Family Poem

Crabtree Family

Many people have asked
What is a crab tree?
All I have for a reply
Is it’s my family

This is something real important
At least it is to me
Come meet my relatives
Then you will see

Grandma and Grandpa
Live in Pierre
I hope and try to see them
At least once a year

Grandma is a short one
From her we got our height
But also the best cook
With love in every bite

Grandpa is a veteran
From World War II
Now playing cards and cribbage
Is what he loves to do

They had seven children
Who are scattered all around
Though distance keeps us apart
Their love keeps them bound

First is Uncle Chuck
Who was in the Navy
He and wife, Pam are Okies
With son, Paul, in their family

Aunt Deni lives in Rapid
She has three great kids
Sarah, Matt and Tim
They go on dinosaur digs

Then came Uncle David
He married a Kelli
Their children Chloe, Sam
And Collista are twigs on the tree

Uncle Lee had 3 children
With Brenda and Dale in the military
Amanda’s engaged to Tyler
And Aunt Brenda remarried

Glen is the next one
Working with trees for life
He has two children, Ben and Beth
And there is Cindy, his wife

Lyle has found his way to Pierre
Where he enjoys crafts
You know his daughter, Brandy
By their similar laughs

Uncle Ross is the last one
He is far from small
His wife is Joan, and daughter
Adelyn is also very tall

Matt, Sarah, Ben and Brandy
Have families of their own
Their spouses and children have
Helped our tree grow

As time passes with
The seeds that we sow
Our tree is getting bigger
And our family does grow

With marriages and deaths
Our names may change, you see
But that is something in your soul
You’ll always be a Crabtree!


This is my newest creation. I'm not completely sold on all the sections, so if you have any thoughts or ideas, I'm completely open. I'm planning to give this to Grandma and Grandpa either next time I see them or next year for their 60th anniversary, so we'll see.

Now that's a Mouthful

When is the last time you have had a big ole cube or square of Bubblicious Gum. Well, as I was at the check out register at Shopko with my parents I suddenly got the urge to have some. Enough of the regular mint, juicy fruit, big red flavors, I want WATERMELON STRAWBERRY! What could make my breath smell any better? Other than onions and garlic, I can't really think of anything, so why not! As I unwrapped the gum, the strong fruity smell escaped and started to fill the car. As I began to chew the massive chuck of rubber in my mouth it brought me back many years...to about the age of 10 or so...

Ben and I were in the back of our huge van (the kind that has the velvet curtains, two of the chairs and then a couch in the back) checking out all of our goodies the day of shopping in the big city had won us. Mom and dad were way in the front talking about whatever grown ups talked about. We had been in town all day and the sun was setting, it was beginning to get a little dark. One of the things Ben and I had gotten was a pack of Bubblicious, and I vividly remember the watermelon smell that surrounded us. Ben took one, then I did. With our mouths already full, we decided that to blow really big bubbles, we'll need another piece. I could barely talk. Ben and I were slurping our spit to keep from drooling down our chins. Ben looks at me as he says with big eyes, "Watch this..." He continues to blow a huge bubble. Not about to be outdone by my brother, I replied with lots of gusto, "Oh yeah, watch this!" I took a big deep breath and attempted to blow the biggest bubble I ever had. All I heard was a "THWOP." I didn' t know where my gum went. I begin to feel around the seat quietly hoping to find it soon so Ben wouldn't rat me out to my parents. As I start to panic I heard Ben say, "Ah, Beth," gasping for air and trying to not laugh. I look up, just as he's peeling my large wad of gum off of his forehead right between his eyes.

Here's for you, Ben! Love you!

Apologies

Now I want to apologize to everyone who reads the two following blogs...especially "All That I am"...it got a little long.
Lots of love!!!

All That I am

Who am I
How can I say
There's too much to me
To put it one way

Of course I'm the usual
Short, blonde and small
But who's to say to someone,
I may be really tall?

