Boys 'n Dirt

So I'm relatively new to this idea of a very mobile and independent little boy, but am constantly amazed at the irrestible attraction he has to DIRT. And mud. And sand. Even dogfood. All of the previously mentioned items are good for (in his mind, anyway) his nutrition, wardrobe, and overall happiness. Today, my hard-working husband took the time to build a sand box for the Little Farmer and Little Miss. He told me that after he'd filled it with sand, our son lowered his lips directly down onto the sand just to give it a taste/texture test.

See? Red licorice mixed with all of the dirt that was on his hands makes for a tasty sweet/savory kind of treat. And if he sees me coming after him when he's into something he shouldn't be, he digs faster and more furiously, stuffing as much as he can into his mouth. (This is referring to the dogfood in particular...YUCK!)

"You talkin' about me, Momma?"

I was always kind of proud of Little Miss for being a girl who could still get down and get dirty outside. Our sweet little boy has taken filthy to a whole new level. He doesn't think that he's lovin' and livin' the great outdoors until he's plastered in it. Literally, sporting it from head to toe! I just love this little man!:)

Haney Meadows!

Last week, we made the trek to our very favorite place to go camping... Haney Meadows! I have been going there with my family since I was about 7 years old, and with my hubby for the past 8 or 9 years. It is so refreshing to get away from it all! Everything is so perfectly landscaped. Purple lupines spring up around huge, gray boulders. Bright yellow daisies and Indian Paintbrushes brush the sides of the hills. We ride our horses to what feels like the top of the world and gaze at the mountain ranges across this beautiful state. I couldn't help but think of the words of "How Great Thou Art".

O Lord my God

When I in awesome wonder

Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made

I see the stars
I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed

Then sings my soul
My Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, How great Thou art
Then sings my soul

My Savior God to Thee

How great Thou art

How GREAT Thou art!

Every time we're up there, my hubby and I say, "How could there NOT be a God who designed this all so perfectly?"

We are fortunate enough to have parents who will still go camping with us, and we had such a wonderful time with them! I'm so thankful that they love being a part of our kids' lives... and that our little ones are so close to them. They were so kind as to even watch Little Miss and the Little Farmer so that all of us could ride a bunch!

Little Miss celebrated her 5th

birthday, learned how to ride her bike (on a hill full of ruts)

without training wheels, and even rode her little horse, Boo, all by herself! And as always, she did a wonderful job helping us take care of her little brother.




The Little Farmer has NEVER been dirtier, or happier, for that matter! He was covered in dust from head to toe each and every day. He got up at 5 every morning, not wanting to miss a thing. That's male bonding time, ya know. Dad and Papa would light the fire, head down to the meadow looking for elk, cut up firewood, etc...

I'm blown away at how quickly a week can pass by... and am already looking forward to revisiting this beautiful place next summer, Lord willing. I savor memories we have made there over the years and am always thankful for the new ones!

The Best Thing About Where We Live...

The very best thing about living where we do is that we live about a block away from my dear friend, my SISTER! Teesee (Little Miss gave her that name when learning how to talk) is always within walking distance of a morning cup of coffee, a walk with the kids, or just a quick chat. I cannot imagine life without her in it, especially as we have our own families. She is a wonderful wife and mom, and I'm so thankful that she is such a special part of our kids' lives. Her Li'l M is just two weeks older than the Little Farmer. I love watching them interact and cannot believe how much her sweet girl resembles her... especially in personality!

Not only is Teesee one of the most generous people I have ever met, she is loyal. No, I mean she is LOYAL! She knows what I'm thinking, how to encourage and cheer me up, and when to tell me to just get over something. I never have to pretend or hold back around her... those kinds of friends are few and far between. She is a beautiful Christian, strong in her convictions, and always so caring. There is such a special bond between sisters, and I could not have hand-picked a better one. I am truly thankful to God for the blessing she is to us!

The Weekend!

Last Friday night, Little Miss was priviledged to be a part of my cousin's wedding, and we were priviledged to watch her in her first-ever wedding appearance! She and her fellow flower girl could did a wonderful job and the wedding was absolutely beautiful!

Bright and squirrely on Saturday morning, we left for a family

vacation/reunion on the other side of the mountains... what a great and much-needed relaxing time it was! I have to say that the Little Farmer is NEVER happier than when he's outside... especially camping.

To him, it means being outside - all day - every day - with his dad, who is also his favorite person in the whole entire world! I just love the Little Farmer's huge, mouth-wide-open smiles and his great big, expressive eyes. He says little more than a grunt here and there, but his expressions speak for themselves!

We had a busy but FUN weekend... can't wait to go again soon!

