Another Week In Paradise

Some of the highlights of last week -

• I was given the opportunity to learn how to complete a necropsy on both a dog and a goat. Super amazing learning experience!!! 

• A trip dedicated to cows = happy me 

• I learned how to tattoo the ear of a cow and how to properly place a magnet inside a cow. (magnets are commonly placed inside cows because cows will eat pretty much anything... wire, nails, etc and the magnets help to prevent the unwanted metal from poking through the 'stomach' of the cow) 

• On that same trip we also gave other vaccinations and it was a great opportunity to pick the brains of 4th year students and some veterinarians. 

• Randy got off early from work and was given a full day's pay. 

• And to top off the week, I spent most of Saturday at school

This week however

• second anatomy test is Friday, which means I will living, breathing, and dreaming of anatomy

• Saturday we are going to a evening with Baxter Black. He is a cowboy veterinarian poet and story teller. I can't wait! 

• Then cell physiology test the following Monday

Life is here great! Sometimes it gets a little crazy but it is so wonderful! 

I couldn't resist putting this up, he is such a good dog.  

Family Trip

 Last weekend for General Conference we went up to Spokane to spend time with Randy's parents and grandparents . Randy's grandfather has terminal cancer and we are not sure how long he will be with us.


Grandma Grace, Grandpa Merle Stratton, and Randy


















Conference was wonderful. One of the talks that really resonated with me was President Uchtdorf's message about living and regrets. I am trying to focus on figuring out how to be happy now instead of waiting for it to happen sometime in the future. "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it"- Psalm 118:24.

Being up with family and enjoying the beautiful fall weather was refreshing and very much needed.

All eyes were are Shannon- who was holding some very tempting treats 

Mitch absolutely LOVES the baby goats. 

The garden was very profitable this year- especially in the pumpkin department! I think there were over 200 pumpkins total!  

This week we have been blessed once again in the most merciful ways. My wonderful husband is continuing to pursue his dream of becoming a wildlife biologist. He has been able to keep in touch with the graduate professor he worked for this past summer. Mitch's separation  is beginning to decrease and he seems to finally starting to settle in. Once again I am reminded that my Heavenly Father is aware of me and my challenges.  

We are slowly starting a tradition of having friends over to eat food and play board games. Last night we played Curses and ate cake. Man oh man I had a stomach ache before we were done from laughing so much. 

Life is good! 

Be Still My Soul

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus"  - Philippians 4:7

During the last few weeks I have felt this peace that Paul described in this verse from the New Testament. It is a feeling that conveys that I am doing what my Heavenly Father wants me to do and I have faith and hope in His plan for me. Although we are facing challenges, I have felt peace both in my mind and in my heart. However this most recent week, this feeling of hope and love has been absent. As I look back on my week, some of the reasons why are becoming clear. Before school started I made a goal to study the scriptures for 15 minutes every morning before school starts. For the most part I have been successful, however recently I have felt my resolve weakening. When I have failed to start my day with my scripture study, my attitude and outlook on the day never seem to be as optimistic or cheerful as they have been other days. None of this happens instantaneously, but little by little- I find myself getting frustrated with others, including myself, more easily. Therefore I have renewed my goal and I believe that this will restore this empty feeling in my heart and give me strength to overcome the new challenges that have arisen.

Last night was the General Relief Society Broadcast. It was incredible! (Here is the link to view the conference) The messages seemed to be tailored directly to my needs. I was reminded that God does love me as does His son Jesus Christ and they are very aware of my needs. Sometimes trials are given to me because Raquel needs to learn something about Raquel. By trusting in the Atonement of Jesus Christ my burdens will be lifted, they may not be removed, but I will be able to bear them and use them to draw me closer to Christ. If I allow them to, my challenges will refine me as as a fire to remove all of my weaknesses until I become the daughter of God I was intended to become. But this is a choice- I can choice to allow this cleansing process to occur or I can fight it until I become something bitter, hardened, and unattractive.

About two years ago I was working through a similar trial of my faith. During a particularly difficult time I turned to hymns often for much needed comfort. I would like to quote one of the verses (verse 1) that sustained me through that time from the hymn 'Be Still My Soul'.

