Cover Family

This time of year, I see many of my Facebook friends with family pictures at the beach, all matching with white shirts and khaki pants, then, of course I get all those cute Christmas cards with everyone in matching holiday scarves. We have never done anything like that, and truthfully, we are not very photogenic as a group. There is always one of us that will have their eyes closed, a weird look on their face or picking their nose, um... of course I mean one our boys.

Now, I have a ton of pictures of my husband with the kids because I always make them stop and pose. They have figured out that if they go ahead and look at the camera and smile quick, they can go on about their business of go-cart riding, zip lining, or whatever current adventure they are on. My friends Susan and Nikki have taken pictures of me with our boys while we were on park outings, but we have not had anyone take a family portrait, yes all four of us, in some matchy clothes EVER.

But......looky -looky what was in 14 out-of-state market newspapers (five of our neighboring states), and during the same week in every daily and weekly newspaper in Arkansas, a total print and online circulation of more than six million.

Yes, that is our family. I sure wish they would have airbrushed me some, but I will take it. As usual, we do not do everything exactly like everyone else does, but our kiddos will have some pretty cool family pictures when they get older, they just won't have well planned outfits on a sandy beach. Hey, I will take the natural state of Arkansas as family portrait backdrop any day.

Thanks to Arkansas Tourism for choosing us to model for their ads and being our family photographer,
The Park Wife

Blingity Bad

Uh oh, watch out, The Park Wife is on a bit of a tear. Yes, it happens, just ask my husband.

Really, I try hard not to judge, it is a bit of a struggle at times, especially when I am in a situation where PEOPLE WATCHING could be considered a sport. I was at a big festival recently and since I had my camera with me, I thought I would share something that my friend Jenn and I have been ranting about for a few weeks now.

Butt bling, with crosses no less. Now, I love me some Jesus, and I am in awe of His majesty, His grace and His power (among many other things). HOWEVER, I am not going to put some bedazzled crosses as an advertisement for people to look at on my bottom. Um, what exactly would that be advertising?

                                             

These were not the tightest ones I saw that day, I had to choose one that was not like a blinking arrow sign to post. You are welcome.

I don't think the Lord wants this type of advertising, actually I am pretty positive that He is just fine on His own.

I also hear they cost well over $100, yes ma'am, we are in a recession, people are losing their homes, food costs are skyrocketing, unemployment is up, but they have some bedazzled bottom jeans.

Mercy, you can tell I am in a bit of an uproar, but hold on to your bling jeans, when this little lady turned around, she had on this shirt.



Yes, this might send me over the edge. Are you kidding me? This is just wrong on so many levels. I don't think I can even go there.

A cross is not a fashion statement, it is a way of life.

The Park Wife

Amazing Love, How Can It Be?

Big Buckaroo has a friend named Mickey that he worked with for years and was very close to when he lived further South. They remain very good friends today. His wife De and I became friends, she is very dear to me. Now, they live in another state, a pretty good drive from us, so we do not see them as often as we would like.

When I was pregnant with Little Buckaroo, Mickey, who is quiet the jokester, would tell us that we should name him or her after him because Mickey could be used for a boy or a girl. I just rolled my eyes, which further antagonized him.

However, when we were throwing out names, Mickey and De's last name was one we thought about using for a middle name if it was a boy (and it was). Not only was it a cool name, but we wanted to honor them. De had a daughter that was less than two years old when she and Mickey got married, Mickey raised her as his own.

They tried for YEARS to have a baby, and unfortunately De lost some sweet little souls before they were able to leave Heaven and join us here on Earth. So, it was an easy choice for us to use their last name as Little Buckaroo's middle name which we call him by. His first name is his daddy's, of course, we do adhere to many Southern rules, hehe.

When their daughter was a junior in high school, they took in a boy from church that lived in a children's home. He was also a junior in high school and they have given him the family he never had, guided him through his last years of high school and watched as he and their daughter walked across the stage and graduated last year from high school.


They are selfless and giving people, I don't know many people who would do what they have done to help a young man reach his potential and show him what God's love really is.

Then, as their oldest was in her first semester of college, De started feeling just plain YUCK!

Yes....we serve an amazing, loving God. I would like to introduce you to Jesse.

