*Confession*
Referring to my husband as a “farmer” is incredibly awkward to me. He raises livestock, not crops, so in my mind and probably most everyone’s west of the Mississippi he qualifies as a rancher.
On the other hand, my husband finds it incredibly awkward when I refer to him and his parents as ranchers and their land as a ranch because, “we don’t have those around here.”
Whatevs.
The struggle of east vs. west lingo in our house is real.
But you know what, since this is my blog, I’ll say ranch or rancher if I want to. Take that Kentucky. *Flips Hair*
I’ve hinted at it quite a bit, but have yet to make the official announcement. We are officially the extremely happy — signed, sealed and delivered — owners of 40 years of debt!!
Oh, and 64 acres and a single-wide trailer. 😉
Buying land is one thing. Buying a home is another. Buying both and trying to get them where they need to be quickly in order to get your ‘ranch’ (heehee) dreams set in forward motion is a whole other ballgame. <= All this added in with a new marriage.
Yeah, we are crazy.
While our sanity could be judged, the events of the last couple of months have provided intense lessons to be learned in life skills and marital skills. It’s been a roller coaster of emotions. We’ve tested each others normally easy-going temperaments, tears have been shed and we have just been straight-up exhausted.
During our beginning ‘ranch’ (heehee) journey, My Someone discovered it is never a good idea to buy two groups calves and *forget* to tell your wife, only for her to find out when she receives the phone call to pay for them, BUT if you’re going to *forget* such a minor detail, make sure you’re in DC with you’re phone on silent… 
And then on the opposite side of the spectrum we’ve laughed until we’ve almost cried, some nights danced in the kitchen to red dirt on our iPods more than we’ve worked and giggled over showing up at a restaurant looking like paint-covered bums just because we were too tired to cook.
Even though it’s been a lot to handle, having something that is ours, something we are proud of… Holy cow, that is a good feeling.
The second day of living in our new place, trying to be good hosts for my family. At this point we didn’t even have an oven… Have I mentioned we’re crazy?
There have been moments where we have both questioned if we were actually making progress, or just making a bigger mess, but the last month and a half it’s finally starting to look less like a mess and more like a plan. If you follow me on Instagram you’ve probably seen that as well. 
While the house remodel still has a relatively long to-do list, (Ay-yi-yi so much painting still left to do). This week a lot of our (mainly My Someone’s) hard work paid off. This week marked the true beginning of everything we are striving for.
This week our cows came home.
Welcome home, ladies.
Second load, your turn…
Be still my bovine-loving heart.
He’s playing Clash of the Clans and watching his cows… Fairly certain that might be his idea of a perfect day.
Cows unloaded, fed, and fence checked. Our cattle spent the rest of the evening checking out their new digs, as we watched them from our front porch — goofy, happy grins plastered across our faces.
They say money can’t buy happiness, but it can buy cows… and that’s pretty much the same thing. (Totally saw that on Pinterest).
I agree, random Pinterest poster, I agree.
Now back to painting…
Great Blog – I love you guys to the moon and back !!!
And we love YOU! Be sure and show Martin that he made his High Heels & Shotgun Shells photo debut. 😉
Y’all just make me smile! Cant wait to visit the “ranch” 🙂
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I literally LOVE reading your blogs. They’re incredibly personable & makes the reader feel like they’ve been your friend since diapers. Not to mention watching your journey through adulthood trying to make goals & dreams happen, let’s the rest of us know we’re not alone!!
You’re an amazing writer!! Keep on “Noggin Bloggin”
I just made that up because you always writting what’s on your mind. Haha 👍😉
Best of luck you “crazy” kids!! 🙂 Enjoy watching your new ladies.
Perhaps a comprise “Title” might be a FARMER-STOCKMAN ?
G-Dad Darby
Yeah!!!! Congrats Girl!!!
I agree Rancher! Of course I’m an Arkansas Girl! Love your story, still waiting on The Lord to let me know it’s my turn for my farmhouse and land (: it will come, just in his time! Beautiful story! Have fun on this journey.
Congrats! And our stories continue to follow on another… I love the wreath on your front door. 😉
I’m SO behind in my blog reading, but congrats anyways! Funny thing, Dustin technically only raises livestock, no crops, but I would never consider him a rancher. To me ranches can only be had in the west or south, or you at least need thousands of acres of land and tons of cows. Perspective? We’ve been through one total house remodel and starting it a second time with an addition – sometimes all you can do is cry until you laugh and laugh until you cry. 🙂
I grew up a farmer’s daughter-we raised cattle and crops. Now I’m a rancher’s wife living out West. I totally get the references. Good luck on your new adventure!
“The struggle of east vs. west lingo in our house is real.” — This cracked me up! I’m stopping by from the Country Fair Blog Party + it was so interesting reading about your journey. My guy + I are saving money to purchase a home/land in northern USA, so I can relate a lot to how excited y’all must be! Congrats on the new home + adventures to come… can’t wait to hear more about it 🙂
Can’t wait to see some more pictures of the cows. Your cows look great. Congrats on your new place. Welcome to the club of how are we every going to pay this all off club! Owning your own home and ranch/farm is the best feeling in the world.
http://www.crystalcattle.com