*drum roll* Decisions have been made

First off, sorry I haven't been around lately. We've been gearing up for our trip to Texas (T- 2days) and to start our school year. It sure has been hectic. I have bags to pack, dogs to bathe, paperwork to turn in, and and the truck to load still. I'm exhausted just thinking about it.

We have made a few decisions that we set the course for how things will go in the next couple months (more like 2ish years). As some of y'all know we will be homeschooling for the 1st time this year. We are very excited about this new course. Pray it goes well for us and that the kids adapt easily.

I have stopped selling paparazzi accessories and will not be returning to the company.  It is a good company, but not for us. We have other business ideas brewing.

We have been very stressed trying to figure out where we will live upon my husband's term ending with the Army. We have decided to buy a used travel trailer or RV to live in at the farm until we can afford and build our house. Everything nonessential will be put into storage until we are ready and have the space. We will probably sell off a lot of thing before we move.

The kids and I will leave to Texas in June and spend a few months with my grandma and mother til my husband can join us in September or October.

The next year will be extra busy, but I'm excited to be prepping for the next chapter in our lives together as a family. 

Sara, my oldest baby, lost her 1st tooth last night!!!!

Facebook Love!!!

Off the path, around the corner, and down a dirt road

I have a fan page now!!! Follow it and share! Thank you everyone for reading and all your support! 

Life's battle buddies

     I've heard my husband and dad both talk about the importance of battle buddies. Both honorable trained men they would die for and seemingly untrained men that "are going to get someone killed". Either way these service members have to depend on each other to try and make it home alive. Some times that result is out of the hands of their buddies hands, but I've never heard of a service member say oh well suit yourself just get yourself shot. There IS someone their for back up.
     I have never been to war. I cannot compare my life's darkest days to what some of our soldiers have seen.  However, I do have a few battle buddies that have proven no matter what they are my back up. We have been through some scary days together and they never duck tail and ran like so many "friends" have. One even took a beating a few times to protect me. Another has never left me feeling empty and alone even though I'm sure she's rolled her eyes and thought oh my goodness drop the sob story already. One has been my mentor for a very long time now. I respect her opinion and wisdom. The last one lives a life a lot different then mine it's been so many years since our lives went in the same direction but I can call on her any time and she can identify with me and "talk me off the edge" of insanity without a coat of sugar.
     I am not related to any of them by blood nor have they replaced my affection for my mother or sister, but they have been my battle buddies through this life. They have been that hand up when I felt to weak to get up off the floor and dust myself off. Sometimes they gently helped me up and encouraged me to keep going, some times we've stumbled together and fell in the whole. It's a lot easier to get out of a whole when you aren't working alone. Other times it was more like a punch in the face to sober the mind. Nonetheless I've not been alone to struggle in silence in so long that most of the scars from those days have healed.
     They are mothers and sisters in their own right. They have husbands and homes that they are committed to tending. They laugh and cry and have their life roller coasters like everyone else. I try my best to be there for them in anyway possible,  but often feel I can never repay the blessings they have been to my life.
     If you find yourself a battle buddy like mine count yourself among the few blessed people. They deserve your respect and loyalty. It's something you don't just give up cause the path you are walking forks from theirs. We don't talk daily at times not even monthly but I've never doubted that if I reached out to them I would find a hand to help. Y'all rock my world and keep me moving forward. I truly love y'all. 

The American Dream

     Once upon a time the picture everyone saw of the American dream was an upper middle class family dressed nicely, the father wore a button down dress shirt and carried a briefcase.  The mother stayed home, kept the perfect house, wore pearls and heels around the house. The two kids was an older boy head of the varsity football team and the daughter was a cheerleader and prom queen. Some people still see this as the American dream,  others see riches and possessions.
     I have to say I don't see that at all, but I think we've achieved it. Last night we sat out by the fence of the grandstand of the the West Kentucky State Fair watching the fireworks holding my husband's hand while the kids squealed in excitement. This morning I got up, cleaned up some, baking buttermilk biscuits and making sausage gravy while my love built rabbit cages I thought to myself we are working on the American dream, our dream. My house is never "clean". The laundry hamper always has clothes in it. We always live pay check to pay check,  and the Lord knows we are in debt. However, we are a close happy family.  Even on our rockiest days no one thinks of leaving.  We have a roof over our head, good homemade food in our bellies,  running water, electric, warm in the winter, cool in the summer. We laugh more then once a day and make memories together. 
     Even with the future storms unseen and walking out onto uncharted waters we have the American dream.  We love, laugh, and are happiest hand in hand. We have horses, cows, rabbits, dogs, cats, and when we get where ever we are going we have plans for chickens and possibly goats.
     Even though we didn't have money to do the rides or games we had a wonderful time at the fair last night. I miss my oldest two, they would have been in love with it all and the are growing up so incredibly fast. I want to hold them as long as possible and make as many memories as possible so that when they grow up they can say they lived the American dream,  something that most people only see in their minds late at night then wake in the misery they've created themselves.
     We are truly blessed to have an abundance of people that love us and have weathered the chapters of life with us providing they are strong enough to love.
     Now I will be back with y'all when there is time, but our dream needs tending and the dishes are calling me. Be blessed y'all. 

