cowboys, boots and stuff

I've always had a thing for cowboys. I think these are the cutest ones I've seen yet. Today at school it is "Western Day". Mason loves this day the best of all the days of the year, he is a cowboy at heart. Before Mason went to school Carson had to get dressed like a cowboy too.

As I was admiring how cute they were, it brought back the memory of the first crush I had on a "cowboy". My family was living in Washington, my Dad was living his dream. He was a dairy farmer. It was during the summer that we had a hired hand working for us. I was 10 at the most. During the summer I, along with my cousin and little brother, would tag along with him around the farm. I don't think he was much older than early 20s, but he was cute. Tight jeans, work boots and brown hair is all I can remember. :0)

This are not the boots I wore on the farm. But they are as purposeful. With walking a dog everyday, I have been out in all kinds of weather. Last fall we were walking in the rain and we came home soaked to the skin. When we had snow in December, I wore McKinzie's boots. Well she's not here anymore, so I picked some up for me. Much cuter than my boots as a kid, they were black with red soles and red trim at the top, boring. They are soo cute that Bailee wants to wear them. So sometimes she does...except if I'm headed out the door to walk a dog.

Here is Karlee at her first Academic Team meet. I've never attended one of these. It was different. There are three rounds with four team members from two teams. The students have buzzers when they want to answer a questions. Kind of like Jeopardy. Over 60 questions were asked and I think I new three, pretty sad. The questions range from history, sports, religion, math to current events and many other categories. Karlee's buzzer was first to two of the questions and she got one of those right. I know two does not sound great, but many students never even buzzed in. In the end, our school won!!

As many of you know, McKinzie moved out on her own. She is not very far, we see her almost daily. Which is what we all want. It has been exciting and scary at the same time. With this big change, we have had many friends and family members express concern for her. Is she ready, the baby is so little, are you scared for her? The answer is yes, yes and YES! But we feel this is what is next for her and for our family. Shortly after she moved out, there was a lesson given at church that confirmed this big step in her life. "Our Heavenly Father knew we could not progress beyond a certain point unless we left Him for a time." That is where she is. We are still here for her, better yet her Heavenly Father is there for her.