means quite yet, but your clothes show that you do.  Black, brown, white, red cheeks, and a touch of green go together nicely.  I pray that {color} never matters to you because you are the definition of {it's what is on the inside that matters most}.

It was icy this morning.  You're not a huge fan of ice - but then again, I don't think any of us are.  There was just enough sunshine that it was warm if you had {layers} on, but you're not a big fan of layers.  You don't like gloves at all, but somehow, someway I've convinced you that wearing a hat is {okay}.  Thank goodness for that.  Now if I could just convince you to wear one that doesn't hinder your sight.

We worked at the springs for about an hour today and you were filled with an adventurous spirit.  Sometimes you just sit and watch - letting Mason do the wandering and exploring, but today was different.  You climbed, and slid and said {guess what mom ... mom... guess what?!} about 467 times.  It was probably more, but I lost count.  You only stuck your lip out once, and I did catch it with my camera.  You can thank me later for the thousands of pictures with your lip out.

I was so proud of you this morning.  You didn't pout or complain about the cold, about the fact your brother left you behind as he bounded from one hill to another, about how cold your little fingers were, or about working and not playing in the house.  You're our {homebody} and would much rather spend time inside playing a game or watching Cars 2 for the millionth time than anything else right now.  Thank you for maturing right before my very eyes, for putting your hands in your pockets, for wearing your hat, and for climbing the hills that carry adventure that many don't/won't ever get to experience.

You asked me questions about everything and anything and then replied with {guess what?!} once you understood.  Your comprehension of life is worth taking lessons from & lucky me {blessed me} - I get to spend my life learning and living right along side you.

I hope we have another day like today sometime soon.  A day with no agenda, a day with a chance to roam, and a day to show others that there is more to us than meets the eye - and sometimes not at all what they were expecting.

Loving you so very much and looking forward to {guessing what?!} along side you forever,

Mom

a railroad crossing.

Dear L&W Lane,

A few months ago, I didn't know you existed. It's funny how taking a different route to a familiar place can add so much depth to your life.  You're below our house and a bit to the east.  Right by the tracks.  Right next to the river.  You're only a few miles from the place I call home, and yet I'd never taken the road a little less traveled via you before.

I spent last Sunday morning driving and walking along you & even felt you shake a bit when the train rumbled by.  You were welcoming.  The cows went right where they were supposed to go and seemed to travel easily across your gravel.  Ian spent some time cleaning up the sides of your {path} and my boys found treasure along the tracks that cross you.  I wonder how many ranch wives have had to block the tracks with their body while the cows wandered from one pasture to another across you?  Have you ever been uncrossable or flooded by high waters?  Does anyone plow the snow that falls on you in the winter?  I wondered things like that during my 52+ minutes spent with you.

You gave me the opportunity to look up and around an area that isn't far from my home, but hasn't been on my radar at all.  I enjoyed the sunshine and I even found myself kicking a pebble or two from one side of the lane to the other.  I'm sure you didn't realize what a gift you gave me last week.  A place to park, a place to stand, and a place to capture moving cows, moving trains, moving wheels, and moving boys with my camera.  Moving but peaceful.

I'll be back to visit you.  And hopefully sooner than later ... because when you go to a place where stillness is felt and peace is welcomed - even on a simple gravel lane where cows cause traffic jams and trains create delays - you'd be crazy not to want to go back.  Who in their right mind would give up stillness and peace just to get to a destination a little bit faster?  Not me.

See you soon,

Lindsay

P.S.

I hope the weeds weren't your best friends.  If they were, I'm sure their relatives will be taking up residence soon.

those eyes & those smiles.

Dear Mason & Mack,

Thank you for making me get out of the feed truck to {play} with you last Saturday.  I was tired and I just wanted to be done with feeding.  If you hadn't begged and pulled me out of the pickup I would have missed it.  The beautiful sunset, the way your dad and the tractor looked black with the sun setting behind them, the crazy laughing and running and throwing hay, the twinkle in your eyes and the love in your smiles.  I would have missed 10 minutes that I'll never get back.

