Rusty Star

We're Alive! We're Alive!

2008-08-01T19:34:00.000-07:00

Well, moving day has come and gone. Right along with the entire month of July!! Where did the time go? We are moved in to the upstairs of our home. When we left 4 years ago my In Laws moved in to the house. So, until our house and their house is built we are living together. I am glad it is big house and able to hold just about all of our stuff!

Things are moving along but we really NEED our house to sell! We are ready to start building the new one! Please agree with us that the buyer will come soon.

Per request of Candy, here is a picture of the new house. The only difference, we are only getting a two car garage. We are trading off the third garage for an indoor tornado shelter. The shelter will be located in the floor of the master bedroom closet. It will have a sliding door to get into it. If you live in Oklahoma, it's a good idea to have shelter close by!!!

Analise has adjusted well and is enjoying lots of MiMi and PaPa time. She has returned to taking her 2 hour nap which is AWESOME. Her latest things are spinning, opening and closing everything, screaming just to hear herself scream, and my personal favorite is eating spaghetti. She has finally decided that she likes pasta!

I have taken so few pictures this last month!!! Things will soon return to normal in our little corner of blogland. Thanks so much for those of you who commented or emailed me to check on us! I really appreciate your kindness! Farrah, you're a sweet heart, and I can't wait to see pictures of your new bundle of joy when he arrives. We are agreeing in prayer with you!!

Public Enema - Shout Out

2007-01-08T15:20:00.000-08:00

I was JUST watching Oprah. She had a doctor on who was discussing poop & enemas. It made me think of a certain individual who has had a coffee enema. I shan't name the person but they know who they are and some of you definitely know who it is.........

Here's to coffe enemas and naval pie....

Update & New Blog

2007-01-02T19:27:00.000-08:00

Well, the New Year is here and we are SO excited. The adoption is humming along and the year holds a ton of new adventures for us.

One of the adventures, I have started a new blog. It will detail the ins and outs of our adoption process. If you email me, and I know who you are, then I will give the URL. When and if you do get the site - please do not create any links to adoption page. I think you all know why without me saying it...

Anyway, I will periodically post here as well...so, here are some photos from Christmas.

Amy & Steve

The Girls (KT, Me, & Amy)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Playing w/ new photographic software

2006-11-28T17:35:00.000-08:00

Got VD? Nope!

2006-10-11T19:08:00.000-07:00

Well, it's official. Adam & I are both VD free. We are also free of every other communicable disease. I know you all want to know....why the heck is she telling us this? Well, in order to adopt you have to have a physical..stating you are mentally and physically capable of raising a child. According to the Doc we are good to go!!! Hurray!

We also just got our background checks back from the bureau. We are clear!!!

The big day is Friday! We have our homestudy!! After this, all we need is our fingerprinting before we can send our paperwork to the Guatemalan embassy. So pray we get a call SOON!

I will let you know how the homestudy goes!

These are a few of my favorite things.....

2006-10-03T09:50:00.000-07:00

A few of my favorite things are:

1.Skinny Cow Fat-Free chocolate milk....thick & chocolatey
2.Reality TV - LOVE IT - I'm sick I know
3.Pizza - Domino's Pepperoni w/garlic dipping sauce
4.Ice cold water on a hot day!
5.Photography - I love the story behind every picture.
6.The sound of trees rustling in the wind
7.Thunder clouds filled with lighting. BEAUTIFUL!
8.Trailriding with Adam and saying nothing at all....
9.Sitting on my back porch watching deer drink from the pond
10.Listening to people laugh! I mean big belly laughs! AWESOME!!!
11.My animals....they are all unique!
12.Cold and Rainy day at home filled w/movies & popcorn!!!
13.Watching Adam train horses - he loves it SO much. :)
14.Reading my Bible at night before I go to bed. I always sleep better...
15.Dreaming of holding my little girl in my arms....soon!

Chainsaws & Treehouses

2006-09-28T08:49:00.000-07:00

As you know, we recently acquired another ten acres. We have been tirelessly working to improve the land. I can honestly say that I now know how to use an auger. But that's an entirely separate story..This story is about a man, a chainsaw and a treehouse.