But in reality, I like to think
I have a lot going on
Hold on to your horses
The list may get long

To start at the beginning
I am the youngest one
There is me and my parents
Who also have a son

I was an active child
Always swimming at the pool
From May until September
While we didn't have school

My momma was the patient one
Loving us just right
My daddy always wrestling
And looking for a "fight"

That combination made me
Who I am today
Both caring yet rowdy
Are traits that have stayed

Born in the country but
Moved to the town
I am a tom boy to the soul
Never wanting a prom gown

When it came to college
I didn't know what to do
Too many interests to
Narrow down to one or two

First Northwestern, then USD
For a total of 3 years
I settled on 2 degrees
Instead of all the beer

Social Work is challenging
American Indian Studies is fun
I just need to find a way
To combine them into one

McCrossans was my first
Work experience for life
The boys taught me a lot
But also caused much strife

Next came the veterans
At the VA
I started out an intern
With very little pay

Now I have been hired on
As full-time staff
This seems to be a good way
For my life's path

Work can be challenging
But I still make life fun
I always seem on the go
Always on the run

If I'm not at the gym,
Church or with friends
You can find me at home
Or outside is the latest trend

Things that I enjoy most
Are little things in life
Each day I get older
And I'm still not a wife

That is sure okay with me
I can stand on my own
I'm a country girl to the core
And independence I have shown

Swimsuits, bowling shoes and rollerblades
Make my closet very full
Staying active makes me happy
And that's the real goal

I am who I am, and
That's all I can be
I thank God, friends and family
For allowing me to be me!

Veteran

I dotted my "i's"
And crossed my "t's"
A few months later
I was overseas


No one would say
What was next
None of us knew
What to really expect


I did some things
I never thought I would do
And saw a lot of things
I didn't want to


When our time was done
They sent me back home
Surrounded by family & friends
But still felt alone

I left a boy
Came back a man
I'm not really sure
Who I am


The friends I have
Want to get together
But stay at home by
Myself I would rather

My mother tells me
I'm not the same one
That left just a year
Ago as her son

Sometimes at night
It's hard to sleep
These memories in my head
Private I wish to keep


To tell it all
So people can understand
Is hard for me
To reach out for someone's hand

The reason I'd tell
Is so they can see
Why I'm so "different"
Not for sympathy

After telling what I've done
And what I've been through
It's obvious people don't
Know what to say or do

I just want to go back
To the person I used to be
I'm in the same body
But don't feel like me



This is just a poem that I wrote one day while I was thinking and stressing about some of my young veterans that I see at work. I feel that I have a unique insight to some of the young men that have been deployed, as a social worker for them, some may tell me more than most people hear. It tears me heart to see such young and capable men be torn apart with things that they've done and seen. Many wish they could go back to finish the job that they began. Now that they are back, some struggle with their new life, that was not put on hold for them. The young 18-23 year olds no longer blend in with their less mature classmates and friends as they used to.

Again, I also see the worst cases that we have in my area. Not everyone that is deployed comes back feeling this way, and I thank God for that. I hope that I can help some of my veteran's find their way back into what they view as "their life."

Not the most uplifting blog, I know...just what's on my mind I guess...It's from a few of the gentlemen I see....their perspectives all rolled into one.

Sisterchicks

In the past, not much good has ever come out of a gathering only involving a large group of girls. There was a tendency to experience drama, gossip and backstabbing. No wonder I was hesitant to sign up for Sisterchicks (a Christian women's gathering for my church and anyone else that wants to come). As last night approached, I was excited for it, but a little anxious. Speaking to my mom helped ease my tensions, but it was also hard to look forward to the evening when I had no idea what to expect.

I was going into this whole thing blind, with only bad past experiences knocking in the back of my head reminding me what it "could be like." I did know of about 4 other women that were going to this with me, which helped me relax a little bit, but I also had heard that you aren't allowed to sit by people you know and you keep moving tables and mixing with people.

Let me interrupt this by saying I was a HUGE TOM BOY growing up. At school, if I wore jeans and something other than a sweat shirt, people thought I was dressing up and had something important to do or go to. Most of my friends have been guys. I was the football and wrestling manager and very active in the FFA (only girl in my class out of about 20 other classmates). Being surrounded by females was not something I usually viewed as "fun."

