Amazing weekend with family!

So this weekend was one of the most wonderfully refreshing for me. My mom, dad and little sister, Kait came to Lincoln to visit for a few days. Ben had to leave for a conference in Arkansas on Saturday morning, so he missed out on the fun this time. They haven't come up for just a weekend to visit without an occasion in a long time - so we enjoyed every minute of time we had together.

Saturday morning (bright and early) we headed down to the Haymarket District to the Farmers Market. The market is held every Saturday from May to October and has many fruit, vegetable, flower, baked goods and craft vendors lining the streets of the district. I highly suggest a visit if your in Lincoln on a Saturday morning - especially a visit to Burkey's Baked Goods for the Sourdough bread and cinnamon rolls.

Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in Lincoln is also a good time to seek out local rummage sales for treasures. Mom and I (of course) love to find deals, but I had to teach her a few things about "bartering". She did find a couple of antique apple boxes for yard planters for $5 total and I found a $5 cedar chest which will be the focus of an upcoming "home improvement post" in which I plan to show you how I re-furbished this trunk. Dad even got into the garage sale mood and even sought a few out himself. I think Kait had the most fun finding treasures, which she will regret in 15 years, because the bible, ring and snowflake christmas ornament for $0.50 total is hilariously ridiculous!

Today we spent the morning in the tool store finding me a sander, picking out decorative hinges and scoping out paint and stain. Finally this afternoon we visited the Nebraska State Museum and that was fantastic - seeing a variety animals, dinosaurs and natural features of Nebraska history. So, no one can ever say I didn't learn a thing or two about home for the past two years. We ended the weekend to a trip to Culvers for ice cream, a quick trip to Sam's Club and Wally-world and sent Mom, Dad and Kait on their way.

I wanted to send a shout-out to my folks and little sister, thank you so much for visiting! It totally helped me clear my mind of all school and life worries and just enjoy some time together. I hope you enjoyed yourself as much as I did!

Finally, Ben and I also celebrated a milestone today, our 1st year Anniversary has already came and went. Happy Anniversary Babe, here's to many more!

Wonderfully crazy life

We just finished a short weekend trip back to Iowa to the New Sharon festival. Grandma Williams was honored as the grand marshall in the parade, so we spent Saturday enjoying the festivities and Sunday at a BBQ at the Owens. I stole a few pictures from Amanda's facebook page - she was coined "The Paparazzi" the whole weekend because she had that camera clicking away the whole time. Now looks who's laughing right Amanda? Good photos. Although you won't see it in the pics I'm posting, Ben made the observation that most of the pictures I am in is someone in the near vicinity of the babies, huh? What does that tell you Ben?

Although these pictures are out of chronological order, please view with discretion. We enjoyed some time at Pizza Ranch after the day's festivities pictured is Craig (Ben's dad)'s family, from left to right: Curtis and Dee, Christi and Larry, Anna Mae, Craig and Regina, Cindi and Larry.

I realize there is no way you can see everyone in this photo - but this is the whole Williams' crew minus the two Montanans. I'd say that's a pretty good turnout!

Ben and Uncle Curtis enjoying the program in the park. It was fun for awhile, but let's just say the queen contest was a "interesting."

Some of the Williams' girls enjoying the program. Front row: me, Lyndsey and Amanda Williams; Back row: Jill Van Soelen, Anna Williams, and JessWilliams.

Evidence that I would know what to do if and when I happen to be blessed with kids. This is Addison, she's an absolute doll.

Finally, this picture would have ideally been added first, but I'm not a master at this blogging stuff. Maybe when I finish my thesis I'll have a chance to look into programming and formatting more. But this is Grandma Williams in the parade. She had an absolute blast and I'm glad we were there to help her celebrate her accomplishment.

We have no exciting life news to report. Ben's applied for a couple of positions (stay tuned to see how that turns out) and I've considered my options in those locations and have a few calls into some people. I officially turn in my thesis on Friday - so if I'd stop procrastinating and finish revisions - I could go outside and enjoy this beautiful day!

I have more important things to do - but they aren't as fun as this.

I should be studying for the one of the most important exams in my life right now - but I think I've managed to find almost everything absolutely possible to NOT study, so now that I'm almost done procrastinating I thought I'd tell you the ten best ways to procrastinate at the Williams' ranch.

10) Wash every piece of dirty laundry, dish and surface in the house, including the sheet sets that already get washed once every 2 weeks, jeans I wore for 45 minutes and the towel that just got used once this morning. Everything just smells so nice with my Snuggle fabric softener.

9) Watch the same House Wives of New Jersey, Make Me a Supermodel, The Fashion Show. etc. episodes on BRAVO channel for the fourteenth time in 3 weeks. Oh my new obsession is True Blood from HBO - but make sure you have the parentals controls on if you choose to watch this one - it's not for the kids people.

I think my new favorite line is from Teresa off of RHWNJ who justify's every major choice she makes by stating, "HAPPY WIFE - HAPPY LIFE." I think I'm going to implement this into my everyday dialect. I'll let you know how this goes.

7) Catch up on everyone and anyone's BLOGS from friends, random strangers and my favorite characters on the above mentioned shows.

6) Stalk for Rob Pattinson news or anything remotely related to Twilight or the series. I'm counting down the days until New Moon comes out - Williams' beware, it during Thanksgiving - so I'll probably be dragging a few of you to the theater with me, so you better watch Twilight before Thanksgiving.

5) Repaint my fingernails and toenails for the 3rd time this week and tweeze my eyebrows for the 2nd time this week. My new favorite colors include mauvi pinks matching on both my fingers and toes.

4) Take a 2 hour nap, since I intend on studying into the late hours of the night

3) Check potential jobs on various websites, then rationalize the pros and cons to getting a PhD - yet still make no decisions about our life beyond July 31, 2009.

2) Check facebook every 30 minutes to see how many other pathetic people like me sit around and facebook update 4 times a night.

1) Rinse and repeat.

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.