Can't help but smile

How can you look at this picture and NOT smile???  Yes, I'm a proud auntie, but even if we weren't related - I can't help but say this child is ADORABLE.  What a great picture to get (all the way over here) to show the joys of Christmas!  Love you, lil bug!

Traditions



Not from my service, found it online.  I contemplated taking a pic
tonight, but didn't want to give up my favorite moment of the year.



It's funny how I can be halfway around the world, sitting next to people I just met 7 weeks ago (or less) and surrounded by complete strangers - but yet feel so close to family and my roots.  Even though I took part in my Christmas Eve service half a day (duh, I'm halfway around the world) before most people I know, it made me feel the closest to home that I have since being  here in Affy.

Luckily, one of the church services here consisted of a candlelight service, so a group of us loaded up in a truck and took the trek there.  It was a wonderful service, with a couple oddities.  1) I don't know if I'll ever be able to attend a church service again without a pistol hanging from my hip - even for Christmas 2) the special music consisted of a 1LT playing the bagpipe.  I've never seen a bagpipe played up close (or in a closed building) - they are VERY loud and there is NO way to look attractive while playing a bagpipe.  But the music was special none-the-less.

My favorite part of any church service, however, is the candle light portion of a Christmas Eve service.  It's always the same - led into with lots of wonderful Christmas carols/hymns, the reading of the Christmas story and baby Jesus being born - then the lighting of the candles followed by the singing of Silent Night.  It doesn't matter what country I'm in or who I'm with, it brings me back home and reminds me of who and what I am.

While I'm not with family this Christmas, I am blessed that I'm able to communicate with them and that I'm safe and healthy.  Please pray for all the troops this holiday season, that we all can experience love, peace, support and purpose; even in being away from our loved ones =)

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Whirling Weather

Well for days and days it was just dry, once and a while we'd get a little sprinkling but nothing substantial.  However, last week it rained and rained and rained.

Then this week, I woke up and got ready to head to the shower (in my shower shoes).  I stepped outside into a pile of snow.  Quickly, after a pathetic little whimper, I turned about around and put on tennis shoes to begin my first snowy trek in Affy.

The medics wasted NO time in enjoying the snow.  I forget how fun it is to spend winters with people from warm parts of the world - such as Vegas or Puerto Rico...they get so excited, like children.  It's fun to see and it helps bring back that child-like joy back to me.  When I walked to the MTF first thing in the morning, there were two giant snowballs laying next to each other...When I left after my shower (half hour max), this is what I saw:

We had fun and only have more plans for the next snowfall =)

My down time

Big ones, Small ones and Honey AS BIG AS YOUR HEAD

There has been a shortage of honey (and it's not real or good honey) at the DFAC, so my specatular Crabtree Cousin came through and sent me TWENTY FOUR oz of honey...At first I thought this was way overkill, but a week later, the head is already gone.  My tea tastes so much better and all the medics appreciate the kind gesture as well =)  I love honey, especially when it's a bear as big as my head!  Thanks, cousin!

Affy Humor

It's a weather rock - with legend to know how to read it.  Soldiers are so helpful...

Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner

Or should I say: Nobody puts Beth in a bunker - to play off of the famous Dirty Dancing quote - which we've come to use quite frequently here - for various reasons - with mine being the most frequent while visiting soldiers out of my regular office (obviously!). 

I gotta say, all the way through college, grad school and my years at the VA, I never really imagined that I'd provide social work/therapy services out of a bunker...but that's exactly where I found myself.  It wasn't so bad - more private than the aid station was - but then it got dark and cold(er)...I drew the line when I could no longer see the face of my patient =)

Either way, I've now been told that I'm officially a combat social worker, and yup, we find ourselves doing therapy in non-traditional settings.  Not always ideal, but I always seem to make it enjoyable.  And after all, the the soldiers loved it - they could smoke or spit without any concern or hesitation.  Yay me.

Spend My Time

Here's some more pics...these are of where I spend most of my time here in Affy...


There is supposed to be a patio...
It's just a bunch of 2X4s without
and actual awning.  Weird.



