The Boys of Austin Farm: Just in Case

12.14.2011

Just in Case

I took a picture of my tree today. Just in case it doesn't make it to Christmas. Because it ain't looking good for the dry, drooping, water deprived thing. It began turning brown just days after we got it. After taking in all the water in the base on the first day, it has yet to take in another drop of moisture. The water hanging out in the base is merely part of the decorations now. Our tree has chosen to accept it's fate with a a large dose of stubbornness and in doing so, we may likely not have a tree to greet us Christmas morning. I expressed my concern to Jody, feeling certain that it was a pretty significant fire hazard. I expected a dose of reassurance accompanied by a plan for what if. What if the thing goes up in flames? I expected to hear him coach me through grabbing a fire extinguisher (that he would of course run out and buy and mount by the tree for convenience) and putting out the flames while minimizing any damage and avoiding any injuries. Instead I got a quick Don't ever turn the lights on again and if you do and it catches on fire, just open the back door and push it outside. Easy enough. Sometimes I don't know what I'd do without him.

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I am the mother to three beautiful boys. I am a stay at home mom who spends my days adjusting costumes, refilling milk cups and folding laundry. And while this job is toughest one I've ever had, it is certainly the most fulfilling and rewarding. I am paid with wet kisses, long hugs and sweet smiles, which makes me the richest woman in the world. I am so thankful to spend my days with these three precious beings that I adore. I have been married to my best bud for six years. In addition to his job as a purchasing manager, he takes care of our ever expanding cattle herd. We own a cattle company that continues to grow and we are so thankful for all of God's blessings in our life. I am a Christian who longs to know more about God and his word. I know that teaching my sons about God is the greatest gift I can give them and my most important job as their mother. I enjoy a really clean house. organization, making lists, my iPad, photography, mexican food and when my People magazine arrives in the mail. We love our life on the farm, surrounded by family, with cows grazing beside our house, and wide open spaces for our boys to roam and explore. We are so blessed.

Sam is our six year old, firstborn son. He is a kind, sweet, inquisitive and compassionate boy who loves being the oldest and a big brother to his younger siblings. He is thoughtful and loving and passionate about learning new things and discovering new adventures. He is responsible and trust worthy and he genuinely hates to disappoint us or anyone else.

Sam loves cowboys and can often be found dressed in chaps, boots and a cowboy hat. He loves watching old westerns and hearing true stories about the "old west." Sam can also often be found dressed as a hunter or policeman and is rarely ever dressed in play clothes as "just Sam" as he likes to call it. He is meticulous about his attire and spends a lot of time making sure his costume is exactly right.

Sam loves guns and is an expert on his collection of toy rifles and pistols. He can shoot a bow and arrow perfectly and longs to ride a real horse and help his Daddy rope cattle like the real cowboys do. Always full of questions and known to be a deep thinker, he enjoys staying up late for long talks with his Mama and Daddy. He is our sunshine, our first love.

Jack is our second son who very proudly marches to the beat of his own drum. At three years old, he is spunky, free-spirited and funny and has an amazing ability to make others laugh. Jack is easy going and finds happiness in the simplest of things. He is mischievous and proclaims to be "sneaky," all while being amazingly sweet and wearing his heart snuggly on his sleeve.

He is smart and inquisitive and enjoys discovering how things work. He enjoys hooking up trailers to the appropriate tractor and loves to dress up as a cowboy or frontiersman with his big brother. Jack loves riding the gator with his Daddy to check fences and feed animals and truly relishes life on the farm. He will proudly tell you anything you need to know about cows and says Herefords are his favorite...just like his Daddy.

Jack can often be found running naked through the house and insists on falling asleep with a handful of his Mama's hair grasped tightly in his hand. He is always in motion, always smiling and is more affectionate than his older brother. He is cuddly and loving and is always ready for a snuggle and a kiss. He is our silly monkey, our joy baby.

Will is our two year old son. He is happy and friendly with a warm smile and an infectious laugh. Will loves cows, tractors, music, bath time, and snuggling on his Mama's shoulder, which I love just as much. He already has a great love for his Daddy and is happiest when he is outside with him, riding around on the gator and checking on our cows. Will seems to love farm life even more than his older brothers did at his age.

He is extremely ticklish and laughs and squeals when Mama and Daddy get his sugar. Will is happy and content and such a blessing to all of us. He flashes his sweet smile at everyone he sees, but hates large crowds. He makes the most precious sad face and is a pro at sticking his bottom lip out to let us know he's not happy. He is very busy and a budding daredevil that appears to have a mischievous streak that may rival his youngest older brother.

Adored by his big brothers, he will certainly be the most protected little boy around. His face beams with happiness at the site of his older brothers and he loves wrapping his arms around them, offering them endless kisses and hugs. In return, he is showered with sweet love and affection and he seems to enjoy his role of the littlest brother. He is loud and bosterious and works hard to be heard in our loud, crazy house. He is so loved and such a blessing to all of us. Will is everything we needed and didn't know we did.