Time Flies...

So I now understand what my parents meant when they would say "you are just growing up too fast". That is exactly what I am saying about my daughter. She is now 5 weeks old and growing like a weed. I told Ben today that by next week I was going to have to pack up her newborn clothes because they would be too small. How sad my tiny little girl is growing up...

But how exciting as well... She is constantly changing every day and it is so fun to watch her become more and more aware of her surroundings. She is now learning to make all sorts of sounds and she has figured out how much fun it is to wave her arms and kick her legs.

She has had an exciting 5 weeks from going to PBR, College rodeo, and two team ropings she is broke in. She has had her diaper changed on a bleacher bench and in the back seat of a truck so I figure she is ready to go!! She must realize that her mom and dad live very busy and on the go lives because so far it hasn't bothered her. Here are some pictures of all of her trips...:)

Sleeping through the college rodeo in her Wranglers

Her Dad protecting her from the bull riders at the PBR - LOL!

Just hanging out in the announcers stand at the Sweetest Loop

Ben checking up on her while he takes a break

She is either learning to be an announcer or has already learned to tune her Dad out...LOL

TyAnn Has ARRIVED!!

Well as most of you know our daughter TyAnn Lea Clements arrived on April 17, 2011 at 2:22 pm. She was 7 lbs 13 oz. and 21 inches long with beautiful blue eyes (which look like they will stay blue) and brown hair. She is beautiful!!

It was quite the journey getting TyAnn here. My Aunt Kristie and Uncle Jim along with Lex, Lisa and their two kids, Tess and Brady were coming to help me with TyAnn. They all were flying and so they booked their tickets to get here April 16 - which was my due date and we were just crossing our fingers that TyAnn would be here by then. Well on Friday, April 15, my doctor said that I hadn't even begun to dialate and he wouldn't start me until the next Wed. I was staring at having all of this company to help with a baby and there would be no baby. So everyone put a smile on their face and we talked my dad and Jade into driving down early to come hang out with everyone.

Well lo and behold Ben and I headed to the hospital Sunday morning at 1:00 AM. I guess my water had slowly broke earlier and so because of that the doctors decided to start me. We called my dad and told him to not take his time in driving down here and finally she arrived at 2:22 pm. It was quite funny I think she waited for my dad to get here since he had only been to Stephenville for about an hour before she arrived.


It was such an amazing experience to see our daughter for the first time. How she fit in there is beyond me...LOL! It only took a few seconds and she had her dad wrapped around her little finger.

Ben and TyAnn Catching up on some much needed sleep at the hospital

The doctors decided to keep her and I in the hospital for an extra day and so finally Tuesday afternoon we got released and headed home to a houseful of family. Between all of my family coming and Ben's family was here from Odessa we had a houseful. I think that first day home TyAnn was never put down from the time she got up to the time we put her down for bedtime, she just passed from person to person.

Grandpa Bill and Aunt Kristie

Grandpa Bill and Tess

I can't begin to express what she means to me. Everyone had said you won't know love til you have a child and I believe it is just something you have to experience for yourself. Ben and I's world has totally changed for the better. We now have our own family and it is an awesome feeling. We love you TyAnn Lea Clements!

Have a little patience.....

I have been told many times that patience is a virtue and well it is one I definetely do not have. All my life I have struggled with patience. From my mom telling me to have patience to my husband telling me the same thing - you would think I would finally achieve some. NOT! Now my daughter is telling me to have some patience and she will arrive. I don't think there is anything worse than waiting for a baby to come. Every twinge, every cramp you wonder is this it?? and well in my case nope. I realize I still have 2 days til my due date but dang I am ready for her to make her grand entrance. The room is ready, the bags are packed and family is just about on their way so hurry TyAnn......hurry up - you don't want to be late for your big day and your mom is running out of patience! :)

Wow - It's Been A Long Time

I can't believe how long it has been since I have blogged. My mom always loved reading my blogs but I just got too busy and well you know how it goes...excuses, excuses. Actually my good friend Steph has given me the inspiration to start blogging again. It is a great way to do a journal of our family events and also keep everyone that lives away from us posted on what our little family is up too.

