My First Week....

So first adventure...Driving to Kentucky!! I was so BLESSED to have my lil cousin Rhett drive out with me. We kinda got a late start ...3 in the afternoon! Finally got my paperwork done and pulled the band-aid quick with tears, hugs, laughs and love said good-bye to the family. First funny story..I get in the car and Rhett says "i got the low-down bout everything with you being late. Jan said to both of us "now pay attention to where your going, its easy to get gabbing and miss your exits/roads!" Rhett an I just laughed, cuz we'd been up Ogden canyon plenty of times! Well... behold we were just chattin away and TOTALLY missed the exit. So we had to turn around and head back to the canyon exit!! hahahaha

We finally pulled into Cheyenne around 10:30 P.M. Jan reserved us a hotel in advanced. Luckily we only got some wind that was blowing snow across the road, but only lasted a few miles. We were both pretty beat and just went straight to bed. I didn't sleep very good. Rhett would tell you i was way too paranoid! But we were back up an on the road by 9:30 A.M.

We traveled for 13 hours only stopping twice for gas/food on Wednesday!! Made it all the way across Nebraska, then drove through Iowa, then made it all the way across to outside of St. Louis, Missouri!! Wow Nebraska--what a desolate state. Kinda freaked Rhett out that it was so flat and NO SAGEBRUSH!! haha Kinda funny that their state sign says "NEBRASKA ... the good life" Only got pulled over once along our way ...for speeding of course! Thankfully he was nice an I only got a warning!! We pulled into our hotel around 11:30 P.M., showered, and passed out!!

Once again we hit the road 8:30 A.M.--- our final day of driving!!! YIPEE!!! That day we crossed the Missouri River and Mississippi River! Started out in Missouri, drove across Illinois, Indiana, and finally Kentucky! (I think i found the new North Pole too...we passed Santa Claus, Indiana!) Well we made very good time driving! We didn't run into any traffic, bad weather, wrecks, etc. So then i got excited started texting everyone "Less than 100 miles!! Wa-Hoo!!" Well i spoke too soon, we ended up having to take a detour off the free-way through Louisville and sit in traffic/construction for 30 miles! It seemed like an eternity waiting... But it was all worth it when we hit the "WELCOME TO KENTUCKY" sign!! As we drove East 70 miles to Lexington the trees got thicker, the grass got greener, and the miles of fences started! I was a little kid in a candy shop! I got soooo sooo excited when i started seeing stables, horses, fences, and big farms! Just ask Rhett!! I was freaking out about the dream land everyone had told me about!! We pulled into the apartments right at 4 P.M. Signed my lease, unloaded the car, and finally relaxed!

It came time for dinner. We wanted to try something new, something we didn't have out West. The front office suggested "Movie Tavern" So this place is AMAZING!! You go in pick what movie you'd like to watch, pay for your ticket, and get a menu. Then when you walk into the theater it is set up with tables and chairs! During the previews the waiter takes your order, beginning of movie get your dinner, then 3/4 of the way of the movie- receive your bill, at end of movie pay for dinner! IT WAS SO FUN! Its food just like Chilis/Applebees. You can order anything from the bar, dessert, smoothies, candy, popcorn, and regular grill food! THE PERFECT DINNER AND A MOVIE!!

Friday we all slept in. Then that afternoon it was time to be adventurous. So we decided to go over to the Keeneland Racetrack. The lady in the gift shop said its the only track you can wonder around to see anything and not get into trouble. So we did just that... we wondered out to the grandstands, the track, the paddock, sale ring. etc! It was pretty cool. Then the people suggested we drove down Pisghae Pike. A road with many large farms. So when i refer to a "farm" it means its a horse farm. Nothing like our crop farms out West. These farms all have fences, horses, stables, houses, etc. The drive was awesome. So many beautiful green pastures. HUGE HOUSES, STABLES, BARNS. Everything has fences around em. Even the trees! Like if you can imagine a tree in the middle of a pasture ya there is a four plank fence around it (considered for safety of the horses) HAHAHA!! That night, my boss Jamie O'flynn picked us up and took us out to my work/clinic to give us a tour before Rhett had to go home. Then took us to dinner. We had a very fun and educational day.

Saturday we woke up kinda early to head back out to the Keeneland Track. The work the horses on the track from 6-10 A.M. It was a very cold morning. But still fun to see all the horses out on the track. We got to talk to the Pony-Guy and get more information about the place. The have about 350-380 horses on the place! They start at saddling/prepping at 5:30 A.M. and end around 10:30-11 A.M. Lots of work and dedication goes into these horses!  After the track we headed out to Jamie O'flynn's house. He husband it the Breeding Manager for Juddmonte Farms. She drove us around the farm to all the stables/paddocks, tracks,  training facility, breeding barn, and gorgeous homes. We even drove past the house where the owner of Secretariat lived. HOW COOL?? The farm is owned by a Saudi-Arabian Prince. She has lived on his farm for almost 13 years and never met him! CRAZY STUFF! It is all soooo beautiful and very well put together. They only breed race horses (they have 70-plus Brood Mares and 3 stallions, and a few retired horses on the place) Its around 2,800 acres of rolling green hills, with miles of fences, and paved roads. We are definitely not in the Wild West anymore. Everyone here rides a flat saddle, padded vests, helmets, etc. No roping or bucking horses. NO irrigation systems. All horses are turned out with leather halters, and a name plate on the halter. They are brought in daily for feeding and bathing. And every stall has 3 feet of straw in it. SOO VERY VERY DIFFERENT LIFESTYLE!! After our tour we took Rhett out to Louisville to the airport. Very exciting it was Rhett's first time flying!! He was very brave ;] No problems getting through security and then just like that he was gone.

So now its Sunday. I went to the local family ward. Definitely a lot bigger ward than i thought would be here. The people are nice an friendly. Lots of little kids in this ward. A few members suggested that i go to the Singles Ward. One gentleman said, "You're in luck, there are like 4 guys to every girl!" I said, "that's what i was afraid of!" So maybe I'll just stick with the married people. I even went to all 3 hours..GO ME!! :]

I start work tomorrow and I"M ECSTATIC!! The facility and people are so AMAZING! I can't even begin to describe it. It is going to be a great learning adventure. New people, new procedures, equipment, and breeds. So now i am settled in, room put together, clothes put away, etc. Can't wait....  I guess wish me luck...

I haven't shed any tears yet... UNTIL NOW!! Writing these memories makes me realize how much the Lord has blessed me and my family! The fact that i am in Kentucky is truly a miracle (considering the roller coaster  Fall 2011 semester I had in Twin Falls)  I owe everything to my family, professors, and close friends!! I never would have made it out here with out their support and love! I miss you all sooo very much! I love you even more. God Bless....xOxO