Red Clay

Talk about making an impression! I got up early to inspect DJ's back forty. OK, back 3. He has a nice spread of land behind his house, carefully "mowed" by his two goats, Kanga and Tigger. In the summer the grass grows tall and wavy. Now, its short and stubbly and slopes down towards a land fill out behind their house. There is a roadway back there, and I thought it would be interesting to wander back and see what was there.

It had been raining earlier, and the road was sloppy. The land is mostly red clay, and when wet, you can sink in just like quicksand before you realize how deep you are in! My white sneakers were soon caked with the think red clay, and I was just trying to find some grass think enough to wipe it off on when DJ came back from giving a riding lesson.

I walked over to his car and we chatted as I followed him into the house. Big mistake. There was still clay caked on my sneakers, and even though I took them off at the front door, I saw to my dismay that I had left globs of red on the entry floor. Not the impression I was hoping to make. No time to take care of it, Katie is crying and in need of attention.

I barely managed to get to the rocking chair before DJ deposited the wriggling bundle in my arms. What is there about babies that's SO wonderful? They smell great, even when its poop and sour spitup smell. They cry as if you are torturing them and stop only to throw up on you. But we LOVE them so! I wager you can smell the baby powder right now.

I had so little time to spend with Katie that I grabbed every opportunity to hold her. I am sure Shannon was gritting her teeth as I spoiled her rotten, knowing she would have to straighten it out after I left. The bestest bestest moment of the entire visit was when I was sitting on the couch holding Katie, and Kelly was snuggled up next to me watching a Veggie Tales DVD. Kelly wrapped her little hand around my arm and leaned her head against my shoulder. At that very moment, Katie opened her eyes, looked deep into my eyes, and SMILED. She cooed away for a few minutes, then drifted back to sleep.

How wonderful is that? Pure straight love and trust. Untainted relationships. A beginning of a hopefully long relationship. And GIRLS! Gorgeous, beautiful, gentle, delicate, intelligent and gracious girls! Life is good. Days from now I will look down at my red tinged sneakers and remember this moment and smile. These girls have definitely left an impression on my heart. I hope it stays in place a whole lot longer than the red clay footprints I left behind.