Adam loves his chainsaw. He really loves it now that he has trees to cut down. He is currently cutting paths through the trees to be used as trails for horseback riding. It will be great when it is completed. He is such a visionary. That was one of the thigns that drew me to him. I wanted to be apart of everything he told me about regarding his future.

Those of you who know him, know that he is not a great displayer of emotion or feeling. He keeps alot of things to himself. I often wonder what he is thinking. Through years of marriage I have learned that once he has it worked out in his head he is ready to talk about it.

I stated in a previous post we will be adopting a baby girl from Guatemala. I know she will be beautiful with a big smile and a contagious life. Adam and I have discussed the adoption alot, obviously! But as stated before, he doesn't display alot of emotion. I prayed that God would show me that Adam is as ready as I am. Well, he did... of course.

Adam was out, with the chainsaw, cutting his path. All of a sudden I hear him yell for me. Of course I come running thinking he has hurt himself. But he didn't. He said, "Look at that!" I look over and see 4 trees coming out of the ground in virtually the same spot. I said, "That's cool. What's so big about that?" He replied, "That is going to be the best place for a treehouse!"

I realized we are both ready for this awesome experience that is about to take place.

Standing Ajar

2006-09-01T12:36:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite qoutes from Emily Dickinson: "The soul should always stand ajar, ready to welcome the ecstatic experience."

I am constantly looking for what's just around the bend. I love new experiences and surprises. Below are a few of my ecstatic experiences over the last....well, we won't discuss how long it's been...

*Flew to Cincinnati to see my family, go to a Reds game, and Kings Island (think
6 Flags)

*Additional duties to my job - I stay really busy but LOVE what I am doing.

*We bought more Texas Longhorns!! We now officially have a herd!! Yes, I looked it
up. A herd is five or more stock animals..

*We just bought the 10 acres next to our house. We now have 15 acres. Totally
awesome! We need room to grow due to the last item. See below.

*We're ADOPTING! Yes, from Guatemala. We are in the process now so not alot of
news yet...but I will definitely keep you all posted!

To new beginnings

2006-06-08T12:46:00.000-07:00

New beginnings are always so fresh, exciting, scary, etc. I wanted to let you all know I am still here but am really busy with a few things right now....

Please pray for guidance, patience, & favor with our new beginning.....Please know I want to share it all but I can only share this right now and will share more later....

Bulls & Business

2006-04-27T07:17:00.000-07:00

Well, I know I haven't posted much lately but for good reason. Three good reasons to be exact!

The first reason, my husband has decided to leave the daily grind of a 9-5 job and start his own business. This has been a long time coming and we are finally at a point where it is time to step out in faith and know that God will supply our every need. It is a huge decision to go from that steady paycheck every two weeks to waiting on the payment from clients in the mail anyday. Some of you know my husband and know that this is big step for him to just hang it all out there for GOD to take care of. Well, God is doing just that! Last Saturday, we sowed our riding mower to our neighbors. They found this very odd that we would just give it to them expecting nothing in return. I LOVE to bless people! Anyway, we sowed the mower on Saturday and on Sunday Adam found out that Microsoft renewed Adam as a partner and restored all of his certifications at no charge. We were expecting this to cost us around $15,000! I am SO glad I sowed that mower! It was all in Gods great plan as soon as he told us to give them mower away!!!

The new business is called:

So, if you or business you know needs someone to do software consulting please feel free to contact him. Because if he has clients in sunny AZ, CO, or FL you never know the possibilities this could create... wink..wink

Second & Third reasons - Babies being born! Not from my womb but from the wombs of our beautiful Texas Longhorns!!! They are SO cute! Here are a few pics of the new additions to the Rusty Star Ranch...

This is our new baby girl: Rebel Star

This is our new baby Bull: Superstar Man

This is one of our Momma cows, Twice Shy and her baby Superstar Man

We SO love our animals!!!

Question to AZ pals.....

2006-04-21T14:10:00.000-07:00

Anybody going to be home on May 16th & 17th???

