Flowers from Heaven

Meg, 

This evening we went over to the farm, and as you ran out into the flowers you said, "Oh Mom, Look!  God made all these flowers just for me to blow."

I hope you'll always find the flowers in the weeds.  God made them just for you!

Love,   Mom

The Girls

Today was a good picture taking day.  The stinking boys went to the stinking farm with their Dad and Uncle Don, so it was it just us girls.

Kelcie and Megan neither one hesitate to seize the opportunity to have their picture taken.  It's a bit harder these days though because they have to pose, smile, fake it, swing it and hip it.  I have the hardest time catching any kind of natural smiles with them, and of course they're in it together! 

Then the "girliness" in them comes out.  Weeds!  You want me to walk through those weeds?!!!  Then the "itichiness" starts and we're pretty much done.  Once you itch ... it's over you know!

So these have to do.  It's my fix for the next couple of weeks until they're together again.

A Cow Round-Up!

Whilst the boys were out chasing cows on four-wheelers with their Dad and their Uncle Don, "Miss I can't get dirty in the barn" wanted her picture taken.  She was lacking some attention while the other two sides of her triangle was chasing the cows that got out. 

Here she is ... and here's the story:

Like always, a trip to the barn is in order on our way home.  The climax of their day is to hit the barn and check out the happenings while they were gone.  You never know if a new baby has been born, or if they'll be the star of a rodeo when they get there.  Just so happens, the star of the day was a sick cow, and the boys jumped right in to help treat her. 

They were all hands on handing in the pills and syringe that housed a giant sized needle.  The pills weren't anything to ignore either.  They looked liked giant sweet-tarts and they used a medicine tube to get them in her.  The medical aspect of this farm still amazes me.  I've been a people nurse way too long and just can't grasp this end of things.

They also get to ride home with their Dad from the barn to the house ... and that is when it happened.

It was Round Up Time!  One of the pastures of cows had escaped and the boys helped round them up.  Just in the eight years I've been here, times have changed.  Von used to chase them on foot or else drive his old black pickup truck through the pasture.  These days .... it's a race on 4-wheelers and a big whooping it up because the cows don't like the noise.  If I was a cow, I definitely wouldn't want to be playing chicken with a wild man and a loud kid on a four wheeler!  Don and Jay on one ... and Von and Sam on the other. 

So I stood outside to try to get a few pictures of the round up ... and instead had a little mini shoot with the Princess!  She didn't realize it, but while she was standing there posing and complaining, she was surrounded by clumps of cow poop.  You see, we were standing in the gravel right in front of the barn gate, and if you can imagine before Photoshop .... that little brown clump by her left ear was a pretty big chunk of fresh poop!

My Muse

This morning .... I talked Meg into letting me take a few pictures of her.  She let me.  Totally against her will until I bribed her with HM (Hannah Montana) lip gloss in every color.  She is now smart enough to know that she is the only other female here besides me, and I desperately need her.  Not only does she tell me what she wants so that I can use and abuse her, she now tells me how many and what colors.  She has learned, and I don't like it.

We stood out in the middle of our road for that shot .... and she was totally degraded to be out there in broad daylight with only an undershirt on and a little pettiskirt.  I have to admit, I grit my teeth and smile and pretend that I like her when I'm taking her picture or else she's likely to stomp off in the house.  I think I see the writing on the wall ... my little muse is leaving me.  High and dry, and I'm so bummed.  I live one picture at a time with her .... Oh, the perils! 

Then I begged for more.  This one is going to cost me perfume ... and don't think for one minute that I can forget either.  The girl remembers and keeps a running list ... and she never forgets details.

I'll be visiting the Dollar Tree tomorrow for a bag of goodies that I can pull out when I need my muse fix.  I know that someday she'll look back on these and love them ... but for now, Hannah Montana has something more than I have. I don't have lip gloss with my picture on it in fifteen different flavors and colors ... 'sigh'.

Meg - A Princess Shoot

This evening we had an incident. Jay Pee'd on the Princess and it did not go over well. Actually, he Pee'd in a cup outside and threw it on her. Sam laughed to see such a sight and the dog ran away with the spoon .... not really, but it sounded good didn't it? The first part is true. Jay did throw Pee on her, and Sam did laugh, but not until she came crying into the house.

We do not like those stinking boys tonight. Words spoke straight from the heart we say!