An amazing gift from above for two people who deserve so much happiness and as they look at their sweet angel, they have found it.

Jesse was born on MY birthday, but they did not name him after me, sheeesh, you think there would be a little name payback, just kidding.

Everyone stop today to count your blessings and know that God has so many wonderful things planned for you, even when you think things are not possible. He is the God of possibilities.

Thanking God for His Amazing Love,
The Park Wife

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.

The Thief That Came and Caused A Fright

After returning from a quick trip out of town for two days, I went to the chicken coop to pick up eggs. I opened the door and looked around because I am a chicken, oh wait they are the chickens, but I like to know what I am walking into.

I looked in the nest boxes and yep, saw something black and curled up. I immediately turned around and walked back toward the barn. This has happened a few times, so THIS time I did not run and scream like a girl. Big Buckaroo asked what I was doing and I told him I was going to get a pillowcase. Meaning, my husband was not going to kill the snake, oh wait the TWO snakes that were in one of the nest boxes together, so I had to get something for him to get them and transport them in. I just roll with it these days.


Of course this had to turn into a learning experience, oh the homeschool mentality. Yes, that is my angel boy petting the snake. PETTING THE SNAKE!!!!!!

If you look closely you can see the eggs in its body that he STOLE from my coop.

"Oh honey, it is not poisonous, it is a good snake." Um, no snake but a dead snake is good in my book. But, my animal loving husband relocated them to the other side of the park, sorry neighbors on that side. Don't worry, they are full.

Oh the life of a farmer,

The Park Wife

Text Messaging

I don’t text…shock…amazement…how does she communicate? I know I am so behind the times, I live such a “simple” life. Yea, yea, I have heard that before. My nieces can sit at the table and be looking right at me while I am talking to them and have their phones under the table carrying on a conversation via text with one of their friends. Amazing. They are going to have a serious case of carpal tunnel.

Cell service where I live is limited and half the time I forget to even take our cell phone with me when I go somewhere. This has not always been the case. When I lived and worked in Memphis and for the international development organization, my cell phone was permanently attached to me. If I did not have it with me, I felt naked.

Life has changed. Technology will suck you in (can you say Facebook crack) and then you will spend all your time relating through something that is powered by a battery rather than something with a heartbeat. I am trying to not let that rule our lives.

Then, there is the constant abbreviation and degradation of the English language. As a journalism graduate, that drives me crazy! K=okay, r u = are you, those are easy, but I would need a text lingo dictionary to keep up. I blame all of this on Prince. He started using U instead of “you” decades ago. His song “I would Die for U” (yes, that will be stuck in your head the rest of the day) is probably the first record of text messaging making it into everyday language. Darn you Prince, you started a Revolution for sure.

Don't get me started on my Southern Belle roots and the lost art of letter writing and thank you notes. Poor Miss Manners flipping in her grave.

Oh, and one other thing, I love when my husband calls me in the middle of the day. I love hearing his phone voice, love the fact that he takes the time out of his busy day to pick up the phone and call me. Texting could never replace that connection.

Now, we “simple” folks have adapted a little bit. My ever-innovative, back to basics, land loving husband who finds peace and joy in a focused activity, has introduced the Buckaroo's to a form of communication that is let's say a little more primitive than text messaging.

Of course, it will require some kind of building project.

Is it a stage for me?????

Little Buckaroo gets in on the building action.

And, then there was the painting. They ruined two sets of clothes before I just told them to take their clothes off.

Pretty cool project, but what is it? Who lives here?

Yes, our text messengers.

The boys now have homing pigeons, look up how they were used in World War II, it is fascinating and a great lesson for your kids. So, if you see a pigeon with a tube around its ankle. Take the message from me and send it back home. That is about as close to text messaging that your going to get from The Park Wife.

Happy Earth Day,
The Park Wife

15 Minute Wildlife Tour

When Big Buckaroo and I ran away a few weeks ago (thanks grandma for keeping the Buckaroos), we headed to the mountains, my favorite place to be. After stopping by our property to check on the cabin, we went further north. Snow was still on the sides of the roads and icicles were hanging from the sides of the mountains. It was beautiful.



Then, we saw this. Drove a few hundred more feet and saw this.



Oh wait, don't run away, you are protected, we want shoot you.