Looking down my hallway.  It's one big
room with 4 rooms built in with plywood.
I'm the room on the right past the broom.



It's too high.  I have to climb very
carefully...and woobies are crazy slippery,
especially in the middle of the night. And I now have an orange
blanket to help add some of ME and some color to the room.  I
like to think it pulls it all together!



Not a very big room, but all
I do there pretty much is sleep,
so it works out well.



Here's where I spend MOST of my time...my office.  Really, it has everything that I could need - including lots of pictures of places and people from home =)  Also notice the cup of hot coco (with marshmallows) cooling, yum!



Holiday Away From Home

Check spelling?  Nope, but Happy
Hollidays to you too! =)

Here are some fun pictures of my Thanksgiving, Affy style!  It turned out to be a pretty good day.  The food still wasn't mom's home cooking - but it was the best we've had so far.  They decorated the chow hall and it was OUT of CONTROL and oh so cheesy, but we all enjoyed taking some pics with the paper mache statues and getting a good laugh out of it all!  Hope you all had a good Thanksgiving with family and friends!

We're the Condors, so why wouldn't
we have a condor ice sculpture???



Well, our Dental tech was so kind to say that this statue
looked "just like you."  It's a donkey with a blonde wig...



Fruit fun - but really no idea how this
relates to Thanksgiving???



Our gang with the decorations



 

Eating dinner, don't mind the PT belts - they protect us
from everything, including obesity.  It's a safety necessity!





(Taken seconds before Lennox blasted a sneeze all over mom
hahahaha)

I got to spend some of Thanksgiving with my family!
Love and miss you all!!!

01JAN2013

That is the deadline, we were just told: it is recommended to not send mail this way after 01JAN because it may not get to us in time.  Just thought I'd pass it on.

Yes, yes she does...

Love being an Auntie!

Here's a shout out to my favorite lil pumpkin head - 9 mos old and getting so big - can't wait to see him in a few months and spoil him =)

Sweet and Glorious Duffel

Well I arrived, as you obviously know...however, not everything arrived timely as planned.  I sent some things to myself as it was encouraged for easier transport to quick flight times and whatnot...both a good and bad idea - now...

I was told my duffels (I sent two of them) would arrive in 5 to 10 days.  Well my travels here to Affy actually went quicker than anticipated, so I was hoping/expecting go to no more than a week without my duffels - I had a weeks worth of all needed necessities in my Ruck anyway.  No biggie.  Well, the evenings got colder than anticipated.  All I had was my fleece.  That turned into a different fiasco, but based on Battalion SGM (not actual policy or guidelines) you are not allowed to wear your fleece jacket unless it's colder than 40 degrees.  Ugh, I'm sorry that I'm small and not super insulated, so I made a deal with my leadership.  I'd wear my fleece around the office, but  not to the dining facility - so they wouldn't get in trouble and then I wouldn't have to freeze all the time.  Ridiculous.

Day seven, one duffel arrived.  I was ecstatic.  Praying it was my duffel of things I actually needed - like clothes and cold weather gear...I open it up.  It included NOTHING that I actually needed.  It was all the gear that a social worker prays will never be used...because we have a lot bigger problems if a social worker is using a trenching tool...

Day ten passed.  Nothing.  Day 14 passed...two weeks, sick of doing laundry in PTs because all my shirts and socks were dirty.  Still nothing.  Tracking the package only does so good when it goes international, only knowing that it left JERSEY (don't ask me how it got there) days prior...About to give up all hope - I realized we missed a couple days of mail for various reasons...I gave the mail one more day.  Pretty sure our medic was hoping to get my duffel more than I was so I would quit asking about it.  He knew I had one more day until I gave up all hope, went to the post office and claimed it as lost - and prepared to pay thousands of dollars to the good ole U S of A...

