The Buckaroo's First Birthday

There is no better feeling than celebrating the birth of a sweet little one with loved ones. I look back on AJ's first birthday and I have to choke back the tears as I reflect on a day of love and happiness. The weather was perfect, the chili was yummy, the company was delightful. It was wonderful.

And since in these times, pictures capture the moments we hope to remember the most, here are some from that day. One of the best day's of my life.

There is something both humbling and comforting when you are surrounded by people who love not only your son, but you as well. We all need to feel that sense of community every once in awhile. It sustains us and gives our souls the nourishment we crave.

To say my cup overflowed would be an understatement.

The best year ever

I figured I should take the time to write this down lest I forget later.

Three days ago, we celebrated AJ's first birthday.

One day ago, we had the perfect birthday celebration.

And not a moment passes that I don't stop and thank God for my life, my family, my friends, and for the wonderful blessing I call my son.

This is for you my son, a note on your first birthday.

My little one,

A year ago, our lives changed forever when we had you. You were perfect, not too big and not too little, you were content to be just right. You lit our world on fire when you were born, and since the day you arrived, we have loved you more and more. 

I look at you, and I am amazed. Your little mind is working at a rapid rate. You don't like others to intervene and help you, rather, you prefer to figure things out for yourself. You have an independent streak a mile wide, and you don't like others to tell you what to do. You have a tenacity for life, an uninhibited zeal for adventure. I never see fear in your eyes, you just look on like you already know, God will take care of you. I love that you believe in a trust so deep that not even words could describe it.

You live to be outside. I dream of what you will grow up to become, from a lawyer to a doctor, to a rancher or a farmer, and then I circle back to one singular thought--I want you to be like your Daddy. I want you to be hard-working and selfless, kind and compassionate, quiet and strong. Your Daddy is a man who may not have riches here on Earth, but his faith is exemplified by the depth of his character. Your Daddy loves you to the moon and back, as do I.

You are our world.

There are babies all over the world who are hurt or sick, scared or alone. You may not have much, but you are healthy and safe with us. I cry often when I look at you and know your little body is healthy and whole. I storm the gates of Heaven with prayers of Thanksgiving for keeping you safe and well.

I know there was more I wanted to write, but words seem to be eluding me. Your story is far from over my little one, in fact, it is just the beginning. My prayer is that you will write the story that you want to, that you will dare to dream the impossible, and that you will run the race set out in front of you. Grab life by the horns my son, live life to the fullest, and never waste a day. Time is precious, make everyday count.

I will be here for all of it, and I will love you all of my days.

With love on your birthday,
Mama

No Days Off for a Cowboy

There is something about a cowboy's heart, so full and loving, hard-working and true.

They work from sun up til sundown without a day off, saying little in the way of cause or complaint.

Always by their side is a trustworthy dog, a constant companion to tag along on the endless days.

And it just so happens that I married a cowboy.

An Earthly Angel

As the saying goes, you never know when you are entertaining angels...

We have seen unimaginable feats of kindness and generosity these past few years. There has been moments when financially things have been tight, and we wondered how the needs would be met. We stood there unknowing of the path before us, scared to move forward, but fearful to remain stagnant. We wondered how the ends would meet, or if the ends were too frayed and too frazzled to stitch together. In all our wondering, we need not to have feared, God had our backs.

All around us there were hidden angels. They were disguised as the neighbor who dropped by with fresh deer meat, claiming he had too much and not wanting any to go to waste. Their wings were hidden beneath the flannel overcoat of a friend who just happened to give a quarter of the pecan harvest, as long as we were willing to crack and remove the shells. Their halos were disguised by the cowboy hat of a family member who dropped off sacks of new clothing for our little guy when we wondered what he would wear after a grow spurt. Their kind hearts glowed brightly as they patiently did all they could to assist with the day to day, while the Lord blessed me with a job to do from home.

My eyes well up just thinking about them....

Friends, we don't often know where the day will lead us, but I do know where I have been. And with every grocery trip, with every bill paid, I feel a gratefulness of spirit so deep that it is simply in-explainable with words. The ability to make a nourishing meal while the kiddo plays with his toys and the warmth from the heater radiating is a blessing from above. I am a blessed girl, with the love of a good man, the sweet hugs of a little boy, the promise from Him, and the kindness of angels here on earth.

Here, in this Place

The sight of a child laughing wildly at the leaves blowing by.

The heavy, earthly smell of a good farm dog, laced with sweat from the day's work.

The sweet, crisp morning air etched in a glimmering fog.

The checking off of chores from the to-do list, making way for puzzles, long walks, and sticky baby fingers.

The warmth and protection of his hand on my back as he leads me into a room.

The smell of homemade bread and the promise of full bellies.

The blessing of work and the provision it provides.

The thing called family, a piece of Heaven on Earth.

Time Heals Old Wounds

Never has a saying rang ever true than this one.....

Just the other day, the hubby and I were talking about where we have been and where we hope to be headed. We have walked through hard times together, holding on and remaining strong together. We have had our fair share of hiccups and heartbreaking moments, but we remained steadfast and committed. We vowed to walk this road together, unsure of the switchbacks, hills, and steep climbs that lay ahead. We trudged on together.

And over the course of miles and miles, we have come upon a road well traveled and worn. We don't know the way, but we trust in the capabilities of our Creator and each other to see this through. We don't feel the need to flee or run for cover anymore. Our hearts were shattered in tiny pieces and throughout this journey, God had begun to put the pieces back in place.

With the dawn of a new day came the promise of new opportunity. We spent less time looking back and more time looking forward. With our eyes set to the horizon, we took a deep breath, knowing that He alone knows the path. So instead of fumbling about trying to figure this journey we call life out, we tossed the map aside and gave in to faith.

Those days consumed by darkness helped to bring us to a place of light and life. For that reason alone, we will be ever grateful of such heartache. This is the time for positive affirmations, happy memories, belly laughs, and cheek-pinching smiles. Our hearts are light as we rejoice in coming through the darkness. This light will not be taken for granted and should we be faced with darkness again, we will walk and we will wait for the light that comes in time.

A Few Random Notes

• First off, this may be short since I sliced my finger on a mandolin today making sweet potato chips. Ouchie.....(never mind the fact that my other thumb just healed from a carving knife fiasco).
• My son started walking! He took his first step on 12/21/12 and now there is no stopping him! I'm pretty sure that by his first birthday he will be at a full-fledged sprint.
• The weather here in Texas has been bone-chilling cold and I am loving it! Soup is in the works again this week as is some homemade bread. I can smell the bread baking in the oven as we speak.
• I am now up to three jobs.....yep, that's me. No sleep, and none of those jobs are counted under the mommy/wife column. But that's okay. God will give me the strength I need to see this season of life through. My family is depending on me to see to it that the bills get paid, especially since my husband is in school full time. Time to circle the wagons.
• We will be celebrating a first birthday very soon! The theme is a cowboy/chili cookout. I have plans of decorating with hay bales, mason jars, candles, cowboy gear, and red and white checkered tablecloths. (90% of these items are already in my house!). We are going to cook the chili outside over the open fire pit. It will be low-key, simple, cozy, and one down home, good ole honky tonk!
• If I get ahead of myself, I begin to wonder how I will manage to get through the coming days, but  I trust in God and His ability to see me through. 
•  That picture shows how we do chores now....he screams at the top of his lungs if he sees me outside and doesn't get to come. So we compromised. He bundles up and sits with a toy or two in his stroller while I work. I'm pretty sure he has the better end of the deal!
• And now I must wrap this up....typing sans a thumb is getting to be tricky. Bring on the week ahead!