Our Trip to Michigan

I’ve been thinking a lot in the last few months about how much has changed in our lives in the last three years. Tanner and I just got home from our 2 week long vacation this week from Michigan and it was amazing. Spending time with family and close friends. Enjoying all the of the little things that Michigan has to offer. But it really got me thinking, it wasn’t that long ago that we called Michigan home. Although Michigan will always be where I grew up and where the majority of my fondest memories are shared. For me the definition of home has changed and has new meaning. Home for me feels more like where we have spent the last 2 years building our home and our life in Wyoming. An when are vacation ended I was eager to get back to the normalcy and every day life that we live here in Cheyenne. 

With all that said our trip was unforgettable. We spent are days on the water getting a sun tan and our nights having bon fires and reminiscing. The time we spent there reminded me of so many childhood memories and past times.

One of my favorite memories as a kid is watching the sun set at Lake Michigan and making the sand sing with my toes! (Its still cool as a grown up)

This was probably the best night of the whole trip. Getting to hang out with my family, all my cousins, and my best friend was so much fun!!

When I was younger road trips were a common weekend adventure. My mom, dad, and I would pile in the truck and we would drive for hours exploring Northern Michigan. So it wouldn’t be a vacation without a little road trip. We drove 6 hours through the tunnel of trees along traverse bay to go to dinner at the Leggs Inn, a authentic polish restaurant. Totally worth the trip!

Its been a while since I shot skeet but it was so much fun picking up the 20 gage again and shooting with my dad!

Brian singing around the camp fire while we were camping at Lake Missaukke!

and it wouldn’t have been complete without spending the majority of the time on the water working on our tans!(Tanner Water Skiing)

We even got my mom on the tube with Brain and I!


All in all this vacation was one to remember!

Ssgt. Thompson

The last couple months have been filled with anticipation, anxiety, and worry. Theres been lots of long nights tossing and turning. Lots of prayers and lots of conversations about our future. All in anticipation for this morning at 7am when Tanner got the results of the test he took in May that determines weather or not he would be promoted to StaffSgt. I'm proud to announce he passed! This time next year my husband will be Sgt. Thompson. I could not be prouder of the time he spent studying and all the hard work he put into become a Ssgt! He truly amazes me everyday with how hard he works and how much he sacrifices. He has been given so many amazing opportunities this last year and I know that no matter what he decides he is going to do great things and he's going to go far in his career! 

I'm so proud of you Ssgt. Thompson! 

 

"Big Daddy of Them All"

Well it's official all of the tourists have loaded up there horse trailers and headed home after a busy week full of rodeos, fairs, and craziness from CFD (Cheyenne Frontier Days) festivities. 

This was our third year here at the Daddy of Them All and I wanted to take full advantage of it. After all we never know how much longer we could be here? 

Tanner spent the whole week at the fair grounds volunteering with his squadron driving tractor and working hard. But that didn't stop us from playing a little bit to! 

We started off the week going to the Indian village and walking around checking out all the local venders. We really enjoyed learning more about the history of Wyoming and meeting people from literally all over the world that came to visit Cheyenne!

 Then on Wednesday we woke up at 5am to hang out with local Indians who performed at the pancake breakfast for the whole town! I was amazed by the amount of people that were fed and how efficient the whole process was. We hardly even had to wait in line to be served breakfast! 

We ended the week at the fair grounds riding rides and listening to Jason Alden in concert! It was such a fun night! 

You know it's funny to me that every year we've been here townies worn everyone about CFD and to stay away. Up till this year we did. But I have to say it was totally worth the experience and if we're still here next year we will do even more to get involved! 

Making memories

Every year I feel like I count down the months, weeks, and days till summer finally arrives. With anticipation of all of my favorite activities. Going to the farmers market, spending countless days on the water; tubing, tanning, and water skiing, late night campfires, that first s'more of the summer, long hikes spending time outdoors. There's always so many different things I look forward to. So why is it that every year I let it slip away. I don't savor the moments in life that create the memories that last a lifetime. Instead I treat everyday like tomorrow will bring something better. Until tomorrow brings snow. An I long for the days gone by. I will not let another day go by without living like each day is an opportunity to fill the scrapbook with some amazing memories.

So here's a little recap of the summer so far..

Camping at curt gowdy with friends

Tanner playing guitar by the lake

All of our friends walking at Relay for life to support our good friend Darcy fight breast cancer

Tanner played in the Air Force band with the 2 star General

Lots and lots of time spent with our friends

Happy belated birthday!