Well, day 22, the morning mail came, I saw him with his arms full and offered to help him carry in all the packages.  After three or four trips out to the Gator, he gave me my two packages - but no duffel.  I was in shock and really wasn't ready to deal with all that I now had to with not getting my much needed issued clothing and gear.  As I walk down the hall 3/4ths devastated, he calls to me and asks where I'm going...the turd had carried my duffel in first and hid it around the corner behind the door so I wouldn't see it.  It came in!!!  Oh USPS, you never fail to frustrate and amaze me at the same time.  Why it took so long for one and a matter of weeks for the other, I'll never know. 

But, here I sit, in my comfortable cold weather gear (waffle top and wind breaker), thankful that I did not lose my gear, that I don't have to pay thousands of dollars, and that I can just leave my office and walk to lunch without having to change outta my fleece.  I've never been so excited to see or carry a dark green, 60 lb duffel in my life.

Day by Day

Thoughts get skewed here in the Affy (as my cousin recently named it).  Every day is just another day in paradise but its also very much ground hogs day.  No matter what we do, when we wake up the next morning, we're still here.  So it's all about survival - it's all about trying to make one day different from the previous and the next.  That gets tricky.  Sometimes you're in the mood to play that game, other times not.

Basketball is a perfect example.  I was talking to the medics a day or two ago and told them my plan must have worked perfectly - I showed them that I wasn't kidding with how bad I really was, and BAM they haven't asked me again.  Well, somewhat to my disappointment, they just haven't played basketball since and I was told to expect many more invites.  I guess my plan did not fully work.  We'll see what actually comes of these "threats" though.  Shoot, catch me at a weak moment and I'm sure I'll be in that freezing cold gym slipping around on the crazy dusty concrete all over again.  Oh Affy, what are you doing to me?

Being here is a great motivation to work out.  Besides some of the Captain America's that we have  here, there is plenty of time to fill, whether it be during your break from your shift or from your time off.  It's your time off that you wait for, but it also can pass oh so slow with nothing to do.  Now that I'm adjusting (ish) to the time change and the elevation, I decided there is no week like the present to start working out.  Luckily, I found a battle (friend in Army lingo) that loves to lift weight also instead of all this silly running around that most people like to do.  So we started lifting this week - with one exception.  Our physical therapist here in the clinic started a thing two days a week of TRX Suspension Training.  It's completely insane.  I'll try to get a picture of the set up - it's pretty much some 550 cord, a D ring and a yoga mat.  You see people do it and you think they are big whiners and lil weak wussies.  It looks SO EASY.  Well, newsflash, it's crazy hard.  It's all about balance, strength, flexibility, core and stabilization WHILE doing some crazy exercises.  My body hurt.  Then Ebony and I decided to follow that up with a insanely hard leg workout the following day.  I'm beginning to think that the lofted bed was a very horrible idea.  I'm trying to be graceful getting in and out of it...but let's just say I'm really glad I have my own room.  Then to make matters worse, I'm going to continue this disgusting plan.  Tuesdays and Thursdays this TRX thing, every other day try not to kill myself in the gym.  The medics, again, are very helpful and look out for my battle and I in the gym, often telling us what set would be best following what we're doing and making sure we have good form so we aren't injuring ourselves.  Whew, it'd be a bad day if the nurse and social worker come back injured.  We already promised the PT that we wouldn't be his patients due to the gym...

Oh, so some of you have asked what can you send me.  Well, because the food here isn't the most desirable/healthy, I would love any kind of healthy snack.  Also, drinking just water gets old and my battle introduced me to "Mocktails" by Crystal light, they are margarita, mojito and appletini flavored - so good and fun.  We plan to have a mocktail party soon, again, it's all about the little things and passing time.

I've created a public wish list on Amazon.com using my e-mail you'd be able to locate it for other ideas.  I really don't need much.  Healthy snacks are the biggest thing, I love pictures and have been working on decorating my walls at work and my room with them.  Or anything to remind me of home =)

Well, I got up early (mostly because I couldn't sleep) to start my laundry, get ready and head to church.  I've gone to the contemporary service the last two weeks but I'm going to try out the traditional service this morning.  Need to hydrate with one more bottle of water then head that way.  I wish everyone a great weekend and love and miss you all!  Once I locate my camera cord I'll work on uploading some of pictures that will show my living space and whatnot.  Some other pics will have to wait until I see you in person, but one thing I can promise you - the sunsets here (haven't been up for a sunrise yet) are gorgeous!  It's pretty much the only time we see color in this desolate place.  Anyway, more and pics to follow soon!

