Dinner Time At Rancho 25...

A couple of nights ago, The Farmer and I headed to Rancho 25, 

 to take some fresh hay to the Longhorn Herd ;) 

The feed on the ranch isn't so good as the weather has gotten hotter. 

 We haven't had our rainy season yet, once that happens, the natural grass will return. 

 For now we are taking feed to them until we can get them moved to a different pasture.

 

They get pretty excited when the fresh alfalfa arrives...

 

After they were fed...

we headed up to the top of a nearby mountain and enjoyed a beautiful sunset... 

It was a very good evening at Rancho 25.

 

30 Birthday's Later...

Happy Birthday My Farmer!

 I spent some time today, looking for just the right picture to celebrate you on your day.

 I'm not sure this is the perfect one...but it is us. 

I don't know about you...but I think we are perfect together...perfect for each other. 

This isn't supposed to be about us...it's supposed to be about you ;) 

I am so grateful for you.

 I knew from the moment I met you in your snap up western shirt (true story)...

that you were the guy for me! 

We've done alot of living together...you and I. 

Some of that living has been hard stuff...and some has been pretty great. 

We've built a home, 

We've built a family, 

We've buried children and parents, 

We've loved, We've laughed, 

We've shed some tears along the way.

We've planted trees...lots of them, 

We've planted seeds. Some have grown...and some have not. 

We've built businesses, 

We've traveled, 

We've served God, 

We've dogged bullets both literally and figuratively ;) 

We've deepened our faith. 

I love to see your strengths in our children...it makes me so happy.

 They are so blessed to call you Dad. 

You are my constant, firm foundation. 

When you tell me everything will be ok...I really believe you. 

 You are my love, my friend, my soulmate...my twin flame ;) 

You are my everything!! 

Happy Birthday to you My Farmer...

we are just getting warmed up... ;) 

I love you!

Carne Does It Again!

I spent the week in New York City, last week...It was a wonderful week! 

While I was waiting in the airport...getting ready to board 

the plane a text arrived from The Farmer....

 

A little Bull calf was born to our Carne! 

I told The Farmer that he had missed his calling in life...he should have been a Rancher...

our herd is growing without any planning on our part! That's a dream for a Rancher.

 The Farmer was there when the little calf was born. He said that Carne was please to

 bring the calf to him to show The Farmer what a good job she had done.

 I thought that was so sweet!

 

Grateful...

It was a beautiful weekend for our family. 

13 years ago The Rooster was only 5 years old and The Farmer was

called to serve in church leadership in our area. 

The Rooster is now 18...and 

The Farmer has finished with this assignment.

 

It has been a great 13 years...but it has also been a very difficult 13 years.

 The Darlings sacrificed the most I think. 

But we have been blessed. 

I am grateful that The Farmer will answer a call to serve God, 

no matter the location, or what may be required of him.

 

These great men spent the weekend in our home. 

 They taught us, and they loved us.

 It felt like we were old friends when the weekend was done. 

Our family is looking forward to seeing a little more of that Farmer of ours...

 I am grateful for the experience of the past 13 years...

and I am looking forward to the future.

   

Picks and Shovels...

“God gives the picks and shovels to the ‘chosen’ 

because they are willing to go to work 

and get callouses on their hands.” 

Gordon B. Hinckley

 

We have big changes ahead for our family.

 A release for The Farmer...a marriage...and many more changes. 

They are all good changes.

 I am so grateful that he has labored with such commitment and love. 

 He has been a wonderful example of 

 "Enduring to the end." 

I love him so much for that.

 

Messages From The Chalkboard...

Wondering Why It's Called...Rancho 25??

Wondering why it's called Rancho 25??

If you were...it's a pretty good question.

 Last December The Farmer and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary.

 We were together for about 3 years before we married so we have been together for a

good amount of time...and it has been an adventure. For the most part it has been a good one...

but we have also had our share of sadness and struggle.

 That's life, right?

 

So as December neared, The Farmer asked me how I would like to celebrate

 this milestone of ours. I told him that I just wanted a wedding ring. 

 Last Summer as we were traveling home from a wonderful family vacation, 

our car was broken into while we stopped for dinner and most everything was stolen. 

 My wedding rings were stolen.

 It was heartbreaking. 

 So when I told The Farmer that all I wanted was a wedding ring...he totally understood. 

Now The Farmer isn't really a jewelry kind of guy. 

 Me on the other hand... I love a pretty adornment;) Don't all women??! 

 So, went went to dinner, he had researched rings, found a few that he thought

I might like and even had some photos to show me. 

 Now...this isn't like The Farmer so it was a very tender and emotional thing for me. 

