. A note to good friends .

Why do I count you as some fo the VERY FEW true friends I have?

You've tried to contact me, but you have never pressured me to hang out.
You've given me space and time. Which I desperately needed. Which has allowed me to get myself up and out of myself without you both expecting me to be who I really can't be.
You've left messages and called, even when you knew I didn't feel like answering.
You've posted nice messages on facebook, and answered my texts when I felt I actually could deal with life for a moment.

You've never once expected me to be happy, carefree or content with how my life was moving...and you've never chosen sides.

These are the things that tell me you are true friends...

And I'm so happy to have the Beckstead's a big part of my life.

We love you and miss you!

Took Bella out duck hunting early this fall and had a fun time. This is where Deon hunts at (Farmington Bay). It's a really pretty place and a popular spot for duck hunters







Me and Bella chillin' and waiting for ducks to fly overhead, so Deon can shoot them.








Bella in Camo.....lol










She got a little worn out

Fostering

Deon and I have decided that we are going to help our friends with a dog rescue and got our first little foster last week. He is such a cute, loving little man, and really needs a home. I am hoping that we will be able to get him into a loving, caring home where he will have the chance at a great life. If you know anybody that would want to adopt him, let me know. I will drive him to you, if you would like him.

Marshall Farley Visit

Penny and the kids came out for a visit over the 24th of July and we had such a good time. She will kill me for showing this picture but we took the kids to the park and it was so freakin' out and she was getting ready to stick her tongue out at me. LOL...pay back!!









CJ loved playing in the dirt










Noah, Adam, Aaron, Penny, Sarah, and CJ at the Main Street Plaza. We had a good time walking around the Church Office grounds, Main Street Plaza and Temple Square









Penny, Sarah and CJ
















Noah and CJ







Sarah soaking her poor feet. I have no idea what Penny is laughing at, but it must have been funny.
I love having them come out for a visit. Can't wait for next year and their visit.

Pics

I just have been enjoying going through genealogy and adding more and more information to my family tree. So I thought I would add some pictures to my blog.
This is a picture of my Grandma and Grandpa Sturges. I love this picture.



This is Grandpa Sturges in his bus driver's outfit. He used to drive the city bus, I think in Pocatello.












a Beautiful picture of my Grandma Sturges















My Dad, Uncle Jerry and Uncle Dave when they were just young boys. I think the picture was taken by grandma, cause you can see her shadow in the picture.


Well, hope you all like the pictures as much I do.

outings

In the last few weeks, I haven't done much of anything, but cross stitch and read. Which I am not complaining about, but I am SO glad that I have had minor outings. Even though, they have mostly been to Wal-mart to get dinners or Sam's Club to pick up stuff for our vending machines at Deon's work.
This picture is from Monday when we went down to the pond, by our house, and watched our friends fly kites. It was such a beautiful day and we had such a great time. Of course, I couldn't resist putting my feet into the water, which wasn't that cold. Our friends hand make all their kites, and that is so cool to me. I am going to be a lazy butt and go buy a couple kites at Wal-Mart. Plus next time we go out, I am taking my remote controlled boat.
This weekend will be filled with a few trips out. Saturday we are going fishing at Vernon Reservoir, and picnicking. I am so excited for this, I just hope I catch a fish. It's been forever since I have caught a fish..lol. Sunday is my Great Aunt Lucille's (my dad's mom's sister) Birthday open house and we are going to Springville to spend some time with them. It will be scary to be around a lot of people that I don't know, but when has that ever really bothered me before.
Update on recovery: I am doing really good with little pain. I go back to the doctor tomorrow for a check up and hopefully he will lift some of my restrictions. I am loving spending all this time with my babies, and they are loving having me home. They will be unhappy when I do go back to work.
Am really excited that Penny and the kids are going to try and make it out for the 24th of July. Sarah...keep on her so you can come out. I can't wait to see them. I love and miss my family so much.
More updates later.

Surgery

Well...my surgery went well, and no complications. Now I have the next 7 weeks off to recover and get better. Let's hope it don't take to dang long. It's only been 2 days and I am getting bored, but catching up on the rest is nice. My poor dogs won't leave my side, cause this is only the 2nd time they've been without me for more than a couple hours.