Hail Caesar

2006-03-14T07:06:00.000-08:00

Can you guess where I am going???? Of course, sometimes your job requires you to do a little traveling. Well, my job requires me to go to VEGAS this week. I am SO excited because I have never been and you KNOW I will be packing my cameras. Below is where we will be staying.....

The Art of Grilled Cheese

2006-03-09T08:48:00.000-08:00

Shout out #2 to Amy for her tip on making grilled cheese sandwiches.

I seriously had never been able to make a grilled cheese sandwich. There was always the smooshing of the bread, to much butter, and then ending up just eatign a plain old whitebread cheese sandwich. GROSS. Didn't you hate that when your Mom put that in your lunch.

Anyway, Amy (the one I went skiing with) and I were talking about what we were going to make for dinner. She said she was going to make grilled cheese for kids. I said, "I can't make grilled cheese to save my life!" Amy replied, "What kind of butter do you use? You should use SPRAY butter."

HELLO MCFLY!!!! This was a total revelation to me!!! I am such a dork. But I made the grilled cheese via spray butter via Amy's suggestion. And WALLAH!!! Here is the final result. I am so proud!!!!

Thanks to Terri

2006-03-09T08:22:00.000-08:00

I want to give a shout out to Terri who was the only who prayed for my safety last night... Thanks Terri!!!!

We did end up with a couple of storms but nothing to drastic. Although we did get a little bit of hail....

This was as it was coming down. Yes. I went out on my back porch to take this picture during the storm. See the sacrifices I make so that you all can feel like you are a part of my life!!!!

This was about an hour after the storm.

Again, thanks for the prayers Terri!!!

SUPERCELLS

2006-03-08T09:27:00.000-08:00

If you have ever lived in Oklahoma you know what the term "supercell" means "Take Cover"....

This is our forecast this evening:

I live just inside the top left of the yellow circle. This is our first chance of severe weather this year. It's actually about a month early......

Please pray for our safety over the next few months.....

BLAZE..............

2006-03-02T07:54:00.000-08:00

No, I am not talking about Oklahoma grassfires even though there have been some huge ones here in the past few days. Thanks in part to a string of 85 degrees plus weather. Yesterday it was 93!!!

The real reason for this post is BLAZE, our new American Quarter Horse.

She is beautiful. Blaze is two years old just like Adam's horse, Pearl. They are having fun being playmates.

Here are a few pictures...

Guess What I Started.....

2006-03-01T09:14:00.000-08:00

Well, as you have probably already guessed.....BUNCO! I took it upon myself to start a BUNCO group in my town. It took a little poking and prodding of my friends who had never heard of or played in their life. But they gave in because I can be pretty persuasive I think...

Anyway, last night was our first BUNCO! It was awesome! I nearly lost my voice and people were hiding so they wouldn't lose their crown (travelers-bunco lingo). It was SO MUCH FUN!!!

Again, it was a great time but it made me miss majicmom and all of our great times at BUNCO.

To MajicMom - I dedicated the night to Nita and her love of Bunco!!!!

All Girls Weekend!!!! PART 1

2006-01-26T13:52:00.000-08:00

OK. I said I would post pictures from our All Girls Ski trip and here they are for your amusement....

Here we are getting ready to leave my house.. We were SO excited!!

We stayed in Salina, KS the first night to break up the drive a bit. 13 hours for those counting. This is Christina & Amy..

Here we are heading out at 6am!!! It was about 12 degrees I think. Please note that Amy has makeup on at 6am and we will be sitting in the car all day.

The scenery in Kansas is breathtaking.. I'm sure you can tell by the background in this picture??

Amy got a hankerin' for some beef jerkey!! Can you tell why we are friends???

Christina is a little more sublime..

We finally make it to Breck! Well, this is the outskirts... but isn't it beautiful??

Here is Amy being Amy! She is hilarious and I think God broke us from the same mold. We think that everything the other one says is funny...

Well, that is the end of Part 1. Stay tuned for very crazy ski pics, wrestling on the continental divide pics, and me being me pics.

PEACE OUT!!!

I will post Part 2 if people comment on Part 1.

Breck is callin' my name.....

