Rodeo Season Begins

Chillin' at the rodeo before they ride.

                                        Pep talk from dad before break-a -way roping begins...

                                              Gearing up to rope for the first time in an arena.

Lupe took the kids for a ride around the pasture.

I love this time of year...rodeo season.  It means summer is just around the corner! Woohoo!

My New Spot

My new spot for reading and praying...until it gets too hot!

From a distance...

Watching the sheep chill out by Cow Creek

(Behind our house)

Old outhouse behind our house...

(Don't feel sorry for us, we don't have to use it,

we have indoor plumbing!) ha!

Curious cow...is wondering what I'm up to!

Yesterday, as I followed my oldest down to the arena, a nice little spot under some trees, behind our house, caught my eye.  I immediately envisioned twinkly lights hanging from the trees, a fire pit, and seating, maybe a hammock too!  Well, after she rode, I found a table and one little chair.  I hauled them over to the spot under the tree and staked my claim!  I thought it'd be a lovely spot to read and pray in the mornings.  So, this morning, after the girls left for school, I grabbed my bible, a few other books, and my cup of coffee and headed outside.  It was such a beautiful morning.  It was slightly overcast with a gentle breeze.  I loved hearing the birds chirp, the doves call out, and the cows moo.  The coolest thing was the little white butterfly that kept dancing around me!  It was all very relaxing.  I don't know if I've said it before, but I absolutely LOVE nature!  What a creation! 

There were only 2 "hiccups" to this lovely morning: the big caterpillar that was on the table when I got there and I dropped my little turquoise cup as I was walking back to the house!  BTW, I love nature, but I HATE WORMS!  I said a prayer that nothing would fall out of the tree and land on me while I was praying and reading!  Just thinking about it makes me shake!  God answered my prayer and I didn't see another creepy crawly!! 

PRAISE TO THE LORD FROM CREATION

"Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the heights!

Praise Him , all His angels; Praise Him all His hosts!

Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him all you stars of light!

Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters above the heavens!

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for He commanded and they were created.

He also established them forever and ever; He made a decree which shall not pass away.

Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all the depths.

Fire and hail, snow and clouds; stormy wind, fulfilling His word.

Mountains and hills; fruitful trees and all cedars.

Beasts and all cattle; creeping things and flying fowl.

Kings of the earth and all peoples; princes and all judges of the earth.

Both young men and maidens; old men and children.

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His glory is above the earth and heaven.

And He has exalted the horn of His people, the praise of all His saints -

Of the children of Israel, a people near to Him.

Praise the Lord!

Psalm 148

Wow, He even mentioned creeping things!  I feel a little guilty about holding a life-long grudge against worms. I'm glad I just swooshed the worm off the table instead of smashing it; it might have been praising the Lord!! ;)

Cowgirl Cuties

My girls ended up doing very well in the Del Rio Youth Rodeo Association! My oldest won 4 buckles and the All Around Girl Saddle! It was very cool, with a turquoise allligator seat! My younger girls did extremely well too! They won really cool zebra and cheetah print tack. They were all in the same age group at this rodeo, since at the time of registering, they were 9, 11, and 12! I'm proud of the way they cheer each other on, and are excited for one another when they do well! We try to instill in them to do their best, and focus on their own times, nobody else's. I'm excited for them...they deserved these awards because they always work hard and practice! Even better, we don't have to tell them to practice, they just go do it! Way to go girls!!

Rhinestone Cowgirl

Most of the time I can put up a pretty good front when I'm at a rodeo with my girls. Just because my girls are exceptional riders, I wear cowboy boots and can pull a horse trailer to these dusty events does not mean that I know a thing about horses! Although, I am learning a little more every year. For instance, when Mana was 5 she really wanted to ride her horse but Mark was not home. I always wanted their dad to be around when they rode. Well, she kept after me so I said, "Alright, go find that horse book you got for your birthday. I think it has instructions on how to saddle a horse." At the time, I told her not to tell anyone that I had to read a book to learn how to saddle a horse! Well, we got Baby saddled and the rest is history... Now, all 4 of us go to rodeos together, even when Mark has to work. O.k., o.k., I can't take too much credit. My girls round-up their horses, catch them, put them in the trailer, saddle them, and take good care of them at the rodeo. My job is to iron their clothes, do the little one's hair, and drive them to the rodeo (again, just if Mark's working).

