The Kissin S Ranch

KJ and OJ

2012-02-06T11:12:00.000-08:00

I really can't imagine my family's life without animals. Whether its horses, cows, dogs, cats, goats or something else they really are what our free time consists of. Roping, riding, playing outside, does matter whats going on there is always an animal around. Of course being from Memphis I didn't have any opportunities to be around farm animals but we always had a cat or a dog. I remember being a little older then KJ is now and I had a huge yellow male cat named Pumpkin. He was the best cat and I toted him around everywhere. I remember I used to put him in one of those little play shopping carts and push him around. He let me do whatever I wanted to do. Well, that is exactly how orange juice is to KJ. She carries him around by his neck and one leg and he just hangs there. He has never offered to scratch or bite her. Sunday we were messing around outside and the dogs had gotten nasty in the mud so I left them in the trailer to dry off. KJ wanted to bring OJ inside for a little bit so we did since the dogs were outside. She had the best time playing with him and I went in the dining room to look through some of her papers from school. I heard her slamming her door on the Dora kitchen and asked her what she was doing. "I put OJ in my Dora kitchen and I don't want him to get out!" Poor cat. Sure enough she had stuffed him on the top shelf of the refrigerator on that Dora kitchen and slammed the door on him. I made her let him out and he went right back to her. Silly cat! She played and wagged him around for about 2 hours. He is the best cat!!

Work in Progress

2012-01-24T19:41:00.001-08:00

Everyone is working on something right? Trying to be better at something or work harder at something important to them. I think it's a part of life, always striving for better results and things you are passionate about. Anyone that knows my Husband knows how much he LOVES team roping. He could not go a day without it. Thinking about it, reading about it, watching it, practicing, dreaming about the perfect run or his next rodeo, you get the point. It's always top of his mind. He loves it down to the core of who he is. I love his passion for it. Yes, I complete support all of his roping goals, I have from the beginning and always will. But, sometimes I don't love it. That doesn't matter though because Joe does and he is constantly trying to be better and faster. Constantly trying to get better results. So, with that being said I'm going to work on a few things this year. I'm going to strive to save money! I'm sure that's on a lot of folks "to do" list this year. With the economy the way it is and prices on, what seems like everything, going up it makes sense that people want/need to save money. So our church book club read the book "Money Saving Mom" from the author of the blog titles the same. Pretty good book, amazing what she can do! We have never been good at budgeting but I think it's something we need to try to work on. She mentions to start small so you don't get overwhelmed and quit. Start with a grocery budget because everyone has to eat. So, we are going to try that. Hopefully in a few months we can master that and branch out. Another thing I want to start this year is couponing. Not one of the crazy couponer with an entire garage of "extras" but just someone who saves money on stuff they buy regularly. The hardest part of this for me will be math. I suck at it, big time! So it will take me a little bit it grasp the whole, if it's on sale and you have a 20% off coupon then you will pay.....things like that. Another thing I want to work on is not paying retail for things if I can help it. For instance I want a kitchen aid stand mixer for baking, I want a bread machine to make homemade treats and I want a sewing machine to make KJ some cute clothes. If I went out and bought those things your talking about $600 give or take a little for the three items. Now I haven't bought anything yet but I have found a mixer on eBay for $60, a bread machine for $10 on Craigslist and a sewing machine for $50. So that's $120, a savings of $480!! That's what I'm talking about!! I know I mentioned in an earlier post about putting a garden in this year and learning to can. I'm looking forward to that too. Joe put one in for me when we were dating and it was a disaster. Hopefully this one will be more successful. We are older and more responsible, lol! Those are just a few things I want to work on or become better at. Wish me luck!

Connection Point

2012-01-22T17:56:00.001-08:00

We love our new church! It's been such a blessing to us in so many ways! This is one of them. Watching your 3 year old excited about singing songs about Jesus is such a blessing!

What Every Little Girl Needs

2012-01-20T07:57:00.000-08:00

Every little girl needs two things in life to make their day fun!! One - a tee pee!! Who wouldn't want a tee pee in their room? This one is Jack's and from the moment KJ saw it she was in love!! We will have to find/make her one!!

A sweet note from your teacher telling your Mommy and Daddy how good you were at school!! She was so proud of this note {and so was I!}!!

Super Deals and Some Fun

2012-01-17T11:04:00.000-08:00

The other day one of my friends called and said she wanted to let me in on a little deal she had going. OK! Who is not up for a good deal?!?! So this doctor that she knew was selling a bunch of his western home decor and she was going to get first dibs on it. So she let me in on the deal and we went to check out the furniture. They had a ton of amazing stuff, some they are not selling yet and some they were. My friend and I both got some great stuff. I ended up getting the bed and two matching nightstands. The bed is a king size bed and got the bedding, mattress and box springs with it. I paid $500!!! Joe says its the best $500 we have ever spent.

So the bargain shopping was Friday night, we stayed up til about midnight putting it together but we sure slept good on our new bed after that. Saturday morning we headed up to Missouri to rope. KJ wanted to drive but Joe wouldn't let her, I did snap a cute a picture though.

Saturday night after a long day roping we went to the Bistro with our ropin peeps. I promise that is the best burger joint in the world!!! They seriously have the best food ever!!! Not healthy food but you can splurge every once in a while. Good thing the Bistro is not in Jonesboro! You can write on the wall there too so Joe drew our brand with the date on the wall.

Sunday night was small group at Church. I am helping in the toddler room now so I missed our lesson but Joe said it was really good. KJ went to her class after a little coaxing and had a good time. We are really enjoying it there. This Sunday we are doing a preview service so if you live in the area and don't have a church home come check us out!!

Playing Catch Up

2012-01-11T12:19:00.000-08:00

I know its ridiculous how long its been since I made a blog post. What the heck have we been doing right?!?!? I'm going to try to get caught up so this post is going to be all over the place. I apologize in advance. It could get really long and I'm sure I will ramble on. Feel free to quit reading at any time! First things first. We had a great Christmas! We got together with Mom/Jerry/Nana. Then Dad's side of the family and had our own little KJ/Santa Christmas. The holidays are so much fun with a little one. Christmas is so magical for them and its so fun watching her experience it all. She got so many gifts I can not even begin to list them but Santa brought her a 4 wheeler, a Dora kitchen, a feed room and a stocking full of movies and goodies. She has loved all of her gifts but plays with the kitchen constantly!! Maybe she will be a cooker like her Daddy! Works for me!

Another thing happening now is how BIG her imagination is!! This kid is cracking us up daily with all her imaginary friends. She has a king that spins her around in her dresses/skirts. We also have Dora, Boots, Deigo (which she calls Beigo), and Jaguar living with us also. And, anytime we go to town we have to take her whole class with us. Yes! Every. Single. Member. It really is cute the things her and her "friends" do. And do you forget one of them either, she will let you know real quick and then you will have to apologize!!

We found out Hooey has red mange. A genetic condition in dogs that causes their hair to fall out and they get scabs all over their skin. He has a 8 week treatment plan, which he is in week 2, and had to get neutered right away, he did that on Monday. He is doing really well though and I think he will be just fine! Good thing because I know someone who is kinda attached to him!

We traded Panky for a new horse and a couple of cows. Then traded Badger for another cow. Then that cow died. That's our luck.

This is Rango. He is the new horse. I am in love with him. I am currently trying to figure out a way to convince Joe that he needs to be MY horse and Joe can find another one. Its not working. Any ideas??? Rango is so sweet, he has the best disposition, he is so quiet, calm and just wants to be loved on. Unlike any horse we have ever had but is the reason there is the quote "Someone that says dogs are a man's best friend has never owned a horse!" That's Rango!

Rango again. Who doesn't ride in tutu's, tights and boots. We do. Or she does. I have never, nor will I ever, own or wear a tutu! Just saying...

We celebrated Joe's birthday, love this man with my whole soul!!!

A couple of more updates:

We have found a church home!! We have been going to Connection Point for a couple of months now. We really love the preacher and his family, we like the other folks there and have enjoyed our small group. They are just starting up the church now so we don't have service on Sunday mornings on a regular basis but we are getting there. We are excited to be getting in on this awesome church family in the beginning too!

Our friends lost their only son. Our friends Mary and Ernie that we have been good friends with for about 8 or 9 years now lost their only son Tommy who was 18. He went into sudden cardiac arrest for reasons still unknown to us. {They have done an autopsy but we are still waiting to hear the results} He was rushed to our local hospital where Mary works and they were able to get his heart started back but informed us that he was more than likely brain dead. They did perform a few new protocols on him to try and preserve his organs from any further damage but around 3 am his heart stopped. We are still heartbroken for our sweet friends. Tommy was an amazing kid. He had a great faith, was so open to all types of people, loved everyone, so outgoing, very active in plays, theater and his youth group, loved helping people and never worried about what everyone else thought about him. He was who he was no matter what, I really loved and admired that about him. We had just had our annual friends Christmas get together 2 days before this happened. He and I were cutting up and laughing and just having the best time. It still seems unbelievable that this could happen. The turnout out his visitation and funeral was overwhelming. Its amazing how many lives he touched. Please continue to pray for our sweet friends. They are really struggling and could use allot of prayer right now!!

We are going to try to live more simple. As I get older, and things like Tommy's sudden death happen I really look at my life and realize how very blessed I am. We have a beautiful home and land to do exactly what we love to do. I have a wonderful supportive family and great friends! That is what life is about. Not what you can buy or what trips you can go on or what you have versus what others have. I want to live a more simple life. I am going to de-clutter the house. I have stuff I think I have had since college that I haven't used or looked at in 5 years. Its taking up space and I'm going to get rid of it. A couple of friends have a booth at a local flea market in town and I am thinking about putting the decent stuff in there. Might even make a little money! We are going to start real small this spring/summer and grow a few things in the garden. I want to learn to can veggies and make our own jams and jellies. We love that stuff so why not make it ourselves. I also want to learn to sew and do a few projects around the house. I need my sister in law to come spend a week with me and I would be a pro! Anybody have a sewing machine they don't want anymore? I want to enjoy life and really embrace all the things that make it special!!

Rodeo! Its rodeo season again. Joe is going to RCA again this year and has a new partner. Hopefully they will do well this year. They have to hit 18 rodeos this season which is really between March and September. Its going to be a busy time but we love going together and it has always been Joe's dream to make the finals so I am hoping that can come true for his this year!! So with all of that being said, here's to 2012!!

Oh Christmas Tree

2011-12-16T08:41:00.000-08:00

Keelee Jo had her Christmas party today at school. They made Christmas tree's out of ice cream cones, icing with green food coloring and candy for ornaments. I think KJ ate more than she put on her tree though. Then they stuffed them full of all kinds of sugar snacks....then I took her to my Mom's. What a good kid I am huh?!?! Hopefully she isn't too wild!

Shaggy, Smelly, Sheep

2011-12-15T08:08:00.000-08:00

Not sure how good the quality of this video is but KJ is in a play at our Church this Sunday and she plays a sheep. She is the 3rd one of the sheep from the left. This is the "big moment" for all the sheep, they are singing "Shaggy, smelly, sheep" and are so stinkin' adorable doing it!!

Teacher Gifts

2011-12-15T08:05:00.000-08:00

These are the gifts I made for KJ's teachers this year. I think they turned out cute. Hopefully they will like them, thanks Pintrest!!

ER

2011-12-12T12:51:00.000-08:00

KJ had her first trip to the ER on Saturday. She woke up with a fever and it got higher and higher throughout the day even with medicine. At 2:30 I took her temp and it was 104.6, I gave her some Motrin and took it again after an hour, it was up to 106!!!! I couldn't believe it was going up with the medicine. I called the doctor and they told me to go to the ER. Joe was out of town roping so I thought I would take her to Urgent Care and avoid the ER. Well as I walked in they said "with a fever that high she HAS to go to the ER" ugh! Off we went. Poor baby was pitiful! She was just out of it. The only thing she would do was cry. We got to the ER and got checked in. It was so crowded and extremely hot in there which is not what she needed! Joe came home from roping, unloaded the horses and met us up at the ER and still go there before they took us back. Finally we go back and they did her strep test, RSV test and the flu test. All negative. They drew blood twice!! Which was horrible!! Then sent her for a chest x-ray, which was no fun either! All of that was OK, her white blood cell count was a little high but nothing too bad. They gave her an antibiotic shot and a prescription for more antibiotics and sent us home. What a night!! The crazy thing was she had no other symptoms. No cough, no runny nose, said her throat wasn't sore, no vomiting, no nothing. Other than the extremely high fever. Thank God it wasn't anything bad though! Having a sick baby is hard on a Mommy and Daddy!!

First Field Trip

2011-12-12T12:40:00.000-08:00

KJ got to go on her first field trip on Friday. She was very excited that I was going with her! I picked her up at school at about 8:30 and off we went. Our first stop was Winter Wonderland. Its a little place down town that has all sorts of little winter and Christmas scenes. It was really cute and the kids loved it. They had a Santa chair (with no Santa) {thank goodness for us} that the kiddos got to take their picture in. KJ got one with her and Addison and then by herself. I also got one picture with the 3 amigos at WW. Jackson, Addison and KJ are really something when they get together! After that we headed to the mall for Santa pictures. That didn't go well at all. We actually ended up being the only kid in pre-school that didn't get a picture with Santa. She turned bright red and screamed "I DON'T WANT TO!!!!" so needless to say we didn't :) Then we went to Barnes and Noble for story time with Mrs. Clause, she loved that! We even got a class picture with her. After a couple of stories and songs we got some lunch in the food court and a cool Santa cookie then headed home for a much needed nap! Such a fun day!

Snow

2011-12-08T08:34:00.000-08:00

We had another snow Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. This is our second big snow already and its just the second week of December. I guess I would rather have snow then ice though. KJ likes the snow and likes to play outside in it, what kid doesn't right?!?!

KJ's Christmas List

2011-12-06T12:24:00.000-08:00

1. Blue 4 wheeler (it was a pink one but she asked me the other day to text Santa and tell him that she wants blue now because its her favorite color! Good thing Santa hadn't bought the pink one yet!)

2. A feed room for her horses - She came up with this all on her own, not sure where in the world she got it from either. She said she wants something in her room that she can put her horses in so she can feed them. What a neat little imagination. We are working on how we are going to make this happen!

3. A Dora kitchen (Granddad has this one taken care of!)

4. Dinosaurs - she loves The Land Before Time movies (I did too when I was little!)

That is all she has asked for, besides everything that she sees on every commercial. I'm sure all kids do that! She still isn't too big on actually talking to Santa. She will tell Chippy (our elf on a shelf) what she wants Santa to know and trusts that he is relaying it to Santa! I'm sure he is!

Boyfriends

2011-12-06T12:21:00.000-08:00

KJ informed me last night while she was taking a bath that her current boyfriends are: Colter, Jack, Jackson and Daddy. I asked if she liked one more than the other and she said no but she was going to marry Jack and Daddy. I might have to fight her for Joe ;) Here is a cute picture of her and Colter riding Rojo. I am loving my iPhone and the photo apps on it!!

