Blinked and we missed it...

I don't know if it was because we were going through all the house mess and moving mess or what but last Saturday was the Cowboy's last soccer game. It has really flown fast! I can't believe it is already over!

He did really well this season and instead of helping pick dandelions on the sidelines like last year he got in there and played hard and averaged about 2-3 goals a game. I know this is going to sound bad but I loved it secretly when he would get mad at his turn to sit out and when the coach would ask who wanted to play he would be the first to always yell and raise his hand to play. I know, my dad is thinking not to encourage bad attitudes, so I did what he would have me say and I told him to be happy for his teammates playing and to cheer for them while they played, a good sportsmanship lesson for him (me too). Let's be honest though, who really wants to see their kid happy to sit on the sidelines. What parent is like, "Tommy is so sweet for giving up his spot so easily to let his teammates play?" Well I was the parent secretly saying to myself good, he has the fire and desire and determination and I am glad he is mad!

The Cowboy ready to throw in the ball! That was about the only time I could get a good picture since he was on the move so much!

Going for the ball, he was always getting in there not afraid to go for the ball.

Also I must make mention of this because it monumental for my hubby, but we also hit his year mark at Cargill this last weekend. Wow, looking back it is all a blur, a year ago at this time I was at my mom's regrouping after all the stunning and life-altering events. I was reeling from all the miracles small and large that had taken place for us to take the position and move and I was reeling from all the changes and decisions left to be made. One year later, hubby is doing phenomenal at his new position. They love him! He has worked so hard and has surpassed every goal and expectation put before him including matching and beating a profit goal in an economy where commodities have struggled. He has done all this with wife, kids, taking online courses at BSU, busy church calling and so on...We are so proud of him!
We are finally able to say we are settling. Finally opening boxes and seeing some old precious things, like pictures and it has felt like Christmas all over again for the whole family. We are really liking our new neighborhood, new life, new home, new job, new branch family and new town. However, we so miss our dear family and friends and now that our home is finished I can officially say, you are all welcome anytime! We would love to have you stay with us and come for a visit! We love you all and miss you and thank you for your support, love and prayers!

The "Second Child..."

Growing up my sister Kristie, the "second child," would often inform me that the second child was the most creative and often times she would include the smartest. I would often argue with her or roll my eyes. Now I am raising the "second child" and at 18 months I couldn't agree more...

Mr. C has convinced me that the second child is in fact the "creative" child. It has always just been easier as Mr. C has started eating solids to fix what the Gap Cowboy wants for Breakfast. However, Mr. C is not like the Gap Cowboy, the Cowboy could eat two things every day of the week and not care. Mr. C likes to mix it up a bit and today mom was lazy and tried to get him to eat pancakes two days in a row. He sat there and sat there, it was a stubborn standoff, which I pride myself in being the most resolute. He picked at it and sat there...finally I looked over he was eating. So I rewarded him with a YAY! and clapped my hands to show him that is what I wanted him to do. Next I noticed it all gone...YAY! again, off to the the tub and play time before nap for my little big boy...with pride I knew I had won and I didn't have to cook him something else...sigh, sigh...

After tub time I returned to my cleaning the kitchen, which the routine always includes wiping down the high chair. As I was wiping everything down I noticed stuff in one of the holes between his legs were several pieces of pancake! Creative... smart...YES! Kris, I couldn't agree more!

P.S. Yes we are in our house, and yes, I will post pictures on the private blog but let me get decorated first!

A Glimpse of My Childhood...

Many of you who know me well know that I grew up on a farm/ranch. My dad dabbled for about 10 or so years in cattle and my grandpa has always had an excellent herd. I grew up country and then moved onto the city. As a young girl, starting out at 5, I had my first job with Grandpa branding cows. They would always hire the hard working Murdock brothers and several other tough men from the Land of Milk and Honey to throw the calves down but most of it was a family affair. My first job was putting the white talc powder on the de-horned calves to stop the bleeding. The smells the sights and sounds, such fond memories, all came back to me today. As I watched my little Gap Cowboy muster up all his courage to slowly work his way to this thing called branding. Pop, my dad, sent him a "training manual" on how to be a real cowboy(book on how to be a cowboy) and a John Wayne video , because Pop, even though his girls have made him dress "citified," is a true cowboy in my eyes. For a few weeks the Gap Cowboy has been talking about this day, with such excitement and every wish and dream came true.

Wish One: Wrestle a Calf Down For Branding....

Even though he had a lot of help, he held on tight!

Wish Two: Help a Real Cowboy Brand....

So he didn't actually brand but he did help "real cowboys brand!

Wish Three: Ride a Cowboy's Horse...

Thanks Mandi, Greg, Russ, Sandra and Ty! Each of this little boy's dreams came true today! One day I hope he smells that same smell and memories of his first branding come flooding through his mind as did I. Those were happy times with my family, especially my Grandpa and Grandma, and I am so glad he is getting to experience a part of my happy past!