Okay - I have been gone all weekend so my morning has been busy! We're on the 10th load of laundry, the close-line is full, the horses have all been rotated out for a romp, the dishwasher has been loaded and is now being unloaded, the boys are getting lunch and headed down for a much needed nap, the older kids are working hard at school! I do have some pictures to post but don't have time to wait on the upload! Sooooooo . . . look for more later!
Blessings!
P.
PS - Les - The Lake is Calling!!!!
Monday, May 19, 2008
Friday, May 9, 2008
Muddle Puddle Fun
Never a dull moment with two energetic three year olds - I turned my back for one minute and heard them giggling - what could I do but let them play!
Morning Bliss
Rick is usually up and around pretty early, he feeds the horses before he gets ready for work. He is typically out the door by quarter till 7:00. I do my best to get my hiney out of bed but sometimes, blissful sleep overtakes me! I almost never hear him leave either. I think he sneaks around like a prowler - he says I sleep so hard that I just don't hear all the noise he makes!
Well, this morning, I actually heard him leave and thought, now is a perfect time to be with the Lord! As I leaned over to reach for my Bible, I realized I had one K snuggled to my tummy and another K snuggled to my back. Trying to get situated without waking them up was hard but I wanted that quiet time that I don't get very often. My friend, Les, is up at the crack of dawn every day and she likes it that way - I would love to be like that, but until I get consistent sleep, that may not happen. Anyway - Les left a message from the Lord for Ranch Wife yesterday from the book of Isaiah and I decided to start my morning there. I was reading from the Life Application Study Bible and it has an introduction to the book that kinda sets a mood of anticipation for what is to come. The crazy thing is, I didn't get into Isaiah because I was absorbed in the introduction!
Isaiah was a prophet and he was delivering a message to the people - some would receive it with a repentant heart and others would harden their heart and become angry - as I finished the introduction this is what it said - "As you read Isaiah, imagine this strong and courageous man of God, fearlesly proclaiming God's word, and listen to his message in relation to your own life - return, repent, and be renewed. Then trust in God's redemption through Christ and rejoice. Your Savior has come, and He's coming again!" Wow - what a way to start my morning and I haven't even gotten into Isaiah yet!
As I climbed out of bed, I threw open the windows - we had a storm last night and the morning air smelled glorious! As I looked out my window, I saw this . . .
I'm using a basic little camera so click the picture to enlarge - off by the trees are four deer. Now this little herd of deer are well known around our parts - they seem to not be afraid of anything! We've seen them eating our wheat, romping in our new hay field, and then late at night streaking through the headlights of our truck! We love watching them until one decided to put that big dent in my van - now, I only like seeing them in the early morning hours! But I thought, this is so blog worthy!!
Once done taking these pictures, I started some breakfast for all the monkeys, I looked at the clock - 8:00am - okay, I am running behind but then it hit me square in the forehead - I'M LATE FOR MY ETHICS CLASS!!!!! Great - I had a real estate class scheduled for this morning at 9:00am in Wichita! I am running through the house in desperate need of a shower, haven't even brushed my teeth and opt to just wash the hair - I make a phone call because I can't figure out where the class is and then find out if I'm not there on time, I don't get credit - I thought, great scott, it is hard to get into these classes! It's gonna take me an hour to just get to Tammy's (She's watching the K's) and then another 20 minutes to get to the class - I will be royally late! The gal at the office said, call me back later, we'll get you into another class! Thank you, Jesus!
Well, Sweet Friends, that's my morning - calm, crazy, calm again - now off to laundry, dishes, vaccuming, etc. but remember, even at the dishwasher, office, barn or out on the range, Your Savior has come, and He's coming again!