 I just couldn't believe that he was so committed to the idea of a new wedding ring.

   

 Well, a couple of weeks passed and one afternoon The Farmer came home very excited.

 With a big smile on his face he told he that he had just bought a piece of land and 

he was soooo happy with it! He said it was going to be great and then he 

went on to tell me ALL the plans he had for that land. The more he talked 

the more my heart sank...and when he could see that I wasn't feeling

 his same joy...he asked me what was wrong. I said..."what about my ring???" 

and then he said..."the ring...oooohhhhhh....the ring....ooooohhhhh...." 

And then he got it! He remembered. 

 It was pretty funny actually...but it made me sad too;) 

 So he invited me to go on a ride to see this new piece of land...he was really sure 

that I would fall in love with it right away and I would most likely decide 

that this was a much better purchase than the ring.

 

So off we went. 

We arrived...I know the area well. We actually own another piece of land close by, 

so I began to understand why this purchase thrilled The Farmer so.

 As we drove, The Farmer said things like..."this is way better than a ring...don't you think?"

 hoping I would agree I am sure. He must have said it 10 times.

 He told me about all the plans he had for this spot and how it 

was going to be a great addition to our life;)

   

 The previous owners had great plans to use it as a little retreat and so they built 

a small house on it. They even dug a large hole in front of the house preparing

 it for a swimming hole. There were some corrals for cows and a beautiful 

view of our area...it's on a little hill. While we drove around the property I told 

The Farmer that I had the perfect name for it and excitedly 

he asked me what it was...hoping I had caught his vision and he 

was forgiven for forgetting about my ring. I announced..

."we will call it Rancho 25...

since this is how were are celebrating 25 years of sheer wedded bliss!" 

 And it stuck.

 

And thus it is. Rancho 25 (Viente Cinco) 

Everyone knows the story...our workers think it is really funny... 

and within the last year the 25 has become a sweet place for us.

 It is our project at the moment. Many changes have been made in the last few months...

great changes. One of which was we changed the names on the title. 

 When we went to the Notary to make the change we noticed something pretty special.

 The previous owners had never changed the name from the original owner...

it simply cost too much money to do so, so they had left it as they had purchased it.

 The Farmer decided that he would put the property in the name of the Aggie Boy...

and so when he was in town we went to sign the papers. 

 As he signed The Farmer noticed that the 25 was in the name of his father. 

It was a sweet moment. So the ownership of the land transferred from

 Grandfather to Grandson of which they share a name. It thrilled the Aggie Boy...

and made The Farmer all that much happier with his purchase.

 And I might add...my heart softened a bit too;)

 

Now it is the winter home of our horses...who could care less if we visit them;)

 They are so happy there!

 

It is also the home of our dear Violet the Longhorn...

who runs to The Farmer's truck when we visit the ranch. 

 She also stands by the gate hoping we will take her home to her pasture

 close to our house.

 I don't think she is liking the 25 so much! ;)

   

 These guys LOVE a trip to the 25! 

They even smile when we take them...;) 

So there it is...the story of why we call it Ranch 25. 

We love it! It is fun! I am glad we have it.... 

But, I am still hoping for a wedding ring.... 

Sigh....

A Wrecked Rooster...

I am currently visiting The Grandparents S. in AZ. 

 The Grandpa is fighting a very valiant fight against cancer, and some days are better than others...

but he is doing his best to be strong and brave. I am so thankful that The Farmer and The Rooster are holding things together on the home front so I could spend a few days here with The Grandparents. 

It has been a really nice visit. This time is also allowing me to catch up on a few delayed posts. 

The Aggie Boy and a very sweet friend of his, came home for a visit a week ago. 

 When he comes home...he brings alot of energy with him! 

It is a treat to have him around!

 

 The Rooster really enjoyed having his brother home. 

The Rooster recently wrecked his motorcycle and it left a few marks behind;) 

Which required a trip to the Dr. A lecture from the Dr. (who also treated The Aggie Boy 

when he...on more than one occasion... wrecked his motorcycle too! 

 It also required a trip to the pharmacy and a few different medications. 

Thankfully he didn't break anything...

A Farmers' Gotta Farm...

A few days ago The Farmer and I decided to spend the morning checking the farms. 

 It is so beautiful here right now! 

 The abundance of rain has made it very plush and green...and muddy!

 

These are a few of the "Farming Crew." 

 Please notice The Rooster in the middle...;)...

 

The Farmer doesn't get to spend too much time on the tractors much anymore. 

 His days are filled with other issues. 

 But, every once in awhile...The Farmer "gets lost" and this is where he is usually found. 

