Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!  Now, honestly I love the thought behind Mother's Day.  But truthfully, good bad or otherwise, it's usually just another day.  Now don't get me wrong, I don't forget to acknowledge my mother or grandmother, it's just that we don't do fancy dinners, or day the spa or any of those things that Hallmark and tv commercials tell us we have to.

Growing up, most of my Mom's Mother's Day were spent either at a rodeo, branding, going for a ride through the calving pasture, or we helped her get the garden ready.  Now, there were gifts, or fresh crocuses plucked from the pasture and presented to her in a old cup found in the garage.  We would make cards.  It's just the way it is and was.

Now that I am a mom, I really don't expect or want much.  We are usually farming, of course still calving and what ever else needs to be done around here.  Hubby will usually make me biscuits and gravy for breakfast (my fave) if time allows, or I get an IOU.  I am ok with that.  Last year when I was asked what I wanted for Mother's Day, I informed my family of 2 things.  1 was that Tally and I could go for a horse ride and 2 was just to spend some time and go tag calves together as a family.

I thought I would take a few moments of your time and introduce you to the Mother's in my life.

Now of course there's my mom, Mother Tracey.  She's tough, strong, stubborn and bossy, and still with us.  She has lived 12 years longer than any doctor gave her when she was first diagnosed.

Mother Tracey and Mother Marilyn

Mother Marilyn!  In no way is she related to our family, but when her and her husband became friends with my parents....she became Mother Marilyn.  She's been there through the good times, bad times, fun times, wedding, baby times.

Me and Mother Marilyn, wagon train circa 2009

My mother in law, Canova.  I have said many times that I won the lottery when it came to mother in laws.  She's a great friend, great mother, great mother in law and an awesome grandma to my children.

Ruth Ann was one of the first neighbors my parents met when we moved to North Dakota.  I spent so much time at her house through grade school and high school that she probably disciplined me as much as my parents.  Her oldest son is one of my best friends, and was a part of my wedding.  Ruth Ann also made a beautiful cake for our wedding.

Now that I have children there are 'mothers' in my kids' life that I would be lost without.  They have given me advice, helped with babysitting, given me advice.  They've laughed at me whenever I tell whatever recent shenanigans  my kids have pulled, and are just there whenever needed.  Most have kids way older than mine, and some didn't even have kids when I had my first.  The saying 'it takes a village to raise a child' is so true, and I have come to believe and rely on that.

Laura, friend, babysitter, and everything else.  

Me and Tam.....there's nothing we can't talk about or bitch about when it comes to life and our kids. 

No matter what you do or how you do it, thank your mom tomorrow.  Thank those moms that treat you like one of their own.  A simple phone call or text is worth a lot.

Lauri, she's takes my kids, helps me out and lends me her daughter to take on road trips to babysit.  

Pamela, a great friend, cousin, and god mother! 

Uncle Jess, (no that's not a typo, kids same the darndest things).  Sister in law, god mother and she's got my back when I need help or a babysitter.  Thank God she moved closer and is willing to help with my crazy kids. 

Wild Bunch.  These gals rock and have been and are awesome to my kids.  They help. they discipline and they give this mama a break.

I am truly blessed. 

Happy Mothers Day to all my Mom's and every other Mom out there.





Disclaimer; there are plenty more other mom's out there that help me out that I didn't mention or find pictures of.  All help me tremendously to help make my world keep going around and my kids happy.  

Adventure, Part 2

Well, I survived the plane rides.  We made it to Cabo and home in one piece.  The sun was amazing down there!!  We saw lots, drank lots and soaked up the sun lots.

I am a few months behind on posting these pictures, but still wanted to share.  Fun in the sun

Toes in the water....

What a blast we had on this ship.  Drinks, dinner cruise, live entertainment.  If you find yourself down in Cabo, I highly recommend an evening on The Caborey

It was prime whale watching season.  

Drinks in hand, again!

The third most photographed place in the world, Lovers Arch

I absolutely LOVE this picture of Lovers Arch

Lovers Beach

Being photo bombed my a spring breaker!

Spring in Montana

Mother Nature isn't letting up.  April Snow Showers will bring May flowers, right?  Snow in May? Sure, why not!

 Now, why were are truly grateful for the moisture she is giving us, couldn't Mother Nature at least warm up by 20* and send us this much needed moisture in the form of warm spring rains?

Here is a few snapshots I have taken in the last couple of weeks.  Sadly, this is the most snow we have had all winter.

