And that is a wrap

Only 2 more weeks of my photography class! Wow how time flies. I had gotten far behind (which isn't good), and thought I was giving up. But why would I give up when I am that close to the end I can count the days? I have been working on completeing all my past assignments and getting them turned in.

Here are some of my photos I shot, edited, and completed. I still have more to complete, but I now feel it is possible to take good pictures and am excited again. (picture taken at Gettysburg, PA at sunset. You can even see the pickets and the peach tree where thousands of our men fell. I am thankful for another day of life)

(Converting a picture from color to Sepia. Mattie is clutching onto Treys hand on the dock)

(Hands. Cutting out a pinewood derby car)

(converting to a Black and White photograph. This one is my favorite and my inspiration comes from Cash for Clunkers)

(Mysterious.)

ANIMAL? OR FAMILY?

Last week was the last week of Summer break. The temperature was in the 50's. It also sheeted down rain with an occasional gust of wind. We even experienced a power outage at one point. The weather didn't effect me that bad because I have discovered what a difference painting my kitchen has done to my life. I cook much more and the kids love to play in the playroom.

The weather also gave me a chance to spend time, quality time, with the kids. Somehow, Duke was inside the house most of the week also. If you know me, I don't normally let dogs in my house because of all the mess they make. I hate indoor pets. But I have come to a different understanding this week.

Dogs that spend time with the family become part of the family. Somehow, now our pet Duke is now a member of the family. The kids love Duke and I have to say, he is turning into a good dog. He just needs to stop running away all the time.

Dogs. I never thought I would consider a dog part of the family. Just an animal.

I have come to the conclusion that in order to have a calm dog, you have to spend time with it. It has taught my kids what dogs need and why we have to keep the gates shut. Morgan has even broke down and cried when Duke ran away once. This is when I realize, this is the dog my kids will remember as their dog "growing up." The dog they will always love. The dog that will make them happy when they are sad.

My Sisters

My sisters are together this week. I don't like missing out on all the fun with my sisters. Growing up with 3 sisters and 2 brothers created A LOT of memories. Mostly all good. Every single one of us girls are different and all have different personality trates.But my sister Tiffany, she has a killer voice! She has this gift of a voice that will blow you away It is awesome. Tiffany is the one on the right in the picture below and she is singing in the video.

My sisters went to the nursing home to visit my Grandpa Billy. I'm glad they did this because it made his day. Grandpa loved it! Vivian, his wife, came in to hear the tunes too. I love My family...

A NEW ACCESSORY

The jewelry shop called yesterday and said my ring had come-in and was ready to try on. Around 3:30pm I was able to get out of the house and head downtown.

There were 4 Cruise Ships in today. There can be 6 at one time, but today there was 4.


Downtown was very busy. It felt like I was walking in New York City,(not that I have ever been there, but...just imagine).

My friend April joined us and we made it to the jewelry shop.

When I saw the ring, it was a little different than I thought it was going to be.I picture it all in one ring insted of 2. But I still like the new design. You never know what things are going to look like until you actually get it.

The good thing is that it can be added onto like in this picture.

I am so grateful to beable to get this gift. I know in order to buy this, it takes money.. that Andy works for..that takes his time and his energy. I know it is a sacrifice. So this time, I will not loose it and will wear it all the time. Yes, I do wish we would win the lottery some day, but who wouldn't right? A ring might not matter as much to me though if I did win the lottery.

All About Me

Hello, My name is Bethany. Welcome to my blog!

I have lived in Juneau Alaska for ALMOST 3 years now and it has been a good experience, one I will always remember. I have grown alot since I have lived here and gained alot of good friendships. I grew up in Tri-Cities, Washington...the Pasco side. I have 3 sisters and 2 brothers which of all are married except Jordan which just graduated high school.

When I turned 22, I figured I needed a change in life. So, I packed up my 1990 Honda Accord and drove to Elko, NV. There wasn't much there, except a lot of mining. I fortunately got a job as an underground dispatcher for the company, Newmont Gold. What an experience...sitting at a desk all day long and talking to men. Who could ask for more as a single girl? Needless to say, I met my future husband, the first guy I went out on a date with in Nevada. Good thing he turned out to not be a "typical miner." I got married in 2004 in a small town called Lamoille, NV. It was a beautiful wedding. Then, I didn't realize how big of a hunter he was, so we had to move to Juneau, Ak where we are now.