However, as I walked into the church last night, I recognized the relaxed feeling that everyone had. It was similar to when I walk through the doors into my church on a Sunday morning. It was so welcoming, even by people who had no idea who I was. As soon as we got in the door, there were party gifts to make and the most amazing fruit punch I've ever had. Yes, we had to mix tables and table mates, but it was never awkward. There were ?s we had to answer to (as Pastor Trav would say...) "break the ice." Then we dove into the reality of the situation, God's love is meant to be like our love for chocolate.

Chocolate is a comfort food. God can be that comfort for us. However, if we grab onto a piece of chocolate to get us through the tough times and think we can handle it ourselves, we'll only get a mushy mess in our hands of melted chocolate. Experience God's love through chocolate and let him be our comfort along with the sweet treat will all love to hate =)

Moral of the Story:
"Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who trust in him!" Pslam 34:8

We're Not In Kansas Anymore

How is it that there are some people in your life that you see everyday but never have a connection with? But then there are the people that you rarely see but when you meet up years later, there is no need to catch up, the second you see each other - you are already caught up.

This last weekend was one of the best trips I've taken that I can remember. My cousin, whom I re-started this blog because of, had moved and started a family and we had not seen each other in probably about 7 years (not just seen, even spoken). Because of the network site that so many people love to hate (facebook), we were re-united. With our recent interactions, my cousin, Brenda, and I concocted a plan to drive to Kansas and bring back the family reunions that we loved so much as children. Luckily, despite the short notice, the trip worked out.

If you ask me what we did last weekend, I couldn't really say. We went for walks and took 3 nights to watch 1 movie. I was introduced to a wine that I actually like and probably gained 50 pounds from the great food. But that's all I can really recall. We visited about EVERYTHING and it was so comfortable, more like sisters than cousins or friends. The time just flew without it feeling like time was passing by. By Saturday night I was wondering where Thursday and Friday went - and sure did not want Sunday to come. We just knew each other and didn't need to play catch up of the last 7 years. And of course, there was plenty of play time with baby (not so baby anymore, but it was my first time meeting her - who is now 3) Maia!!!


Something I feel that made this weekend extra special, is my awesome road trip buddy (Brenda) who will be moving further away to Hawaii. She is joining the Navy so I am SO glad that we were able to make this trip work. While Rob is off to war, Sarah had the time to play and gather with family that hadn't been seen in a long time. And hopefully we offered her some comfort while he is away. We look forward to another visit where we can get to know him, since the only time we really met him was when he was 18 and at his wedding =) Brenda was also able to reunite and revive a family tie before leaving. Now, she can plan on having lots of visitors in Hawaii because I have a feeling that will be our new travel destination.



What was most humorous about our trip? I wonder if there has ever been a study to see if OCD is genetic. Through our conversations and observing our interactions we found so many similarities in our odd behaviors that people often make fun of us for. Sarah can't wait for Rob to see us together so he can really harass the OCD in all of us. Poor little Maia, she already has hints of it also. Notice the block castle and how all the blocks are facing the same way...that was her doing. If we didn't she'd let us know that the block was facing the wrong way. Between how we have to load a dishwasher, clean, eat our skittles, etc. there would have been plenty for onlookers to have a good laugh at.

I learned a lot as well:

• Parenting is nowhere near easy but patience and consistence can teach your child values and morals you would hope they would have, even at a young age
• As hard as it can be, time and distance cannot break love, families or relationships
• Family members can be your best friend
• Nothing can replace a good laugh with good friends over a glass of good wine

Thank you Sarah and Brenda for a great time and being part of my amazing family!

The Old

Isn't it so interesting how things with such little value can hold such a place on our heart. My mom called me the other day to let me know they are having a rummage sale this weekend, long story short - come get your stuff out of our house or we sell it. No, it wasn't that bad, but yes, I do need to clear stuff out of there. After looking through the rows of items they have lined up in the garage, I gained some good house ware items that I was in dire need of, but I just didn't know it until this evening.

