A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That ~

Good grief - the wind in Kansas today has blown all the blossoms off my apple trees - don't try to hang clothes out, theres not a clothes pin strong enough! I am so thankful, though, that it is just wind and doesn't pack much of a punch. Praying for the people in Virginia!

Funny Conversation ~

We were coming home from baseball practice, Tuesday evening, and Bo and his buddy, Billy were just chatten' away cause they hadn't seen each other in a while since Bo homeschools now. Billy asked Bo exactly where he lived and these are the directions Bo gave - keep in mind that we are about 20 miles from home - "Well, you go straight, when you come to the corner, you go straight again, then you go two miles and turn. We sit on the right side of the road." Bo asked Billy where they were getting ready to move to and Billy said, "Well, you go down the road, then you turn left, then you go to the turn and you turn left again, then you see the big rocks and you turn and we are the second house on the left."

I tried to follow these directions in my mind but got lost at "go straight" and "go down the road!" Is it inborn in the male population that directions are insignificant? I turned to the boys, laughing, and said, "You have just gotten me lost . . . who is going to go ask for directions?"

Daddy / Daughter Day at Work ~

Bailey asked Rick about a month ago if she could go to work with him someday soon, so last Tuesday, Bailey got to experience the life of a Controller (Accountant) - proper attire is not jeans, boots, and a cowboy hat although if Rick could change the rules, he sure would. Bailey got up early, put on a nice dress, did her hair, and we made sure toenails and fingernails were painted! It was employee appreciation day so Rick was serving breakfast and Bailey was on her own to mingle with the crowd. She got quite a bit of attention and laughed as one man poured coffee on his pancake instead of syrup.

They then proceeded to count beans the rest of the day . . . she said it was boring but she knew where everyone sat, knew where the break room was, could find the bathroom, and then helped Dad work on a spreadsheet. Fascinating day in the life of a Controller! They came home and saddled the horses - that was enough city life for one day!





Nascar in the Kitchen ~

If Klay and Kash can go fast, they will do it. I've always let them ride their tricycles in the kitchen and they go 'round the center island.












On this particular day . . . they came in wearing the helmets for the 4-wheeler and they were gonna race.





Let me tell you . . . stay out of the kitchen when the gentlemen start their engines!







There were a few cautions when Klay tried to wreck Kash and then Kash bump drafted Klay and put him into the refrigerator.

At this point, the race official (ME) decided the race needed to be stopped and so the checkered flag was flown - it was a tie!





They took off their helmets and said, "See me, Mom - my hair messed up!" The track is now closed for repair!



Good Friends ~

My girlfriend, Karma, usually watched the K's when I go to the real estate office, however, she took a temporary full-time job and life has been crazy for her - Wes has been sick, Chris has been swamped at work, Mom has been gone so kids are lonesome. My girlfriend, Les, has a full-time job, a sale-barn to help run, cattle to feed, sheep to get ready for the fair, trips to the Dr. in OK City for Zane and an ornery Cutter boy! My girlfriend, Pat, homeschools her kids, runs them to ballet, baseball, and different classes, all while seeking God's direction on what new church He wants to plant them in . . . Life is sometimes overwhelming, sometimes crazy!

BUT I remind myself daily, that the God we serve is Powerful - He has everything under control, even when we don't and He cares about the BIG and LITTLE things - The splinter in the finger, the diabetes in the body, the finances that are consuming, the desire for a new dress, the need for friendship, the romance in our marriages, and so many other things big and small.

I've been consumed with my life and have not spent time at the Foot of the Cross for direction, nourishment, or comfort, YET - He waits for me to come, with open arms! Wow! I'm there - I hope you will be too!

Blessings!

P.

Then & Now

Sunday, April 27 is our 17th Wedding Anniversary! I decided to take a stroll down memory lane this morning and look at my dress and all the mementos that go with a wedding but my stroll quickly turned to a jog and then a run as kids started coming out of the woodwork! My quiet moment of reflection turned into 120 questions! Here are a few examples:

1. You really fit into that dress?
2. Why do you wear that thing around your leg?
3. Daddy really took it off your leg . . . gross!
4. You kissed in front of everybody?

Our wedding week and day was quite exciting. My bible study group through a surprise bridal shower for me - I wasn't going to go to the study because I was still moving into our "love shack". My precious friend, Lorri, who is now with Jesus, told me she would help me move just to come on! I showed up in cut-off shorts! My sweet friends truly blessed me!

I was at the church that Friday afternoon, decorating and doing the things you do before your wedding day but I had intended to run back to the "love shack" to pick up a few more things around 4:00pm. One thing led to another and I didn't get out of the church in time so I had just enough time to change and get ready for rehearsal. This was fun, had its stressful moments - Rick's Uncle Wes and his girlfriend, Chris prepared most of the food for our gathering after rehearsal so that was a blessing also.

