It's The Simple Things #1

“It is always the simple things that change our lives. And these things never happen when you are looking for them to happen. Life will reveal answers at the pace life wishes to do so. You feel like running, but life is on a stroll. This is how God does things.” ~ Donald Miller


Last week, the Blonde Oklahoma Girl did a great new link up called "It's the Simple Things." I loved this idea, so I have kept a few notes this week and am linking up with Jesslyn Amber today!

It's the simple things, like

....cute cowboys in square-toed boots (the picture below is my brother, although he was not the cute cowboy to whom I was referring)
.....an inside joke that only three people at the table understand ("It is what it is.")

......the stars on a clear night in the country

....the feeling I have after I get my butt out of bed and go on an early morning run

.....hearing a beautiful story of faith and trust at Bible study from a woman who is losing her husband to cancer

.....the anticipation of a three day weekend

......getting asked by my law school bff, Brett-Brett, and his fiancee, Miss Texas, to be a bridesmaid in their wedding.

Something Useful

"Let go and let God."

I'm a thinker. An over-analyzer. A person who likes to think about every situation that might arise and decide how I would react. I blame it on law school. I mean, it's really a problem. I'll fret and analyze and try to figure out a situation or a plan or what the future holds until I just about drive myself (and everyone around me!) completely crazy.

And then, sometimes, it's like God finally says, "Okay, she's even driving ME crazy...let's send her something useful." Here was His something useful this weekend:

My Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please You does in fact please You. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that, if I do this , You will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust You always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for You are ever with me, and You will never leave me to face my perils alone.

- Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude

ND Friend and I were talking this weekend about all the things we worry about. What path we are supposed to be on, and how we know.....that kind of thing. After I was explaining to her about this realization that I had come to, she said, I have this prayer that you have to read! And, as usual, she was right. And it was perfect.

I don't know about you guys, but I worry sometimes about whether I'm doing the right things to stay on the path I'm meant to be on. I could see the path going so many different ways and it's hard to know which one I'm supposed to be on . Remeber my Sweet Home Alabama Disease blog? Like the prayer begins, "I have no idea where I'm going."

And when I have a hard time with that, sometimes I feel like I'm just not having enough faith, and that's where the questions come from. Which is a whole different can of worms for me to try and sort through in my head. I love the idea that even if I may get lost on some little detours along the way---even if I may not follow the plan perfecty---the fact that I have a desire in what I am doing to please Him is, in and of itself, an act of faith.

I think this idea, and find this prayer, is liberating and freeing and so inspirational. And so I wanted to share. Maybe some of you are over-analyzers too. Isn't it nice to know that even though we have no clue where we are going, we believe in someone who does?

Photos of the Week - Week 25

Did you guys miss me? I know at least a couple of you did. The Oklahoma Girls both emailed me to see if my blog was broken since there had been no post since Friday. That's friendship, girls. :) Prepare yourselves, this post is pretty all over the place.

First off, I am guest blogging today for Liv over at Sunshine and Daisies. Be sure to check me out and hear my thoughts on bucket lists!

Secondly, I wanted to explain the lack of posting. On Friday afternoon my friend McCain and I headed to what must be the most remote location in New Mexico to be with College Roomie when she said goodbye to her dad. (For those of you who might not remember--and who care about the relationships of people on the blog--these two date. Thanks to yours truly. I know, I know, I'm awesome.)

Although it was a tragic occasion, I have to say, the trip itself and the people who we got to meet were wonderful. Be expecting a blog soon where I rant and rave about how great small town people are. Shocking, I know. And I also want to thank all of you who were so kind as to send comments and prayers to College Roomie and her family. You guys are the best. Now, back to the story.

And finally, I'm going to do a little catch up on some photos. Even though we really were in a beautiful place, I only snapped one picture. Here is McCain, trying to stand and just the right angle to get enough cell service to send a text message. LOVE it. Shortly thereafter we drove to the gas station in town because the owner, Chuck, apparently has some connection with the cell phone Gods and gets service. And I mean not just texting--phone call service! Now...do you see why no blogging happened?

Anyway, I dove back into the archives for this week's photos. Hope you enjoy. I'll be back on track next week with our regularly scheduled programming.

Theme: Project 64 - Goldenrod

This is another one of the shots I took at the Santa Fe National Cemetery a couple months back. The sunflower was the perfect shade of goldenrod! Go visit the other entries at Project 64!

Theme: Quotography - Summer

In honor of the fact that Girls Weekend 2011 is ONE MONTH....you heard me right, girls....ONE MONTH away....I knew this photo and quote was perfect for the My Perspective Quotography theme. Here are the Oklahoma Girls on our bay cruise back in 2008 all bundled up in hoodies and ski jackets. Cannot wait to be back there again (you know, except the whole running 13 miles thing...)

