The Butterfield's

Every person has it.  That place from their childhood that just brings back wonderful memories. One of those that comes to mind whenever you are asked to recall stories from your childhood.  The Butterfield's Ranch is that for me.  I grew up on their property.  Between horse rides, picnics, camping and hiking, I remember being there all of the time.  The Foxton Stables will always have a special place in my heart. 

I haven't been back to the ranch since having kiddos and over Memorial Day we decided to take a short day trip over the hill to introduce Lily, Evie and Bob to the place I adore.  Lily wasn't there 5 minutes before she was climbing on the first available rock.  She is so excited to do this rock climbing thing.  

We got to briefly reconnect with the rancher and his wife.  Tom and Barb Butterfield are simply amazing people.  Tom has worked the ranch his whole life.  He is now almost completely blind, and yet looks much like I remember him.  This couple really has a big place in my childhood.  They are some of the best people you could know.

The Foxton Stallions are always the first horses in the corrals next to the farmhouse.  The layout hasn't changed a bit, just gotten a little older and all of those old stallions I knew have gone on to horsey heaven.  Lily was only to quick to meet the big guys and as you can see, she is just a little mirror image of her Memaw.  I saw reflections of my own self in these pictures.  I think somewhere in the scrapbooks I have some similar pictures.

Evie was beyond frustrated that she had to be in the backpack.  She so desperately wants to be out and on her own.  She looked so cute though snuggled up tight.  We walked down the road to the place where they keep their babies.  Most years the Butterfields have 5-8 babies, but given the times and the expense, this year they only have 1, a silver filly named Serenade.

My mom the horse whisperer and her little protege, Lily Grace.  Serenade was all baby and somewhat unsure about these humans who entered her space.  She was willing to come close when Mom was low.  Lily got along great with Serenade.  I think its because Lily was little, just like her.

After meeting the baby, we all headed over to slide rock for a picnic. I spent a part of every one of my childhood summers playing on slide rock.  Countless church picnics and summer days were spent playing in the water and trying not to slip on the infamous slippery rock face.  Its still the same, although somehow smaller than my recollecting.  Lily was only too excited to get naked and get in.  The water was so cold, but didn't stop either one of my children.  It made me happy to see them playing where I once did, before they were even a thought.  There is a nice sense of symmetry in that and made me very joyful.  

Our afternoon was wonderfully nostalgic and just plain fun.  As I was posting these pictures I was only too happy to see our WHOLE family enjoying the time.  I am blessed beyond blessed to have the time with 

Bob and grateful for the Lord's provision on that front.  While this time of not knowing whats next is hard it is also beautiful.  I'm grateful for more memories made at the Butterield's Ranch.

Come Quickly Lord

Well, the Longmires are facing another big life change.  Bob and Ibotta parted ways last Friday and we are now at a crossroads wondering what the next step is for us as a family.  This morning I can only describe the feelings I feel as confused.  I am excited one minute because the last 3 months were really hard on us, and terrified the next.  Where do we go from here? Its almost comical to me how much change the past 10 years of our marriage have brought us especially considering I REALLY struggle with change.  I worry, I stress, I hate uncertainty.  And yet, our marriage has been defined by changes and moves and here we are.....again.  Some days I feel that there is a lesson to learn and we are just not learning it. Oh how I wish life were easier.

I have this deep spirit inside of me that knows without doubt that the Lord is going to bring something better into our life, and yet there is a very realistic sinner side of me that wants to crawl up in an untrusting ball and cry, oh and maybe hit something too.  I am just so tired of this for our little family.

On the bright side of all of this, is the fact that Bob gets to be home for a while.  WHAT A BLESSING.  Our little girls are growing up so fast and the past 3 months have been such long hours and all consuming work that their little lives have gone by in a blur for Bob.  It is a much needed break and hopefully a recharge for our family.

I am simply overwhelmed right now.  The world seems so big and frankly I feel infinitesimally small.  In times like these that are simply defined by confusion and unclarity I am ever so thankful for a God who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Colfax Marathon Makes #4

So I decided to tackle my 4th marathon about 5 months ago.  I really wanted to do it before baby #2 turned 1 and the Colfax Marathon happened to be the perfect timing.  Both Bob and I were gonna do it and he had to go out of town so I approached this big event flying solo.  I am SO thankful for Memaw and Papa.  They were amazing and  helped me every step of the way.