Still sandy and cooling off quickly

So I know that people want updates, I've been told.  So here it is.  Luckily for the big picture, but sadly for immediate entertainment purposes, I don't have a whole lot to write about. 

I've been here for about 12 days or so. Every day I get a little bit more settled and am trying to learn everyone's name.  What really throws me off is when people decide to use first names...because our first names are not posted anywhere on our uniform, so I have to show my newbie status every time and ask for clarification on who we are actually talking about or waiting for.

A couple days ago one of my platoon sergeants helped me loft my bed...but it took until about plan five to actually get it to work, so we ran out of time (our bellies were calling us to the horrible DFAC - dining facility) to finish the full plan.  I'm not concerned, really, we have all the time in the world, because when we wake up, we're all still here.  All that I really need at this point is some sort of shelf system so I can have a place for my clothes.  I know I've complained before about frustrations of living out of a suitcase, however, living out of a duffel is SO MUCH worse.

When there are things to do in the day, it's good and the hours seem to truck along, however, if there isn't much to do in the day it goes so so so slow.  It can be taken positively or negatively that I haven't been crazy busy the majority of my days here. I know that big picture it's a good thing that people don't need lots of social work services, but let me explain how eager I am for something to do...for those of you that know me well, will really understand how eager I was for something to do:
Our medics play basketball every open gym day which is three times a week or so and since I've gotten here they've been asking me to play.  I tell them frequently my despise for the "sport" (ha) but they keep asking.  Well, a few of them caught me at a very weak moment and I was (I hate to say) bored so I agreed to at some point this week.  As the week moved on, I regretted my statement that I'd play bball more and more - but I couldn't be a liar...so last night (Saturday) I met the guys at the clinic and I made my dreaded walk to the gym.  It was cold, and I knew it'd only get colder to walk home, which made me even more miserable about having to play this ridiculous game.  For the first 10 or so minutes I mostly just sat on the bleachers or stood on the court while the guys shot around to warm up.  They'd pass me to the ball and I'd just pass it back, until they actually made me shoot.  I don't think I've played basketball since my driveway with the Buse's in middle school.  I was HORRIBLE.  They all laughed at me, but also encouraged me.  I mean, I did warn them how bad I was, and how much I didn't like the sport. Ha.  Sadly, a game of 5 on 5 ensued - with three people that weren't in our group, those poor guys didn't realized that I didn't want the ball and THEY KEPT PASSING TO ME!  Ugh.  If I'd pass the ball back, they'd only pass it back to me and tell me to shoot, everyone would yell at me to shoot, I had no choice, the other team didn't even block me.  They would all laugh as I yelled "Noooooo" as they would pass me the ball. 
I guess their persistence paid off...at least once, I made a three-pointer.  Everyone, including myself, was very surprised with high fives and praise coming from everyone.  That was the one shot I made.  I did steal the ball a few times, I tried to block as well as a 5'1" girl with no jumps can...and as I expected, I played decent defense, just not under the basket, I'd get stepped on way too much.  I kept a safe distance - I also had no real desire to actually rebound the ball because then I'd have to dribble and all that ridiculousness.  Here's the crazy thing, I actually enjoyed it.  I think I'm getting sick, or I really just need more things to do =)  Promise, no WNBA interest in my future.  Pretty sure I won't even watch basketball on TV when I get home.  This type of lil outing with my medics will be more than enough.

It's about all the exercise I'm getting at this point.  I've tried to run a couple times but, whew, this elevation is killer...especially from a good Midwest girl.  I'm working on it.  After all, we have to walk every where, so eventually I'll get used to it.  Then watch-out - I'll love running back home with lungs of steel - bwahahahaha ya right.  It's still running...which = no fun.

Anyway, it's about my bedtime here.  Love you all and miss you.   See ya in a few months!