Grandma Evans

Our Beautiful Grandma fell the other day, at home, and broke her neck in two places. It is the same break that actor Christopher Reeves had. They cannot do surgery on her because she will not survice the surgery. They cannot put her in a halo because of her breast cancer, and they cannot put a plate in, because her bones are so brittle, but she cannot mover her head at all or it will stop her breathing.
She is a strong and loving person, who we all love very very much. I hate to see her laying there helpless.
Grandma, we love you so much!!

14 years ago!!

14 years ago today, I married my very best friend in the whole world. It just doesn't seem like it has been that long ago, but as I was told, when you find your one true love, it makes life worth living. And that is so true.
Deon and I do everything together, like, hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, house and lawn work, bowling, etc etc. It's so awesome that we have so much in common and it really means the world to me to spend time with him. Even if we are sitting across the table from each other playing on our laptops. LOL!!!
Thank you for being such a wonderful, loving, and caring husband. Here's to 100 more years of marriage. I love you with all my heart!!!
Fran

Today

I have been thinking how lucky I am for all my wonderful friends and family. Deon's parents and Grandma came over the other night and we had dinner and got put in for the draw for our deer tags. This year Deon's dad is going to go with us, which will be cool.
All my friends, and neighbors, thanks for all that you do. You guys keep me on my toes, and remind me how much I need you all in my life.
And for my sister, who puts up with me calling whenever I want to chat. Hehe...and that can be often!!
I love you all very much and miss ya

Lack of slee

well as most of you know, we went and picked up Bella, and she is Deon's hunting partner. What a handful!!! She has been non stop all day, and I need sleep. Boo and Bug were not to happy to have this little monster in our bed last night, and didn't sleep well. Now on the other hand, Bella slept like a baby. As for me, well, sleep will come back to me one day soon.

New addition

Meet Bella, she is the new addition to our home. She is 10 weeks old and is a chocolate lab, Deon's new hunting partner. She is driving my babies crazy with all her energy, but I think they will make great friends.

Blogging

I really want to get into a better habit of writing on our blog, but seem to find no time to do it. I am going to try and follow in my friend Suzi's footsteps and do more on here, maybe pictures of what's going on or whatever. So, hopefully you don't get too bored with me.

We had a really busy weekend, last weekend with Deon's family Christmas Party (yes a little late, but still fun) and my company's Christmas Party (yes late on that one too), we spent the whole weekend running, but it was worth it.

Here is a picture of us with Grandma. She had such a good time with seeing a lot of the family.



Here she is with her reindeer antlers on. She is so darn cute!!! We love spending time with Deon's parents and grandma, they are a lot of fun.

The Shack

I just finished reading this amazing book called "The Shack" it was written by Wm. Paul Young. I really think that you all should read it. It is about a father's love for his family and his love for God. My favorite thing about it is how it changes this father's thinking about God and Jesus and how he learns to forgive others.
One statement that really made me think, and even underline it in the book (and I don't like marking in books) was:
"Remember this, humans are defined not by their limitations, but by the intentions I have for them; not by what they seem to be, but by everything it means to be created in my image." This is a statement that Jesus said to this father.
I know it sounds weird for me to read a book like this, but every time I went to the D.I. to look at books (50 cents each), this book would jump out at me, so I bought it and read it and I think that everyone should take the time to read it. There is even a website for it at www.theshackbook.com.

Okay guys, go get the book read it and then let me know what you think.
Fran

More to be Thankful for

I spent 4 hours today down at the Rescue Mission helping serve Thanksgiving dinner to the homeless and less fortunate. What a humbling experience!!! Let me tell you, I really didn't want to go down there on my day off and work, but I am so glad that I did. Many people are afraid of the homeless, but I learned today that they are very thankful for this simple act. Many of them don't eat real well, other than what the rescue mission provides, but this Thanksgiving dinner meant a lot to them. It is heartbreaking to see all the men, women, and yes, children, sitting there eating like this could be their last meal. The Governor and his family also came down and helped us serve dinner, and was very nice to everyone.
I just really think that if you all have the opportunity to go donate your time to help the homeless or anybody, I think you should do it. I am really thankful that I did

Thanksgiving

I remember as a kid, Mom would ask us what we are thankful for, and Deon's family does the same thing every year, so I thought I would post what I am thankful for.

