Thanksgiving

This time of year we should all take an inventory of what we have, reflect on what we have lost and pray for what we need. 

I'm thankful for--- 

My husband Without him I wouldn't be the best me! 

My Family Their love is so important to me even tho we are hundreds of miles away from each other love makes feel you all feel much closer  

My Doctor He has taught me patience and how to listen (and act on ) what my body is telling me 

Williston This crazy place is giving me so much hope for the future

My Job I'm making a good wage, becoming good at what I do and I like most of the people I work with most of the time 

Lupus Crazy right? Well, it's true it has made me earn the future... Live in the today...and (try to) stop living in the past. It also has made my faith much stronger! I know I don't have control over my life but God does! 

My New Church Family I have been given so many opportunities to grow, lead and share. It has been amazing

My Wisconsin Church Families  I miss them all so much, but I can feel their support and prayers everyday

Jesus Without Him I'd be a hopeless human.  And instead I have Him and His grace, love and someday I'll get to sit and ask Him all the questions I have

I have been lucky to have not lost much this year.  My Temper, some money...I have all of the people I love still on Earth. So I feel like this was a very blessed year.

I have prayers for 2013---

This Country  I'm not going to get into politics but I know (as well as you) that this country needs some help! I pray that The Commander In Chief makes right and just decisions.  I pray that the people can prosper and gain in the ways the Founding Fathers would have approved.

Heath The health of my Dad, of myself and everyone else who is suffering

I hope that you all have a FANTASTIC holiday season.

Mud Room!

Well, the Mud Room is (basically) finished!  And as I promised in a past post I have before, after and during photos for you! Enjoy...I know we will! The only thing that is missing is on the back wall. We have brackets and a pole for my clothes!

July 10th, 2012 the floor was started

July 15th, 2012: Walls!

July 17th, 2012: Great deal on a window, studs and complete walls

July 27th, 2012: Insulation and wiring

August 8th, 2012: Door!

August 9th, 2012: Sheetrock and tile 

August 9th, 2012: second view

August 25th, 2012: Taped, mud and ready for paint

August 25th, 2012: My 'artistic' photo of the paint can

 

August 25th, 2012: Late'

September 5th, 2012: Thanks to my FIL the brown  was finished

 

September 5th, 2012: Steps A'la Land Lord Larry

September 15th, 2012: Decorating time!

 

Decorating...

 

Shelves , Baskets and Rugs from Wal*Mart

Mail center and Dog Leash Hook from Amazon 

 

Wisconsin Wall, and a Pinterest (www.pinterest.com/fordsqueen/) Project 

  

Boot Dryer (best invention ever!)

September 15th, 2012: Decorating 

A huge Thank You to my Hubby, our Land Lords and my FIL for all the help and work to DOUBLE our living space! 

One Year Later...

On July 22^nd Brian and I celebrated 1 year on this CRAAAZY Adventure!

Champagne Wishes & Caviar Dreams

It all started with a dream, as do many Adventures.  A dream of getting out of debt (the hard way: Working For It). A dream of owning a house. A dream of a couple of new cars. A dream of  independence. A dream of living like the ‘other half’ (What was it like to have money?)

What we found from these dreams is that it isn’t always easy! Saving money isn’t easy! In fact it’s down right HARD! But we are getting there! Our loft 1^st year goal was missed BUT we have learned some valuable lessons and with a synch of the belt we will be able to make that up AND continue to year number two’s goal!

A Love To Last A Life Time

I can’t believe the changes I have seen in my husband (all things I knew that were deep down inside)! Up before the birds? Yes! Up before the sun? Sometimes.  Brian isn’t a morning person never has never will be. His favorite phrase to me in the morning (that isn’t a grunt) is “Too many words.”

He has a full time job!  This came as a shocker to everyone who knows him.  The last time he had a full time job was when he was 16.

The latest “WOW, what just happened here?!” is his construction project.  He and our land lord are constructing an 8X12 mudroom/entryway/pantry/storage unit thing.  It is almost done! I’ll post before/after and progress pictures when it is finished!

Church

We have been so blessed to find a church home.  They have welcomed us with open arms and allowed us to use our talents to serve the church. Also, this is big for me, I feel comfortable going when Brian is at work. His schedule (4 on 2 off) rotates even if it is Sunday or a holiday or he is sick or it’s 40-below outside.

