*Family/Cabin Time... Then Strait Into Haying*

This past weekend (I guess you would consider it 4th of July weekend, if you had that weekend off instead of the weekend before the 4th??) anyway, for our 4th of July weekend we took off to Island Park where my family has a beautiful cabin. We went up there with my siblings & their families (my siblings who are currently in the United States, so minus my oldest sister and youngest brother {sad face}). It was a blast and we decided to make a sibling summer tradition out of it. We all got along so well and the kids (4 of my nephews and my only niece, on my side of the family that is) were so fun, and adorable I might add. The weather was perfect. We hung out, watched movies, went for walks, went to West Yellowstone, to the Playmill (my brother's and their wives went 1st while my little sissy, her hubby, Joey & I watched their kids and then we all had dinner and then us 4 went to the next showing of "The Drowsy Chaperone" which was hilarious!), in West Yellowstone we took the kids to the candy shop, back at the cabin we then continued to eat eat eat ourselves sick (literally Chris, Jasmine, Joey & I all got horrible stomach aches haha). It was so nice to just escape and have a good time before I don't see Joey the rest of the summer because of haying. 

Speaking of haying, he and his brother and his nephews started the long process on monday. They already have 4 of the smaller fields mowed I think. So now they have 8-10 (of various sizes) more to go and then raking and bailing and hauling... So yeah, "Bye Hunny, see you in September!" :( Ahh, the joys of a "stress free" summer {sarcasm}.

Here are some fun (but horrible phone quality photos) I took of the weekend!

 (My sister-in-law Aline actually took these pictures of the cabin and Island Park) The flowers were gorgeous. My other sis-in-law McCall and I unfortunately ended up having ridiculous allergies from them... but, they were still gorgeous! 

Oh how I love Island Park!!!! So much!

Joey, Coatsy & I enjoying the sunny weather on the back porch.

One of my darling nephews Sammy & I. Him & baby Isaac are both of my 2 older brother's newest additions and they were so fun to cuddle and love on all weekend!

Auntie Jency, Baby Sammy & Auntie Christi having some squeeze time.

Don't worry Mom & Dad. We had some pretty awesome cleaners and the cabin looks spit spot! You'd never have known a tornado went through it ;)

Coatsy had a blast playing with the kids, he was so worn out on the trip home. He came up with some pretty ridiculous positions while he tried to get comfortable in his bed (why yes, his bed is sitting on top of the front dash of the truck haha, he likes it there best).

And this is what we were greeted with as soon as we got home. Dolly had gotten too close to a porcupine's personal bubble apparently. I had to hold her down while Joey got his Leatherman to remove them from her nose and lip! And as of today; I noticed her whole cheek was swollen so I opened her mouth and found a 3rd needle still stuck in her cheek. Hope she learned her lesson. 

And this is just proof that after a whole weekend of not even caring to run a comb through my hair, that I actually do fix it up every once in a while ;)

How was your 4th of July weekend?? :) Hope it was a hoot and I hope we all remembered the real reason we celebrate that day! God Bless the United States of America!!!

*The Veterans In My Life*

Today I want to recognize (hopefully along with every single other United States citizen) the men & women who have, still are and are soon to be serving our amazing country of America through the military. I can't even describe the feelings I have towards the people in the armed forces who literally fight and strive to keep our country free. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am so proud to be an American! What a truly wonderful place we live in!

And today I would really like to thank my Daddy, My Grandpa & Granddaddy and also Joey's Grandpa. Grandpa & Granddaddy... not only did you serve your country proudly (and have some pretty cool stories to boot) but also, if you hadn't been in the military I don't think my parents would have met. So I'll just thank you right there for that one simple thing :) Love you both, and I miss you Grandpa, can't wait to see you again someday! Hope you're up in heaven boasting about your adventures and achievements today, you deserve it ;) John(Joey's Grandpa), I love you to pieces, you are an awesome man and I am so impressed at all you have done, especially for our country! I love that you hand wrote everything you thought important to document of your time in the military, and also to know how hard that was for you to do that but how you knew you needed to... Our children and their children and so on will be able to read that book and get to know their Grandpa John H. a little and know how bravely he fought and served so they could be free. Thank you!

And Daddy, even though I probably.... okay, I wasn't at all... thankful for you dragging us all around the world for the Air Force when I was younger, I'm beyond grateful now. Just FYI ;) I'm so proud you are my father, and not only for the selfless, hard work you have done (AND are now, doing again) for our country; but, also for your example and for the all around amazing person you are. Thank you Daddy. I love you!