SWEETHEART TAG

About 3 weeks ago, my sister ASHLEIGH Tagged me with this sweetheart tag and maybe she will thank me, maybe she will regret it. I mean. do you really want to know how Andy and I met and fell in love and now have 3 kids?

CITY GIRL FROM WASHINGTON falls in love with COWBOY FROM BAGDAD? Do you want the truth? Or do you want the fairy tale version where we ride off into the sunset...but keep driving until we can't go any further because we are bound for Alaska?

1.WHERE DID YOU FIRST MEET YOUR SWEETHEART?
First, I have to explain. I moved to a town called Spring Creek, Nevada where I knew no one. The 3 things that keep this town running is Casinos, Ranches, and Mining.There wasn't any jobs in television in this small country town, so what is a girl to do? After a couple of months, I got a call from a lady at church and she was interviewing for Underground Dispatchers at this company called Newmont Gold...a mining company. My job was to sit in an office all day and talk to men...and log all the activity done underground by the miners.

So, the first time I met Andy...lets see...I was constantly being harassed by about 30 miners that there was this single guy on the crew. Me, being a young blond around 30 miners...it was bound to happen. So,my first time meeting the crew, I went around the room and introduced myself, like any new person would do.
WHEN I GOT TO ANDY...to shake his hand, he was very polite with a cute smile on his face. I had no idea that all the guys were going to give him a hard time over it. And it didn't stop there. For weeks, every time he walked into the room there was constant snickering...you see, Andy hadn't had very many girlfriends, ever. And these guys were going to set him up on a date with the dispatcher.

2. WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT HIM?

I remember the crew loved to give him a hard time about me. The first time I realized who he was, was the first time I went underground. We rode this tractor into the dark tunnel and came to this heading where 2 miners were working in this musty, muddy, hole. They were running this jackleg installing ground support and happen to have the bolt stuck. So this guy running the equipment was jumping on it, trying to get it down, but he looked like he was smaller than the bolt...but very strong. Come to find out, that was my Andy...very embarrassed that 8 women showed up to watch him try to undo the bolt.

3.WHO ASKED WHO OUT FIRST?
ONE DAY, WE ALL LOADED UP ON THIS OLD SCHOOL BUS THAT HAD BEEN HANDED DOWN TO THE MINERS AND BARELY RAN. IT WAS SO DIRTY AND THE MAN DRIVING THE BUS WAS IN HIS 60'S AND ALWAYS CALLED ME HIS SUGAR MOMMA. But, this day in particular, the bus was loaded and I was in the front seat with the boss. You see, he was my protector, but he was in on it too. There was a loud uproar behind me of grown men laughing and spitting chew on the ground.

I turn around to see what all the ruckus is about and I see grown men pushing Andy to the front of the bus as he is fighting back with all his strength. He was so skinny.Then, the biggest guy on the crew (weighed about 240pds and tall)picks Andy up, carrys him all the way to the front of the bus,and sits him in the seat directly beside me.

He looks at me and says "WILL YOU GO OUT WITH ME?...."I look back and there are about 60 eyes on me waiting for my response. He says "PLEASE! DON'T SAY NO..."A complete plea. It was sooo funny, but I said I yes.

When we got to the lineout trailer, the boss started the meeting with the anouncement that Andy finally popped the question...

4.WHAT DID YOU DO ON YOUR FIRST DATE?

We got off of work around 6 and went to dinner at 8. After driving around trying to decide, we ended up at a casino restaurant. Not the best food, but me being such a talker, didn't stop talking. It was so easy to talk to him, I don't know why. Andy was so polite and shy...which I found very cute.
After a nice dinner, I thought we should just go somewhere and RELAX. At this point of a long shift, that was all I wanted to do. I thought we could just go back to his little apartment and watch some TV.
THIS IS THE PART WHERE I SHOULD HAVE RAN. As we got to his front door, nerves weren't what was bothering me, it was what was behind the door. Probably a years worth of garbage completely filled his apartment! I thought, Is this a typical bachelor? But, instead of running, I told him to grab as many garbage bags as possible and lets fill them up...so that we could sit on the couch. SO, THAT IS HOW HE FELL IN LOVE WITH ME. I didn't run but instead, I conquered!


