The antics of a proud sister and aunt!

Just thought I'd share some pictures of my little sister and neice for everyone from a recent jack-pot show. The kids had their jack-pot before county fair this weekend.

Kaitlynn - a first year 4-Her, but a serious veteran, finished 5th in both sheep and cattle circuit points. She had to attend 4 shows and all showmanship and class placings were cumulated to get a final "circuit score". We are extremely proud of her, since it's her very first year of showing competitively. There are a couple of pictures with her and her pig, "GLORIA", but she also has "BLACKY" and "HUMPY". She also has a couple of lambs, "STINGY BENJI" and "ROSY" but I didn't get pictures of those. This picture is now dated, I am told. Because Kait just got a "BLING" belt and necklace she will be fashioning the rest of the season! Little diva in training, I am fully convinced!

Cute little wrangler butt, watching Kait in showmanship.

Her prize money! She got to visit with Brett for a minute or two, but I think Kait did all the talking. I'm sure he got a lesson or two in pigs AND sheep!

The last four pictures are of my our neice Kenya showing her "piggy" or "BLACKY". Kenya is very much a showman in training. She loves to go with Papa to the barn to feed pigs and walk her pig at my Mom and Dad's house in the evenings. On Monday after this show, she threw a tantrum because Papa and Uncle Ben wouldn't go with her to "Walk her Pig" right before lunch. Her mother may not have a choice as to Kenya's extracurricular activities if she continues to live close to Nana and Papa Godsey's house. (I think Emily secretly enjoys watching Kenya - even if she never admits it!)

Just a thought here and there.

A couple of weekends ago - Ben and I went back to Gaylord (Smith Center) to watch attend my cousins' high school graduation. It was an great time to take a couple of shots of my mom, sister and I - since we don't get to take pictures very often. If you can't tell (which you probably can't because of my tank ass (oops censor!)) but my sister Emily is just about 7 full months pregnant - so Ben and I will be Aunt Corineah and Uncle Ben for the second time over. About time for some of our own, right? Maybe someday! No, but seriously - she's due July 23ish. Just about county fair time (and the hottest time of year, good planning Em! haha).



Picture #1: Emily and Shelby (my sister was quite cute in this dress my mom bought in the Bahamas is December). If you know my sister, pastels aren't her thing!

Picture #2: Ben, Shelby, and I.....if your paying attention, this is the 2nd event in a row I've worn this dress - I had to assure Ben it would get its wear in this summer to justify making the purchase on our meager graduate student pay.

Picture #3: A decent picture of my mom, sister and I prior to graduation at the Godsey ranchhouse. It would be better if I wasn't pseudo-make-me-a-supermodel posing disquised the fact that I have no chin and makes me look 450 kg (which is about 992 lbs for you still living in the standard system). Mom and Emily look great, I did however, edit Emily's swelling belly so I didn't get my butt chewed. It only took 5 pictures to get Mom to smile and keep her eyes open.

Picture # I can't keep track: Isn't it funny that at 7 months pregnant we look the same size? What does that tell you - I should definitely quit the popcorn, ice cream and 3 gallons of ice tea a day? I've recently (okay 2 months ago) gave up pop (short relapses here and there) but those benefits have yet to be realized - therefore, I'm seriously reconsidering re-instating my 24 oun. habit (it could be worse right?). Ok - enough, my sister and I haven't taken a picture since my wedding, so I jump on any chance to catch her: a) in a good enough mood to stand next to me and b) in something suitable enough to take a photo in (Emily I love you - but the sweat-pants gotta go sometimes)!

What's all the self loathing you say? I think it's just the "let's be done with school so I don't have to sit on my butt one more nice day this week" blues. It'll get better, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! Hope you enjoy the pictures and the commentary!