Happy Birthday to my amazing hunk of a husband. On this birthday I am reminded back to our very first year of dating 7 years ago and the ultimate scavenger hunt that I planned for your birthday. Giving you clues to each location and getting a present at each stop. The silliness of our relationship still holds true to today. Although we live much more adult lives I love that the memories alone bring us back to a time of simplicity and pure love and happiness. I pray that never fades. So on this birthday my wish as you blow out the candles is that we will forever be that 16 year old couple that fell in love in a small town and had big dreams. That despite where our life takes us we will always be the most important people in each others lives. I know each birthday we spend together is another year filled with love, laughter, and happiness. So here is to another year filled with memories only eternity left to go! I love you Tanner! Happy birthday! 

May we never be to old to forget what brought us together in the beginning! 

Happy Fathers Day, Dad!

As I grew up, my parents played very different roles. My mom took on the role of the protector, building up my confidence and sheltering me from the bad things in the world. While my dad took on the role of making me stronger and preparing me for the world.

When it came time to learn how to swim, my mom was the one who gave me water wings and got me used to the water. While my dad was the one who tossed me into the lake and taught me to swim. When I started riding a bike, my mom was the person who put on the training wheels. My dad was the one who took them off. The ying and yang of protector. My mom gave me the confidence I needed to succeed, and my dad was the one who pushed me to succeed. If it wasn't for my dad being next to me holding my hand I never would have grown as much I did!

Some of my fondest moments of my childhood are with my dad. Him taking me hunting as a kid. All bundled up with my camp overalls and orange jacket. Him teaching me to shoot and buying me my first gun, alittle 4-10. Our annual end of the year fishing tournament, me getting first place for biggest bass. All of our camping trips and family vacations all over the United States. The endless conversations and laughter. There's so many memories that I could list and all of them are what make my dad a great dad!

I can honestly say my dad has made me stronger, and I wouldn't be who I am today with out the love and guidance my dad gave me growing up. I look back now that I'm older and I can see how foolish I was in my adolescent. All I can say is I'm so lucky to have my dad there to put up with me, and teach me right from wrong. I look up to my dad so much and am so blessed to have the relationship with him that I have today. 

I love you dad! Happy Father's Day!

Time to take a minute and breathe

It's been a little while since I last posted but it's not for lack of happenings. June has just been a crazy wirl wind. I feel like I'm living in my own self created tornado. Some of you know the feeling. With taking 3 summer classes at the college, keeping up with everyday errands, and all the summer activities we've planned. It's enough to give anyone mood swings, full on panic attacks and lack of sleep. But despite all the negative I'm seeing so much positive. God is speaking to me more clearly and for the first time in along time I feel like I'm actually working towards something so much bigger. I just wish it came a little easier. Although I suppose nothing in life worth having is easy. 

The find of the day

So I'm pretty sure the saying goes "one person's junk is another person's treasure!" Well let me tell you this is my new motto in life or maybe just in garage saleing. 

It's funny to me that the older I get the more and more I'm becoming like my mother! She would so smile if she heard me say that. Because my mom is the queen of garage sales. When I was younger we would go all over town to find the best deals. An usually after a few houses I was begging to go home. Now look at me I'm a bargain shopper myself. I can hear my mom saying now "it makes a difference when it's your own money, doesn't it?" "yes mom." But honestly I think for me it's more about stumbling upon the rare items that catches your eye, the antiques that are so old they tell a story, and of course the deals that feel like their a killer steal. That's exactly  how I felt about my big purchase this weekend at the Base Wide Garage sales.  

Tanner and I had been looking for a new sectional since we bought our new house. But we didn't want to spend the full price that the furniture stores were asking. So we started saving thinking maybe well stumble upon a deal. An we did. The exact couch that we had been looking at for months was sitting out waiting to be sold. Needless to say it didn't take much convincing for me to say "sold".

Tanner had to test it out as soon as we got the living room all put back together.

Happy Memorial Day

For most people Memorial Day is all about BBQ's, camping, and 4 day weekends. But for me growing up back home it meant every year my mom's family would come to McBain to put flowers on my Grandpas grave site. I enjoyed this time but never really took the time to think about the Memorial that we were celebrating. It wasn't until recently that I started to talk to my grandma about my grandpas time in the service. He was drafted during World War ll, and little did he know that war would end shortly after. Although I don't know the details of this time I know that he was a hero.  My Grandpa was one of the very few men in my life that I truly admired. A true hero in my eyes. That I always looked up to. An I honor him today.

 My grandpa, Hein Meyering

Now I know that Memorial Day is all about honoring the people we lost but I thought it wouldn't be right for me to share without the reason I see this day to be so important. An for that I have to introduce you to two men in my life that are still  alive and well but have truly shown me the heart of the military. The reason I see the meaning of Memorial Day in a whole new light. 

When first meeting my now father in law, Dave. I was so intimidated by the military. I grew up a sheltered life and all I knew about war and the military was what I read in books or saw on tv. I was naive and young and the idea of anything military scared me. But after getting to know him the wisdom, structure, and stability that the Navy gave him. It gave me a whole new respect for him and the military. 