Then, a bald eagle flew over head (bad picture, was not prepared for that beautiful thing).

And, a half mile down the road, SWANS!

Oh wait, a flock of turkeys!

This all happened within 15 minutes. And, the little towns we drove through, too cute. I might pack up and move up there, so quaint.

We definitely live in The Natural State..... and even though I never thought I would live here, I am blessed to be here surrounded by such beauty.

Stop and enjoy and appreciate where the Lord has you today,

The Park Wife

These are a Few of My Favorite Things/Happenings from the Past Month

We have had a busy month around here with school starting, family visits, birthday parties, working on our cabin (more photos coming soon on that), the list goes on.

In my completely overwhelmed state, I, at times, forget to stop and appreciate the simple pleasures of life. I am very blessed and I think at times I get so busy that I don't delight in my blessings. So, in an effort to change that, I compiled some things from the past few weeks (minus first day of school at the lake and cabin pictures which I will post soon) that made me smile.


Lucky, whose real name is Deuce, is still alive, yes, lucky to be alive after eating 3 of our chickens. But, he has been good for a few weeks so he gets a spot on my list of favorite things. Now, that could change quickly with this dog.

Meet Long John Silver, yes we are into pirates big time! Of course our boys do not do anything half-way, they have to dress up and act out their favorite pirate adventure which happens to be Treasure Island. I am alright with that, it is a classic, can I count that is homeschooling for the day?

Oh mercy, I love me some Zapp's chips, they are delicious. They are made in Louisiana, of course, there is some great food coming out of that state. I was fortunate to have someone give me this bag of chips, it reminds me of my times in New Orleans. If I would have had a Sundrop while eating them I am not sure I would not be packing my bags and moving further South where these products are easier to obtain.

Speaking of good food, Littlest Buckaroo is into cooking big time. Yes, his brother has him cooking pirate stew most the time, but he has other specialties too. This has been a wonderful way to teach him numbers and measuring, again, can I count this as homeschooling for the day?

Cousin Buckaroo had a birthday party a couple of weeks ago and all he wanted was a Larry Boy costume. Never fear, Aunt Park Wife is here. I am all about kids being creative and imagination. He has been wearing the hat everyday and everywhere they go.

And, my most favorite thing from the past few weeks???? Grandma came for a visit and we had a ton of fun (plus she helped me deep clean my kitchen, woo hoo). The Buckaroo's love when their Grandma comes from Mississippi, she plays with them and gives into their every whim. Big Buckaroo and I like it when she is here too, I wished she lived closer! hint, hint Grandma.

Everyone stop and appreciate your blessings today!
The Park Wife

Wedded Bliss

Today, Big Buckaroo and I celebrate our 9th wedding anniversary. I love him more today ~ more deeply, more intimately, just...more, in so many ways.

Recently, I have come to the realization (I am a little slow on the uptake) that I lead a very charmed life. My early 20s were a bit rocky, but that was the road that God led me on to Big Buckaroo.

I never thought I would be living on a state park, homeschooling our kids, or be a farmer's market kind of girl, but here I am. And, when I stop and look at my life, my blessed life, I am in awe of God's grace and mercy.

I love being IN LOVE with my husband. I love dancing in the kitchen, holding hands in the car, the way he still looks at me the way he did on our wedding day. I refuse to allow the everyday of life (raising kids, cleaning house, work commitments, etc) dampen any of the passion we have for each other. And, let's be honest, that is work sometimes. But, it is worth it, I am truly, madly, deeply in love with my husband.

I am thankful that Big Buckaroo walked into my life that day in Memphis. And, I look forward to all the seasons we have left together ~ enjoying every day of our children growing up , empty nest syndrome, being the 70-year-old couple who still are holding hands and looking at each other as if it were the day they wed. Again, I love being in love with my husband and there is nothing better than being in love.

Our first dance was to I Could Not Ask For More, please indulge my sappiness as I share the lyrics and a few wedding photos with you.

These are the moments I thank God that I'm alive.
These are the moments I'll remember all my life.

I found all I've waited for, and I could not ask for more.

Looking in your eyes, seeing all I need,
Everything you are is everything to me.

These are the moments I know Heaven must exist,
These are the moments all I need is this.