There has been alot go on in my life since I blogged last and I don't think I am even going to try and catch up. Between finding out I am expecting our first child to my mom and grandma passing away and then selling my part of my business and getting ready to be a mom - there is just too much. There has been alot of sadness and grief in my family lately but the silver lining to a very gray cloud has been the excitement of preparing for TyAnn Lea Clements arrival!! Everyone from my awesome aunts and cousins to Ben's family and all of our friends can't wait for her to show her face. As I write this I am currently 10 days away from my due date and I am trying to be patient.

So I thought I would post a few pictures from my preggo journey and hopefully this will kick off my new determination to keep up my blog!

Grandma Helen's 95th BDay party - 5 weeks along and no clue I was preggo except that dang Diet Coke in the morning sure upset my stomache :)

Last Ride at Anshutz - 13 weeks

Christmas Party - 23 wks getting a little bigger bump

26 wks

Utah Baby Shower - 30 wks along - Tess and I

35 weeks and counting

I am now 10 days away from my due date and I am counting down everyday. Luckily I feel pretty good and my list of stuff to get done before TyAnn arrives just seems to get longer. I will try and post more pics of her room ect and of course when she arrives.

It is nice to finally be back and a part of the blogging world - hopefully I will do much better!

My Husband - The Announcer!

As you all know my husband Ben is a team roping and rodeo announcer! That is how we met - he announcing and me as a secretary at the USTRC Finals. I am quite proud of all of his accomplishments. He has announced numerous rodeos including pro rodeos, ammys and college rodeos. He also has announced the USTRC finals for many years.

Now announcing a team roping can be quite boring and even though he does his best to make it exciting - it is what it is - a team roping. But on the other hand I hope sometime you get to see him in action at a rodeo! He does an amazing job! I know this is pretty much a bragging blog but most of you that read this probably will never get to see him in action so I wanted to post a few pictures and a video of his "famous" dancing!! I hope you enjoy and just know I brag because I am So Proud of him!

Relaxing in Alpine

A couple of weeks ago I got the chance to go with Ben and his sister Brandi down to Alpine, TX. They were announcing and doing the music for the college rodeo (Sul Ross State University) and I tagged along for the ride. I had gone down there last year and absolutely loved it.

It is on the edge of the Big Bend National Park and someday I want to go on down through there. This is the only place in Texas where I have found somewhat mountains. No they are not the Rockies but they are better than the "bumps" of Stephenville. I forget how much I miss the mountains until I wake up and see the sun rise over them or watch a sunset with the mountains in the distance.

We spent 2 1/2 days down there. Along with the rodeo and just hanging out we also went and watched the Marfa lights. They are pretty neat and sure make me wonder about the whole alien theory. Noone can explain them and they are almost hypnotic to watch. If you ever get a chance to go down there make sure you check them out - they are worth the stop!

The town of Alpine is like Park City only stuck in the middle of nowhere. It is a charming town full of interesting shops. Brandi and I did a little window shopping. The only thing strange about down there is the amount of border patrol vehicles. I guess I just never get close to the border to see them that often but in Alpine they were everywhere. It is such a different way of life when you get down there with the border problems and that part I am really not very comfortable with.

Here are a couple of scenery photos. I hope you enjoy and if you are looking for an interesting place to visit put Alpine, Tx on your map! I would highly recommend it!!!

And the winners are....K Bar!!!

Yes it is that time of year again for the Odessa Ranch Rodeo. As usual Ben entered the KBar Ranch with his dad, Dane Driver, Drew Forte and Ethan Cory. They had a great time and won it again for the second year in a row!! Below are some of the pics - I was the filmer and so I didn't have as much time to take still pics but these turned out alright.

Oh by the way check out the shirts - that is courtesy of late nights trying to figure out iron transfers! You wouldn't think it would be hard to use iron on transfers on black shirts but believe me! I spent three days or should I say nights trying to get them to work. After finally figuring them out we took the shirts to the cleaners and they faded so they had that "vintage" look but they worked!!!

Ben carrying the American Flag

Drew, Ethan and Bob checking out the competition

Ben getting ready to go rope a goat!

Ben helping flank a horse

The Winners (l to r Ethan Cory, Dane Driver, Jordan Driver, Drew Forte, Bob Clements and Ben Clements)

I am proud of my husband!