3 Years Ago.

As much as I love being in this place and sharing with the few readers I have, I realize more and more each day that this is a place for me. A place to share where I am right now, the moods I am in, whats going on in my life, my relationships, mainly so one day I can look back. This will always be here. 
This weekend, 3 years ago, something happened that I know changed my life for the better. I met Andy. 
It was a tractor pull with new friends, a few(or too many) drinks, a two-step lesson, followed by a Facebook message a few days later. Who would have thought that a tag-along like me would have met someone like you? 
So tonight, and pretty much always, I am thankful for you, Andy. Thankful for a chance meeting, thankful for tractor pulls, Texas country music, and new friends.
Life is better since Andy is in it. He is the calm to my crazy, the planner to my "i don't know", one of the best men I have ever known, and a friend that I never knew I could have. He knows when to hug me, when to give me space, and when to push into that space and make me a better person. He forgives me when I mess up, laughs at (with) me when I have a moment, is always down for dancing. He likes to go as much as I do, constantly ready for a road trip, and makes me smile every single day.
Andy has also made my faith stronger each and every day, his relationship with the Lord makes me want mine to be better and better. The good Lord knew what he was doing when he put Andy in my life and I wouldn't have it any other way. I love him and the person he has made me. I know now how relationships should be.

I usually try not to get too sappy on here, and only God knows our future, but I couldn't be more blessed to have such a wonderful man in my life. I can only smile thinking about it. 

Moving out and Moving on

I wrote this post right before I moved out but had yet to share. It was in my drafts and just waiting to be published. I have since moved, but wanted to include my feelings during this time so that I may look back and remember. 
So here it goes, another adventure in this little life of mine. I am currently in the middle of packing up my little house and moving about 7 miles down the road. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know it isn't that far. But the memories of this little home I have created began flooding back the past couple of nights. Sometimes I find it so crazy just to think I have only been here two and a half years, yet others it is hard to believe I have been here this long. It seems like just yesterday I was leaving home, starting a completely different life for myself, becoming a grown-up, leaving behind a town full of memories and people that helped make me who I am today. It is the times when you are packing up that all the memories come pushing back into your brain. The ones of home and college, of growing and learning, of decision-making and decision-breaking. I went through some heartaches in this little home, right by myself. I did what I wanted here, I danced around in my underwear singing in a hairbrush, I have cried, I have been sick, heartbroken, crying, laughing, downing a bottle of wine just because, celebrated friend's marriages, gotten through bad relationships, and started the best one of all. All right here in this little home. 

july 2013

This home taught me so much, I learned about myself here more than anywhere I have lived so far and I was blessed to call this my home. Once again I am blessed to be here in this space and sharing my words with you. ooo, Montana

A New Morning

This marks the first of my morning blogging so bare with me. It's early and I am trying to get into a new habit of getting the thoughts from my head onto this screen a little earlier. 
All mornings are a fresh start, a whole new day to take on another dream or goal. In a lot of ways I feel like mornings are God's way of giving us a do-over. A brand new day that we can better serve him, be a better example to others, or just treat ourselves and those around us with the utmost respect. I like mornings, I always have. Lots of the mornings of my childhood were spent up with the animals, feeding the horses in their stalls, getting ready for a show on a weekend. Those moments before a crack of light came into the sky were special to me. A typical morning before a horse show included so many things, from ironing our show shirts, to giving those horses one last grooming before we put them in the trailer, the mornings were when it happened. There are many of those times that stick out more than the rest, but one of my favorites is still embeded in my memory.

a late night hike recently

It was a cool morning, early fall probably, and the day before had been spent in Perry, Georgia. After one show we immediately headed to another in South Carolina. I was tired, he was tired but he made it a point to let me have a good time as soon as we got to the hotel. We jumped on the beds. Literally jumped, this became a little tradition that has always happened, even to this day. We stayed up late into the night working on some tie-downs for the horses. Showing was a way of life, and a way we made our money, so it was important to win the next day. We tied rope until our fingers were tired and I am pretty sure I passed out long before daddy. The next morning we woke up early and headed out to the show grounds to feed the horses first. It was still dark outside and I can still smell the hay and grain. While the horses were eating, and they always ate before we did, we headed over to the local IHOP. I remember the menu and ordering the "pigs in a blanket". This was the first time I had heard a food called this, and I made a big deal about it. We laughed and laughed about that for days. After eating we headed back to barn to get ready for the day. I got put on a horse to warm up and one for daddy too. After riding around the arena some, and getting the horse warmed up for the day, I decided to work on some of my circles, not noticing the lady lunging her horse in the center of the arena. When our horses met they both went opposite ways and I stayed right in the middle. Falling off hard down into the dirt. Nothing hurt but my pride. I, of course, got back on after a little coaxing from daddy, and I think we went on to have an okay day. Those tie-downs worked wonders and we got those horses to bury their butts in the dirt during their slides.
Looking back now, I lived for mornings like those, and in a way still do. Now it is all about encompassing it all, making it more than a memory, making it a part of me again. This morning is going to be a good one. I am blessed, blessed, blessed. ooo, Montana

You are just what we needed.

Today there were tears, but little sister graduated high school today. I truly can't believe that this day has finally got here, so in true Tana spirit, here is a letter to Josie.