So after a long hot bubble bath, we went up to Meg's room, dressed up in wedding clothes and had a little photo shoot, all by ourselves. We're practicing how to look beautiful, and how to be good for Joey and Mariah's wedding coming up in two weeks. We practiced smiling .... A LOT!

Here's an artsy fartsy vintage version. I think I love this one.

... and here's just Meg, while she relived the story telling of how she got Pee all over her, and how much she does not like those boys right now.

I don't blame her. I'm willing to trade them in for new models this evening ... but I'm the Mom, and I'm stuck with them!

102.8 = Hot

Hot?  Very.  But not Hot as in Haaught, Cool, Chic or RockStar Hot.  Just Hot as in ... sick.  Well, she is a RockStar most of the time .. but not today she says!

Today she was running a 102.8 temp and was a bit lethargic, and being Friday and right before a weekend, and no doctor availability except the ER or a MEC, we opted to take her in.

My girl has a very bad severe case of Strep and a full body Scarlet Fever Rash ... even on her toes.  She's as speckled as a dalmation pup with a sandpaper like rash all over.  She's not eating ... not drinking and not peeing much, and just not as peppy as normal.

But when the Doctor stepped out, we pulled out my little "point and shoot" camera that I always have in my purse and she pepped it up, boogied and posed a bit!

You know what they say ....  "Once a RockStar ... always a ROCKSTAR!"

Please send a few prayers her way everyone ... she's pretty under the weather tonight!

Dear Meg - "Can I Smell your Butt?"

Dear Meg,

Today you're four and all wrapped up in meanness as you grow into this world. This letter to you is for when you're forty-four, have children or possibly grandchildren ... and when you think there is no way that they can embarrass you ... I want them to have read this and give it their best shot!

Today, we were at Best Buy. We had to pay for appliances ... and you can't just do that in the Refrigerator, Stove and Freezer department. No, we had to get the prices, the paperwork ... and go to customer service.

For thirty minutes, we had to go to customer service. In the line that everyone else in the store was in ... the one where at least sixty-seven people stood with their paperwork in hand and not happy to be there.

Did we know that it would take that long? No. Did we know that you three would get bored and show your butt? Yes. But we were in the middle of the line with half the people in front of us ... and the disgruntled half behind us.

For entertainment, the three of you climbed up and laid down side by side on a stack of "guitar heroes" ... and you pretended to go to sleep and you pretended snoring ... and yes, it was kind of cute in a kid sort of way. Then suddenly you began to fight ... and Jay rolled you off onto the floor and you got up and shoved him and we had to separate you. THEN, you did it.

When you had everyone's attention that stood in that line, you said, "Ewwww Mom ... did you fart? Can I smell your butt?" ...... and I wanted to choke you and rip your tongue out of your mouth and put it in my pocket until we left the store. ... and not only did you say it, you did it. You sniffed and snorted and gagged and choked and danced circles around me while I was trying to get your attention to shut you up.

... and yes sister, you got your brothers attention as well ... and yes, you got them to join in, and I wanted to drag the three of you across the floor and out the door through the snowy parking lot and throw you in the van. Did I? No ... and only because we were going to be next in line.

So Meg ... down the road when I'm long gone from this earth, I'll be watching over you from Heaven and I'll be sending vibes to your children or grandchildren, and I hope they do the same thing to you. Even though you'll not remember doing this as a kid ... you will someday read these words, and I'm sure you'll laugh and get the biggest kick out of it ... probably as much as you did today!


Afterall, this is why I blog ... kind of like a time capsule ... only it's not buried, it's here, and it's real ... your real life!

Love,

Mom

Girl Time

This afternoon Meg finally decided to venture outside with the boys ... all decked out for a winter snow storm.  Actually this coat is an old one from my Brother's little girlies.  After seeing this picture I snapped I think I like it ... for pictures that is!

It's cold outside baby!  The boys bundled up and braved the chill and helped their Dad blow leaves and pick up sticks.  They had a big old fire going down by the barn!

Meg, on the other hand, wouldn't stick her precious little nose out the door until I mentioned pictures and modeling and twirling and such ... then she jumped into hyper-mode and out the door we went.  For two minutes!  Two!

Like the snow in the picture?   It's not real .... just photoshop!  But it's coming, and it will be way too soon for me!  I don't like the cold ....  brrrr!

Tonight I'll post a few pictures of the boys outside today!

Dear Megan

Dear Megan,

It just doesn't seem possible does it?  You're four years old now ... and you think you're so grown up.  In retrospect to how small you were four short years ago when you were born, weighing almost 3 lbs, you are big.

