My husband.
That is what this post will primarily be about.
That is what this post will primarily be about.
For the most part he is very tolerant of me and my camera. Even when I pull it out at 6 am when we’re having a quiet morning on the couch with our coffee.
Then after a few minutes he asks, “What are you taking pictures of?” I respond, “You & the light.” He asks, “Don’t you think you’ve taken enough?” Me, “Yes, I think 100 is enough.”
As you all know he’s a man of many talents. But today I will refer to him as “Straw Man”. As in “pine straw”. I might as well call him a farmer because honestly, harvesting pine straw is similar to harvesting hay, with the exception of the 1,000’s of pine trees you have to dodge in the process. His work keeps him in close contact with Latinos. He has become {almost} fluent in Spanish in the last 2 years. And, if he didn’t have blonde hair and blue eyes, I might have thought he had actually become a Mexican. Besides talking to them fluently in Spanish, he also has started shopping at tiendas, drinking imported soft drinks and beer, listening to Spanish music and then he walked through the door in this yesterday… it sealed the deal.
When I inquired about it he told me, “All the guys wear them, and it keeps the sun off my neck. It was $6 at the equipment store.” Then he asked, “Do you like it?” All I could do was reach for my camera and smile.
John Martin really liked it. I was still getting used to it. This is a man whom I’ve only ever seen in baseball caps.
I came to the conclusion if it keeps the sun of his neck, entertains John Martin the way it did, and if “all the guys” wear them… then I guess I do like it. Straw Man in a straw hat… sounds good to me.
Then he went on to tell me about his day. They BURN a lot, as in prescribed burning. He loves it, what man wouldn’t? But on the days when they burn he comes in smelling like a forest fire. Usually after work he’ll change clothes or take a shower. Yesterday he threw on some shorts and walked in the den where I was doing what I always do folding clothes.
These are his legs. He had on socks {obviously}, boots, and heavy Carhart pants… and these are still his legs which were very covered in soot and ash. All I can say is, I’m glad he’s “Straw Man” and I’m not “Straw Woman”.
In other news, we’re heading to the lake for Memorial Day weekend. Why do children have a hard time grasping… “we’re not leaving until Saturday!”??
Morgan spent the better part of today packing. I told her “one bag”, this was her first bag, she packed more, many more; they were stuffed with toys, towels, floats, jammies, clothes, everything but the kitchen sink. John Martin is ready to go too… he snuck out and I made him come back in. “Saturday, John Martin, Saturday!”
A year ago as I was preparing to go to the lake Paige broke a dozen eggs on my rug. Let’s pray that doesn’t happen tomorrow!
Ok, I think that’s it. I’m super excited about the weekend… we’re not going solo!!!
Be back soon!
Kristen
May 21, 2009 at 9:13 pmI could totally see Steve in that hat…he would love it! I love the picture of John Martin sneaking out! Have a great lake weekend!
Tara McClendon
May 21, 2009 at 9:35 pmTell J he can totally pull off the straw hat – not many people can! 🙂
Love the pictures of JM and his daddy. Please, D, tell me how you find the time for such fabulous blog posts? I can’t seem to keep up to save my life!
the sweet life with olives
May 22, 2009 at 1:47 amI love the whole ‘all the guys wear them bit’ and think your hubby looks dreamy with the straw hat. Morgan’s luggage looks just like Stella’s which she already started packing for our Stateside trip in ONE MONTH! I should have never told them so early on… have fun at the lake. I remember reading last year about the egg incident. I can’t believe it’s already been a year. Time really does fly!
Debra
May 22, 2009 at 3:27 amNot only can he pull it off- but he pulls it off in the best sort of way. Hats are the same for men-as we women-some can do it-some can’t. Your guy definately can!
Have a great weekend.
Amanda Thrasher
May 22, 2009 at 3:48 amSo totally handsome. How did we ever get so lucky? My favorite is hubby’s back to the camera with JM grinning at you. Have a great trip! Long weekends–LOVE IT!
duchess
May 22, 2009 at 4:42 amCute post. Love the first two pictures. You’re getting the hang of that camera.
Have a great weekend – use that camera a lot.
Amanda @ Serenity Now
May 22, 2009 at 4:52 amHandsome!! I like the hat! Your babies are so precious….Hope your trip to the lake is wonderful. Great pictures today! 🙂
erika
May 22, 2009 at 4:55 amLove the pictures!!
Morgie and her backpack, JM and his toothy grin, JJ & his new hat… love it all. Thanks for sharing your family with the world.
If you get tired of the lake, come see Mommasis'.
XO
Mommasis
Tara and Felix
May 22, 2009 at 4:55 amD-Bone, I thought that was a farmer’s tan on Daddy’s legs when I first glanced at the pic. Hilarious! Great post!
