2015 FALL FUN!!

Why can't I just keep up on this blog thing??  It's not that I don't think about it because I do.  All the time.  It's just making myself sit down in front of the computer and getting it done.  Have been working on a project I need to take a break from so taking advantage of already being here and at least add a few pictures of the end of 2015.

Mike, Bradey and Makenzie did a lot of range riding all summer and fall.  We'd find them every once-in-a-while and get to visit and enjoy their stories and a few minutes of their company.  Krista spent a good amount of time on that mountain too.  Brooks got hurt just after Bradey's accident so Mike took over for him and I think it was such a great opportunity for both he and Bradey to stay busy and do what they love.  And Makenzie's confidence on horse back grew so much!!  She is a very good rider and loves her horse.  And they all look the part although I never caught them in the saddle.

 Enjoying a Burpee ride!!

 Kathy and Kenzie

Gma is getting a selfie lesson!!

 Bradey and Krista

Bradey swinging his rope.  A miracle and a blessing after breaking both arms just a few months earlier.

Sweet September!!

Cleaning out "Lexie", our little Chevy Sonic

Yep, we did it!!  After talking about it for ages and looking at many makes and models, we finally agreed on a cute little SUV Buick Encore.  It was Brad's first choice all along.  I NOW HAVE CRUISE CONTROL!!!!!  Doing a happy dance each and every time I use it.  I'm sure this little Chevy will bring some college student a ton of happiness and many miles of fuel economy.  Brad REALLY enjoys the Buick.  REALLY!!  He will even drive.  But there is so much to learn about all the bells and whistles.  

Brad was anxious to take a little road trip in our new ride, but we knew that over Labor Day weekend things would be busy.  So we volunteered to drive Mike and Bradey to Twin Falls where they were meeting someone who made them custom chaps.  And of course, we had to hit Vickers Western Wear.  Wow!!  The boots lined a whole wall and then several shelves.  Quite the selection.  We stopped at Sportsman Warehouse for a few things and this scenic overlook was right next to the parking lot so we took a few shots.  Another beautiful day (wind was a bit chilly) and great company!!

 Mike, Bradey, and Brad overlooking the Snake River

 Mike and Bradey

 Kathy and Brad

Scenic Snake River Canyon

The day following our road trip to Twin Falls, we joined Shawn and his family at Cottonwood where they were all camping for the long weekend.  Funny how warm it can be one day and chilly the next.  We had a very nice visit and Dan and Kris were in charge of supper so we ate bbq chicken and dutch oven potatoes.  Yummy!!  Left for home around dusk, hoping to see some wildlife.  But nothing out but road hunters.  And lots of beautiful country!!

 Kathy, Brad, Shawn, Brenna

 Cole

 Evvie in the middle.  Loved the fire in this picture.

Evvie

I guess Dane was just too busy for pictures and if I remember right he got kind of cranky so Brook took him on a atv ride for a little nap.  I love a campfire.  They are so captivating!!

This isn't all of September, just the very beginning.  A very important trip was about to take place and it deserves a post of its very own.

August, HOT August

Whew!!!  August was a HOT one!!  And dry!!  I just don't handle the heat well at all so I just hunker down at home under the air conditioner most of the time or I swell like a balloon and it's just not pretty.  And I get a wee bit cranky to go along with it.  Just an ugly scene all the way around.  But we did find opportunity to take a few road trips and see a few sites and enjoy some family time.

Brad and I ventured out in the heat to the Preston Air Show.  It was pretty good for such a small runway.  We learned a few things and if we come next year, we would bring an umbrella.  It was a beautiful day and much more personal than the larger ones we have attended years ago.

The day Shawn left for NTC (for a whole month) Mike, Brad, and I showed up to do some work on their garage.  It had been started and then forgotton for a few months.  Mike has an amazing talent in carpentry and it only took a few hours to get this next step of the project completed.  Brad was the helper and I supervised.  Of course, I had help as you can see.  Dane watched closely and had his own little project going on at the same time.  

 Mike and Brad getting it done!!

Gma Kathy and Dane hamming it up!!!

Brad loves little day road trips, so we finally made it to Bear Lake.  That's it in the distance.  They had the smoke over there as well and it almost covers the mountain.  The sun was pretty hot and bright in our faces for the selfie.  We stopped at a new resort called Conestoga Ranch and they let us look inside one of their covered wagons that you can rent like a motel.  Pretty cool idea if you ask me.  It would be great fun to do something like that as a family.  Didn't get a price list.  They said they have to stay open a few weeks later in the Fall due to overwhelming response.  Now that's good news in this economy!!

Halloween in August???  Nope.  Just a day at Grandma's.

Dane, Evvie and Cole

 Two shots of a big beautiful August moon peeking through the clouds.

A Life Altering Decision

On July 16th, Brad had gone off to bed a little early so I stayed up and watched tv for a while.  It was a Thursday night and there is nothing on so I was channel surfing and came across a pbs station that had a program on about adoption.  It caught my interest so I watched it.  They stated that many states have changed their laws about sealed records and more are changing all the time.  So I went into the computer room and looked up Washington and, sure enough, they had opened the records.  I printed off the necessary paperwork and went to bed.  After returning from swimming, I filled out the papers and made out the $20 check and got the request in the mail.  Then waited patiently.  About a week and a half later I received an envelope from the State of Washington.  I was soooooo nervous to open it.  Maybe the family had requested that no contact be made.  But inside I found my original birth certificate, case number and finalization information.

