We’ve moved!

Well, our life has been on a little roller coaster ride and it’s been going in circles so fast I haven’t had time to update my blog!

As the title suggests, we have packed up our belongings from our beloved little house in Seward, Nebraska, and moved west to Colorado. This wasn’t an easy decision, but we are following our hearts and where God is leading our little family-of-three’s (or four, I guess we need to include Hank the cow dog as he is along for the ride!) life.

It all started back in the end of May when we found out that my parent’s neighbors were going to be moving and wanted to offer their house before they put it on the market. We went to look at it in June and did a lot of praying and number crunching to see if we could make this work and if this is what God had in mind for us.

After coming up with every reason not to, God kept opening doors, including making our finances work out, selling of our Seward house in 23 days (even doing so for sale by owner, thanks Zillow!), and providing jobs for both Ronny and I.

While it was bittersweet to leave our dear friends and great jobs in Nebraska, we are so thankful for the opportunity to be closer to family and be involved in the family ranch.

We still have boxes to unpack, things to organize, a little painting to do and furniture to buy, but we are loving life in the country, close to Nana and Papa and spending more, precious time with our little boy. We love visitors so let us know if you’re ever in the area!

All thanks be to God for His Blessings!

Chisum–12 months

Wow, what a fast year! Yet it was so fun, full of challenges and joy at the same time. We had so much fun celebrating at your big party.

On September 8 of this year, one day before Chisum’s birthday, I felt anxious remembering what we were about to step into, one year prior. I was really worried about how I would feel/react on Chisum’s birthday. My heart would race every time I thought about it, but I laid it on God and he gave me peace all day. Not once was I emotional or overcome with anxiety. I could truly enjoy the day focusing on my beautiful baby boy who was one year old!

Chisum, you have grown into such an amazing little boy – no more baby in this household!
 

You are super independent. You dad always gives me a look from the corner of his eye and says, “I wonder where he gets that from!” Hey – it’s good to be independent! ;) You don’t want me to hold your hand when you walk and you want to run everywhere.
 

You’re really into food – and feeding yourself of course. Our neighbor, Jean, brought you your own birthday cake and  you devoured it. You eat pretty much everything we do, but you especially love your peas, cottage cheese, any type of hamburger or meat casserole and bananas. And cake, of course.

You also like walking around the house eating “O’s” – or feeding Hank, whichever makes you laugh more. Hank follows you around when you get your snack cup and picks up what you drop or eats whatever you hand him. You two have become buds. Or maybe he is just tolerating you pulling on his ears and hair knowing that you’ll feed him snacks.
   

We got to visit Auntie Em in Olathe. You really liked her playground!

 

On our way home, we stopped to visit Baby John and Melissa & Todd!

You went to your first rodeo! {River City Rodeo in Omaha}. You liked pointing at all of the horses.
   

And we got to see Lori and Piqua!

Also while at the River City Rodeo, you got to be in your first parade. You waved from inside the truck while dad drove and mom walked. You’ve really started mastering your wave! Because the next weekend at the Limon Homecoming parade, you waved the whole time.

Your best friend these days is your paci. I don’t know why it is, but you are really good at throwing a downright fit when you don’t get your paci when you want it. I have to admit you’re pretty darn cute when you pout. I try not to laugh. :)

   

I do get good cuddles from you after your little fit which I’ll take any day.

You are all ready for fall with your pumpkin jammies. And when you have a book, you are the happiest baby ever. Especially if it has animals. You have your moo, woof and baa down!

   

We love you, sweet, sweet boy.
 

Even when you are hanging on your mama because she has your paci!

Captain Chisum’s Chariot

Chisum has earned the nickname, “Captain” from his Nana and Papa Joe. Thus, the grandparents thought the little Captain needed a chariot!

I had talked about how a bike trailer would be a lot of fun, and when mom found one at a consignment store, I told her to grab it. On Memorial Day, Ronny got the chariot all hooked up to my bike and we took it for a spin around the cemetery to see all of the flags.

Hank was just as (or more!) excited than Captain!

It was fun and Hank was tired! We will be trying the trail, next!

The 41 week club

Well, we officially made it to the 41 week club! Not sure to be whether to be excited or frustrated, but God has been granting me patience and we’re so thankful to Him for a healthy baby. A healthy baby that just happens to be too comfy!

38 weeks :: 39 weeks
(We didn’t get a 40 week pic and I need to take one today of 41)

Ronny and I decided to go do something fun yesterday together to get our minds off of things and hopefully convince baby to join us. And we didn’t want to leave Hank at home, so we went to Branched Oak Lake and had a picnic then went hiking.

Hank was probably the most excited of all of us.

We had a nice view for our picnic. It was a hot day, but the breeze in the shade kept us cool.

The hike was nice to get out and walk, and tire Hank (and me!) out.

In the evening we went to dinner with Shelley and Katelin, then to the high school football game. It was still a warm evening, but nice to be out and about.

The other good thing about having extra time at home is to finish projects that have been sitting around for a while! I finally “finished” my purple, K-State guest room. Ronny and my diplomas have been sitting framed on the floor for a while – ok a couple of years.

And once I got this awesome custom canvas from my friend, Alicia from our baby shower, I decided it would be perfect in this room. She free-handed this! I also want to give her a shout-out for her photography business – if you’re in the Topeka/Manhattan area she has awesome skills!

Ok, we are really ready for you now, Baby Pope!

A Kansas-kind of weekend

Much like our long weekend in Colorado before the baby shower with my family, Ronny and I had a great weekend in Kansas this past weekend spending time with his family, celebrating birthdays and baby showers!

The guys, of course, had to get some pony-time in to doctor a cow.

Hank was thrilled to practice his skills. Although part of those skills are getting tired of walking and riding in the saddle with Ronny. I’m glad Stormy the horse was tolerant of this with both of my boys in the saddle!

Later on at the ranch, Ronny and his brother, Russell, decided it would be fun to get all of the family instruments out. And boy, it was quite the concert!

Silly Uncle Ronny!

Then this little doll showed up, and we were able to celebrate her first birthday!

All of the cousins helped her blow out her candle.

And she so enjoyed the antique pedal tractor that Uncle Ronny restored for her!

She thinks he is pretty great. And I agree with her!

Update from the baby shower to come…