Connection Point

2011-12-05T11:44:00.000-08:00

When my good looking Husband and I started dating we started going to Temple Baptist Church. His Grandma didn't like that very much but we loved the Church. About a year or so after we started there they started a contemporary service. We LOVED it!!! The music was great and the preacher, Chad White, was awesome!! He always seemed to be speaking right to us. His sermons are so down to earth and easy to relate to and he just has such a gentle way about him. He really enjoyed it there. KJ was dedicated there. But, like most Church's at some point, there were some changes made and for whatever reason Chad didn't work at Temple anymore. Joe and I went a few times to hear the new preacher but it just wasn't the same and we didn't feel like we fit there anymore. After that we tried multiple church's. A couple different sets of friends invited us to a few, we went and explored a few others and even attended Cowboy Church for a while. We really enjoyed Cowboy Church in the beginning but after a while we realized we weren't getting what we needed out of a Church there. So we quit going to Church for a while. I had been praying for a while to find a place that we fit in and all 3 of us enjoy going too. So God opened a door for us. One day while scrolling through facebook a post popped up on my news feed. From Chad White. It said come join us for preview service this Sunday. I was so excited, told Joe about it and he was excited too. I think I saw it on maybe a Wednesday or Thursday and couldn't wait for Sunday to roll around. We were so excited to find out where Chad was preaching and get to check out the new Church. That Sunday we went and really enjoyed it. We saw some people we recognized from Temple and of course enjoyed Chad's preaching. The best part was that KJ went to Sunday school and liked it!! Up until now she would go but would end up crying half way through and they would bring her back out to me. She stayed the whole time and came out so excited telling us all about it!

At the end of the service we got a chance to chat with Chad and his wife Shelly and found out that they are a very new Church and have just recently started having services but don't have them every Sunday. They do have a small group every Sunday night at 5 and invited us to that. We couldn't go that night because we had something else we had already committed too but we went the next Sunday night and really liked it. They have a meal at 5 then class from 530 to 630. They have a Sunday school class for the kiddos at that time too. KJ went and had just as much fun as she did the first time. After class they were practicing for a Christmas play and asked KJ to be a little sheep in the play so she is one of about 6 or 7 sheep. They sing songs and dance around. This is her first play so she is a little confused on what all is going on but is having fun following everyone else around. Last night was our second class and the place was packed! There must have been lots of folks out the time before last. We had a great class and good play practice but are going to have to work on KJ's songs this week! We have really been welcomed with open arms into this Church family and we are enjoying our time there so much!! I am so glad we found out about Connection Point and that we are getting involved right now. I love the feel of small Church's and the family type relationships you can have in them. Hopefully we have finally found a Church home!!

Hooey

2011-12-05T08:39:00.000-08:00

Sunday morning was our only day to sleep in this week and anyone who knows me knows how much I LOVE to sleep in. I had been looking forward to it all week. (side note: I will be doing a post about our new Church later but since its so new they aren't having a Sunday service but once a month. We have small group every Sunday night though at 5) So as we are all in a deep sleep Joe and I wake up to this horrible, weird noise coming from one of the dogs. We jump out of bed and see Hooey being electrocuted by the heater cord, he had been chewing on it, got to the wires and it was electrocuting him. I don't claim to know anything about electricity but Joe said that's what makes 110's so bad is that they grab a hold of you and you cant let go. That's exactly what was happening. Hooey had bit down on it and he couldn't open his mouth to let go but he was trying to cry through his clinched teeth. I was scared to touch anything because I was afraid we would get shocked. So we were both freaking out waking up to something like this but about the time Hooey peed, pooped and then flopped over on his side (seriously thought he was gone) Joe reached and ripped the cord out of the wall and he jumped up and ran to the bed and flopped down on it. Of course he was covered in pee and got our bed nasty but we were just happy he was OK. That was one of the weirdest things I think that has ever happened to one of my dogs. Definitely not the way you want to wake up!!

iPhone

2011-12-02T21:03:00.001-08:00

So we did it. We joined the 21st century and got iPhones! We went to dinner and decided to go to the mall and walk around. We ended up in Best Buy and they had them free with upgrades which we were due for! Can't beat free! Im loving all the stuff you can do with these cool phones!! Here is a cute picture of Hooey with a photo app and this post was done on the phone!!!

Cats

2011-12-01T10:15:00.000-08:00

I'm not the biggest fan of cats. They have their purpose, in the barn or outside catching mice, snakes, bugs, and other nasty things. They don't belong inside. My Nana would totally disown me for writing that. Good thing she doesn't read my blog. Sorry for the cat lovers out there. I had them inside when I was little and loved it but I just hate litter boxes and that cat smell!! We do have two dogs in the house and from a self proclaimed HUGE animal lover sometimes I honestly think they are more trouble than they are worth! At least the two we have now are. None the less they are inside dogs and would die if they had to live outside. Especially the corgi, he would starve to death and anyone that knows Dos knows that is not something he is willing to do ;) On the other hand, my daughter LOVES cats! She always has. She loves all the animals around the farm but especially the cats. I think because they are so easy for her to pick up and love on. For her 3rd birthday a friend gave her 2 kittens. She loved them! One had an unfortunate issue with a truck but the other one has stuck around. I know I have posted before about orange juice, AKA "OJ" and how much she loves the poor (brain damaged from all the love) kitty cat. I have to admit I like him too. He really lets her do whatever she wants. One of the things he does that cracks me up is sleep in my big pots. Mom got me some really awesome clay pots for the porch for my birthday that have Texas stars on them but since I got them in October I haven't put plants in them they are just sitting on each side of my front door. Well at night just step outside my front door and you will see him curled up snoozing in my big pot. Its so stinkin cute! Another thing he does when he isn't sleeping in the pot is get up on the back of my wooden bench and look in the window at us and cry. He wants to come in so bad. We have 4 barn cats and he is the only one that does that. He will sometimes even jump at the window in hopes that it will open or something I guess. Of course he smacks it and falls to the ground. So, the other night I was feeling really bad for him crying at the window and I let him in to sit in my lap. He laid there for about 2 hours just purring up a storm. So last night KJ wanted to let him in so she could snuggle with him and they were so cute together, he just let her haul him all over the place. He is such a good cat, if I ever had one inside it would be him!

Thankful

2011-11-29T08:27:00.000-08:00

Just had to post this cute little turkey my little one made at school. All week long when we asked her what she was thankful for she always said "Mrs. Walters" her teacher. Im so glad that she loves her so much!! She has just been great to KJ this year.

Help Find Credit Card

2011-11-16T19:13:00.000-08:00

If you haven't heard there were 5 horses, saddles, other tack and even a trailer stolen from SAU's rodeo team. If you have any information or can help in any way please call them. Hopefully they will find Credit Card!!

Stolen Horses Update...One Sorrel Gelding Still Missing....
MAGNOLIA, AR (KSLA) - Southern Arkansas University Police Chief Eric Plummer gave more details about the recovery of four of the five stolen rodeo horses at a Wednesday morning news conference.Plummer said he was notified at approximately 8 p.m. on Tuesday by McCurtain County, Oklahoma Sheriff Johnny Tadlock that SAU Rodeo Coach Rusty... Hayes had located the four horses in a wooded area near Tom, Oklahoma. No one was with the horses when they were found. The horses are owned by SAU students who are members of the university's nationally competitive collegiate rodeo team. Plummer said the horses were transported back to the SAU campus, and one was taken to a veterinarian in Shreveport. The three horses remaining on campus will also be seen by a veterinarian. Ty Lester, owner of "Grey," a 7-year-old gray mare, said he had kept a full tank of fuel and his trailer hooked to his truck for two weeks hoping he would receive the call to retrieve his horse. "I was just in a panic," said Lester of his thoughts after receiving the call. "I was in a rush to get there and get her." Lester said Grey was malnourished and dehydrated when she was found and the other horses were in similar condition."You could count every rib in her body," said Lester. "She's a lot better today than she was when I got her back." Plummer said the top priority is now finding the one horse which remains missing: "Credit Card," a 15-year-old sorrel gelding owned by Shawn Smith. Deputies from the McCurtain County Oklahoma Sheriff's Department recovered some of the saddles, blankets and other tack on Thursday, Nov. 10. A livestock trailer that was taken during the theft was recovered on Thursday, Nov. 3. The horses and other items were stolen during the overnight hours of Nov. 2.All five of the horses are American Quarter Horses: Grey, a 7-year-old gray mare; Badger, a 14-year-old black gelding; Lena, a 14-year-old buckskin mare; Credit Card, a 15-year-old sorrel gelding; and a 10-year-old black mare simply called, "Black Mare." Police have confirmed that they do have suspects in the case, but those names have not been released as the investigation is continuing.Individuals with information regarding the theft or the location of "Credit Card" are urged to contact the SAU Police Department at (870) 235-4100 or Arkansas State Police Investigator Hays McWhirter at (870) 703-2065.

From Gun Cabinet to Dress Cabinet

2011-11-14T11:53:00.000-08:00

Jason gave us a gun cabinet a while back. Which we needed. But like most things we never got around to fixing it up and it was just taking up space and collecting things that didn't belong in a gun cabinet. Also, since KJ is into dressing up and stuff alot now we have princess dresses hanging on the door frame in the rodeo room. Light bulb. I will hang the dresses in the gun cabinet. So, here ya go. From gun cabinet......

To a cowgirls dress cabinet....

I do plan on painting the inside of it but at the time of the pictures a certain 3 year old, who will remain nameless on this post, has taken captive my paint brush and now its no where to be found. Once I find it or buy another one, I am going to paint the inside to match the light blue of her bedroom furniture.

Bulls

2011-11-12T17:12:00.000-08:00

Bulls. Obviously a big part of a successful cow/calf operation but not my favorite. I like cows better. In fact, I like girls better in every species. Except for horses. Mares have bad attitudes (sorry Mom!) more often than not. But anything else, dogs, cows, goats, cats, etc. I like girls. Like I said though bulls, unless you have a go to AI man or are good at it yourself, are necessary. So we have a bull. He is a blue roan colored Mexican bull. We call him BB. When we got him he was a little under weight and wild! You couldn't get anywhere near him. He hadn't been messed with ever and was very leery of people. So we put him out with Elsie who had no idea she was a cow at the time. I posted about her a while ago being terrified of him. They took up with each other after about a week though and became buddies. At first BB would try to attack us when we would feed them, just trying to show his dominance but after a few "lessons" he stopped that and has gotten perfectly comfortable with us around. Even lets me rub his head most of the time. He pretty much loves his life around here. So, if you remember Joe bought me a new heifer about 2 weeks ago. Who is doing great on my special feeding program by the way!! We kept her up for a couple of days just so she could get all the food she could eat and we could make sure she was going to be OK. Well the entire time she was up BB was constantly sticking his head through the panels and Joe has had to get his horns unstuck a few times. We knew he would be excited to get to check her out when we turned her out of the pen. The big day came to turn her loose and as soon as we did BB ran right for her and let her know what he was all about. Ever since she joined those two they have been inseparable. The three amigos. BB has really been feeling his oats since he has 2 women now. He is constantly bellowing like bulls do and his not so good habit (for a team ropers arena) is attacking the heel-o-matic. For the non team ropers out there the heel-o-matic is a giant plastic cow that you pull with a 4 wheeler and practice roping off your horse. Well to BB, the bull with 2 cows now, the HOM is a threat apparently.

This is what he does. He tumps it over and moves it, pushes it, gets it with his horns, bellows at it, anything he can to make sure it knows those are HIS cows!

Caught red handed. I had just went out there and picked it up and moved it back beside the table you see behind the pony. Also you can see that nothing is out of harms way when he is at it. Chairs, barrels, plastic cows, whatever. He is not going to let them get near his ladies. Here is a close up of the poor plastic cow!

These are different pictures from different days. Litterly everyday he does this. I go out there and set it back up under the tree and he knocks it down and drags it out. We ended up moving it out of the arena yesterday before he breaks it. He obviously sees this plastic cow as a threat and this started the day after we turned the new heifer out. He must think its after his women.
Who me??? I didn't do anything wrong!

How could a women resist me???

BB in the stall telling us its time for his crew to eat.

The girls. You see he never gets far from them. The new heifer is the one with the horns and the one in the front is of course my sweet Elsie.

Here is my sweet girl!

Here is the new girl, she has really done well and probably put on about 100 pounds in 2 weeks. She is eating good and really gotten alot more used to us being around. She is not near as shy around us as she was in the beginning.

I know its kinda weird for most farm folks to get cows litterly one at a time but its just seems to be the way its happening around here and its working out good for us. This is our third set of cows since we have been married but by far my favorite set. I had a really cool longhorn heifer that had a calf in my last set that I just loved and miss those two but I really like what we have now too. And to think it all started with a bottle calf.

7 Years

2011-11-08T11:20:00.000-08:00

Joe and I celebrated our 7 year anniversary over the weekend. Our anniversary was actually Sunday but we celebrated on Friday and Saturday. Friday after work we went to Memphis to eat cinnamon butter at Texas Roadhouse. Yes, we ate more than just the butter, a couple of steaks and veggies but we went for the butter!!! Its amazing!! After that we went to the mall and did a little shopping. Saturday we got up and ran 3 miles. We followed the 5K path that we ran earlier in the year when BHS ROTC had their 5K. The run didn't really go that well unfortunately. Joe did fine. He had the ipod and was strumming along. He ended up beating his time by about 13 minutes. I had to stop and throw up my breakfast at the first mile and then struggled after that. I had some cereal for breakfast and should have known better. Milk is never good to drink before you go run 3 miles. I still ended up beating my time but wasn't happy with my performance at all. Next time I guess. After that we showered, grabbed lunch and headed to the sale in Paragould. We bought KJ a goat because she has been asking for another one for a while. This one is really cute. Its a young Nanny and is brown colored. She named it cinnamon. Kinda neat for a weekend that started out with a quest for cinnamon butter huh?!?! So Saturday night KJ came home and was excited about her new goat! Sunday we went to church and then worked on the barn all afternoon. We had the best weekend! I am so blessed to have such a wonderful person, father and best friend in my life. I love spending time with him no matter what we are doing and I look forward to the next 80 years with him!!

Challenge

2011-10-31T11:33:00.001-07:00

I'm always up for a challenge. Joe knows that. So Saturday I went to Batesville for a baby shower for my friend and Joe went roping in Missouri. I got a text from him while I was there saying "I bought you another heifer" OK, I'm thinking its a bottle calf. Of course I was excited because every time he asks me what I wanted for my birthday or our anniversary I have said cows! So I called him when I left and he told me its a heifer that's pretty poor but he thinks I can turn her around. I'm up for that challenge for sure. So we went and picked her up yesterday and I have been gradually easing her into the world of food! She was a little unsure of our other cows and me at first but cleaned up her feed last night and this morning went right to eating when I fed.

This was her first look at real feed at our house and she looks like she is pretty excited about it. You can't really see how thin she is from these pictures because of course I took them with my cell phone but she is thin. Hopefully not for long though. She has been dewormed and is eating some high quality feed. After pictures coming when she gains about 150 pounds :)

Fall

2011-10-12T11:01:00.000-07:00

Although I am a summer girl through and through, fall is a good season. I guess my third favorite. Im not too big on the cool mornings but like the nice temperatures in the afternoon. Saturday we went to fall party at a friends house. We painted pumpkins, dressed the kids up like mummy's and ate some yummy fall snacks. KJ had a great time. Saturday night was Joe's Aunt Sandra's birthday and she had a big shin dig at her house. Complete with karaoke and dancing. We had the best time!!! Joe and I sang "Islands in the Stream" and "Your the Reason God Made Oklahoma" and danced to a bunch of songs. KJ and Daddy got to dance together and Pappy also got a few dances with the princess. She sang "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" for everyone also. It was good company, good food and had a great time!

