Has it really been that long?

Holy Wow!  I just looked at the date of my last post and cannot believe it has been that long.  I have officially been a blog slacker.  No reason in particular except that I haven't been able to come up with anything exciting to write about.  I haven't been on any adventures in months.  I guess you could say other things have gotten in the way of life.

We got moved into the house about 3 weeks ago.  Work is good... I LOVE my job!  School is keeping me really busy.  I was very happy about my first semester grades and being included on the deans list.  This semester, however, is a different story.  Intermediate Accounting II has become my nemesis.  The school is trying out a new program for the assignments and quizzes and there are still a few quirks that are making it really hard to get a decent score, meaning my grade right now is not an A like I would like.  I am working hard and hoping I can improve that before the end of the semester, which leaves me about 3 more weeks.  My other class is a sociology type class where we are discussing America in the 1960's.  That class is going great and my grade is where I want it to be.  Wish me luck in my accounting class!

I enjoy living in my new small hometown, and like that my drive to work is now 20 minutes instead of an hour.  However, I miss my sister and her family.   I am just glad that I didn't move so far away that it would be hard to see them on a regular basis. They are only 30 miles away.  And, they are coming over for dinner on Sunday.  Yeah!

Since my last post, my kids are back in school.  Shellise is attending Southern Utah University and Jessie is in  his Junior year of High School.  Crazy!  I get to see them in a week-and-a-half for a day or two, and can't wait!  I am so proud of both of my kids.  Jessie because he is making some really great choices right now and turning his life around.  Shellise because she is working so hard in school and is doing great, and because she is also making some better choices that is improving our relationship.  They have both been trying to get jobs, but the market in that town is not good.  They really need jobs though, so if any of you in Cedar City know of any place hiring, let me know.

I need to get back to my studies now, but promise I will be back a lot sooner.  I am leaving you with a few photos.

Kitchen not quite finished in this photo

Family room looking into kitchen. 

Shows the wood floors

From the foyer looking into front room 

Closer look at the hand-scraped wood floor

A view from the patio

Back yard

And this is me!  

I hope you will still check back once in a while, even though I am such a slacker these days!  

Announcing the Winner and my New Blog Name...

Well it is that time.  We finally arrived in our new state and are settling in nicely.  DH made it through the first week of his job and it is going very well.  I began a new session of classes and that is going well also.  I have only 5 more classes after this session until I graduate with my associates degree and begin the bachelor's program.  Getting excited about that.

But that is not what you are really wanting to know now is it?  You are here because you are curious about my new blog name and to find out who won the blog name giveaway.

I hope you like it!  I did!  I think it is a very "catchy" name.  Thank you to Lara over at Overstuffed, who sent in this idea for the name of my blog.  I received several ideas that I really liked as well, which made it difficult to choose.  I want to thank all of you who gave me such awesome suggestions.  And I want to thank my sister for helping me decide which one to use.  Lara, please contact me with your address so I can forward you your prizes.

Right now we are in the beginning stages of getting a new home built.  We have chosen a style and floor plan and have met with the builders.  Now we are getting things ready to clear the land and then survey and excavate it.  I am getting excited!

I am also really enjoying the time I get to spend with my sister Valerie .  We just got tickets for the Twilight marathon at a local theater on November 14th.  I am so happy that I have someone to do fun things like that with now.

I guess that wraps things up for now.   I am crazy busy with school but in my spare time I will be creating  a new design for my blog and hopefully be able to update more often and catch up with you as well.

Life is Good!

 See you soon!

More July Adventures..... And.....

Still playing catch up... Yes I am!

But first..... I just wanted to throw on the table the fact that in 4 more days we will be on our way to Texas.   I have been busily finishing up all my homework for school so that I can begin my two week break, and now I am busy spending the last few days packing and cleaning.

Now..... just a shout out reminding you of my blog giveaway.  October 8th is the big day so get your suggestions in if you haven't already. Read HERE for more details.  Oh... and I have exciting news about the book I am giving away.  I will be giving away an AUTOGRAPHED copy!  Plus I will have two more surprise gifts that will include something from Montana and something from Texas.  Should be FUN FUN FUN!!!  I have received some excellent ideas but would like some more so get your ideas in before the deadline.

Now onto the adventure part....

Mid July we planned a weekend getaway to Great Falls, MT.  I wanted to see what the Great Falls were all about.  So away we went.... It is about 3-1/2 hour drive from where we live.  First stop was the hotel.  And as soon as we walked in our little Abby dog made herself right at home.  This is her style of camping!  She is not really the outdoorsy type like Daisy is.  This is more her style as you can see by this picture.

