Time Out.

Have you found yourself there lately?

In that place where you're forced to face the choice you just made.

In that chair where time seems to move at the speed of darkness.

Tears.

Frustration.

A little anxiety thrown in the mix.

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Choices.

We're faced with them the minute our alarm clock goes off in the morning.

Do I hit snooze or not?

Do I shave my legs or not?

Do I wear green or brown again for the fifth day in a row?

Do I smile when my husband asks me to make the coffee? {that I don't drink}

Do I choose the boys clothes or do they?

Do I drive fast or slow?

Do I prep for the upcoming week or spend my lunch reading?

Do I react quickly or do I take time to think before I speak?

Do I stand firm or do I give in?

Do I go to the post office today or tomorrow?

Do I make dinner or pick something up on the way home?

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Choices.

They're everywhere.

Some people are good at planning ahead and choices just seem easier.

Some people like pressure and choices are just part of the game.

Me ... well, I don't know if I have a specific way of how I deal with choices.

I know I think about choices all the time.

I know that I teach about choices every day.

I know I preach about choices over and over again.

And I know I try to model good, best, positive choices whenever I can.

But when it comes right down to it ...

I think there are moments of every day when I need to be the one in the chair instead of Mack.

Well, maybe not instead ... but definitely with him.

Because although I'm the mom, and the teacher, and the friend, and the inspiration ... my choices aren't always that great either.
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Time out.

Maybe not such a bad thing to put myself in once and a while.

Evident in me.

Life.

It comes at you at the speed of light.

Suddenly your baby isn't such a baby anymore.

Your 5 year old continues to push your buttons. What will it be like 10 years from now?

Your husband needs you and he actually admits it ...

Your job as a teacher of 27 students is full, rewarding, and so hard all at the same time.

Your house is clean. Sort of.

The laundry is caught up. Almost.

The bills are needing to be paid. Tonight.

Taxes. Done.

The wind continues to whip its way around the county.

And after a walk to the neighbors mailbox {1 mile ... 2 miles round trip} you realize that this life you're living ... with all the ups and downs really is what {livin' the dream} is all about.

It's not glamorous.

It's not living in the fast lane.

But yet, it is.

When you take the time to look at {every day} life and really reflect on those moments that make a day complete ... no matter what season you are in ... it's those blessings that make you want to come back for more tomorrow.

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190. success in the classroom ... at least 27 times a day.

191. a night with BUNCO friends ... and an opportunity to share one of my favorite words with others. {seriously}

192. {seriously} ... a word I say way too much.

193. Meredith Andrews.

194. Amy Grant.

195. Wendi ... a blogger friend that took time for me when she didn't have to.

196. Bulbs planted and a mother-in-law to bless me over and over again.

197. A COSTCO delivery from Darcy.

198. dinner out with the boys {Terrell & BJ}

199. reassuring phone calls from my dear friend {and accountant}

200. Story books.

201. Easter Eggs.

202. A herd of deer.

203. Art.

204. A nap on a Sunday before noon.

205. An amazing church ... filled with amazing people.

206. Cookbooks and a mom to walk you through a recipe that you just can't quite figure out with confidence.

207. Matching shirts and ties.

208. A Sunday drive.

209. A 5 year old who can't stop singing about the empty tomb and Jesus ... who is ALIVE.

210. Understanding. Patience. Support. {receiving and giving}

211. Pen pals.  I'm so excited Andrea ... the letters came today! :)

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I continue to strive to see the best in all circumstances.

Not easy.

But necessary.

Necessary, because as I seek His best, there may be a chance or opportunity that someone I interact with will see His best, His love, His forgiveness, His mercy, His faithfulness.

His best ... and so much more.

A gift for all who seek and find Him.

And a gift I want to be evident in me.

blessed

Now you see him ...

now you don't.

** captured by my second shooter Mason in the back seat of the car **

Life {with cows}.

There are days when I wonder what it would be like to not have cows.

I used to live that life.

One with vacations.

One with golf courses.

One with camping trips.

One with free weekends.

One free from feeding.

One free from hay and grass in pockets, gloves, hats ... pretty much everything.

One free from a lot.

And although it was {free} of a lot, it's not necessarily one I would know what to do with anymore.

Funny how that happens.
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Now that we live where our cows are again... although most are already on spring pasture several miles away ... I've found myself truly appreciating the fact that my boys have developed a real understanding of the routines that have to happen because of the cows.

They have to eat.

Every. Single. Day.

The troughs can not be empty.

The gates must always be closed.

The twine has to be picked up.

The bottle babies must be fed twice a day.

The bulls must not be messed with.

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I'm sure that if I {interviewed} Ian or Mason ... the list would be longer, but I chose to go with my own list.

It's just easier that way.

And since I'm the one that deals with the {mess} that doesn't seem to leave itself at the door ... you get my perspective, not theirs.

So there you have it ... the {highlights} of life with cows.

Here are just a few treasures from our {staycation} last week.

Yes, he's licking the windshield. Why? I have no idea. It must taste good.

Yep.

Life with cows.

I wouldn't want it any other way.

Really.

He chose me.

I continue to learn so much about myself as I tackle motherhood.

5+ years into this adventure with my boys and I still find myself speechless at times.

Speechless because somehow, someway I was given the amazing responsibility to raise two beautiful {handsome} boys.

God chose me.

He chose me to be the book reader, teeth brusher, laundry folder, hug & kiss giver, cookie maker, tear wiper, potty trainer, prayer lifter ... and so much more ...

Some days I'm not cut out for it.

Some days I am.

But you know what ... every day I am blessed.

Blessed by the opportunity.

Blessed by the challenge.

Blessed by my boys.

And as I continue to tackle one day at a time on this roller coaster of a ride called {mom} ... I know God will give me all that I need to make their life meaningful, peaceful, honorable, and treasured.

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I've been thinking about Mary today.

Mary.

Mother of Jesus.

I pray I can be a mother like her.

A mother knowing that her son was not her own.

A mother knowing that her son would make a difference.

A mother knowing that God called her to be the mother of her son for a reason.

A mother knowing that life is short.

A mother knowing that He who began a good work would complete it.

A mother that can deal with heart-wrenching days knowing it is for a greater cause.

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I am not mother to Jesus, but I can still respond to God's calling in my life as a mother to Mason and to Mack as Mary did.

Luke 1:46-55

Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
47 How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
48 For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,
and from now on all generations will call me blessed.
49 For the Mighty One is holy,
and he has done great things for me.
50 He shows mercy from generation to generation
to all who fear him.
51 His mighty arm has done tremendous things!
He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.
52 He has brought down princes from their thrones
and exalted the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away with empty hands.
54 He has helped his servant Israel
and remembered to be merciful.
55 For he made this promise to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his children forever.”

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Mary.

An example to follow.

and the {cowgirl} is ...

Tiffany Neighbors!!


(selected at random)

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The best part about this giveaway ... sharing the gift of scripture with the readers of Bales & Tales.

Thanks for taking the time to leave words that encourage, uplift, inspire, and bless.

Tiffany's verse was:

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plan I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

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And, for those of you that didn't win ... please, go on over to Blueberry Silver and check out their beautiful work!