Where We Live

My hubby and I are absolute country people at heart. We love camping, farming, horses, cows, goats, the mountains, and even the smells that go with a dairy farm. We have a 1978 Wilderness camp trailer... and it's parked outside our front yard in this quaint little town. (I should clarify that the trailer doesn't reside there year-round... just before camping trips!) Yes, we are country bumpkins right down to the core.

We loved growing up on farms. We appreciate the hard work ethic that lifestyle taught us... and we see how much Little Miss and the Little Farmer love it out at my mom and dad's farm. It can be easy to focus on those things and become discontent, wanting that for our family now. And while we would love to move back out to the country someday, God calls us to be content wherever we are.

We have so much to be thankful for right here and right now. First of all, we have two beautiful and healthy children, a warm house, plenty of food, and a great neighborhood. We have families and friends who love us... and we love them! Neighbors just down the street have blessed us with their friendship. In addition to all this, having a small house and teeny little yard frees us up to do other things. It's cozy as well... kids that come over are usually comfortable right away. (Probably because they can see or at least hear their parents from any room in our house!) People are quicker to stop by and say "hi" when you are in town. I LOVE that, being as I was a barista back in the day. I got to talk to people all day long at the coffee shop. Now I am home with my little ones... one of them still naps twice a day. As there are days when it's hard to even leave the house, I appreciate company more than ever! I enjoy the best of both worlds: I'm home with my sweet little munchkins and I am blessed to have people who will come and drink coffee with me!

God tells us "Do not love the world or anything in the world... The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." 1 John16a & 17. Chuck Swindoll says that "the enjoyment of God's gifts should be accompanied by an attitude of thankfulness and joy, returning glory to God for His graces." And we are so BLESSED!

No matter what street we live on, what our house looks like, how many acres we own... these places are not our homes. "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where theives do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:20-21. Is that verse ever humbling! I'm always so convicted when I read God's word. And I am grateful that we can be confident of this: "that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6. We truly have all we need in such abundance when we have Christ Jesus. I'm so very thankful that when we pray for contentment, He hears our prayers and is faithful to answer them. Once again, I'm preaching to myself. I don't always grasp these things and have to pray constantly that what my head knows sinks deep down into my heart. Praise God for HIS faithfulness!

Think About Such Things!

"Finally brothers; whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely; if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things." Philippians 4:8

This verse is such a great one to have memorized! One of the reasons I started this blog was to write about these things. It's my tendency to worry - about anything and everything. And if I have no logical thing to worry about, you can bet I'll concoct one! With so many people we know and love being affected by cancer, disease, loss of loved ones, it can be hard not to get down and let the worrying begin. What if they don't get better? What if something happens to my family? But does God want us to dwell on nothing but sorrow and pain and what could happen? Nope. He tells us to dwell on the list above... to see His goodness, even in the midst of trials! Philippians 4:8 follows these words: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

I think of Parriera family; little Cash was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, and God's grace has allowed them to see His kindness, goodness, and love for them in the midst of what has to be the most agonizing trial! The strength God has given to them absolutely blows me away! (A Cash of Hope is the name of the blog if you haven't checked it out... it's amazing. And please pray for this sweet baby boy and his family.)

Now on a much smaller scale, it's the verse I go to when Little Miss can't sleep. She tippy-toes over to my bed, tells me about her bad dream, and we pray, "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." (Psalm 4:8) Then we try to think of things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, excellent, praiseworthy... And there truly are SO MANY things!

I try to remember this verse... in the big things... in the little things. In some ways I feel as though I shouldn't even write this post being as I so lack the trust I know God desires. I have such a long ways to go in truly grasping God's sovereignty and His love and care us... that not a hair can fall from our heads without the will of our Heavenly Father. What a concept! I thank Him for his patience with me. And pray that He would increase in my life and that there would be less of my sinful, worrisome self. That He would help me to simply trust Him, reflect on His faithfulness and to think about such things as in this great verse!

Happy Birthday to my Hard Workin' Man!

Today we celebrated my husband (and best friend)'s birthday. It dawned on me tonight after we came home from dinner that we have known each other for nearly 10 1/2 years... WOW, how time flies! Before we had Little Miss and the Little Farmer, we used to go out to eat quite a bit. Needless to say, now it's a real treat! It's amazing how much both he and I have changed over the years. We would actually prefer staying home most of the time now. I simply enjoy his company and being with our two kiddos. I'm so thankful that he is my kids' father... he loves them and they love him so much! They are so blessed, as I was, to have a dad who valued having a mom at home with them. Even when I don't feel like I've accomplished anything in a day, he's encourages me by telling me he's thankful that I took care of our two little ones. He puts up with me and all of my many quirks and worrying about everything. He loves the Lord, and cares so much for each and every one of us. I thank God for Him. Happy Birthday to my Hard Workin' Man! And thanks for paving the way into your thirties before I get there! :)