A tough row to hoe

It has been a tough row to hoe. I think the last two years of my life have been some of the toughest times I have yet to know. Two weeks after Little Man was born Lineman had to go back to work on the road. It was just me and the three boys for weeks on end. For months on end. For years... yes years. The sleepless nights. A new baby. Three boys in all. The daily grind and struggles. Two friends taking their lives. Selling the house and keeping it show ready with 3 boys (ha, that was fun). Uprooting our lives...

With no family near and a limited support system I look back and wonder how I did it. Well, I really don't wonder that much as I know He got me through it. I can remember Sunday mornings when it took every ounce of strength to get the kids and I into town. Of course it was Him who got me there. Where else on earth could I have found any strength when I had no more to give?

My dad reminded me of this for which I was very thankful.... No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it. (1 Corinthians 10:13 (The Message))

Of course I know people have way worse things to endure than I could ever begin to imagine. How many people would would trade their troubles for mine in a New York minute!

Since we have moved things are changing. Things are looking up. I think I may be finally looking at the glass half full instead of half empty. (Lineman will still have to be on the road but it shouldn't be like it was these last several years.)

Since we have been back together as a family we have packed in so many family activities. Just regular ol' things that families do. And just this weekend the oldest boy and Lineman have become work out buddies. They have been jogging together, "pumping iron" and just being buddies. We've been shooting, off-roading, to the lake, playing baseball, jumping on the trampoline.....

Ahhhhh, family.

It's been a long time.

Too long.

But we are here.

God got us here. Of course He did.

And I am thankful.

Sunday Sunsets

Sunday. Sunset. Simple. Silent. Serene. Subtle.

Saturday Scenery

We took a drive the other evening to this wonderful spot on the lake.

The boys all had a blast throwing rocks into the lake.

It was Little Man's first time to the lake but he didn't need too many lessons to get it figured out.

We took our dog, Koda, too. He pretty much goes everywhere with us now. He chased and chased and chased the rocks we were throwing and skipping. Make no mistake, this water is cold! Of course he liked to run ashore and shake right next to a person. So thoughtful.

He went bounding after a rock and ran right out onto the ice. It cracked and broke apart into a very heavy type of slush. For a minute he looked like he wouldn't be able to free himself. Sure enough he gave it more try and pulled himself out. That put an end to our lake fun but we are headed back soon!

16 of 52

Each week I visit your blogs and admire your self photos. My only self portraits so far have been with the use of my handy dandy remote. No more! (Well, not exactly no more, I do heart my remote.) This week I gave it a try. My middle son and I were hanging out in the truck waiting when I gave the self portrait a try. Can't wait to see all your pictures this week!

********************52 Weeks********************

52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. We are glad you are joining this challenge. More importantly your family will really enjoy having you in the picture. Thanks for playing along! Oh, you can just jump in now with 1 of 52, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture!

**************************************
Please add yourself each week to the Mr. Linky so we can all visit your page too. THANKS!

You win some you lose some

Do you remember this post about Cheyenne's library? We went back there a day or so before we moved to get one last chance at this incredible library. They have the coolest chairs everywhere!

Little man liked this little table and chairs. The chairs were so tiny, I have no doubt Goldilocks would have broken one had she tried it out.

This was a double sided game board. Hey kid! Don't point that in your eye!

There ya go, much better. The light would stay on that board for a few seconds and then would slowly disappear.

This obviously is a set up picture. I have never learned how to play chess and so these youngin's wouldn't have a clue. I did see and grandfather and granddaughter playing a game. It was the most precious thing to watch. She was a little spit fire too. Not about to let gramps win.

Another fun seating arrangement. You can flip this one around several different ways.

I didn't get photos of it but my oldest liked to play with the movie maker. You take pictures of plastic dinosaurs, etc. then take pictures frame by frame. Then it puts all the individual pictures together to make a little movie. The kids really enjoy this one. Okay, so do I.

This is in the teen area. Two larger teens are suppose to be sitting and rocking in it. Small boys just don't fill it out too well.

These are just two of the meeting areas in the teen section. Wouldn't that be so cool to be in there. Hey, what would happen if you wore rose colored glasses in there?

This is Invent a Game. The kids can layout their own game and search for different items in the library. It's all magnetic and the little circles say things such as "if you can find the Choose Your Own Adventure Books move ahead 2". I loved those books growing up. My brother and I read those over and over again!

I'm going to miss that library. The story times alone were just incredible. I talked to another mother while at the playground the other day. I asked about the library in this town we moved to. She said it was a really great library with a fun story time for the kids. Then she said they didn't have story time in the winter.... on account of they don't have a heater in there.

Hmmm

You win some, you lose some!

Watch your back

I took these photos two days before the movers came. We had big snow drifts around the house and it was incredible weather outside. The neighbor came over and the kids played and played. I took pictures and Lineman shoveled snow.

Uhhh, son, I don't think this is the best place to be hiding. I know you're trying to have a shield from the snow balls, but you might not want to be there.

Oh no, here it comes now and the poor kid doesn't even know what's about to hit him.

Ohhhh, here it comes...

Ka Pow! Ah, look at Lineman smile. Okay, I was smiling too. It was too fun and funny to watch. Don't worry, it was a warm day and he was fine. He was all smiles too!

Sunday Sunsets

My first Sunday Sunset from Montana. Two days after we arrived here we took a short little drive to a darling lake. The boys had fun throwing rocks onto the ice trying to break it up. We walked around a bit and waited for the sunset. Obviously we weren't disappointed.

Now that we are back home in Montana and I think of these sunsets, I wonder how Charlie Russell would have painted them? I'm sure there will be many more stunning sunsets in our future here! Thanks all for you wonderful comments and encouragement during this change in our lives. It is appreciated more than you can ever know.

Happy Easter to you all, my friends.

Saying Goodbye

Saying goodbye to our house for the last time...

After all the boxes were packed up and they loaded up the last of the furniture....

The kids had a blast pulling up the carpet saver. They played and played in the empty house.

After I finished cleaning the house we piled up in our crowded outfits. I thought to take one last sunset photo, though it wasn't quite sunset just yet. I think I was pretty spoiled for these shots. All I ever had to do was just step out on the back deck and snap away.
The first night at the hotel we picked up some Applebee's take out. Booster seat? We don't need no stinkin' booster seat? A Spider Man suitcase works just fine!

15 of 52

The boxes were piled everywhere for our move. I thought this picture would be a way to remember this time and to see just how old and tall the boys were when we look back years from now. The oldest was at his last day at school or I definitely would have had him in this picture too!

********************52 Weeks********************
52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. We are glad you are joining this challenge. More importantly your family will really enjoy having you in the picture. Thanks for playing along! Oh, you can just jump in now with 1 of 52, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture!
**************************************

Please add yourself each week to the Mr. Linky so we can all visit your page too. THANKS!