 It's a therapy of sorts. 

This picture appeared in a text message in the last couple of days with this note... 

"Sometimes The Farmers' gotta farm!" 

And there you have it!!!

Message From The Farmer...

Each farming year I have a favorite day; It's the day I find the first ripe peach in my orchard.

 Today (may 12) was the earliest date in recent memory that I have found a ripe peach to eat.

Apparently nature shifted our harvest date forward 15 days.

 Although I eat dozens of peaches during the course of the season, it seems like the first peach

 has an especially good flavor and texture. Over the course of many seasons of finding the first

 ripe peach, I have made it a habit to offering a prayer of thanks

and a petition for a full and plentiful harvest.

 

A Simple Lesson In Faith....

Yesterday morning, our phone rang.

It was our missionaries, their lunch appointment had fallen through and they

needed a place to eat. Certainly my reply was "Yes" and with much gratitude they said they

would be by later in the afternoon. Around noon, The Rooster had a basketball game.

We are in the midst of our church basketball tournament. It was such a fun game and

the boys all played so well. At one point during the game the Stake Young Men's President

pointed out that all the players on our ward team...came from our family.

Sure enough...I looked at each of them and they are all cousins. How great is that!!

 They won their game and The Rooster and I headed home to begin preparing

a meal for the missionaries who would soon arrive. I do love the missionaries!

 They are in our home a lot and they have been a great blessing to our family for many years.

 But this day, would be different. I wouldn't be the one offering service...it would those wonderful missionaries that would teach me a lesson...a very simple, yet profound one.

The missionaries arrived...lunch was ready...The Farmer joined us.

As we began to eat, it began to rain. We all commented on how strange the weather has

been this year. The Peach trees in are in full blossom, and are about three weeks ahead

of schedule. We have hardly had a Winter this year. It has been warm actually which

is dangerous for our orchards. So, we continued to visit, and then the rain became

more aggressive. I went to the window to see what was happening at while

I stood looking out, it began to hail. I couldn't take my eyes off of my yard which was

quickly filling with rain and hail. My heart sank! The Farmer sat listening...hoping that

the sound of the hail would stop...but it didn't. He then went to his truck and left

for the nearby orchards to see what damage had been done.

Perfectly helpless, I stood with those sweet missionaries in my kitchen.

Hail is never a good thing for a farmer. I could see that the missionaries were also

worried. I am sure they were watching me and could see my concern.

 I said something like...

"God knows all...and we are in His hands..."

We sat in silence...with the sound of more hail and rain beating on the roof of our home...

when one of the dear missionaries asked if we might pray.

 Grateful for the suggestion I said "please." With perfect faith and conviction...

yet full of humility the Elder began to pray. He offered the most perfect and sincere prayer.

He prayed specifically for The Farmer, that our crops would not be terribly

damaged and that we would be filled with peace and know that the Lord was perfectly

aware of us. The prayer was extraordinary because it truly was a conversation

between a child and a Father. A simple yet profound petition for help and understanding.

 It was one of the most pure prayers I have ever heard. It was simple... It was perfect.

Because I have the "gift" of tears...this is where I found myself when the prayer

 was done. In tears. So totally grateful for a cancelled lunch appointment.

So grateful for two worthy missionaries who I "thought" I was serving...

who were truly teaching and serving me. And so grateful for a perfect lesson in

simple faith that I needed. Nothing happens by chance...that I know for sure.

They were meant to be with me...in that moment yesterday...

to teach me.

On My Mind...

 I find myself in quiet thought a lot these days. There is so much on my mind.
Mostly it is my children. They are all in such great times of their lives.
One is in the winding up of High School...two beginning or continuing college life...
one returning from a mission...two preparing for a missions with one leaving
later this year and the second next year.
All good things.
 I wonder...ALOT...if I did enough for them, teaching them.
 Do they have the moral strength to make hard decisions,
 and will they do it when tough moments come.
 Have I lived my own life in such a way that they will know, for a certainty,
what I stand for and what I believe with all my heart. I think about the issues that we all face today, especially this very moment, the great attack that it taking place on the family.
 Did I teach those children of mine to stand for what is right but at the same time
 exercising great empathy and charity to those around them?
I so appreciate those who have the courage to publicly stand in defense of the Gospel and it's principles. I am grateful for those who do not take their questions or discontent into public forums, but have the wisdom to work it out privately with those who can help guide them through inspiration and prayer. I don't understand why a person would fight against something
 that is fundamentally not within their belief system.
Why fight?
Quietly walk away rather than fight on public forums. Simple.
I don't blog to become involved in debates and arguments about fundamental beliefs of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I gladly follow our prophet,
Thomas S. Monson, and the other leaders who have been called of God to lead His church.
 I blog to record the lives of our family. But I will "Stand True" to what I know to be truth,
 without passing judgment or criticism on those who choose to believe differently than I do.

