Philmont... crappy pics and all!

Steven on my parent's staircase in Ohio.

So... I have it all now.  Wonderful, adoring husband, beautiful wedding that doubled as one of the worst days of my life, a promising future if I could just finally graduate.  What could make me leave it all behind?

                       


                             These people.

Fashion show volunteers, yay?

I left Steven 8 days after the ceremony to move to New Mexico to work at a camp called Philmont.  It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and it was one I wasn't going to pass up.  To this day, I only borderline regret it- but that's for later.

Every Tuesday was Cowboy night!

Introducing Elizabeth!  She quickly became a new bff.  We did everything together.  She was a tent city manager and I was a group leader supervisor.  She was a great resource.  She was also LDS and getting married at the end of the summer.  So wonderful!

This is Will.  Will was miserable but he had his moments.  Elizabeth and I would pick on him alot to get him to do things with us.  This pic made him blush.  I also miss my beautiful hair.

Fuzzy pic at the Albuquerque Temple.
It was the only green thing around!

"I love to see the Temple, I'll go inside someday..."

Finally, with some luck and twist of fate- Steven was able to come down and volunteer!  It was the most amazing time of our lives.  We had a whole summer of not worrying about any bills.  Our housing and meals were covered.  We had plenty of activities- Steven also became a talented leathersmith and craftsman.

Unfortunately, Steven also got really sick one day.  I found him on the floor of the bathroom just about ready to pass out.  We took him to the sick area (a small cottage) and he stayed overnight and re hydrated. He had something that looked like delayed altitude sickness.

Leaving the hospital

I think his thing was contagious.  We took a special trip to Espanola, NM for some bowling at a casino.  I ended up getting horrendously sick on the way back and at a church.  It wasn't until later that I learned that I may had been pregnant at this time.  We ended up losing the baby in the end.  I never knew I was pregnant- but I sure knew when I miscarried.  I think Steven still denies there ever was a baby, but every comment I got about "at least you didn't have a baby" or "no custody problems" still hurt like HELL.
Also, notice my 'new' ring.  A stone fell out of my engagement ring so I had a temporary replacement.