We technically headed to my dad’s “ranch” on Brady’s birthday, Oct. 31st, but we’ll classify this as the November 2014 trip. . We got up before the sun and make our trek across Texas (literally). We stopped at a Whataburger for a fancy 2nd birthday breakfast for Brady boy. He enjoyed some hash browns and a large cinnamon roll (and some other healthy stuff, of course).  It was just Brian, Brady, me, and my dad for a long weekend. Usually my step mom and siblings come along and my uncle + cousins meet there, as well.  It was a wonderful trip filled with rest, good conversations, good food, and pretty nice weather. The only thing that kind stunk was me still getting over the flu like virus I’d had for a couple weeks. I think I went through at least 2 boxes of kleenex and ran out just as we were almost back home to Dallas.  Oh, and we also got lost, because the awesome GPS didn’t have a signal and took us almost 2 hours out of the way. Adventure!  Sometimes I like being stuck in the car for hours on end, because it allows Brian and I to catch up on stuff that we normally wouldn’t.  It was also a blessing that we got to catch up and have deep meaningful chats with my dad about all sorts of issues… current events, Christian, family lineage, etc…   He’s such a hard worker (in many senses). I’m constantly amazed that he can fix pretty much anything.  Gosh, how that’s lost on our generation! Makes me sad.  He built most of my childhood bedroom furniture (including an awesome white canopy bed with steps and pink ballet slippers stenciled on the sides).   He’s taken this little ranch from no electricity and outhouse to solar power, running (hot!) water, and a working kitchen and (sometimes) satellite tv. But my favorite is that there’s no internet or cell phone reception for miles and miles. *sigh*  I was literally craving to get there and unplug on life and just enjoy my little family without distractions.  Each time we’re there, it makes me appreciate the folks of the “olden days” who had to survive on the land and didn’t have modern ways of communicating… they rode on horses, farmed the land, hunted, birthed children without much help, and heavily relied on the Lord and his provisions.  It’s refreshing to think about those things.   It also motivates me to learn more survival skills (be it sewing, medicine, cooking (bread from scratch, different animals), intense farming, etc…)  Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for modern day technologies & medicine – just in moderation.

Brady enjoyed himself, too. He played on the porch while I read a couple books, played with his “rifle” and “pistol” and of course ate lots. We played in his wagon, but he was VERY impressed/obsessed with the Ranger that we went on a couple rides in and my dad even took us straight up and over then, straight down a rocky “mountain” – no joke I’m pretty sure we were vertical.  If we didn’t have seat belts I would have easily been thrown out. At one point, Brady almost fell asleep as I tightly hugged on to him as was tossed about during the ride. Impressive little buggy.  While Brady napped, Brian & my dad were out scouting/hunting deer and such and I sat on the porch with a warm mug of tea, a box of tissues, and a couple (good) books while the sun lowered in the sky. It was quiet and peaceful and MUCH needed.

I hope we get many more trips like this one with my dad.