Theme: Red, White and Blue

I know you gys might be getting sick of my photos from the Korean War Memorial in DC, but I just can't tell you how much I love that memorial and how moving I think it is. I really liked this shot of the soldier with the red, white and blue wreath in the background. Check out the other entries on Friday at Live Every Moment!

Family Farm Friday #58: Dan and Jerry's

"For our family, farming is not just a business; it's a heritage rich with a history filled with treasured memories and great stories." ~Sine Kerr

While I was home for Memorial Day, Little Brother and I got to have sort of a flashback to our childhood. In doing so, I was reminded of yet another reason why I love having grown up on a family farm as much as I do.

We have always had great neighbors. You've read about the recent examples here and here. Back in the day, it was no different. Aunt Jean always had the best candy and snacks when we would go visit, and always invited us to pick peas in her field. Robert and Tressie always brought the best homeade bread at Christmas. Linda saved my brother during a violent turtle attack by burning that darn turtle with her cigarette. Ralph helped me with more science projects than I can count, and Faye was the genius behind Faye's weenies. But I would be lying if I didn't tell you that my favorite neighbors were Dan and Jerry.

Dan and Jerry grew up in our neighborhood when they were kids, and moved back during their summers off during college. Little Brother and I were little kids by this point---maybe like 3-7 years old or so. Dan and Jerry were crazy and funny and you never knew what they would do next. My parents used to periodically let them babysit (makes me wonder WHAT they were thinking) Little Brother and I. My Dad probably said it best when he said, "Just saying 'Dan and Jerry' sort of makes you laugh when you think about them."

Well over Memorial Day, we were reunited with Dan and Jerry, along with their wives and kiddos. They were all in town to go to the lake and were camping at the old farm house where they lived. So on Saturday night, it was like old days....Little Brother and I were hanging out at Dan and Jerry's.

We sat around an old lantern in the yard and talked and laughed at their stupid jokes about the north star and whatever else they came up with. We talked about funny memories of the crap they used to get away with. They told stories about how once my mom and dad got in a fight and dad showed up to their college bachelor pad and just said he needed a beer. We remembered driving down to check on them in a tornado warning once and them planning to chain themselves to the hay barn.

We talked about how the land where we all lived had been in our families for 3 and 4 generations. We remembered when houses were built and neighborhood picnics and how much we missed our grandparents, and each other's grandparents for that matter. We talked about history and memories and it became pretty clear how much these farms meant to all of us.

And I watched Dan and Jerry's kids get so excited when Little Brother said that we would come back for dinner the next night. And how they would run over to see what he had done all day as soon as he drove up. I realized that Little Brother had become those kids' Dan and Jerry. And the circle continues. (Note: I didn't get a picture, but Little Brother, Dan and Jerry were all three dressed like this....priceless!)
When I say "family farm" I guess I mean more than just my own family. I mean the neighbors who become like family too. It means passing stories and friendship and memories to the next generation. Chalk another one up to growing up on a farm, huh?

Leaving a Mark

"What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.” ~Albert Pine

When I was walking to the pool this weekend, I noticed initials etched into the sidewalk.
This got me thinking....the people who left their initials in that concrete wanted to leave a mark. Something showing that they were here so that they won't be forgotten. Something immortal. Don't we all want to do that...not with a stick on sidewalks...but with our lives?

If there is one thing true about life, it is that it moves fast. And things that are important and people that are popular one day, may be out the next. I remember going to the State FFA Convention about 5 years after I graduated to introduce Little Brother for his Retiring Address as a State Officer. A couple of kids were talking to me before the speech. They didn't recognize my name at all, but when I said I was "Little Brother's Sister" the light bulb went off. They proceeded to ask me if I had been in FFA.

"Was I in FFA?!?! What is with you kids these days? How can you not know that I was in FFA??" No, I didn't say that. But I thought it. Here's the thing--I was sort of a big deal in FFA. Not bragging, but our teams went to 5 National Contests. We were Reserve National Champions twice. I was State Star Farmer for crying out loud. Everyone knew the kids from Logan. But once we were gone, and the people who knew us were gone, we became nobodies to the FFA members.

The same thing happened to me last week. I was at the law school library. I used to know everyone in that school. I'm a really outgoing person, I tutored the two classes below me, and I had killer good outlines for finals. People knew me. But now those students who were in school when I was there are gone. I've become a nobody to the law students too.

I think this is a good lesson. If we strive to leave our mark based on our succeses---on winning a contest or on having the best outlines---we are going to surely be forgotten. Our marks won't last. But if we try instead to leave our mark on people in our lives....by being caring and kind and loving and supportive....well I think that is the only way to get a piece of the immortality that we're searching for.