Next week we are leaving for FFA National Convention in Indianapolis. KJ is going to be missing Red Ribbon Week at school which stinks because every day they are doing something special but she won't really know she missed it I don't guess so it will be ok. She will have fun "with all her friends" which is what she calls Joe's students. Plus a week away from school/work will do anyone some good. Although I am really dreading leaving home. I am really starting to realize how much I love my house/farm and I love to be there, all the time! I love going home and cleaning up or messing around outside or inside. I love all the things my Sister in law and my Husband have done to "pretty" up the place. I love sitting on my front porch swing reading a magazine or eating dinner. I love that our arena is in our front yard. I love that Joe and I "transform" our arena to a track every night to run together. Which has become one of my favorite times of the day! Our barn is so close to our house. I know some people whose barn is down the road or 10 miles away. Ours is in our driveway. I love it all. I love being there. I don't even like going to town to eat anymore. That use to be one of my favorite things to do. Now I much prefer a home cooked meal on the couch. {I know, terrible parents, eating on the couch, what can I say!} I wish I could buy enough groceries for 6 months and only have to go to town 2 times a year! We are really blessed with what we have. Last weekend we bush hogged our hill pasture because we are getting ready to lime and fertilize our place. I love the way pastures look after they get hogged! This weekend we are putting the rest of the hay up for the cows for this winter and making a tack room in the barn. We have a hay room in the barn that we never use since we feed alfalfa cubes to the horses so we are going to make it a tack room/medicine room. Organize the barn a bit. It will be nice to have all of that stuff in one central location that is easy to get too.

Weight Loss Journey

2011-10-04T08:25:00.000-07:00

Most of yall know I have been on a weight loss journey for a while now. I thought I would give you an update and tell yall about mine and Joe's trip to the mall that I talked about in the last post which turned out to be one of our favorite days this entire year!!! So. Just to recap. It all started about February with the Women Can Run Clinic that one of the local hospitals puts on every year. The clinic is free to everyone and based on the couch to 5K program. Its suppose to get you from a sure fire couch potato to being able to run a 5K in 9 weeks. Seems impossible. Especially for someone who hates to run. Or at least I thought I did. So I started the clinic and it kicked my butt...at first. It was only two days a week and we started out only running 30 seconds at a time. We built up from there and about the middle of the clinic I wanted to quit. Really bad. But I had been talking about it so much to everyone that people were holding me accountable to going even though they didn't know it. I made my mind up that no matter what I was not going to quit. I was going to finish it. I wanted to be able to run a 5K. I wanted to loose weight. I was so miserable with my body and the weight I had gained over the last 3 years or so. I had to do something and it was past time to do it. So with the motivation to do a 5K, the running clinic and the number on the scale going down slowly came the desire to eat better. I do have an advantage working at Nestle because I can get some cheap Lean Cuisines. So I started eating breakfast, critical for loosing weight! Then started eating LC's for lunch with a yogurt or a fruit. Then for dinner I eat whatever meat I want and a vegetable steamer or a sweet potato. So slowly the scale dropped and people started to comment which just made me want to do even better. Once the clinic was over I had to find a way to continue running and my Hubs didn't want me to run at night by myself so he started running with me. Which turned into him eating better with me. Then we both started to see the number on the scale go down. We noticed a change in each other's energy level, how we felt and how baggy our clothes got. We also really started to enjoy running together. Its our time to talk and spend some undistributed time together. So together we have lost over 100 pounds. Joe has lost about 45 and I have lost 65. {I know this post is long and probably boring and maybe most of you have quit reading it, but Im getting to the climax now!} So Friday after Chucky E Cheese and Chili's we went to the mall and I told Joe I would like to get a new pair of jeans because all of mine are too big. So we go to Dillard's and I try on a pair of Levi's a size smaller to the ones I was wearing. It fits, but its tighter than I would normally wear my jeans so I was discouraged. I just knew that I had gone down a size. So Joe convinces me to go to another store and look at different types of jeans. We go to American Eagle and the size in there was a size smaller then the ones from Dillard's so two sizes smaller than the ones I was wearing. I tried them on and they fit! Perfectly! I loved them and it felt so amazing to be in the same size jeans that I was when I was a senior in high school. I was so surprised and excited I couldn't believe it!! Joe liked them on me too so I convinced him to try on a pair a size smaller then the ones he normally wears and they fit him. They looked great on him too ;) We were both so excited you can't even imagine!!!! We paid for our jeans and left there on cloud 9. We talked about it all the way home and even went for a celebratory run after we put KJ to bed. That will be a day we remember for a long time!! The feeling was amazing and I will remember it every time I put on those jeans!! We are both so close to where we want to be with our weight loss. We are both about 10 pounds away but have hit a wall and are trying to knock it down right now. We will do it. You can too!!

Date Nights

2011-10-03T12:46:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted in a while because we have been so busy!! KJ is still loving everything about school, rodeo season is winding down and Joe is trying to figure out his plans for next year and Im just trying to keep up with them! I really have so much I want to post about but I will save it for later. Friday we had family date night and took KJ to Chucky E. Cheese, dinner at Chili's and a walk around the mall. We had the best time!! It got me to thinking about date nights. Its so funny how your priorities change as you grow older. When Joe and I were first dating it didn't matter what we did. I just wanted to be with him. Our date night might have been feeding cows, hauling cows for Stephanie and Chad or working a ropin. I didn't care. As long as we were together. After we had been together a while, dates became dinner and a movie. Then I finally convinced Joe to marry me :) and dates were a nice dinner and something else, bowling, put put, trips to shop in Memphis or even vacation dates. We went to OKC a few times, Fort Worth and some other places. Then we had a baby and date nights became rare but so special. They took on a whole new meaning. At first we would go out to eat because, although KJ is fun to hang out with, she isn't the easiest person to eat at a restaurant with. But after a couple of those we realized that really we just want it to be us two so we would buy a steak, cook at home and snuggle on the couch. Because we are gone so much to rodeo's and roping's on the weekend we don't do much in town ever. Trips to town are for necessities, food, laundry detergent and feed for all our animals. Really I like it that way. I think we would be content to stay home all the time. We love to be home! Because our weeks are busy with FFA stuff, gymnastics, roping practice, etc, plus trying to get KJ in bed at a decent hour we don't do what most people would consider normal family stuff. So, Joe told KJ if she was good all week that we would take her to Chucky E. Cheese on Friday. Of course she was good so off we went. She was so excited. We went early to avoid the crowds. Once again, not our thing, crowds or lots of people...yuck! So we were pretty much the only people in there and all 3 of us had the best time! After that we went over to eat at Chili's. KJ has just learned the "I spy with my two little eye's" game so she wore us out on that while we were waiting on our food. The food was so good but we were stuffed so we decided to take a trip around the mall to walk it off. We went through a few stores and Joe and I had the highlight of our year I think at one store but I will post about that later...your on the edge of your seat Im sure. Anyway, long story short it is becoming more clear to me everyday the important things in life and they really are the simplest things. I am in LOVE with sitting on my front porch swing watch Joe rope the dummy and KJ drive her tractor around the yard. Seeing the horses run in the pasture and the cows grazing with my dogs at my feet. Im sure that it will never get better than days like that. Its impossible!

DIY

2011-09-21T05:40:00.001-07:00

Really kicking myself in the butt for not doing a before and after picture. I just totally forgot. I have been trying to figure out something to hang KJ's school artwork on for a while, other than the fridge. So, thanks to Pintrest, I got and idea and made it come to life this week for about $9. This is an old mirror that was going to be thrown out. It was a gold frame, older style looking mirror. KJ and I got out the blue paint that her furniture is painted in and went to town. She had so much fun working on this. When we were done we were covered in blue paint but it didn't matter. After that dried and she went to bed I painted the brown on the actual mirror. Then I got some of those cork letters from Hobby Lobby for $1.99 each and hot glued scrapbook paper that looks like hay on them. I also bought the "art" letters there for $0.99 each and painted them in the blue. Then I hot glued 4 magnets on the mirror which cost me about $3. Since I had the mirror, paint and scrapbook paper this super fun project was very inexpensive and something we will use the fire out of. She loves to draw and paint and is always bringing stuff home from school and now we have a way to display it!!

9-11-01

2011-09-12T11:09:00.000-07:00

Where were you? I don't think anyone in the USA will ever forget what they were doing the exact moment that this terrible tragedy struck America. I was in Therio class in the Ag building, Doc Humphrey's class, dreading the next hour of my life. I walked in and was one of the first people in the classroom. I asked him "What are we going to do in here today? I don't feel like taking notes" He said "Were gonna go downstairs when everyone gets up here and watch TV" What??? Seriously??? Why??? We never do stuff like that. Then he told me and the few others that trickled in what had happened. By the time we all ran downstairs and caught a glimpse of the huge big screen TV in the center of the Ag building the 2nd plane was hitting the 2nd tower. All classes were canceled in the Ag building that day and we all sat in the lobby and watched the TV trying to understand what happened. We cried, called our parents, friends, boyfriends/girlfriends, stared in awe of how this all could have happened. I decided I couldn't watch it anymore and headed to work. We were suppose to have a live radio remote that day promoting the RCA rodeo in town that weekend with the fair. Needless to say that didn't happen. The radio had bigger things to cover. I remember going home that night and just sitting there on my bed thinking about things that really mattered. Wanting to go home and be with my family. Not understanding why this would happen and praying like crazy for all the people who lost loved ones that day. I had seen Joe a few times around town and thought he was so cute, he never really talked to me though so I was sure he had no idea I was even alive. I remember thinking about how you never know when the world is going to end or when it will be your turn to go so I thought to myself if I ever see "that guy" {Joe} again I am going to ask him out! It took me a little over a month and a half to get up the guts to do it but I did!! I can't believe that has been 10 years ago and watching all the coverage brings it all back up like it was yesterday. My heart still literally breaks for those who lost husbands, wives, moms, dads, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, grandmas, granddads, daughters, sons, friends and co-workers. I can't imagine the pain they live with everyday. Please pray for them, I will be.

Jasper = Disaster

2011-08-29T11:01:00.000-07:00

We went to an ACA rodeo in Jasper this weekend. Nothing went right. You know how you have those days sometimes? I guess it was just our turn. It was about 4 hours away. Its in the mountains too so it was windy, curvy, terrible roads the entire way. It seemed like it took forever to get there but once we did it didn't get any better. The rodeo producers decided that fireworks might be nice for the crowd....never a good idea for horses though!! Joe was sitting on his horse waiting for his turn to rope and he was holding his headers horse because he was on his calf horse. They shot off the fireworks. Panky {Joe's horse} freaks out. Woody {Swag's horse} freaks out and there poor Joe is trying to calm both these horses down as his horse is literally running backwards down a hill. I had no idea horses could RUN backwards. They can!! Then Swag {Joe's header} broke the barrier for them to win first place in the team roping. So in all the excitement of the firecrackers and terrible drive up there Woody busted his head wide open. So when it was time for us to go we were going to have to meet a vet in Harrison, the next biggest town but couldn't get out. The place where we had to park was a little bitty road and not ideal for a horse trailer. So we ended up having to back up, for about 3 miles, out of the fairgrounds. So we finally get out and have to try to find the vet clinic. We finally found it and got Woody sedated then sewed up. Got back in the car about 1:30am to go home and I rolled down the back window to throw out a piece of bread...the window locks up and won't roll back up. Unbelievable right?!?! So here it is 60 degrees outside and I have to ride with the window down for the next 4 hours trying to shield the cold air from my sleeping baby. Ugh! We pulled in our driveway at 5:53 am Sunday morning. I don't think I have been happier to get in my bed in a very long time. Needless to say we won't be going back to Jasper any time soon!! Good points of the night: KJ loved the calf scramble of course. Joe says she just loves being in the arena because she really doesn't even get close to the cows. She just runs around. Another good thing is I got a cute picture of me and my cowboy, he is actually half way smiling. Rare for him in a picture. The best part of the entire trip was that we made it home safely. Thank the good Lord.

Fruits and Veggies

2011-08-26T07:53:00.000-07:00

I have LOVED my veggie plants I planted this year. I have been getting some great peppers and tomatoes off of them and it makes them taste even better knowing that I grew them! I have also gotten into going to the farmers market and trying to make healthier snacks at home. The other day I saw a blog about freezing peaches. I love peaches and they taste so good when they are fresh but sometimes I don't want to go through all the trouble to eat one, or eat a whole one. Sometimes you just want a little snack. So perfect idea = wash them, cut them up and freeze them. That way you just pull a few out of the freezer, put them in the microwave for about 15 seconds and enjoy! They are so good!! I also got the idea to make KJ some chocolate covered bananas. She loves bananas and chocolate and eating things on a stick so I knew she would love the idea. She did!! She said "this tastes like bananas" I said well it is silly girl! I set out some beans yesterday in water and am going to make a big pot of pinto beans and homemade cornbread this weekend, even if it is 100 degrees. I don't care. Its always a good time to have beans and cornbread right?!?!?

School Dayz

2011-08-25T07:40:00.000-07:00

I got the top picture in a text from KJ's teacher yesterday. Which, by the way, I love that she did that!! And the bottom picture was on my fridge when I got home. The smaller paper says "What did you do this summer?" and KJ's answer was "Ride horses with my Dad!" Ahh, I love that! The bigger picture says "This is me as a rodeo queen!" I love this stuff and will have to keep these forever!! She is absolutely loving school and I am so glad!!

Gymnastics

2011-08-24T05:30:00.000-07:00

KJ went to her first gymnastics class last night. She is going to Champion Gymnastics in Paragould. I was kinda nervous on how she would do but she jumped right in there like a champ and LOVED it!!! They did some stretches, some activities at each station and spent some time on the trampoline. It was so cute to see her doing stuff like that and trying to be as big as the other kids. I went ahead and signed her up so we will see how it goes!!

When you are good in class you get two stamps and two stickers on your feet. She was so proud of that she didn't even want to put her shoes on till she showed her Daddy her feet.

Orange Juice

2011-08-22T17:52:00.001-07:00

I know I have said before that orange juice deserves his own post. He is that big a part of our lives. KJ got him from Jack for her birthday. He was the one we wanted but at the time was the most wild and no one could get near him. Well something happened to him one day and he had a change of heart. Poor thing is probably the dumbest cat I have ever seen in my entire life {and I say that with the utmost love in my heart}. He would be so much better off if he just ran away. But he sticks around and has chosen a certain 3 year old as his best friend. Poor poor cat! While she does love this cat to pieces and really would never intentionally hurt him when it comes to 3 year olds vs. kittens its not always easy to play gently. But the second she walks out of the house he runs to her and starts crying. He really is a good cat and we are happy to have him around.

First Day of Pre-School

2011-08-22T17:46:00.000-07:00

Well yesterday was the big day! First day of pre-school. KJ loved it, I cried. That about sums up the day. I dropped her off, practically had to make her give me a hug then I pulled my sunglasses down over my face so no one would see me crying in the hallway. I was off the rest of the day and while I had lots of things to do my mind was consumed with my baby and what she was doing. If she was having fun or if she was upset. I was suppose to get feed for the horses and hair gel for Joe. I went to town twice and didn't get either one either time. I just was not on my game yesterday. I got an idea to make KJ a shirt for spirit day, which is every Friday. They are suppose to wear their black and red stuff or a Bearcat shirt. We did buy her one but all the others in town are $30! I can't hardly make myself spend that much money on something she will grow out of super fast. So I decided to make her one. I went to Hobby Lobby and picked up some cute supplies and went home to get to work. I got her bow made (seen one in town just like it for $9, that one cost me about $3 and I bought the whole roll of ribbon) and started on her shirt. Well, I can really be a blonde sometimes and I put the letters on backwards and had to peel them off my iron...needless to say that was the reason for my second trip to town. After I took Joe lunch I went back to Hobby Lobby and got some more letters and a few extras. Got back home and finished the shirt, then made one for a friends little girl, swept the whole house and it was finally time to get my little Bearcat! I was so excited to pick her up!! She was talking non stop when I got there. Telling me about picking flowers and catching grasshoppers. Eating beans, fish sticks and bread {"that was really hard"}, talking about circles and triangles and playing with her friends. We got back home and she said "can I go back to school now?" I'm so glad she loves it!! Today is day two and Joe said the drop off went fine. He said she ran in and never even told him by. I got up and got her dressed this morning and he said from 6:30am on she was asking when they were leaving because she was ready to go to school.

