A 1,000 pound addition

Meet Boston. The newest addition to our clan. Cowboy had some diappointment with finding a horse this spring; and then his amazing wife found this guy. Cowboy's always wanted a buckskin gelding; and now he has one. He arrived at Cowboy's work yesterday; so Paige and I went out after work to meet him. He is very gentle and I like him. I don't really like horses; so that is a high complement. Cowboy was going to move bulls with him today; so hopefully they had a good day together and meshed well. I haven't gotten any calls that an ambulance was needed yet so that must be a good sign.

Girls Weekend

I am blessed and get to have a girls weekend at least once a year with some amazing ladies I went to school with. Whats even better is that we stay in touch with each other and several of them I speak to on a very frequent basis. Its nice to not lose touch with wonderful people. My friend Sarah and I met up in Dickinson on Friday and began the quest to the flatland of Fargo to meet up with other gals. We ate out, visited, cuddled the newborn little Lucas and had a really nice time catching up with everyone. Thanks to all who journeyed from out of town to gather and thanks to those in town who made time to see us and opened up their homes.

On the flip side of that, it was a dreary rainy day to come home on. But Sarah and I are definetely western ND ladies, as once we were west of Bismarck and traffic thinned, we both felt a little closer to home and enjoyed the hills we have compared to the flatland. I had to smile after she dropped me off at my vehicle, as one of the first things I saw was a guy in a cowboy hat--no one I knew, but it made me feel better as I knew I was getting closer to home!

Must be a soccer player

This afternoon I was relaxing in the living room while Paige napped; trying to not feel bad for sitting and reading instead of cleaning. The baby is active--I'd say super active compared to Paige. I am sitting there and he's moving/kicking and I noticed I could see my stomach move when he moved. Not a whole lot, but enough. Cowboy hasn't been able to feel the movement when he puts his hand on my stomach yet, but apparently we should be at that point now if I saw it. Its the craziest sensation. If it keeps up at this rate, I will have one tough stomach from all this kicking!

Version 2.0 Boy

We had our ultrasound today and I am a few days away from being 21 weeks. Paige, Cowboy, Mom and myself were in attendance. We didn't know how Paige would handle it so Gramma was on call to go with us and if Paige got to be a pest, she would take her. She sat like a champ on her Dads lap and just watched. She held my hand for part of the time and I learned afterwards when she didn't want to leave me that she told Gramma she was sort of worried the doctors were going to hurt her mom. All is well, all features looked good and normal on the photos--and we learned its going to be a boy! We were a split crew on what we wanted, but as long as we are all looking healthy that's most important. Cowboy is beyond thrilled though! Above are the pictures they gave us; one standard and 4 of the creepy 3D pictures. It looked alot clearer on the screen than the pictures, but its still nice to see a little face.

Regifting

Isn't amazing how you can think of a person or place and one item pops up in your head before the other memories come flooding in? If not, I guess its just me! This little green object above is the item I think of when I think of my late gramma and going to her house. Odd huh? This little pear is a toothpick holder that sat on her kitchen table for more years than I am alive. I wish now I knew the story behind it--where she got it and how long ago. All those years of going to Gramma's house and eating countless meals at her house make me think of this little guy. My grandfather always had a toothpick in his mouth so it makes me think of both of them. I knew you had to be a 'big kid' to touch it, as little kids can't use toothpicks. Its odd also that it took me 25 years to realize this is a pear!

My mom received this item from Gramma's kitchen and gave it to me yesterday as a 'regift' for my birthday. Cowboy didn't quite understand my delight over something so small until he realized it was grammas. It is small, but it makes me smile every time I look at and that's whats important. Who says regifting is a bad idea?! Sometimes its the best idea.

Matt

This is Matt. Its been a while since he's been featured so I figured he deserved a photo op. It was his day of beauty on Sunday and he got his hooves trimmed, mane combed out, and a good brushing. He also got the saddle put on him for the first time in months. Poor guy. All this was done courtesy of this guy.

Most of you are aware of this guy. However, I looked at him on Sunday and just laughed. "Could you look like any more of a cowboy?" I asked him. He just looks at me like "whatever." He doesn't realize his everyday attire is considered a costume by some. I know each piece has a function and is used--but there are days I think back to that guy in high school I fell in love with. Yeah, he wore Wrangles and boots, but this is what he evolved into. I didn't have to smell as much manure back then--they were always clean boots.

Anyway, Cowboy was giving Matt the once over while Paige and I watched. I asked Paige if she wanted to ride Matt, she didn't want too. She paused and said, "I'd like a baby horse." I sort of agree with here as Matt is quite large for a horse. Then she continues, "I'd like a baby horse. . .or a unicorn. Unicorns have horns and can fly!"

We'll have to work on that.

Listening ears

"Paige, please look at me" I say as I have her head between my hands and am drying her off after her bath. We are almost nose to nose.
She quiets and looks at me with big blue eyes as I continue.
"You need to turn your listening ears on; you aren't listening very well tonight."
Big blue eyes just process that for a minute and reply very seriously, "They need new batteries."
As I attempt to not crack a smile and wonder where that came from I just sort of made a note that I have to remember it. Oh what wonderful things children say.