Thank you for smiling and laughing and pulling and begging - because if you didn't - I would miss a lot.

And I don't want to miss any more than I already have.

With thanks and love for your determination,

Mom

the view at the hay shed.

the sun sets on another day.

another day filled with much.

another day filled with opportunity to grow.

another day of trusting and waiting that God's goodness will rise with tomorrow's sun.

the other side of the fence.

Dear Leased Range Ground,

There is something to be said about the way a piece of land or a view can change you.  The first time I drove through the gate nearest our home late last fall, I knew something inside of me was changing.  I wasn’t sure if it was jealousy or thankfulness.  Thankfulness for the fact we’re getting to use you for our herd this winter & spring, or jealousy in that we don’t own you outright.  Some say that the grass is always greener on the other side, and I’m not proud to say that I’ve been one of those people who has looked through the barbed-wire with envy about many things during different seasons of my life.  But right now, I’m trying to stick with this motto:  “Nobody’s grass is greener than ours.”  Whether or not we “own” you really has nothing to do with it because … well … everything in this world of ours is on loan from God.  So acres and acres of range ground -  I’m embracing the fact we’re getting to see life from your side of the fence right now.  Thanks for the chance to see the view from a different angle - it’s amazing how looking at your home from a different direction can give you a totally new perspective. 

In appreciation, 

Lindsay 

a few my {heifer} friends.

Dear first-calf heifers,

You’ve had a pretty easy winter so far.  Well – I guess we all have.  You need to know that this weather we’ve been having is far from normal – so enjoy it while you can.  We have you close to the house so we can keep an eye on you, and I’m going to be real honest and say that I’ve truly enjoyed sitting on the rug in front of the sliding glass door the past few weekends – soaking up the sunshine and warmth, while watching you roam the hillside.

Last week Ian put a few of the older, more mature {favorites} with you.  I’m sure they’re offering all sorts of advice - like which corner is best to calve in, or what you should do to alleviate the pain you might feel once contractions start.  Some may warn you of the barn too – but I think that’s the place to be.  It’s dry, warm and if you’re there, Ian is taking extra good care of you.  Whitey is the wisest of them all.  She doesn’t mess around and she’s got a special place in all of our hearts.  Follow her lead and you’re headed for success - guaranteed.

You’re young and beautiful.  You don’t have far to walk to water and the draw below our house protects you from the elements the rest of the herd face each and every day.  Again – enjoy it while you can.  Some of you may be thinking you’re not quite ready to be a mom, but you know what … if you wait for that “perfect” time to have a baby … “perfect” may never arrive.  Don’t worry – Ian will take the best care of you and help you out with any trouble or situation you may find yourself in during the next few weeks.  He’s good like that.  In fact, when you see him coming down the hill on his bike with the spotlight in the middle of the night, maybe you could blow him a kiss or something because getting up twice a night and driving around to check you all isn’t the most exciting or rewarding thing to do.  He likes to sleep, but I guess he likes you a whole heck of a lot too.

The tractor and bale chopper, or the trusty brown feed truck, make their way into your world once a day & leave a whole lot of goodness behind.  Last night, you came running when you saw me drive over the cattle guard.  It was as if you’d never seen a bale of hay in your life.  I forget that you’re eating for two or maybe even three.  I guess I’d be running too.  Anyway – remember to get some of that mineral once in a while too.  It gives you all the vitamins you need and maybe even an extra boost of energy – which you will need once your baby arrives.

Your life is going to change in a matter of days.  You’re going to find yourself staring at a little version of yourself, wondering what in the world to do.  Don’t worry – you’re going to be great.  Just lick and moo and nudge, and then stand back in awe as they take their first steps.  Make sure to get plenty of rest when you can, and enjoy watching your new calf run and frolic across the hillside.  Visit with the other girls, offer advice when you can, soak up the sunshine, and remember that although your baby may seem to pee, poop, eat and sleep all day – taking advantage of you and your milk - you mean the world to them & because of you, they’re here and on an amazing journey called life!

Cheering you on,

Lindsay