The Oil Boom Impact

There are people everywhere, trucks everywhere, semis everywhere. Traffic! Hair appointments are four months out. Vehicle service booked out six weeks. DMV title and licensing three months behind. There isn’t enough food in Wal-Mart, and even with all of the check-outs open you are still looking at a 45 minute to an hour wait in line.

In June the city passed a ‘No RV Ordnance’. (I’ll keep my Soap Box put away on that subject) No impact on my home, so not to worry!

What I’ve Learned

That you can live in an RV when it is below zero (we didn’t have much of a winter so ask me how I feel after we have a real one with snow and wind and cold).

I can be proud of my husband with out a ‘but’ coming after.

Oil clothes + non-oil clothes X same dryer = all oil clothes.

You can live without an oven (but not a microwave).

Why have a magazine subscription when you have time to read them in line at Wal-Mart?

There are different colors of oil! Black, Brown (like you’d think), yellow, ‘Mountain Dew’…Montana has the black, thick stuff.

The light WILL turn green, just maybe not as soon as you would like.

A stop-sign is optional, always (according to the people who drive here).

Patience! When you are at the front of this line there will be twice as many people waiting.

Every state has a different vehicle title and sometimes they aren’t easy to fill out! (Best, Wyoming. Worst, California)

You can live without internet for your computer but only if you have a smart phone!

You can watch a full series TV show (hour long episodes) in 6 weeks but only if the Library isn’t open on the weekend (for your internet) and you put in some Saturday/Sunday Marathons.

The mountains in Montana are gorgeous! But nothing beats a ‘big sky’ sunset in your own back yard.

We couldn’t be on this Adventure without the love, thoughts, prayers and support of our family and friends back home.   Thank you all so much!!

Vacation!

Aaaaa, We all need time to get away!  Especially my husband!! I could tell this new work scheduled was draining him, BIG TIME!  His body has the clock (for work) of three months on- 9 months off. So when we came to ND and he got a FULL TIME JOB I knew it would only be a matter of time before he would need a 'cool down' time. I am very proud that he made it as long as he did!  In March we started talking about it-- in April we called my Mom, Dad, Baby Sister, Little Sister and J-Dork to invite them along.  (Only Mom and Baby Sister were able to go). We were going to go and see the sights of Glacier National Park and Yellowstone. In the months leading up to your June trip we got busy-busy- busy! Neglectfully didn't hold any room, make reservations for any activities. So when the time came to do this we couldn't find any place to stay (close to) Yellowstone.  "So let's skip it." I said. "And just do Glacier." And that was the new plan.  Got the cabin booked and mentally started vacation.
As the days and weeks past for this 2-week long FUN-cation the more like a 'child waiting for their birthday party to begin' I got.  My Mom was coming to see us and see what life was like here. I couldn't wait!!  The day before she came I emptied the entire RV- vacuumed everything, Fabreze(ed) everything- scrubbed things I didn't even notice were dirty (until I looked at it with a "mother's" eyes, you all know what I'm talking about). I picked them up from the train station and I showed them BOOM-Town. We kept busy loading the Van and giggling and buying last minute essentials waiting for Brian to get home.  He worked late....It was getting dark- like 10pm late.  When he pulled in we were all happy to see him and loaded the last of the Van, potty breaks for everyone and we were OFF!
Yes, we drove through the night...OK, Brian drove through the night- I stayed awake as much as I could. 
At 3am the sun was peeking up over the horizon making the clouds glow and then BAM the snow caped 'mountain majesties'. They were Breath-Taking! We got to the cabin and crashed- time for naps and food all around!

We did so many fantastic and amazing things in Whitefish/Kalispel and in the Park.  

White Water Rafting (Brian picked the small boat, only held 5, it looked like dingy compared to the 16 person ones)

Zip-Lining (to keep my whits for the entire vacation I declined going, Brian, Mom and Baby Sister went) 

Drove the "Road to the Sun" (a MUST for anyone)

Seen the Wild Life (Big Horn Sheep/ Cinnamon Black Bear/Mountain Goats)

Looked at the trees from above (with cloud cover too!)

Slept-In

Ate Out

Enjoyed the Hot Tub (every night)

Don't know what our next big adventure will be but I can't wait to see it!

1/21/06~1/21/12

Six years....it doesn't feel like it at all!  On Facebook this morning I posted this about our 6Th wedding anniversary...

Marriage is like climbing Mt. Everest. It is sometimes hard as hell and you want to quit but someone who had gone before you told you how beautiful it is at the top so you keep going! Today Brian and I got to Base Camp number 6 and there is no one who I would rather climb to the top with!

