A Little Glimmer of Hope

A few months ago I wrote some posts about my dad. So much has happened since then and there is finally a glimmer of hope for my family and my sweet pappa. Most of you know that my dad has struggled with a nerve condition for well as long as I can actually remember. I knew when I was a little girl that my dad was different he was a special dad. Not only because he was always quoting movies, or starting water fights with the neighbor hood kids, but there was always something in his eyes hidden behind the permanent smile. I figured out as a teenager that the hidden stare was caused from pain, pain that my pappa kept silent from his children and friends. It was not until last year that I realized how bad the pain was.
For a year we have been waiting, praying, fasting, and just having faith that a solution to my dads pain would come. He has been scheduled for surgery many times, but the hospital always fell through. Things are changing in my pappa's life too. My dad is going to be a grandpa of a cute little boy Erin is expecting in January. When my dad found out he was estatic, but then he turned sober and said all I want is to be able to be a great grandpappa, to run and play with my grandkids.
I am happy to report that we are one step closer to my dads goal. Yesterday he found out that he has been scheduled for real this time. Next Friday September 4th second surgery of the day he will be wheeled in at 9:30. This may seem like a simple thing. A surgery people have them all the time. This is not a surgery though. This is a blessing one that means more to me than anything in the world. I have always been my daddy's little girls. Since I was two and tasted near beer and said that tastes good, my mom just handed me over to him and said you deal with her. I guess that always stuck. I love my dad more then words can express. I always tell Travis that my dad was my first true love and always will be.
I am so grateful that this is finally happening for my pappa. Not only am I so excited because he will get his wish, and that his body will no longer be putting a huge stop on the things he wants to do. But I am mostly happy that when I look in my pappa's eyes, that even through that permanent smile that they hold I won't be able to see that pain anymore. Just my pappa, his happiness, joy for life, and the love that he has for his family. This will not end everything, but it will make life so much better and I am so grateful for that.

It's Snowing Again

Yes I did steal the title of this post from the back of a Snow College T-Shirt, but hey I am seeing alot of them this week. Travis and I officially went back to school on Wednesday. To be completely honest with you I am LOVING IT! We both are!
This summer was a great one. We were able to do a lot of fun things with family and friends, but to be honest during a normal work week Travis and I did not really see each other a whole lot. We would wake up, work, eat, clean the house, sleep. That was it. We are so glad to be back into a routine, and one that includes us seeing a lot more of each other. It has also been great to see some of our old friends from last year, and it is an added bonus to have sweet cousin McKell and her friend Marci only living a block away.
So yes our summer is over, and it is snowing again in our lives, but we are surely looking forward to this change in climate!

Living the Happily Ever After

A true love story has unfolded over the years. People around got a small glimpse into the fairy tale, but many do not know the whole story of the cattle barons daughter and the sheepherders grand son (that is what my dad calls us). It started many many years ago with a girl the age of 15. She had traveled to the far away land of Gunnison to cheer for Juab's basketball team. While on her journey she had dropped a single cheer bag into the isle. During half time a very good looking 16 year old stood up and walked out of the gym. The girl watched the boy he had on a tan carhartt, a black cowboy hats, and those Wranglers! The girl thought little of the boy after he left, and continued talking with her friends. After the half time show had ended the girl stood back up to resume her duties as a "spirit leader". It was then that she noticed the boy was walking back in, and how good looking he really was. He quietly walked past her and gave her a smile that could make any girls knees weak. It was then that he tripped over that single cheer bag. The girl just stared at him. He then, while laying on the ground, tipped up that hat and said "Well sorry about that darlen" and smiled that weak in the knees smile again. The girl just giggled as the boy walked off. Who knew she had just met her prince charming.
It was a year latter when she met the next person that would help carry the story of this fairy tale. The girl was at a banquet, one that required a blue corduroy jacket, but a banquet all the same, when a very charming old man sat next to her. Throughout the course of their meal the girl learned that the man was a sheep owner from Mayfeild. Throughout the remainder of the meal they chatted politely but it was when dessert was served that the conversation shifted. The charming man said you know I have a grandson that does this whole FFA stuff. He is pretty good looking I bet I could get him to take out a cute little farmer girl like you. I think he is in to that kind of stuff. Again the girl just giggled and said Thank you Jack, if I ever need a date I will for sure give you a call.
Another year passed, and the girls sister visited Gunnison High School to teach a class. She walked into the senior boys Agriculture class and said you boys are going to help me with a little problem. The boys straightened up because they were all gentleman of course and said what do you need. The older sister spoke and said my sisters boyfriend is just a "joker" and i don't want him taking her to the ball (homecoming). So one of you boys are going to take her. The sheep herders grandson thought about it for a moment and said what the heck I'll do it. The boy did call the girl but they never made it to the ball that year, some things happened and the "joker" did take the girl.
This started the raise in our story though the girl and the boy started texting and they meet official for the first time in May of 2006. The boy got off his white horse (okay out of the white truck,) in all of his armor ( army uniform). The girl really did go weak in the knees this time good thing she was setting down. After this though the girl thought nothing of it. He had another maiden and her another joker.
It was six months later on a cold fall day when the girls phone rang again. She answered and there was the knight. He had just returned from basic training and would like to take her out on another date. They went out for real on October 22, 2007. A few weeks later on November 11 they had the best first kiss I think there ever has been. By December 22 the pair had fallen in love and the boy uttered the first I love you under the twinkling of the Christmas Tree.
The girl and the boy learned later that this knight had been called off to battle he boarded the the plane and left his family and the girl behind. The continued to write and love each other more. It was on March 22 that the knight asked the girl if she would be with him forever in front of a castle (at Disneyland).
On August 2, 2008 the knight took the girl through the castle she has always wanted to visit and she got to wear a gorgeous white gown. They made a special covenant before the King, Heavenly Father so that could start their own kingdom some day. The knight really made the cattle barons daughter feel like a princess for the day, and well has continued to for the past year. And that is the beginning of our happily ever after and the tale of a truly great love story.