Shmammered Lady Bug?!

  

Another Monday, thank goodness!    Yes, I know ... no one ever says that!  Well, today I am.  Because that means we've made it another week in this world, and that my week without job# 2 is finally HERE for the month! :) That's exciting, people!    Anyway, linking up today with Sami's Shenanigans for a weekend recap!  And let me tell you, it was a GREAT one with my parents!   

Friday was a typical one as of late.  I spent 12 1/2 hours at work earning some overtime, which is great because that means MO MONEY! Yep, I said it. You're welcome.  After a loooong day of work, I headed home and worked on our finance spreadsheet/budget thing - whatever the heck you want to call it!  We have lots of things coming up soon, so it was a time-consuming task - I was so thankful when we were done!  I also made supper so my husband could eat as soon as he got home from work, which was late.  Then I went to bed.  Fantastic Friday, huh?!  But because of these mundane happenings, there are no pictures for Friday.  I know, I know - I was devasted, too!   Saturday was much more fun!  First, I earned some more overtime and headed to work for half a day.  Can you tell I'm serious about earning every cent I possibly can?  Working two jobs AND overtime in five days - sheesh!  Yes, y'all, that's why I'm constantly exhausted.  On my way in, I stopped by Krispy Kreme and picked up some donuts for my parents, as I was headed out of town as soon as work was done.   

  Yum, right?! I know. On the way home, I took the scenic route and documented the journey - it was such a beautiful day and everything was so clear and crisp! So awesome.  Enjoy these views - and again, you're welcome :). 

1. Bastrop post-fire. I'm immediately sad every time I drive by - but so thankful no lives were lost!

2. Just a gorgeous Texas sky!

3. The road I take to head home - so many memories, and so gorg! Yes, gorg :).

4. HAY!  Apparently, this weekend was THE weekend to cut and bale hay.  Seriously.  Even on Father's Day!

5. Low-water bridge on my parents' land. Love it!

  Once I got there, my mom and I headed out to my cousin's birthday party - I can't believe she's already 7! Time flies!! And the party was GOOD TIMES!  Let's just wrap it up and say that we had to call a great friend to come pick us up :).  Definitely a great night, and MUCH needed! My mom got a kick out of me calling her 'shmammered' instead of hammered. It was a hot topic for the rest of the night! Ahahahaha!  

   Also, my new favorite drink:  

  Deliciousness. Yummy, yummy deliciousness.    We got home about 11:30 or so, and we stayed up even later talking with my dad and his friends that were at the house - and we even played Skip-Bo once Josh got home!  Talk about a long day!   Sunday came way too quick!  I was tired, but can't imagine why.... ;).  We went to church and just about suffocated.  It was hot, but of course my mom was comfortable. I was so miserable that I thought I was going to pass out - and I contemplated walking outside for some fresh air and possibly a breeze to cool down.  It was still a great Father's Day sermon, regardless of the riduclous hotness inside that church.  We then went home and made a Father's Day feast for Dad!  We knocked it out of the park, and he was so thankful...and full! :) He even got an appetizer! Such a hard life ... :)  

 

Love you, Dad! :-D

We then went to attend to a newborn calf that was not expected to live - poor girl!  The vet had to be called on Saturday to pull her from its momma and they didn't think she'd survive.  But she did! However, we were pretty sure she wasn't nursing yet, so that had to be addressed.  She's so tall for just being born and had a hard time feeding!  But my awesome dad helped her out, and she's caught on, now!  Such a beauty.  I'll spare y'all the pic of it immediately after birth...gross.  We named her Lady Bug, because she's lucky to be alive! Aww....

  After cleaning up from that, we went to visit with Pops for a while, seeing as it was Father's Day, and all.  He was having such a good day and I even got him to take a picture with me! :) I love that man!   

 

  Once he went for supper, we went to our cousins' house for supper and fun with their kiddos.   

Watching the Spurs/Heat game!

  It got kind of late, so I spent another night at my parents' house and left super early this morning to make it to work on time.  And now I feel terrible - the flu, really?! I guess my body is telling me to GET SOME REST!  And I'm absolutely going to give in to that.  As soon as I get home today, it's a shower, and then cuddled up on the couch with the best blanket ever, the remote control, and my little buddy.  I can't wait to see my husband tonight, as we haven't seen each other since Friday! :(     How was your weekend?   

{Dear Dad}...

