Clicking my red heels

Montgomery, why are you so far away?  I always have a hard time leaving when it's time to go.  I am ever so ready to be home, but not away from Montgomery.  Can that be in the same desire?  Maybe if I click my red heels three times I can be there, then click three more times and be back home.

Thursday we loaded up and left Far, Far Away (or as my husband calls it "Cecil" - he is determined to name a town after himself) on our trek to Montgomery.  Along with the cattle trailer (empty), a 3 month old lab, a 3 1/2 year old Kirby and a 1 year old Patton.

Friday morning CR had his hopes set high to end duck season with a bang … ha, I am good.  CR and Dad got up bright and early on the icy morning to go to Bedias and meet his college room mate John and his friend Oklahoma Jerrod.  The hunt was a fail and around 9:00 I get a dreaded phone call …. they were stuck in the mud and did not have the tractor key.  No big deal, wife of the year to the rescue.  Get there a freezing cold hour later and then they get the tractor stuck.  2 trucks and a tractor sitting in a mud pit.  Ice and snow on the ground.  And to top that off, no ducks on their pond.  Thankfully my dad's friend Lee had his tractor and key in the barn just a short walk away … so out came the tractor to save the day.  Loaded up heifers that needed to come back home with us to Cecil and back home to Montgomery just 12 lonnnng hours after the boys had left that morning.  As "Uncle John" put it well …. "There's always a story, isn't there darlin'?"

If you look really closely you will see all the stuckness …

CR thought this was a cool picture of his tire.  

Saturday morning we got up early (we like being up with the roosters) to take family pictures.  I booked these about 8 months ago because I have been dying to get our own done by a professional.  Ya, I could do it with my clicker and tripod, but I wanted the full experience.  And, the photographer I chose does amazing with children.  We had a blast.  Can't wait to show you what we get!!

Saturday afternoon we had another little get together to celebrate Patton turning one.  We did two parties for Kirby turning one so we had to follow suit.  I am trying really hard to not be the mom that the second child gets "second best".  It is kind of hard when you are worn out to pieces, BUT it is worth every tiredness, every penny, every loss of sleep.

 Auntie Shannon and Uncle Ken got to join in on the fun!  I do LOVE that they only live about 30 minutes from my parents.  

 So this was a "kodak" moment.  My dad always turns on old cowboy music while we eat dinner.  On cue, when Don Williams started Patton put his hands over his ears.  As if to say, "No thank you, I'd rather not hear this."

 He was a little excited about the cake ...

Sunday was the longest of the days!  I had an early morning bridal shoot (can't share those till after March 22nd) that was so much fun.  God blessed us with a gorgeous day - gorgeous.  Especially after the nasty "old man winter" we had just had the two previous days.  After my shoot ended around noon, we met CR up at our friend's farm (Mrs. Rod is a doll!!) and loaded up the 10 heifers.  Seven hours after, we were home.  Bittersweet.  Loved being home and walking in to my warm and coziness, but I did already miss the part of my heart that stayed behind.

Where part of my heart stayed …such a blessing in my life.  Love Kyleigh to pieces.  Growing up too fast and such a good kid.  Such a kind heart and a gentle spirit.  A huge help and a great snuggler.

"Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders. From where the sun rises to where it sets, you inspire shouts of joy." Psalm 65:8

(And honestly, sometimes it feels like we live at the ends of the earth!)