Wet, cold horses begging for some hay

Mama taking care of her brand new baby

Hubby filling hay feeders for the heifers calves

Snow covered hay bales kind of makes for a pretty picture

Black and white

TC enjoying the snow and helping do chores

nom nom nom 

slushy, watery muddy mess

Tearing into the bales before they got put into the feeder  

Adventure, Part 1

Hubby & I are headed into new territory for the next week.  My sister & her boyfriend finally talked us into vacationing with them in Mexico.  It took some planning and saving and budgeting and farming out the kids, but we are on our way to Mexico. 

 Due to flight plans and whatever, we got to spend the day in Denver wasting time. Now Denver rained and snowed on us all day, but we still had a fun filled day. 

 It has been quite the experience for me. I got on a plane for only the second time in my life. Had to maneuver airport and find baggage claim.  Took a questionable cab ride to downtown Denver. Spent the day walking and looking and stopping to drink adult beverage. Rode Denver's electric train to different part of town to eat at the oldest steakhouse in Denver. Thankfully got a great cab ride back to motel room.  

It's been a lot of learning for me today. Lots of fun and relaxation also. Now I need to chill out in out motel room and muster up the courage to survive the plane ride in the morning without incident. 

Heyyyy Bossss!

Ok, let's try posting this video once more so it can actually be viewed.  Sorry!

TC is (so she sometimes informs me) mine and papa's cowboss.  She's learning at young age, though honestly most of her time is spent catching an nap while we are out feeding cows.
This morning I had to stop and capture this little video of her.  She cracks me up.    Enjoy!

Tis the Season

Tis the season to be buying bulls!  Last week we attended our first sale of the season.  We went, we looked, we liked and we bought!  My checkbook is a lot lighter as we came home with 2 bulls for ourselves and 1 bull for the corporation.

I love bulls sales.  I'm not sure why.  Maybe it's as simple as bull sale means a trip to town.  Maybe it's because I can remember going with my dad as a young kid and later on in life going with him as a serious looker/buyer.  Could be it's just all the excitement, the cleaned up and cattle and getting to see and visit with people.  Whatever the reason, I just simply enjoy a bull sale.

Last week on twitter, I tweeted asking what EPD's are most influential to you and your operation when choosing new breeding bulls.  It was a quite a conversation and there is no right or wrong answer as each cattle operation is different.  The one big this we talked about is how some people forget to actually take phenotype into consideration.  I feel that is and should be a big part of our selection process.

 On that same particular twitter conversation it was discussed how many cattlemen and women actually understand and comprehend what each EPD stands for and means.  Do they understand their importance or how one may correlate with another?  If I was smart enough I would post a link to the conversation, but that is way over my head!

So how do you use EPD's?  How much influence do they have in your selection process?  What are the top 3 EPD's you look at while browsing a sale catalogue?  Do you take the time to actually look at the bull?

Beauty Swap

I seem to be suffering a little bit from the winter blues.  I blame Mother Nature and the fact she keeps throwing extremely extreme cold temps our way with out any forgiveness.  When I noticed that Crystal Cattle and Cowgirl Crush were teaming up for a beauty Swap I signed up thinking it would be fun and get my mind off of our freezing temps.

Some of my friends shook their head and were confused, me and a beauty swap??  Didn't seem like something for me.  I agree, I am not the biggest makeup user, but I like to learn and try new things.  Though I'm not huge makeup wearer, theres something about painted toenails (that no one sees but me) and mascara that can lift my spirits and turn an attitude around.  That being said, I am not going to admit how old I was before I was able to properly apply and wear mascara!

I was team up with Jenn, from New Mexico.  It was fun getting to know her through email and what we did and didn't have in common.  She sent me a fun box with products that I was interested in, products I hadn't heard of and things I never seem to buy for myself.

Through our correspondence, Jenn and I learned about products we like to try, need and want.  She sent me two different pore minimizers that I am excited to try.  Having kids really messed up my complexion and pores being one way.  She sent me 'The Pore fessional' and Maybeline's Baby Skin.  I have started using the Maybeline Baby Skin, and love the way it feels on my skin.  

Also included was some fun vibrant colored nail polish and lip gloss!  After doing my toes the other night, I hid the polish from my oldest daughter as she was on the prowl to steal it!  It's fun and I can't wait to use it for when I head to Mexico next month.

Some Garnier Fructis Glossing Spray was included in my goody box also.  I used it last night before we headed out to the basketball tournament.  Where has it been all my life?  Loved the results.

Rounding out my goody box was 3 different makeup brushes.  Score!! I received an eyeshadow brush, defining eye brush and a brow brush.  I was in need of new brushes.  I often wonder why it's so hard for me to buy new makeup brushes.  

I had so much fun with this Beauty Swap.  I enjoyed shopping for Jenn, researching different things and getting excited to send it her way.  Thanks Crystal Cattle and Cowgirl Crush for letting me participate and can't to wait for any future swaps.