True

Sitting down writing for five minutes.....nonstop, no corrections, just writing.

My writing prompt is the word True.....here goes.

I can only see today and not look into the future.  As my dishwasher runs and my husband and children sleep.....this is what is true.

Today, I watched my little red haired girl take a tenative step.   I watched her scream when I wouldn't let her put legos in her mouth.   I helped her up the stairs at the playground....15 times.   Everytime when she got to the top she looked back and smiled at me with her two little teeth on the bottem.

I played perfection with a three year old.....for over an hour.     You know the game where you put the yellow pieces in the correct places before the timer goes up and the board jumps all the pieces off onto the floor.    After the 3rd time.   I wated to quit.    I didn't and looking back I'm glad that I continued to play because Eli loved it.

I walked to school and picked up two boys, who immedicatly jumped on their bikes and rode off without me.   I thought to myself....why do I walk down here and pick them up everyday?   But, I will go tomorrow and the next day even if they don't seem like they need me.

I wached my 9 year old help me cook dinner.   He cut the potatoes and used the mixer correctly.   He added the peas to the chicken and gravy and brought it to a boil.    He was such a big help and I was surprised.

I waited patiently for a husband to return for work.   6:00 went by.   630 went by.   I gathered the kiddos up and we rode bikes until he could come home.   My boys light up when they see their dad.   They jumped up and down and loved him.   They held out their hands for oreo cookies and Grace made sure everyone knew she wanted one.

In all the busyness....I didn't get time with Bryan.    I miss him and he is home.    Looking forward to spending some time without the kids soon!

True all True

Just play

There is a special place near Grammy's that I take the boys.  A place hidden in the trees.   Where time just stops and playing starts.     A place where the rules don't apply.

A place where we play in the dirt.

Hang over bridges

Dig holes

Stop to pick up rolly polly bugs

And, dig for treasure (diamonds to be exact)

A place where we can get dirty.  Explore.   A place where a child's heart is set free!

Polo School

This summer, we loaded the horses every Tuesday and Saturday and headed out to the polo field.

Amaya and Gabe had a formal polo class this year.    And, every week we watched them become little polo players.   Their teacher's name was Miss Annie.   Gabe rode Grace.  Amaya rode Shadow.  

While the big kids were riding.   The little kids enjoyed the polo field, their own way.   

We couldn't come out to Big Horn without our pink tutu and click clack shoes, of course.

Even Wallace loves the polo field!

After polo school was over, Owen got to ride a little with Pop.  

And, last but not least.    Here is our good friend, Mary.  A trip out to the polo field wouldn't be complete without seeing Mary!

Dave's

Get your boots on.   Your cowboy hats. 

Load up the horses.

It's time to head down to the Powder River with Pop.

It brings my childhood back to me.   All the hours that I spent on Poncho.  All the time that I spent with my dad.  

Grace and I wave goodbye to the boys.....knowing how much fun they would have.

    This is where cowboys learn to ride. 

In the hills, trailing behind a line of cattle.

Where you learn the excitement of riding your horse up a hill and only taking a breath when you reach the top.

Where the conversation is always better with the long road in front of you.

At the end of the day it's always fun to put your horse away and ride the four wheeler with your little brother!

bitter or blessed?

I remember being 18 and looking at the adults of this world.   I looked at them and thought, what is wrong with you?   You do this life thing all wrong.  You make it seem so hard.   It's not hard.   Lighten up a little bit.  Life is so easy.....enjoy it.

I look at myself in fear.  Have I turned into a 38 year old bitter woman?   The lady with the scowl on her face.   The one who looks at her mess of a living room and cries.   A nagging wife and mother.  The one who yells at her kids.   Who can go a whole day without laughing.

Life has happened.   4 children.  8 moves.  It is pretty overwhelming.    I look at my friends and their struggles.  My heart aches for them as they each have hard in their life. Deaths, divorce, illness.   I want to scream at my 18 year old self and tell her how hard this all is.   How impossible this feels.    She would never understand the demands, the responsibility, the pain of this moment.     It's so hard, how can I not turn into a bitter old woman?

I close my eyes and the answer comes to me like a bright white light.  A moment when I know that I haven't become bitter. Yes, I'm overwhelmed but that doesn't define me.  It doesn't define me because I am thankful. Thankful for everything.

Thankfulness helps me breath.   Thankfulness replaces that scowl with a smile.  It helps me stop and laugh with my children.   It reminds me to stop doing the dishes and spend time with my husband instead.   It turns everything around and fills me with love.

Thankful for a man who loves and provides for me.   Who holds our little girl while I take a break.

Thankful for LONG walks with a three year old because he has to tell me the name of each car that we pass.   Jeep, Chevy, Toyota, GMC....I have learned all their names.

Thankful for a 9 year old who struggles in school.   To much energy, better things to do besides spelling and math. 

Thankful for a 6 year old who sneaks crackers and sweets all afternoon and then is to full to eat dinner.

Thankful for a little red headed girl who screams loudly.   She has already learned that she won't be heard unless she yells.

And, a sister who always listens.  My friends in Wyoming and Colorado who are a phone call away.-  My parents and in-laws. 

Right now, I am even thankful for the heat.  106 when I went to pick up the boys from school today.  Thankful for the sunshine and beautiful scenery on the way to school.

You see, now, I'm not that bitter woman that I was when this post started.   I am different, changed.   I'm breathing deeper and ready for tomorrow.   A day that I get to spend with the people that I love.  A day to cherish.