Last night you clung to me.  Every move I made ... you were there.  Underfoot, beside me, on me ... and with me.  You're always with me.  Even when we're apart ... you're with me.  You wanted to help me and we made a game out of it ... you unloaded the dishwasher, picked up the laundry and you even washed the kitchen floor.  I was right there with you ... and I saw you in a different light.  Right before my eyes, you transformed from the baby girl I delivered back then ... to a beautiful little girl that is growing up fast.

We hardly spoke to each other, as you were so involved in your task.  I couldn't help but stand back and smile at you as I watched you, and as I assigned you more work to do.  It wasn't that I wanted you to do my work ... you're only four years old, but, it was that I wanted us to be together.

For the first time, you and I had that same unspoken sense that you have with your brothers.  We didn't need to speak.  Your eyes said everything ... you love me, like you should ... I'm your Mother, and we were spending good time together. 

I love you Meg ... more than you can know right now ... but I'm sure less than you'll think in a few years and certainly when you have a child of your own.  It's amazing how love grows and how much I love you more and more every day. 

Every day turns into something even more wonderful being your Mother ... and I want to thank you for making my job easy.  You're only four now.  I can't even imagine how this will feel when you're eight ... or all grown up at twenty-two.  I love you no more than your brothers and your sister ... but you are one of the greatest blessings that was bestowed upon me ... and for that I'm so very grateful.

Meg, I'm looking forward to many more years being your Mother ... and I have many plans for us.  The very same plans I had for your sister ... and the very same things that I'll do with you.  Juli still remembers ... and so will you.  It's called love, and it's beautiful!

Love,

Mom

The Girls

A photo op. That's what I always have when Kelcie and Meg get together. They love the white fur and they love love love the camera.

I ask Meg who Juli was and of course she said that she was her sister ... but I ask again who Kelcie was and as always, "she's my best friend." Stinkpots they are, with a wild case of the giggles!

It's just very cool that Meg's best friend is her niece. Meg kept telling me that I'm Kelcie's Grandma but I'm her Mommy .... but then she kept calling me "Grandma Tannie" and Kelcie was calling me "Mommy." Funny funny girlies!

Meg

Just practicing for when she's going to be a super-star rolling around on the fur and posing kind of woman! Just ask her. For now though, most shots were straight up her nose and booger shots!

It's just too cute how she acts, and we don't have a clue where it's coming from!

Watch Out ... for "The Look"

This is what I get when I point the camera in her face a little too often or when she's not in the mood! She's NOT been in the mood lately!

I get "The Look."

The Princess and the Four Wheeler

This evening, the Princess grew wings. Pink wings and a little pink tutu that she bought with her very own dollar.

... and she called herself "Hanna OnTanna" as she twirled and sang as she danced down the sidewalk.
She was in her own Princess world ....

until a beautiful red carriage drove by.
Then she shed her wings.

... and jumped on.
There is no room for girlie things when you have a apple tree and a barn full of cows down the road.

Bye Princess .... see you later!

You're My Best Friend

Tonight we went down the road to the neighbor's house to a jewelry party. Just for girls. The neighbor's daughter is Meg's best friend and best playmate, and she was the hostess.

Wanna play Tootsie best friend??? My little girl loves her best friend very much. Her best friend has been very involved since Meg was born. In fact, she was there when Meg was born, and will be here for many years to come.
About a week ago we realized that Meg's new dress was almost just like her best friend's dress, and of course we love to play dress up.

So this evening, Meg's bestest friend changed her clothes and out the door they went to have a little photo session with Amanda. Amanda played photographer and I played editor after I swiped her SD card :), and we ended up with some pretty amazing images to print for the girls.

This best friend is getting married next year and Meg will get to be in her wedding. We're practicing already! We're going to miss you out here on the farm Laura! Make sure you come back often so we can play some more. It's a girl thing you know, and we are the girls!
Thanks Laura for being Meg's best friend and cousin, and for giving her someone wonderful to look up to for the rest of her life! Mainly, thanks for taking the time to always play!

Bee Stings

Cute little guy huh? He might be, but his real life cohorts aren't so cute.

Yesterday evening when I got home, it was so hot we decided to play in the water hose and fill up the pool for the Little's. When suddenly, a swarm of Wasps attacked Meg and stung her multiples times.

