Reason to celebrate!

This weekend was definitely a time for us to celebrate.  Saturday, March 1, was the one year anniversary of Amanda's surgery.  For Amanda, we did what she loves best and spent it around horses.

Friday night, we had the privilege to visit Ribbit Ranch and meet the Nicholas family.  At Ribbit Ranch, they breed, train and sell Barrel Racing Futurity and Open colts. (To learn more about exactly what that is, visit their website at ribbitranch.com or read an article by Lisa on the Barrel Horse Heaven website.) This is an area of the horse world I have never heard of!  We were give a tour of their facilities and ended the evening with Amanda riding one of their horses, JT.  The weather was beautiful for some time outside and it was perfect timing that we beat this cold front!  While I did take some pictures, most of the evening I simply enjoyed the good company. 

 Jeremy and Lisa use a horse swimming pool to condition their horses.

The pool goes from five feet at the base of the ramp to nine feet around the circle.

Be sure to notice the frog brand! Love the cleverness of it. (Get it? Ribbit Ranch!)

After her swim, 'Stoli My Guy' was left to dry off in the nice warm evening.

Walking JT out to the arena.

Amanda is a little tired of me taking her picture.....can you tell? :)

She got to trot around the barrels.  That was one happy girl!

Amanda and Skyler rode together back to the barn.

After a great ride, she helped feed. 

Amanda and Lisa Nicholas

Thank you Jeremy, Lisa, Dalton and Skyler Nicholas for a wonderful evening!

On Saturday night, the herd, I mean my family, went to the Austin Rodeo as a celebration for that one year mark.  When you are walking around with 20 people in Team Watson shirts, you are bound to be asked about them. I had several opportunities to express why we were there to celebrate and my thankfulness for the blessings in Amanda's journey.   Our night in pictures:

The Earps and Watsons.

She would have gladly brought this little cutie home...

Creepy.  Ms. Judy and I played bodyguards trying to keep the over zealous animals from knocking Amanda over while she tried to feed the babies.  I'm sure we were very entertaining to watch!

Amanda's favorite part of the rodeo.  She wants to barrel race one day. *Gulp*

What can we say - horses just love her. ;)

Miss Rodeo Texas, Stephanie Revels, came over to meet Amanda during the rodeo.

Such a sweet young lady!

Amanda then had the opportunity to meet the Rodeo Austin Queen, Lisa Lageschaar, and the Rodeo Austin Princess Bailee Ackerman. 

The Team Watson crew for the rodeo.

Sunday, all four of us actually made both the morning and afternoon worship services!  What better way to end the weekend and prepare for the upcoming week of chemo than spending time in corporate worship with the body of Christ.

Here's to another wonderful year, one where God keeps amazing us and blessing our family as we live day by day in his grace.