Happy Father's Day!   Today is a day set aside to really celebrate the wonderful fathers in our lives.  And my dad is no exception!  He has played a monumental role in my life, and I know that he will continue to do so for the rest of my life.  I love and cherish my dad every.single.day.  And in honor of Father's Day, my all-time favorite picture of my dad and me. :-D  

My father is my hero.  He knows it.  I know it.  We all know it.  Although I may not communicate that enough, it doesn't take away from my love towards him.    My dad is all of these things and more.  He is so unbelievably amazing and supportive - I'm so blessed to be his daughter.  Thinking of everything that I want to say on this special day in honor of my father, I couldn't help but revert back to this post about honoring my dad on his birthday this year.  It is heartfelt, compassionate, and it says it all!  But to sum it up, my dad is pretty much amazing.  And completely badass. :)  Yep, be jealous!   My journey through life so far has had its share of bumps in the road, don't we all know it! Haha.  But my dad has never given up on me - and he never will.  And last week was no different.  I vented about having a pretty rough day last week and posted the Instagram picture of Meredith Grey drowning (the title of that episode of Grey's Anatomy was called 'Drowning on Dry Land') - I shared that picture to Facebook, and this is what my dad had to say that day:    

  And now I will take this opportunity to repeat, MY DAD IS AMAZING!  Through thick and thin, good days and bad, the highs and lows - he supports every single one of us.  He's a family man and I am forever grateful for his support and encouragement.     Thank you, daddy!   I pray that all dads are honored and celebrated on this day, whether they are still with us today or have passed.  Take the time to show your dad (or father figure) that you love him and care about him. Don't take the moments you have or had for granted.  I know I don't!      

Happy Father's Day, dad. 

 

Happy Birthday, {Dad}!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DADDY!      It's that time again - birthday time!  And in honor of my dad's birthday, this post.       My dad has always been there for me!  I know that we don't always see eye to eye - never have, and most likely never will - but I know that I can always count on him to support me and be there for me to turn to when life gets hard.  Our relationship now is stronger than ever, and for that, I'm eternally grateful. He's a strong, caring, loving, funny family-man and role model.     No matter the situation, my dad gets the job done - whatever that may be - and keeps pushing forward.  With the things going on in his life lately, I know he has rough moments that I can't even fathom in my short 24 years of life experience.  BUT, I know that he's strong, and he has an amazing relationship with his wife (my mommy!) whom he can push forward with, and together, they do.   Looking back on those short 24 years, I have so many amazing memories with my dad that I will truly cherish forever.     From those camping trips growing up...   

...to little league games...

 
...to family holidays...

Infamous Thanksgiving bonfire! 

Making stew with his daddy!

Cutest Christmas Couple

Never a dull moment :) LOVE IT!

...to 'farming' life...

 
...to the special moments with my dad at my wedding...

 
...to making sausage for the first time...  

  ...to the countless crazy family moments...

...to visiting home on the weekends...  

   ...to every special family moment that I will cherish forever...  

    ...to every one of those moments when I just needed a hug from my dad.    My dad is a very influential person in my life and always has been.  I love him more than words could ever express, and I'm truly thankful for being blessed with such an amazing father.  He's taken care of scraped knees from my toddler years up to high school sports (softball comes to mind here...).  He's blocked our internet access when we misbehaved (yes, we 'sometimes' misbehaved as kids...) and sometimes even when we didn't.  He's shown me what it's like to live a life for God and to have a loving marriage.  He's shown me strength and courage and hope and how to go after your dreams.     But greatest of all, he's shown me love.  Even on those days that I disappointed him - and I know there are many... - he's shown me his love for me.  Especially on those important days, such as my wedding day, he's shown me his love.  He's loved me since the day I was born and I know that he will continue to love me, no matter where life leads us, until his very last day.     Well dad, I know I don't say it near often enough, but I LOVE YOU!  I've always loved you, and I will continue to love you forever.  You're an inspiration to Colten and I's marriage, and you're a role model of a parent.  Thank you, dad, for all that you've done for me and for my siblings.  You've always loved your family, made us feel important, and shown us that love.  Because of you (and mom), I'm the strong woman that I am today.  Life throws us curve balls, and all too often, it's so easy to get caught up in the negativity that we're presented with, but you've taught me that as long as I have love and faith, I will get through the bumps in the road.  You've taught me that as long as I have my family by my side, I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.  I know that I've put you both through a lot (isn't that what a child is supposed to do to their parents?? hehe), but in all seriousness, I thank you for everything.  I thank you for not giving up on me even if it seemed easier to; I thank you for giving and showing me your love; I thank you for being you and for sharing your life's experiences and lessons with your family; I thank you for supporting me, even if I failed.   thank you, daddy.  I love you! ♥    &&    HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!