Photo's from my Journey

It has been forever since I posted but life has taken me from one journey to the next with little time to think or post.  So much has happend and some things have changed but life is good.  Challenging but then it wouldn't be life ~ now would it.  I'm going to let the photo's tell my story.  Just be glad I didn't post all 600 and something photo's!!   

Mia my 2 year old.

Izzy my grand-dog who has now come to live with us.

 Tray is the long awaited new addition to our family and we adore him.

Celebrating the belated birthdays at our fave. 

Tailgating the last big home against the Packers.

  

A romantic celebration of our 10 year anniversary in Sedona where it all began.  What a special place, special time with a very special man ~ my husband. 

Spot of our wedding. 

Our fave Mexican restaurant in Sedona. 

The top of Camelback Mountain while hiking with my daughter Bernie

Super Bowl Time in Miami!

The end of a week long celebration!!

Sydney my 9 year old watching for us to return back safe and sound.

I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.

William Ernest Henley. 1849–1903



 Invictus




OUT of the night that covers me,


Black as the Pit from pole to pole,


I thank whatever gods may be


For my unconquerable soul.





In the fell clutch of circumstance 


I have not winced nor cried aloud.


Under the bludgeonings of chance


My head is bloody, but unbowed.





Beyond this place of wrath and tears


Looms but the Horror of the shade,


And yet the menace of the years


Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.





It matters not how strait the gate,


How charged with punishments the scroll,


I am the master of my fate: 


I am the captain of my soul.

This is Joseph. He is a graduate from PYAR. He is extremely good on the guitar. We aren't talking rock n' roll. Joseph taught himself how to play Spanish guitar. I'm not talking Mariachi Music and there is a huge difference! Joseph doesn't know this yet but he is about to become a mentor. LOL I can't wait to learn ( : Beautiful stuff.

WINNER, WINNER, CHICKEN DINNER!!! My luck from Vegas continues ( :

It appears we have started a new tradition with the Warrens. Last year we arrived in Lambeau for the Monday night football game between the Vikings and the Packers. This year, it was off to the Metrodome. Last year at half time there was to be a ceremony for Brett Favre's retirement. We all know how that ended! The picture below is just one of the many I love Brett but I'm a Packers fan kind of make shift jerseys/out fits we saw. I think the best was a guy who had attached two GI Joe type dolls (one on each shoulder) on his Greenbay jersey. One was a devil in a Vikings outfit and the other was an angel in a Packers outfit. Fun time!! Vike fans have been the bridesmaid for so long they don't know how to believe. I can only say one thing to them ~ Cardinals 2008!!! Anything is possible. We arrived home at 6:00 a.m. in the morning. It took forever just to get out of the city which is usually a 5 min ride to the interstate.

Viva Las Vegas!!

Just returned home from Las Vegas!! Tom's brother-in-law (Matt) had his big 40. Matt and Anne live in L.A. ~ Simi Valley. The party consisted of 33 people, most of them from L.A. Vegas never fails to surprise me ~ nor do the people. It is one crazy trip and the more money people have the more crazy it can be. No sleeping and ton's of alcohol might play a small part as well. I would love to give you a lot of details but we all know that "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas". What I will tell you is this, there will be NO photo's aka evidence and I'm extremely exhausted so don't call me, I will call you when I awake in 100 years!!!!

Sleeping Beauty

For those of you who have been worried about Izzy, worry no longer!! This is Sleeping Beauty getting her usual afternoon nap in the cool grass under the warm sunshine. It really is a dogs life ( :

Izzy comes to the Ranch & the Hall of Fame

This weekend was spent in Pierre (Capitol) South Dakota. My Father-in-law was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame. What an honor and humbling experience for everyone who was at the event. It is amazing to be in the company of people who have dedicated their life for the betterment of others. Some, who had spent their youth on a very successful career and then turned a hobby into a lifetime achievement. J. Bruce Blake is one of those. He has many awards and is known throughout the legal community for his work as an attorney but he goes into the Hall of Fame as a Historian. Bruce in known in the community of Sioux Falls as Mr. History. We are extremely proud of his work and dedication. He is seated on the far right.




April's move to London has brought Isabella (her dog) to live with us. Isabella was bought not far from us so her roots are in the mid-west. I picked her up at 6 weeks and she lived with us for a couple of weeks until April was able to come and get her. Two summers ago she lived with us while April did a lot of traveling for work and pleasure so she isn't a stranger to being here and being a part of our pack. It has not been an easy transition for April. We all cried when it was time for April to fly back to AZ without Izzy. I still get choked up on a daily basis thinking about her not having April. I know, she is a dog but dog people don't think that way!!!! I'm not going to change so don't bother. In the meantime, Izzy is enjoying playing outside and having such a large area to run and explore. She spends almost the whole afternoon doing so. I don't have the heart to tell her that something white is coming and she isn't going to like it. Then again, I don't like it! Good time to pack the girls up and drive to Scottsdale ( :

April and I have done numerous road trips. This one was pretty uneventful. Had it not been for the funny little weird car (Nissan Cube) she rented there would have been no story at all. Every time we stopped or went through a drive-in, it was a hot topic for anyone standing around. In 2000 miles we never saw another one like it. It got great mileage, was great for vision and is roomier then most. Below is the car with April and her grandparents (my parents). We did a a 24 hour layover in Salt Lake on our way back to South Dakota so we could rest and say hello to the family and friends.

Happy Birthday

I have the greatest friends on earth. I don't know why I have been so blessed in my life to meet and share the journey with the friends that surround me. I feel blessed on a daily basis because of them. Every single birthday I become overwhelmed when so many of them reach out in one way or another to send their love to me. It touches me in a way I have no words for. So thank you!! I love you!! This journey would be empty without you. Right now my birth family is wondering what the heck? Don't worry. I love you also. I feel blessed by you as well ~ your however stuck with me. LOL Thank you all for another amazing birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!!