 

Last week one of The Darlings was faced with a moral dilemma.
Without much help from the parents...this child took action to correct a pretty major
problem that they had been exposed to. It wasn't an easy process,
and truthfully it could have really created some significant repercussions.
But regardless that child was willing to stand for correct principles. During the process of this experience, a person who was also involved in trying to correct the situation,
commented to one of The Darlings, that they had an exceptional Moral Compass.
That they understood clearly between right and wrong.
That is a happy parenting moment for a Mother.
 I am grateful that the Moral Compass of this child led them through
a very hard situation,which, thankfully resolved well.
Do I believe that The Darlings will never make a mistake...
No, I do not.
Do I believe that they have never made mistakes...
Oh...I know better than that!
Typically parents don't need the opinions and analysis of everyone around them,
when it comes to their kids.  It is a rare case that the parents actually don't know
what is happening with their kids.  They know.
But what I do know for sure,and what saddens me, is that we are surrounded by people
who wait for mistakes to happen so they can gossip, criticize, and demoralize...
which can weaken when the next challenge comes along. And often does.
Have I too been guilty of this in my own life...yes I have.
But, the more I live, the more compassion I feel for those who have momentarily lost their way,
or who have made a mis-step. I see all too often the pain that is carried by those who
 make mistakes. And even more often I see the sadness that is carried by parents
who suffer when their children are suffering.
I don't want to add to their pain.
I guess you have to live a little and raise a few kids to learn that lesson.
Most often it seems to be people who haven't yet raised their children who are
the most critical.  Those who have "been there...and done that" are kind and gentle.
 I do wish our communities would exercise a bit more kindness,
 and alot less judgment when people are struggling.

 

Last night The Farmer taught our Family Home Evening.
He taught The Rooster and I about Standing In Holy Places.
 He teaches us, very often, through the experiences he has. It was a great lesson.
 I hope that The Rooster will remember the words of The Farmer.
 The Farmer also taught him about how the power of the Priesthood is directly related to the worthiness of the Priesthood holder. The two messages went hand in hand,
 and made for a great night of spiritual learning in our home.
 I am grateful for that.

My Heart Is Full...Family

(taken with The Farmer's phone...)

 

I have done a terrible job recording our lives lately!  So much has been happening,

so many activities...too much traveling...you know...

"It's the most wonderful time of the year!!!"

Aside from it all...My heart is full of gratitude.  Just a few days ago,

a dear friend got me thinking.  She asked me to think about how the Hand of The Lord

had been manifest in my life this past year.  It just so happened that they day the question

was presented, I wasn't feeling all that grateful.  Shame on me, right?

I hadn't stopped long enough to visit that place of gratitude.  My life had been

overtaken by "good things" and left no room for the "great things."  But I have repented;)

And now daily, I have made it my goal to write a bit in my agenda/journal, about how blessed

I am!  Thank you dear friend...you know who you are...thank you for the reminder!

 

We are so blessed to have such a great extended family.  It is a big huge, extended family,

and when we all are together in one spot...it is some good fun!;)

This lady above is the Grandma of the group and she is constantly trying to teach, guide,

and frankly..."reign in" her big family!;)  In a good way of course!

This picture of her makes me laugh, because it was taken at the end of a very busy Family

Home Evening...and she looks like she has had enough!  But really she was fine, The Farmer

just caught her without her ever present cheery smile!  Anyway,  this past Monday we met in

our home for our Monthly FHE.  We had a light supper, the kids enjoyed some games and then

we gathered for a message from both The Grandma and The Farmer.  The Grandma is holding a

chart that The Farmer used during his part of FHE.  He guided the family through a discussion on

"What it means to be a part of this family" and can I just say, that the answers were humorous,

true and some were very revealing. Sometimes it is pretty great to pick the minds of the little

people to see what I really going on in there!;)  The adults offered their input too.

The Farmer then talked about our "Family Wheel" and how each spoke of the wheel counts. 

When the family spokes are damaged or broken...the whole family feels it.

He also talked about how we can keep our family spokes strong.  The Grandma also gave

a great message of testimony.  She is the best at that!  She has such a strong testimony and

is so willing to share it and any moment.  I love that about her. 

I am grateful that we belong to such a big...loud...strong...energetic...and faithful

group!  And I am grateful that we so supportive during the good, the bad...

and sometimes the ugly!  Today, I am grateful for families!!