I decided to start a new family tree in ancestory.com with me as "infant Mikelson" as listed on this original birth certificate.  Those cute little leaves just wriggled all over the place!!!  Mom was right about me being the third-born.  But I had no idea that there would be an additional four siblings from my birth father.  I took those names I found and got on Facebook and did some super sleuthing!!  I would find a name and then go under their friends list and compare and narrow down the names of those I felt were my siblings.  Then I sent out facebook messages to the few that I felt confident about and waited.  Carrie Cox was the first I communicated with.  She would be a niece.  I friended her to ask her to let her mom know that I had some info for her.  She said her mom didn't get on facebook but she'd be happy to get the message to her.  So I sent her a snapshot of my birth certificate with some explanation.  I think I shocked her and maybe creeped her out a bit that I could make connections like I did.  I think it happened so easily because it was meant to be.  I heard from Dean next and he was on his way to Sturgis to the bike rally and said he would contact me when he got home.  And he did.  He made my day when I got a text from him that said, "Hi Sis!!"  I don't think I've ever been called that in my whole entire life!!  He shared the info with two additional sisters and one additional brother; six siblings in all.  Wow!!  It wasn't long until I had talked to each of them and they were all so welcoming and excited to know that I am here.  It feels like we have always known each other and are just catching up after a long separation.  It's awesome!!  I've also communicated with Nancy Mikelson, who is married to Lloyd, a brother to my birth father.  She is so sweet and I look forward to meeting them.

I am flying to meet them all on September 10th.  I told them to wear name tags -- I'm horrible at names.  I'm excited to meet them, but anxious for the flight.  Going alone is scary.  But Brad said this is something just for me.  He will save his leave for hunting I think.

I am so grateful that Mary Jane chose to let me go to a loving home with parents who couldn't have their own children.  I remember asking Mom once a little more info about my adoption and she told me what she knew and then said, "Why all the questions, Kathy dear?  I love you."  So I didn't ask again.  I didn't want to, in any way, hurt her feelings.  But now I feel she's fine with it all.  In fact, maybe she and Mary Jane are cheering me on together??  With the encouragement of James Theodore Mikelson.  There has to be more than just luck to have had this all happen so quickly and easily.  I just hope I'm not a disappointment.

Brad is worried that I may not come home, but I have assured him that I purchased a round trip ticket and that they all will be happy to see me return to Idaho after a few days.

Dean sent me a few pictures:

 Jerri, Ted, Sherna, and Becky

 Top two: Jerri and Sherna (sisters)

Bottom row: Ted (brother), Becky (sister), Dean (brother)

--other two are Dean's siblings through his mom--

My birth father, James Theodore Mikelson, with Dean's first child.

So, tell me, how blessed am I??  My whole life I knew I was adopted and now at just the right time I make connections that have welcomed me and make me feel less lonely somehow.  Life is good . . .

July, Good Ol' July

Well, I must admit this gave me the biggest, most honest laugh I have had in a long time.  I was minding my own business in the house and noticed a city truck outside doing something in our yard.  My first thought was that Brad forgot to pay the water bill and they were turning off our water so I hurried out to see what was going on.  There was Rod with this sign, "Yard of the Month", and he asked me where I wanted it???  I couldn't help but laugh and laugh.  I asked Rod if this was done by sympathy vote and did they figure we needed something positive in our life after such a yucky June??
He just said he was doing what he was told to.  So, this sign was our lawn ornament for the whole month of July.  Someone asked what prize do you get with that award, and I said "A full month of stress to live up to it!!"  It was a nice gesture and we made the local paper but boy were we glad to see that sign go in August!!

The 4th of July was hot, hot, hot!!!  The morning starts off bright and early with the loud and annoying cannonaide.  All over town.  No sleeping in.  They want everyone at the community breakfast.  And then, across the hollow, we hear the faint sound of the trumpet playing the national anthem to go along with those loud booms and it just fills you with pride and patriotism.  Still didn't make it to the breakfast though.  We watch the parade line up right in front of our house so Brad doesn't feel it's necessary to go watch it all over again.  But I always go join in the fun at the nursing home and sit outside with EldaMae, Brad's aunt.  Did the same when Mom was still alive at the same place.  They make it so much fun with the cute head ornaments, don't you think??

 Kathy and EldaMae

 That's my boy!!!  With the U.S. flag!!

 My granddaughter, Brenna, part of the cheer squad.

 Love and Loyalty forever for the Forest Service Crew.  Smokey rocks!!!

Fireworks were great.  We watched them from the cemetery.

Evvie and Dane spent some time with me and they were a big help in cleaning and reorganizing my pantry and freezer room.  Sure saved me a lot of steps and getting up and down.  So they earned themselves some ipad time.  

After several months, I finally made it to the Logan temple via the temple bus.  It's always such a nice day when I go.  Should go more often.  The grounds are always beautiful no matter what time of year.

Another facebook quote that I saved during July.  Wise, very wise.