Wild Hog Hunting

Ever since Kendall learned you didn't need any sort of  tag or authorization to hunt wild hogs he has wanted to try it.  One of the missionaries in our apartment complex stated he saw a wild pig in southern New Mexico.  So a couple of weeks ago Kendall planned our hunt.  He has looked at the Lincoln National Forest map probably 50 times in 2 weeks.  He had a few different areas he wanted to check out.  He had our trip planned to the T, right down to dirt road names.  

It came down to the day we are to leave, and I am trying to convince him I am NOT going.  I used every excuse in the book.  He wouldn't give he made me go, he even packed most of my gear.  We loaded up the cooler full of delicious snacks and vidles.  We have all of our camping gear including camp chairs.  The truck is ready to go and we are on our way.  

We drive and drive and drive and the sun goes down  and boom it FEELS like it is nine o'clock.  We get into this one area (because the entire trip I had no idea exactly where we were) and there are elk everywhere on private land but real close to the road.  I have never seen so many elk in my life.  I think the biggest  bull we saw was 6X6, beautiful.  We even got to see some elk fighting on the road and the stopped when they saw us and ran into the woods.  

After checking a ton of watering areas we finally get to where we are going to set up camp (in the dark).  This is where I decide "ok, I want to be here."  I LOVE CAMPING WITH MY KENDALL!!! I love that he does all the work, cleaning out the truck and he makes my bed (unrolls my sleeping bag), and tells me if I have to use the bathroom he will take me I just have to wake him.  I guess I feel extra taken care of when we are camping, even though I am extremely well taken care of when we are not camping.  So my bed is ready for me and I get my hat, gloves, and another pair of socks on and I am certain I will not get cold.  Also I feel like I will not get cold because Kendall bought me a KICK BUTT sleeping bag (I love it).  So I am all bundled up and schooched into my bed and I am perfectly comfortable.  I don't sleep nearly as good as I want nor expect to.  MY FEET NEVER WARM UP, despite Kendall checked on me at least 3 times in the night.  Oh well (it's over now).

In the morning we all wake and walk to the watering hole to check for HOG tracks.  NONE! Then we load up the truck and set off up the mountain some more.  We spot more elk on the mountain on the way.  So we decide to park and start hiking.  So we get out of the truck and spit up, Gilbert (father-in-law) goes East (or what I think is east) and Kendall, I and Easton (friend) goes West (or what I think is west).  We go up and up.  I am ALWAYS far far behind the boys. I finally catch up to them because they are watching more elk.  Then they see it, ANOTHER water tank, now the plan is to hike to it. WHAT? So we hike and hike and hike. Kendall waits for me at the top and he is watching though the binoculars at the water tank.  He swears he saw a house cat way up there but most of us are skeptical. He then proceeds to the tank and I am kaput.  I look around and spot a rock perfectly positioned to be a chair for me to sit.  YAY!!! Or this may have been why I thought for sure I was going to DIE up there on that mountain.  

After I sat there a while I did not want to go back down to the truck.  The only reason I even put one leg in front of the other on the way down was because I was SOOOOOO THIRSTY!!! Just kidding that wasn't the only reason, I REALLY didn't want to die on the mountain.  I have been working out so the exercise wasn't the worst part of the hike, it was the rocks.  I thought for sure I was going to twist my ankle and have to ROLL down the mountain.  THEN IT HAPPENED, we got to a point were we could see the truck and then I knew it, I AM GOING TO MAKE IT!!!! I could already taste the cool water running down my throat, it made me want to go faster.  

At the truck I drank and drank. Then I got crazy hungry, thankfully I packed an AMAZING PB&J (which really was not that amazing but given the circumstances, it was).  We snacked and drank and talked, good times.  We load up the truck and head back to camp to clean up. Then head on the road again.  We drive and drive and drive to all of the other hog sites Kendall has researched and we don't see any sign of wild hogs.  At one of the spots we saw signs of wild turkeys but no hogs.  We spot some guy who looks like he might work for the forest service, turns out he was a rancher who just bought the truck.  He said that the freeze a few years back froze the hogs out and they are no longer in the area.  Talk about DISAPPOINTING!!! We just drive around a little more and decide to head back home.  On the way we stopped in a town called TULAROSA and had some ice cream, but I had a grilled cheese sandwich (because I did't fill up on SPAM).  

ALL IN ALL, I had an amazing weekend.  I loved HUNTING even though we didn't even see any signs of hogs.  We had a good time, good talks, and good snacks.  