Love,
61
Family Life
May 22, 2009 at 5:35 amI love little Morgan, packing herself, but it looks like you might already have a problem….she’s an overpacker and you know what that means for a young girl? Shoes for every outfit, bows coordinating with each dress. Uh oh (see, my daughter is the same way, and gee, I wonder where she gets that from? Oh, yeah – ME!)
Love the blog and the pictures, keep it up!
Erin
May 22, 2009 at 5:37 amI like the hat! JM looks like he really likes it as well! I miss all those precious babies (and you and Justin as well) 🙂 Love you!! Have a good weekend!!
XOXO
Cous
L
May 22, 2009 at 5:39 amAdorable pictures! And I agree that he can pull the hat off, although I would have a hard time getting used to it, too. Have a wonderful weekend at the lake! (if I was home with my family, that is exactly where I would be, too 🙂
Life at the White House
May 22, 2009 at 5:52 amWhat beautiful pictures of John Martin and his dad! Ahhhh, precious! Years from now all of you are going to be so glad that you took pictures like crazy!
Happy long weekend!
Jessica {lovely jubbly london}
May 22, 2009 at 5:53 amI love the father and son pictures! So precious and cute! JM’s hair is getting so blonde too- you’re outnumbered!
Anne
May 22, 2009 at 5:59 amI couldn’t help but notice the urn in the photo of JM sneaking out…where’d you get it? I’m searching for a pair.
Becky
May 22, 2009 at 6:02 amD–what lake? that water is sooo clear. and that is usually why i don’t love a lake. the water. but if it looks like that, i’d be there in a heartbeat!!
justin’s legs are hilarious! JM looks so much like his daddy!
margaret
May 22, 2009 at 6:03 amokay, gotta ask…. is “marlboro man” a reference to the pioneer woman? i LOVE her blog!!
Abby Maddox
May 22, 2009 at 6:06 amThose pictures of Justin and JM made me want to cry they were so sweet! Are Justin’s legs burned…they looked burned, as in second degree, to me 🙂 Not sure why I just put a smiley face. I am really sort of depressed that we aren’t going to be at the lake…old times.
KBroome
May 22, 2009 at 6:27 amJohnMartin has to be the prettiest baby I have ever seen. Seriously, such a cutie!
Elizabeth
May 22, 2009 at 6:28 amThat picture reminds me of my dad after he’s been playing golf – epic sock tan!
Anonymous
May 22, 2009 at 6:29 amQue guapo esta Justin en su sombrero!:)Have fun at the lake.
Rachel
May 22, 2009 at 6:43 amWow! I guess everyone knows who PW is! I loved the pics of the kiddos & hubby. Seeing your blog makes me yearn for pregnancy to have an adorable family like yours. Is that weird? Probably, but I'm okay with that!
Natalie Roe
May 22, 2009 at 6:55 amwhat a great post!
and you are getting pretty handy with that camera – kudos to you photog!
The Pughs
May 22, 2009 at 7:53 amI laughed at the children not understanding when you will leave. We are headed to the beach for the weekend after work today and my 2 year old son basically had a meltdown last night because we couldn’t leave right then.
Jennifer
May 22, 2009 at 8:14 amlove the hat!
have fun at the lake!
kdurec
May 22, 2009 at 8:47 amI may just have to go buy my hubby a hat like that after seeing the pics of Justin in his. 🙂 Love it!
JM seriously is so cute.
I just went back and reread the egg mishap, and was once again so thankful for your honesty. Thanks for keeping it real!
The Nester
May 22, 2009 at 8:52 amLove the hat and the legs!
Just dropping by to say hello!
J
May 22, 2009 at 9:59 amWOW! Those legs! Love the early am photos, too! Y’all have fun at the lake!!!
MEGAN
May 22, 2009 at 10:49 amThat little John Martin is as cute as can be.
MacKenzie + Shawn
May 22, 2009 at 11:03 amhi, i’m mackenzie, an innocent blog stalker, haha! no, i’ve seen your blog through jill pope’s. and i have to tell you i’m so impressed w/ your ‘homemaker’ abilities! cooking, baking, sewing, crafting, photography, AND BLOGGING!!! where do you get the time to put it all together? i just had my first, elsie anne, she is almost 3mo + she takes up so much time, which i love! but i’m just trying to imagine juggling 3 kids + all the things you do!! YOU ROCK, CHEERS TO MOTHERHOOD!
countryfriedmama
May 22, 2009 at 12:46 pmThose photos are great! (And the hat’s not bad, really.)
Caroline
May 22, 2009 at 2:05 pmhave a fun weekend. can’t wait to see pics when you get back.
