I remember it very well. All of us huddled into a waiting room at St. V’s for the announcement that the beginning of our next generation was here. The time came and tears were flowing. CW was here and my Bub’s face was glowing like the morning sun in July. If nothing else came from that day it was probably the most rewarding to see him so incredibly proud.  I have an old picture of a long lasting gaze at his first born that I so wish I could find.  It was before snapfish and this here laptop so I’d have to scan it in.  Maybe someday…. It’s definitely a picture that speaks a thousand words.

In 8 little years CW and I have made some pretty incredible memories together. My first nephew. My first chance to be an aunt. He will always hold this spot in my heart filled with Steak n Shake milkshakes, trips to the Harley Store, exploring at the Children’s Museum, slumber parties, movies all night long, Build a Bear trips, Oreo dunking, ice cream truck chasing, and bike riding goodness.

But I’m not going to lie. His birthday means he’s one year closer to becoming a teenager and one year closer to not having any time for me. Frankly that sucks. I wish he could be little and be mine forever. But that’s just not how this crap works. They grow up. Things change. Such is life.

Still doesn’t mean I have to like it.

I want him to be able to look back and read this and recall some of my favorite memories. So here goes:

The time I picked you up from my bub and you had this list of things you wanted us to do. I was overwhelmed but joyed that the thought of us spending time together got you so excited you wanted to plan every single minute. You are a pretty cool kid.

Trips to Children’s Museum sparks a ton. We went a lot. Probably my favorite was our trip with just the two of us. Pretty special. Lots of laughs.

Being asked if you were mine at a gas station and you telling the old guy there was no way because I wasn’t old enough. Then you told me that when I did get married I should have kids because I would be a cool mom. I was driving and cried a bit. You went on to talk about Legos… or Transformers. Subjects change quick with you.

Having you for the fair so you can be a part of that special time that me, your dad, and Aunt K had when we were kids.  4-H was a part of our lives and we want it to be a part of yours too.

I choose to distance myself from people who make me think less of myself or people who suck the life out of me with their negativity.

I choose to surround myself with people I love and people who love me for me.

There are days I don’t have much of a choice but when that comes along I choose to make the best out of it. Unfortunately there are still people that could find a grain of salt in a bucket filled with sweet delicious icing. And for them I choose to smother them with icing so much it hurts.

Momma always said to “Kill em with kindness.”

If that’s the case then I’ve been murdering lately and I must admit, I’m exhausted.

Reasons I know it’s spring (and not because I have a calendar):

1. Dinner alone.
2. I’m on dish duty again. Major bummer.
3. The sound of the dryer keeping me company.
4. Shiloh’s barking randomly because she misses her dad.
5. Making my own coffee each night.
6. Reading, a lot.
7. Grading papers to pass time.
8. All the TV’s and lights on so no one tries to mess with me.
9. Phone conversations just so we can hear each others voices once a day.
10. Waiting for the sound of a diesel truck so I can finally fall asleep knowing he’s safe at home.

More to come on being a farmer’s girl. Stay tuned. They’re just getting started.

Photo courtesy of JB 🙂

I’ve decided I’m replacing the go to color of pink in my life with turquoise. Everything turquoise.

I have several jewelry pieces, a purse, and a few tops. Now I just need to slowly weed out the every day pink items with things I can find in turquoise.

I plan to get most of my inspiration from one of my favorite bloggers.
http://crystalcattle.blogspot.com/2012/03/turquoise-thursday-j-crew-imitation.html?m=1

Every Thursday she has more wonderful ideas.

Turquoise will consume me. I’m okay with that. Really it makes my eyes pop. And when has that ever been a bad thing?

Today I met someone I admire obviously more than words could ever describe, Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman.

She’s the reason I started this here blog. I became obsessed with hers years ago when my sister led me to http://www.thepioneerwoman.com

When I found out she was doing a book signing near me I knew I had to take time off work, stand in line for as long as they would allow me, and meet her face to face. I had so many things to tell her and wanted so badly to have her signature in all her books that I own. I would have even let her sign my forehead if she wanted. She’s that cool. Like, I want to be her. Not in a freaky creepy way. In a best friend kind of way.