They literally attacked her, and only her. She was stung on her face, chest, arms and legs. Needless to say, after a visit to the Emergency room and a shot in the leg of Decadron, all turned out well for her. Thank goodness, to be stung that many times, it was her first sting ... the second sting is usually the worst because your body has built up proteins that cause a worse reaction.

As we were getting ready to leave for the hospital, I had to go back out onto the porch to get the boys shoes, and the nasty little critters stung my hand in several places, got my ankle and my arm. I think for some reason those bees have it in for us! Ouch.

So this morning, Marlboro Man is out there armed with a garden hose, a can of Hornet spray and has on a coat! Should I take a picture???

Be Blessed Everyone.

**Added** - The Bee's are gone. All three nests of them under the porch!

Jesus and Wal-Mart

Tonight Von read a farming magazine to the boys and I sat on the couch and read a goodnight prayer book to Meg. The same one that we read almost every night. It's her favorite, and she has most of the stories memorized.

Meg gets really animated when she's telling a story and tonight she kept telling me that Jesus was a girl and she (Meg) had to be really good because "she" could see every thing and "she" wouldn't like it.

How do you explain to a three year old, so that they understand, that we believe Jesus is a "he?" This little girl is so firm in what she believes. She kept telling me, "No Mommy, Jesus is a girl ... just like me." With both hands open and stomping her foot in a voice that enunciates every syllable.

How do you keep from laughing when she's just so darn cute when she thinks she's right? By the time I finally gave it up .... Jesus was wearing pony tails, a pink dress and had makeup on and her toes polished. She also had a purse with Tinker Bell on it that she got from Wal-Mart, with a mirror and lipstick in it ... and guess what she had on her feet? Yep, flip flops and they were yellow!

I am still laughing ... because I am picturing Jesus this way and it just ain't right!

Be Blessed Everyone.

Farm Princesses

Oh how they love each other. More than I know. Kelcie and Megan are more than niece and aunt ... they are best friends. We have a whole wardrobe of princess clothes for when they are together, and they transform right before our eyes. I feel totally excluded in their world ... when they're together.

They love to match and to look alike. They love to trade shoes and touch each other's hair. They love to laugh and do girls things and they burst into giggles about the boys. They live in their own world ... when they're together.

They don't see each other as much anymore. Kelcie has moved a little further away, and goodbyes between these sweet kindred spirits are getting a little harder to say. They're both almost four years old and I hope for all of their lives, that they're close and love each other.

Kelcie and her Mommy are getting married in August and we've been busy planning and doing, and getting and making. Kelcie and Megan will walk down the aisle together in front of Juli, and they'll hold hands and throw flower petals. I'm sure these two will giggle and do it their way.

Be Blessed Everyone.

My Chick

My little chick has been having a rough time of it lately. I think she's feeling left out. So this evening we had a special photo shoot and she posed and modeled all over the yard. She loves pretty little girly things, so I bought her two pairs of flip flops that light up when she walks. You should see her strut!
When I look at her, I just can't believe that this little girl came into this world weighing less than three pounds, and now she's opinionated and bossy and wants everything her way.

A couple of evenings ago we went to Juli's new house to help her decorate the walls. Megan wanted to spend the night with Kelcie ... but I just couldn't let her go yet. It's not that I don't trust my older daughter, but Meg just isn't ready yet to stay away from home .. or is it Mommy, that's just not ready to let her go???

Be Blessed Everyone.

Little Miss Perfect

Isn't she? Little Miss Perfect. Her shirt says it all. She ask me what the words say on her shirt. When I told her, she said to me, "we are ... you and me, and Jesus, and the boys."

It's funny how kids can change the meaning of something so simple as a few words on a shirt to something that has such a great meaning. Through her innocent eyes of youth, and in the eyes of Jesus ... she is. Little Miss Perfect.

Be Blessed Everyone.

Fruitful Friday

Meg is my daughter. Kelcie is my Grand Daughter. They both are three. This evening they were fairy princesses, and they loved every moment of it ... and each other.
They walked. I followed. Hand in hand and together. They took my breath away and at times I couldn't see for the tears in my eyes. How can one heart be so full?

They told secrets and they whispered to each other.
Then they danced. With each other. Barefooted in the grass.

.... and they twirled. They were Ballerina's. Today.

Best friends. Forever.
They saw me. ... and they were so shy, and they giggled.

Then Kelcie had to go home, and Meg was so sad. Their fairytale for today came to an end. .... until the next time.

I am still amazed that one woman can have this life ... and bear this fruit. I am just so blessed ... don't you think?

(Click the pictures)