PS. your hubby is rockin the hat! 🙂
abby jenkins
May 22, 2009 at 5:38 pmOle~! That hat is awesome!
You are very fortunate. My husband’s tolerance with me taking photos, much less photos of him …. let’s just say he is not always amused that I want to document nearly every single thing. Thank the Lord for digital cameras…and adorable children like yours! What sweeties! Have a great weekend.
MyLittleHappyPlace
May 22, 2009 at 7:36 pmI understand completely…I have what I consider to be a true cowboy, too – rarely see him without boots.
Oh, just in case your hubster hasn’t discovered it – Topo Chico carbonated mineral water is fantastico!
Kat
May 22, 2009 at 7:56 pmHilarious! It looks like he is wearing leggings in that picture. Great post!
morethanthestarsinthesky
May 23, 2009 at 11:55 amCute posting! Hope you have a great weekend!
ashr7406
May 23, 2009 at 2:11 pmI see someone’s been reading Confessions of a Pioneer Woman!! Great post 🙂
Carly
May 24, 2009 at 7:49 amJM is getting so big! And I totally agree with your other readers, J can def pull off that hat! Happy Memorial day weekend!
Courtney
May 24, 2009 at 9:52 amWhat an adorable little family you have…I love reading about them! And your two guys…so handsome!!
Anonymous
May 24, 2009 at 7:59 pmDarby, i absolutely love your blog! {Erika’s too!}
i have been meaning to comment on your blog FOREVER!
i love the pictures you post. they’re so fun and happy!
whenever i get home from school { I’m only 13, and, actually, school’s over now} i check your and Erika’s blog as soon as i get my uniform off {gross, i know, catholic school} by the way this comment is going to be long comment because i can’t combine all the reasons why i love your blog. Ok, back to the subject…… shoot, i forgot what i was going to say.
oh! now i remember!
i loved the pictures of justin and the kiddos.
i love all the pictures you have.{you have a good camera}
this comment isn’t going to be as long as i thought.
i hope you have a wonderful time at the lake!
sincerely, Lauren
Elizabeth
May 25, 2009 at 5:37 pmI agree with other commenters that your hubby can pull the hat off. I love the picture of him holding JM and looking back over his shoulder. you must print that one!
i love reading your blog posts. your pictures and the way you write all flow so easily…
hope the lake was fun. i can’t imagine going with 3 kids.
Anonymous
May 25, 2009 at 5:45 pmMexican men are the best….lucky you!
Kristen
May 26, 2009 at 3:06 pmI love your new head photo! Your family reminds me so much of my own (only I fall way short of your position in it…). My husband farms and often comes in looking like Justin did, just covered in dust instead. Allyson was telling me about the tutorial video you watched on youtube about your camera. Could you please share exactly where I can find that? You can email me a kristen_w_wiggins@yahoo.com (Ashley’s Andalusia friend and Kim’s sister)
hootsmom
May 26, 2009 at 7:13 pmCan I just tell you the frosted bananna bars are TOO DIE FOR. I just made them today and we have eaten half of the pan!!! There’s only three of us… I’m headed to the treadmill now!!!! REALLY.
Candi
May 26, 2009 at 7:33 pmYou never know he just might be Mexican…I have light hair and blue eyes, and I am too 🙂 Jalisco (a state in Mexico) is known for their light complected latinos.
Julie
May 26, 2009 at 8:21 pmDarby,
My name is Julie Hardy and I’ve been a ‘stalker’ of your blog for quite some time now. Ashley Williams and I taught together at Andalusia Elementary School several years ago and I found your blog on hers. Also, Beth Colvin and I grew up the best of friends and I’m a friend of Ginny Grimes–just a little background information for you.
Let me get to my question. What photoshop do you have on your computer and how do you get your pictures to look so good? I read Kristen Wiggins’ comment about a tutorial that you had watched on youtube pertaining to your camera. Obviously, it has helped!!! 🙂 I have a Nikon D80 and am still trying to learn all of the bells and whistles. When you have time in your busy day with your beautiful children, do you mind emailing me and give me the answer to my questions? I understand if you don’t have time. Just thought I’d ask. My email is jkhardy@yahoo.com or you can leave a comment at my blog–www.hardys4ua.blogspot.com
Shireen
May 27, 2009 at 7:04 amHey!
I’m JUST now getting to read this post! I loved it!! Morgan already packed, Justin’s straw man legs :), the fact that yall were not going to the lake solo ;)!
Thank you guys again! I’ll blog soon, too!
Love you,
Shireen
No.35style
June 1, 2009 at 5:18 pmi love the one of justin facing away from the camera and jm looking over his shoulder.