Princess Abby making herself right at home

A storm blew in as soon as we arrived in town.  It was quite the rain storm too!  So we just hung out at the hotel the rest of that day.  The next morning we started out with a Geo-cache.  Here is DH (Dear Hubby) finding it!  

DH Geo-Cache Find 

The stash is in the plastic container

The plastic container was found inside of this!  

It was a pretty cool way to hide a Geo-Cache.  

The location was pretty great too.  

It was at a park overlooking the Missouri River

The next stop was what I was there for.  The next few pictures are of Giant Springs State Park.  This is the most beautiful place I have seen!  This next picture is of the Giant Spring.  It is a natural spring that was discovered by Lewis & Clark.  It's awesome!  What makes it even more special is that this natural spring flows into the shortest river in the world... the Roe River which is 201 feet long and runs directly into the Missouri River.   It seriously is a really gorgeous place and I recommend everyone go see it!   There are several pictures of Giant Springs State Park because the scenery is so beautiful and I just couldn't choose any to leave out.

Giant Springs

Giant Springs

Missouri River in background

The water is SO clear!

Giant Springs

Look how clear that water is!

Giant Springs State Park

More Scenery 

Another one...

There is also a fish hatchery at the Giant Springs State Park

This is a pond of fish....They are HUGE!

Pretty Bird 

Missouri River

This is one of five falls on the Missouri River

These falls are how Great Falls got it's name

This is another one of the falls on the Missouri

We are making our way to the Great Falls on the Missouri 

But first we stopped to find another Geo-Cache.

Here is the family!

This is the Great Falls and namesake of the city.  

I wish the pictures did it justice!

Another shot of Great Falls

On the way home we spotted these......  SPEED GOATS!!

And then we found this pretty lake at Gates of the Mountains...  We had no idea about this place and wished we had more time to check it out.  It is an area that DH and I wish we had time to explore.  It is another one of the Lewis & Clark expeditions.  Check out the links and make it part of your next vacation to Montana.  I wish I had time!

As we arrived back home the sunset was really awesome.  These pictures don't even do it justice but it will give you some idea of what the sky was like.  

Sunset over Belgrade, MT

The sky is on fire

So pretty!

Well that wraps up our Great Falls Adventure.  We had a wonderful weekend and really do recommend it to everyone.  I love road trips and all the amazing adventures that take place while on one!  

So... most likely the next time you see another update, I will be in Texas.  I still have several Montana adventures to catch up on.  I am hoping to do that once I get settled somewhat.  

Don't forget about the Blog Giveaway!  See you soon my friends!

The latest news....And a GIVEAWAY!!

I have so many adventures to write about and pictures to edit and post; but the problem is I just have not had any extra time to do this.  As you know we are moving to Texas and I have been busy packing the house when I am not at work or at school, which doesn't leave any time for anything else.  We have also been trying to see and do as many things as we can before we leave.  Thus the many adventures I still need to journal.

However, today I feel that I need to at least update everyone on the latest news.....

We finally have a move date!  FINALLY!  Saturday, September 24th is the day we will be loading up the moving truck; and we will head south the following morning.  It will take us THREE DAYS to get there with loads of driving each day.  We are ready though!  Ready to get the next chapter in our lives started.

We will be staying with my sister, Valerie, and her family while our home is being built.  We hope to have that completed in 5 to 6 months.  I am SO excited to be living near my sister and my in-laws!  I am EXCITED about NEW ADVENTURES!!

Now I want to remind you that as Our Adventures from Big Sky Country is coming to an end rather soon, I still need to rename my blog.  I announced in an earlier post that I will be doing a GIVEAWAY for the person who's idea I use for my blog name.  I want to have that wrapped up around the OCTOBER 8TH, so please comment with your idea for a blog name by that date. I have a few ideas as to what I want to GIVE AWAY, this is one of them....

I will also throw in a couple other surprises.  So be sure to comment about your idea for my new blog name.  I AM SO EXCITED!  

As I mentioned above, I have many recent and amazing Montana adventures to still write about and I will be working on that as soon as I can because I hate being so far behind!

Until next time my friends.....stay safe and happy!

Being in Limbo Sucks!!

I thought I better post something just in case you all begin to think I am dead or something.  I am in fact alive, yeah me!

I have just been super busy finishing up my last session of classes and starting another one.  Also, we have been very busy packing the house.  I can say we are officially 75% packed.  Then lets not forget that work thing which takes up a good portion of the day and a good portion of my life - ugh!