Strength, faith and heart

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Picture captions

1) James and Jaci (girlfriend) out for a stroll in the chair, he would really like to "Pimp his ride"
2) James and Sarah (sister) smiling for pictures
3, 4, and 5) James spending time in therapy or out for a stroll

I would like to take the time to tell you a little bit about my cousin James. This past spring, while visiting his sister and extended family in Colorado was involved in a life-altering snow-boarding accident which has left him temporarily paralyzed. Although the prognosis was not in James' favor, he has continually surprised the nurses, doctors and staff involved in his recovery. He was initially told he would never walk again - but he has proven the doctors wrong on every level. He has regained function in his left hand and is able to feed himself with both hands. In addition, he has re-established his tricep muscles, which is very uncommon for this stage of recovery. I believe James has been able to move into a completely manual chair (not motorized) which he is able to operate himself - which is amazing for just over 2 1/2 months post-accident.

My post however is not to ask to spread sad words about my cousin. This post is a tribute to the sub-conscious strength an individual possesses which presents itself in situations such as these. Not only is James a physically strong person - his inner strength is inspiring. I believe in every one of the pictures I had included - you'll see James beaming with happiness. His positive attitude is very contagious and I'm personally working on a maintaining a very positive outlook in life. I think we could all use a little bit of James in us.

I know everyone is facing a hard decision in each of the lives in some way or another. I would like for everyone to remember the blessings we do have in our lives - family, friends and inner strength and faith to get us through even the darkest of times!

Away on Hiatus

As you might have noticed - I've taken a small hiatus from the world of blogging. I'll be in-and-out of the loop for the next few weeks trying to finish my thesis for June 1st deadline! Maybe I can convince Ben to keep updating the blog in my absence, but I won't hold my breath!
I've included a few pictures from Ben's graduation this past weekend! But I let the formatting get the best of me, and I'm not pleased with the page placement (oh well)

We had some of Ben's family in town to help celebrate - Regina, Amanda (+ Nick) and Anna. The graduation ceremony was sort of a drag, but as always in tradition of Williams' family get-togethers - we entertained ourselves with people watching, inappropriate jokes and lots of laughing. For example, three of the four pictures I've included, it took almost 15 minutes to take because we had people walking in the1 1/2 foot space between the cameras and the red wall we used as a backdrop. People were either 1/2 or the full way into the frame before they realized they were "extras" in pictures.

The other picture of Amanda and Nick is from the awesome door to door shuttle bus we took to- and from- the Devaney center. Quite "metro-politian" right?

We had a small intimate BBQ on Friday night with family and friends. Pretty good showing really, around 25 people invaded our backyard and yet - no complaints from the neighbors! We entertained until 2 a.m. (which if any of you know Ben and I, that's approximately 4 hours past our bedtime - so we were pretty proud of ourselves).

On Saturday we ventured around Lincoln, taking in the sites. I love it when Regina and the girls visit, because a) I have an excuse to go shopping, for anything and everything

b) I have an excuse to go to new shops, ie - our new favorite clothing boutique called Blue Velvet. Regina and Anna made a few purchases - which are a few of the cutest, most unique pieces of clothing I've seen. I'll be a more frequent visitor of this place.

c) I have an excuse to cook - most of my recipes don't work well for 2 people.

It was absolutely beautiful this weekend, we spent a lot of time outside eating, playing hill-billy horseshoes, roping the dummy, etc. Saturday we showed everyone the Haymarket area in Lincoln (one of my favorites) and ate Cajun food at Buzzard Billy's. The highlight of the night was probably breaking Nick in - we typically play Trivial Pursuit or some other board game at least one night everytime the Williams' get together. Although we were missing a few key players (Craig, Lyndsey and Matt) - I think he got a "sneak peek" at what it takes to hang with us.

We've got a busy week, Ben and I are headed in opposite directions for "business trips" for school and then travelling on the weekend to graduations back at my folks!

Other exciting news to report: The first show of the season for my sister Kait and cousin Shelby was rather successful. At the Russell Co. Spring Show - Shelby's big wether (I'll post pictures soon) was Champion Market Lamb and she also had Res. Champion Ewe Lamb (both lambs from Diamond W Club Lambs (Craig and Regina Williams). Kait had a second place lamb and won a class with the gilt (previously pictured in older blog) Grady and Ben (and Kait) jointly own. In addition, she was 5th in junior showmanship (swine) which is AWESOME for her first year in 4H and first ever REAL (not mini-4-H; show-and-tell; etc.) showmanship contest.