(sorry no pics, even though I took the camera).

Where will you be in 5 or 10 years?

I have recently read someone's blog about changing plans.  I got me thinking how many times that has happened to me.  Am I where I thought I would be when I was 17?  HUH NO WAY!!! But would I change that?  HUH NO WAY!!!  When I was 17 I was barely going to graduate high school and there was NO WAY IN HELL I was going to College, pshhh. I had no idea how, but I was going to travel the world, own a house with a washer and dryer and have dogs (not crazy cat lady).
I didn't know....
that my traveling would start in New Mexico.
in no time at all really, I would meet the guy of my dreams (only now he has a face).
that we would live here (for what seems like) forever.
I would soon decide what I want to be when I grow up.
I would go to college (I may be a forever student).
My AMAZING hubby would decide he wanted to be a Nurse Practitioner.
I would life in one apartment for almost 6 years.

Am I where I thought I would be now I am 27?  Who really knows, I guess it all depends on how grateful I am for what I have been given.

For almost 6 years now Kendall and I have discussed MANY times where we are going to live, what we are going to do, how many kids are we going to have?  Believe me they are my favorite conversations.  I love saying we are going to have 4 kids by the time I am 32 (that one is definitely going to happen (secretly I hope we have twins sometime and it does)).  I like to dream that I will get my masters degree and then become a CPA.  THE BIG QUESTION is where are we going to live?  I think we have discussed living all over the country evan South America.  Kendall would like to work for IHS which means we will have to live somewhere next to or on the REZ.  I know what you are thinking that that sounds AWFUL.  It really sounds DELIGHTFUL to me.  I have lived in the city long enough to know I belong in the country.  I am not making any announcements we will live in out tiny 1 bedroom apartment in the city for at least another 2 years. Earlier I mentioned telling people about plans that never really happen.  I can say I thought I would live in Utah with my hubby but I do not see that happening anytime soon.  I really LOVE dreaming about where we are going to be.  So if I tell you we are moving someplace in a certain amount of time please know WE ARE ALL TALK!!! We have learned long ago we are not in charge of this life.  We are just listening to what HEAVENLY FATHER wants us to do.  I have to say he is planning my life WAY better than I could have.

Where will I be in 5 or 10 years from now.  I don't know I would probably eat my words if I said.

27?

I have recently turned 27 and I am HATING that number.  I told many people I am going to be 26 just one more year and then I'll give 27 another try.  So since I am picking my own age I thought I would be 18 again and I didn't like that, I don't want to be a teenager EVER again.  21 even sounds too young.  When I turned 24 I didn't realize it until I was 24.5 and that was scary I was driving (I could have been killed).  26 is a good number for me for now but I am scared that when 28 gets here I still won't be ready so I better get used to this 27 stuff before this year is gone too.  I need more time for everything why does it have to go so fast.

Kendall

Anyone who knows me, knows I am hopelessly in love with KENDALL!!!  I say this because I seem to never think of anything else to talk to people about, I seem to only talk about Kendall and how proud of him I am.  I have heard stories from him and other people of how he USED to be.  If the people he USED to hang out with saw him now, I wonder what they would think.  I also wonder what people around here (church, Albuquerque, and Cache Valley), think of my long-haired (is that a word) Indian. It always makes me wonder if people judge him by his looks.  I think people around here just see a "typical"(insert your own definition here) Native American.

I wish ALL people could see the Kendall I get to see everyday.  He is super humble and doesn't like to talk about himself.  I have seen people talk to Kendall about the military and Kendall just lets them talk he doesn't usually pipe up and say I know I have been to BOOT CAMP or I have been to IRAQ or I was there FIRST.

If you where to see him today you never would have thought that he was baptized into the church not only when he was 21 and LEGAL but also in the MARINES.  You probably would never guess that he served a mission and was 23 while on his mission.  If you where to look at him you might think he speaks spanish only because you thought he was latino and not NATIVE AMERICAN.  I love the stories he tells of his mission when he was a greenie people would talk to him in spanish and then scold him for not knowing his language, when really he was just new to speaking spanish.  I think everyone young man has the same thought when they open their call, that they wanted to go out of the states.  Kendall did,  then he soon discovered NEW JERSEY has people from all over the world.  He later realized New Jersey was better because it was like serving in all of South America instead of just one country.

If you were to just look at Kendall and the LIFESTYLE we are living today you might judge him for not working and providing for us.  What you probably wouldn't guess is that Kendall is THE SMARTEST person I know.  He is educated and is getting his MASTERS OF SCIENCE IN NURSING.  That is why he is not working and why we watch People Court everyday and have the occasional LUNCH DATE.  We are living the dream right now!