We still don't have an exact move date but it will be very soon.  If any of you follow me on Facebook, you will know that Dear Hubby's job is being eliminated here in Bozeman on September 12th.  We feel very blessed we had already made plans to move and realize that the decision to move to Texas was really meant to be.  

Dear Hubby's place of employment has recently undergone a major reorganization and that is why it is taking so long for this job transfer to get processed.  The word is we should hear something sometime next week.  In the meantime we have been stuck in Limbo.  Being stuck in limbo really sucks and is something that I hate!  I have also been in limbo in other areas of my life (which is another story for another day) and it is getting really old.   I am trying to be patient though and feel I am doing a pretty good job of it.  

I know it has been a while since I have contributed anything significant to my blog.  In what little spare time I have had I have been working on photo edits of our July adventures, and there were many.  I will post those soon (I hope).  I am so far behind!

We are trying to see and do as much as we can while we still live here.  Problem is we just don't have a lot of time.  We did make a list of priority places we want to visit before we move and little by little we are getting to those.  Tomorrow is one of those days where we are taking the whole day and going on a long road trip drive over the Beartooth Highway.  It has been something we have wanted to do since we moved here.  So I will make sure I take plenty of photos and will hopefully get to posting about that adventure very soon.

And just as soon as we get the word on a move date, I will let you all know too!  Until then, I hope you are all doing well.  I have missed having the time to read and comment on all of your blogs, but promise I will get to that very soon.   Life is just getting in the way at the moment!

God Loves Me!

Everyday I see evidence of God's love for me in my life.  I am a blessed woman!

The most recent blessing is regarding our move.  It is a blessing that we already had plans to move to Texas, because we found out two days ago that Dear Hubby's job is being eliminated here in Bozeman.  This just confirms to me again that our moving to Texas is what we are supposed to be doing.

God must really want us there soon, because now we are needing to make the move much more quickly than originally planned.

We have recently been told that we need to gather and strengthen our families for what lies ahead.  I really believe that is why it is so urgent for us to be near family.

We are packing packing packing so that we will be ready when his job on the other end gives us a date they need him to start.  We expect we will be moving sometime in September.  That means there is only a few more weeks to enjoy our Beautiful Montana!

So... Yes, I believe it was a blessing to have already prepared to make the move.  And that is why I know that God Loves Me!

I am a Mormon! To learn more about my belief's go here.

It's time for that BIG announcement...

I warned you there was some BIG news coming.  Guess it's time I let the cat out of the bag.

Here goes......

Sometime within the next 3 to 4 months, I will no longer be able to blog about Our Adventures in Big Sky Country because........

We Are Moving!

Yes I am moving away from my beloved State of Montana.

Where?

Utah?    No

California?  No

Arizona?  No

Texas?  Yes

Springtown, Texas to be exact

I will need to dust off my cowboy boots and cowboy hat and practice my hey y'all's and yeehaw's, and get myself ready for some Texas Heat!  

Why?

To be near my sister and Bill's family, and to provide assistance to my in-laws in their Golden Years!  To help take care of their property and care for their Llamas. Because we will be able to build a home on part of the property.  And I will also be closer to job opportunities within my career path. 

When?

Not sure of the exact date yet.  Waiting in limbo for Dear Hubby's job transfer.  Hopefully, before Winter for sure.

I am sad to leave behind the mountains and the beauty of this area.  I will always consider this the most beautiful place on this Earth.  But I am excited for the opportunity to begin fulfilling some lifelong dreams, as well as being closer to family.  

I know with all my heart that Texas is where we are supposed to be at this time in our lives, just like I know that it will be our final destination.  The place that we will forever call home.  The place where we will live out the remainder of our lives. 

I will keep ya'll informed as soon as we know anything.  

Now on to another announcement..... 

I will need to create a new name for my blog.  And I want to offer a prize giveaway to the person who's name I choose to use as my blog title.  I don't know what the prize will be just yet, but it will most likely be something from Texas.  So get your thinking caps on and send me your ideas PLEASE!!!

ON A QUEST FOR GOOD BREAD....AND OTHER STUFF I'M MISSING!!

Some of you may have experienced moving from one place to another.  Moving to a different house in the same city or even state isn't so bad.  Moving to another state or country is a whole other experience.  After moving long distance it really takes time to get used to things.  Every state is different in one way or another.  It could be whether or not they charge sales tax, or local laws that are different than what you may be used.  Moving to Bozeman, Montana from Salt Lake City, Utah has been a good experience for the most part.  However, there are some things that will definately take some getting used to. 