I look back at the people in my own life who we have lost. And when I do, I don't remember their accomplishments. I remember the last hug they gave me. I remember them believing in me, when I wasn't sure I believed in myself. I remember their laughs. I remember them being there for me when bad things happened. I remember them being involved in whatever it was that I was doing. Those people left their mark on me. And if I have anything to say about it, they won't be forgotten.

Or, alternatively, the initials in the sidewalk had no deeper meaning and were just some hoodlum kids causing trouble. Hmm...

Finding Motivation

"It's very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit." ~George Sheehan

As you guys now, I'm right in the middle of my training for the San Francisco Half Marathon at the end of July. Well....I have been on the hunt a little darn motivation to keep me going (and to get my butt out of bed early in the mornings)!

Here are my problems:

1. It's freaking hot here. I mean like all the time. This weekend I went to run at 7:30 am. And by 8:10, it was MISERABLE outside. And by miserable, I mean I ran by a sprinkler and seriously had the following thoughts, "I am sure that's drinkable. That sign that says 'This water is not potable' is probably crap. Does not potable mean it will kill me? Probably not. No one would know if I drank some really fast. Sure, my whole face would be soaked, but it's water!" Great job picking a race that requires you to be training in this mess, Tiffany. Way to think that one through.

2. I need a running buddy. My girls are going with me to SF of course, but they are not running the half marathon, and two of them don't live here. The one that does seems strangely unwilling to do my long run (6 miles this week) with me when her race distince is just 3.1. I just don't understand.... :)

3. I probably need new music. Whenever I get in a rut, I figure this is part of the problemo. I get bored with the same old stuff. So any good running song suggestions would be AWESOME!

BUT.....fear not! I am not a quitter and I am SO excited about Girls Weekend 2011 in San Francisco, that I will push through this! I decided to find some new motivation this weekend. Here we go:

1. As I already mentioned last week, my sweet friend ND Friend has graciously agreed to call me when she wakes up in the morning and tell me to go run. And I can't not go after I tell her I will!

2. I put my favorite motivational song ever back on my iPod. What is it you ask? Number One, by Nelly. This song has been my go-to for years. It used to be the first song we'd run out to at basketball games in high school. Then in law school, I would listen to it on my iPod right before going into every final exam (Ha, and you guys thought I was the dork listening to lectures on contracts? Fooled you!)

3. Last week, three people told me I looked really skinny. Basically, that's like hearing angels sing hallelujah to a chunky girl! Now, one of them was College Roomie, and as my best friend, she has to say it. But the other two have no such emotional connection. Score!

4. Next weekend is the Cherry Garcia run here and I'll be doing the 5K. At the end of the race, you get Ben & Jerry's ice cream. Yea, sign THIS girl up!

5. And finally, I came across these little pictures. I know lots of my readers are training for races too, so maybe this will let you guys out! Or, if you want to run a race but haven't, maybe these will help get you started!

Prayer Request

"No one can confidently say that he will still be living tomorrow." ~Euripides

Sunday night I sat in my best friend's room and cried with her because her dad died in a car accident. On Father's Day. Life is not fair.

So please, keep College Roomie and her family in your prayers. And appreciate the people in your life while they are here...because one day, we all get a phone call that turns our world upside down.

Meet the Cast Monday #23: My....Blog?

Today I'm introducing....my blog! I know this sounds crazy since most of you are followers, but there is a great link up going on and I wanted to participate.

If you are new, this will be a great way for you to catch up on what's been going on for the last year and a half around here! If you have been aroud a while, maybe you'll catch a post that you missed, or get to re-read an old favorite!

Oh, and if you haven't done so yet, I'd love for you to introduce yourself by commenting below--even if you don't have a google account, you can comment by selecting "Anonymous." I'd love to know who all is reading along!

What Do I Blog About?

Anything. Everything. That sums it up. I guess I generally blog about every day life..my thoughts on dating and friendship and faith and attitude. I blog about sports and farming and family events and my bucket list checkmarks. I blog a lot about "The Cast" because by knowing the important people in my life, you'll get to know me better!

Who Am I?

I'm a twenty-something lawyer who grew up on a family farm and ranch in a small town in eastern New Mexico. I went to college and had the time of my life at Oklahoma State University (GO POKES!!). Afterwards, I headed to law school, spent the best summer ever in San Francisco, and ended up at a firm back in my home state. I love my family and friends, college football, livestock shows, running, blogging, and my faith. If you want a quick recap of the last decade of my life, check out my decade in review blog post! Oh, and I'm single, so if you see Mr. Right, send him my way!