Pre-School Screening Day

2011-08-19T07:26:00.000-07:00

Big day yesterday at our house. Pre-school screening day was yesterday for KJ. Her outfit of choice was a cute purple and green skirt and her colorful boots. Adorable! We had to be up at school in the morning and she had to meet with Mrs. Leslie and Mrs. Walters separately. We had to wait a little bit when we got there and Jackson showed up so she was happy to see him for sure. They played and played while we were waiting and then it was her turn. She met with Mrs. Leslie first and wasn't in there very long. Mrs. Leslie said she did really good and KJ said they just played with puzzles. Next was Mrs. Walters. They were in the room together a little bit longer then the with Mrs. Leslie but Kati said she did a good job. KJ said they talked about colors and nothing else {I seriously doubt that but I guess she just didn't want to tell me what they talked about} after that we ran to get Daddy his favorite lunch, Firehouse, and went to visit him at his classroom. Overall I think she had a good day and I think she loved pre-school. I have been so afraid that she wouldn't want to go or would cry when I left. That could still happen but I don't see it coming true with as excited as I have seen her be about this. Monday is the true test though. She is suppose to be there about 7:30. I am taking off to take her on Monday and pick her up, just to make sure everything goes ok :)

Momma Kitty

2011-08-16T08:31:00.000-07:00

We have one of the sweetest barn cats I think I have ever had before. Her name is Momma Kitty. Named her all by myself. Cute isn't it? I know! So she got pregnant pretty much right when we got her so.....

we have kittens. Four of them. Not including Orange Juice, who deserves a post all of his own. He is really something. Anyway back to Momma Kitty. Yesterday morning when I went to feed before work only OJ came to get food. So I called for Momma Kitty and she came walking out of the feed room really slow and funny acting. I picked her up and realized what was going on and saw one little orange kitten. So I put her back down and checked on her when I got home and there were 4 little ones. All of them are orange but might end up having some white on them as they get bigger like she does. She has been an excellent Momma though letting us pick them up and love on them. She will be getting an appt at the vet in about 6 weeks though. She is such a good cat I would like to keep her around but the Kissin S does not need any more kittens. Let me know in about 6 weeks who wants one :)

"I Trust You'll Treat Her Well"

2011-08-15T08:12:00.000-07:00

School starts today for almost everyone around here. My sweet KJ doesn't start until next Monday the 22nd. I have so many emotions is crazy! I knew I would be a little sad but I didn't think I would be feeling this crazy! I feel sad, excited, nervous, terrified, worried, anxious, apprehensive, proud. I have so many questions and fears about what they are going to do, what she is going to eat, if someone is going to help her cut up her food. How she is going to adjust to having that many kids around, is she going to be able to take a nap, is she going to like it, is her teacher going to be nice to her, is Joe going to be able to pick her up on time, is she going to learn alot, am I starting her to early, is she ready for this, will the other kids be nice to her, I can't protect her forever but I sure do want to. I don't know how I am going to get through the next week preparing for this because of course Joe is cool, calm, Dad as always. No worries. I wish I could be like that! Pray for me and her please over the next week! Here is a poem they always read on the first day of school on our local radio station. Its really suppose to be from a Father on his daughters first day of kindergarten. Still fits though. Get the Kleenex!

I Trust You’ll Treat Her Well
~ by Victor Buono ~

Dear World:
I bequeath to you today one little girl … in a crispy dress …with two blue eyes … and a happy laugh that ripples all day long … and a flash of light blonde hair that bounces in the sunlight when she runs. I trust you’ll treat her well.

She’s slipping out of the backyard of my heart this morning …and skipping off down the street to her first day of school. And never again will she be completely mine. Prim and proud she’ll wave her young and independent hand this morning and say “Good Bye”… and walk with little lady steps to the school house.

Now she’ll learn to stand in line … and wait by the alphabet for her name to be called. She’ll learn to tune her ears to the sounds of school-bells … and deadlines … and she’ll learn to giggle … and gossip … and look at the ceiling in a disinterested way when the little boy across the aisle sticks out his tongue at her. And now she’ll learn to be jealous. And now she’ll learn how it is to feel hurt inside. And now she’ll learn how not to cry.

No longer will she have time to sit on the front porch steps on a summer day and watch an ant scurry across the crack in a sidewalk. Nor will she have time to pop out of bed with the dawn to kiss lilac blossoms in the morning dew. No, now she’ll worry about important things. Like grades … and which dress to wear … and who’s best friend is whose. And the magic of books and learning will replace the magic of her blocks and dolls. And now she’ll find new heroes.

For five full years now I’ve been her sage and Santa Claus and pal and playmate and father and friend. Now she’ll learn to share her worship with her teachers … which is only right. But, no longer will I be the smartest man in the whole world. Today when that school bell rings for the first time … she’ll learn what it means to be a member of a group. With all it’s privileges. And it’s disadvantages too.

She’ll learn in time that proper young ladies do not laugh out loud. Or kiss dogs. Or keep frogs in pickle jars in bedrooms. Or even watch ants scurry across cracks in the summer sidewalk. Today she’ll learn for the first time that all who smile at her are not her friends. And I’ll stand on the front porch and watch her start out on the long, lonely journey to become a woman.

So, World. I bequeath to you today one little girl … in a crispy dress … with two blue eyes and a happy laugh that ripples all day long … and a flash of light blonde hair that bounces in the sunlight when she runs. I trust you’ll treat her well.

Open House

2011-08-12T05:18:00.000-07:00

Last night was KJ's open house for pre-school. I can't not believe how fast it seems like this is happening. Since Joe and I have decided she will be an only child I'm really trying to soak this all in because I know it will never happen again. But, I can't dwell on it too much either because I will cry like a baby if I think about it too much. Its a double edge sword I guess. So last night was the big night. We went to meet her teacher and see her classroom. I was nervous, she was beyond excited and Joe was just going with the flow. As always.

We got this in the mail from her teacher. She was SO excited about it too being cowboy themed. She said "look Dad, its you and Panky on here!" It could not be more perfect for her that her classroom is cowboy themed. I LOVE that!!!

This is her desk. Look who she sits by, Jackson!! That might be trouble :)

Although she looks terrified in this picture she isn't. She is ready to go and her crazy Mom is making her take pictures....

There are tons of toys and fun things in her class room. They had there schedule listed on the door, they provide breakfast and lunch and they even brush there teeth after they eat their lunch! How awesome is that! I am very excited for her to learn and grow in that type of environment. I think it will be great for her! Her teacher, Mrs. Walters and Mrs. Leslie were very nice. Joe actually graduated with Katie {Mrs. Walters} so that is good that we actually know her teacher. We have to go back on Thursday for the developmental screening day but I think that will go fine. Katie already told us she talks so well for a just turned 3 year old.

A Cow Scared of a Cow?!?!?!?!

2011-08-11T06:52:00.001-07:00

Well my sweet little Elsie turned 6 months old on Tuesday. What did we do for her? We took away her bottle {which she is VERY upset about} but we got her a friend. Cool right??? Well not for a cow that has never seen another cow before...as soon as BB {we are calling him that for blue bull, KJ's idea} stepped off the trailer she flipped out! She went running as fast as she could, ran right into a panel, knocked it down and ran to the back of the pasture. Needless to say she was totally scared of another cow. I never thought that would happen. So we dropped off the bull and ran to town to get some dinner. Mistake. So since Elsie had freaked out the new bull, who had already had a challenging day, was very nervous and we shouldn't have left him right away. We come back from town and he is gone. Yep, gone! So here we are 10pm at night, super dark and we are looking for a dark blue roan cow. Joe finally found him down the road and got him back to the house. We fixed the hole he made and got Elsie back up. She was alot more calm when we put them back together, guess she thought we had enough adventure already. We stayed up late last night checking on them and about midnight they were laid down in the barn stall together. This morning they were still a little nervous around each other but hopefully will be buddies soon. Not so sure she is excited about her 6 month birthday present.

Batesville ACA

2011-08-08T06:13:00.000-07:00

KJ's first calf scramble! Hard to believe considering we are at a rodeo almost every single weekend but for some reason it never has worked out to get out there in time even though she has really wanted too! Friday night we weren't gonna miss it! She wanted her Daddy to go with her so they jumped the fence and took off. They didn't get anywhere close to the cow but who cares. They still had the best time and she thought she was too hot to trot!

KJ and Daddy going to enter up

KJ telling me that she was going with Daddy and I could just stay there...bet you can't guess who the boss is around our house?!?!?!

Daddy heading up the hill with out his partner. Don't worry, she is letting him know he is leaving her, in her own special way. (AKA Smith fit)

I love these too!! These pictures are from the ACA rodeo in Batesville Friday night. We had a good time but Joe and Swag were up in the 3rd round of the slack and Swag missed so that part wasn't too fun. We got home about 3am and crashed!

Saturday we slept in and then ran some errands in town and headed up to Joe's school to work on the horse trailer. We are finally putting in the living quarters. We have been so busy lately we haven't worked on it at all but its getting to the point that we have to have somewhere to stay and were not into getting hotels at ropins so we have got to get it done. We got the floor finished and the walls fured up for the insulation and paneling. We are going to try to work on the electric/wiring this week. I'm so glad Joe knows how to do all this stuff. Sure does save tons of money!! Another cool thing about doing it yourself is that you can make it exactly how you want!

Joe's orientation starts this week and school starts Monday for him. KJ's open house is Thursday night, developmental screening is Thursday the 18th and then she starts Monday the 22nd. I'm excited, scared, worried, sad, happy all at the same time!

Keelee Jo at 3

2011-08-02T13:03:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to jot down a few things that Keelee Jo is doing/saying/loving at the age of 3:

*Animals! The girl is crazy over all of her animals. Silver (the pony), Orange Juice (the kitten), Hooey and Dos (the dogs), Elsie (the cutest cow ever!) and everything else we have! She loves all the animals, just like her Momma.

*Her Daddy! If he walks out the door she is hot on his heels because she doesn't want to be left behind or take the chance of missing something. Him being gone for two weeks in a row was hard on her and she is glad to have him home!

*Movies. She loves movies. Some of her favorites right now are Beauty and the Beast, 101 Dalmatians, Spirit, Strawberry Shortcake on the Farm, Land Before Time and Toy Story.

*Cheese (Mac and Cheese), strawberries, blueberries, apples, grapes, fresh picked blackberries from the horse pasture, chocolate covered raisins.

*Strawberry and chocolate milk.

*Sweet tea, thanks MiMi

*She can't get enough of her MiMi, Pappy #1 or her Aunt Sis.
Her blanket and her thumb...not sure how this will go at preschool.

*Her best friends are Jack, Colter, Jackson, Cash and two different Addison's.

*She loves trips

*Rodeos, especially bulls!

*The horse trailer, the kid loves it! I can't wait for her to be able to sleep in it!

*Being outside. Even in 115 degree heat, she doesn't care, she wants to be OUTSIDE!

*The rodeo room. It started out as a man cave but she has taken it over and it really is the perfect playroom for her. She loves it! Always wants to be in there and if I can find a futon I'm going to let her have a "sleepover" in there!

*Being at home. She is a home body like us, she loves to go but she loves to be at home.

*She is saying all kinds of stuff these days and litterly talks non stop. When I pick her up I seriously just turn off the TV and listen. Its a constant conversation.

*She loves to learn, by books, activities or listening to others she loves to learn new things.

*She says "whats that do?" "whats that for?"

*"are you kidding me?" (that one cracks me up because it comes strait from me!)

*"I loves you Momma"

*"Where I going tomorrow?"

*She sleeps by herself in her room and loves it! Wont hardly sleep with you even if you try to make her. I guess that's a good thing.

*Kisses are for bedtime according to her.

*Dresses. The better they look when she spins around the more she loves them.

*Boots! She has more than we do!

*Green and Pink are her favorite colors.

*She has her Daddy's temper, Lord help me!

*She has TONS of nick names and only likes for certain people to call her certain names. Joe calls her quatro, I call her beans, MiMi calls her little bit. We also call her plumber, jo jo bean bean, KJ and cowgirl.

There are so many other things I'm sure. We are so blessed to have such a fun loving, out going, beautiful child. We love you Beans :)

Summer Days

2011-07-31T19:58:00.000-07:00

We had to fix a little fence this afternoon and everyone knows how hot it has been so half way back I had to carry KJ and I seriously thought Joe was gonna have to carry Dos (the dog) we thought he was about to pass out. They made it back but both wanted to get in the water and I didn't want Dos in the pool so the next thing was...the cow trough. Why not? They loved it and looked so cute playing in there!

Halter Breaking 101

2011-07-25T09:54:00.000-07:00

I started working on halter breaking Elsie this weekend. I have also taken away her night time bottle this weekend so needless to say she is not my friend anymore. It wasn't too hard to get the halter on her but when I started trying to lead her around she had a different idea of how things were gonna go. KJ had to jump in and show me how its done. She pulled and tugged on her an got her to take a step or two. I was very proud of her determination though. This is gonna be fun!!

Two Sweet Girls

2011-07-18T06:32:00.000-07:00

Elise chilling out wondering what we were doing and KJ and that poor kitten. Just another day on the farm. This weekend Joe went to a ropin (and won 1st place!!!) and I took KJ to see the new Winnie the Pooh movie. Mom and KJ's buddy Colter went with us. We had Coltons for supper, watched the movie and then got some Local Culture frozen yogurt! Yummo!! I love that place because you pay by the weight so they have scales to weigh your food and you know that for every once its 25 calories so you can tell when you check out exactly how many calories your eating. I LOVE THAT!! Wish every place was like that.

Monday, Funday

2011-07-12T12:37:00.000-07:00

Not much fun ever happens on a Monday I don't think but I made my first set of squash bread yesterday and it was SO good! KJ loved it! She ate it for supper and a late night snack. Of course, Joe wasn't fond of it but KJ and found a new love! We swam yesterday afternoon after supper and the horses were being so funny standing there scratching each others backs. Can't really tell in the picture but it was funny to watch.

NOT Gonna Complain

2011-07-11T07:19:00.000-07:00

Its hot in Arkansas. I'm sure its hot in most southern states right now. I am NOT going to complain because I would much more prefer 113 (which is our heat index today - actual temp is suppose to be 102) to 13. I really HATE cold weather so I will NOT complain about the heat. This weekend we finally put up our pool. Aunt Sis gave us her hoses so that thing is working great and KJ is already swimming like fish! She LOVES the pool!! We had to work on Mom's deck a little Saturday morning then went home and put KJ down for a nap and Joe and I worked on moving the pool and getting it going. Then we had to go shoe a horse and ended up watching a movie on TV until 1am Sunday morning. So...we missed church Sunday but got to spend some good family time just the 3 of us in the pool on Sunday soaking up the sun and cool water. After they KJ went down for a nap then we cooked dinner, ate and got back in the pool while Joe worked a little on finishing up the house.

