Many Blessings....

Yesterday started in tears. Today, I'm renewed and strengthened and praising God for His unfailing love and mercy and AWESOMENESS! Can I get a witness, please?!?!?! :)

The tears came after a culmination of several inconvenient events that have transpired over the past 2 weeks.

• My car was in an accident - not our fault. But it's in the shop. Inconvenient.
• My 5 day vacation was not a vacation. It was work. I had naps that I had planned that didn't happen! Very inconvenient.
• Family called and needed a loan. Bad timing. Inconvenient.
• The fabulous luxury rental my sweet husband got for me would not start. Dead in my driveway. I had to drive our old truck. Not ideal. And inconvenient.
• After said vehicle didn't start I finally got to work (late) and cried like a baby in front of my coworkers. Just a smidge embarrassing.

But....

• We have insurance. The car is being fixed.
• We were able to help someone in need.
• Enterprise picked up the rental and the world didn't stop. And I decided the old truck would suffice and didn't replace the rental.
• Our friends came to dinner and we had an incredible evening of sharing and LEARNING and FAITH BUILDING. Long story for another time. But let's just say: God was in the HOUSE!

So yesterday began with tears. But I am not going to look at this week as a FAIL. I'm going to look at it as a victory. God provided in every circumstance and for that...I am very grateful.

God's Grace

Me and the girls are in Atlanta for two and a half weeks....and it's HOT! Murray is in Wyoming trying to figure out what to do with himself, he's a little lonely but I'm sure he'll manage just fine.

Murray and I have also been doing a devotional together nightly by phone. It's been so good. The lessons have been so timely and God's mercy abounds. I have a sister who is an addict and I knew that coming here would be hard. I want to help her. I want to heal her. I want to FIX IT. And when I was brought to tears, my husband and I opened the bible and God revealed that only HE can fix it. I don't have those magic words. I can't wave a magic wand. It's not for me to fix. All I can do it LOVE THE LORD, live my life as an example, pray for my sister, and entrust her to God. He is still waiting with his arms open - when she is ready, she will turn to Him and He will heal those parts of her that are broken. He will reveal His plan for her life. He will bring her incredible strength and wisdom. Her life will not be wasted. Until then, I am praying.

We Are Smart! LOL!

Ok so originally I named this post "We are Fakers" because of my fake-out custom furniture. But really - it's not fake - it's smart! (Thanks Ana) So this is our Pottery Barn style desk for thrift store prices! :) Murray and I (really Murray - I just supervised) built our first DIY furniture! It was pretty easy and soooo much cheaper than going to Pottery Barn to buy a similar desk.... The similar desk at PB is around $700....give me a break people! That's crazy! We bought the materials to make TWO desks for about $160....and had enough left over to make two new nightstands for us big folks!

Anyway - here's a pic of Jordyn's purdy new desk! :) Once Darian cleans her room I'll put up a pic of hers...it has a pink top ($2.50 on the Oops Paint Shelf). Jordyn opted for the yellow top and I love it! :) She does have a flair for decor, I love how she had decorated her new desk...

Branding Time!

Murray and I were invited to go to our first branding this weekend! I have to say that it made me smile from the moment I arrived to the moment I left. It was an amazing time, I was so happy to see this part of Wyoming life.

I was not sure what to expect, but I had read up on some of the different aspects of branding. There would be the branding, of course. And some immunizations. And some testicle removal.

Yep, I said testicle removal. But my dear husband Murray was convinced that the latter would not be happening.

Me: I think they're going to remove their testicles.*

Murray: No, I think they band them. So, like, that takes care of it.

Me: Well...maybe SOME people do that. But I don't think that's gonna be the case here. I am just sayin'...there might be some testicle* removal. I'm a little wigged out.

Murray: Nope. I'm thinking not.

Me: (Mumbling) You're wrong.

Murray: Did you say something?

Me: I love you honey.

(*Note: I didn't use the word "testicles" - I used silly childish slang/pseudonyms. I'm new here. Don't judge me.)

So Murray left early to help with the branding and by the time I got there he was an old pro. He totally had the technique down. There is a technique. I don't know it because I just took pictures.