Top 10 Blog Posts

Oh this is so hard for me to choose! I cheated a little....for 2010, I did a blog of my favorite posts for the year. (Seriously...they are the best ones....read it!) For 2009 and 2011, here are my favorites...I tried to give you some variety:

What About Those....A reflection on a priest's question at mass, "What about those for whom no one prays?"

The Rain Came.....I celebrate a miracle in the life of Teacher Friend.

The Luckiest Man...I discuss the wonderful book by Jonathan Eig (and even got a comment from the author himself!)

Our Link....On the anniversary of her death, I remember the girl who introduced me to my closest girl friends.

How Quickly We Forget....Coming to the realization that I'm just like a bunch of wondering Isrealites sometimes.

Give the Kid a 42...I remember how a kind gesture 18 years ago may have changed my life.

Halfsies?....Ah...the wonderful world of (bad) dating.

Not The Way It's Supposed to Be...I don't get very political on this blog, but felt this post was necessary.

When I'm Married I'll.....Explaining my rule regarding this phrase.

Most Popular Blogs

Bull Semen & Bonding...Family bonding is a little different when you live on a farm!

A Lesson From Pancake Boy....Trying to learn from the mistakes of a boy trying to date my dear friend!

Why Kirk Herbstreit Is Killing My Love Life.....It's possible that I know too much about football for my own good?

Both Are Gifts.....Trying to change my attitude about being single.

One of Those Days....A recap of running Bay to Breakers with folks in crazy costumes or no costumes at all!

Lifelong Dreams & Lifelong Friends....My experience going to a Notre Dame Football game that was 27 years in the making!

We've Come A Long Way.....Remembering my first lamb sale with my ag teacher.

The Good Ol' Valentine's Days and Home Ec Hero....Looking back on the kindness of my first "boyfriend" over the years.

What Are My Weekly Themes?

I'm a total theme girl....so I've done several on this blog.

Throwback Thursday....my longest standing theme where I look back on big events prior to me starting this blog---a trip to Europe, college stories, San Francisco memories, and childhood fun.

Family Farm Friday...every week I share a story or a memory or a lesson from growing up on my family's farm. Oh, and periodic updates about my own livestock!

Meet the Cast Monday....a chance to meet the most important people in my life by seeing their answers to random questions.

Weekend Photo Challenges....I've recently taken up a photography hobby, so I share some of my work!

What Are Some of My Favorite Blogs?

Oh my...where do I even start? I have a total blog reading obsession. It's not healthy. Here are just a few of my absolute must-read every day favorites! (PLEASE don't be offended if you are not on here---I swear it was impossible to narrow it down to these!)

Blonde Oklahoma Girl (Yes, she is one of my real life best friends, but trust me, you'll love her blog too even if you don't know her!)

Southern Soul Mates (I've never met Cherish, but she's so darn adorable living on her southern plantation with her veterinarian husband and their heard of animals!)

Vintch (You want to read a blog that is extremely well-written and thoughtful? Click here!)

Living An Amazing Life (Another of my real life friends who is a life coach, motivational speaker, business woman, and new mom....trust me, you want some motivation, you'll find it here!)

Photos of the Week: Week 24

Here are my pictures this week...hope you guys enjoy! I'd love to know which ones are your favorite!

Theme - Project 64: Olive Green

I don't know that this is the perfect shade of green, but I took this picture yesterday and just loved it. The sky with the clouds and the green grass and old trees...just love! Be sure to check out the other project 64 entries here!

Theme: Happiness (Quotography)

This is one of my favorite quotes.....I am a pretty firm believer in the fact that being happy is up to us...a decision that we make. I think this quote encompasses that pretty well. I shot this picture of just off the road while I was out and about yesterday and when I did, I knew this quote would be perfect! Check out the other pictures/quotes at My Perspective.

Theme: Farm

You know this theme was RIGHT up my alley! If you're new to the blog, I grew up on a farm and do a weekly series about that called Family Farm Friday! This is actually a photo that I took a while back and have used before, but it's one of my favorite photos of farming. One of the comments I got last time asked if this was a real place. Kinda fun to think that you grew up somewhere that would garner that comment. I'm excited to see the other farm entries on Friday at Live Every Moment!

Theme: Childhood Memory

I took the picture above of this old barn that we have back home. I realize that the photo quality is not the best...the light was wrong, the corner is blown out, but the point was the sentimental value anyway! Gran used to take us kids on picnics over there or we'd stop by while we were checking cows. We'd always have water from the windill next to the barn and she'd peel a red apple with her pocket knife---and the peel would come out all in one piece. She was a lady of many talents!