I am definitely thankful for Deon and the fact that he has been able to put up with me for the last 13 years of marriage, and a year of dating. He is an amazing, hardworking, loving guy, and totally would do anything for his family and friends. I am thankful that I have my dogs, and a lot of people tease me about this, but they are my babies. They are always there for me and I love how much personality the little buggers have.
I am thankful for my family. Even though I don't call or text you all as much as I do Penny. I am thankful that every summer, some of the kids(penny's) come and spend some time with us, it means the world to me. I want you all to know how much I love you and miss you all. Mom always worried that we would grow apart after her passing, so let's not let that happen. I think that we should plan a family reunion for next summer and I will be willing to do whatever necessary to get that planned. I am also thankful for Deon's family. His parents are very special to me and mean a lot to me. They are always there for us when we need them. Our beautiful grandma, has the strength of a hundred men. She was had a triple mastectomy and unfortunately the cancer is getting worse, but she is amazing. She never let's that get her down and is such a happy upbeat person.
And finally, I am thankful for all my wonderful friends that I am blessed to have. You are all a bit crazy, in one way or another, but that is why we all have so much fun together. and yes, I am thankful that both Deon and I have a job. In this day and age, it is truly a blessing to be working. Even when we don't want to go into work. LOL...I am terrible.
Thank you all for being a special part of my life and I love and miss you all so much.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

more pics from Deer(less) Hunt

We went out on Saturday to try our luck again, but of course we only saw does. This doe and her babies came right out across the meadow, and didn't even mind that we were there. We came across this bull moose as we were heading out of the area we were hunting on Saturday. He is a really big boy.

This young bull moose we came acrossed as we were heading up to the meadow on Thursday. He didn't even care that we stopped and took pictures.

We didn't get our deers this year, but we are not giving up hope. We had to leave the mountains early on Saturday because this mean storm started rolling in and the deer all went to bed down during the storm. About half an hour after we left it started to snow.

Deer (less) hunt so far

Well so far we have not gotten a deer yet, which totally sucks. Especially when we see does and get excited. This doe was standing on top of the hill and we were hoping it to be a buck.







This doe and the one in the next picture were standing in the grove of aspens, right off the road. We were once again hoping for a buck, but then they lifted their heads and we knew we couldn't shoot it. I am really thinking at this point in time that I should have tried to get a doe tag.











Look how big she is







just a picture of another grove of aspen trees, but I thought it was really pretty





Here's Deon on the side of the mountain watching a grove of aspens across the way that we saw a doe and her fawn (last years baby) run into. We were really hoping at this point, but the only other animal that came out of this grove we are watching was a range cow.









Thought that I would finally let Deon take a picture of me.

Already

It's starting to seem to me that this fall and winter season are going to be rough. In the last 3 weeks, I have I had the same head cold twice, and feel like my head is being squeezed between two vice grips. I just hope that things get better soon because we are headed out on the deer hunt on the 16th of this month, and it would suck to be ready to pull the trigger and sneeze, and scare the deer away or worse yet, shoot myself in the foot. We have been having such weird weather already here in Utah, and I really hope that we don't get snowed in while on the deer hunt. It wouldn't be too bad, but I don't like snow or being cold.
So wish us luck that we both or one of us get our deer, and that we don't get too bad of weather, and Pray that I don't sneeze and shoot myself in the foot. Oh the thoughts that run through my head when I don't feel well.
Love and miss my family lots!!!!

Deon's 40th

We had a birthday party on Saturday and one of the gifts he got was that silly hat that he has on his head. No that is not his hair sticking out of it, it is part of the hat.







This is his friend, Danny and his wife Sarah. They are great people and love Deon to death.







This is Danny, he gave Deon the silly hat. He has known Danny for many many years.







More friends, Linda, Elmer, LaNae (his cousin) and Danny. We were all down in our basement doing Karaoke and playing ping pong. It was a lot of fun.


Happy 40th Deon