Last Sunday I woke up bright and early at about 4AM.  I got my gear on. left my girls in the capable hands of Memaw (Thanks Mom for having a sleep over!) and drove myself on down to the Start Line.  Bob and I are a part of this awesome running club and two of our buddies live about 1 minute from the start line.  I am so thankful because I was able to park knowing my car would be safe and not towed!

The weather was PERFECT for the run.  A bit on the chilly side for the start, but thats just how you want it.  I am always amazed at how many runners come out to run the marathon.  There were about 10 corrals packed with runners.  I felt really proud to be amongst the masses.  

The fastest I have ever run a marathon was in 4:44.  I was determined to 1. Run the entire way, no stopping and 2. Beat the 4:30 time pacer group.  I knew it was doable I was just gonna have to go and do my thing.  

Race number, check, hat, check, water, check....and we are off!

The race was a BLAST.  I decided to try to take as many pictures as I could.  It was wonderful to feel like I had an entire Insta Family and Facebook family running with me.  I was NOT alone.  

There were so many milestones and fun things to see on this run.  The first thing we did around mile 3 was to run through the Denver Fire Station #1 right near the Capital.  It was so cool to actually run through the building and all of the fire fighters came out to give us some high fives.

Mile 6 brought us to the Mile High Stadium.  Now I am not a die hard football fan, but man was this part cool.  We went right down through the stadium and onto the field.  Now every time I see a football game on TV I will be able to say "I've run that field!"  Go Broncos!

We got back on Colfax Avenue and ran a few more miles up to Sloans Lake.  This stretch was great, but a little mentally challenging because while it was mile 6, 7, and 8, it was also 18, 19 and 20.  Knowing I had several miles to go before I came back by there was a bit challenging, but I just tucked my head and ran on.

Sloans Lake was beautiful and a perfect little 2 miles.  The water, the mountains, the sunshine......ah, running perfection.  Unfortunately, I started feeling that hot rubbing sensation on both of my big toes.  I prayed over them and just ran on (so glad I didn't stop to look, blisters were starting).

There are a few big milestones on the long 26 mile journey.  Hitting the 2 digit mile stone is one of them and the halfway point below is another.  At half marathon distance I was still way ahead of the 4:30 pacers and so proud of myself.  I could do it.  Just had to keep running.

After a lovely neighborhood run, we ended up back on Colfax around mile 16.  10 more to go.  As you can see, I was pumped!

The desert between mile 18 and mile 22 is long and tough.  Hitting that mile 20 is something special.  There is this reality that "I've almost done it!  There are 2's in the miles now.  The finish is coming!

I will admit, I was hurting at mile 20.  It happens.  Everything in your body says, "Um...please stop."  And of course I didn't.  I find that it was easiest to just tackle one mile at a time.  5 miles felt like forever, but 1 mile was doable.  

Mile 25 brings with it EMPOWERMENT.  That is the best way to describe it.  Crossing that marker is the notice that you are on your victory lap.  Oh it is amazing.  Every runner should experience it at least once in their running lifetime!

I crossed the finish line at a nice 4:28.  Shaved almost 20 minutes off of my best time and aside from a few aches and pains and 2 enormous blisters felt great!  There is really nothing like that feeling of accomplishing something so big.  Man I love running, I love the crowds, the commraderie, the races and.....

The BLING!

The Colfax Marathon was one for the books and a true moment of pride for this Momma of 2.  

4 Marathons is Big, but I'm not stopping there.  Number 5 will be the Las Vegas Marathon with my buddy Sarah.   Just gonna keep adding to the collection.

Jesus, They're Yours

This past Mother's Day was a special one.  Not because it was my first one with Evie, or because it snowed A LOT here in Denver  but because Bob and I had the wonderful opportunity to dedicate our girls in our church service.

We have wanted to dedicate Lily since she was born and between moving and changing churches haven't made it a priority.  Now I am grateful it didn't work out because yesterday was a special day.  Both of our girls were given to Jesus in front our our Denver Community Church family.  Memaw, Papa, Aunt Jayne and Uncle Tom were all able to be there, and our dear friend Tara Malouf prayed for us.  It was a Divine appointment.