Theme: My Favorite Place

Well I'm just sharing tons of pictures of home this week for some reason! I took this shot last fall--I loved the heads of milo with our house in the background. Check out the other entires at Allie Photography!

Theme: Just Because

I realize this is sort of a random picture for this theme....but yesterday afternoon I took a little drive out in my favorite area of town just because (get it...the theme!). There were some horses in a pasture, so you know me...I stopped to snap a few pictures. Sometimes this country girl just has enough of the city and the people and the concrete....so finding these horses sure gave me a little break!

Family Farm Friday #57: Keys

"The everyday kindness of the back roads more than makes up for the acts of greed in the headlines." ~Charles Kuralt

My parents' neighbor, David, lost his house to a fire last week. We are pretty much fired out around our neighborhood, let me just tell you guys. If you remember after the last fire, I wrote this blog about neighbors coming together.
Well, it happened again. My dad told this story and it just really touched my heart.

After the fire was out, David was standing on the rubble and ash that was his house and all of his belongings looking to see if there was anything he could salvage. Picturing this scene just makes me sick to my stomach.

Then up walked the daughter of another neighbor. She stuck her hand through what was left of the wall in the front of the house. In her hand was the keys to her dad's house that is right down the road. Her dad's house is empty now, as he is living in a nursing home. She gave those keys to David and said, "Here are the keys to Daddy's house. You stay there as long as you need to."

My Dad said it best when he said, "Though I have seen so many acts of kindness in this neighborhood for years, I will never forget what she showed us all today."

People knock on small towns. My "city" friends kid that we just got running water and ask what it was like for me to have indoor plumbing when I moved to my current house. We don't have fancy restaurants. We don't have concerts during the summer. You can't run to the mall on a Saturday afternoon.

But what we have is a community of people who truly love each other and who would give the shirt off their backs (of the keys to their houses) when someone needs help. If you ask me, that's the way it should be. What we do have is worth so much more than what we lack.

By the way, there is a fire fund set up for donations for David (who is one of our volunteer firefighters and who literally lost everything he had) at our hometown bank.

If anyone would like to donate, you can send a check to: David Peacock Fund, Citizen's Bank, 211 E. Main, Tucumcari, NM 88401. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

(If you have any questions about that, shoot me an email at tiffy83@hotmail.com or leave me a comment below.)

Another Edition of.....Brain Dump

“Dream what you want to dream, go where you want to go, be what you want to be. Because you only have one life and one chance to do it all.” ~ Unknown

Sorry guys....but today we're having alot of randomness being shared on this blog. This is because I failed to get a post for today written over the weekend, and I haven't had time to knock something out this week. Here we go.....

First, I'm trying to transition myself to running in the mornings. It sucks. I hate it. But, it's so stinkin' hot in the evenings here that I either have to run early and melt, or run late and risk being kidnapped. Neither appeal to me. So.....ND Friend has graciously agreed to call me in the mornings and get my booty out of bed. That's friendship, folks. And I have to do what she says, because she ran the Boston Marathon, which means, she's a rock star!

Second, I have had these songs on repeat all week. Yes, they are also sort of random. Which is fitting.

Third, I wish I had a Polish boyfriend. Just so we could have conversations like this.

Fourth, Blonde Oklahoma Girl posted a great blog about overanalyzing things and asked the following question: "Do you think we over-analzye issues becuase we are trying to get the answer we really want?" Um.....talk about me feeling like someone nailed it right on the head. That's me To. A. Tee. Holy cow....that girl should be a shrink for sure!

Fifth, I cannot wait until Girls Weekend 2011 (I try and tell myself this when I'm waking up at 6 am to leave my comfy bed to go running....) in San Francisco! 6 weeks, baby! We have booked hotels and flights, have a line on a wine tasting tour to Napa and Sonoma, will be singing karaoke with my friend Georgia Boy and I can't even wait to see what else we come up with! Can we top this memory?

Well, all we can do is try. And try we will!

Sixth, speaking of dancing and memories, I was watching the Belmont last weekend (y'all know I don't miss a horse race!) and loved when they played New York, New York. Took me right back to college---and 1:00 am---and Murphys---and me and the girls rocking our kickline to that song. Sigh. I almost got up and did a kickline right in my living room.

Finally, remember how last Saturday I was going to post the giveaway winner? Oops! See what happens when I don't put things in my planner (which, by the way, is the old school paper kind and I refuse to change!) when I set a deadline?

Anyway...drumroll please....our winner is: Dawn from Musings from the Pigg Pen! Shoot me an email with your mailing address and I will get that package on its happy way!

