Easter afternoon.

Dear Ian,

There is this extraordinary thing that happens when you actually take a bit of time to "relax."  I call it extraordinary because it's anything but ordinary in the life of you.

Somehow the word relax and Ian just don't match up on a regular basis, but man, when they do, magic happens.  I say magic, but maybe what I really mean, is "heart-stirring" or even "beautiful".

Thank you for hiding Easter eggs.  Thank you for picking Mack up off the rocks and for making sure he didn't miss out on finding one single egg.  Thank you for being a kid at heart - in so many different ways - and for loving our boys so very much.

You appear hard-working, serious, and all-business in most of my posts.  People that read our blog see you only through pictures - and most of them are of you working.  On Easter, 2012, I was able to capture one of the sides of you that I love most. 
So, in this post, the tall, handsome, adventure seeking, Hershey chocolate loving, friend and dad that I'm blessed enough to be married to is the "you" people will see.  And the "you" that will stir their hearts too.

Looking forward to next Easter already,

Linds

P.S.  Just remember that the candy is meant for Mack to find, not to melt in your mouth.

out with the old, in with the new.

Dear Donna,

Thank you for spending 2 hours with me making life brighter than ever!! I'll treasure our evening of fabric and staple guns for life ... and my chairs will too.

Life is better when someone does a project with you & you are always up for tackling a {project} with me - even if it requires sweat, blood and tears - you're ready and willing!  Thank you for that - it's a true gift.

Looking forward to the next adventure/project,

Your favorite (and only) daughter in law - Lindsay

springsteen.

Dear Mason,

There is something about these pictures and your favorite song right now that makes me wonder what life will be like when you're 17.  Will you hear a melody that brings back a memory?  Will you be standing in a field on Easter day, looking just a bit taller and probably just as skinny? 

I got you the Eric Church CD for Easter.  I don't know anything about the guy, but I do know you love his song:  Springsteen. And for the simple reason that you just seem to have a {grown up} look to you right now - especially in jeans and a white t-shirt, I bought it.

You were thrilled and danced around doing flips for about 5 minutes straight. 

Every day since - you, Mack & I sing our hearts out about discount jeans, cut off jeans, an old jeep, the stars in the sky, and July Saturday nights on our drive to school.

I don't what the future holds for you, but I do know that you're going to have songs in your life that bring back memories.  You'll hear a tune and a face of someone special will come to mind.  So when you hear Springsteen by Eric Church, I hope you remember being 7.  I hope you remember how much you loved farm life, our spring of {farming} at Forths, and playing with your friend Dylan. 

But most importantly, I hope you remember that every day could be its own soundtrack ... so play hard son, do your best at everything, thank God for the blessings that surround you, and make memories.  And sing along to the tune that is yours - because that's what life is all about.

Your biggest fan,

Mom

a whole lot of {good} Fridays.

Dear boys,

This year has been anything but ordinary.  We (all 4 of us) have a lot more cows, a lot more responsibilities, a lot more love, and gobs of grace surrounding us each and every day. 

We are blessed to have some of the best friends anyone could ever ask for.  Friends that loan farm equipment so that your dad can grow his own hay this year.  Friends that help and guide your parents through tax season.  Friends that help pull calves, brand calves, move calves, and tolerate our calves.  Friends that loan fence chargers in the middle of the night.  Friends that bring dinner.  Friends that know just what you need - right when you need it.  And friends that love you boys as if you were their own.

You've spent a lot of Fridays with Clint and Darcy this year - and they've been so full of goodness and grace.  Friday, April 6 was no different.  You ate breakfast with them, you branded with them, they fed you {all day}, you drove for miles with them, you bred cows with them, and you were loved by them.

I hope you never forget how important it is to love others well. Loving, not just because you have to, but because you want to.  Loving people for who they are, and their potential - even through the mistakes and mishaps.  Loving those figures & mentors that God has place purposefully in the life of you.

Your day was filled with goodness last Friday - {good Friday} - a whole lot of blessings surrounded you... and you know what?!  I think you're really starting to realize how good & blessed your life really is - not because I'm telling you, but because you are experiencing and tasting and living it yourself. 

Psalm 34:8

"Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!"

The next time you see Clint and Darcy - make sure you thank them for being 2 of those many figures in your life that love you well - just because they want to.

In awe of how fast you're growing up, and how much others love you,

Mom

P.S.  Your trip to the {Zoo} up Butter Creek was definitely something I hope you never forget.  Ever.  And for some crazy reason, I don't think you ever will.

bring on branding ... hopefully.

We managed to get one small group branaded during {Spring Break} ... with a great group of guys, just enough panels, and a calm afternoon.

I'm praying that tomorrow brings more of the same.

Lord knows this season needs to be wrapped up ... and in the books!

Clayton, Ian, Jarred

BJ

Clayton

Taking things seriously - BJ and Tyler

Tyler

Jarred

Clayton & Tyler

A whole lot of {Wragler}.

Terrill and Ian in deep thought and/or discussion about something important I'm sure.

Miss Elsie and some fried chicken.