As I was going through my closet from high school I found pictures from every event I attended and every one's senior pictures that I had collected. Why is it so hard to throw pictures away, even when you don't speak to or even know the person in the picture with you anymore?

creative old school senior pic...

I came across some presents I had collected over the years (no offense to some people), but they weren't the most practical of things to give, but yet, I just couldn't let them go. For example, I had a cow (my favorite animal) that you hang from the ceiling and he has wings that flap. Now who wants a flying cow in their house....but yet it was a present from a dear friend, and I appreciate that. I also had received a frisbee (still unused), a cow shaped pillow, a soccer ball (unused and now rather flat), etc., all of which still lay in a box in my closet.

Then in the back of my closet, I have a nasty, dusty, embroidered dark blue corduroy jacket. Yes, I was a member of the Blue Plague, better known to most as the FFA. And no, it doesn't stand for Future Farmers of America anymore. They wanted to expand their horizons to include those who don't live on farms and don't want to be farmers, such as myself. Never did I like those jackets and never did I want one. But now, as it comes time for me to throw items out that I don't and never will need again - I struggle to pass on my horrid FFA jacket. I use the excuse that it has my name on it so it won't do anyone else any good (which is true), but I know in my heart and head it's a lot deeper than that. While wearing the most uncomfortable uniform anyone could, my team members and I created a lot of crazy, fun and off the wall memories that only true FFA-ers could. Still, in the pockets I had some of the notes, past-times and "collectibles" that I had saved from over 4 years ago. I just couldn't get rid of the jacket...if it went to anyone, they just wouldn't care for it as much as I do...

In a time where it is so easy to lose touch with so many people, it feels like you are keeping them close to you when you hold on to those items that trigger your happy memories. It's why I still have my grandmothers hair brush. It's the brush that she would brush my hair with after I would sit and watch her brush hers. It's why I have some of my mother's jewelry and my father's trophy. I have a flag my brother had ripped off a banner from one of his cross country meets and jokingly gave it to me as a "souvenir." All of these collections are in addition to the millions of pictures I have between my boxes, computers and memories. With family and friends scattered around the world, sometimes you want to have those memories close, in a form of something that you can hold and take with you. I know many of the items I told my parents that I wanted to keep would mean nothing to many, but they mean a lot to me.

Indian Summer?

I am so surprised how chilly the beginning of September has been. They tell us it will warm up this coming week and I sure hope so. This is supposed to be the time of Indian Summer, where it's too hot to stand and there's not sign of Fall coming this way. Instead, I was bundled up in three layers of shirts and long johns under my jeans. Yes, I know, I'm a wimp. It's just too early for this type of weather to be moving in on us though.

With prices on the rise and trying to save money, there is always a lot of stuff to keep you busy outside. Until it's rainy and cold all weekend. My mind wasn't geared for these temperatures yet, that's why lounging on the couch in sweats watching re-runs seemed like such a good idea to me.

It looks like the sun is already coming up for today, now my fun fall activity planning can begin again. There's a corn maze nearby that I think would be a blast. I did it many years ago with a youth group I was in, but now it's my turn to take some little kids of neighbors and friends to experience the fun.

Bonfires and fire pits make me so happy and this is the best time of year for it. The cool air on your back with the hot flames warming your face. Such a cozy and relaxing feeling. If I plan ahead I will even run to the store and pick up marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers - mmmm smores!

Well, church first, then planning for the day head....

Here I Am

So I created this blog over a year ago for computer class in graduate school. Apparently it is still alive so why not utilize it?

Blogging can be quite intimidating, knowing that other people can read my random thinkings and thoughts, however, with how spread out family and friends are now-a-days, sometimes it's the only way to keep up with people on a regular basis.

Really what inspired me to revive this is my wonderful cousin who I haven't seen in probably about 7 years or more. She has a blog on here and I love so much to read it, it's a great way to stay close with family even though you are far in distance.