Be still my soul: the Lord is on thy side;
With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain. 
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In ev'ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still my soul: thy best thy heav'nly Friend
Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end

As difficult and soul stretching as that experience was, I am grateful for the things I learned. With this new challenge I look back on my past and am strengthened in my knowledge that God did not forsake me then and He will not forsake me now. I have no idea how we will overcome this challenge but I have faith that doors will be opened, inspiration to know what to do will come, and the will of God for Randy and I will be done. I now focus on the second verse of the same song.

Be still my soul: Thy God doth undertake 
To guide the future as he has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still my soul: the wave and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while dwelt below


And finally I want to add a scripture that has provided me a great deal of strength- 'Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thin own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths"     - Proverbs 3:5-6

So Much to Be Thankful For

This week has proven to be a challenging one, but also one of great opportunity and of answered prayers. I will start with the best news of all - RANDY GOT A FULL TIME JOB!!! He received an email a few days ago from the woman he had communicated with the week before that said "You win" meaning he got a job. However this did not include any other details such as how many hours or what exactly he will be doing. He had to turn a few more forms and wait for this background check to be completed. We did not expect to hear anything for about five or so days after turning in the paperwork.  However, yesterday Randy received a phone call from the same woman that said he was to start on Monday (tomorrow) and it was a FULL TIME position! We still don't have any idea what he will be doing except that he will be working for the Vet school and will be working with animals. We am so grateful for this enormous blessing! This is something Randy has been working towards for almost the past year. We are hopeful that this will be able to eventfully put him in a position to meet professors and get into graduate school. Getting a master's degree and a full time job in wildlife is his dream but we are overcome with gratitude for a reliable source of income. For me this is one more event in my life that proves that God knows who I am, that He hears and answers my prayers, and that His plan for me is always greater and more magnificent then I could possibly imagine for myself.

On Thursday I got the chance to witness a colic surgery! This semester I signed up for the Colic Team Elective because I wanted to see one of these fascinating surgeries. At 7 pm Thursday, I was studying with my friend Jessica, and I got a call that a horse with colic was coming in at 9 with surgery as an option. I got to the school at 9 pm that evening and left at 1:45 am. I haven't stayed up that late in years, but I am so glad I did! I learned so much and was able to meet some of the surgeons and internal medicine specialists.


Mitch got his very own ID badge for being a palpator dog! And seriously the photo on the badge is way better then any of the pictures I have of him.



I have my first cell physiology test tomorrow and my first anatomy test Friday! The end of this last week I have had a difficult time studying and having the energy to commit all of the information to memory, but I am sure that will a little extra will power I will shove all the information in there. :)


One of thing things that made me laugh this week was this diagram that one of my classmates made about studying anatomy. And YES I agree 100% with it!

   Hahahahaha

Three Weeks and Still Going Strong

I can't believe that I have already finished my first 3 weeks of school. In some ways it feels much much longer then that, that is probably due to the fact that I am at school for about 11-12 hours a day. I am amazed at the amount of information I am expected to cram into my brain, remember for an exam, and to be able to apply to other situations. However it seems like some of the information, particularly anatomy, is finally starting to stick in my head and make sense.

Randy is still on the job hunt. However this last week doors have begun to open. The incredible woman who we bought our home from works for WSU security at all the sports games. She called her boss and  told him about Randy. It was lucky she didn't call the following day because that night was the orientation. Randy went and was able to work security for the first home WSU football game yesterday! This is a part part part time job as there is not a home game every week. He was gone most of the day. He worked in the student section checking bags and all the fun that can come with 18 year olds that are away from home for the first time.

Now a few random facts about WSU and their football. THESE PEOPLE ARE COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY OBSESSED WITH COUGAR FOOTBALL!!! THERE ARE PARKING LOTS ON CAMPUS DESIGNATED FOR RVs! THESE PARKING LOTS WERE FULL THURSDAY NIGHT AND THE GAME ISN'T UNTIL SATURDAY!!!!! WSU recently spent a few million dollars updating and adding to the stadium's press box and for the first time since 1952 the first home game was sold out!! When I drove Randy to work that morning there were tons of people out at 7 am!