One day at church some older lady gave Kendall grief for his long hair.  Before I judge her I would like to say I think she thought we were inactive at church because we ARE LIVING THE DREAM.  Her comment disturbed me because she was doing the judging, she doesn't know of how great of a person Kendall really is.

Another Lady at church knew Kendall is an RN so she interviewed him for one of her classes.  I am so grateful I got to be present for that interview because Kendall is so HUMBLE and I wanted her to know just how great Kendall is too.

The reason for this post is because Kendall just turned 31 and he is embracing it and I am so very proud of him.  I want to thank him for EVERYTHING he does for us.  Times are stressful around here with neither of us working and I know we will be OK soon.

If you are reading this (this is mostly a reminder for myself) try not to judge people before you get to know them, they might be a veteran or a student or just being themselves.

Some pictures would be nice for a super long post.

Summer 2012........
 will be one I'm not too sure I want to remember my mom being sick, but I would like to remember the many memories we made.  Love you mom, get better soon and I am sorry I am not there for you now.

My mom got real sick at the end of March, everyday I would call her to see if she was improving and everyday she would not.  I was in the middle of my first semester at big kid college and I wanted to be with her sooo bad.  Kendall and I came up with a plan that I would spent some time with my mom in Utah.  So when the semester ends we head up to the greatest place on earth.  Kendall and Gilbert stay with us for a week while participating in homework/farm work/fishing/family time.  Then they head back to NM.  The plan was Kendall will come back for me in about 3 weeks. While he worked and went to school online.  I think we lasted a week and a half before he came back to me, boy did I miss that boy.

Kendall came back to me and completed the rest of his first semester of grad school in Utah.  I am so proud of him for even attempting grad school, I know he will ROCK it.  I cannot thank him enough for staying in Utah this whole summer, it cannot be easy to be with your in-laws that long.

I left my camera on my parents fridge so I guess I will post what little pictures I took when we go back, in the far far future.

The following things we did in no particular order.