We have recently started turning Elise out in the back pasture and we moved the pool to the front yard near the arena so Keelee Jo and I had a good time floating, swimming and watching Elise run and buck all afternoon. I am pretty sure I love that stinkin cow more than anyone probably should love a cow but I just can't help it she is so cute and so attached to us. Its time for her to have a cow friend. Just have to find one somewhere. I just really want one about her same size so they will have to be young but don't really want another bottle calf. Picky, I know. Last night Joe's rodeo partner came to pick up his horse when he got off work and Elise was out. So at 1 am we were out chasing that stinkin' heifer. Joe was not happy! He doesn't feel the same way I do about her. Good thing he loves me!

Farm Photo Friday

2011-07-08T07:33:00.000-07:00

Another blogger does this thing called "Farm Photo Fridays" thought I would link up with her today. So here we go! Everyone is welcome to join just link up with Farm Chick, check her out with her button to the right on my page.

Our Baby is Growing Up

2011-07-07T17:59:00.000-07:00

Our baby Elise that is. On Saturday she will be 5 months old. She still seems so little to me but when I look back at pictures I realize how big she has gotten. KJ and I love this little heifer. Joe..not so much. She is still on the bottle but not for long. This will be her last bag of milk and she has about a half a bag left. I think she will miss it but she is going to town on her grain now so she will be fine. This weekend I hope to get some time to work on fencing in the pine lot for her to graze in. It will good for her to be able to get out and eat some grass. Right now she is still too little and the horses pick on her.

A funny story about her the other day. KJ and I had this big long conversation the night before this story about how much we loved Elise. We thought she was so cute and we loved hanging with her. So the next morning I went out to feed like normal and (she always gets her bottle first thing) she was gone!! I tried to not let panic set in but I looked in the barn, both pastures and she was no where to be found. In the mean time our neighbors walked by and waved at me smiling as big as they could. I thought to myself "well that's kinda weird to be that happy this early in the morning while you are exercising but whatever" then I saw the top of what I thought was a black dog right behind them (in my defence I do know the difference in a cow and a dog but there are a bunch of bushes and trees where they were and all I could see what the top of the animals back) which I thought was even weirder, if that's a word, because they never walk with a dog. Especially one that big. Anyway, I had bigger issues. My sweet Elise was gone. I ran in the house and told Joe that he was gonna have to get up and come help me because she was gone and we HAD to find her!! So I ran back outside to look while he got dressed and there are the neighbors again at the end of the driveway just smiling from ear to ear. I look at them and all the sudden here comes Elise right behind them fast as lightening (because she saw me and the bottle) The neighbors said she has been following them for about a half a mile and they were hoping to make it home with her before I saw. They said they wanted to keep her because she was so cute! Well once she got the bottle she didn't care about anything else. I put her up and found out how she got out. Who knows where or what she did. I'm just glad she didn't get hit on the road or run away forever!

RCA #1

2011-07-04T14:25:00.000-07:00

Joe and Swag were up Friday night at Joe's first RCA rodeo. It was in Springdale and is one of the top five outdoor rodeo's in the world. There was a huge crowd and lots of NFR cowboys. Joe got to warm up with Billy Etbauer!!! They were 3rd out that night in the team roping. There run could have developed a little faster but still ended up being a 6.6. That night they were placing 6th but ended up getting bumped out Saturday night. They were 8th overall. Not bad at all since they were competing against lots of NFR qualifying teams. Very good job for there first professional rodeo. KJ and I had a great time hanging with Pappy and watching guys like Billy E., Ryan Gray and Boogie Ray compete. Of course she loved the rodeo clown the most!

Keelee Jo Turns 3!!!

2011-07-04T13:57:00.000-07:00

Keelee Jo turned 3 last week!! Its hard to believe how fast time goes by. We made fruit bowls, black bean salsa, ice cream cone cupcakes and rice crispy treats. We had a cardboard cowgirl, signs, a pinata and goodie boxes. We rented a huge blow up water slide to play on and had the best time with it!! All the kids loved it! KJ got tons of awesome presents and has asked to go back to her party almost every single day.

Lovin the Country Life

2011-06-23T12:44:00.000-07:00

Everyday I love where I live even more! There is so much history and memories on our place and I can't imagine being anywhere else! One of my favorite things that I just discovered this week is Joe's grandpa's blackberry bushes! LOVE them!! KJ loves them even more!! They are so yummy and I plan to make a homemade blackberry cobbler with our hand picked blackberries right off the Kissin S!! I am also growing some tomatoes and peppers and have a few spices!! I attempted a garden at one point in time when I was dating Joe and that was a disaster. I'm alot more prepared now and will have to put that on my to do list for next year!!

Keelee Jo's Dad

2011-06-18T20:24:00.001-07:00

Very first time we saw this sweet little face. (I love the look on the Doctor's face. You can tell that he is genuinely happy for us. We woke him up in the middle of night and I hadn't been very nice about it either, but he is all smiles. He obviously loves his job!)

Some people might not be a fan of this picture but...too bad. My blog my picture. That's rude and I'm sorry but ever since I saw this picture it has to be my all time favorite. I love the rawness of this picture and how it captures Keelee Jo's first breath and true action of the moment. This picture brings so much emotion to me!

My goodness! My Husband is a good looking man!! His eyes are as blue as the scrubs they made him wear and luckily his daughter inherited that trait from him. Anyone who knows Joe knows that he doesn't show many emotions. Mad. He has that one down but excitement or sheer happiness he always remains reserved. But in this picture you can tell he is so content with the day and excited for what we were about to get into. So precious!

This one says it all. I love it. I love him. I love her. I love that he is looking at her. I love that she is looking right back at him. I love that she is holding his finger. I love that still to this day they have that precious of a relationship.

Complete.

I never will forget the panic in Joe's voice the very moment the whole "Dad" thing really hit him. Throughout the whole pregnancy it was very obvious that there was going to be some life changes around the Kissin S. Neither of us could have ever imagined what they were but we knew it was gonna happen. At 17 weeks we took that genetic test, unfortunately, and at 19 weeks were told we had a high possibility of having a Down Syndrome baby. While it didn't matter what, if anything, was wrong with our baby, of course, we were devastated. We were young and this was our first pregnancy and the thought never crossed our mind that there might be anything wrong with the baby. We went for the second ultra sound in Memphis and they told us that she might not have it but she might still be born with it. They did there best to convince us everything would be fine but we worried about it for the last 17 weeks of the pregnancy. On Friday June 27th I was at work wrapping up and preparing to go on maternity leave. It was about 2 in the afternoon and my water broke. I told my boss, left work and called Joe. This was our conversation:

Me: Hey, what are you doing?

Joe: Just climbed off a colt.

Me: Oh, ok. Well my water just broke, I'm on the way to the hospital. Guess I'm in labor.

Joe: .................(long pause)........................

Me: Joe?

Joe: Are you serious? Your in labor?

Me: Umm, yeah. I'm mean I think so, its like I'm peeing everywhere and I can't stop. (to much information, I know, sorry!!)

Joe: Well what are you doing driving? Where are you going? Did you call the doctor to find out what you need to do?

Me: I'm fine, I'm not hurting its just really gross! I'm going to the hospital because she said if your water breaks go to the hospital.

Joe: Ok, well i will meet you there. I just have to unsaddle.

Me: Ok, grab the bag.

Joe: Ok. Love you.

Me: Love you too.

That's how it went. That's when it hit him. I got to the hospital, got checked in and settled. Then Joe got there. I won't go into the long drawn out horrible birthing experience so to sum it up about 10 hours later Keelee Jo was here. Perfectly healthy. 7 pounds 4 ounces and 19 inch's long. Joe was a trooper throughout the whole labor. Taking everything in stride. He has become such a great Dad and exceeded all my expectations. Keelee Jo is his little cowgirl. He is the first person she wants to say good morning too. The only person who knows how to sing the right good night songs. The person who ropes all the monsters in her room. The only one who can fix anything and he is believed to be able to fix everything. The one who always has to tell her how she looks. The only one who knows how to play the hunting game. The only one she ever wants to pick her up from Linda's. Her favorite teacher of new things. The one who breaks her heart when she gets in trouble because of the thought she might have disappointed him. Someone she looks up too. Someone she loves with all her heart. There is nothing more precious in the world then a Dad who truly loves his daughter. I am so so so so blessed to have Keelee Jo's Dad as my very best friend. Happy Fathers Day to all the Dad's out there!

Another Weekend of Rodeo's

2011-06-15T08:15:00.000-07:00

Im gonna try to keep this blog updated on all Joe's rodeo stuff so that we can look back at it when he wins the IFR and see how it all started :) Last Saturday KJ and I got to tag along to the rodeo's with Swag and Joe so we were excited! Most of the time they leave in the early afternoon and we have to stay at home. So last Saturday we took off to Sidney for a rodeo at 1pm. The arena was really deep and they drew at terrible steer but caught and ended up with a leg on the back end. They still ended up placing 3rd but ACA only paid 2 holes. Then after that rodeo we loaded up and headed to Calico Rock for a rodeo that night at 8. The rodeo was at the park so it was fun for KJ to get to unwind and play her little heart out. That rodeo was allot bigger of a production and KJ was in love with the rodeo clown. We had a good time but Swag missed the steer so they didn't get a time down. We left there about 11:30 or so and got home about 1:30. KJ is always such a trooper. She got in bed about 2 that morning and got right back up at 9 for Cowboy Church the next morning. She has always loved life on the road. Good thing with Joe getting into rodeo hot and heavy now!!

Birthday #3

2011-06-15T08:01:00.000-07:00

I can't believe we are really getting ready to celebrate birthday #3!!!! Its unbelievable how fast time has gone these last 3 years! Although if you ask KJ she says "I'm 2 but I'm gonna be 5!" so to her this is her 5th birthday. Silly girl! We are doing cowgirl theme but throwing a water slide in for fun! My sister in law Steph has been AWESOME help this year and really going to help make the party great!! And the best part is she will be there! We don't see her but about 3 times a year so I'm super glad one of there trips will be while we are partying!! We have super adorable invitations and some great decorating/cake/goodies ideas! It will be a great party for the birthday girl!

Buck N for a Cure

2011-06-12T19:29:00.000-07:00

I have always been a supporter of the Susan G. Komen foundation. Since around 8th grade or so Mom and I would go to the Race for the Cure walks in Memphis together. We didn't know anyone effected by breast cancer at the time but it didn't matter. At the time it was a way to show support for other women and get some exercise. Now this is much more personal to me. Joe lost his Mom to this horrible disease, my Aunt has beat it and several women we know are battling it now. This shirt encompasses two things I love. Bucking horses and breast cancer awareness/fundraising. There is a group on FB called Hippies, Gypsies and Rodeo Queens that is raising money for the big "3 day for a cure" walk in Dallas/Fort Worth in November. If you are interested check them out at "Pam Carissa" on FB and donate to THE BEST cause!!!

2011-06-05T17:22:00.000-07:00

Brandy and Jack

One HOT cowgirl, 99 degrees today!

Grand Entry

Grand Entry

Sweet Cowgirl

My favorites!

KJ and Jack

Awesome day and hopefully the first of hundreds of rodeos KJ is entered in.

Joe's Rodeo's Update

2011-06-05T16:20:00.000-07:00

Friday night Joe and Swag set out for Batesville. They roped there steer but Joe slipped a leg and were 12.7 with the 5 second penalty. They left right after that steer and headed to Lamar for the slack that morning at 8am. They roped there steer there and were a 5.4. That ended up earning them 4th place and according to Joe lots of respect from the "big boys". After that they loaded back up and headed to Conway for Swag to rope a calf. They were suppose to team rope that night but didn't enter in time. Joe got home about 1 Sunday morning. Just in time to get a little sleep and head to church and haul KJ to her first rodeo. This family is rodeo crazy!

This IS My First Rodeo!!

2011-06-05T16:04:00.000-07:00

Keelee Jo entered her first rodeo today!! They have family/kid rodeos at Cowboy Church every now and then and this is the first time we have been able to make it to one. It was 99 here today and the rodeo started at 2:30 so I was a little worried it wouldn't go to well since it was so hot and right in the middle of nap time. She proved me wrong. I was so proud of her!! She did the goat undecorating and barrels but said she liked the goats the best. She got 5th place in that class! Joe and I were so happy she went out there and did it! We love our little cowgirl!!

This is KJ's friend Jack and his pony Ruby

This is Keelee Jo with the ribbon she took off the goats tail, so proud of herself. I know I will keep this forever! Im going to make her a special picture frame for her room with her ribbon.

KJ and Jack on Ruby

Cowgirl Keelee Jo

KJ and her Daddy getting ready for the grand entry

KJ and Sabi after there run

Love this girl and her horse

Getting ready for the grand entry biting her nails

Action shots coming tomorrow. They are on Mom's camera!!

Rodeo Season

2011-06-02T11:56:00.000-07:00

The title is not really true because rodeo goes all year but the summer is always hot and heavy with lots of rodeos. Joe and one of our friends Tyler (we call him Swag) have bought there PRCA cards and have started rodeoing. There first one was last weekend in Lonoke and Swag waved his loop off to catch the steer. They went to one last night in Ash Flat and placed 6th with a 6.56 and won a little bit of money, and I mean a little bit. They have two coming up this weekend. One of Friday night in Batesville and then are up in the slack Saturday morning in Lamar. So they will leave right after the roping on Friday and head to Lamar to make it by 8 so they can run there steer there. Crazy boys! Looks like I will be a rodeo widow this summer but I'm glad Joe is getting to chase his dream. "Its the broncs and the blood, its the steers and the mud and they call the thing rodeo!"

Memorial Day 2011

2011-05-31T10:03:00.000-07:00

Another weekend has come and gone. I wish we could have 3 day weekends every single week! We started off the weekend with two blown out tires on the horse trailer so that wasnt a good thing going into a Holiday weekend knowing your gonna have to spend lots of money but we didn't let it stop us from enjoying our time. Saturday morning we got up and went to get new tires on the trailer then headed down to Swags in Cherry Valley for a little roping. We had a good time and really didn't get that hot but poor KJ did have her first experience with chiggers. I have never had them so that night when we saw her legs I seriously thought she had the chicken pox. It was terrible! Sunday morning when I woke her up for church she said "Mommy, my weg hurts" I felt so bad for her! Joe put some stuff of it Saturday night which made it look better on Sunday but still itched like crazy im sure. After church on Sunday we went to a little party my family was having for one of my Granny's sisters. She turned 90 over the weekend so we stoped by to tell her happy birthday! After that we grilled out and ate dinner on the front porch then put KJ to sleep and we went for a run. Im addicted to that feeling and special time with my best friend! Monday there was a ropin in town so Joe took off to that and KJ and I went to town with my Mom and Nana for lunch and a little shopping then came home and got in the pool! The best thing to do when its 92 outside! Joe is roping again tonight practicing for his rodeo on Wednesday, the good thing is at Ernies there is a pool so I think we will support Dad poolside :)-

Our First 5K

2011-05-16T12:09:00.000-07:00

The only time these two were together, at the very beginning. *

Joe sprinting it out to be Mr. Hovis *

And again...*

Pretty much the worst picture ever of me, seriously thought about not even putting it on here but here ya go. This is the look of a fat girl after she has just tried to run 3.1 miles ;)*
Joe and I ran our first 5K on Saturday. I have been training for about 1o weeks and Joe has been running off and on with me for a few weeks. I was both nervous and excited about it. Jason and Gretchen joined in on the fun with us and I was glad to have two of our best friends there with us to share in that event. The race was a benefit for one of the Brookland teachers who is battling breast cancer. They had a great turnout and the weather was perfect for a run. My goal was to run the first mile, walk the second and run the third. Anything above that would be bonus. I knew that Joe wouldn't stay with me because he runs much faster than me, he takes bigger strides, so we quickly parted ways at the begining of the race. As did Jason and Gretchen. Jason was way ahead of us all with his 10 feet long legs :) Joe ended up running beside his principal and ran the entire race. 3.1 miles and even finished in front of the principal and has the picture to prove it. A couple of the other teachers were kidding him about blowing the picture up and taping it on the front of the office door so everyone would see Joe beat Mr Hovis. I was able to run 1 1/2 miles, walked a 1/2 mile then ran the last mile. So I was very proud of my accomplishment!! Joe's time was 37.73 and mine was 42.02. Jason finished first at 54, then Joe at 71, then Gretchen at 83 and me at 91. (I think those are right, sorry G if I cheated you out of a number or two) I was one of the last runners and finished last of my group but it didn't really matter. I am proud that I did it and will now work on improving my time. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that Joe and I would be running 5K's but now we are hooked. We are training for the race for the cure in October to try and run the whole thing together so I have to shave about 2 minutes off every mile. That is always such an emotional race and I am excited about doing it with best friend beside me!