Busy work

     Do you ever find yourself doing so much STUFF but really none of it is necessary?  That about sums up this past weekend, it was enjoyable but not necessary. Friday I went to a friend's house and learned some basic crocheting. Saturday we went to the flea market,  the farmers market, picked up our new rabbit,  and went out to work with our horses. Sunday we went to rual king, tractor supply, and back out to see the horses. To be honest most of that running around wasn't necessary and today I'm making up for it. Lots of cleaning and projects need to be done around here being that today and tomorrow are the only days I will catch a break probably til we go to Texas the beginning of August. I'm in need of a lot less noise in the future. There is a few things I'd like to share with y'all about my weekend.
     Saturday at the flea market we stopped at a booth that was selling some beautiful aprons (one of my obsessions). We were just "window" shopping, but striked up a conversation. At the end of it she handed me a flyer for her shop and said "You seem like the kind of person that would really appreciate reading this". The flyer read:

         Willow Stitch Aprons by Grandee (931) 648-0472

The History of Aprons

I don't think our children know what an apron is. The principal use of Grandma's aprons was to protect the dress underneath but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was used for cleaning out dirty ears. From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids. When the weather was cold, Grandma wrapped it around her arms. Those big aprons wiped many a perspiring brow. Bent over the hot wood stove. Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen with that apron.

From the garden,  it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls. In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to eat.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that old-time apron that served so many purposes.

Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool... her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw... some would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron but I can only think that the only thing ever caught from Grandma's apron was genuine love and support. (Author unknown)

Thank you for purchasing an apron - no one in this big world has one exactly like it - I hope it plays a part in making many happy memories.

     This got me thinking about all the wonderful memories of my grandmas. I believe I got the best of both worlds with them.
     My ShaSha (my father's mother) was a very gentle soft spoken woman with a very caring heart. While I really can't remember her in the kitchen very much she took much care into making her granddaughters feel like princesses.  Every time we were there we were treated like royalty.  Manicures,  pedicure,  hair styled, facials, grandma's special shampoo and her special box of toys just for her granddaughters.  She really knew how to make a little girl feel special and pretty.  She was kind to everyone and rarely ever stern. My word to I miss that jewel and wish she was still around for my girls to know her. Her personality was breath taking. 
      My Memaw (my mother's mom) was much more strict of a person but just as valuable of staple in my memory and childhood. She was that grandma that seemed to know everything about everything.  I spent many days watching her work diligently in the garden,  kitchen,  and gathered with us all in the sewing/craft room. I still have not learned as much as I can from her. She is one of the reasons I am excited to move back to Texas. I can't wait to spend holidays and summers with her making all those timeless memories I hope to pass on to my children. As years have passed and I have grown as a person she has become more of a wise companion and less of an authority figure that always told me to eat my food, go to bed, and listen to my mom.
     I wish I had appreciated them both more when I was younger and in the midst of making those sweet childhood memories.
      We did get our new rabbit this passed weekend. She is a pretty gray rabbit with a single white foot and a spunky personality. I think she will be a good fit for our family. 
     After busting behind all morning I finally don't feel like my house is a pig sty even with so much more work to be done. I wouldn't have a heart attack if someone rang the door bell anymore.  I don't expect perfection with our house full, but tripping over toys and more then a sink of dish is out of line in this house.
      It is raining today and I must admit I have greatly enjoyed it. The sounds of it on the roof is soothing and the drop in temperature is very comfortable. It is good for my soul and a stress release. I watched a bright beautiful red cardinal play in a puddle on the drive way and wished I had been out there playing in the water with my kids. I didn't dare to wake my herd from their naps though.
     Now I leave y'all for a while to play with hot wheels, finish my duties,  and enjoy the companionship of my lover.  I hope y'all find peace in y'alls day. Be blessed