We were about 60 people deep, in line for close to 3 hours, and I became a speechless fool. I was shaking. I grinned ear to ear probably looking like such a moron.

All I can think about is all the things I wish I had said to her. So, if we meet again Ree….these are the things I plan to discuss with you:

1. First off, thank you for being so warm and fuzzy and sweet and kind.

2. Thank you for inspiring me through your blog to wait for the perfect romance. One that would, and has, transformed my life from meaningless to nothing less than perfect. Because of you I found my own little Marlboro man of the Midwest. Boy am I glad I didn’t settle before and waited for him.

3. So far my favorite recipe to cook is chicken scaloppine. I mean I love everything of yours but it’s by far my go to meal. It was the first meal I cooked for my Marlboro Man. That’s when he fell in love with me, and my cooking.

4. My MM couldn’t be here today but I’m sure he would want me to tell you thank you. He loves your recipes just as much as I do, if not more.

5. The butterflies all throughout your book make me tear with joy. You see my cousin Pam was also a fan of yours. She left this life way too soon to join my own angel mother. At her funeral they released butterflies. Since then I’ve seen them everywhere. They appear in all you do and to me it’s just a little reminder that if Pam and my momma were still on earth today I know they would have been standing in line with us too. I’m so glad I has the chance to meet you today with her beautiful daughter Jordan who makes us proud over and over and over again.

I think that covers it.

Oh, and can I stay at the lodge with you for just a bit over the summer? I’m great with kids, promise. I can ride a horse and help you ranch.

I can even keep Marlboro Man company if you need me to. I mean, you don’t like those early mornings so maybe I could fill in for you?

Think about it and get back to me.

If not, no big deal. Just thought I would throw it out there!

Living, Laughing, & Loving,
Fortunate Gal

Look at him looking at me…..

Either he
a) thinks I’m crazy
b) wants me to quiet down
c) is madly in love and can’t help but stare

I’m going with c.  This was from our adventure to Nashville recently.  We had a blast as you can tell.  We danced and we laughed all weekend long.  It was good for both of us to get away, but especially for M.  He’s been working nonstop without weekends off and every once in a while I just think it’s good for him to escape from home.  I get to see a different side of him when we get away and play.  A side I love and a side of him I know he needs.  Vacations are good for people.  They are healthy for the mind and soul. 

This picture reminded me of all the times I catch him staring at me.  At first it annoyed me.  Kinda freaked me out really.  I would ask, “What?”  He would say, “Nothing.  Can’t I just enjoy how beautiful you are?”  What a charmer this guy.  Cheesy, but a charmer. 

You see I’ve never really had someone want to stare at me before.  Never had someone tell me I look good in everything, even when I probably don’t.  I’ve never had someone want to spend all their free time with me even if it does mean attending my nephew’s basketball game or my best friend’s granny’s funeral.  I’ve just never had a love like this before.  It is pretty awesome!

And I love him just as much back.  Even though he’s sitting next to me snoring so loudly that I can barely concentrate and type this.  God love him. 

There’s something precious and sweet about seeing new lambs in the barn. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been told the stories of my great grandpa calling “Lambie Lambie Lambie” while feeding the little ones with a Pepsi bottle with a nipple attached.

There’s this feeling that I get when I enter the barn. Like he’s there.

A man I don’t recall memories of but have enough to fill my someday children’s ears with. A man who meant so much to so many. A man who taught so many life lessons to family members who made me who I am today. A man who loved and nurtured my grandfather who then did the same to my mother.

A man I wish I could sit down with for just a bit and get to know. I have so many questions I’m sure he would have the perfect answer for.

But, until we meet again, I’ll keep visiting the lambies and pretend I can hear his voice exactly how he would say it. I’m sure I can if I listen hard enough.

Waking up to a sweet love note is quite possibly the best way to a start day.

Example A:

Just as I grab my morning mug for some coffee I am awakened and fresh with such a warm feeling and smile spreading across my face.

It’s really the little things.  The things that take no time at all.  The things that don’t cost money.  The things that remind one another of the feeling like that first night you met. 

I’m definitely blessed with a man who understands the little things. 

Take a minute this week and write your loved one a note and leave it in a random spot.  I promise you they will appreciate it….and I bet you will find one for yourself later on. 

Remember the little things.