Blessings ~
Paula
Well, this morning, I actually heard him leave and thought, now is a perfect time to be with the Lord! As I leaned over to reach for my Bible, I realized I had one K snuggled to my tummy and another K snuggled to my back. Trying to get situated without waking them up was hard but I wanted that quiet time that I don't get very often. My friend, Les, is up at the crack of dawn every day and she likes it that way - I would love to be like that, but until I get consistent sleep, that may not happen. Anyway - Les left a message from the Lord for Ranch Wife yesterday from the book of Isaiah and I decided to start my morning there. I was reading from the Life Application Study Bible and it has an introduction to the book that kinda sets a mood of anticipation for what is to come. The crazy thing is, I didn't get into Isaiah because I was absorbed in the introduction!
Isaiah was a prophet and he was delivering a message to the people - some would receive it with a repentant heart and others would harden their heart and become angry - as I finished the introduction this is what it said - "As you read Isaiah, imagine this strong and courageous man of God, fearlesly proclaiming God's word, and listen to his message in relation to your own life - return, repent, and be renewed. Then trust in God's redemption through Christ and rejoice. Your Savior has come, and He's coming again!" Wow - what a way to start my morning and I haven't even gotten into Isaiah yet!
As I climbed out of bed, I threw open the windows - we had a storm last night and the morning air smelled glorious! As I looked out my window, I saw this . . .
I'm using a basic little camera so click the picture to enlarge - off by the trees are four deer. Now this little herd of deer are well known around our parts - they seem to not be afraid of anything! We've seen them eating our wheat, romping in our new hay field, and then late at night streaking through the headlights of our truck! We love watching them until one decided to put that big dent in my van - now, I only like seeing them in the early morning hours! But I thought, this is so blog worthy!!Once done taking these pictures, I started some breakfast for all the monkeys, I looked at the clock - 8:00am - okay, I am running behind but then it hit me square in the forehead - I'M LATE FOR MY ETHICS CLASS!!!!! Great - I had a real estate class scheduled for this morning at 9:00am in Wichita! I am running through the house in desperate need of a shower, haven't even brushed my teeth and opt to just wash the hair - I make a phone call because I can't figure out where the class is and then find out if I'm not there on time, I don't get credit - I thought, great scott, it is hard to get into these classes! It's gonna take me an hour to just get to Tammy's (She's watching the K's) and then another 20 minutes to get to the class - I will be royally late! The gal at the office said, call me back later, we'll get you into another class! Thank you, Jesus!
Well, Sweet Friends, that's my morning - calm, crazy, calm again - now off to laundry, dishes, vaccuming, etc. but remember, even at the dishwasher, office, barn or out on the range, Your Savior has come, and He's coming again!
Blessings ~
Paula
Friday, May 2, 2008
The Musicians
Bo's first piano recital with Mrs. Carolyn Ramsey. It looks like she is frowning at him, but she is a very pleasant woman. My camera acted up through the entire performance so I am lucky I have these shots. Bo played a duet with her and then played by himself. He played like a champ but can not say that he enjoys practicing! He got a new drum set and will be starting lessons soon.
Bailey has been playing piano since she was six and really enjoys it. She played at the Cowley County 4-H Day and received a Top Blue and then went to Regionals and received a Red. Same piece of music, different judge. She has been playing with Mrs. Ramsey for 2 years now and always challenges herself to pick harder pieces.
Bailey has been playing piano since she was six and really enjoys it. She played at the Cowley County 4-H Day and received a Top Blue and then went to Regionals and received a Red. Same piece of music, different judge. She has been playing with Mrs. Ramsey for 2 years now and always challenges herself to pick harder pieces.
The first time Bailey had a piano recital, I cried through the entire performance. She played so lovely and looked so sweet. Bo's first piano recital, I cried through the entire performance also! He was soo nervous and played so beautifully. All the frustration to get him to practice paid off!
They both have a desire to learn more so they can play in the praise band at church.
Blog Worthy!
I had a blog-worthy moment and of course didn't have my camera! And when I mentioned how this experience was blog-worthy - Rick didn't grunt, groan, or do anything but kept working . . . so I think he probably thought it would be blog worthy too!