I am bummed I don't have access to some pictures of these 4 good looking men in uniform... let me just tell you... they're hunks! 

(Don't mind my humongous cheeks please)

*Did You Hear??*

I have a couple awesome announcements!

Are you ready?..... 

{1} I am a working woman :)

Okay, so I have had this job for about a month now but I never wrote about it (that I can recall). It's super easy and only about 20 hours a week. But, it keeps me busy and it's so fun. It's at a little service station called Dee's right on the lake. So it will start getting super busy this summer! I am excited, I have been wanting something to keep me more busy!

{2} MY BUG IS GETTING MARRIED!

My little sissy Christi is getting married to her Jr. High sweetheart Brett. I am so excited for them both! They decided to spring for an end of May wedding! Wow, so umm... like not even 3 weeks! So cute that they don't want to wait though :) Joey & I waited just over 4 months and that was long enough! Crazy? Maybe. 

My baby sister is getting married................ I'm old.

(Sorry Bugs, I know you don't like this picture but I think it's cute!)

And last but certainly not least:

{3} My brilliant Husband is a College Graduate!!! 

I am beyond proud of him! (and possibly, slightly jealous) He graduated with his Bachelors Degree with a Major in Agricultural Business & a Minor in Animal Science. He is so smart and I am so lucky to have such a hard working soul mate for all of forever. Congratulations Baby. I love you!

We are having a graduation dinner for him with family & friends, who ever wants to come. 

May 20th @ 6:30

If you would like to try and make it please e-mail, call or text me and I will tell you where and get your name on the list! And sadly, even though we are no longer college students we are still poor :) So it is a "pay for your own meal" deal, but if you aren't able to we can definitely work something out, we would really just love to have you there to help me embarrass Joey more by putting him in the spot light! This is a big deal to me, I am so proud and excited to my boy!

Also, I have the cutest announcements for his graduation. He was too busy and wasn't able to walk so I am just doing "announcements" and not invitations. If you want one just shoot me an e-mail!

Jencyjojo_88@hotmail.com 

(This is the face I'm sure I will be getting for making "such a big" deal over his graduation! haha)

*Tuesday Confessional/Day 10 Of Me: Home/Something You Miss*

Day 10: Something You miss

My mom always has music playing in the living room at their house. She has done that since I can remember. It is always happy, relaxing, comforting music such as the soundtracks from “The Holiday”, “The Parent Trap” (the newer version with Dennis Quaid) and “Sense and Sensibility”. One of the CD’s she has been playing for a long time is Kenny G’s Greatest Hits. If you haven’t heard of him, he is only the best saxophone artist ever. I love his music.

I recently added a bunch of his songs onto my ITunes and tonight I was listening to music and one of his songs came on which is a song that’s on the CD my mom has. I caught myself missing home a lot. And I was thinking about how ironic it is that I was never really a “home body” up until recently. As soon as I turned 18 I was out of the house, years before that I would always be wishing I were 18 so I could move out and “live on my own”, and for a few years after that I would hardly ever go back, I was “too busy” making things work on my own, almost like I was “proving” that I could do it. I spent my days doing what I wanted and not having to check in with anyone or ask permission, moving here and there, working 2-3 jobs, living on Hamburger Helper and Mac & Cheese, going out on week-nights. I was always busy and constantly with someone but, I felt lonely and something was missing. Then 2 years later I moved back home. My Mom became one of my best friends, I couldn’t get enough attention from my Dad, and I was back with people who really did love me, back in a peaceful place where I was safe. I didn’t want to leave, but something still felt like it was missing. So, I left that home I finely had come to cherish. I moved the farthest away I had ever been from home, but somehow, even though it was further away then where I previously had lived, I still felt closer to home then I had ever been before (make sense?). Maybe, it was because I knew I could go back home if I wanted and I realized I really didn’t have to prove anything. I had lived my “trial and error” life and finely found out that kind of life wasn’t necessary, it was now time to live the life I was meant to be living, with the people that were supposed to be a part of that life. Through the next month I went back home frequently, more than I had in a years time when I lived just a town away from there. It almost felt like I was “making up” for the time I had missed being “far away” from home, living on “my own”. Between my travels back and forth from home, school and starting my “new” life I met Joey. I found what was “missing”. I couldn’t wait for him to meet my parents and for him to feel my “renewed” admiration for them; I couldn’t wait to bring him home.