So within moments of arriving Murray got to show off his mad calf holding skills! Oh boy! Let me get my camera!!! So Murray and another guy have the calf pinned down and a third man comes to do the brand while a young lady administers a shot. When the smoke cleared they let the calf go. Hmmmm...it appears that they FORGOT about the testicle removal.

Me: So, um, they're not removing the testicles*?

Murray: Yes, they are.

Me: Well, why didn't you do it to that one?

Murray: Because that one was a girl.

I have a lot to learn about branding.

No matter. I stuck around and got to see about 100 more calves get branded and half of them got de-testicled, and I totally found a new appreciation for ranchers. The roping, the hard work, the comraderie and just the ruggedness - I had never seen anything like this up close - and it was real! Not like, John Wayne movie stuff, but real people. What an amazing group of hard working folks.

Afterward there was a great meal....complete with a sampling of deep fried testicles*. Yep, we tried it. Nope, won't eat a whole plate of it.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I LOVE Wyoming. God called us here and said "I want you ALL IN." Here we are Lord - grateful.

Make Mine A Double...

Yep. We did it. We thought we could resist but the call was too strong!







We had a Family Day at KFC - throwing caution and any shred of healthiness we may have had to the wind...

Behold the "Double Down Sandwich". I said I'd do it, didn't I??

This insane "sandwich" was so magical - just too good to be true - I wanted to "Snopes" this thing!! Is it truth? Urban Legend?




Let me just say this: DEEEE-LISHHHH!!! And even more than that....a ton of fun. This is a gutbuster, no way I could eat more than one of these. But we sure had a lot of laughs eating this thing! And the grease....oh the grease....

As my pictures will show, the grease took on a life of it's own, coating my camera lens and every square inch of our digestive system.

So my recommendation: try this. Now. Get off the computer. And laugh with your loved ones! Be blessed friends!

Happy 40th Dear!

Murray had his 40th Birthday on Saturday and we enjoyed a family day in Ft. Collins. The lucky birthday boy got to spend his birthday money any way he wanted! tee hee! So of course we went to the Army Supply Store where he purchased a new gun holstery thing that is camoflage, got some cases for his ammo, and a new thingie for his shotgun.... Why yes, I AM using the technical terms! Sheesh...

Next off to lunch at Thai Pepper - the food was great and very authentic! Happy tummies all around! We even ran into friends there who had recommended the place to us. It's a small world!

Then we went to the music store and Murray got the mother of all guitar pedals there - he has enjoyed using it and spent a good 2 hours rocking out on his electric and trying all the different effects when we got home.

On Sunday, after church, we invited some friends over for a little birthday get together - and were overwhelmed by the massive hoard that showed up. Seriously, it was CROWDED. And HOT. And oxygen was at the bare minimum. But it was great to see all the friends that Murray has made and we are just glad our house could hold all these folks - at one time he counted 19 people just in the kitchen! An all-time record for us. It was a great time, lots of food, fun and fellowship. Afterwards we both needed a nap. Which we didn't get.

Anyway, Murray did endure some good-natured ribbing about being over the hill. And I did buy him laxatives and icy hot. And a cane with a horn and rear view mirror attached. But the best part is having friends and family to share our day and to laugh with.

Life, even at 40, is good.

It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Trap Season!!!!!!!

We signed up for Trap League tonight and Murray and I can't wait to get started! Trap is really something we enjoy doing together - granted, we are not on the same team so that eliminates any potential competitive drama! LOL! I haven't shot since Skeet League and that was many months ago. Where did the time go???

So enough reflecting.

In the coming weeks we'll get a few practice rounds in and then it's SHOOTIN' TIME!!! YAY!!!!

My Baby is 14...

...and she has a new boyfriend! NOT REALLY!!!!!

Darian had a "Napoleon Dynamite" Party for her 14th birthday and it was a ton of fun! And of course her cake had to be a red velvet "Pedro loves Darian" cake!! :)

Happy Birthday sweetie pie! I hope it's the best year ever!

KFC = Love

Sweet Baby Jesus - I thank you for the geniuses at KFC for inventing this hot little number!

