Changes and Tiredness!

I started my job with the Census Bureau today.  This week is a week of training everyday for 8 hrs.  So you probably won't be seeing or hearing much from me for a few days. 

I came home today completely exhausted and having no desire to even turn on the computer.  I am guessing I may feel this way all week.  There is a lot to learn and fill my head with and its just plain exhausting. 

It could also be from the 7 hikes we have taken in as many days.  We have been having so much fun geocaching and seeing some amazing places that we would not have ever known existed.  My body is screaming at me to give it a break and I am just very tired!

So I am off to bed now, but not before I tell you that over the weekend we went to a neighboring town of Three Forks to watch about 400 horses being driven down mainstreet on there way to where they will be spending the summer.  There is such beauty in horses!  I will tell you all about it and post some pictures another day.  So stay-tuned!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY..... MORE LIKE THURSDAY!

Geocaching!

Have you heard of it?  It has become my new favorite hobby! 

A week or so ago I was talking with my daughter, Shellise, and asking her what she was doing.  She told me she was out geocaching.  I asked her what that was and do you know what she told me? 

She told me to google it!  Smarty Pants!  Smart Girl!  She used what I used to say to her when she asked a lot of questions, against me. 

Well I did google it, and learned all about it, and did what a Geocacher does to get doing it.  Then I told Shellise how excited I was to get started and such and she said to me "No longer a muggle".  And when I asked her what she meant by that she told me, of all things, to google it!   So I did, and I figured it out and got a kick out of all the Geocache lingo there is. 

So.... If you want to learn what Geocaching is just go to this website.  Yes, I was nice and provided the link!  But if you want to learn what a Muggle is, you will just have to google it!  Ha!  Hint: It has nothing to do with Harry Potter.

 I was so excited about this new activity that hubby and I went out the very next day and found our very first three cache's.  I love the whole concept.   I can combine my favorite things into making this a wonderfully fun hobby.  We can hike, go on road trips, learn about the history of the area, view some awesome scenery and wildlife, take photographs, and find geocache's, all around the world.  This is indeed my kind of activity! 

Here are some photos I took of our Geocaching Adventure last weekend.  Our first was in our neighborhood and I didn't take any photos.  The second one we went to actually ended up being my favorite.

An Old School House

Built in 1901

The school is still used for weddings and other meetings.

Me, just a swingin'!

Of course, we had to check out the out house.

Hubby even used it! Shhhh

You didn't hear that from me!

Down the road from the school house is a bridge over the East Gallatin River. 

This is where we found our second cache. 

We saw a bunch of pheasants, both hens and roosters.

By the time I got my camera ready they had flown away.

Except for this rooster. Picture's not so great though!

We even saw a Rhea!  

It's totally out of focus.  It was windy and I don't have a tripod yet.

Hubby found the cache

Our third geocache was about 30 miles north along the Missouri River. 

This is the Toston Bridge overlooking the Missouri River

Historical Information

Missouri River

Along the way we saw this huge Eagle nest.

A view from directly below indicates that maybe it is partially man made.

Definately a HUGE nest!

Some scenery alog the way

Overlooking the Missouri River from a high point.

We had so much fun learning about the history around the cache's, and seeing the beautiful scenery and wildlife that you don't get to see every day.  I am, as we speak, getting my GPS loaded up with some more Geocache's we are going to find this coming weekend.  So..... if this sounds like something you would be interested in, join us in the ranks of a "Non-Muggle", grab your GPS and lets go!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY!!!

I have also added some pretty cool photos to my photography blog, so make sure you head over there to check them out. 

Happy Birthday, Son!

It's my Jessie's birthday today.  My baby boy is 14 years old! Eeeeek! This makes me old.

Jessie was born on this day in 1996 at 7:16 pm, weighing in at 5 lbs. 1 oz.  He was small and premature.  He came into my life through adoption when he was 1-1/2 years old.  He had a rough start in life but has grown into a wonderfully amazing young man. 

Jessie has huge brown eyes and a smile that lights up his whole face.  From a cute little boy he has grown up to be a tall and strong young man.  I am so proud of him and all of his accomplishments. 

Jessie has always been a "little dare devil".  He has no fear.  When he was 4 or 5 years old he borrowed a neighbors skateboard and was ready to go down the railing to the stairs in front of our home.  He also would climb up to the top of playground equipment and wouldn't hesitate to jump off.  While my greatest fear is the fear of heights, my Jessie boy would be climbing and jumping like there was nothing to it! He would scare me to death!

