Living in the Kentucky Bluegrass....

I can't believe it's been nearly ten years since we moved to Kentucky. I remember that first drive into Versailles, the gorgeous horse farms and their long winding fences that just seemed to go on for miles and miles. It was then ... in that very moment ... that I told myself to never tire of this beauty, to never take it for granted. To remember how precious new life is and to stop and savor every minute.

There are times when I'm driving and seeing all these rolling hillsides, and think what would have happened had we not moved here or how would my life be different if we had moved away eight years ago? It's one of those what-ifs that we all ask ourselves about certain things in our life but never get to know the answer because it's just that, a what-if and we will never know. I'm sure life would have gone on and the not-knowing doesn't bother me like it once did. I suppose that's because I have found my place in this world.

But my children were the main reason we stayed here. Neither Jeff nor myself moved around as children. Almost all of my friends from Elementary and High School are my friends today, and while living here these last many years in the Bluegrass, I've made friendships that I will have for the rest of my life.

That's what I want for my children. I want them to create memories and have friendships for a lifetime, but more importantly I want them to appreciate the world around them, all that we hold dear... I want them to see the beauty in all things and the wonder in all things.

While we've been out of school for all this snow, my children have been making memories and that means a lot to me. Even though my own small life was put on the back burner for a bit, I was glad to see them enjoy their snow days. Someday far out in the future they'll say to us, "wasn't it wonderful? All those snow days? Dad making Snow Cream and you warming our clothes in the dryer?" (that's what I do. they come in. take everything off. and i warm it all back up nice and toasty. then put it all back on again. :) I also do this in the morning when they go off to school...warm up their coats. :) They love it.

A friend of mine sent these photos to me this morning and I wanted to share them with you. They're a little bit of our country. My friend Jen works with horses, what a wonderful job that would be! She said that it's wonderful until they kick, bite or poop on you. Cracked me up! She said they're just like human babies. I like knowing that, don't you?

I have a lot of work to do today but I just wanted to stop and send some joy your way. I hope you love these photos, they made me smile and appreciate this little-big town that I live in.

Enjoy your day.

xoxo.