Sweet Jose,

Let me start off by saying how much I love you. I couldn't be happier that God gave you to us. You are just what we needed. A push towards the direction of crazy, we can always count on you for a laugh, and I can always give you my own personal sob story (when I shouldn't) and know you will listen.

As you graduate, grow up, and get out of the small bubble called high school there are a few things you should remember. First off, we all love you tremendously. We may fight or get upset with you, but our love for you is constant. The same goes for God's Love, he is always there, at times when you feel alone, scared or just don't know what to do in a situation, say a prayer and feel his presence. He is there. Next, follow your dreams. Do all the things you always wanted to do. Make decisions for yourself and don't be in a hurry to find someone. Find yourself first. This is the time in your life to figure out yourself, figure out who you are and what you want, but don't be in a hurry, you have plenty of time.

And lastly, remember I will always be here for you, for you to call when you need to cry, yell, or complain. To call when you need a laugh, to visit when you just need time away. I love you gopher. Always.

Oh yeah... get ready to jump out of a plane. 

Tana

Yes! We are nuts!

via

Seeing these pictures on Facebook sure made my morning a whole lot better, it also helps that I am headed home for a 3 day weekend, to see my little sister graduate high school, spend some much needed time with my family, and just get out of town! 

This is all I got today folks! 

Happy Friday and Happy Weekend!!!

<3

Montana

Celebrating Baby Layton

I have been meaning to share these photos for a good bit now, as baby Layton's birth has already come and gone, however I am just getting around to editing and getting them all uploaded and sorted through. I have since visited this sweet boy and can honestly say I am super in love with his sweet face and I am so proud of his wonderful parents! I truly cannot wait to watch this boy grow up! We went with a western theme for this future cowboy and kept the flowers simple and sweet. I am in love with the way that it all turned out.

Baby Layton is loved more each day and I am so happy we had the chance to celebrate him!

a roadtrip, a horse show, and a butt whoopin.

i am just going to preface this post by saying it will be all over the place. 

andy and i were out on the road this weekend, getting into all kinds of shenanigans for a work trip mainly for me. we logged 1000+ miles in five days, stayed in four different towns, and three different hotels. below are some pics from our trip.

IHOP, here is where andy said his food was prettier than mine for my blog.

i don't think mine looked too bad though.

just a little beach fun after my trade show was over.

it was the most perfect day in Tampa, and we spent the afternoon all around Honeymoon Island.

i am seriously living in the wrong place. i could have stayed here forever. looking into moving.

in my happy place.

fish tacos at the beach, made even better by the view.

we also got to stop after the beach and sneak an orange picking. it was a first for both of us.

<3

on Sunday, i had a horse show to judge. It was a beautiful day, and i am so thankful for andy for being patient while i worked away.

this is the gorgeous sunset on our way back to Madison. 

in short, i got to spend some amazing time with Andy  see my family, judge some horses, catch up with old friends, and make some new ones. we also met a lady that i hope to be just like in 40 years, someone that was full of life, happiness, and ready to live life to the fullest.  so this Thursday i am thankful for this past weekend, i am thankful for my family, for Andy for horses, for friends. i am motivated to make some changes in my life within the coming year, and to enjoy each and every day.  oh and by the way... we play a little game called "punch bug" the entire trip, and i am sad to say that i was the biggest loser. andy wooped up on me.  andy is even creating another shirt to add to his store. what do yall think of the design?? personally i am loving it! i might be partial! be sure to check out all of his motorsports apparel at speedpowerpassion.com. hope each and every one of you are having a great Thursday!! i am so excited to be heading to athens tonight to see Jerry Seinfeld!  be sure to check out the AWESOME giveaway at For Lauren and Lauren. I am giving away a $15 shop credit to SaraMontanas
linking up with Shanna for Random Wednesday

time to get serious.

i am not one who usually makes resolutions. i feel that i try each and every day to push myself to do a little better. yes we should make lists and yes it sounds good in theory but i feel like sometimes resolutions are pushed so much that we only do them for a short time. all of these are things that i want to do each and every day. today is the day that i am writing them out.

after making the above graphic i have decided that i will also be reading the Bible from beginning to end. i had been thinking of doing it but Kristen's instagram picture helped me find a place to start. i am on track and cannot wait to see how the Lord brings me closer to him on this journey this year.
what are your resolutions this year?

a special bond...

photo credit// Joni Marzofka

dress: Target// shoes: Kohls// jewelry: Miss Chic

It never fails to surprise me the way that I am able to pick up right where I left off with some of my old high-school friends. It is like we all share this small bond, one that growing up in a tiny town and knowing everyone will do to you. No matter the years that pass or the things in our lives that change, even if we rarely talk, its like no time has gone by. We just pick up right where we left off, laughing, joking, and catching up.

I have been truly blessed with some great friends in my life and this past weekend was a perfect time for us! I had the best time with each and every one of them celebrating my Lauryn's beautiful wedding.

I am so excited to be linking up with the GORGEOUS Shanna for her newest link-up.

Random Wednesday!

Go check it out and link up your blog too!!

The Pleated Poppy

23 years ago.

23 years ago today, God gave me a best friend. 

So here is to you Audrey...

My sister, one of the best friends this girl could ask for.

Happy Birthday! 

You mean so much to me and I am so thankful to have you in my life.