This past weekend, Travis's family was in town to celebrate Bailey and Anthony's high school graduation from Southlake-Carroll and Aaron's graduation from Baker University. We had a fabulous time and while enjoying their company, I never forget about my family back home. I'm sure it'll seem like I have a ton of time on my hands but I want to send a few simple shout outs because I can never say enough about how blessed I am.
First off, I am so blessed to have the most amazing husband I could ask for and I don't know what I'd do without him. Travis is the most selfless and caring person that I've ever met. He would do anything for anybody and is just a "genuine" kind of guy that would give his shirt off his back. Travis is the peanut butter to my jelly, the cheese to my macaroni, and the ying to my yang. Travis – You are the love of my life and I wouldn’t dream of it any other way. I love you!
And then there's Oreo, whom I wouldn't have if it wasn't for
Travis. See, Travis was a package deal - I got him and Oreo or I didn't get
either one! Anyway, Oreo is the BEST dog that I could ever ask for. He's the
most loving and loyal friend I could ever ask for. I wake up in the morning,
he's curled up next to me. I leave for work, he's watching me as I walk out the
door. I get home from work, he's by the door wagging his tail with joy. I go to
bed at night, he's curled up next to me. Anyway, you get my drift...love you
little buddy!
My parents are my backbone and I would not be the person I
am today without them. I have the most caring and generous parents a girl could
ask for. They couldn't always give me everything I wanted, but they always made
sure I had everything I needed. They taught me the meaning of life and that
little saying, “Treat others how you want to be treated.” They taught me that education
is what will help me start my career, a career and hard work was the only way
to survive, and that helping others will give me a sense of self-pride. They
never forced me to do anything but they encouraged me to do everything. I knew
what hard work was by the age of 10 when I was scooping snow from the neighbor’s
driveways and mowing our next door neighbor, Rita’s lawn. As much as I didn't
like it, they’re truly the reason I am who I am. I have never seen harder
workers than my mom and dad and I’m so thankful that trait was shared with me. Mom
and dad – I love you with all my heart and am so glad to call you my parents!
I’m a country girl at heart and I wouldn’t be if it wasn’t for
my dad. When I was little, I was walking in my dad’s footsteps bird hunting or
sitting in a tree stand while my sisters and mom were out shopping. I love to
hunt, I love to fish, and I love to get a little mud on the tires. I’ve helped
milk cows, I’ve gutted and skinned a deer, I know how to bait a hook, I can
change a tire, and I can talk about sports like nobody’s business. I was the
true definition of a tomboy. Dad – thank you for allowing me to always talk even
while you told me to shut up, thank you for putting up with me while I stepped
on your heels while walking through the field, and thank you for letting me sit
on your lap while riding in the combine. I wouldn’t have experienced all that I
have in life if it weren’t for you (and I guess I should thank Bill, a little
bit anyway, for putting up with me all these years!) I love you!
And mom always said, “The way to a man’s heart is through
his belly.” Boy, was she right and she’s probably the reason I’m still married!
She’s one of the best cooks I’ve ever met. If it didn’t taste good, she would
add ingredients until it did! To this day, the only recipe book I’ve used is
the one with mom’s famous recipes. If I’ve ever cooked you dinner, you know the
truth to this because I can bet you’ve asked me for one or more of her
creations. Mom is also the reason I know how to do laundry and how to keep a
house clean. When she wasn’t working at work, she was working at home. She always
had laundry or dishes in her hands or a vacuum running the floors - with six
kids in the house, she sure was busy. Wait, did I say six? I meant five. J The biggest and loudest K-State fan I’ve seen,
mom thinks she can tell you anything you want to know about K-State football!
She’s also the reason that my dreams and aspirations included becoming a Wildcat!
I’ll never forget the many times we went to the K-State Open House and all the
fun we had. Each time, without fail, we went to Call Hall for ice cream,
Shellenberger Hall for cookies and K-State popcorn, and the dairy barn to stick
our hands inside the cow’s stomach. Mom – thank you for teaching me how to keep
house and for sharing with me your love for K-State. You’re the biggest reason
I graduated from K-State and will always be a Wildcat! I love you always and
EMAW!You know that saying, “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend?” I beg to differ. I have 4 best friends and they aren’t diamonds. They’re the ones that I laughed with and the ones I cried with. They’re the ones that I got locked in the laundry room with because we fought too much. We are who they were referring to when mom and dad were asked, “You don’t have a dishwasher?” and without fail, would reply “What do you mean, we have five of them!” They ARE my sisters! No matter how many miles are between us, our friendship will become stronger. To Amy, Renee, Rhonda, and Michele - we may not see each other every day, or month, or year for that matter, but I know I’ll always have you to lean on. I love you!
I can’t forget about my in-laws either. Travis comes from a
fabulous family who has also done so much for me over the past eight years. I
appreciate everything and wouldn’t have it any other way!
Now that you know my life story comes the biggest challenge…to
keep up with the blog on a weekly basis! Let the fun begin…