*Pictures courtesy of Faith Robinson Photograpy

First Trip to the Dentist

2011-05-15T17:07:00.000-07:00

KJ took her first trip to the dentist last week. Traumatizing to say the least! Can't blame her, coming from someone who has crappy teeth I can't stand the dentist and have severe anxiety about the dentist. I did not let her know that though. I told her how nice they would be, how much fun she would have and how she would get to pick a surprise out when she was done. Well all the excitement quickly disappeared when we were called back and the 12 year boy beside her was screaming for his Mom. Yeah. That didn't help. So when the nice lady asked her to lay down on the table, she gave her a "if you think I'm getting on that table you don't know anything about me!" look. Needless to say after LOTS of coaxing and pleading she decided she would sit on the table if she sat on my lap. So the hygienist tried to get her to let her look in her mouth, that wasn't happening. One of the very few times her mouth was closed if you know how much she talks. Then the lady tried to get her to take "pictures" (x-rays) of her teeth. That wasn't happening either. She even tried to scare her into it saying "Keelee Jo if you don't let me take these pictures then your Mommy will have to go sit up front so that you will behave" Ha ha! Wrong thing to say to my child. She cried and screamed and turned bright red. The lady was like, "Um Mom, you can get her" So next came the exam from the doctor. We were told that we would have to let her lay down on the table and he would have to open her mouth even if we had to hold her down. So we laid her down and the screaming/crying started. 3 people later and a couple of slaps and kicks to the dental staff he got a look in her mouth. Never underestimate the power of a Smith fit. Its unlike anything you have ever seen. So after all of that he (the Dentist) tells me that she has to quit sucking her thumb by the time she is 3. Which is only like 5 or 6 weeks from now. Yeah right! At first I tried talking to her about it and heard all of these tips about what to put on her thumb or what to do to her thumb but I really just decided I'm not going to worry about it right now. She is only 3 and she really only does it when she is tired or sleeping so whatever. I think its adorable. We will worry about her bite later. Does that make me a bad parent?

Happy Mothers Day

2011-05-08T18:36:00.001-07:00

We had a great Momma's Day here at the Kissin S. We started off with Cowboy Church then came home and cooked a big lunch for Mom and Nana. We got to relax and enjoy the sunshine a little bit then took some of Joe's Mom's roses from her rose bush to her grave. I couldn't resist a picture of the Smith boys and there babies. Probably gonna have to do something with this one for Pappy for Fathers Day. Too sweet! We finished up the day with a little ropin and ridin. Fun day, couldn't have thought up a better Mothers Day.

Battling For a Number

2011-05-06T11:16:00.000-07:00

I usually keep this blog for updates on Keelee Jo but I thought I would share something a little more personal today. I have literally struggled with weight my entire life but nothing as bad as I have battled after having KJ. I thought that after I had her the weight would drop right off, no big deal. Ha ha!! Nothing could be more false! I kept the weight from the pregnancy and then about 20 pounds more. At the very heaviest I weighed 100 pounds more then I did in High School. I really had gotten to a point where I didn't care about myself or how I looked. My Husband never mentioned anything about it and when I would bring it up he would say things like if you were 600 pounds I would still be in love with you. But, I wasn't happy with myself, at all and you could tell in my actions, mood and behavior to others. I heard about a clinic called Women Can Run this winter and decided that I was going to try it. It was suppose to be able to take you from the couch to a 5K. I have always wanted to be able to run a 5K but never had. I have walked a few but never ran. So I joined the clinic. We started running. I hated it at first but grew to love the effects of running, still not in love with running yet :). The clinic was 10 weeks long and when I started the clinic I started watching what I ate. So here I am last week of the clinic and I have lost 34 pounds. I am at the exact weight I was the day I found out I was pregnant! For sure a HUGE goal of mine to reach this day! I have wanted to be here for 3 years now! Tomorrow is the graduation run, I know that I can't run the whole thing but Im shooting to be able to run the 1st and 3rd mile with a mile long walk in between. I will be missing the race to go to a roping in Memphis with Joe. He has been so supportive through this whole thing and has changed some of the foods he cooks for dinner and even runs with me occasionally. I do hate that I will be missing the race but Joe and I are gonna run one next weekend at Brookland for a teacher that is battling breast cancer so I will use that as my "graduation" race! I still want to loose about 35 more pounds but am so excited to have met this first goal!

Easter 2011

2011-04-24T14:06:00.000-07:00

Easter 2011 wasn't much different than most around our house. KJ and I went to Memphis on Friday since work was closed and got to spend some time with Granddad. He took KJ to the Disney store and she racked up on some {much needed...ha!} Jessie and Bullseye stuff and some Disney dresses. We attempted to see the Easter bunny, but that didn't happen then we got to eat at Red Lobster. Yummo! Saturday we went grocery shopping, Easter shopping and got a few materials that we needed to make a new bed. Just a little back story. Joe said he has been sleeping on his bed for 18 years and anyone that has ever seen our bed knows we really needed a new one. Joe got an idea on how to make a really inexpensive bed and we already had some of the material so we decided just to do it! It looks awesome! He made two matching nightstands that are actually hooked on to the side which look really cool too. The only thing we will have to add is a doggy step for our fat little corgi :) We went to Sonrise service this morning then had my family over lunch and we are all about to crash, were thinking about an early bed time around here tonight!

Keelee Jo's New Ride

2011-04-17T19:41:00.000-07:00

Joe's Uncle David gave Keelee Jo a pony this weekend!! He had him for his grand kids and they have stopped riding him so he decided to give him to our little girl! She was so excited when Daddy surprised her with him she ran up and tried to hug him. Such a precious moment! She jumped right on him, grabbed some mane and took off yelling "yee haw!" It was adorable, she is such a cowboy like her Daddy but can be such a girl too! She is into barbies, dresses, skirts, shoes, horses, being outside, playing in the dirt and in the mud. All around kinda girl :)

Whirlwind Weekend

2011-04-12T10:53:00.000-07:00

Last weekend went so fast its unbelievable. Joe was the junior class sponsor this year so that means he is in charge of prom. If you know Joe you know that is right up his alley...NOT!!! Luckily he had someone on his team who was a take charge, organized, lets make this awesome, kinda girl who knows him well. She told him what to do, he did it and that was that. They got done decorating Friday night about 11. He was just glad to have it over with. Saturday Stephanie and Chad came in to town. We haven't seen them since Christmas so we were looking forward to the visit. I have no pictures of it because I'm a looser but we had fun anyway! KJ was very excited to see her Aunt Sis. We went shopping Saturday and got KJ ready to go to "big girl school" and me something to wear to prom. Then hung out that afternoon with Joe, Pappy and Jake. Then it was time for us to go to prom and KJ got to hang with Uncle Chad and Aunt Steph by herself. Joe wore my zebra boots with a black shirt and sports coat and a pink tie. He was the talk of the prom! We didn't get to dance because those kids had it cranked up all night with club music. Oh well, at least they were having fun! I left about midnight with one of the teachers that lives near me but Joe had to stay and tear down everything. Joe and I completely missed Chad this trip and didn't get to spend as much time as we wanted with Steph but still had a good time. Sunday we went to Ernie's to rope and eat then crashed on the couch about 9 that night. Why can't weekends be longer???

ABC's of Me

2011-04-04T19:50:00.000-07:00

One of my other bloggers did this last week and I thought it was cute. A: Adventurous = Something I am not! I am a play it safe kinda girl. B: Bedtime = Favorite time of the day :) C: Cowboys = Always new I would marry one! D: Dogs = Love em! We have two, Dos - a corgi and Hooey - a mini Aussie. E: Elephants = Used to have terrible dreams about them when I was younger and I really don't like them at all! F: Fair = I love everything about the fair! The livestock show, the food, the rides, the crafts, all of it! G: Goats = Love em, hate em. Joe has a show goat scheme in his head but I just don't know. I love the babies and KJ is just head over heels for them but I just don't know... H: Horses = Don't know what life would be like without them. When your married to a team roper there is always an endless supply of them around. We love em. Each and every one of them. I: Ice = Love it in my cup hate it on the road! J: JoeV = The Hubs, Daddy, cowboy, team roper, very best friend! K: Keelee Jo Judith Smith = Named after both her Grandmothers. Very smart, beautiful girl with the whole world at her fingertips. Cowgirl at heart and has her Daddies temper. Mommy is in for a long road. L: Love = Something I never thought I would know the true depth of or even deserve but my best friend has opened my eyes to the amazingness of the absolute definition of the word. M: Money = No one ever thinks that they have enough and everyone always wants more, they say its the root of all evil. N: Never say never, especially referring to parenthood because I promise you will do what you are saying you will never do! O: Opinions = I give mine way to much. Sometimes before I really think about what I am gonna say which. I am working on that! P: Pray = Do it at least once everyday! Have a conversation with God, He is the best listener. Q: Quiet = Something I haven't heard in 2 1/2 years. Wouldn't know what it sounds like anymore. R: Running = Grew up hating it when I was playing basketball and now I am in a running clinic but I am really enjoying it! S: Stephanie = Mine and my sister -in- laws name. T: Tattoos = I have two. One I love, our Kissin S brand that match's Joe's. Then one I hate. Got it when I was 18 and its stupid. U: Underestimates my capabilities. V: Very blessed! W: Wedding = Had the coolest one ever. Got married in the Equine Center at ASU. Y: Yogurt = Used to hate it now I love it. Amazing how your tastes change as you grow up! Z: Zucchini = Love it!

Buffalo Island Livestock Show

2011-04-03T11:44:00.000-07:00

This past week was the Buffalo Island Livestock Show. With Joe's FFA and my 4H group this week meant lots of late nights, early mornings and animals everywhere! Joe had 6 kids showing goats and one showing cattle. I had 3 showing goats, 1 showing hogs and 2 showing cattle. We had a really fun time despite the bone chilling cold weather. Which always rears its ugly head during BI week. KJ also entered her rabbit named "Donkey" and............won 1st place!!!!!! She was so excited about getting that ribbon and being as cool as the bigger kids, I hope that this is just the first of very many ribbons.

My 4H Livestock Judging team won first place in Junior Judging this week! I was very excited. Jason Martin, Eric Grant, Mike Johnson and Joe really trained this team and I couldn't be more excited and proud for these kids!!

One of my 4Her's goats had kids the day before the show so she didn't get to show that goat but KJ is sure enjoying loving on those babies. She has named them Beans and JoJo. That just happen to be two of her nicknames :)

This poor goat broke its horn the day before the show when Joe's FFA kids where sheering but he was still going through the sale and Joe forgot to get him Friday morning. So I got nominated to bring him up there but had no where to put him...good think he is a calm goat. Just curled up in the floorboard like a dog!

A Nice Little Saturday

2011-03-26T20:03:00.000-07:00

No we didn't go to Home Depot or Bed Bath and Beyond (ha ha, what movie is that from?) but we did go ropin. This picture isn't from today but still at a ropin, last weekends, and still cute. Today we went to Shawn's and roped. They had a round robin first, Joe won first! Then they had a $5 a man ropin and Joe won first!! He roped really well and won us some money so we went to eat at our favorite Mexican place! The have a really small authentic Mexican joint in Donaphin that we just love so any chance we get to eat there we take it! All in all it was a great Saturday!

Photo Shoot

2011-03-25T20:43:00.001-07:00

Just a very few pictures from a photo shoot with Chassidy. You can see the rest on my FB page. KJ was really good for this shoot and she was able to get some great pictures!!

"My Best Friend Ever"

2011-03-23T08:34:00.000-07:00

Keelee Jo just loves Jack. She talks about him all the time. Well its spring break for Joe and since all the kids that go to Mrs. Linda's are teachers kids Mrs. Linda takes a spring break too. So today KJ is going to Jack's Grandma's house to hang out with them today. She told us last night that she couldn't wait to see her "best friend ever" Joe called me when he dropped her off and said that when they pulled up Jack came running out and started jumping up and down and she smiled real big and ran up to him and grabbed his hand and they took off running. They are so stinkin cute!

Prayer Requests

2011-03-19T20:20:00.000-07:00

I don't think people really understand how quickly your life can change. I have had a few friends lately really going through the worst possible situations that you can imagine and it really makes you reflect on your life and how truly blessed you are. One of my friends lost her Husband at the beginning of the year. She was 8 months pregnant with their 2nd child when it happened. I can not imagine, being pregnant, giving birth and raising a child, two for that matter, without your best friend, partner and soul mate. She has been struggling understandably and really needs prayers.

Another set of friends that I graduated with got married and had a set of twins. They actually had another pregnancy first that they lost late and had to bury that child. Then they had a set of twins that would be getting close to two now. Ramsey and Evie are there names. They put there sweet girls to sleep one night and everything was fine then went to get them in the morning and Evie was dead. At 18 months old. They think she had meningitis. She was the most beautiful happy girl and I can't imagine the hurt that Alicia and Jonathan are going through. Not to mention sweet Ramsey without her twin sister. They said that she talks to her pillows and dolls like they are Evie. I read there blog and ball my eyes out and wonder how they go on. How do they continue to live there life? How do they stay so faithful? Please pray for this precious family! http://threedoodles.blogspot.com/

This is a story I heard about from another friends blog and as I read about Lucy and her struggle with cancer I just wish I could help this sweet girl, and the only thing I can do is pray for her, her healing and her family's faith and trust in God to handle her challenges. Please pray for Lucy! http://erikandkatekrull.blogspot.com/

I think alot of times you get wrapped up in life and the day to day hustle and bustle that you really don't stop and just thank God for everything that he is given you because it can all be taken away so fast. When we lost my cousin Christie one week before Christmas 3 years ago it was devastating. For our whole family. Her and Terry had not been married long and they were so fun to be around. They were an awesome couple and so in love. They were best friends and did everything together. It was so unfair and I remember thinking why is the rest of the world still going on? People worrying about their clothes, or their hair, or how slow someone is driving on the road. Who cares! I just lost one of my favorite people in the whole world and will never see her again on earth. Its so hard to understand why things happen. I know that my Uncle Steve still struggles with the loss of his daughter, how could you not? I know that my cousin Michael still struggles with loosing his sister. I can not imagine the loss a parent would feel for a child. Parents should never out live a child right? Most people know but those of you who don't, Joe lost his Mom when he was young. She had cancer. He will tell stories about her and talk about her or go visit her grave and I am just amazed at his strength. How did he do it, his Sister, his Brother, his Dad? They are so strong. I don't know how I would have gotten through that. I know you never get over it, you learn how to move on because you have to. I have been with Joe 10 years this November and have seen him cry 2 times. Both about his Mom. I can't imagine the hurt that he and his family have been through. Some times I know he misses her more than anyone who has never been through that could ever understand. Especially now that KJ is around. KJ knows who Grandma Judy is and Joe tells her stories about his Mom. Its important for KJ to know what kind of person she was and how she was able to raise such an amazing man even through all her challenges.

