Bits & Spurs of 2024

It's been awhile since I've been able to sit down and write for myself again. It was something that I thought I was going to be capable of keeping up with when I wanted to start my blogging journey - I've had two published posts since 2021 and haven't had one since I graduated college in May of 2022. So, let's catch up and reflect on this past year before we ring in the 2025 year together, where I hope I can hold myself accountable in the New Year to sit down and put words on paper a little more often.

I don't write to showcase that my life is perfect or better than anyone else's. It's not. I would say that I've made a lot of connections with people that have led me down several different paths that have allowed me to experience a lot of varying aspects of life that gives me things to talk about in a sense that it may resonate with other people. Rachel Slathar, owner of Daisy If You Do Co., does a wonderful job of advocating for what she believes in while being a role model for younger girls to give them that person to look up to through her past experiences. I value my friendship with Rach and find myself looking up to her on a daily basis as she incorporates her relationship with the Lord in whatever she is doing and is a safe space for several individuals who find themselves in certain situations where they simply need someone to relate to, talk to or just have someone to admire. That is exactly what I want to capture through my writing.

Monday through Friday I work a 7:30 to 4:15 (exact times to show that it isn't a 9 to 5 for my brother that loves to remind me that I work in a corporate building) lifestyle where I'm fortunate enough to work with Hereford breeders across the US and have the opportunity to continue to build my network while producing projects that help market their production. I'm very fortunate that I was able to join this team right after college and have been with AHA since. If you know me personally, you know that I have a Mom that is very active - always has to be doing something. Well, that is a trait that I definitely inherited. Luckily for me, my job keeps me very busy but not as active physically. I try to walk 2+ miles on my lunch break everyday to help keep me moving, especially in the winter months as I get home and it's dark outside and cold as heck. (I do NOT handle the cold well at all). In the warmer months, my evening walks bring a lot of peace and a clear head that I long for in these colder periods.

My weekends this past year have been full of 'on the go' scenarios. My boyfriend, Jace, team ropes and doesn't necessarily believe in planning. Which, I live on schedules, plans and timelines so you can understand what an adjustment that has been for me. We moved into our rental home with acres in May and I'll try to keep it short and hit the high points by saying that we are blessed to have a roof over our heads but it has continually been a project property. I'm talking not only did we have to move in but move the previous renters things out (still don't have full access to the house), tear down old rotten wall paper and repaint, have never stopped dealing with a mice infestation and there is always something that needs repaired around here. I also killed 3 vacuums and have shampooed the carpet a dozen times and it is still not clean enough for my standards. Let me reiterate that we are very thankful that we are able to have a place where we can keep the horses and lots of open space for my dog to run around.

Living with anyone comes with a lot of give and take, moving in with your significant other comes with a lot of growing pains on your relationship. Or it at least did for us. Moving in at the time we did, Jace was already in and out for his Summer rodeo run which left me to figure out and deal with a lot on my own. I like to believe that I'm very independent but not having my Dad close to help with "man" jobs while my man was on the road was a very, very trying period of time for me. I'm very fortunate to have a family that is more than willing to help me out in any way they can but it's a bit difficult not having them close. All part of growing up I suppose and a part of growing up that I don't tend to favor.

Though, Jace had a good year on the road and I'm very proud of him for continuing to chase his dreams and have the opportunity to do so. 2024 highlights included being able to support him at Rodeo Houston, Rookie Roundup in Fort Worth and the Great Lakes Circuit finals in Kentucky. He is very talented with a rope and he still didn't give me that beautiful black horse for Christmas but I love him anyway.

Our first trip to Rodeo Houston.

I grew up ranching but not traveling on the road to rodeos - which I personally feel as if I've had quite a bit of growth with managing the long drives, getting ready on the go in the truck/trailer and what I call 'living like a carny.' I'm always excited to jump in and go in a spur of the moment situation when our schedules are able to align and getting to make new memories in new places while meeting new faces. However, if you've met me along the rodeo road, I apologize if you've not caught me on a good day because sometimes a girl is just flat out exhausted after a work week and getting minimal down time to reset before jumping head first into the next crazy adventure that awaits.

As there has been a lot of growth in my life and relationship, it was also a tough year on our family when we found out my Mom was diagnosed with cancer (May 2024). She is the strongest woman I've ever met in my life and absolutely kicked cancers ass in October when we got the biggest answered prayer and relief for our family in finding out she was cancer free. Her mindset and heart were in the right place and believed that it was only a setback and one that definitely didn't slow her down as she would receive treatment and then proceed to go home and workout or hit the bike trails. We won't mention the one time she tried to mow the yard after treatment and fell asleep on the lawn mower and Dad revoked her mowing privileges - or maybe we will. Nothing will keep Momma T down for long and she proved that ten fold.

We are now preparing to celebrate a wedding for both of our siblings in 2025 as my little brother proposed to the love of his life, Maleah and Jace's sister got engaged to her forever as well. In between keeping the road hot we've managed to spend a lot of quality time with both of our families and I've enjoyed all the memories that we've been so fortunate to make this year with the people closest to our hearts and look forward to the many more we have to make.

As always, it's important to not take life for granted and to surround yourself with people who want a happier, healthier you. Not every season during the year is going to be 'your' season but building a strong foundation of values from the beginning will carry you into the next one that will come with new opportunities, experiences and memories to make. What can you expect to see from us in 2025? I can't really tell you as it's not up to me but the Lord our God and I know that he doesn't make you walk through hardships to not have you come out of them stronger in the long run. Life is short and everything good takes time so this is a promise to myself that I will not waste my time dwelling on what could have been and not being thankful for what we do have. I will praise Him and continue to build a strong relationship with Jesus to ensure that I am prepared for what awaits me down the road.

How blessed are we to be able to get through another year together! Here's to 2025 and to all the sacred memories made that we will get to cherish and look back on in the year to come.

xx.

-BR