You’ve seen this picture before and you might see it again.

This woman was just a kid of a girl when I came into her life.

She is amazing.  She is kind.  She is generous.  She has taught me so many things that make me what I am.  She is the one that I was blessed to come from and for this I am truly thankful. She provided me with a cozy little “apartment” for nine months.  She made sure that I had that crazy, baby curl going on, on top of my head.  She would hold my hand while she was driving down the road and we  would be singing to the tops of our lungs.  She told me to not be afraid when it was storming and we were in the car.  (Rubber tires…you know..will keep the lightning from getting us.)  Fast forward several years.  She held me while I cried when I lost our first baby. I think that she cried even harder than I did.  I laid by her in the motel bed in Memphis and listened to her snore…when my brother was diagnosed with leukemia.  She was so tired.  She is strong.  So strong.  I don’t know if I have ever met a woman who is a strong as she is. She loves her family from way down deep.  My brother and I talk about her…with smiles on our faces because she is our crazy, wild and wonderful mother.  We also celebrate the fact that she is learing to text.  Ha!  We just love her…enough said.

Except this:  HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMA!

Have a wonderful November 15th, Dirt Road Friends.  It’s a wonderful date in history. 🙂

Once upon a November 8th

I was as big as a beach ball

That you take to the lake.

Did you like it?  Why, thank you.  Thank you, very much.  😉  We were rewarded by my hugeness that day…and we were blessed by the grace of God.  He gave us yet another amazing child.  She was born in the wake of so much grief in our country and yet she was and still is the most peaceful, little, gentle soul.  We are truly blessed beyond measure.  You see…all of our (and yours too) children have these individual gifts that were placed in them when they were “knit together” by the hand of God in the womb.  I want to see this and I want to encourage the growth of this gift in the way that He has planned for us.

Taggin’ it up today.

Happy Thursday, Dirt Road Sweeties!  It’s a very special Thursday this week, for us!

Okay…so it’s probably only priceless to me.  These are some of my favorite earthly treasures.  They are pieces of our children.  I love them.  They delight me…more than I could ever explain.  You guys understand.  Because I love you…I will share them with you today.  You are most welcome.  😉 Happy Thursday, Dirt Roaders!

A pumpkin in charcoal for me? Yay!

Love those google eyes.

I miss those tiny thumbs that made some of those heads.

One evening, after supper, I looked out the window and saw a momma cow and her calf.  We are blessed to live in the country and while our “farm” only consists of chickens, dogs and cats right now…we are surrounded by the livestock of our neighbors.  One day, good Lord willing, we will join their ranks and have our own.  Right now…we are enjoying the ones that we don’t have to take care of.  (Unless you count chasing strays back through the fence. ;))

Black Angus cattle have a special place in my heart.  My sweet grandparents had a little farm and that was their livestock of choice… as will be ours someday, I am sure.   Granddad’s gentle way with his cows amazed me.  He probably didn’t realize it, but it taught me a great respect for the creatures that God has blessed us with.  Especially the ones that aren’t just pets but actually help us, during our few turns on this earth.

There is something about farming that seems very honest and pure hearted to me.  Maybe it is because of the man who I followed through the pasture as a little girl. Maybe it was because the laughter that rang out, as I tried to catch the little calves, came from the depths of a kind and gentle soul.  Little did either of us realize, that there would come a day when I would be the responsible one… because Parkinson’s would enter the picture. I would never trade a minute of those times on the farm…nor a minute of our road trips…with me at the wheel.  I was his ticket to freedom during those years. (I was able to give back…just a smidge.)

I think that the momma cow in this picture is content with her calf.  I think that in the grand scheme of things, this is exactly how it should be.  I think that our relationships with others mold us, eternally.  I’m so thankful for my heritage. I am thankful that someone, very lovingly, took the time to teach me the love for the land and the things that live on it.

Happy Thursday, Dirt Roaders!  Don’t forget to treasure.

A momma and her baby.

Mr. Henry thinks that his real name is Don Juan.  He used to share his coop with five other roosters and back then he wasn’t very sure of his place in this ol’ world.  Now…he is all alone with his ladies.  He has much to crow about.  He has his own little kingdom out there in his fancy-schmancy coop that my hubby and his dad built.  I would say that Mr. Henry is doing all right in this crazy world.  He has someone who takes care of him…and a life to enjoy.  Hmmmmm…..sounds like us.  God takes care of us…and gives us a life to enjoy.  Are we grasping that?  I hope so.

Happy Wednesday, Dirt Roaders!  Keep crowing!  😉

Mr. Henry and one of his wives.

Everyone is busy.  Most people are stressed to the max.  Guess what?  We don’t have to be.  I’m going to give you a few suggestions that might help if you are feeling crazy…lately.  Are you ready?  Here it goes:

1.  Take a deep breath.  (Have you done this in the last six months?)

2.  Do something nice for someone.  (Don’t groan…this one is tried and true.)

3.  Do something nice for…YOU!  (Yes…chocolate counts.)

4.  If you are a reader…check out a good book at the library. (Library=relax)

5.  Last…but should be first, think about your blessings.  (We have so many!)

I hope that these help.  When we rush…we miss out on life.  If you are constantly looking at your cell phone…you miss the beauty around you.  (Don’t feel bad, I’m preaching to the choir. 😉  God made this place beautiful but sometimes we just get too caught up in the swirl to notice the simple beauty…ya know?

Okay, okay.  Happy Thursday, Dirt Roaders.  Take care of YOU…we want to come to your 115th birthday party!  😉

Little ones know how to enjoy life.

There is just something about a day with your mom that seems to make the world a brighter place.  My mom is this very vibrant person.  She is wild and crazy and fun and I would never…ever….trade her for another.  When my kids tell me that I am doing something like my mom….it is the highest compliment.  Appreciate your moms for what and who they are.  You only get one…treasure the one that God blessed you with.

Happy Monday, Dirt Roaders.  Now…go call your mother!  😉

This is one of my favorites. Just a shot we took ourselves on a “fun day.” 🙂