Please pray for these families. I pray them and for the health and safety of my family and do not ever want to know what life is like without my very best friend or our daughter. She is the product of a perfect miracle from God all because two people fell in love...

Random Nights at the Kissin S

2011-03-16T18:59:00.000-07:00

We have been so busy lately and have had something to do almost every night for the last month. Seriously, its insane. We went to Cowboy Church about a month ago on a Tuesday night for there mid week service and they always do a potluck dinner before the preaching. So, I pulled out The Pioneer Woman Cookbook and made her homemade Pico, then homemade Guacamole and added them to a 7 layer taco dip. It was good! There was only about a spoonful to take home so I am gonna assume everyone else like it too!

My sweet little Elise, getting some exercise

This was the first day we turned her out of her stall. She went crazy, it was hilarious!

Hooey, cute dog, very destructive, good snuggler.

My sweet (fat) Dos

Last November when Joe won the 10pt ropin at Memphis they took his picture, so when they put him in the magazine they sent us a copy. Ropers Sports News debut, so proud!

Roping the dummy until a plane flew over, I like this picture because it looks like he is looking up talking to God. Plus he is cute :)

She crawled in her laundry basket and her favorite things and seriously tried to go to sleep, until her camera happy Mom bugged the snot out of her snapping pictures...crazy Mom.

Future Mom of the first Kissin S bucking bull

Our favorite sticks at sundown

So there you have it. The very few nights that we get to spend at home we try to hang out and do something worth taking a picture of. But, with KJ and all our wild animals picture worthy things aren't hard to come by.

WCR and FFA

2011-03-15T10:21:00.000-07:00

So I have started this free program that one of the local Jonesboro hospitals is offering. Its called Women Can Run. Its like a couch to 5K program. They are suppose to take you from a couch potato to a 5K runner in 10 weeks. Umm. Sounds impossible right? To me it does, especially for this couch potato. Anyway I started it 2 weeks ago and we are up to running 3 minutes at a time. I am not enjoying the actual act yet but enjoying the feeling when its over and the number on the scale has dropped by 10 since the first night so I really enjoy that!! I think its time to invest in a treadmill.

Friday morning KJ and I packed up and left with Joe's FFA officers and headed to Camp Couchdale for the weekend. KJ just loves the bus and has so much fun being around the older kids. She learned the phrase "hang out and talk" this weekend which is so funny to hear a 2 year old say. "Mommy can me and my friends hang out and talk?" Yes, she seriously said that! She cracks me up. Joe has really good kids this year and that is so refreshing. We really enjoyed our time at Couchdale.

We have been staying so busy with 4H Livestock stuff and FFA stuff we have something going every single night. Joe and I are both really ready for Buffalo Island to be over, 2 more weeks!

A Day {Not} To Remember

2011-03-08T11:02:00.000-08:00

I have been meaning to blog this for some time now and have just been so busy. I am going to have to give something up I just don't know what right now. Anyway the other day KJ and I just "had one of them days" here is the story:

So when I was fixing the calf bottle KJ decided to feed her fish……..when I went in there to get her she had dumped the entire new bottle of fish food in there!!!!! It completely filled the little bowl and the fish was going crazy!! Swimming super fast, crashing into the walls then he just stopped and sat up at the top of the tank. So I told her that she probably killed him because you can’t feed a fish that much. She started saying “I’m so so sorry Mommy!” “I’m so so sorry, I give you a hug Mommy!” so I just started laughing. I couldn’t help it. We were in a hurry because we had to get dinner then go to the Livestock meeting. So she wants pizza, we go to Pizza Inn. We order our drinks get our plates of food, sit down at the table, take a few bites…….she pukes. EVERYWHERE!! All over herself, all over me, all over the table, all over the bench, all over the floor. Everyone in the restaurant is staring at us…..so I ask the waitress if we can just take some food to go because when she finishes puking she starts eating her mac and cheese. She says “let me get the manager” Are you kidding me????!!!!!! We are covered in puke! Everyone is staring at us, you want to make us sit here and eat, I don’t think so!!! So she sends someone back with a box, we grab a few pieces of pizza and head out there. Run over to Old Navy, buy some new non puke covered clothes and head to my meeting with 2 minutes to spare. On the way there she eats 2 whole pieces of pizza, then drinks a sprite. Then runs around crazy at the meeting, yelling that she wants to go outside and pee in the “gas” and then gets the microphone and sings twinkle twinkle little star to everyone. Then we finally get that over with come home and she drinks a kool aid and jumps up and down on her bed then runs around the house then I force her to lay down, she cries about her fish, then Joe gets home!! Thank God!!! He sees the fish catastrophe and dumps all his water out, cleans his bowl, rescues the fish and he is alive. Oh my goodness!!!! One of those days!

I Knew It!

2011-02-18T10:40:00.000-08:00

I knew it! I tried to do one of those blogs with the pictures every day and I knew when I started it that I wouldn't be able to keep up with it, I was right. I just don't have enough time in the day to post something everyday. Oh well, I have a bunch of really cute pictures from our latest adventures that I will try to post this weekend. I lost my phone last week and then changed up our cell phone/Internet plan so I have been disconnected for a few days. I'm just so proud to see Friday is here and it looks like we are going to have fabulous weather this weekend!!

All Gods Creatures Great and Small

2011-02-12T17:19:00.000-08:00

We got a bottle calf Friday night. One of our good friends that has a heifer that had this precious calf and hated it. She would run from it and kick at it, just didn't want anything to do with it. So he called us. She is 3/4 Angus and 1/4 Longhorn and as cute as she can be. She is 5 days old today and really good about taking the bottle. We fixed up a stall for her in the barn and made her a little bed of hay. She is so cute and I am in love with her! KJ is pretty proud of her too! I love living on a farm!!!

Sock {Monkey} I mean Horse and Cow

2011-02-10T18:25:00.000-08:00

I ordered two knit hats from a lady on Facebook. Bethany5. She did a cow hat and a horse hat and think they turned out so stinkin cute!! KJ loves them and she looks absolutely adorable in them. I'm gonna get some professional pictures with them on this Saturday. Cant wait!!

This was the last picture I got tonight. She was done after 6, ha!

Showing off her hat!
She loves these hats and makes the animal nosies when she puts them on

Here is the horse hat

The back of the horse hat

She can't decided which one she likes best.

Cowboy Church

2011-02-08T17:16:00.000-08:00

KJ is into Cowboy Church. She really likes it. I think its because its so laid back. She likes to get all dolled up and go see the cowboys sing. Last Sunday she wanted to wear blue jeans so she picked out her favorite pink shirt and a belt and was ready to get her picture taken. She said "I so pretty, take me picture!" Ha! The picture at the top is at cowboy church, after the service they let all the kids come on stage and and play instruments and sing Happy Trails. She grabbed the bells and started shaking them and waving frantically at her Daddy! It was precious. We have really been enjoying cowboy church and look forward to next Sunday.

Day 4

2011-02-04T16:35:00.000-08:00

This makes Joe happy! A team roping magazine full of everything and anything you would ever want to know about roping, all across the country.

This makes me happy! A team ropers wife tells real stories about real things that happen to her and her family that only another team ropers wife can relate too. I love it!

Not ready for this...

2011-02-03T17:25:00.000-08:00

My picture for today is depressing. Today was pre k registration at Brookland Elementary. Some people are giving me grief about putting her in this early because she is only 2. But, she will be 3 this summer and wont start until August. Joe and I have thought long and hard about this. We have had many a conversation about it also. She is ready for some structure. A learning environment where she can grow and learn to express herself. She is smart. Not just because she is my kid she just is. She knows her colors and her numbers and relates things that happen to things she remembers, she is smart. She needs to be in an organized learning environment. She is ready for this. I am not.

Snuggle bunny

2011-02-02T16:52:00.000-08:00

So my picture today is of my snuggle bunny. Joe is a good snuggler and we sleep practically on top of each other. We have half the bed and the dogs have the other half. The funny thing is lately Hooey has been getting right next to me at night and sleeping with his head on my chest. I will wake up in the middle of the night and he will be laid across me or curled up in my arms. Such a sweet little snuggle bunny...and I don't even like this dog ;)

30 Day Challenge

2011-02-01T19:11:00.000-08:00

So there are quite of few of my buddies who have a 365 blog. They post a picture a day for a year. Very cool idea but I don't know that I could commit to that. I'm going to do a little 30 day challenge (well 28 or 29) however many days there are in this month. I hope to post (at least) one picture a day for the entire month of random happenings on the Kissin S Ranch. Tonight my pictures are of the newest member on farm. Meet fishy fishy fishy. He is a red beta fish. Joe had a livestock show meeting tonight so I met Mom and Steve in town for dinner with KJ. We went to a Chinese restaurant (because the only time we can go to something like that is when Joe is not with us) and they have a huge coy pond in the middle of the restaurant. KJ was amazed. She has always liked fish and it hit me tonight. I should get her a little beta fish. We ran to Petco right after dinner and they had a little tank with the food and everything you need plus the fish for $10. You can't beat that. So KJ picked a red one and we brought him home. She affectionately named him fishy fishy fishy, we will call him triple f for short, and has been watching his every move. She "put him to bed" on her desk in her room so hopefully he is still there in the morning.

Pigtails

2011-01-30T18:57:00.000-08:00

I had to throw in this picture of Hooey because he looked so cute!

KJ getting ready for cowboy church, she was so excited about it and kept telling us how pretty she was! She gets her confidence from her Daddy!!

Just like a monkey jumping on the bed
Even though she knows it I will have to say you can search the world over but I don't think you will find a little girl any cuter than this one.

The cuteness here is sometimes overwhelming :)

We have had a busy weekend running around. Today we went to cowboy church which KJ was really excited about. We have been before but not in a while so we decided to give it another try. KJ loved it! She liked the music the most. She wouldn't stay in children's church but wasn't too bad during the preaching so we let her stay with us. At the end of the service they take the kids on the stage and let them play music, she had a big time ringing bells. We also went to Missouri today to sell our horse trailer. We never dreamed that would upset her but she pitched a fit! She was crying and carrying on saying "please don't take Daddy's trailer!" it was so sad. I can't believe she really cared that much. She got over it with a bribe of a few M and M's. (Always does the trick - never a bad idea to keep a small bag around) We just made it home and she told us she was ready for nap, ha ha! Off to bed she went. Hopefully we won't be far behind her.

Hay Day

2011-01-29T15:49:00.001-08:00

KJ is never big on pictures. I bribed her to come outside and take a few pictures this afternoon and our session lasted about 2 minutes. Oh well, there are a few cute ones of our little cowgirl!

Bowling Party

2011-01-29T14:57:00.000-08:00

Keelee Jo had a bowling party to go to today. My child is a little social butterfly! She has had party after party to go to lately. We have had a monkey party, pump it up party, princess party and this bowling party all in the last 5 weeks! She loves birthdays and giving other kids presents. She is really pretty good about the whole giving and not getting situation that happens at parties and I'm sure that can be hard for a kiddo to understand. Especially one that gets everything she wants :) She had a big time bowling. She used the ramp some and threw it on her own some til she stepped over the line and busted her bottom on the lane. Then she went back to the ramp. A very fun party!

She has also been in big girl panties all day!! She has been going to the potty and hasn't had any accidents yet! So proud of my big girl! She told me today that I "Mommy, your my best friend ever!" Such a sweet girl!

Sick and Nervous

2011-01-28T18:00:00.000-08:00

One of the worst things about winter is that everyone is always sick. I hate that. We stay inside so much because its so cold outside and being sick on top of that just makes you depressed. I would never make it somewhere that's cold all the time or even just a colder longer winter. We have too much winter as it is. Last week Joe got sick, then Mrs Linda's sister passed away and I had to leave him to take care of everything because I had to go do an audit in Texas. I felt really bad about it but there was nothing I could do. KJ has had a cough for almost two weeks. We tried quite a few things for it and finally took her to the doctor this week. They said there really was nothing wrong with her. Her ears, eyes, throat, chest everything was fine. They said to start using a humidifier and gave her a steroid for 5 days. Hopefully that will take care of it. Now I'm sick so I just hoping that it doesn't get passed around. I am ready for sun and healthy folks!

Next week I have to go register KJ for pre-k...........................I seriously can't believe I just typed that. I almost broke down when I printed the registration packet off the computer. I'm so nervous about it. She wont even stay in a nursery at church so I'm really nervous that she is gonna have a hard time with the whole classroom scene. I know that she will be fine and that we are making the right decision in putting her there but I'm just really nervous about the whole thing. I just can't believe the time is already here. I am ready for her to be in a learning environment and I think that she will really enjoy it when she gets used to it. She is so social and loves learning new things but I think she will be upset the first few days which will break my heart. We still have a while to get use to the idea but with registration next week its becoming very real to me.

Why Cooking at My House Stinks!

2011-01-12T18:12:00.000-08:00

So if you have read some of my posts lately you know I got this sweet cookbook for Christmas that I have really enjoyed so far. I have made quite a few meals out of it and have really had fun in the kitchen. Well, the bad thing about that is that we have a gas stove. Some people love them. Some people don't. I am part of the some people don't crowd! We will not have a gas stove in our next house! While they do get your food hotter faster that doesn't really help you when you do all the prep work for a meal and get excited about how its going to taste then go to the kitchen and turn on the burner.........nothing! Ugh! I hate gas stoves! They always run out when you need them the most! A couple of years ago we were going to have our first Christmas dinner at our house and as we go to start our meal...yep. No gas. Let me tell you there are NO places open on Christmas that will sell gas for your stove. Anyway. Needless to say we were going to make dinner the other night and went to start the stove and surprise. No gas. So I haven't cooked in a couple of days because I haven't had a chance get our bottles refilled. Maybe this weekend.

KJ and Jack

2011-01-10T13:05:00.000-08:00

We went to Shawn's on Saturday for a little ropin. Matt came to rope so Brandy and Jack came with him. It was cold but we were really excited to have them there. Well, KJ was excited. She loves her Jack. They are 3 months apart and have known each other there whole lives. They went to Linda's together for 2 years and now Jack goes to Montessori but they still see each other occasionally. They just pick right up with each other as soon as they get together. They had a big time hanging out at the ropin.

Resolutions? Goals? A New Year!

2011-01-04T19:48:00.000-08:00

What is it about a new year that makes you re-evaluate your life? It really is just another day but everyone tends to look over there life at all the things they want to change or do different. A new job. Lose weight. Go to church. Get married. Have a baby. Be a better person. There are all kinds of people with all kinds of new year resolutions. I usually don't make any because no one ever keeps them. Yes, its a good thing to try and do those things but shouldn't we go to church and strive to be a better person every single day and not just because its a new year?