Jessie is also a very talented "all around" athlete.  As a very young boy he played indoor soccer, basketball, flag football, and baseball.  His greatest strengths are in Baseball and Football. 

After that first year in flag football, he decided that was not exciting enough and begged to play "real" football with pads and stuff.  So from the time he was 8 years old he has played tackle football.  And he is an excellent player.  He is very coordinated with the ball, very fast and very strong.  He has true, raw talent for this sport and many coaches have indicated that if he chooses to pursue this he could go very far.

In baseball the coaches loved the fact that he is left-handed.  He is a strong hitter, a fast runner, and has an arm on him that can get that ball in from the outfield.  Because of that he played in the outfield alot, but he also did an excellent job at 3rd base and as a catcher.  The past 2-3 years he has been groomed as a pitcher, and has pitched some awesome "shut out" games. 

This year is a BIG year for Jessie as he starts High School. Did I just say High School?  Eeek!  He has an excellent opportunity to play both football and baseball for Canyon View High School in Cedar City, UT. The high school football coach has been keeping his eye on Jessie, and Jessie will be attending football camp this summer. Exciting stuff could be heading his way.

Over the past couple years, Jessie has also taken up skateboarding and while it's not my favorite thing to see him do, he is VERY VERY GOOD at it.  He practices at the local skate park daily.  He's not afraid to jump off those high jumps or run down railings, just like he wanted to do when he was a toddler.  I don't get all the skateboard lingo so I don't know what all the moves are called, but he can do them and he does them well.

One of my favorite character traits I love about Jessie is his love for small children and his kindness to those that have disabilities.  He has always been drawn to babies and little kids.  He is so sweet to get down and play with them.  Because of this, all of his little cousins adore him.  He also is not afraid to be a friend to children with special needs.  I worked at his elementary school as a Teacher's Aide for Special Ed.  I was specifically in charge of one student during Jessie's 5th grade year.  This student had down syndrome and autism and attended Jessie's class part of the time.  Jessie went out of his way to be a friend to this boy. I didn't ask him too, he just did.  He would play basketball with him on the playground, sit next to him during assemblies, and walk with him wherever he went.  He was helpful to this boy when he needed help just doing basic things.  It really touched my heart to watch this.  But this is my Jessie.  He has a heart of Gold! 

Friend to all

Jessie is just a great kid! 

He is.....

Funny

Witty

Loving

Kind

Playful

Athletic

Compassionate

Lover of Animals

Smart

Talented

Brother

Cousin

Grandson

Happy

Tender Hearted

Strong

Tall

Handsome

A great friend

Social

Brave

Corageous

Fearless

He is...... My Jessie Boy.... My Son!

I love you so much Jessie. 

My love for you is unconditional and forever.

I will always be here for you.

Happy Birthday!

-Mom

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY!!!

SWEET 16!

Sixteen years ago tomorrow (April 5th) my baby girl, Shellise Ann McCray, was born at 6:58 pm, weighing in at 8lbs. 4oz - 20-1/2 inches long. 

I waited 9 long years for her, and was so blessed and grateful to God when this little miracle came into the world and was placed in my arms.  I will never forget that moment or that feeling.

It's hard to believe my Shellise is 16 years old already.  The time has flown right by so fast.  Gone are her needs as a baby and as a little girl.  She has now grown into a beautiful young woman, whom I am very proud of.

She was born with the most beautiful auburn colored hair, the cutest dimples, and a big smile that could light up any room.  Her nickname is "Bug" because of how she used to scoot around like a bug when she was a baby. 

She is.........

Very Smart

Beautiful

Friend to Everyone

Social Butterfly

Lover of Books
Cute
Silly
Fun
Creative

Dancer

Drama Queen Actress

Excellent Student
Brave
Cheerful
Photogenic

Fastpitch Softball Player

Pianist

Violaist

Sister

Cousin

Grandaughter

Funny

Witty
Courageous
Outgoing

Stylish

Happy

Tall

Lover of Music

Lover of Animals

Learning to Drive (Eeek!)
High School Sophmore
Future Lawyer or Forensic Specialist
Writer of Stories, Poetry and Lyrics

Positive Example to Others

Seminary President

Lover of Christ

She is.... My Daughter

HAPPY 16TH BIRTHDAY BUG!

I LOVE YOU!!

I will love you forever, for always, unconditionally, and no matter what. 

And I will always be here for you if and when you need me.

-Mom

Photo Update

I have posted another set of photos entitled "Birds & Beauty" on my photography blog. You should check them out!