Gifts From The Parentals

“If you raise your children to feel that they can accomplish any goal or task they decide upon, you will have succeeded as a parent and you will have given your children the greatest of all blessings.” ~Brian Tracy

Even though I posted this early on Thursday, I'm linking up to my friend Micah's blog for "Something Good Sundays." Be sure to check it out!

I recently saw a question that I knew I wanted to blog about. “What is the best gift your father has ever given you?” I thought that was a great question, and the perfect blog for the week prior to Father's Day. And, because I didn't do a Mother's Day post, I will be answering for both of them and not deal with any repercussions of only doing one. (Those two are crazy competitive….think that was genetic?)

Anyway, I got to thinking about what my answers would be. Honestly, I can’t even list out all of the gifts that my parents gave me, so picking the best one was really hard. I tried to think though of something that wasn’t general….like unconditional love or a roof over my head….and come up with something that was more specific to my own parents. So….here we go!

From my mom: Learning to work in the background.

My mom always does the “background” work that doesn’t get attention. For example, when we were showing, she would be at the barn every night just like the rest of us—she would help us run lambs and was pretty much in charge of walking pigs. She bought feed and ringworm cream and soap for washing day. She measured feed and washed lamb blankets. And then we’d get to the fair and she’d step aside. She didn’t need to limelight and attention there. She was happy to have done her work in the background and see it pay off when we won a banner. She’s like this in everything--she’s always doing laundry, cooking meals, making sheep sale lists, proofreading papers--the list could go on forever. And all of this is in the background.

Her doing these things allows other people (read: me!) to shine. So obviously her doing these things themselves is a gift (and now that I'm the one doing the laundry I realize how much of a gift!)….but it's more than that. Her teaching me the importance of doing work in the background is an even bigger gift than clean shirts. She taught me to put other people first, and to do whatever has to be done. I think that’s what being a mom is all about.

From my dad: An interest in anything I do.

Ask my dad about the prohibition on admitting hearsay testimony at trial. Ask him about how many minutes a quarter is in girls high school basketball (or at least what it was 9 years go!) Ask him the weight of a typical Holstein cow. He’ll be able to tell you about them all.

These are my best example of his gift to me. Did my dad have some inner love for the Federal Rules of Evidence or high school sports or dairy cows? No. But my dad had an interest in me, and because of that he took an interest in these things.

I remember shooting baskets and my dad coming out to rebound for me or make suggestions about my form. He had never played basketball, and he’ll tell you that Single A girls athletics were boring. Like REAL boring. But he was there helping me anyway. The same thing when I was judging dairy in high school. You all know my dad got me into judging (remember this blog?), but what you may not know is that after my team won the state livestock judging contest, we weren’t allowed to judge it anymore, so we had to switch contests. We went to dairy, and after we won that, to poultry and after that banner came home, farm business management. Didn’t matter what test I was studying for or what type of reasons I was practicing, my dad was right in the middle of it.

Nothing has changed since I’ve become an adult. When I was doing a mock trial in law school we would talk about the issues in the case, the motions in limine, and how we planned on getting certain statements in. Again—he had no legal background at all, but he cared because I cared. And when we got the evidence in and won the trial, he sat in the back of the courtroom high-fiving my Uncle Dennis (which did not go un-noticed to the Supreme Court Justice who was serving as our judge and commented on the family support we had in the back of the courtroom!).

And he did the same thing last month when I was running a 5K on a Sunday morning, and my phone rang at like 10:45 on Saturday night…..my dad wanted to be sure I knew it was going to be cold and that I should be sure to wear my tights and a jacket.

Knowing that you have someone behind you, and who supports your interests even when those interests are completely different than his own is a gift. I know that my dad is always in my corner, and that when something goes well, he’ll high five whoever happens to sit next to him.

I Saw God Today

"People see God every day, they just don't recognize him." ~Pearl Bailey

Three stories. Three eye opening experiences. Three God sightings.

Better Days.

I went to a funeral last week for my friends' grandpa. It was in a tiny Catholic Church in a tiny town. Before the service started, Little Brother whispered to me, "This church has seen better days." After looking around, I agreed. The walls were cracked. The wallpaper in the front was peeling off. The pews were rickety. There were large holes where insulation was showing.

A little while later, I looked around and changed my mind. The church was filled to the brim with people there to pay their respects to Grandpa Ernie and to support his family. Everyone was standing and singing "Amazing Grace" together. As I looked around, despite the physical condition of the church building, I thought, "You know, I don't know if it does get better than this."

Just Singing.

I was in church last week sitting a couple of rows behind a woman in a wheelchair. She couldn't use her hands and could hardly move her arms. While we were singing one song, all about the love that God has for us and how wonderful his blessings are, I noticed the woman in her chair. She had her arms raised up as high as she could and sang her heart out. She thanked God for her blessings and for his love and you would have never known the struggles she faced.