Anyone that remotely knows us, knows that Joe LOVES team roping. He eats, sleeps and breathes it. His world revolves around it. If he is not doing it he is thinking about it. If he is not thinking about it he is watching it or reading about it. He has gotten so much better since we started dating and he works hard at it every day. One of the things that he has done to get better is he always sets goals. Obtainable goals. Every practice has a goal. Every ropin has a goal. Every video or magazine he watches or reads a goal. He sets small reachable goals so that there is a point to the "exercise" and him doing this has brought his roping to another level. Every time we go to the arena even just to ride the first thing he will ask me "what is your goal for tonight?" and the last thing he will say when we are done is "did you accomplish your goal?" I always wondered why its so important to always have a goal. Can't you just ride or rope for fun? Yes, you can but the only way to get better is to set goals. It gives you something to accomplish and when you do it makes you want to try even harder to make yourself even better. That is why Joe is good now and will be even better this time next year. That is what you should do in life too. Not necessarily resolutions but goals. What are your goals for 2011? Mine are:

1. Cook more. Joe loves to cook and he is good at it but I'm sure it gets old. Sometimes you just want to come home from work and sit down and relax and I want him to be able to do that. I have been cooking quite a bit lately from my new cookbook (see post about that below) and I am really enjoying cooking and enjoying the fact that Joe likes the food!

2. Find a church home. We have been hopping church's since Temple Baptist had a preacher change. We just haven't found one we like as much as we use to like Temple. We will though!

3. Get a budget, stay on budget and start putting away some money!

4. Find a hobby. Joe has roping and I have Joe. Lol. He is a hobby just keeping up with him and mini Joe. I want to find something though that I really love that I can get into. I have been doing the ranch sorting and I love that but they aren't having another one until March. I have really been thinking about photography.

There are a few other things I'm sure that I will work on but those are on the top of the list. Joe has set some goals too (of course they all have to do with roping) and we really enjoyed having that conversation about what we want to accomplish in this new year. Good luck to everyone in there quest to better themselves this year. Happy New Year!

When you have horses and live on a farm...

2011-01-01T18:32:00.000-08:00

You have to make sure they get fed

Haul 'em to the rodeo

And you have to excercise them

The best riding partner

is always your Daddy :)

This is how we choose to ring in 2011. We hope to have alot more days doing this exact thing. Happy New Year!!

Handmade bits for sale

2011-01-01T18:11:00.000-08:00

He can make stuff too!! I posted a while ago a picture of a set of stirupps Joe made. He is now making bits and knives too. They are made out of horse shoes and rasps. Pretty cool!!

The Knife

Bar Bit - Excellent for head horses

Correction chain bit

Chain bit

Another type of correction chain bit

If you or anyone you know would be interested in any of these just let me know and I can get some prices together for ya. They are very afforable and work well!

The Only Cookbook A Cowboys Wife Needs!

2010-12-30T08:16:00.000-08:00

Pretty much since the day I got pregnant (or at least found out I was) Joe has been the chef in the house. I was so tired in the beginning and couldn't stay awake to eat much less cook. So he took over. Well he is an excellent cook (as you can tell if you have seen me lately...). He knows how to cook meat. Any type. He's got it down pat. The best part is that he likes to cook and I like to clean my kitchen so we both have a job that we like and are good at. Well, I got a cookbook for Christmas. Stephanie got it for me. Its called the Pioneer Women. She told me that she sat down and read it from cover to cover when she got it, like it was a regular book. Hmm, I started thumbing through it and she was so right. Its so easy to read and the recipes are "cowboy" food. Side note: Joe only eats meat, potatoes and bread. That's pretty much it. If its not in those categories don't count on him eating it. So its hard to get variety in our dinner menu when you have that to work with. Not with this cookbook. She is a cowboys wife, she cooks cowboy food. I love this cookbook and when I got done reading it I wanted more! Check it out!

She has a website that I follow now where she writes all kinds of things. She is a big city girl that married a cowboy and became a ranch wife in Oklahoma. I just love her stories and while we don't live on a big ranch and raise cattle for a living (not until we hit the lottery and get to quit our day jobs) I can relate to lots of her stories. So after getting through this cookbook I have been inspired to start cooking more. I really have never had the desire to cook and I think over the last few days I figured out why: #1) I love a clean kitchen, I can't stand a nasty one. I can't even go to sleep if I know my kitchen is dirty. The rest of the house could be like the aftermath of a tornado but as long as my kitchen is clean then I am at peace with the world. When you cook you can't have that feeling. You have to get dirty. Dirty dishes, dirty counters, dirty hands, dirty pots and pans and a full trash can just go hand in hand with cooking a good meal. Once I was able to accept that I would have to make a mess to get a good meal I really enjoyed cooking last night.
#2) I'm afraid it won't be any good, I'm sure this is allot of peoples fear for not trying new things etc. is they are afraid it will be horrible. I hate that feeling. What if this sucks?? Get over it. That's what I told myself. If is sucks we will run up to McDonald's. You never know until you try right? So I figured out that I can do it!! I made fried round steaks (recipe off her website) corn and mac and cheese (because that is my sweet baby's favorite) and it was really good!! I made a giant mess in the kitchen and didn't even feel bad about it. All 3 of us really enjoyed our food Joe enjoyed getting to relax and not have to cook. It was awesome. Joe and I are going to have a biscuit war soon, we are currently looking for judges, battling it out for who can make better homemade biscuits. I am making her pot of beans and skillet fried cornbread this weekend. I'm super excited about that. I don't know who is enjoying this gift more, me or Joe :)

Christmas 2010

2010-12-29T18:36:00.000-08:00

This post will be sad and lonely because there are no pictures. There are no pictures because my Internet is so S.L.O.W!!!! We have an AT & T card and get good reception but I guess its just not meant to be fast. Its annoyingly slow that when I tried to add 2 pictures it took 30 minutes and then timed out. Ugh! So this post will not have photos and will continue to not have photos on my blog unless I use Internet somewhere else or we change services. I actually called someone today about new service and they tell me there is a "jump" on our road and they think it actually skips over our house. Of course it does. This whole thing is so ridiculous anyway because its not like we live way out in the country anymore. I say anymore because 9 years ago when I met Joe I would have told you he lived in the country. Now, with the way Jonesboro and Paragould have grown we are practically in town. It doesn't take any time anymore to get to "town" Its actually very sad. One of these days we will have a place in the country, with no neighbors!! Anyway, jumping off my soapbox because this post is not at all about how much this town has grown or how crappy our Internet service is. This post is about Christmas, so here it goes!

We were so blessed and excited to get to spend Christmas at our house this year! This is the first time we have ever gotten to do that. We usually go to Memphis, Little Rock or Tunica at least once over the short holiday but we were so lucky this year that everyone came to us! Chad and Steph came in town and its always good to get to hang with them. We only get to see them about 2 or 3 times a year so we were glad that they were here with us for Christmas. They came over early Christmas morning along with Pappy, MiMi and Nana to watch KJ open her presents. She got a battery operated tractor and a stuffed cow with some bottles from Santa and an unbelievable amount of other great presents. The funny thing is that she reacted totally differently then we all thought she would. We thought she would run in there and start talking about everything she got and just be so excited...it didn't happen like that. Joe and I went to get her out of her bed and took her in the living room and as soon as she saw all of the people she just buried her head in my chest and would not move. She stayed that way for a good 5 to 10 minutes which to me felt like 1 hour. She finally came out of her shyness and got into her presents. She got allot of super cool Jessie stuff from Aunt Sis and Uncle Chad and some clothes, movies and toys from us. After we got all her stuff open Mom and Nana left then we did Christmas with the Smith's/Murphy's. Joe cooked a big meal and we all had a great time. After they left late that afternoon we cleaned up the house a bit and then had Mom, Nana, Jerry, Kim and Kaylee over to do our Christmas. Joe cooked breakfast for supper and we opened presents and enjoyed there company til late that night. After they left we cleaned up again, crashed, then got up the next morning and did it all over again! My Dad and his clan, Uncle Steve and Deanna, Jerry and his crew, Grandma, Michael, Mom and Nana all came over to do that side of Christmas. We did a potluck type dinner and opened presents again.

We had a great time with each celebration that we did. I told Joe after it was over I wasn't gonna clean the house for a week. All we had done was clean then party then clean then party then clean then party then clean. Whew. I'm tired just typing that. All in all it was a great Christmas and we are so blessed to have such a great family and the opportunity to spend some quality time with them. By the time the two days were over KJ had really gotten into opening gifts. She kept saying "I want another one, I want another one" She got allot of great stuff. I will try to recap what everyone got...

KJ - Clothes (lots and lots of clothes (which is a good thing because she needed them) she got Jessie clothes, cowgirl clothes, pj's, long sleeve shirts, a really cute jumpsuit and a sweet dress) she also got Toy Story dishes, placemat, cups, a puzzle, 2 Jessie dolls, movies, Toy Story characters, a bucking bull toy, bucking horses toys, a bull hauler truck, a giant blow up jumper and a my little pony with a bottle. I am sure there is much much more but I can't think of all of it right now.

Joe - A giant TV from me and a cowhide for the rodeo room, he got jeans (which he too really needed) a sweet Cinch vest, some movies, a fryer and a toaster oven (which he had really been asking for) pj's and a DVD player

Me - The sweetest pair of boots that you have ever seen (one day I will post of picture of these but you know...the whole grandma slow Internet...) they are corral (my fav boots in the world) zebra striped sting ray!! OMGoodness, they are beautiful and I love them!! I also got a camera, Kodak easy share, which I so desperately needed. There aren't hardly any pictures of KJ in 2010 because I broke the camera I got for Christmas last year in about February. I also got a movie, pj's, a breakaway video and rope, some bath and body works stuff and a super cute necklace and matching earrings.

Dos and Hooey - They both got a new dog toy (which Dos demolished the first day) and a bag of "cowboy steaks" for dogs of course.

The Horses - They all got dewormer, they were so happy :)

We all racked up this year and are so blessed. We really tried to make sure KJ knew why we celebrated Christmas in the first place. On Christmas Eve we baked cupcakes for Jesus' birthday and left them for Santa to help up celebrate. We read her the Christmas story out of the Bible for bedtime story and thanked God for that day during her prayers. We will do our best to make sure she knows the Lord and has a relationship with him throughout her life. That is the greatest gift you can give a child!!

Heavy Heart

2010-12-12T18:40:00.000-08:00

Today I have been back in forth through emotions. My great-grandmother past away this morning at the age of 100. She truly was the most amazing women I will ever know. She was married to her very best friend for I think 52 or 53 years before he passed away but has lived I think almost 32 years with out him. They got married young and had 4 children. I never knew Taw (her Husband) but the stories I have heard and the love she still expressed for him 30 years after his death confirms he was something special. Granny was the head of our family in every sense of the word. She lead our family with the most amazing faith in the one person who could provide all the blessings we have been given. Her love for God was evident in everything she did. She was always willing to help anyone, never talked down to anyone, never gossiped or poked fun at people and was always willing to listen to anything you had to say then offer kind words of advice or wisdom when you needed it. I remember growing up and having her there Christmas morning to share in our joy and excitement. She was an excellent cook. One of my favorite memories was when I first moved to Jonesboro I would go visit her, she would help me do my laundry, and cook dinner. Home grown vegetables from her garden and whatever else she decided to whip up. It would be by far the best meal I had in weeks. And she was doing this at the age of 92 and 93. She sold door to door Avon until she was 94 years old. She had tremendous strength in all facets of life and an unbelievable work ethic. I can not even try to list all the best memories or things that I think are great about her because it would take all day and I would still be leaving something out. In the spring before I had Keelee Jo she broke her hip. She was 98. I went to visit her in the hospital and remember getting so upset because I didn't think she was going to get over something like that at that age. I desperately wanted her to meet our daughter and remember praying every night to let her make it to meet my beautiful baby then the Lord could take her. He answered that prayer with more then I ever dreamed of. He gave us two more glorious years with her and KJ got to develop a relationship with her. She got to spend some time with her at her 100th birthday celebration in July of this year and then again at Thanksgiving and I am so thankful for that time. I have always been inspired by the love that Granny and Taw had. Love like that is really hard to find in this day and age. People don't stay together anymore, I don't know why. Times get tough, people don't want to stick it out, people are easily led astray, they get bored, they get to busy, they aren't in love in the first place. I don't know what the answer is. I know that Taw was her best friend while they were married and I know that he was her best friend this morning when she left us to be with him. I am so proud for her getting to go be with the Lord and Taw for her 100th Christmas. I can't think of a better gift then to be reunited with her very best friend for the rest of eternity. They are true love. They are what makes you believe in marriage. I know that Joe is my very best friend and I know he will hold that spot in my heart for the rest of my life. I hope that when we leave this earth people will be able to say our love was true love.

I also learned this weekend of one of my high school friends who lost a baby. I haven't talked to her in a long time but I keep up with her family through there blog and she had the most adorable twin girls. One of them passed away in there sleep a few days ago. This is the second baby they have had to bury. I can't imagine what that sweet family is going through right now and I pray that I never know there pain. Please pray for this precious family that they will lean on God to try and cope with what has happened to them and will somehow find a way to get through this horrible time.

Merry Christmas Cowgirls

2010-12-08T13:09:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas from the sweetest cowgirl ever!! We have been working on re-doing Joe's man cave and in the process of cleaning it out we found Joe's chaps from when he was a baby! KJ loved them!! Pranced around the house all night and the next day and could not have been any cuter, she said "take a picture, we have to show Sis" she is the coolest kid in the world!

In the Christmas Spirit

2010-11-30T13:31:00.000-08:00

Christmas is going to be so much fun this year!! Last year was fun but this year Keelee Jo is really starting to figure it all out and its so exciting to her (us)! We decorated the tree the day after Thanksgiving and she LOVED it!! She helped put the ornaments on and picked a cowgirl ornament out of the box and has played and played with that thing for a week now! She won't put it on the tree. I love our tree too! We put the rope and lights on it like we have every year, then have the barb wire star at the top with Joe's spurs (the ones with our brand) then we hung all (well not all because he has like 20) but some of Joe's buckles on the tree from the rope and it looks so good. I love it!! For sure the coolest tree we have ever had! We are getting KJ a riding tractor as her big present and of course tons of little stuff. She asked for a baby cow but I haven't been able to find any bottle calves so Santa might not pull that one off...we are going to make cupcakes Christmas Eve for Santa to help us celebrate Jesus' birthday. We want to make sure KJ understands the real reason for the Holiday. Sometimes we all need a reminder. We are going to have an awesome Christmas!!

Potty Training 101

2010-11-22T12:23:00.000-08:00

We started hard core potty training last week. KJ does really good actually. Its easier then I thought it would be. If I could get over my fear of public restrooms it would be even easier. There is just something about them though...She will pee and poop (TMI, I know but that's how you roll when you have a 2 year old, those words are in just about every conversation!) on the potty no problem. For the most part she will tell you when she has to go and sometimes she will tell you she has to go and just sit there. Sometimes she forgets and goes in her pull up but that is to be expected. She is doing really well! She gets a sticker every time she goes and she really looks forward to that. She is in pull ups all the time now except night time. Most every morning she wakes up dry but we will leave her in a diaper for a while I'm sure just to be on the safe side.

On a less personal note :) we are really ready for Thanksgiving. Joe and I are both ready for some time off!! He gets out Wednesday thru Friday and I'm off Thursday and Friday but we will take what we can get. I'm ready for sleeping in and family time. We don't have too much planned, other then visiting family and getting some stuff done around the house but it will be nice to have a break from work, for both of us. We need to start Christmas shopping, only 33 days!