2006-01-12T09:26:00.000-08:00

Today I am heading out to Breckenridge for a weekend of skiing and snowmobiling!!!! I am going with two girls from work....they are great fun and I am looking forward to the snow!!!!!

My apologies to the Barrett's. If I had more time I definitely would have come to see you. I would love to see you all!

Well, I will post next week with pictures!!!

I am outta here!!!!

Close to Home: Part 1 (Coal Mining)

2006-01-05T11:42:00.000-08:00

As some of you may know I grew up in Kentucky. Where I grew up - everyone knows a coal miner. To this day I can number more than 10 men in my family who still work in the mines.

As a child, my dad worked in the mines. He once had a mine cave in on him. Luckily all that happened was a broken ankle. Others haven't been as fortunate - one of my friends in high school lost her dad to the mines.

It's backbreaking work. My brother in law is 6'4" and has worked in a mine that is 48" tall. He basically worked a 12 hour shift while bent over. Most of the time, the miners will not use their protective masks because they are heavy and uncomfortable. This makes them highly prone to black lung. For those of you who don't know what that is..........imagine blowing up a balloon and then filling it with coal dust.

In eastern Kentucky, if you want to provide for your family....you worked in the mines. There weren't and still aren't alot of choices.....

Two weeks ago my brother applied to work in the mines...he needs the money to support his family.

The Big "D"

2005-12-08T06:55:00.000-08:00

This past weekend I took a little jaunt down to the big "D" (Dallas). I spent the weekend with my great friends Cheri & Rachel. We had a great time eating, shopping, eating, shopping,eating.... you get the picture. Here are a few shots from our weekend. I had a really great and relaxing time!

Stop 1: I had never eaten here before. Quite delicious!

Stop 2: Had never been here before. I will be going back!

Stop 3: Have been here but love the stuffed crab!

Here's a few extra pics!

Blogger Help Needed

2005-11-21T13:31:00.000-08:00

I am trying to save the picture above as my profile picture. I need some assistance...I can't download Hello because work computers will not allow downloads. Basically will someone do this for me???? Come on! Help a sista out!!!

If you read the comments, don't ask just call me!!!

Birthday Celebration!!!!

2005-11-10T11:15:00.000-08:00

Well, this is a belated Happy Birthday to wonderful husband, Adam!!! I am not going to get all mushy but will say he is my best friend for life!!!! Here are a few pictures of the fam and Adam's horse, Pearl. He is SO proud of her!

Adam and Pearl

Adam's brother Matt and his wife Katie

Amy and Steve

Me and Adam's Mom, Linda

We had a GREAT time! Happy Birthday Adam! I love you!

Junk Bonds

2005-11-08T11:13:00.000-08:00

As some of you may know, Junk Bonds ( in the finance world) are high-risk bonds that offer a high yield. Well, here is a thought about relationships: For some people forming any type of "bond" is high risk. For my self, when Adam and I lived in Tulsa we went through a time of hurt at a local church. We didn't go to church for about three years. Afraid of taking that "high risk" to be hurt again. But we did, we took the step and went somewhere new. At the new place, we took out some "Junk Bonds". For us it was "high risk" not knowing what kind of "yield" we may get. In the end the "high risk" paid off with "high yield".

The risk: Will we be accepted and not judged?
The yield: Lasting relationships that we still maintain today across the miles.

To MetroMom and MetroDad:
Thanks for making sure our "Junk Bonds" paid off. We will never be able to put into words the appreciation, love and respect that we have for you both.

Rusty Star Photography

2005-11-02T08:19:00.000-08:00

As some of you already know, I sort of dabble in photography. I have started my own photography business here in Ada, OK. The name is Rusty Star Photography. No, I do not have a website yet. I want to grow the business a little more. I did want to share one of my recent clients with you. Her name is Lindsey and she is Native American. Her parents are friends with Adam and I. She is too cute!

Happy Halloween from the Redneck Bride

2005-10-31T11:50:00.000-08:00

Happy Halloween!!! I wanted to share my beautidful getup with you all! I was a Redneck Bride. It wasn't all done in vain! I won a 1/2 day off of work. YES!!