I've learned that it's not a good idea to wear boots to a rodeo. When I wear boots people assume that I know a thing or to about horses. I don't go all out and wear shirts that say, "My True Love Is A Horse," or anything like that. I may wear boots and the occasional cowgirl bling but that doesn't mean I know how to ride that thing (a horse)! Now, that needs to be on a t-shirt: BOOTS AND BLING DON'T MEAN I KNOW HOW TO RIDE THAT THING! Anybody that really knows me knows that I'm a little skittish around horses. Well, the other night when we were at a rodeo a lady comes up to me and asks me if I could hold her daughter's horse because she's at the concession stand. I was thinking, "You've got to be kidding me, can you not see the look of terror in my eyes!" Before I could say, "I'm sorry I can't," the people pleaser inside of me took over and I smiled and said, "Sure." Then it was just me and this 900 pound beast. I was praying that he'd act right and just stay put. Because believe me, if he would have started acting up I would have let go of the reins and ran for cover! He tried to move around on me a little bit, but I tried my own version of being a horse whisperer. It was nothing like you see in the movies, it was more like, "In the name of Jesus, please act right and be still." After about 10 minutes I was getting a little irritated. I knew they weren't making steaks made-to-order in the concession stand, but that chic just kept standing there at the concession stand and there was no line! Finally, my dad walked up to me and said, "Who's horse is that?" I pointed over to the girl in front of the concession stand. I asked dad if he'd hold it and he said he would. Aaahhh! Dad to the rescue. At that moment, my blood pressure went down and my hands quit shaking. After 10 more minutes the girl walked from the concession stand with her goodies in hand. I grabbed the horse from dad, and walked her horse to her. She said, "Oh thanks!" She was probably wondering what a complete stranger was doing holding her horse. I was wondering the same thing! I guess it's back to flip-flops at the rodeos! :)

Rounding-Up

My girls had a softball game last night, and we didn't get to bed until midnight. Usually, if my girls go to sleep at midnight, they sleep a little bit later the next morning. Well, today was an exception. Their dad woke them up as the sun was coming up. They jumped out of bed and put their clothes on in a flash. There was no need to coax them to get their clothes on or to brush their hair. They did all of this in a matter of minutes and rushed out the door. What was the motivating factor? They get to help a local rancher round-up today. It's one of their favorite past-times. They get to go because they actually help the men! They've been doing this for several years and they are only 9, 11, and 12 years old! They'll probably come home with a slight sunburn, a few minor scratches, and great memories. Any chance they get to do things like this with their dad, they jump at the chance. Mark is an exceptional dad to our 3 girls. He's gentle yet firm; fun-loving yet strict... He balances his roles as a father very well, and I'm grateful for that.

Yesterday, when Mark told them they were going to round-up today, I said, "Oh great! What time are we leaving?" They just looked at me, laughed, and said, "Yeah, right!" They know their mom better than that! Yes, I have come a long way after living on a ranch for 12 years, but I haven't come that far! My horse's name is Wheeler, better known as the 4-Wheeler! I feel it's a much safer mode of transportation. Needless to say, they didn't get their horse riding skills from their mamma!

Over the years, I have eased into ranch and rural living. Let me explain... I no longer start convulsing when I see a millipede crawling across the road (I hate worms!)... I no longer run from a docile cow who's eating grass in a pasture... My heart no longer pounds out of my chest when I ride a horse...Spiders and scorpions are almost considered housepets...I allowed Mana and Kater-Bug to have a hamster...We have a little dog who comes inside our house and sometimes sleeps in our bed (as long as he's not on my side, I hate ticks and fleas)... I know how to drive a tractor...I know how to pull a trailer...I know how to saddle a horse. Of course, the list could go on and on, but I don't have all day! ha! Living out here has been a great experience for all of us. It's something I don't take for granted. Well, I guess that's all for now. I've got to fix a windmill, mend a fence, and break a few horses before the cowpokes get home! ha! Actually, I'm going shopping. It's my favorite past-time! Ssshhh! Don't let the others know!