Over the last couple of years he and I have been making our own home. It has been kind of challenging. I had just barely become a part of my parents home again and was now having to make a home somewhere else. I have been taking as many opportunities as I can to go visit my parent’s home, trying to get Joey to spare some time from the ranch to go with me. It’s just so far away, and I miss it and them. I cried during the whole Kenny G song. I finally got something back that I had been needing and had to give some of it away not long after. I know it needed to be done and I know I need to be making my own home. But, it’s just hard. I miss that home right now. I love Joey, but it’s hard for him to understand sometimes I think. I know he spent 2 years down south on a LDS church mission, he missed home like crazy, but he knew he’d be coming back. In a way I can’t go back. I can go back as a visitor but not as a dweller. Therefore, I visit a lot haha. Am I just being a whining brat? Probably. I wish I could go back and stay closer to home for as long as possible but still somehow have everything still turn out the way it has. I know that it impossible on so many levels so now all I can do is blog about how I feel and count my blessings.

I am thankful that I even had that time at home that I had been missing out on. I am thankful my relationships with my parents are so strong now. I am thankful I went through those years alone, as hard and painful as they were, I needed to in order to appreciate what was right in front of me but so far away. I am thankful for my parents, how they always had their doors, arms, and hearts opened towards me even when I wasn’t looking, and for their countless prayers they said and say on my behalf. I am thankful for my husband, for his patience as I try and get used to my new life and new home and try, but sometimes fail at appreciating it, and also for his unconditional love towards me no matter what. I am thankful for my Father in heaven, I know he has a plan for me; I know he loves me and knows what is best for me. I am thankful for my family. I know that home is where the heart is, therefore my parent’s home is, in a way, still my home, but Joey also has my heart so my home is here as well. I am thankful for that.

30 Day Challenge:

Day 1: Introduce, recent picture of yourself, 15 interesting facts

Day 2: Meaning behind your blog name

Day 3: Your first love

Day 4: Your parents

Day 5: A song to match your mood

Day 6: A picture of something that makes you happy

Day 7: Favorite movies

Day 8: A place you've traveled to

Day 9: A favorite picture of your best friend

Day 10: Something you miss 

Day 11: Something you're afraid of

Day 12: Your last 5 Facebook statues

Day 13: Favorite tv shows

Day 14: A picture of you last year - how have you changed?

Day 15: Scripture verse

Day 16: Current Project

Day 17: Something you're looking forward to

Day 18: Favorite place(s) to eat

Day 19: Goals

Day 20: Nicknames

Day 21: Favorite Picture of yourself ALL TIME Why?

Day 22: What's in your purse?

Day 23: A letter to someone

Day 24: Something you've learned

Day 25: Put your iPod on shuffle, first 10 songs

Day 26: Dream vacation

Day 27: Original Photo of the city you live in

Day 28: Something that stresses you out

Day 29: 3 Wishes

Day 30: a picture of yourself this day and 5 good things that happened since you started the challenge

*Day 9 Of Me*

Day 9: A favorite picture of your best friend:

I have a few best friends and a favorite picture of each one...

My wonderful Momma

 My gorgeous little sissy (And my big sissy, but I can't find a picture of her and I {frown})

 My bestest cousin Amber (I'm on the right. I love this picture, unfortunately on here it's a picture of a picture of a picture haha)

Another picture of us hahaha

And of course my best best friend. Jojo

30 Day Challenge 

Day 1: Introduce, recent picture of yourself, 15 interesting facts

Day 2: Meaning behind your blog name

Day 3: Your first love

Day 4: Your parents

Day 5: A song to match your mood

Day 6: A picture of something that makes you happy

Day 7: Favorite movies

Day 8: A place you've traveled to

Day 9: A favorite picture of your best friend

Day 10: Something you miss 

Day 11: Something you're afraid of

Day 12: Your last 5 Facebook statues

Day 13: Favorite tv shows

Day 14: A picture of you last year - how have you changed?

Day 15: Scripture verse

Day 16: Current Project

Day 17: Something you're looking forward to

Day 18: Favorite place(s) to eat

Day 19: Goals

Day 20: Nicknames

Day 21: Favorite Picture of yourself ALL TIME Why?

Day 22: What's in your purse?

