About a month ago I realized I had once again failed to enter Emerson last Fall for a chance at a highly coveted spot in our local Rodeo's Mutton Bustin' line up. She has asked to do it for years and at age 7 this was the last time she'd be eligible. They had already filled every spot but the final three and those were reserved for contestants drawn on separate weekends in January. We had already missed the first opportunity, and while it seemed like a long shot to say the least, we loaded up the fam on a Saturday morning and headed off to HEB to enter her. After dropping her name in the bucket we decided to grab lunch and come back for the actual drawing. I honestly prayed for favor for her all morning...I'm pretty sure the Lord has nothing against a Mom doing that! ;) Low and behold that HEB manager drew her name right out of the box! She did a little (read a lot) of screaming and we were all so pumped for her...
So fast forward a week...Emme's best buddy Claire decided to try her luck and enter the last drawing hoping she could land a spot too. Honestly I thought the chances are one in a million but what do I know because low and behold they drew her name for the final spot! The girls were thrilled and so were we!
When the big night finally arrived my little firecracker was ready with bows on...
All of her favorite people were there to cheer her on...
Bustin' with our besties!
So proud of these brave little Cowgirls...
They headed down without us and I could tell Emme was pretty nervous. I honestly felt like it could go either way...as in maybe she'd have the ride of her life or maybe she'd refuse all together. The second she came out of the chute it was pretty obvious she was going for the ride of her life scenario...
I honestly lost my mind! It was so fun to watch! She turned in a 90 point ride...the highest in mutton button history! She also took home a shiny new belt buckle...
And I think her dad was very happy to hear she has zero interest in calling a boyfriend!
Soaking it in...
We were so proud of our little Rodeo Queen...
And so grateful for our sweet friends who screamed and cheered with us!
She wrapped up her big night by signing a few autographs...
And sat next to the kindest Cowboy who politely reminded people who might have overlooked getting an autograph from Emme, "You skipped her"...
I think it's safe to say it was a night she'll never forget!
She kept that belt buckle nice and close the rest of the weekend...
And headed off to school this morning with new visions of becoming a barrel racer in her head!
Emme~You are so much fun!! Thank you for giving us a reason to cheer and for being such a go getter! I'm not sure you even know what a tough, competitive and remarkable little person you are yet, but we see it so clearly. You have big things in your future I'm certain of it! We couldn't be more excited to have a front row seat to see where you go...we'll always be your biggest fans! XOXO Mom