Building Bridges - Literally

2005-10-27T07:33:00.000-07:00

Adam and I got back from Florida and decided we wanted to a build a bridge. No, we are not having marital problems we literally wanted to build a bridge. As some of you may know, we show horses. Well, one of the tasks in the Trail class is riding your horse over a bridge. Hence the building of the bridge.

Here's Adam building the frame

This is Adam and his helper, Cade. Our neighbor's kid. He heard the saw and drill and wanted to come over and see what we were doing. So, he decided to help us out! He reminds me alot of the kid in the movie Jerry Maguire.

I encourage everyone to take on a project like this to do with your spouse. It's alot of fun and you build up your communication skills!!

Mullets & Lipgloss - It's a small world after all!

2005-10-26T10:22:00.000-07:00

What do you get when you put two crazy thirtysomethings in the middle of Disneyland?
A mullet and lots of lipgloss!!!!

For the record, the mullet did not belong to either of the thirtysomethings. It belonged to this guy:

All I'll say about this is: "Seriously!"

For the record, the lipgloss belonged to this chick:

All I'll say about this is: "Rachel puts lipgloss on more than she blinks her eyes. Seriously"

The thirtysomethings, Rachel & Shannon, had a disneyrrific time at Walt Disney World. Let's review the day!

First we had to get our grub on:

We played a game - guess the movie star. I won! We also had great food. Sorry we don't have pictures of that but we were famished and it went fast!!!

Next, shopping at Downtown Disney!Rachel has some serious hat wearing skills:

And superstar skills:

Next, on to Disney World. Rachel was really excited:

And sometimes a little afraid: I think she running out of lipgloss!

We also had some "senior pictures" taken:

At the end of the day, we had a drop dead good time!

Thanks RACH for an AWESOME day at DISNEYWORLD!!!! We are SO HOT!!!!

PS - I am exhausted from all this blogging!!! I better get some freaking comments!!!

Commercial Talk

2005-08-25T11:06:00.000-07:00

Am I alone on this??? Do you ever have a conversation with your husband while the TV is on (during commericlas)? You know, you are talking about something and really into it and then - they get this mesmorized look on their face. You know, when they have totally tuned you out because the commercial is over and the game is back on?

I don't think women are capable of this. Because I can be watching a TV show (like survivor)and Adam will start talking. I have to tell him to stop talking because I can't listen to two things at once. Then there are sometimes he talks and I just nod and say Uh Huh because "So, you think you can dance is on". Guys just totally zone you out. You could sing a show tune while farting and they still wouldn't notice.

It's all crazy I know!!! But it works out anyway!

Just Mowin' the Lawn

2005-08-23T14:39:00.000-07:00

Do you ever do things without thinking about it because you are thinking about something else? Well, I do. Like driving home while on the cell phone and then can't remember stopping at the light at the busiest intersection in town? Crazy! I know! Or maybe scary!?!?

Well, the other day I was mowin' the lawn and when I say mowin' the lawn I mean 5 acres mowin the lawn. So, you could say it takes a little while to mow. I started thinking about the last ten years of my life. A decade no less. WHOA! Time has flown by!

I realized that in those ten years I have done a few things: moved 4 times, had three jobs, bought about 8 different vehicles, bought 4 horses, got my bachelors degree, started my own photography business, OH and married the best man ever. Without him and the encouragement he gives me always I would'nt have accomplished many of these things!

I started thinking: If they made a movie about us it really would'nt be very exciting. No severe marital problems, no major illnesses, no deaths in the family, just happy where we are and enjoying life. I thought, they really don't make many movies like that. Where people do get married, stay in love, support each other through thick and thin and never give in!

I think it sounds like a wonderful movie.

Maybe because I am starring in it.:)

SO MUCH TO SAY!!!

2005-06-02T14:41:00.000-07:00

Let me start with saying I love being busy!!! I haven't blogged because of being busy-good busy though!!!