Now . . . if you work on a ranch in NM, one measly trailer of 90 bales of hay is really a cake-walk, no big deal, easy as pie . . . well . . . we went to load this hay up and I told Rick when I got to the top of the stack, "I reserve the right to grunt and moan as I pick these monsters up" - He said, "Come on, just throw 'em down." Rick is in constant hustle mode - even when he sleeps, his brain does not shut down! So . . . I begin to throw them down, a couple land right where he wants them, and then a couple don't but he's a good sport and goes to retrieve them, then he has to get out of the way of a couple that come down and 'bout hit him, but he's still a good sport because he knows good help is hard to find!
We get the beasts on the trailer and Rick looks at the front tire and thinks to himself, "that's gonna blow" but keeps getting the hay straps on. I'm following in the car and after we're down the road a ways, Rick informs me that I need to make a quick stop at Wal-Mart for him and I can catch up. So . . . I run into Wal-Mart smelling like sweet hay and sweat and looking like I've been rolling in the hay! Which I have out of sheer lack of balance! As I'm standing in the check-out, Rick calls and sayes he's lost a tire . . . no surprise . . . he knew it was gonna happen.
So . . . we find out that we don't have a big enough jack, nor do we have a four-way either! We brainstorm all of our friends who live near where we are at and we call our good friend, Tim Bauer - in no time he has a large enough jack, four-way, and mini-air compressor! It was like road side tire service!
Now . . . the moment that made this whole experience blog-worthy - Rick comes up to me while we are waiting on the side of the road for Tim and points to the west at a building . . . "Look, a Wholesale Tire Store!" and then he pointed to the north at a billboard for "Bosley Tire & Repair!" We were surrounded by tires and still had to change our own! I didn't laugh, I just thought, how ironic!
BUT - God is good! He kept us safe on a very busy road, the spare made it the 25 miles home, we got to see our friend, Pastor Tim, and we enjoyed each others company while Rick changed the tire and I watched - there is something about watching your man work.
Now . . . we have to unload all that hay! I still reserve the right to grunt and moan as I throw those monsters down!
Blessings ~ P.
Now . . . if you work on a ranch in NM, one measly trailer of 90 bales of hay is really a cake-walk, no big deal, easy as pie . . . well . . . we went to load this hay up and I told Rick when I got to the top of the stack, "I reserve the right to grunt and moan as I pick these monsters up" - He said, "Come on, just throw 'em down." Rick is in constant hustle mode - even when he sleeps, his brain does not shut down! So . . . I begin to throw them down, a couple land right where he wants them, and then a couple don't but he's a good sport and goes to retrieve them, then he has to get out of the way of a couple that come down and 'bout hit him, but he's still a good sport because he knows good help is hard to find!
We get the beasts on the trailer and Rick looks at the front tire and thinks to himself, "that's gonna blow" but keeps getting the hay straps on. I'm following in the car and after we're down the road a ways, Rick informs me that I need to make a quick stop at Wal-Mart for him and I can catch up. So . . . I run into Wal-Mart smelling like sweet hay and sweat and looking like I've been rolling in the hay! Which I have out of sheer lack of balance! As I'm standing in the check-out, Rick calls and sayes he's lost a tire . . . no surprise . . . he knew it was gonna happen.
So . . . we find out that we don't have a big enough jack, nor do we have a four-way either! We brainstorm all of our friends who live near where we are at and we call our good friend, Tim Bauer - in no time he has a large enough jack, four-way, and mini-air compressor! It was like road side tire service!
Now . . . the moment that made this whole experience blog-worthy - Rick comes up to me while we are waiting on the side of the road for Tim and points to the west at a building . . . "Look, a Wholesale Tire Store!" and then he pointed to the north at a billboard for "Bosley Tire & Repair!" We were surrounded by tires and still had to change our own! I didn't laugh, I just thought, how ironic!
BUT - God is good! He kept us safe on a very busy road, the spare made it the 25 miles home, we got to see our friend, Pastor Tim, and we enjoyed each others company while Rick changed the tire and I watched - there is something about watching your man work.
Now . . . we have to unload all that hay! I still reserve the right to grunt and moan as I throw those monsters down!
Blessings ~ P.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)