About 6ish years ago, I was a brand new mom full of anxiety about what I was supposed to do with a newborn on a ranch.

Check out this photo...this was a big day for me. I remember it so clearly because it was the first time I had actually taken Clementine out on the ranch, about 6 weeks after she was born.

I waited that long because I felt so much fear about the "what-ifs" that could happen if I took her out.

What if she got cold? What if she started crying and I couldn't get her to stop? What if she's uncomfortable? What if we're in the way? What if, what if, what if...

I often think about what 20-something, anxious, brand new mom Jesse would think of the person I am today.

Would she be proud of how far the kids and I have come?

Would she believe that today, the baby she held close to her chest is now a 6 year old who helped us move heifers through the chute this morning and led her pony to the barn from the summer pasture this evening? And that her little sister and little brother were there "helping", too?

Would she tell me I'm enough even though the house is always a mess, meals aren't on time, socks are mismatched, and I feel guilty for not being able to help on the ranch as much?

Would she be happy to see where I ended up after thinking it would be years before I ever got to help on the ranch again?

I hope so.

The girl in the photo would have never guessed that this season of raising littles goes by as fast as it does and she would have never believed that it's actually gets easier.

The girl in the photo thought that she'd be stuck inside the house for the next several years, watching ranch life go by from the front window.

The girl in the photo thought it was a pipe dream to work cows with the help of the little ones and actually have it go well and get the job done.

I’m sharing this story (and photo!) with you today to remind you that even though some days it might feel like things are really hard, or that you're stuck, or you have forever to go before reaching your dreams, if you pause and look back, you’ll see how far you’ve come.

CELEBRATE THAT! Celebrate your growth as a Mother!

See yourself through the eyes of brand-new-mom you.

Wouldn’t they be so incredibly proud of everything you’ve learned and overcome?

Wouldn’t they be so darn proud of all the times you kept going and all the things you’ve been able to accomplish?

The answer is yes.

You’re amazing.

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead.

You grow girl 🌻 - Jesse

PS - Something REALLY big is coming up for me and Beyond the Fencelines...stay tuned! 👀 Hint: this is not t-shirt related!

Beyond the Fencelines is dedicated to empowering and uniting farm and ranch women who embody strong family values and faith.
Through unique, original graphic tees and a commitment to honesty about the joys and challenges of ranch life,
we aim to create a community where women feel confident, valued, joyful, and irreplaceable.
We strive to support and uplift these women as they embrace one of the most important roles on the farm and ranch,
offering not just clothing but also coaching services to connect and empower them in raising the next generation of farmers and ranchers.