It's completely true!   I can't see myself with any other man.  T

I heard the comparison of raising children to climbing Everest and since we don't have any kids ( sorry Princess and Chance) no two legged kids, I thought of it from an aspect I know.  Marriage...
From what I understand about Everest it isn't the nicest place all the time.  Actually probably MOST of the time.  Blowing harsh wind, sub-zero temps, feet and feet of snow n' ice (sounds like North Dakota!).  But so many people do this amazing thing- they let nothing stop them and they summit one of the tallest peeks in the world!  Men, Women, people with disabilities, people with chronic illnesses, black, white- whatever! They want the rush of being "on top of the world".  Brian and I both read a great book not that long ago called "Together On Top of the World".  Because I read this book from front to back and looked at the collection of pictures in the back I feel I have the right to tell you- you should read it too!  I couldn't put it down.  The couple in this book climb all 7 summits together!  They over come and over come while falling deeper and deeper in love with each other.
People who climb Everest most times are planing their next trip up that fabled mountain before they see the top.  The sights are breath taking and the pain and suffering are worth it in the end.  And that is why I compare marriage to climbing.  If given the opportunity to STOP and look around the sights are breath taking!  Sure, there are times where it is "hard as hell" and I want to give up!  Toss in the towel!  People get divorced all the time!  It would be easier if it was JUST my money, debt, laundry, dishes, blankets and remote!  But then who would I spend my money on with no husband? Who would I celebrate with when I write a check and pay off 2 of my consolidated student loans (just did that the other day only 2 more to go!) Who's wallet would I wash accidentally? Who would I cook for so I can have those dirty dishes and who would I eat with? Who would I cuddle with in bed at night? Who would I explain the plot of the movie to and remind him "that's the bad guy"?  If I tossed in the towel and quit half way through the climb I would have missed out on so much!  I am truly blessed to be with the man who has been there for me, fought for me, held me while I cried, laughed with me (and at me).  I am going to leave you with one of the bible readings from our wedding day...6 years ago today...

Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned.  Song of Solomon 8:6-7

2011: In The Rear View Mirror

2011- a year full of change and ups and downs and everything in between!

January 2011- HAPPY NEW YEAR! Got a kiss at midnight from my hubby! <3 Celebrated our 5th year of marriage!

February 2011- Preached my first sermon AND  was asked to do another :)

March 2011- My BABY sister became a teenager!  Happy Birthday ButtChin, Nicole.  My Grandma Lane celebrates another Birthday in her 80s.

April 2011- Brian's brother encourages him to head to North Dakota to work...I discourage him because it is "just too far".

May 2011- Lupus Awareness Month! Preach sermon #2 AND was asked to do another.

June 2011- Brian's 33rd birthday, My 28th birthday and my Little Sisters wedding day <3. Preached my 3rd and final sermon in Wisconsin.










July 2011- Announce in both churches and on Facebook that we are moving to North Dakota...This blog starts.  My Grandma Lane breaks her hip and has a successful surgery  July 21st Brian leaves for Williston North Dakota.  July 22nd the RV is packed and with help from family I am on my way to see Brian!

August 2011- Find a church who needed us as much as we needed them!  I was asked to preach and Brian to play.  Grandma Lane has another surgery on her hip...comes out OK in the end! Brian starts work in the Oil Field!  10 year class reunion, I am sorry I had to miss it.

September 2011- Grandma Lane gets the "OK" to leave the nursing home.  My dad is the BIG five-one! My in-laws bring my car to us! Brian finishes training...and...is...off! Preaching again.

October 2011- Started my first North Dakota job. Grandma Lane is HOME! Met my new doctor, he has plans for me that don't involve Prednisone! We anticipate a cold winter and buy a 100lb LP tank for the RV. October 18th my fist date with Brian 8years ago!

November 2011- First snow of the year, just a dusting. Windows wrapped and skirting on the RV.  Went home for Turkey Day, surprised my family who didn't know we would be there...poor dad cried!  Visited Brian's family too.  The trip was sort lived but WORTH it! Start a new job after the fist doesn't work out.

December 2011- Brian helps train a new driver. Constant 40+* days with no snow.  Was asked to preach the first sermon of the new year. Christmas wasn't the same without family...and snow but Brian and I had a good time at church and got a ham dinner with the Pastor and his wife. New baby born in to the Ford Family.

Just remember......People will forget what U said, people will forget what U did, but people will never forget how U made them feel -Maya Angelou