We head back to Steve & Lorri's house (our pastor/wife - and where I am living) because I need to starch and put in a good "Cowboy" crease on the wranglers the groom/groomsmen will be wearing at the wedding. We just hung out and watched the news because there had been storms all around. I had NO idea of the magnitude of the storms. Several of our wedding party risked life & limb to get to us, driving through multiple tornados! I was oblivious because I was getting married! Haysville, Kansas was hit by this tornado and 30% of the community wiped out - and the entire town of Andover, Kansas was flattened! Gone! We sat there stunned - we had no idea that devastation happened while I was decorating the church!

Needless to say, the calm is always beautiful after the storm and my wedding day was glorious! A perfect spring day! And I was getting married to an incredible person - I didn't know how incredible until 17 years later.

At 21, you look at the boy-man you are going to marry and you have no idea the kind of real man he'll become. You just hope and pray that God has prepared him for the awesome task that lay ahead - being the spiritual leader of your home, the lover of your life, the father to your children, the provider for your table, the payer of your bills, the encourager when you fail, the wiper of your tears, the sharer in your birth pains, the constant breathing at night in your bed! I think about all the many women I know who complain constantly about their husbands and I make sure to tell my husband over and over how thankful I am that he takes care of me and his children! That is the awesome responsibility God laid before him and he is doing a great job!

This is not a fantastic picture of us, but I absolutely love Rick's smile! I can rarely catch him with a smile like this! He is pretty reserved until you really get to know him! I think he might be having a good time with me right now! We are at a Christmas party Boy . . . he looks good in jeans or a suit/tie!
This is one of my favorite pictures of Rick. He loves to shoot - not much on hunting, doesn't really take the time for it - but if he can have guys & gals over for a shoot fest, he's all for it. I think this picture just says . . . well . . . YUM! We have a hot date scheduled for Saturday night! I can't wait!

When Rick asked me to marry him, he had determined that if we were going to follow Christ, we would do it with everything we had. I was willing and when he asked, I said yes. I haven't looked back or doubted my decision EVER!

I've included a link to a song on YouTube that we had sung at our wedding. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIjj1mLa_38

Reese's Pancakes!

You know . . . I don't claim to be a great cook, not even a really good cook, but I can come up with some really yummy creations! Take your basic pancake recipe, add chocolate chips and cook. Then top with peanut butter and syrup. It's not helping with my weightloss quest, however, my need for chocolate has been met and I am quite happy! AND I only had two!

You could probably serve that with a side of beans in New Mexico and have a tasty breakfast!

Responsibilities!

So many responsibilities! I've spent this week reading everyone elses blogs and forgot about mine until Ranch Wife reminded me that I have a responsibility to my curious readers! Which I have come to Love!

So, here are things I will be covering: Well . . . I don't know yet, but it's gonna be good!

Stay tuned!

Kansas Green for My Friends in New Mexico & Nevada!

We've had a good deal of rain so the pastures are green! We have 160 acres and are turning the cropland into hay - Horses don't prefer wheat - its good hay they want!

This shot is out my back door - I see deer often in the far corner!

I prefer here then at the front end of my now crunched mini-van!

Lots of timber for the kids to romp around in! A waterway runs in those trees and can get pretty full at times!

Off to the North is the building we call the "Bunk House" - So NOT like a real working cattle ranch! This is where all the events will focus out of - bible studies, teamroping / barrel racing events, concessions, etc. The horse barn is behind it. The arena will go off to the north and in front a ways. The ground is worked and ready for pipe, etc.

The pond is full, and YES, we get in it and have a blast! No pesky, mean snakes to deal with here! Bailey says the mud feels like an Italian Foot Massage! Neither one of us has been to Italy to really know what one of those feels like, but sure makes mud feel good!

So . . . here is my bit of Kansas - Green and rolling, where God planted us!

It's quiet unil I have to holler for one of the kids! Our Harvest moons are incredible and sometimes when the sun goes down for the evening you look and think the sky is on fire!

Come for a visit anytime!

Blessings!

1st Annual Pat & Janet Clawson Memorial Team Roping

A year ago, our good friends, Pat and Janet Clawson were killed instantly in a natural gas explosion at their home. Pat was a team roper that made everyone he talked to fill like a million bucks! Especially the ladies! Pat was 86 when he was killed and was still riding and roping with the best of them. I will never forget being 7 months pregnant with the twins, he came up to me, put his arms around me and in front of everyone said, "Where's that husband? I don't see him! Come on! Let's Go!" He was always wanting to sweep me away from Rick (who he thought very highly of). Janet always welcomed the ragamuffin cowboys and cowgirls that Pat brought home.