Home sweet (dusty) home

Well, this will be brief but I wanted to let you all know that I made it to my temporary residence safe and sound.  I just completed a full day two of being here.  Just have been trying to get used to the time change, the new environment and the new noises.  The people here have been very friendly and helpful and it's been enjoyable.  I haven't seen any patients yet, but once I get computer access and all that I'm sure I will. 

Everyone has told me that I just need to "embrace the dust" here as it's non-stop.  I can't help but think of Lakeview when I'm told that...but man, LKV has nothing on this place.  It's crazy, like a daily exfoliation haha.

I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers regarding my little adventure that I've just begun.  Once I get used to this time change, I think everything will work out just fine...until then, I need to get used to doing something at midnight or 1am to keep myself busy and hopefully tire myself out.

FYI although you already know, some of the specifics of my adventure for the most part need to remain somewhat "secret" from the internet, so if you leave comments, feel free but please don't get too specific with place/duty stuff like that.

Love and miss you all.  I hope to update this pretty regularly as I have pretty reliable (yet slow) access to the internet.  And, heck, I'll see ya in a few months anyway.  Love you!

My little piece of heaven

There's nothing like going back home to ground you.  When life gets busy, I get so caught up in the daily worries and strife.  Recently I was blessed with some opportunities to go to both of the places I call home - my parents and the ranch/river. 

I went to my parents as a double dip kind of trip.  My church was doing a mission trip in the same community, so how could I pass up such a chance!  I got to work with a Native American church - where mostly I did landscaping stuff, man it's been a long time since I did that kind of manual labor and my body felt it!  Instead of staying with my church group, I stayed at my parents house so I got in some much needed quality time with them - without really knowing when I'd get to see them again.  We did a lot of the typical touristy things and showed a friend around the treasures of the black hills.  My favorite spot, as always, was the Badlands.  It's such an amazing and beautiful place - in a peaceful way, it makes me feel so small in such a large world.



Backtracking a little bit, I was also blessed to be able to go to the river over Father's Day weekend and see some of the "family" for a few days where we thoroughly enjoyed the water, the fires, the shade, the sun, the conversation, the games and the FOOD.  Nothing makes me as relaxed as sitting in a lawn chair, listening the the breeze and/or music in the distance and watching the water roll on by.  Lots of cousin, aunt and uncle time was had and it was fabulous.  Hm...if I had to name a favorite part specific to this year: having Jim Lee here.  He's had some health concerns the past year and I think a lot of us had doubts he'd be there, but the good Lord has blessed him and he's doing very well.  I have a new favorite piece of jewelry thanks to him...hand crafted wooden necklace with a white dove inlay.  It just happens to be super cool that the white dove is from the Tinant bone pile =)



In stressful times this summer, I've been able to look back to these trips home to see family and nature.  It helps me be thankful for the time I've had and look forward to trips to come.  I may not have anything specific planned, but when I do, I know it's going to be epic!  Life can be uncertain - but even with all the changes that it brings, I always have HOME.

A Safari in Kansas!

Well, hello, Beautiful...

Mama Kangaroo with a joey (5 months old) in her pouch,
you can see his legs poking out below my hand!

Feeding her some romaine lettuce - crazy long tongue

She was super friendly and liked to be rubbed behind the ears

Ok ok ok, I know I'm months past due for a new post.  All I can say is life without Facebook is busy and I've been scolded by many for not having pictures to look at or recent posts to read.  I'll do better, well at least I'll try.

This summer has been filled with friends, family and lots of heat. 

Last weekend I had an amazing trip to a wildlife park in Kansas where we got to pet crazy animals and feed giraffes.  It was wonderful.

Beautiful white tiger cub with gorgeous blue eyes!

After getting to pet the kangaroos and giraffes it was disappointing that we could only look at these little babies from behind the glass in their cages.  Sure glad I got to see my little baby nephew a couple weeks ago for some fun and much needed cuddle time:

Man, he's growing so fast!

I'm Full

So far this weekend, I've made bread, pies, ice cream and meringue.  I'm very full.  But it's so worth it.  Nothing like being around a lil family to fatten ya up...