• Had too much fun with a special 5 year old, love you buddy.
• Got a hair cut from my favorite hair stylist.  You just can't get a good hair cut in New Mexico
• Cache County Derby, thought it was the best but later learned the visit with, one of the greatest people I know, Paula was really the best.
• Heber City Derby was actually the best, holy cow, thanks again Cortney for the ticket.  The same weekend we went fishing and played with the kiddos (didn't know I could get my nails painted so many times in one weekend).  Thanks Nick and Cortney for the great food and the great weekend.
• Cache County fair is always something I look forward to.  We didn't get to see any cow shows but we did catch the rodeo and got to spend time with a great friend and her cutie pies. Thanks for meeting us Megan.
• Holy cow, one of the funnest weekends we had was when Jerry and Amber stopped by for a visit on their way home from AZ.  We floated the Blacksmith Fork river had an Angies breakfast and a yummy cook out.  I am so glad they stopped by, We love you Jensens!!!
• This was our second year going to the Fort Hall relay race and powwow.  This year was fun to watch the race because no-one got hurt.  We also got to chat with some dear friends Roberta and Elliot
• We were invited to dinner at one of my oldest and dearest friend Megan's new home.  Loved dinner and chatting with you Meg, and Congrats on the new house.
• My amazing nephew is definitely a water baby and he wills start a water fight anytime anywhere so we had countless water fights
• When Kendall cleaned out the garage for the yard sale we found a Kick-Butt antique chair, Kendall was going to throw it away because "we will never refinish it."  So we jumped at the opportunity to prove him wrong so we reupholstered the chair, Kendall actually likes it. :) Thanks for your motivation darlin.  Thank you mom for doing all of the hard work.
• We frequented MANY yard sales all over Northern Utah, the most successful one was where we got a ton of baby stuff for LIBBY.  
• We hosted our own yard sale, we made about $100 but I am not sure if it was worth all of the work.  We did get rid of a ton of junk though.
• I am not sure how many craft projects we finished but we started MANY!!!
• Some of the not so fun things I did will on my long vacation is Loads and Loads of laundry and dishes and Cleaned the yard---How many times?
• Hello I built the greatest Kick butt sandbox a 5 year old could ask for, uh your welcome buddy!
• We floated Blacksmith Fork river and the Little Bear River a few times.
• As I stated above Paula is one of the greatest people on the entire planet and I am honored to just know her so I had the privilege to visited her.
• When I first got to Utah one of the items of business on the top of my list was to visit a very dear friend, Monta, later on into our trip she passed so I am more that grateful for one last visit.  She told me if Kendall wasn't good to me she would "whip him with a willow stick."  I love you Monta you are missed.
• So I attended Monta’s funeral.  My best friend, Martilyn, and I would love to visit Monta and take her ice cream.  Martilyn also happened to be in town for her funeral so we were able to celebrate Monta's life together.  
• Wow I haven't been to any 4^th of July festivities in cache valley for 5 years so I loved the Firework/ KFC dinner tradition in the Bridgerland Parking lot.  I loved watching the Hyrum parade and fireworks and ice cream afterwords.
• My moms family hosted a Birthday Party for Grandma L. It was really nice to see family that I haven't seen in a long time.  I think only like 4 or 5 family members were unable to attend.  
• Another person that helped raise me is Bonnie. I just love a good visit with her, she tells you how it is and she loves unconditionally.
• As I mentioned Martilyn was in town so I thought it would be appropriate for Kendall and I to attend the Andersen Family Reunion.  I just love the Andersens, they have always welcomed me into the family.  
• Another person I would consider one of my best friends is my cousin Martee, she moved to Montana and it is hard to visit the valley at the same time. We went on a few exceptions together to buy craft projects and for a Jamba Juice. I love you Martee and I'm sorry I don't call often. 
• I have been trying to get into shape so while Martilyn was in town we went on a few walks and I then continued to walk with her sister in law but I am quite sure Ashlee and I will continue to be friends.  Thanks for walking and talking Ashlee, I hope everything works out for you soon.
• Since my mom was sick the entire summer we attended Too many to count Doctors Appointments. There was one week when she had 7 appointments in one week.  Yuck
• We tried to help my parents out this summer, but they were so grateful we were there the SPOILED us by buying us anything we wanted or joked about wanting.  Really they didn't need to but I love my new shoes.
• We got to Utah while my nephew still had some soccer games so we got to go cheer him on.  I have to say watching all of those 5 year olds running back and forth was one of the funniest and funnest things I have ever seen.  Great Job buddy.
• Every year the girls on my moms side takes trip to bear lake to stay at my Aunt Ruth's condo,  I had such a great time thanks for letting me stay.  And--Hello Raspberry Shake, woot woot.
• What do you do on a hot summer day? Attend several movies (I cannot remember them all)--with popcorn, thanks dad
• My first Niece is to make her depute in October so I thought I should throw my sister in law a Baby shower-----Success!
• Nursery painted,  I hope you like it.
• Libby Frames, Tutus, Bowes, onsies Craft project completed.

I love you LIBBY I cannot wait to meet you!

The following list is additional things Kendall did while in Utah.

He helped my dad fix for Anderson Brothers and for Anderson Farm Service Clients

• Combine
• Baylors
• Hayrakes
• Bachoes
• Loaders
• Tractors and impliments of all kinds
• Sprinkler wheel line
• Moved a shed
• SCHOOL--Great Job Babe
• Kendall cleaned my parents Garage--- and found a way overly dead CAT!!! Gross!!!
• While Gilbert was with us Kendall and him took a trip to the ranch in HIDIHO (as a special 5 year old would say), sad to say the fish were not hungry.  Oh well still the most Amazing place.

I am grateful for our time in Utah but I am sure glad to be back in New Mexico and just the 2 of us again.  School started this week and I am going to be very busy.

New Chapter

Recently I have learned I will be done with my bachelors degree by the end of the year and that I may also have the opportunity to enter the masters program in business administration.  IF I KEEP MY GRADES UP!  This also comes at a time in our life that we requested some information on some land for sale. It was already sold. (its not really necessary that I mention this however I guess it was sold because that really isn't our plan after all).

A few months ago Kendall applied to the Family Nurse Practitioners Program at UNM well since then we found out he did not get in.  19 people applied and they took 8, Kendall was 9.  When Kendall got home last night he woke me up to tell me he was home and that he had a crazy night at work because he was an hour late getting home.  While I was awake he told me that the school called him and a spot opened up. I knew all along he was going to get in.   It seemed like overnight our lives are going to change drastically. He told me this morning he kind of wanted to be an "average person."  My immediate response to him is "YOU ARE NOT AVERAGE KENDALL."  I am so excited for this new challenge in our lives and marriage, I am excited to get a new budget so we both can be in school at the same time together and all of the many challenges that are ahead of us.

