YAY!

I am so very excited! Today is my first recital as a dance teacher! Wow, never thought today would be here! My little girls have worked so hard, and they are so stinking cute... I have learned a few things while working at ADA. But I think the most important lesson I've learned; is that you can't lead if you don't know what your leading. And you can't gain respect through fear. I hope that I have been a positive influence on these little spirits! So wish us luck, and I hope that today goes smooth!

The house that built me

So As some of you may know MM and I will be adding a little person to our family! YAY! Were so very excited! BUT my hormones are going CRAZY! Ahh So I thought I would blog about my latest cry baby session.

There is a song by Miranda Lambert called "The House That Built Me". It is a touching timeless song that makes me cry every single time I hear it! It expresses alot of the feelings I have towards a place called "Monster Acres". This was where home has been for me since I was born. It was the home that my Poohs Bear and grandmother built and lived in for 30 years! This was where we spent most holidays, and summer vacations. There isn't a single square foot of that place that doesn't hold some sort of memory for me. My hand prints are in almost every single slab of cement. Right out side the barn the cement has a dark black spot on it from where I blew up my Pooh's motorcycle... recruit 2 helped with that one. But Like I said every single area has some sort of precious memory. And I was reminded of all of them today while I listened to that song...

There are also a lot of sad memories there too. It was the place where my Poohs Bear passed away. And where my Grandmother got sick. Naturally after his passing the home and property was sold to another family, it just got to be too much for my grandmother to take care of by herself.

But still I look at that home that isn't filled with my families treasures, and miss the comfort those walls brought to my life. I miss pulling up to the front gate after a long car ride and being allowed to unbuckle for the ride up the lane to the house. It was like entering a magical kingdom! I also miss walking out to my Poohs Bears office and going to the "surprise box". I miss having all my family gathered around the country style kitchen talking and eating. I miss going out to the pasture and exploring with my brother (recruit 2). I miss leaving to go back to whatever part of the world I live in at the time, and honking the horn and waving while we drove down the lane and out of the gate. But most of all I miss my Poohs Bear, and it kills me to know that my little brothers and cousins wont know him in this life. Its hard because I always pictured him being at my graduation, wedding, and meeting his great grand baby! But just like sailing the house, things change.

I am so grateful for the Gospel because even though he isn't here any longer. I will meet him again! I am grateful for the house that built me. But really the house is just wood and nails. I am grateful for the people that built me. I was recently told that "I was losing my support system". But I want to publicly say that as long as I have my family, and the Gospel I am well supported. They are the beams, and the nails, and the foundation to the amazing house that built me!

Anyways thought I would share what is going on in my crazy pregnant Brain. Thanks for reading!
This is some of the Redwine Crew (minus a most of my family)

This is a picture of My sister and younger cousin at my bridal lunchon

This is a picture of my family at my wedding (doesn't my daddy look handsome!)

Horse Rescue Project.

So I have been doing a lot of research on different funding that I can access for starting a horse rescue/ horse rehabilitation center. Its turning out to be a ton of work, work that I never knew could be so emotionally draining. I haven't really expressed to anyone the deep connection to this project I have. I finally feel like I am doing something that is worth meaning, more meaning that pointing my toe, and learning how to make dogs do tricks.

I started thinking about doing something like this for awhile, but due to the wedding, school, and all the other craziness in my life I put it into the back of my mind. But now it is more apparent than ever that THIS is my calling. That THIS is what Heavenly Father wants me to explore. I saw a horse the other day, that was in a 10x20 box, that was littered with trash and muck. There was so much muck in that small pin that the poor animal was standing in a half foot of poo, and dirt. So I rolled down my window and click at the beast and naturally he would have moved some... But he just stood there, so I am assuming that there is something wrong with its hooves. We filed a report to the humane shelter, and I hope they went a checked it out. But more than likly they just sent them a letter, or gave them a call. Instead of going and checking it out.

But I want to do more. I want to do more! I WANT TO DO MORE!!! I will do more. There is so much out there to help me do this. But for now I will be sifting through the grants that are out there, and trying to write up a proposal to send to the local political leaders. I need to get people on my side. So to whomever reads this, if you have any tips for me, or encouraging words.. please share! I am in over my head, but I KNOW this is what I am supposed to do!

Really Good day!

So I have never understood the awesome time called tax return time! It brings me great joy to say that were getting back a little more than we expected! YAY! We get to pay off MM's truck, and buy some fun stuff for our new house! I am so grateful for the hard working man MM is! He is really a diamond in my life! I don't know what I would do with out him! When I look back on all the hard times we had during our engagement, and all the hurtful words that were said. I know I came out on the bright side, because every night I get to cuddle up to a MM and know how wonderful life is! So YAY for having an awesome morning, and YAY for having an even better marriage!