Behold the "Double Down Sandwich".

The website says it has 2 pieces of bacon, 2 kinds of cheese, special sauce, and of course how do you miss the two chicken filets - so good who needs a BUN?!?!

OK, so next time I'm in Cheyenne I'm totally checking this thing out!

Birthday Madness!

This month we have three birthdays in our house!

First we have Darian - my precious first born child will be turning 14. Where did the time go? She is turning into a wonderful young lady. But every so often I see her little girl side. I keep waiting to see all the teenage angst that I keep hearing about but so far it hasn't reared it's ugly head. In fact, as time goes on she seems to get more huggy and snuggly. Being a mom is great! :)

Next comes Daddy...Mr. Murray. He will be turning the big 4-0 this year! Please take a moment to rib him. He likes that. I can't believe he was just 22 when we met and I remember how he talked about all of his dreams of owning a home and playing guitar for a living. Well...we got the home thing all figured out. His rock band aspirations didn't quite work out BUT he's rockin' the church worship team so I'd say he has done pretty well for himself. And I love him. And he's great. Even though he's old and his hips are going bad. Happy Birthday my love.

Lastly is my baby girl Jordyn - who is no longer a baby. She will be 13 this year. And she is starting to wear my clothes. And she wants a cell phone. And she wants to have her party at the pool. And for the first time ever she will be having a slumber party!

And....and....and....I am going to be the mother of TWO TEENAGERS!!! And wife to an OLD MAN! (That was too much wasn't it...)

And as a side note, my beautiful strong amazing mom will be turning SI(*muffled sounds*)TY years old this month also. I am blessed to have all these April Birthday Babies in my life...

Goofing on Wyoming...

So last night me and Murray were hanging out and giggling about our future plans. Lately, our impending empty nest has been the hot topic of discussion (it's five years away...but still...). I told him the real fun would begin when we both retired from our day jobs - at this point we still have about 18 years of working to go. But what fun we have dreaming!

Anyway, we began to giggle about how we would assimilate into our Wyoming town once we're fully retired and able to pursue any wacky or eccentric dreams we might think up. We came up with the following:

1. We will start trapping. Not trap shooting, but trapping. And make our own clothes. From coyotes.

2. We will only come to town in full coyote regalia.

3. We will have goats. Pygmy goats. This is my dream. Don't be jealous.

4. We will breed the goats with jackrabbits and create a new species. The "Jack-A-Goat". You're upset you didn't think of it first. I can tell. I hear you breathing.

5. Murray will make me a Jack-A Goat hat complete with floppy ears, mini pygmy goat horns and...

(wait for it...)

a 'chin strap with a mini beard attached'.

6. I told Murray I would put all of this on our blog so we'd never forget how silly we are. And maybe in 18 years our senility will kick in and we'll need something to remind us of our dreams.

Be blessed friends! Hope I could make you laugh today!

Snow Sculptures...

We went to a snow sculpting contest a couple weeks ago and it was so neat! Our first Wyoming snow sculpture event was very cool. The really interesting part is that it took place at the Cathedral Home for Children - a really special place that does amazing work to help children who have been in crisis. There is also a deaf school there and a horse therapy program in the summer. This year is their 100th anniversary! WOW!!

The snow sculptures were neat but we were also treated to a tour from one of the teenagers that lives at there. She showed us the grounds and the cottages where the kids live. I was really impressed! I guess I had an impression of the place being a dorm or something...but it was like little houses with big common areas, kitchens, and lots of hominess.

Several Cathedral Home kids go to our church so we saw them and got to see where they live and they got to show us off to their counselors. Our guide said, "My counselor hasn't gotten to meet any of my church friends so I want to introduce you to her." I felt like an honored guest.

Wyoming is a place to heal. God brought us here. We are trying to be obedient to His call. God is so good!!!!

A Confession....I Have A New Man....

I have a new man.

He calls me at work.

He's irresistable.

His name is Carl, just like his dad.

He made me eat a Portabello Mushroom Six Dollar Burger.

And I liked it.

And the drink and fries were free.

I'm in love...with the burger.