Anyway earlier last week Randy was able to meet with the wild veterinarian at school. Thursday evening Randy got an email from him with a possible job working with livestock. He told Randy to get a hold a woman at school that is looking for a full time employee! Randy wasn't able to find her Friday but Saturday while he was at the game he got a voicemail from her. It sounds like she has a few different positions open from time-slip positions to staff positions. She sounded really helpful and optimistic that she can find something for him. Also Shannon has a friend who radio tracks wolves and she is going to see if she can get Randy a job working with the wolves.

Mitch has been able to come to school with me several times. He is now an official palpation dog and walks to school with me every Tuesday. I have also taken him to two different small animal restraint labs. When I was there for that lab, Mitch was picked out of 5 dogs to be the demo dog. I was so proud of him for remaining calm and allowing the doctor to examine him and restrain him for over 20 minutes.

We are still excited for the future and feel so blessed.

Crazy Little Thing Called Love

Our life the last month has gotten incredibly busy, but today I have a day to relax and update on our awesome little family.

The last week of July to the beginning of August we spent with friends and the Sheets family. Randy helped my little sister ride Grandpa Sheets horse Maggie and everyone enjoyed a giant water slip-n-slide. One evening we had an impromptu talent show and man is my family incredible. There were comedy acts, lots of singing and, playing instruments.

Grandma and Grandpa Sheets plus me













We had the opportunity to go to the Bountiful temple on my birthday. That was such a special chance3 because the last time we were there we were becoming an eternal family and about to begin the greatest adventure together. We also were able to attend the sealing of our dear friend Carlee and her wonderful husband in the Timpanogos temple.

The beautiful rose garden at their reception.











We had quite a few other adventures while we in Utah. We were able to go with my Aunt Dallas and her family to the Salt Lake Regional Wild Horse and Burro Center to pick up her mustang. She is competing a hundred day makeover competition. There are ten contestants, but they do not get to choose their horse. To make it fair the horse and contestant pairs are decided by a drawing. The horses are all 4 year old geldings. After the 100 days are up, they must put their horses through a list of tasks such as going over a bridge, starts, stops, etc. Then the horses are auctioned off and the money goes toward helping other mustangs.

We hiked up to the Timpanogos caves with my Aunt Dana, Uncle Doug and, three of my cousins. The hike up was on a paved path, however it was still quite strenuous. It was refreshing to do something different in Utah.

There was an aquarium in Sandy, Utah that we explored. We saw SHARK EGGS and a BIRD POOP FROG!!! The frog literally was the color of bird poop on dirt- crazy! I enjoyed watching the river otters splash and swim around.

Once we arrived back in Washington we had just under a week to get ready to move. I worked for 4 more days and Randy packed the bags. We drove down to Pullman with Mitch on August 8th and moved into our very own home! We spent the next few days moving in and trying to figure out where to put all our stuff. Luckily today I am happy to report that 85% of our stuff is in its permanent home.  We did not have internet for the first week, but I needed to do things for school and Randy needed to continue to look for jobs so we went to McDonalds parking lot to use their internet. We have this nifty little converter that allows us to charge a computer in the truck. But thankfully we now have internet at home :D

Mitch thought it was too hot.












Early morning on August 13th my orientation started. That morning was spent in lectures talking about financial aid (a very depressing hour), the sexual harassment policy, attendance poly, safety, etc. Around 2:30 we loaded up onto two buses and went up to a camp called Ross Point for two days of team building exercises. The experience is called C.O.L.E (cougar orientation leadership experience). We had a lot of presentations on the importance of team work, being emotionally aware, becoming a servant-leader plus a lot of group problem solving. The best part of the whole thing is I left having some friends before the beginning of school.

Friday the 17th my parents, Chantel, Ashley, Grandma Kay, Grandpa Karl, and my in-laws Cindy and Bob came down for my White Coat Ceremony. This is basically like a graduation ceremony except it happens before school starts. I walked across the stage and was cloaked in a white doctors coat. This is to symbolize that we are now to be treated as doctors and we students should start acting like doctors. Before the ceremony, my family was able to take a tour of the amazing teaching hospital and anatomy lab and museum. Everyone had lunch at our house and my new friend Jessica came too. It was great to be able to seem my family again and to show them our home. I am hoping that they will come visit again soon.

