And speaking of men who work hard, here's another man that is also one of the hardest working men I've ever known. Ted has had the privilege of riding in a couple of rodeo's this summer with one of our friends from church who has horses and invited Ted to join in the fun. And talk about stress relief for someone who works so hard... Can you tell he is totally in his glory here? Yes, if Ted and Emelia have it their way land and horses are not too far off in our future... 
He says its thrilling to be in the ring even though it is for only a few minutes at a time. I think its almost as much fun the see the joy on his face as it is when we see it on our children's faces.
Oh, and here were some of our on-lookers for the event. Cowgirls and pirates..
I think he's still looking for his ship or something...
Ted and the girls also got to take a quick spin on the horses in between events.
Its hard to see Hannah but she is on Ted's horse with him.
Daddy with his girls...
And Oompa even got to take a quick spin on Jett!
The girls and I stopped by my dad's job site last week to see what he's been up to. He has his own excavating business and the girls have always been impressed by Oompa's big machines and that he can run them all by himself. I've always been proud of that fact too. He is one of the most hard working men I know and I know that his hard work and dedication bring such honor and glory to the Lord. 
Here are the three thinkers all deep in thought about the work to be done...
Oompa let the girls crawl through the "tunnels" for a few minutes and they loved it!
Me and my Daddy-o!
Just last week my honey and I got away for a few days of R&R before baby #3 arrives. My awesome cousin and her hubby let us stay at their lovely lake home in northern Minnesota. I hardly think there is any other place in the world so wonderful as northern Minnesota. Yes, I am biased, but I love the smell of pine trees and a sunset on any one of our 10,000 lakes is almost always majestic! Thank you God for creating Minnesota!
Mr. T got a few chances to throw out a line from the dock and I enjoyed capturing these peaceful moments he had. These will be good to look at in the middle of January when baby is screaming in the middle of the night and it's like 80 below zero outside! (OK, so you can't have it all in MN, but it still is mostly GREAT!)
And while I watched the sunset and Mr. Fisherman I got the great idea that he might like to take a picture of my silhouette too! (He loves being forced to be the photographer:)) I'd say he did a mighty fine job, hugh? The only YIKES part is that I still have 3 months to go. I'm pretty sure I will look like a beluga whale soon, and some of my summer clothes are getting TIGHT! Uff Dah as we say up nort' here!
Oh, and you still want to know what we are having? Well, I just finished my diaper bag and I will show it to you soon and let you take a WILD GUESS as to what kind of baby we are working hard on growing! I'll give you a hint... it is for sure a boy or a girl! Yes, I'm getting kind of sassy in my stage of largeness, I know. Until next time...
OK, I think it' high time I let you know something we've been hiding for quite awhile... Actually, if you happen to live near me, it's not something that is really easy to hide! My real excuse for being such a horribly pathetic blogger this spring and summer is that we are expecting a baby this fall! We had started to fill out adoption paperwork this winter and then God put a hold on that plan when we found out about this surprise in late February!
This is me at 20 weeks... Tomorrow I will be 26 weeks, wow! Time is really flying now, but it did not fly in March, April and May when I laid on the couch most of the time. Emelia was a great helper to me and she got lots of Mommy training for when she has a home of her own someday:) She is also the photographer of these pics... I wonder where she gets such talent?
So far the pregnancy has gone well with nothing major to complain about. I have noticed some differences, being just a FEW years older this time! Honestly I cannot complain because I feel just so honored that God would choose to allow me one more time to carry life inside of me. I know some of you know that ache of not being able to ever carry a child or know the pain of never carrying to full term. We ourselves have had a few babies that never made it full term and I think it just makes me more thankful for what we have and this blessing of another baby. It has been a little confusing at the same time, saying, God I thought you wanted us to adopt a child... But we know He is in control and He is the life giver. In any event I am trying to cherish each day with my girls, knowing that in a few short weeks life as we know it will change again. And feeling those sweet kicks is one of my greatest treasures that I will never tire of.
Oh, so you want to know what kind of baby? Yes, we did find out this time. But you'll have to stay tuned, otherwise how will I keep you coming back for more?
Here's the sweet peaches and honey buns that I was talking about...
Miss Celine...
And Miss Lola being held by Princess Hannah (who is always dressing up as fancy as she can...)
Did you know that this child asked for the book Pinkalicious for her birthday? Yep, begged for it!
about us
The West Ranch currently consists of Ted, head Rancher, Angela, Ted's right hand woman, and two busy little wranglers, Emelia and Hannah.
He says its thrilling to be in the ring even though it is for only a few minutes at a time. I think its almost as much fun the see the joy on his face as it is when we see it on our children's faces. 