5.WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE THINGS TO DO TOGETHER?
COOK FOOD, GO ON DRIVES, HANG OUT AT HIS APARTMENT AND WATCH MOVIES. WE THEN HUNG OUT AT MY APARTMENT WHEN HIS APARTMENT WAS UNBEARABLE

6.WHEN WAS YOUR FIRST KISS?
After our second date actually! Andy went to Colorado on a turkey hunt and came back 3 days early without a turkey, just to see me. Little did I know what a HUGE sacrifice this was. His sister actually cleaned his apartment while he was gone (she couldn't believe I stayed either). So our second date, we went to the store and I was going to cook him dinner. I soon realized he loved to cook, which was so cool. We cooked together and watched a movie. I really started to like him after that night and stayed up talking until 2am. He drove me home and walked me to the back door and kissed me goodnight. THIS WAS THE START OF OUR LONG RELATIONSHIP.

7.WHEN DID YOU FIRST REALIZE YOU LOVED HIM?
I didn't realize that I really loved him until I realized he was my best friend. He was so important to me in the small little mining town and he treated me like gold. I remember being so mean to him sometimes because he ALWAYS wanted to hold my hand at work! But, he never was rude to me and still was there for me.

-I also realized I loved him when my family loved him. He brought me on a road trip with him to visit all his family in Arizona. I had never been to Arizona so he spoiled me. We went to:

Sadona, Arizona

And then took a plane ride over the Grand Canyon!! It was the best trip ever.

8.WHO SAID IT (I LOVE YOU) FIRST?
Andy did. He always told me he loved me....It was right before we went to visit his family that I finally told him that I loved him. I wonder if he remembers that....

9.HOW DID HE PROPOSE?
He proposed on February 14, 2003...the same day Ashleigh got proposed to. We were in the Tri-Cities, WA visiting family and friends this day. We drove all down Kennewick Blvd and Columbia Center Blvd trying to find a restaurant to eat at and the lines were out the door and around the corner. Sometimes when all you want to do is eat, you don't want to stand in the lines. So we ended up at this more local Thai Restaurant down on Clearwater. The food wasn't that great and Andy was sweating bullets...I thought it was because he was in the city. He excused himself from the table to use the bathroom...and he was gone for like 10 minutes!

We really didn't have much time to eat because we were going to a hockey game also that night. So, I got our food to go and we boogied out of the restaurant. It was still really chilly, so I was running and jumped in the truck as fast as I could.

BUT THERE...sitting in the middle of the front seat of the truck was a dozen roses and a bear. On the card to the roses it said "I LOVE YOU. LOOK AT THE BEAR"
SO, I LOOKED AT THE BEAR AND THERE WAS A RING IN ITS ARMS. I sat there looking at it...looking at him...looking at the ring....waiting for a speech....but nothing. So, he says "SO?!?..." and I said "so?" (It definitely was a little weird because he was so nervous and didn't want to say it) I finally just said yes I will marry you and was in complete shock and awe for the rest of the night...I felt like I was walking on clouds with a permanent smile on my face.

10.WHAT ARE 2 THINGS YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT YOUR WEDDING DAY?

I remember the sun was shining and it was a beautiful evening when it had been raining the whole week before.


I remember all the hard work into everything. Andys family did all the decorations and my family did all the food. It was soooo beautiful!

I tag: RAVEN SMITH AND RACHAEL PHELPS

INTERESTING FINDS WALKING DOWN MEMORY LANE

I love walking down memory lane! I remember the feelings and the good times mostly. But I also realize how fast time flys! Take a look and enjoy the trip.

2003-In the Mountains outside of Elko,Nevada. Lexi, Haylee, Jeff, and Andy

2004- Our wonderful Wedding in Lamoille, Nevada!

