School is in Session

I've heard the saying "The days are long, but the years are short!" and can say a hearty "AMEN!" to that. Here I am, in a new season... turning a new page. All three of my girls are in school, and that leaves me with three hours each morning where I am flying solo! It's odd. It's quiet. It's prayer time. It's change. It's been sad. But it's also good. 

My lovely ladies on their first day of school...

Funny Faces...

"I'm going to miss you Mommy" faces...

"But we'll kiss you when we get home!" faces...

I have rarely ever been without children in the last 8 1/2 years... and I will say, it's a good thing to miss each other a bit. And it's also a very good thing to joyfully embrace in hugs each afternoon!!!

Matie and I waiting for the two older girls to get off the bus!

And here they come... ready for hugs, snacks, and talk, talk, talking!!

Bale Business

 Jon has always thought of unique things to do with the girls when he knows I just need a break. Often he'll take them for a country drive, or out exploring through the woods, or on a four wheeler/snow mobile ride to "new places they've never been"... or in the fall, when the hay bales start "rolling in" he'll take them to play on the "country playground!" 

They LOVE it! As soon as they see a near by line of bales they are asking to go visit them!! 

Since we have moved, we have a huge hay field to the east and south of us... and the kids were PUMPED when Mr. Mark started stacking bales along the edge of our property!

They drive the four wheeler over, hop from it onto the bales, and away they go!

I know the memories they are making on these "daddy adventures" will be highlights of their childhood!

And thanks to a zoom lens, I just snapped the pictures out the backdoor. Can you see them on the bales over there? 

I'll post pics of the house soon.... but see those hills of weeds? Thanks to continued progress on the exterior of the house, we are now ready to knock those down, bring in more dirt, smooth it all out and hopefully have a real yard again soon!!! 

One step at a time, with a little fun along the way! 

Horse Lovin' Gal

For the last number of years, Alia has asked for ONE thing every Birthday and Christmas... horse tack. Oh, and a real horse! :) We tried to supplement with stuffy horses and play horses, of various sizes and kinds.... so the next time a wish list was made, she was sure to clarify... "real live horse!" Because, clearly, Mommy and Daddy just weren't getting the message! :)

We are still getting our yard established, after the house build, so sadly a horse won't be joining our family this year... but POSSIBLY (I added that as a small disclaimer!) in the future.

So, when given the choice of gymnastics or horse riding lessons, Alia JUMPED at the horse riding lessons option... and couldn't WAIT to start!

There was a HUGE smile on her face, literally, every single minute of lessons!!! Every. Single. Minute... for 8 weeks straight!

Her teachers were above the top fantastic! They were always full of encouragement and worked hard to help her horse pick up the pace when need be!

Getting "Big Mac" to lope was Alia's FAVORITE part!!!

 It took her almost 6 weeks to work up to that, so it was a super exciting day when she earned that privilege!

Her sisters were great sports too.... it's not always easy watching big sister have all the fun (though of course, they got to have fun in gymnastics while Alia watched on!) but they would yell encouragement and say "Come on Big Mac!!" when it was time to barrel race!!

  

And go play with the barn cats, when things were slow paced!

All in all, her first go around with horse riding lessons were a huge highlight of her spring! And positive in every way!!

But guess who has a birthday coming up? 

And guess what's on the list?!?

The flame has been fanned bigger and bigger!! :)

Daddy's Daughters

Princesses Dream...

... not of princes...

... but of horses, right?!?

Thankfully in this "castle" they do, anyhow!!