I have finished my first week as a first year veterinarian student. It wasn't has difficult as I was anticipating, but I am sure that will change starting this week. I am taking 22 credit hours. I have small animal anatomy, cell physiolgoy, cell biology, principles of surgery, colic team, international vet med, Ag animal seminar, animal handling and restraint and, I think thats it. I have also signed up for a few clubs that do a lot of wet labs. Shannon is trying to get me a job working on the horse treadmill for the school. A lot of respiratory research with horses is done using this treadmill. Randy is also still looking for a job. We have truly been blessed; many people we have just met are keeping an eye out for jobs for Randy and more then willing to help out in any way they can.

Each day is a new challenge and we are loving it!

Here are a few photos of our new home!

   What you see when you walk in the front door 

Other side of the living room 

Perfect for two! 

Food! 

Mitch's abode (yes he is spoiled and gets a room to himself) 

Self-explanitory, but the shower curtain makes me happy 

Awesome desk Randy put together for me

Once Upon a Year Ago

We made it!!! We survived... I mean thrived during our first year of marriage. Marrying Randy is one of the best decisions I have ever made. I cannot remember a time when I was as happy as frequently as I am now. I feel that I am a better person today then I was a year ago all because of my sweetheart and the difficulties we have faced and overcame together.

I wanted to share our day with all of you and to record it before I forget some of the details.

This first picture is one of my favorites from my bridal pictures. There are so many I wanted to put up here but I thought I better just stick with one. We took these at Diamond H Ranch outside of Rexburg, Idaho in June. Willy Twitchell owns the place, he was my supervisor when I was the Peer Horsemanship Coordinator. He is an amazing trainer, teacher, and friend.

On the big day I woke up early, of course, and to my surprise I actually slept the night before. My cousin Amber came over to help me with my hair and Brittany came to help with my makeup.

We were sealed eternally as husband and wife at the Bountiful Utah LDS Temple at 10 am. Many members of our family attended along with several close friends.

Because my dress up was a lace up it took me over 20 minutes to get it on and all laced up. Randy watched four grooms meet their new brides before I came out.

Taking the temples pictures went smoothly even with about 5 other wedding parties around. We found out that day that the Bountiful temple had been close for a few weeks previous and this was the first day they had reopened.

While we finished taking pictures, family went to Sizzler for lunch. Randy and I stopped by to say hi and then went to a Keva Juice and Great Harvest Bread for our lunch. YUM!
We held our reception at the Castle in Layton, Utah. Everything was beautiful and perfect for us!

Grandpa Karl played some beautiful music.

We then ate an amazingly delicious cake.

Which was followed by dancing. Randy and I danced to 'Stuck Like Glue' by Sugarland. Afterwards the girls and I enjoyed some good ol' fashioned country line dancing.

After we couldn't dance another step it was time to catch the bouquet.

Randy came up with our Thank You favors. I love this idea. We collected used horse shoes, put them in tumbler to remove all the dirt, rust, and rough edges. We then sprayed them with a protective coating.

When it was time to leave, everyone held up sparklers for Randy and I to run through. Just as we were about to leave the loud rumble of thunder made a statement. I love thunder storms, so for me it was a perfect way to end the day.

Thank you to all our friends and family who supported us at the best party ever and who continue to lend their love and support to us.

Reflection

As our first year together is about to conclude I wanted to record some of the lessons I have learned since embarking on this incredible journey. I wanted to make sure I documented these new treasures for myself and my children.

