Just a couple of weeks into January, and it would seem the year has already started off with a bang! South Texas got six inches of snow—a rarity for this area. We’ve had a dusting of snow a couple times but we got 2 inches about 4 or 5 years ago that left people in dire straits, but nothing like this. Thankfully, we all were well-prepared, and no one had to suffer from power outages or lose of heat this time. But I have to say, the grocery stores were a bit of a sight to behold—shelves were pretty bare as people were clearly bracing for whatever weather was about to come.

In the end, all was calm, and our little crew made the most of the snow. We even managed to build a snowman and enjoy the crisp weather! For those of you who don’t know, I’m originally from the Midwest—specifically Iowa. So, I’ll admit, I miss the snow every year. It’s one of those things you can’t replicate here in Texas, where we usually just get hot, muggy, and sticky weather. I really miss the four distinct seasons that the Midwest offers. As much as I’ve loved my 25+ years here in Texas, I’ll always have a soft spot for the snow and the changing seasons.

This year’s snow was a beautiful sight—the world blanketed in white, with the air feeling clean and refreshing. It was a nice break from the typical Texas heat, and I’m hopeful it’ll help reduce the mosquito population this summer!

On a more somber note, it’s been a tough week for our fur pack. Our oldest girly dog sweet Babygirl is not doing too well. She’s at least 14, that we know of, but have been blessed to be able to have her for many years now. She’s however been with my husband since before we met, so this is hitting him especially hard. I’m doing my best to be there for him, and we’re all holding out hope that she’ll hang on as long as possible and as long as she’s not in pain. It’s a sad part of having pets, but we’ll cherish whatever time we have left with her.

Despite the tough moments, the snow has allowed us a little extra time to be home together. It’s the kind that reminds you to appreciate the moments, no matter how big or small. These small moment will mean a big amount to us before we know it.

On a lighter note, our teenie girl had an amazing goat show last weekend! She placed first in her class with one of her goats and fifth with the other, which was pretty impressive. We’re so proud of her, especially since they are really starting to make strides in showmanship. Both goats are improving nicely and should look really great for County. We’ve only got about nine weeks until the County Fair, so we’re excited for more jackpot shows and continued practice. We are hoping she’ll be able to pull out a buckle here soon.

Also, we’ve been talking about her doing the calf scramble this year, which could mean adding a cow to our mini farm. She’s still deciding whether she wants to take that leap, but it would be a fun new adventure for all of us. I’ll definitely keep you posted on how that unfolds.

With the rodeo coming up soon, we’re gearing up for another year of great music and fun times. Every year, it’s something we look forward to, and this year promises some fantastic artists.

As for TV, we’ve been following the buzz around Lioness and it’s shaping up to be a good show. Taylor Sheridan’s work is always captivating, though we still miss the original Yellowstone. That being said, shows like Land Man and Lioness are proving to be just as interesting.

We also watched the new Cameron Diaz movie on Netflix—it was surprisingly good! And speaking of new beginnings, I’ve just started back to school this semester. It’s been an exciting journey, though I’m debating continuing on after I graduate with my associate degree. I want to be as present as possible for our teenie girl, especially with her senior year on the horizon, but I’m leaning toward continuing. Time will tell, but for now, this semester seems like it’s off to a solid start!

Thanks for following along with us as we navigate life, love, snowflakes, and new adventures! How’s the new year treating you so far? What have you been watching or doing to kick things off? I’d love to hear what’s going on in your world!