Day 23: A letter to someone

Day 24: Something you've learned

Day 25: Put your iPod on shuffle, first 10 songs

Day 26: Dream vacation

Day 27: Original Photo of the city you live in

Day 28: Something that stresses you out

Day 29: 3 Wishes

Day 30: a picture of yourself this day and 5 good things that happened since you started the challenge

*Day 4 Of Me*

Day 4: Your Parents:

Where do I even start?! My parents are amazing. They are the most selfless, caring, strong, smart, loving, funny, comforting, supporting, helpful, accomplished, ambitious, adventurist, spiritual people I know. I am so proud to be their daughter. I would not be where I am today without them. I would not be who I am today without them. They had to(and occasionally still have to) put up with me, and let me tell you, that couldn't have been easy! They are the best role models out there. I love coming "home" to visit them and spend time with them. It feels like I can't spend enough time with them, almost like I am making up for the years of rebellion and weeks of not even calling them, much less seeing them and spending time with them because I was "free" and living on my own. I know I can't go back in time and spend those days with two people who love me with their whole heart instead of people I thought "cared" about me, but I can and will make up for it.. And, I probably bug my mother endlessly with my calls and visits and basically following her around everywhere :) But, I love spending time with her and my dad. And I can't wait for my children to feel the same way about their Granddaddy and Grandmother :) I love you Momma & Daddy, forever.

30 Day Challenge 

Day 1: Introduce, recent picture of yourself, 15 interesting facts

Day 2: Meaning behind your blog name

Day 3: Your first love

Day 4: Your parents

Day 5: A song to match your mood

Day 6: A picture of something that makes you happy

Day 7: Favorite movies

Day 8: A place you've traveled to

Day 9: A favorite picture of your best friend

Day 10: Something you miss 

Day 11: Something you're afraid of

Day 12: Your last 5 Facebook statues

Day 13: Favorite tv shows

Day 14: A picture of you last year - how have you changed?

Day 15: Scripture verse

Day 16: Current Project

Day 17: Something you're looking forward to

Day 18: Favorite place(s) to eat

Day 19: Goals

Day 20: Nicknames

Day 21: Favorite Picture of yourself ALL TIME Why?

Day 22: What's in your purse?

Day 23: A letter to someone

Day 24: Something you've learned

Day 25: Put your iPod on shuffle, first 10 songs

Day 26: Dream vacation

Day 27: Original Photo of the city you live in

Day 28: Something that stresses you out

Day 29: 3 Wishes

Day 30: a picture of yourself this day and 5 good things that happened since you started the challenge

*Wild Weekend*

This weekend has been bittersweet, but, more on the sweet side :) I came up to Idaho on Friday and am staying until Thursday while poor Joey feeds, pulls ginormous calves, sews up prolapses, takes care of the dogs and cat, teaches our little group of 5 year olds in church by himself and eats the leftovers I made for him. My parents went out of town Sunday and I am "keeping an eye" on things until they get back. I also wanted to spend some time with them (Fri & Sat) and my little sister and brother before I start work (yes I got a job! I'll write about it after I start, a week from Monday!) and before they head out to visit my older sister's little family of boys in a couple of weeks for a couple weeks(without me {super sad face}. So far I have...

- Went to TGI Fridays with my fav cousin Amber, her man and our good friend Tyler. Had the Jack Daniel's sample(totally recommend!). 

- Washed the nasty, caked, red mud from my truck. 

- Had a chocolate-eating scare with Coatsy(little turd!). 

- Bought the cutest little sweaters, a jacket, dentals raw-hides, pee-pee pads, new toy rope and oatmeal doggie shampoo for Coatsy.

- My parents took me to my favorite mexican joint, where I, of course, got the Cream Cheese & Crab Enchilada. Mmmm mmm. 

- Went to the cheap theater to see "Unknown"(pretty sweet movie!). 

- Went to church with my little sister, brother and favorite cousin Amber. 

- Cooked a delicious sunday dinner that consisted of steak, roasted vegetables, potato rolls and Amber's ridiculously good apple dumplings. Wow.

The only thing that I really really didn't like about this weekend was... No Joey :( I miss him. Only 3 1/2 more days! I needed a couple days to recoup from the first few weeks of calving season. We lost quite a few calves and I was being a wuss and was so sick of seeing dead animals around the ranch. I just wanted away. I am still trying to get used to all the loss and trying to focus on the thriving parts of the ranch. I respect the women out there who stick by their husbands through out all the trials on the ranch, it's hard, don't let anyone try and tell you it's not! Anyway, hope everyone had a stupendous weekend!

My AMAZING Cream Cheese and Crab Enchilada... So unhealthy, but, so freakin' stinkin' good!

Coatsy in one of his new sweaters. So cute!