1. Joy and Love- My understanding of what joy and love are has deepened tremendously. I have always known what it means to be happy, but to feel real joy has been an new experience for me. For me, joy is a moment of such supernal happiness of a fire that warms my entire being. I can hardly contain it for  I feel like I am radiating. It is something that touches the very nature of the human race, that elevates us to a greater state of being. This joy is found in loving my sweet heart when I am able to find a way to serve him to some how lift his burdens. When I serve him, I find that my love for him is strengthened and expanded.  At times I have thought, how could I ever be any happier or love my sweetheart any more then I do now, but somehow these feelings continue to grow. Serving together in the temple is place where both joy and love are felt. I feel so close to God, that I can not help but to be lifted up to higher state of being. Knowing that my husband and I will never be separated, even by death, causes my very soul to sing praises unto God and fill my heart with unspeakable joy.

2. Knowing Spouse- Before we were married, I felt  I knew Randy well, that there couldn't be that much more that I didn't know. But boy was I wrong. I have just begun to scratched the surface of this amazing man. Almost every day I learn a little bit more about his likes, dislikes, dreams, fears, desires, his strengths and his weakness. The more I learn about him, the more I fall in love with him. This is one of the things that makes marriage exciting- continuing to learn more about each other and grow better together.

3. Marriage is Hard - Being married is the hardest thing I have ever done, but it is worth it! Some days are difficult and I wonder why did I ever decide to do this. However I have learned that if I can put off the little mistakes and often imagined offenses and remember the real WHY the little silly disagreements disappear into nothingness. They are nothing in comparison to the love, joy, peace, and fulfillment that comes from being together with my best friend.

4. Working Together- I have found that spending time together resolving different types of issues from house shopping, to picking out a mattress, to picking up a million pounds of hay, to helping friends, is a great and important way to strengthen a relationship. Not only do you learn more about the other persons likes or dislikes, but it gives you another chance to spend time together as a couple. We can accomplish so much more together then we ever could apart in all aspects of life.

5.  Mind Reading - Randy cannot read my mind. I have to remind myself of this daily, and often more then once. Although he is quite in tune with my mood and thoughts some of the time, it is NOT ALL of the time. I am constantly reminding myself that as wonderful as my husband is he does not instinctively know all the things that I want him to do or not do. I have to TELL HIM and not become instantly upset when he at first does not realize how important something is to me.

To New Home to New Goats

Today was the big day!!! Randy and I left the house at 8:30 this morning to make the drive down to Pullman. We met with the lot manager first to take care of a few details. Then we met with the seller, Marrilyn, at our new home- lot number 207!










Marrilyn is an phenomenal woman who gave us a house warming present. She said we needed to be "cougarized" ( WSU colors are white and red). I was planning on putting some flowers on the porch, so these are just perfect!

We then went with Marrilyn to the auto licensing place. The building was once a train station, a very cool building. With a sign that said something to the effect of "If you are grumpy, mean, or irritable in any way there will be a 10 dollar fine for putting up with you on the train". That gave me a good laugh. 

After getting some papers signed Randy and I went to the Post Office to get our new mail box set up. By this time we are STARVING so we went to the Cougar Country Drive In. Ok seriously BEST GRILL CHICKEN SANDWICHES EVER!!! I always wish the sandwiches are bigger, and they are already pretty large. We go there every time we go down to Pullman. I decided not to take a picture of my amazing lunch because I didn't want to be rude to those of you who are not close enough to partake of this deliciousness.

Happy Home Owners! 

On our way home, we got a phone call from Randy's mom that Athena (the goat) had given birth to two kids. We have been waiting for these kids for 3 weeks! Randy's parents are the coordinators for the youth trek and were not home at the time. Loren Gilson was kind enough to let all the animals out at noon for us. He found quite a surprise in the barn. He helped Athena finish labor and got the kids cleaned up. He was still at the house when we got home so the three of us went out to see the little ones. At this time the kids were about 2 hours old. This is what we found-

A little buck! He is the biggest of the two and really friendly. At first he wasn't doing too well, but he seems to be getting around and is curious of his environment. 

This cutie pie is the smaller of the two and is also a buck. He defiantly has his daddy's long ears. Although really skinny he is doing well and wants to nurse. 

Family picture! 

Yes this is me, in my dress flats in piles of straw and manure. And yes I did accidentally squirt myself with milk. Totally worth it as I was able to teach the little ones to nurse. 

I would say I have a pretty amazing life!