The first spring day!

Whooo Hoooo Its finally March. I have wanted to see springs face for a really long time. In Texas this means; no more cold, wet, bleak days! There is going to be nothing but sunny warm days! Days in which I can ride my Horse, work in the yard, and leave my houses windows wide open! If you can't tell, I am so very excited! Spring just makes me feel happy, new life is starting and a new sun is shining!

Most of all, I have been in deep thought the last couple of days! And I want to move on, the hurt of yesteryear is only giving me wrinkles. So this is the spring that I take off the chains that hold me captive to the political world of a small town. So that I can fully live my life here in this beautiful place, with my amazing man, and with awesome friends!



This is me stating my true Independence! Happy spring everyone!

What a wonderful day.

Two Sundays ago we had a wonderfully sunny day! It was about 70 degrees, and very sunny with a slight breeze! So MM and I took our two babies for a walk around the river that runs through our town!



It was so much fun! I got to spend time with MM, and the dogs were totally loving chasing squirrels, and Red even dipped his two front feet in the river. He really didn't like the chill of the 50 degree water, so needless to say, we didn't take home and wet dogs :D



So I guess there really isn't any point to this blog, other than how grateful I am for the blessings I have in my life! For the family I have, and for the family MM and I get to create! I am also really grateful for my Heavenly Father, and for the sun and the moon! I can't wait till I get to thank him face to face! I am grateful for the sacrifice Jesus Christ gave to us, all because he loved us! I am grateful for all the blessing of knowledge I have been given!

For right now...

As of right now I am lounging around on a fluffy couch, because I busted my back... again! And it is all due to the fact I like, no let me rephrase this, I LOVE donuts!

It might sound crazy, but right next to my little dance studio is the most AMAZING donut shop in the whole world! And every day that I work there, I must go get a twisted chocolate donut! At first it started off as just one. Now its up to four... FOUR!!!!



All I can think of is WOW huge whale! I didn't officially find myself huge, until Monday night. I thought "oh it would be so much fun to take some extra dance classes". I didn't even get through the first warm up with out feeling like I was going to pass out... and at that moment I knew i was an official whale.



So I pushed through the last hour class and about half way through I was feeling, like yah "I'm kickin some real dancer butt!" But by the time I got to my house (about an hour away from the dance studio) I couldn't even get out of my very low to the ground cruiser. Needless to say MM rubbed me down and gave me a Tylenol PM... and I passed out until 11 am, the next morning!

Well now I am still in pain, sitting on the couch... MM is about to carry me to bed! goodnight all!

The Rest of the Story...

June 28, 2009

We had successfully moved into our new house (grandmother and I). Yes there were boxes everywhere, but none the less we both decided to go to church. Her ward was meeting at 9 am, and the singles branch later that day at 11 am. So I figured I could sleep in a little bit. Well a little bit turned into a lot! When I finally woke up, got dressed, and looked halfway pretty, It was already 11 am. But I figured I could slip into the back seat or something. So I headed off to the ward building. Of course it never dawned on me that there was more than one meeting place. So as I got to what I thought was the singles ward, I heard the cries of little children being hushed up by their parents-for all those Mormons reading this it was like totally stepping into the "Singles Ward" movie.- and I automatically knew I was in the wrong place! So I pulled aside an old guy that look like he was important. Luckily it was the ward clerk who gave me the correct address, and sent me on my way!

Well ten minutes later, I was was whipping into a tiny parking lot where there was a tiny building. I didn't know which door was the front door, or how the heck a chapel fit into that building? But I knew I was in the right place (there was a bunch of old clunkers, with dents in the body work!) So I picked the closest door to me and walked up to it. It just so happens that I picked the door that opens up to the VERY FRONT of THE CHAPEL! To my dismay it was locked, but luckily (or unlucky, depends on how you look at it) one of the institute teachers quietly opened the door for me. So in I went, right in the very very front of everything, the speaker even stopped talking when I walked in. I was mortified, without any haste I found the closets seat and sat there.

Little did I know, but that one moment of being totally embarrassed, would turn into an amazing relationship. Because in the back of the room was my man (even though he wasn't "my man then"). My man was sitting next to some of our very good friends , one of those very good friends leaned over and told MM "that's gonna be your wife". Of course MM blew him off and totally ignored that comment, because MM didn't really think anything of me other than "wow she is late".

So the first block of church finally ended, and as it goes many people came up to me and introduced themselves. It was nice meeting the people I hopped would be my friends, but all the same I was feeling very overwhelmed. So two of my future friends sat me down and started telling me about ALL the single guys. Princess J, and Big E were very forth coming about any questions that I had about all the different prospects! Then class started so we had to put the meat market conversation on hold until the next block. But as our teacher got up, my jaw totally hit the ground! All I could think was "wowzers he is cute!"... So I leaned over to Princess J and asked "who is that?". All I remember is the HUGE smile Princess J got on her face, and she said "that's MM, you think hes cute?" I couldn't really say anything, other than smile. But at that very moment I knew this MM would be part of my life forever!

