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!