My father in law, Davey Thompson

So when my husband decided to join the Air Force in March of 2010 I was filled with emotions. I was excited of the possibilities of what are future looked like and I was nervous for the thought of leaving everything I knew and loved. But I knew that there was no better decision than for Tanner to start on the same journey that his father did. I know that the military has made him a better man.

My husband, Tanner Thompson

Because of these two men when I think about Memorial Day it burdens my heart. Although I have not experienced a deployment of my own yet. I know that the risk is real. An the people we honor on Memorial Day are someone's family. 

I think for most of us Memorial day typically marks the start of the summer but for me Memorial Day is a day to honor the long line of military men and women that chose to put down there selfishness and fight not just for our family but for all the families. Who have lost fathers, sons, daughters, and  husbands. 

Join me in honoring them and praying for there families. 

Cousins are childhood playmates that turn into friends

My whole life my cousins and I have never lived very close. Miles have always separated us. Whether it was the 2 hour drive from McBain to Grand Rapids or the states that separate us now. But that has never stopped us from being close. No matter how long between visits we always seem to pick up exactly where we left off.

In the early years, we played in grandpas old workshop with all the old family tools smelling of moth balls, played dress up with grandmas old clothes and accessories. An now that were grown we look back at those memories and cherish the time that we had together. An the friendship that was created in the smallest of moments. The moments that make us look back and smile. 

Now that I Live so far from home I don't get to see my family as much as I'd like. But Today two of my cousins flew into Colorado and I got to spend a little bit of time with them. We caught up on our families, reminisced about past memories, shared things that we didn't know about each other, talked about the exciting new things happening in our lives, and really reconnected. 

Me, Bethany,and Brianna all squished into the picture! 

Beth and Bri on our way to lunch! 

Rocky Mountain National Park

Today's adventure took us to Estes, Co. Where we went to Rocky Mountain National Park! An we had so much!

Here are some of the pictures!! (Sorry they are bit pixelated)

The adventure began on our way to Estes!

 An continued into Rocky Mountain National Park joined by lots of Elk!

 And more Elk!

And Tanner and I with more Elk!!

And more Elk!!

Then we climbed some rocks!

     And more rocks!!

    And saw some amazing views

     An some more amazing views!

Then we lost Chris but we found him on top of a cliff!!

Then we had a snowball fight at 12000ft!

An then we wrote our initials in the side of the mountain!

An that's THE END of our exciting day!

Hidden Falls

This week has been a fun filled adventure to say the least. With Tanners best friend Chris flying in from Michigan. It's been an exciting couple days. 

Yesterday we hiked to hidden falls and it was a beautiful hike. Here are some pictures of our trip.

           Tanner, Chris, and Brooklyn 

       The view from the start of the trail

              Brooklyn loved the water

     Tanner and I in front of Hidden Falls

           Chris adventuring to the falls

                        Hidden Falls

           Hidden Falls back in the cave

Happy Mothers Day!

We all know that Mother’s Day is about celebrating all the little things that make moms so special. So I think it's fitting to set aside this day to appreciate the women who cared for me in my fragile, young years of life, and significantly shaped who I am as an adults. For me, and I suspect many others as well, I did not appreciate all my mother did for me when I was a child and an angsty teenager. Somewhere between then and now though, I have come to appreciate all she has done for me. From the boo boos she kissed as a kid, to tending my many broken hearts as a teen, and now by giving me the advice I so readily need as an adult. Though there may be miles that separate us there are still a million big and small ways my Mom lets me know how much she loves me everyday.

Mom and I, Fort Meyers Florida

Although I will not fully comprehend the significance of raising a child until (Lord willing) I have children of my own, I do recognize the role my mother played in shaping my Christian faith and who I am today. As a young child, I always looked up to my mom for being so strong, working hard, taking care of our family, taking care of me, always giving her time and energy even when she didn't have it, and countless other demands(Most of which im sure go unnoticed).

                                                           

                                                         Mom and I, Gulf Shores Alabama

From an outsider’s perspective it may not look like an extraordinary life, but the everydayness of our quality time together and simply just being available to talk at any time are the things our ordinary lives and relationships are made of.

                                                         Mom and I, Lackland AFB

I have a hard time putting into words exactly how my mom has influenced my life – it has been in so many ways and is too close to see clearly. I am thankful for the faith she passed on and the countless prayers she has prayed that have shaped my life in unknown ways. No one has shaped me more than my mom has, and I am so grateful she shared her love with me.

                                             Mom and I, Rocky Mountain National Park Co.

If I am blessed to become a mother myself someday, I will certainly look to my mom and her example for guidance. Bringing a human being into the world and preparing them for life is no small task. So on this Mother’s Day – to all moms, but my own in particular, thank you! Your commitment, sacrifices, and love have not gone unnoticed.

I love you Mom!

Proverbs 22:6

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.