Dedication is so important to me and I wanted to share why.  From the moment I discovered I was pregnant with Lily and Evie I had that mix of excitement and fear.  Its a BIG job.  There is so much responsibility and knowing that you are almost singlehandedly responsible for how your little one turns out is BIG.  This world is big with harsh realities and difficult circumstances.  Our children have their own way to make in the world and will inevitably make their own decisions whether or not we are with them or apart from them.  It's Jesus who will always be the Spirit inside them.  He will be the guard, the conscience, the helper when we are far.

In dedicating them to Jesus we are publicly recognizing that we cannot control them.  We recognize that we will not always be around and therefore put them in the care of Someone who will be.  We recognize that we have been given the task of leading them close to Jesus but must allow them to entrust themselves to the Good Shepherd.  We recognize that we are servants and meant to be opened up, broken and poured out for the sake of these precious babes entrusted to us.

So Sunday, Mothers Day, was the day.... and it was beautiful.

Jesus, they're YOURS!  Bob and I give them willingly and without claim.  We thank you for blessing us with Evie and Lily.  We pray that they would love you, seek you, listen to you and be Your hands and feet in this world.  Guard them Father.  Help them to see the good, the right, the pure and the lovely.  Give them an abundance of Spirit Fruit.  Help us as Mom and Dad to shelter them, teach them, love them, guide them and care for the soil of their hearts so that when your Spirit plants, the seed will grow into a beautiful relationship with You.

11 Months

How is it possible that in 1 more month little Evie Frances will be 1!  Even amidst the long nights and drama of the first year the time has simply gone by faster than I can even comprehend.  Look at my little baby!

Miss Evie, as Memaw would say, is "Movin' On!"  She is so mobile and so into EVERYTHING, and I mean everything.  Her world has opened up and she wants to know what is behind every door, under every chair, in every cupboard, in every light socket and in all of the trash cans.  Toilet paper is AWESOME and so much fun to tear, eat and unroll.  Oh the world is just so FUN!

 Even though she only started crawling a month ago she has taken to it and is trying everything she can including the stairs.  I don't know why, but new mobile babies just love the stairs.  Just this morning she managed to crawl up the entire flight of stairs by herself (with me cautiously behind of course).  She reached the top with this enormous sense of pride and accomplishment on her face.  Oh the joy of watching little ones discover their strength!

Evie and Bob have really started to make that Father Daughter connection lately and she simply lights up when she sees him.  Just the other day Bob commented that Evie was finally getting to that stage where you actually CAN shake the baby.  He now has started to toss her on the couch and flip her around.  She giggles and simply loves it.  Don't know what it is, but our little girls just love all of the rough housing.  Lily put Evie on the couch the other day and was dragging her from side to side by her leg.  HMMM, wonder where she learned to play like that.......Yup....Daddy.  It really is too cute to watch.

My precious little baby has started the process of weaning and is now starting to sleep more soundly through the night.  I still see her at least once, but the transition is coming.  With mixed emotions I am ready.

Evie is a talker these days and loves to make all sorts of sounds with her voice.  Her latest little trick is to click her tongue against the roof of her mouth.  Quite a talented little lady if you ask me!

It has been so much fun to watch this new sibling relationship blossom and grow.  Sure, it has a LOT of growing pains, but Lily is fast discovering that as Evie gets older she becomes so much more fun.  Just the other day Lily spent a good 10 minutes pulling Evie in the wagon.  Evie was only too happy to be outside and charioted around.

My little Evie is still as social as ever and simply loves to be held by anyone and everyone who looks her direction.  I don't know if we will have any separation anxiety, but as of right now we haven't even come close.  It is really nice because it allows me time to let other people lend a hand.

One of her absolutely favorite things to do these days is to help with the dishes.  The dishwasher door is like a beacon, beckoning Evie over to play.  If I don't watch close enough, she crawls right up on the door and targets anything with a pointy end.  She could play with the bowls and spoons, but no, forks and knives are where its at.  I love this stage because little ones are so trusting.  They do everything without thought that they could get hurt.  Its both amazing and terrifying too.

Just like Lily, Evie loves her Memaw and Memaw's house is simply too fun for words.   I am so blessed that my girls have such wonderful Grandmas.

Little Bee, another month has come and gone and you are fast leaving your baby months.  I am so excited to watch you grow.  Your joy is so special little one.  Always remember the wonder of the world.  Keep reaching, discovering, trying, falling and finding.  I love you so much Evie.  You make me smile, all the time, every day.  I love you.