I found out last week that get to go to sunny AZ (Scottsdale) the last week of June. I will get there on June 26th. So, all my friends in Scottsdale better clear their evenings for me. I am so excited about seeing everyone!!! Hopefully, Tyler Larson will be born by then - he could be here now. I don't know becasue Noelle hasn't blogged in awhile. If he has - Betsy you better blog about it! Anyway - SO excited about seeing all my buds in AZ!

Next, I was given the opportunity to attend an invitation only Rookie Rodeo. Okay I know this sounds dull to some but this wasn't just an ordinary Rodeo. The Rodeo was sponsored by Scout Cloud Lee. If you don't know who she is - she was a contestant on SURVIVOR!!! Holy Cow!! It was awesome!! Also, Twyla from the season of Survivor was there. It was totally cool. There were only about 20 people there so I really got to know them. Both Scout & Twlya are really great. AND I got to see all of her Survivor stuff ( shoes she wore, flint, buffs, coconut cups, etc.) IT WAS TOTALLY AWESOME!!!!

I will blog more later!!! S.

Fairmont Scottsdale

2005-05-24T09:21:00.000-07:00

I have exciting news!!!! Can anyone guess???

2005-05-06T10:26:00.000-07:00

Ok. So I admit I am a little sleepy today. I was even sleepier at 7am this morning. So...I made a little mistake. I kind of forgot to lock the horse gate back. UB got out and my dear husband just called to tell me that when he went home for lunch the horse was in the front yard. Luckily the horse is old and loves green grass. Oh well what do you do? I say just sit back and have a big hearty laugh!!!! LOL

Horse Auctions & Rodeo Queens

2005-05-04T17:10:00.000-07:00

Rodeo Queens! Sounds kind of ironic if you ask me. But my new dearest friend, Candace, has a daughter, Miranda, 8 years old. She, the daughter, is running for Rodeo Queen. Now, this is a serious thing in Ada, OK. It is kind of like a beauty pageant but on horses. Basically the kids gotta sell chances - and when you live a high gambling area it works out pretty good! The kid is raking in the dough. Raising over $500 in two weeks. Seriously.

You are probably wondering where the Horse Auction fits in to all of this. Well, apparently you can go to the Sulphur Horse Auction, held twice a month, put a table and a sign that says I am running for Rodeo Queen and cowboys will just hand over their money. It helps she is a cute little blond with her two fron teeth missing.

Why the story? I am constantly amazed at the cultural atmosphere in southern Oklahoma. Everybody's family. Supporting everyone in everything they do. They may be hick and they be REAL cowboy but they would probably do anything for you even if they don't know you!

Martin and Betsy

2005-05-04T10:14:00.000-07:00

I want send out a HAPPY ANNIVERSAY to my dear friends - Martin & Betsy! You both are wonderful people and I will always cherish the laughs and memories we shared in Tulsa. I look forward to sitting around a table with you again someday - laughing and having coffee, well you two can drink coffee I will drink Hot Chocolate! I love you both and thank you for giving me the opportunity to photograph my first wedding three years ago!

Horsein' Around

2005-03-23T14:32:00.000-08:00

Do you know what it is like to chase a 1200 pound animal on 5 acres. Well, despite being 1200 pounds they move quickly and can turn on a dime! Yes, our Paint horse, Red, go out of the fence.

I am in the garage, Adam is by the gate, 300yds. away. All I hear is SHAANNNOONNN!!! SO, I dart out of the garage and see that the horse is trotting about. Adam is saying Hurry Up!! I am trying to unlock the trailer to get the halter - in the process I hit myself in the TEETH with my keys! YOWSER!!! SO, grab the halter an "hoof" it down to the pasture! Good thing I have been working out!! Okay I am out of breath just typing this!! Adam is trying to catch the horse with a bungee cord (????)it was the only thing there! Any way the horse darted off - would'nt you if someone was trying to bungee cord your neck. SO, the horse stops at the first patch of green grass he finds. It also helped that I had a handful of horse cookies. Don't ask I will show you if you come visit!

We have since installed locking gate latches and placed a halter at that end of the property. Just in case something ever happened again.

Hope you enjoyed the story! Here is to a new beginning in blogging! If you enjoyed the story please leave a comment!!!