For instance, I can't buy my favorite bread here.  For those that live in Utah and know and love Grandma Sycamore's bread, you will understand.  For those of you that don't know, you will have to trust me.  It is the best bread out there.  Its the next best thing to homemade and so very fresh!  I searched every store in this town only to find out they don't carry Sara Lee products and have no idea what I'm talking about when I ask.  So I am on a quest for good bread and so far I haven't found it.  Very disappointed!  So for now, I go to Great Harvest to get the Honey Whole Wheat that I like from there. And if I want white bread I'll either have to "settle" with what is available, or find a recipe that I like and bake it myself.  Now begins my search for a good bread recipe.  If you have one, please do share!

Next, are the many restaurants that I love and that they don't have here.  Yet, anyway. 

This is where Bill and I first met and its our favorite! Closest one is over 2 hrs away.

No more Charbroiled Chicken Club Sandwiches with Fried Zucchini

Good bye to the Green Burrito's and Chicken Quesadilla's

There are none of these either.... not on every corner... not in Montana!

What No Slurpee's??

No Maverik gas stations?  Bill's favorite place for snacks and things. 

Seeing Casinos attached to every gas station and on every corner is something else I will have to get used.  Yup! You guessed it, gambling is legal in Montana.  Its nothing like Las Vegas or Reno, Nevada... not even close.  But, yes there are many, many casinos. 

Another thing that I just learned about a couple days ago when I went to Subway is that they do not take the point cards here in Montana.  What?   What about all my points I've been saving for that free sandwich, chips and drink?  Ugh!!!!

For those of you that are LDS and live in Utah and like to frequent Deseret Book or Seagull Book & Tape, BE VERY GRATEFUL!   The closest Seagull Book is 4 hrs away in Idaho Falls.  There isn't a book store in town that carry any LDS products.  Nope, not even WalMart folks!  Online Shopping is the next best thing.  This will definately take some getting used to.   

Bill listens to audiobooks while he drives at night. He really enjoys many LDS authors as well as many authors outside the LDS scene.  However, accessibility to LDS audiobooks outside of Utah is very very difficult.  You can't just run down to Deseret Book or Seagull Book to buy them and you definately can't just run into your local library and pick up an LDS authored book of your choosing.  Nope!  It doesn't work like that here.  So, I have spent countless hours searching for online audiobook downloads that I can purchase and download onto my own home computer, and either burn to a CD or transfer to Ipod.   Note to self - Ipod purchase is needed very soon! 

Oh... and we don't even get a radio station that plays Delilah!  How am I to survive not being able to listen to Delilah at night?  Well okay...I can listen as long as I'm on the computer! 

One other thing that I thought strange, and I already posted this to facebook a few days ago, is this sign that I found at our local library. 

Move Over Handicap Parking!  This sign took up at least two up front rows of parking.  Is that discrimination against most of us who drive regular gasoline type vehicles? Strange!

But Hey, there are many things to like about this place.  I live in Big Sky Country, Montana.  It's beautiful here! I live very close to my most favorite place, Yellowstone National Park.  It's right out my back door and  I can explore it any time I want.  The weather is so nice and mild (compared to Utah) in the summer, and the winters aren't that much different than what I am used to. 

There are many new things and places to explore.  Hiking and biking trails are everywhere, as well as fabulous White Water rafting and Fly Fishing expeditions.  This is Fly Fishing capital USA afterall!!  There are 3 very large rivers very close by... The Yellowstone, The Gallatin (for the rafting), and The Madison (for the fly fishing).  Oh.. and it's only a 30 minute drive to the nearest Ski and Snowboard area.  Bill is happy about that. 

There are thousands of acres of wheat farms, cattle ranches, as well as horse ranches surrounding the area. 

It's a dog friendly town.  Dogs are welcome pretty much anywhere here.  Even into some eating establishments where they have a supply of dog bowls for water and food. 

The people are friendly and willing to help if you need it. The community comes out and supports all the local events and school activities. 

It's a smaller town than what I am used to, which I like very much.  It only takes a couple minutes to get ot Bill's work.  Yet there are plenty of shopping establishments to visit.  WalMart and Target are on top of my list.  There is a mall with JCPenney's and Maceys and all the other stores you find in a regular mall type setting.

We don't have to pay sales tax on anything we shop for.  And our cars don't need Emissions & Safety Inspections in order to get them licensed and registered.  That's a BIG plus! 

Yes, it will take time to get used to the differences and to find things to replace others that I got used to in Utah, but there are so many other things to like, to experience and enjoy.  I'm still in the newness (is that a word?) stage and every day is an adventure to me, and I am finding that I am enjoying that part very much.

Have you moved recently and are missing some of your favorite things?  Please share your experiences with me.