So, on Saturday, 600 teams came together to rope at the first annual roping. Rick did really well . . . made it to the "short go" (final round of elimination) but did not come up with a win. But that is just fine because - WE PRAISE HIM WHEN WE WIN AND WE PRAISE HIM WHEN WE LOSE! Here are some pictures of the people we love to be with and share the love of Christ.

Our Good Pal - Steve Cotton who we have known since he was 16!

Craig Anthony and Brad Palmer - Two Cowboys Rick Practices with!

Amy Anthony - Craig's sweet wife and Tracy Clifton - one of my best friends! Along with Mac - Tracy's daughter. Tracy has her jaw tight because she thinks she never takes a good picture and she is getting ready to pound me!

Wes - one of Rick's best friends and main roping partner!

Well - I don't know who this guy is - but he looks like some of Rick's partners!

CELEBRATING SUNSHINE!

It has finally stopped! We are soaked to the skin, covered in mud, and suffering from severe cabin fever but the rain has finally stopped! Now bring on spring and some 75 degree days!

In giving praise to the Lord for this tremendous blessing, I have decided to forego the quest for weight loss and make my late Grandma Hogles "Wesson Oil Cake." It's yummy and simple. My family doesn't like frosting so I dust the top with powdered sugar and call it delicous! For breakfast, I'll put a generous piece in a bowl and pour milk over it. Not very nutrious, but Oh, So Good!

Here is the recipe:

2 Cups Sugar

1/2 Cup Brown Sugar

3 Cups Flour

2 Teaspoons Baking Soda

1/3 Cup Cocoa

1 Teaspoon Salt

2/3 Cup Oil

2 Tablespoons Vinegar

1 Tablespoon Vanilla

2 Cups Water

Mix well - use a 10X13 baking dish - cook on 350 for about 25 minutes.

I'll walk on the treadmill later!

Blessings, in the name of Jesus!

Haysville Saddle Club Fun Show

In an earlier post, I talked about Bailey running barrels and Bo team roping. These are pictures of them at a "Fun Show" where they ran barrels, poles, and four corners. On poles, you run to the last pole, round it and then weave in and out till you get to the first pole, round it and weave in and out back to the last pole again. You round the last pole and then race past the automatic timer. Barrels are pretty self-explanatory, you run around them as fast as you can . . . but there is technique required to make the fastest turn around the barrel. Four corners is two cones on four corners of a large square. You race through the first set of cones to the opposite / diagonal corner, round through and run to the next corner of cones, zoom through those, and run to the last diagonal set of cones past the timer, making a big X. Our horses weren't sure of the bright orange cones but they did well!

Bo is running poles. His horse, Blackie, has never really done this type of thing but is doing really well!
Bailey is on Socks - our 21 year old babysitter! Powerful horse, great athelete! I ride him also and he's Rick's #1 healing horse!

Okay, this picture is not so great! Bailey is headed to the second barrel and I'm a little nervous! She has to ride him in with just the right amount of space on the left side of the barrel or he'll come out bucking because the turn is too tight. She did great, however, my picture stinks!

Okay - As you can see . . . they did pretty good! Bailey - 1st in barrels, 2nd in poles, 1st in 4 corners, overall high point winner for 10-13 yr. olds. Bo - 3rd in barrels, 1st in poles, 1st in 4 corners, overall high pont winner for 7-9 yr. olds. They both thought they would get skunked but were pretty happy with the results. Of course, all praise goes to the Lord for blessing them, keeping them safe, and giving them the talent! Praise Him in the wins, Praise Him in the losses!

PS - I ran in the 18 and up division. First time I've run barrels since before the K's were born! I stayed on, but can hardly walk! Had a blast and can't wait to do it again! Remember, take every opportunity to share how Great the Lord has worked in your lives!

"Paaarrrk"

The K's say park like they have marbles in their mouth. It is hard to describe but they were thrilled to get to go!

Kash laughing after coming down the slide!

Klay is in a mad rush to get back up the ladder!

Bailey and her chumming partner, Emily entertaining the K's!

They can't get up the ladder fast enough!

Bo! Don't break your neck!

SMASHED!

He's eventually going to lose this fingernail, but Bo is one tough kid! Loading steers for his Dad and team roping partner, Wes, Bo smashed this finger in the gate. Turned white as a sheet but kept working until Dad got a good look at him and knew something was wrong. Turned "14 shades of purple"(a saying my mom uses), throbbed for a couple days, and now is just black!

Bailey & Mom During Wrestle Fest

We don't participate in wrestle fest! That could be dangerous to our health! So we goof around with the camera and yes. . . the "up the nose" shot is gross,

but this is the "K's" view of the world!

EVERYONE GET DAD!

Wrestle Fest is always a fun time in our house and Rick is always outnumbered!

But Dad holds his own!