Our Aweful Beautiful Life

So, we're cattle people now. For how long...we'll see, but for now...we're cattle people. And we're kind of enjoying it. There's a LOT to learn and a lot of work involved, but our kids...they thrive in it, and perhaps that is what makes 4-H and all those $$$ worth it. Colton's been doing a great job working with his calves, Candy & Rizzo. We've all fallen in love. At least with Rizzo...Candy's coming around. But he had yet to show them...in a ring...with other cows....at a show. So, we went along with Bell's and Hall's to the Huntington Open Show. First off, we have to say THANK YOU to them for taking us under their wings, and welcoming us to their party. We had a great weekend. Secondly, Hayden and Carson were so good to Colton and Emmalyn alike. Great kids, great mentors. We went up Friday evening, and had a few rookie mistakes....you know, like leaving our registration papers to show as a purebred at home, and lining the bottom of th...

So, we've officially been parents for 9 years now, which is kind of mindblowing, because I feel like Colton was a baby yesterday, but apparently that's not the case. They don't lie when they say time doesn't slow down. Through the years, it's been fun to look back at each kids "Favorite Things".....I mostly just want to jot some notes here, so that someday when they're adults I can remind them of these silly fetishes that were SO IMPORTANT in their younger years. These are the joys (and headaches) of parenting, right? Colton:  -- Imagination Movers -- you loved this show and I loved watching you dance to the theme song! I will always blame the love of this show on your dis-interest in animation too. Because it was a show with real people as the characters, you found little interest in animated movies but loved real people movies -- The Blindside being an early favorite at age 4.... -- Dusty Jeans - you wanted nothing to do with new looking j...

I was a totally AWESOME parent, before I had kids. I mean that...I had visions of how things would go, how in control I would be, how organized I'd keep our little brood. How they'd always go to bed on time, after I read them just one more night time story. How they'd grow up slowly and would aspire to show pigs in 4-H, play football, volleyball, baseball,  be farmers, and eventually, of course, State FFA Officers. Because, duh. We were their parents, and SURELY these children would adore us the way we adore and admire our parents and would want to be just like us, right? Surely they would listen to our every word, and do what we asked, the first time we asked and pick up after themselves and use awesome manners and be the absolutely joy of our lives, right? Except, I forgot one little minuscule detail, maybe two. One being, I probably didn't really adore/admire/want to be just like my parents....until I had kids of my own. And two...I didn't yet have kids. Now...

Emmalyn -- you never cease to amaze us with your outgoing nature. You have a slew of little girlfriends that you speak of, and we enjoy watching you interact. You also like to mimic your momma-- and we're finding out the twinning days are kind of fun!   2017 Cheer Camp Emmalyn -- I have to recall this story here, because if not, I know we will quickly forget. On the night of your Cheer Clinic, Grandma & Grandpa had come by early to hang out pre-game and I'd braided your hair. We shipped you off with your group once we got there, and found our seats up top in the gym. When your group was called out, I searched, and searched, and searched for you. Grandma couldn't find you either, and I was just CERTAIN you'd gone to the bathroom at the worst possible time. Here we were, there to watch you and you'd missed your show. It was laughable. It was like "Where's Waldo...all these girls, but no Emmalyn".....  Then they started t...

We finally found the time to squeeze in some one on one with Colton! We took you out for your birthday date on Sunday, February 18th. Not too shabby, considering how busy life has been lately! This is a newer tradition for us, but one that we so enjoy. We value the one on one time, and I think you kids enjoy it too. It's one night/day where it's ALL. ABOUT. YOU. And in a circus of three, that's certainly worth something! Colton - your date this year was a trip to Tractor Supply and Rural King to buy show supplies for the 4-H calves. That was pretty much a bust, so I finally, for the first time in 9 years convinced you to go into a toy store! SAY WHAT!?!? My child who has never played with toys...beyond a few short stints with tractors? We walked nearly ever aisle, a few of them twice, and teetered between a drone and a baseball throwback. We landed on a couple of balls and the baseball throwback, as you get excited for baseball season coming up. Yes, you were mad that you...

I will never forget the hours leading up to your grand arrival. We were young. We were clueless. We were EXCITED. Perhaps we should have seen it coming -- that as crazy and chaotic as the weather was on the night/day you were born, that this roller coaster of life with you would have been equally as chaotic. I'm sure we've written it here before -- but Colton, we are sorry. God gave us you first, so therefore, you're a trial and error kid. You are the one we promise to be strict with, then back down and lose our backbone when we see that toothy grin. You're the one we ARE hard on, over the silliest of things...when we should learn to choose our battles. We screw up with you on a daily basis.  We pray each night that we aren't screwing you up, and that our love for you shines through all of our mistakes. Then we see you shine. We see you being a great big brother. A kind teammate. A hard worker. A determined little cuss. An even ornerier one. We see you being ...

Emmalyn's had about 4 loose teeth since Christmas time, and wanted so badly to pull them in time for Trent & Stef's wedding. Grandma begged her not to, until after the wedding, and despite Emmalyn's best wiggling...Grandma's vote won. But not long after the wedding, Emmalyn lost her first tooth. And then another. And another. And soon, that last tooth is going to come out, and all 4 front teeth will be missing/growing back in. This sweet girl was one happy 6 year old, the morning she found her tooth fairy money! At the rate she's going, the TF might need a loan to keep up with all these missing teeth!