October 2004-Trip to Washington DC for the 1st time

2005-Spring Turkey Hunt in Colorado. It was a cold spring!!!

2005 SUMMER LLOYD FAMILY REUNION
THE COUSINS HAD A MUD FIGHTVISITING YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

MY CAR BROKE DOWN ON THE ROAD TO WHYOMING ABOUT 30 MILES OUTSIDE OF REXBURG, IDAHO...IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE

SUMMER 2006-Hershey, PA and visit with Mom and Dad. Lot's of Sunshine and fun.

July 2006-On the Road to Alaska! Our long 4 day adventure on a durt road with nothing but wildlife and trees surrounding us!
Summer of 2007-The best fishing year! Lots of Family came to visit us. I miss family!
2007- Saw the best Whale show of my life about 15 feet away from our boat. 10 Humpback whales breached over and over again over a 45 minute period.

2008-Mine Rescue National Tournament Reno, NV. My second honeymoon with just Andy and I. I enjoyed this trip more than my first honeymoon. His first-aid team took 2nd in the Nation.

WHY I AM A REPUBLICAN

OUR VOTE IS THE MCCAIN/PALIN TICKET!!

GO USA...WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN PROUD!!

SOMETIMES IN YOUR LIFE, IT IS HARD TO STAND FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE. I KNOW THIS FROM EXPERIENCE, BUT, DO YOU BELIEVE IT IS IMPORTANT TO STAND FOR SOMETHING?

I BELIEVE IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. I HAVE BEEN WATCHING AND WAITING FOR THIS PRESIDENTAL ELECTION TO END. I AM NOT AN UNDECIDED VOTER BECAUSE I KNOW WHAT I STAND FOR. I AM A REPUBLICAN AND I WILL NEVER CHANGE MY VALUES.

I was born and raised in a GREAT family that taught me values. I value my education and earned my grades. I learned how to WORK and the importance of it. I learned the importance of FAMILY. I especially learned the IMPORTANCE of FREEDOM...sometimes we have to really disect words.

NOW, WHAT IS FREEDOM?
When your a teenager, you think freedom is being able to make your own choices when you want to. Not having to listen to your parents and staying out all night if you want to. But, then there are always consequences in life, wether it is immidiate or further down the road.

There is also freedom with our laws...things we live by everyday and have. Some of our freedoms we don't understand we have...until they are taken away. Like, THE RIGHT TO BARE ARMS...ok, I understand, some of us have no use for this and think guns are in the wrong hands most of the time. MY QUESTION IS: WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU COULD NOT PROTECT YOURSELF?? YOUR OWN LIFE? BECAUSE, THE BAD GUYS HAD THE WEAPONS AND YOU DIDN'T? No way, No how am I going to rely on the government to protect me in a time of crisis. The democrats want this and taking the guns away is NOT the answer.

Here is something interesting:

'A government big enough to give you everything you want,
is strong enough to take everything you have.' -Thomas Jefferson

Which brings me to OBAMA...Yes, he is a very smooth talker and seems to stroke your inner conciance to make it seem like, everything he says will happen because He has so much experience? What is experience? He says he can give you everything, but you have to remember, not everyone wants the same thing and I really don't know who he is talking to...
You really don't want the government to take over the health care system...trust me.

HERE IS AN EXAMPLE. When I worked at Newmont, the job had a clinic for the employees. In one way, it was great...all you paid was 7.00 a visit. But in another way, you didn't want to go in there because the doctors were run down, they knew no matter what, they would keep there clients and get paid, and so you didn't get excellent health care with doctors that cared. Sure, you would get seen and get the problem solved, but there was always a full waiting room and a lot of sick people. Can you imagine if the government ran the healthcare system? You would get put on waiting lists, not have a choice where you can go, and Who knows... how far will it go.

All you undecided voters, think about how each one could change YOUR life, right now. Will our country really be protected from terrorists that don't negotiate? Will our taxes go towards building our economy, or helping those that don't help themselves?? And last, will our children learn our christian beliefs and the value of family? The democrats already tried to take the pledge of allegance out of schools, just think if Obama gets it...