I have all I've waited for, and I could not ask for more.

Every prayer has been answered,

Every dream I have has come true.
And right here in this moment is right where I'm supposed to be,

here with you here with me.

I could not ask for more.
The Park Wife

2009 Festival Complete

The annual festival at the park was this past weekend and it was a huge success. Crafts, entertainment, cholesterol raising food, and of course, the kids fun area where we spent a good bit of time. Fortunately, the nice lady that owns all of the blow-up jumping arenas and other kid magnet fun was kind enough to allow the Buckaroos to partake in the fun for free (although we tried to pay her, she would not take it).

Little Buckaroo and the Diva in Training had a blast.

Littlest Buckaroo had to be in on the fun too!

The lady with the rock wall was more than happy to see our warrior push his limits. Of course, his daddy was right there to encourage and praise him.

And, although he did not get to the top, he knew he was brave and accomplished a huge task for a 6-year-old.

After going home for a brief rest, the Buckaroo's decided that they were ready to take the bull by the horn!

Of course, our boys go all out, they had to have on their complete cowboy gear.

And, what was their reward for making it 8 seconds? A huge belt buckle, oh no, much better, ICE CREAM!

Not to mention the lovely Mardi Gras beads they received for riding the bull??????? Sometimes I just have to go with it.

Littlest Buckaroo looked up and said, "mom, does this have high fructose corn syrup? It sure is good."

Yes, life is so sweet and good!
The Park Wife

The Park Wife's One Year Blogiversary

I have been around these bloggedy parts for a year now. I started out gung-ho and posted everyday (the over-achiever in me), but have slacked off (reality hit) with homeschooling Little Buckaroo, Littlest Buckaroo becoming more active, and well, just overwhelmed with laundry, cooking and my husband saying "you aren't going to be on the computer tonight are you? I want to hang out with you" So, sorry, Big Buckaroo trumps The Park Wife blog (have you ever seen Big Buckaroo, enough said!)

It has been nice sharing my life growing up in Mississippi, my 20s living all over the South, my love story with Big Buckaroo and a year of our boys lives on a historical state park. Plus, there has been all the random craziness I rant about at times.

I have many new friends as a result of blogging and am thankful for each and every one of you who stop by and check in to see what is happening in our little world.

Stay tuned. Who knows what will happen this next year!
The Park Wife

Our Battleground State

Does this picture sum up how I felt as I watched the election results last night, well, yea, but in actuality, it is from the Civil War Days celebration at our Park this past weekend.


This re-enactor experienced the wonderful cockle-burrs that cover this area of the Park. Ouch!


Blue State or Red State? Oh, just shoot the gun.



Watch out, the South is about to rise again!


Now, this is a beautiful site.

Little Buckaroo (far left in red) tries to negotiate with a Union soldier.

Littlest Buckaroo had a great time with Scout and her sister, their dad is re-enactor.

Of course I am not happy that McCain did not win the election, but I urge everyone to pray for our new President. God is still on His throne. He is still sovereign. And we need His grace now more than we ever have before.

The Park Wife

Park Fun Day

The Park celebrated the first official weekend of summer with children’s games, surrey rides, town ball, and interactive demonstrations this past Saturday.

We jumped on the bandwagon, or surrey (haha), to celebrate. I took the Buckaroo's along with their good friend Princess Ri to play games of yesteryear.




We began with a three-legged race. They are all smiles here, but...



after the first two steps, crash! It is harder than it looks. Well, that is not really what Littlest Buckaroo is saying as he stares at them on the ground. But, he does have his daddy leading the way for him. After a little bit of fretting, they were up and going again, slowly, but going.


More fun games. They went through them pretty quick, I guess they are used to more "modern" games. The park historian pulled out the big guns and they played..

pick-up sticks. Princess Ri got bored so we went and worked on her modeling career.

Then there was the watermelon, or marshmelons as the kids were calling them. I have no idea why, but sometimes you just have to go with it.

Nikki brought Hot Rod Car to meet up with us after their trip into town and he enjoyed his marshmelon too (he had just consumed a blue sucker prior to this, that is why his finger and mouth are blue).

We had a great day at the park, take time this summer to enjoy the parks in your area, they are a treasure.

The Park Wife