I fall short

It always takes random little acts to put life into perspective.  At least for me.  I was thinking about this quite a bit on my run.  Since my run, I have relaxed, stretched and finished my other workout - so it's not going to be as well worded as I originally thought and intended, but the meaning will still be there.

Ok, so just when you feel like everything is going good and you're doing right, there is always something that can and will put you back into perspective.  Not to always say that you've done or are doing something wrong, but maybe to tell you that there is MORE you can do.

This afternoon and well past the lunch hour, I had a new friend save me from my office and a non-mandatory meeting that I didn't really need to attend (I have more than enough continuing education credits for the next two years) to get out to lunch.  This was good for a variety of reasons...
1. To get away from co-workers and patients and have a "normal" conversation
2. To get me away from my office and work
3. To make sure that I actually ate a lunch, instead of the likely lunchable or candy bar that I often eat on Tuesday afternoons

Anyway, we get to our table with our food, sit down and go to dig in, when I notice my friend takes a moment to fold their hands, bow their head and say a prayer.  And it was more than a "thanks, God" kinda prayer, it took a bit.  I don't know what was said in that brief conversation between them and God, but I do know that it appeared heart felt and genuine.

Again, just when I think I'm doing stuff right, I am reminded by little things, perfect strangers or even new friends of more things I can be doing to better my day, my relationships and my life.  Life gets us carried away.  We get busy.  We try to take control.  We like to think that we are in control.  But really, life is never too busy to say "thanks" to the one that really makes this world go round.

So with that, to my late-lunch buddy (you know who you are), if you are reading this, I want to say thank you for the conversation, getting me out of my office, helping me make sure I eat, but most importantly strengthening my faith but showing me yours.  It takes courage to do that, and I really admire your actions.  You may not know it, but your faith strengthens mine.

And lastly, thanks God.  Thanks for this friend.  Thanks for providing all you have to me.  Thanks.

Retirement...

As I sit out on my porch (for the third time today) I keep asking myself, is this what retirement is like? If so...sign me up! Today is a training holiday so, thankfully, I don't have to work. It's been glorious. I slept in, but not really - still was up by 0800. I made a cup of tea and sat out on the porch in my nice lawn chair and just enjoyed the morning in my comfy sweats. Because much of my neighborhood is military families, there wasn't much hubbub going on, but that was nice. I could hear the birds singing and the calm (yes, it's actually CALM today) breeze blowing.

Once my tea was finished I knew I had to do SOMETHING with myself today, and sadly...that meant running. Before I could lose motivation, I quickly got ready and headed out the door. I've been taking a different route, a route that takes me into the country and actually, while I wouldn't say running has been enjoyable - it's definitely more enjoyable than running on paved roads surrounded by houses and sidewalks. Not sure how far I ran yet this morning, once I actually go somewhere, I'll drive it out - but I'm thinking between 2.5 and 3...not bad. UGH the hills were horrible, but I do feel my legs and lungs getting stronger.

What better treat for a hard, long run than Cow Tales??? I can't think of anything better!

While I was on my porch stretching and drinking water, I realized how truly beautiful of a day it is to not really do anything but be outside - so I just laid down right there. Probably close to an hour later I realized that I was rather warm and probably getting sun burnt (oops...yup I did). Inside to shower up from working out and tanning then get some laundry started.

Notice my face and neck are a lil red and the tan lines are all over the place. Oh well. Bring on summer!!!

Now here I am again, back on my porch. I wanted to blog but just couldn't make myself sit inside any longer. This time, I've put on sunscreen though =)

Risen Today

Going to church to celebrate the rising of the Lord, Jesus Christ - dressed in my Sunday Best - Crabtree style =)Following church, I had a wonderful breakfast with my friend Kass. Then back to JC to find something to do where I can enjoy this glorious and beautiful day. What better than to prepare for a fishing trip...I haven't been fishing in years - which is way too long!