It's That Simple.

While I was hanging out with Little Cowboy a couple weekends ago, talking mostly about guns and roping (our favorite topics), he asked me out of the blue, "Do you know why Jesus died?" I asked him why. He said, "For our sin. And now we can go to Heaven." And just like that, we went back to discussing hte importance of having a two holster gun belt when fighting bad guys. This four year old seems to have a better grasp on the point of faith than I do. What more needed to be said? It really is just that simple, isn't it?

Meet the Cast Monday #22: Cradle Friend

Today you get to meet my oldest friend....our parents were friends and we have known each other since we were literally in cradles---which explains the name I've given here on the blog. She and I went to different schools, but were great friends and spent a lot of time together when we were growing up. She lives in a small town where she has a great job, a great husband, and a baby boy on the way!

Meet Cradle Friend!

What is your favorite childhood memory?

My favorite childhood memories all have to do with my grandpa:

1) Feeding Cattle with Grandpa and Aunt Jessie, they would always take me with them, Grandpa driving, me in the middle, and Jessie riding shot gun. We always looked for new baby calves, deer, and stray cattle. I learned how to count by counting cows the Jessie and Grandpa, and Grandpa taught me how to drive a standard pickup while feeding cattle. I learned how to have a soft spot for animals, but mostly dogs from Grandpa. I can't remember how grandpa made his special fudge, but I do remember the "Henry's Special" calf bottle, it was a raw egg, powdered calf suckle, and Karo Syrup. {They used to lease some land from us, so when they would come check cows, they would swing by and pick me up to go along---we spent lots of hours in that old white pick up!}

2) Grandpa buying my first horse Frosty, for my 4th birthday. My dad and Grandpa took me and my saddle to Monty Sasser's, they brought this beautiful "old" white horse out, Dad saddled him for me and told me to get on, and I was scared of riding someone elses horse, so Grandpa told me to " Ride him like I stole him" so we trotted around (that is all he would do for me at age 4). We took him home and by the time I was 5 Frosty and I would get grandpa to help me saddle up and I would lope around to Jessie's house, jump off, drop the reins, and go in and visit her for hours, but Frosty would still be standing at the gate looking in the door for me when it was time to ride some more. {Several years later, I ended up with that horse after mine died. Told you guys we had lots of connections!}

What is your favorite memory with me?

I have a couple that kind of run together. My favorite memory with Tiff is every it seems like Christmas, but it might have been Thanksgiving or New Years, after spending some time with my family, I would go to Tiff's house. We would go check the sheep for lambs, it seems like it was really cold, but that is when I found out dealing with sheep and twins is a major headach. I remeber once, Tiff had broken her ankle and had a walking boot on, and we went in the pasture I think to check sheep, and we ended up walking back to the house, I think it had rained and we were soaked, but we did our best to keep her foot dry, but her climbing over the fence with that walking boot, was almost impossible and she fell in the mud. {At that time, I didn't even have a boot--I was trying to walk the mile or so home, in the snow, in a cast! We actually have photo proof below!}

One thing I will never forget about Tiff, she was the only friend I ever spent the night with, growing up. We would lay on the couch, pulled out into a bed, and out the big window in the living room, I would stare out the window at the moon and felt like we were camping in the wild open range.

What is the scariest part of being pregnant?

The whole idea of becoming a parent is scary!

For a long time the actual labor and birth, was what I was scared to death of, but once I became pregnant, it changed. It became the fact that I would be in charge of this child (its not like a puppy), but I have to help this child develope into a good, honest, hard working, person with good morals. I looked at what my husband and I have become, and know that our parents are there to help us, help our child. I use to think that God forgot the instructions that you need when you have a kid, but I realize that he didn't forget, because that is what Grandparents are for.

So now my scariest part of being pregnant is fore seeing how much my life has, and is fixing to change forever. I love my life and the things I do, its not that having this kid is going to prevent me from doing them, but change how I do them.

Tell us about your wedding.

My wedding was amazing. My parents were so much help. At first they didn't like the idea of having at my grandparents place, but once we got started cleaning up the place, it was amazing. About a week before the wedding my grandmother feel and broke her hip, that made it hard on everyone trying to get to Amarillo and still get wedding things done. My mind was made up though, no matter what happened, as long as my husband, the preacher, and I showed up, we would be married, it didn't matter rain or shine, the end goal was we would be married. I think people get so mixed up in what everyone thinks of the wedding they forget the important part is you two becoming one.
When you marry, Marry someone that is your best friend, the friendship is what carries you when the relationship is rocky.

Tell us about your job.