When we think we have our lives under control and we think we can predict where our lives might be going Heavenly Father has a different plan for us.  I have a great testimony that Heavenly Fathers plan for us is bigger than we can imagine for ourselves.  We are living our lives in his timing.  I am so grateful for all I know and I all I am learning.  As much as I hate living in Albuquerque, I know we are supposed to be here.

I am so VERY PROUD of you Kendall, you are going to do GREAT!

First Real Camping Trip of 2012! Yeah

I absolutely do not have time to be camping, blogging, facebooking nor PINNING on PINTEREST! However I did it, am doing it and have been doing it all weekend.

Kendall took me camping in OUR (new) camping spot friday night.  We went up in the mountains near Jemez springs past the Valles Caldera.  The spot Kendall found for us was blocked by a tree that had fallen due to a forest fire near that area and major flooding that had damaged much of the forest.

WOW Kendall is such a STUD! How did I ever get so LUCKY to get such a great GUY!

I was going to bum out of camping due to a ton of homework and tests coming up in the next 2 weeks but I went and had a great time!  Below is a picture of me fake studying because it was too relaxing to study I fell asleep.

I am terrified of SNAKES so we slept in the back of the truck.  Which I am very proud of Kendall for finally splurging on himself for the exact tires and rims he wanted.

I couldn't believe how peaceful it was to be camping in the mountains.  I loved looking up and seeing countless stars, you don't see many stars in the big city.  I loved how green our little camp spot was.  I just love camping for the food, the clean air and being with Kendall.

HOLY COW I almost forgot! Kendall made the best BBQ chicken in the fire.  Sorry no pic we couldn't wait any longer.  It was so good we also of course had hotdogs and MARSHMALLOWS which by the way are 25 calories for 1, not bad.  Thanks Kendall you are the BEST!

Side note, I do have the greatest husband of all time, not just because he buys me things without me asking.

Date Night?

For 5 years now Kendall and I have had date night at least once a week.  Sure, date night is not always steak and potatoes or lavish nights on the town, but we always have a great time.  Recently I was babysitting our newest niece and I told her mom I had a date.  Her response was "is it your anniversary?"  I said "no just date night."  I had no idea 'date night' is unusual.  Kendall and I then came to the conclusion that no matter what we will always have date night and it is not unusual.

How many times?

So Kendall had an interview coming up and I asked him "what are you going to wear?" "I think you should wear your suit."  Without missing a beat he said "THATS MY WEDDING SUIT!"  HUH how many times are you getting married?  I thought this was so funny.

On the day of the interview he pulls out his suit and the the flower was still on the jacket.

5 years!!!!

I love being married!!! I cannot believe how fast time flies. January 25, 2007 is my favorite day of the year!  Sorry  I have no juicy details as to our plans for the day due to Kendall worked a 12 hour day and I had homework.  LAME!

Seriously, who owns this blog. someone should write something once and a while.

For VETERANS Day we made yet another road trip to Utah.  Since I have known the story of where my Kendall got his name I have wanted to make this trip.  My husband is named after a dear friend and mentor of my father in law, KENDALL SORENSON.  So for veterans day 11/11/11 we went to Arora Utah to meet Mr. Sorenson.  I have to admit I am really mad at all of us for not making this trip sooner.  We had such a great time learning about the lives of the Sorensons.  I learned more about my father in law and the placement program.  I spent most of my time with VIRGINIA Sorenson who told me about their marriage in the early years, about dancing and dating.  I could have listened to her stories longer if we didn't have to leave.

For thanksgiving we spent it in Jones Ranch with Kendall's family.  I love Grandma Richards so much.  I wish so much we could communicate, I am certain she could teach me so much.

I love having a job, because I had a surplus of funds to go shopping the day after Thanksgiving! Yeah! I got everything I went for and I didn't have to wake up really early. I was so excited to be shopping because I knew I could afford everything I purchased.

December,  I finished up my last semester at CNM :( and Kendall got a new JOB working closer to home. He went from a 63 mile commute to a 2 mile commute.  He now works in the ER, I have to admit I was hoping for more gruesome stories.  Since Kendall got the new job I was expecting to spend christmas in New Mexico, but he surprised me! We got to go home for christmas.  It was hard getting there because there was  Crazy snow storm in the DESERT.  We finally made it!  I love Utah so much and I can't wait to move back sometime.

New Years we were to spend it with Rochelle and family but I was sick so Kendall went with out me.  I hated missing work and the party and being sick.  LAME!