The rest of that block I don't really remember, I couldn't really pay attention because MM was the teacher, and after all he is super cute! But right before we separated for our last class, MM came and introduced himself to me, and asked me questions about myself, mostly the basics; where do you go to school? How long have you been here? whats your major? I answered all the questions , but he really got excited when I told him that I was a dance major. MM's face lit up and said "I have always wanted to learn how to swing dance!" So Me being a total flirt totally took the bait and swam with it! I told him that I would teach him how to swing dance, and then we could go get dinner or something!

And from there it became an awesome friendship/ love story! I feel so blessed that I saw past the frosted glass, and ended up with the most wonderful husband anyone could ever ask for! No our relationship isn't perfect, but the imperfections make us an amazing team! I thank Heavenly Father everyday, for the love story we have!

New To This

I was formally known as recruit one, now I am part of the Super Stephens!
I regret that I am not the writer my mother is. So if you expecting funny story's with great grammar and punctuation. Go to krazy eights blog page. I am not totally sure what I should blog first? I suppose I should start from the very beginning.

June 25, 2009

So I woke up on this bright summer day knowing that my life was about to kick off. But in true Krazy Eight fashion it wouldn't start without its share of bumps.

Like I said I woke up, went through my normal routine of getting dressed. But this morning it was different, there was a bittersweet feeling as I fought my way into the bathroom, and pushed out all the other recruits. I guess this was the first realization that one: I would LOVE having my own bathroom. two: I was leaving behind my best friends (two, three, four, five, and six).

And as the feeling of tears came to me, I thought about having a WHOLE bathroom all to myself... and I was fine again. So after I got my make up on I double checked the house for anything that I needed to pack, or the stuff of my sisters I just wanted to take.

After I had tucked away everything I had found, I loaded up my very heavy suit case, and put it by the front door. That too was bittersweet, but again I thought of the bathroom!

Before I left there was still a few things required of me. That week I was watching GG's dogs and I had to say goodbye to ms. Taylor (GG's dog). But before that I was gonna stop by Andy's and say goodbye to my very good friend B. So I bounced into my red jeep, threw the radio on and drove the three or four miles to where she was working.

I pulled up to Andy's and felt a ping of sorrow, this was our hang out spot. This is where we formulated all of our plans. This is where I gained ten pounds! and this was going to be the last time that I was there. But I still got out and went in. I saw B, and her face automatically turned down. She was feeling the sorrow too! But I ordered my regular meal, and ate it super quick. And then I said goodbye to the cook, who gave me a free pint of ice cream! Then the time came to say goodbye to my friend who was one of the most loyal people I would ever meet! In our own true fashion we waved, hugged, and said a quick goodbye so that the tears wouldn't come. But as I walked to my car...alone, the tears came.

So I drove slowly to GG's house, finally allowing myself to mourn for the childhood that was slowly slipping away. So in order to stop crying I thought of what colors I would do MY bathroom in!

That totally cheered me up, and as I got to the house that many dinners, parties, and fun had taken place in,I realized that it was OK to be sad! So I was sad as I gave Taylor her food, and a treat. I wrote a quick note to my Brown family, locked the door, walked to my jeep, and got in.

BUT as I went to grab my keys from my back pocket... THEY WERE NOT THERE!!!!! So I thought oh crap. I reached for my phone so i could be rescued! BUT MY PHONE WASN'T THEIR EITHER! I not only locked my self out of the house, but I had to be home so I could catch my flight out. So I looked for an unlocked window. But to no avail, GG had well locked every single window and door. I walked to the house across the street and asked to use the phone, and I called my mom. Not really sure what she said to me, but ten minutes later there she was saving me...as she had done many times before.

So I got all my stuff and drove back to my house. Where I said goodbye to the other people who shared my DNA, and drove to the air port with my mother and Father.

From there its a blur, I know watching my mom and dad leave me there, knowing this time I wasn't coming back. Broke my heart. So I picked a seat by the window and watched for my plane to land.

BUT just as I felt totally along the security lady made an announcement that there was a young lady looking for her best friend, that was leaving for college. B had driven like a mad woman to the air port where I was leaving. I couldn't stop the tears, I ran through security and hugged her so relieved she had made it before I left. But this relieved feeling was shortly lived, because the plain was boarding and I had to go back through security.

So I flew to my new home, where my life would change forever. June 25, 2009 will always be the day that I thought more about bathrooms, than I ever had before.

stay tuned for the rest of the story...