I ran to Wal-Mart (please forgive me Petters, but there are no Scheels stores here, just be happy I didn't go to Dicks, like I was encouraged to do) and got my fishing license, a pole, some hooks, line weights and a simple lure kit. As I was putting the pole in my care I realized that this particular pole didn't come with any line on it...good thinking Elizabeth...well I didn't wanna go back in the store as I was already to my car, so I left town to head home. Luckily there is another Wal-Mart on the way home. So I ran in quick and got some line.
It's already been a productive day as I cleaned my kitchen up a lil, cleaned out my car and sorted my laundry. Of course I have since changed out of my dress into some shorts, tank top and a sweat shirt...as if that surprises anyone. Next will be to get my pole ready to go for either this afternoon or tomorrow..or both.

If I can't be with my parents and brother (and his family), there is no better way to spend this celebratory holiday than to be outside surrounded by nature and all that is good. Thanks, God. I really appreciate all you've given me but more importantly, all that you've done for me. I'm not worthy.

Growing Up Gets Old

Here's what I've realized over the last couple months. Meh, maybe even years. Growing up sucks. Sure the freedom you have when you can make decisions for yourself is nice - but I hate saying goodbye to people. I hate that after you say that one goodbye, it may be the last goodbye you say. It may not. But you never know.

Recently, I had the honor of going back home for a wedding for some very good friends. On my way to Sioux Falls, I stopped in my old hometown for one thing - to see the family I have left there.
I was young when Grandma Dee passed. Sometimes, or pretty much every time I think about it, I feel bad and a little guilty that I don't remember her as much as I'd like to. But the memories I have of her are nothing but wonderful. She was a caring and loving lady that would always scold Grandpa for sneaking Ben and I candy and tickling us too much. No worries though, Grandpa always came through for me! Her laugh would fill the room. Mashing the potatoes was my favorite thing to help her with in the kitchen...I'd climb up on a stool and wear my lil arms out mashing away. I'm thankful that they lived so close to us and we got to see them so frequently. It makes them being gone a little bit easier.Grandpa lived longer but was quite sick his last few years and it was hard to see his illness progress. While I remember him quite well, sometimes I feel guilty that I didn't see him as much as I could have/should have in the end, however, I didn't want that to be my memory of him. He was so much more than a weak man laying in a hospital bed. He had a sweet, joking spirit that would do anything for his daughters, grandchildren and son-in-laws. He was drafted and served in the Army for WWII. I hadn't yet joined before he died, and I just hope that he and grandma are looking down on me and are proud of what I'm doing. I want to live and fill into the family name well.
The worst part of growing up is that not everyone from our beginning will be there at our end. What I've learned is to spend your time with those you really care about, enjoy your time with those people and always be thankful for their presence in your life - because you never know when that time will be over.

To all the people that has passed on in my life (Grandma and Grandpa Nooney, Uncle Lee, Grandma and Grandpa Tinant, Dennis Bussell, AJ, Anthony, Uncle Bil, Valerie...and many more), I want to thank you for the impact you've made on me and for all you taught me. I miss you each and every day and love you even more.

Hard to Wait

With all of this beautiful weather I've been getting in Kansas, it's very hard to remember that it is only the beginning of April. My body is gearing up for TUUUUUUBING season on the Niorbrara and its hard to tell my mind anything different. However, reality hits a little bit because it's just not right to go tubing before the branding. Yes, this is how I regulate seasons. It's all about priorities and family, right? However, Niobrara, I will see you this summer!

While I very much look forward to each of these things as if nothing has ever changed, it's also hard to look back and not be sad about what has changed. Mostly, it leaves a hole in my heart to know that both Grandma Gick and Grandpa Oney are now looking at us from up above. I'm happy for them, but super selfish and want to hug them each one more time - fully knowing that still wouldn't be enough. Here's a pic that I snapped of my lil buddy Al and Grandpa as his last RiverFest was winding down - getting ready to get in the car and head back to town. I'm glad I could be a part of it.
There has been a lot of ups and downs over the past couple years, but no matter what; this is family and I always look upon LKV with happy memories and love. Looking forward to go back, play with some cousins, wrestle some calves, bake some bread (and pies) and just breathe in the fresh country air - it's like no other!