I am a Range Management Specialist for the Cibola National Forest. I work with ranchers that graze on the Forest, helping prevent over grazing, range improvements, and being a buffer between the environmentalist and the ranchers. I started in 2005 as a tech and was in the field horse back, foot, or in a pickup 4 days a week. Then I went back to school to get a range degree and got on the STEP then SCEP programs, then when I graduated I was hired full time. I have 5 years in with the Magdalena Ranger District now, including the time I put in as a student.

Favorite part of growing up in a family that raised cattle?

The best part of growing up in a ranching family is the morals and work ethic I recieved to carry me though life. Family bonding time was fixing fence, windmills, or working cattle. Learning life and death, and hard work doesen't always pay off, but it is worth it in the end. {Love this! Very well said!}

Favorite song?

Much Too Young by Garth Brooks

What is something important you learned from your grandpa?

-life is too short to argue and fight

-there are things said at the barn that don't go to the house {Hilarious---this was a lesson in our family as well!}

-an animals trust is one of the hardest things to gain, once you have lost it (goes for people too)

- "No Fools, No Fun"

-there is always time for family

-patientence and time will get you a lot further, than a temper and rushing. What is one (or more) item(s) on your bucket list?

Go to Yellowstone (that is where we went for the honeymoon)

Own our own Ranch

Photos of the Week: Week 23

You'll notice that we have way fewer photos this week. I was getting pretty tired of trying to keep up with all the pictures, and it was making this photography thing more like a pain instead of something fun. I'm totally the kind of person who will overcommit and then just about kill myself trying to get things done. (Shocking, to those of you who know me in real life, I'm sure!)


So....I'm going to stop worrying about getting every shot that I have on my list every week and just try and enjoy taking the pictures that I do get.

Theme: Project 64 - Timberwolf

As soon as I saw this week's color (which is just gray, by the way!) I knew I wanted to use this shot. I took this picture of one of our barns back home and really liked the look of the barnwood. Be sure to check out the other entries at Project 64!

Theme: Animals (Quotography)

I absolutely love this picture that I snapped of my dad and brother riding horses down the road one year after preg checking, with our dog, Boomer, following along. I thought the quote went right along with it! Check out the other entries at My Perspective!

Theme: Smiles

I just think this picture is hilarious. Little Brother and his lake get up just make my day! This is about as close to a smile as you get with him. Check out the other entries at Live Every Moment on Friday!

Theme: Something Old, Something New

I actually took this on accident trying to get a picture of the wagon wheel by itself, but I realized that it was perfect for this theme.

Family Farm Friday #56: Little Brother, PT and a Checkmark

"The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who's going to stop me." Ayn Rand

Friday night was a big one for Little Brother. Even though he said that he didn't really have a bucket list, he called me and said that he was checking something off. What did he do you might ask? Wild Cow Milking. Where do I even start?

First off, let me just tell you, Little Brother has always been a dare devil. We grew up in a trailer house with big picture windows right in the front. He frequently rode his horse by the windows standing up in the saddle and almost giving my mom a heart attack in the process. That's Little Brother. And you need to understand that he hates it for people to tell him not to do something. I swear, if you told him not to touch a hot stove because he'd burn his hand, he'd take the burn just to show you that you can't tell him what to do.

Second, enter into the picture Little Brother's best friend, PT. I'm pretty sure these two spent college attached at the hip. And what one of them doesn't think of, the other one does. (Please see Exhibit A below....that would be them pulling each other around by a horse on a shovel.)
Third, I will attempt to explain wild cow milking. Now, some of you are probably wondering how this is useful or if this ever happens in real life. Answers: It's not and no way.

Basically at a rodeo, you have a three man team. One is on a horse and he ropes the cow. The second guy runs around and grabs the cow's head and the third guy grabs her tail. Then the guy on the horse will jump off with a little jar and milk the cow. The rule is she has to be standing on all 4 when she is milked. And then that guy runs the milk back across the finish line.

So....as you have probably deduced here, Little Brother's bucket list checkmark came when he, PT and another friend (who we'll call Big Red) competed in the Wild Cow Milking contest at a rodeo last weekend. I keep telling you guys again and again....ag kids do things differently....including bucket lists apparently!

PT was the roper and milker, Little Brother got the tail, and Big Red got the head. Because I feel like my description is insufficient here, I have video. Oh yes.

Good work by the girlfriends of PT and Little Brother made sure this moment was immortalized on film. And Big Red's girlfriend captured the photos. Thanks, girls.
So there you have it. Do I understand the desire to do this and the rush he got afterwards? Not hardly. But you know that I do love me a bucket list checkmark, so I'm proud of Little Brother and PT for getting one last weekend!