Helping Daddy Ray on the Farm: Eye carumba

I can not believe that it has been an entire month since I have been able to sit down and blog. And, unfortunately, I am not going to be able to massage my heart as much as I would like to tonight. Maybe in 2 weeks when I slow down a bit with Route 1Photography. I will, however, update you in bullets so that you know what has gone on in the past month - way more than I can imagine even sitting here now after we are already on the flip side of the month!

The Lord blessed Route 1 Photography with a solid booked March. Actually, over booked, but as I begin this adventure, I want to take on all that my family and I can handle to get my name out there. Then in a few years, maybe I will be able to decide how busy I will be. I will not let this business run me - it has worked wonderfully thus far with our schedules.
My dad came to Patrick Farms' rescue! We have had our "fun"with trying to keep work hands this year and at the beginning of planting season had no one but our "sometimes, if I feel good Ill come sixty five year old numskull" as a full time employee. We didn't know what we were going to do, but knew the Lord would provide. Sure enough, Daddy to the rescue. He saved our booties and stayed for 3 whole weeks. He trudged through the nagging hours of "what do we need to do today" talks between the boss men, ran many miles back and forth to John Deere and Beyond, and sat many hours on the tractor planting (and then re-planting) cotton, corn, and grain. Hebrews 13:16 comes to mind, "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." Dad shared his time and his willingness to learn and do.
Kirby and I made a weekend trip to Montgomery to have bunny and bluebonnets pictures and also 2 family sessions. That was a busy, busy weekend for pictures, but was such a blessing to me. I got to catch up with one of my dearest high school gal pals and meet some wonderful people. Of course getting to see family was great, but I was gone so much I can't even remember where they fell in.
Kirby turned 19 months. She is starting to be quite the character. She really enjoyed her PawPaw being here for 3 weeks. After he left, she still woke up and went right to the pantry to get the raisins he would give her every morning. She walked around a few days shrugging her shoulders and saying, "Paw Paw?". Made me tear up because I missed him just as much as she did. Here is where she is on things I can remember off the top of my head:

words she says clearly: horse, pig, momma, dawg, no-no, get, sit, stay, cracker, fish, bird, chich-en, egg, go, bye, hi, hello, phone, yewwow, purple, duck, bear, deer, cock a doo, ball, jump, bubble, seat, sit, down, up, bed, night night, Kyleigh, Granny, Daddy Ray, Daddy, E, Ray, Baby
new signs she knows: down, Bible, yes
has teeth coming in (seems like this has been for 2 months now!) on the bottom eye teeth area.
went potty in the duck one random day. I decided to do it the right way and go full force when we get back from our last scheduled trip to Montgomery next week. It already takes 5 1/2 hours to get there; I can't imagine how it would be stopping every 30 minutes when teaching her about potty.
Likes to go with CR to check on the fields, with Daddy Ray to feed the cows, and with mommy anywhere.
Is loved so deeply I don't think I can even describe it. I am so thankful that God blessed us with Kirby Rose when He did. I am so thankful that He gives me opportunity after opportunity to fund the desire in my heart to stay home.

CR and Patrick Farms planted 4000 acres. This means that for 4000 acres not only did they plant, but Lauren, Kirby and Kitty cooked and ran food to the field for lunch and supper for 3. weeks. straight.
For Easter we were able to go up to Montgomery to visit. We were so thankful that for the first time in about a year, the whole family was going to be together.

The blue thing is called a field cultivator. It is being pulled by a track-tractor.

CR's new toy - a 24 row planter. Totally made 4000 acres doable!

Dad found it funny that the new toy was being pulled by a tractor that had rust.

Kirby delivering supper to her Paw Paw.

Checking seed levels in the planter.

Kirby's Easter picture.

Attempt a family picture. Don't worry, there is a good one in the bunch and I will put myself in there. Can you see all the wrong with this picture? Grown adults!

"Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered." 1 Peter 3:7 LOVE. THIS.MAN.