The House I Grew Up In

Kya enjoying the deck. 

My family's house and lot in Lusk.

My house up close.

Dad grilling hot wings for dinner. 

Dad's garden.

Mom and Ashley enjoying the weather and the deck while waiting for dinner.

A few more of the many reasons I love my family and Lusk.  

Lusk, Wyoming

So here it is.  The moment you have all been waiting for.  The explanation of why I am the way I am.  The reason I hate shopping in the crowded city.  The reason I start to cry some evenings on the way home in all the traffic. The reason I want to be back in a small(er) town.  I know the pictures will tell the story.  Remember, we moved to Lusk in 1988 when I was in 3rd grade!

Main Street, Lusk, Wyoming

Deckers Grocery Store

Our First Stop Light, there are only two!

The LDS Church,  at least they don't have to meet in the two story house anymore!

I love this place!  

Home Sweet Home

I am happy to say that Phil and I are leaving the heat in Utah to travel back to Lusk, Wyoming for my ten year reunion.  YIKES!  I am getting old...er.  For all of you who are wondering where the heck I came from my next few blogs will tell the tale. Stay tuned for tonight we make the 9 hour drive.  

FEELING...better

For all of you who know and now those of you who don't, Phil and I have been in the trying phase of procreating for over three years.  Obviously it has been very unsucessful, but not on behalf of no effort.  We have our names in the adoption pool with LDS Family Services are very excited about that but it isn't a guarantee.  Of course nothing in life is a guarantee so we are pursuing new options with the Reproductive Care Center in Sandy, UT.  The place is amazing.  

Anyway, this isn't about all that mess.  I wanted to fill you in on an amazing article in the Ensign this month.  I may be a little bit slow as it is the June issue but as I was reading last night I felt a happy place in my heart.  The article dicusses being sensitive to others.  It starts off with a story about  a woman who recieved an annonymous letter with parenting tips and continued with other "issues", each of which we face, most of the time without anyone else even knowing and the hurtful things people say, most of the time without even knowing.  The whole article made me think about the sensitivities we need to have to situations that we know nothing about. We are only experts in our own situations.  Please be kind to others.  You never know when one comment you make can end in tears for the person recieving it.  Of course the tears are never seen by anyone, but cause deep heartache and pain.  

Being childless and 28 leaves Phil and I open for many of these comments, "How old are your children", "Do you have kids", "Who do you use for a babysitter", "You still have time", and many more.  As these people don't get our situation we don't "get" others.  Remember, we are here to love and support as examples of our Heavenly Father.  

Great Neighbors

Yes, this is a toilet with flowers in it.  No, I didn't try to start a new gardening trend.  Okay, here's the real story.  We live in an absolutely wonderful neighborhood.   Last night we were standing visiting with the Gummows and Pikes about the toilet the Pikes had removed and replaced.  We were all laughing about the plethora of uses an old toilet would have and the conversation slowly changed into something else.  Phil and I eventually took Kya for a walk and we got home this is what was waiting for us.  We got quite a laugh, but made sure it only lasted a few minutes.  The old toilet is now in hiding until we can use it in our neighborhood BYU/Utah feud this fall.  Wait and see what comes of it!  

Graduation

My dad, Rick, and my mom, Laura. 

 I couldn't have been happier to have them with us to celebrate. 

A good look at my hood.

After being done with my Master's Degree in Elementary Education I finally, the 3rd of May, got to walk the walk and get my hood at Southern Utah University.  My Grandma and Doyle, Tom and Laura, my parents, and Phil and I all went to Cedar City and celebrated.  I am glad to have accomplished another one of my life goals. It also helps with a teacher's pay!  

Mother-In-Law!

I know, I know, I know. Many of you are problem thinking this is going to be a blurb about a frustration I have with my fabulous Mother-In-Law...but it's not.  I absolutely LOVE my Mother-In-Law.  In fact she is one of my best friends.  I couldn't have asked for a better family to marry.  We do everything from run errands, quilt, and even shop.  Our most recent adventure took us to St. George for a conference of hers. I was off track and got to go as Tom had work.  We ate at a Habatchi Grill...I love these places, and looked at a bunch of very expensive homes and made up great stories about those who may sometime live there.  I really am grateful for our friendship and the good times we have had.  I love you Laura!