Lessons From The Strangest Places....

My bed was made and I was on to folding laundry so I could follow up with cleaning the carpets when I heard it. The TV was on. Not because I wanted to watch anything, I just like the "background noise" sometimes. "Live With Regis and Kelly" was on and they were discussing the flooding in North Dakota. Which, by the way, includes some family members of friends of ours, so any prayers on their behalf would be appreciated. Anyway, they were commenting on how the community in one small town had pulled together and the schools were even closed so everyone that could was out bagging sand. Then she said it, Kelly, "You really see what a community is made of when they are faced with adversity." Hmmmm, I pondered, that's true with individuals too, which launched my mind on an inventory of all the truths I have been blessed to learn and experience about adversity. Amazing how the Lord continues to bless us and teach us.....even from the oddest places......I love it when that happens...those unexpected golden moments...one of my favorite things!! Thankfully my "lesson" carried me right through my chores and I was finished before I knew it.

Time for change.....

....and no I'm not talking politics. I'm talking weather. Is anyone else sick of winter and ready for spring like I am?!?! On Saturday it was a lovely day. I snapped a few pictures of baby lambs playing ...........

and a brand new baby calf....one of my favorite things about spring......

.......and then Monday morning we woke up to.......



SNOW....MORE SNOW......AAAAGGHHHHH!!!!



But never fear....the inevitability of spring is punching through the tenacity of winter!!

Amber's Big Day - #27!!!

How is it possible that my baby is 27?!?!? Isn't she beautiful?!?! Her birthday was actually last Thursday, but we had a family celebration on Sunday at our regular Family Night dinner. Amber wasn't sure what kind of cake she wanted, so I made a Rice Crispy Treat cake and we had S'mores as well - roasted over candles right at the table! It was fun!

The Birthday Girl!


Blowing out the candles-Amber needed a little help!


Dalin snuggling with Aunt Chantile admiring the balloons.


Dalin posing for Grandma.


Dalin might just very well be our next photographer - he took this shot pretty much all by himself!

All the Who's Down in Who-ville........

My Doodlebug had quite the exciting past week or so. Last Saturday (3.7.09) she went to see High School Musical on Ice. Chantile won four tickets from a local radio station! Lucky Bug!! So Chatile, Omah (Chantile's mom), Jasmine and a friend went and had a good afternoon despite the colds they all had. Then at school, Doodlebug had two fun accomplishments. First, she was Student of the Week in her class - yea Jasmine!! And she won this Cat in the Hat doll for having the best Who-ville costume. She was pretty excited about that! We also had a fun evening together on Saturday (3.14.09) when Matt took Chantile out for the evening and Jazy stayed with us. The highlight for her was seeing the kids at prom. Park City is a very small school. The graduating class size is usually around 30 or so. Prom is held in the gym and for the first half hour anyone who wants to come is allowed to come and sit in the stands as the kids are introduced and they walk down the "red carpet" in the center of the gym. Then the Prom King and Queen are announced and they have a dance and then all the "non-prom attendees" are kicked out. I thought it was pretty cute. Jasmine was so excited to see all the dresses and was designing her dress in her mind the whole time - Get ready to sew Amber, she has lots of big ideas!!

Grateful for the bathroom! :-)

I haven't forgotten about the blog! I am still here. This weekend I realized how grateful I am for our bathroom. I am getting over a touch of food poisoning or a really nasty stomach bug. I am pretty sure it was some left overs I had that I can thank for the hours of wonderful fun. Things have calmed down and now I just feel like a truck ran over me. Anyway, George took really good care of me. The boys had an activity in Red Lodge and he took them there, drove all the way home to check on me and then all the back to pick them up. He's such an awesome guy. He and the missionaries gave me a blessing and I know I would still be locked in my "tower" without that!
On a happier note, Amber has a birthday coming this week ( on Thursday the 12th) so next Sunday we will have a family birthday dinner.....pictures to follow! Hope all is well with everyone out there!

Birthday Fun!

I wish this picture had sound...Dalin was really giggling. It's so adorable when he thinks he is being funny....how wonderful and innocent! We had a fun birthday dinner for George last night. Chantile made Papa some delicious brownies that we SHOULD have gotten a picture of BEFORE we dove into them, but we just couldn't wait! Matt, Chantile, and Jasmine stopped by to wish Papa a happy birthday and drop off a gift and wonderful card. The Kotter's and LJ came over for dinner - taco salad - one of Papa's favorites. Ciara made a beautiful card ALL BY HERSELF, writing and all! It was so sweet. We had a good time and now George doesn't have to admit he's 50 any more!!

Friends, food, and fun....

We all had a great time at Amber's house after the sealing on Saturday. She put on a wonderful luncheon for everyone - plenty of yummy food for all! It was so amazing to have Amber there with me. She sat at my side in the temple, in the very chair that I, not too long ago, sat in for her as she and Zane were sealed. How many moms can say that? Amber, you are an amazing woman. I am so humbled when I think about how blessed I am to have you in my life. Thank you for making our day so special, for being the example you are to me, and for being my best friend! I love you Amber!!

From left: DawnMarie Neugebauer, Julane Wells, Whitney Wells, Duane Neugebauer



From left: Dan Wells, Mary Bullock (George's sister all the way from Colorado!), Valerie Betts, Dante Betts, and Elder Cheney's back :-)



My sweet Doodlebug came to help us celebrate!



Chantile and I sharing a laugh. Chantile has been so supportive of George and I, on so many levels - thank you Chantile - "YOU ROCK!"



George's Mom and Dad enjoying Amber's delicious food.


It was a great afternoon - icing on the perfect cake!

Eternal Blessings

Here are a few pictures from Saturday at the temple. It was a beautiful perfect day! We were surrounded by family, both relatives and ward family, and there were many more who were there with us in spirit. Again, George and I would like to let each of you know how deeply grateful we are for your love and support. We both feel such a great sense of peace knowing we are sealed for time and all eternity and an equally great sense of excitement for opportunites to continue serving the Lord together.


George and Julie Wells - sealed this day 2.21.09


At the temple doors



The Billings Montana Temple

Eternal Blessings

This morning we are preparing to attend the temple. Today George and I are being sealed for time and all eternity. We are very humbled to be given this opportunity and thrilled for the experience. We know it will deepen our firm commitment to each other and open many doors of service opportunities, which we are thrilled about. I will post some pictures on Monday, maybe even later today if there is time. We want to thank all those who are so supportive of us in this. It means the world to us to have your love and support! Pictures coming soon!!!

A Look Back.......

I thought I'd share some of the old photos that my mom and sisters sent to me for my birthday. Vicky put some on a disc so I can easily share those. The others I am going to scan and put on a CD. I had such a good time looking at these. I can't remember seeing most of them, so it was great to have them!


This is my mom, my older sister, Vicky, and me (the chubby bald one!)



This was PJ (pre-Jenny) Mom and Dad Fuqua with Vicky on the left and me on the right. I wish this one was bigger, Matt really looks like dad in this picture! (Notice Vicky's stylish purse and cute vogue stance......and then there's me......such a little lady haha)



Mom Fuqua, Julie (blurred due to my perpetual motion!), Dad Fuqua, and Vicky. (Dad's got the Elvis look goin' on pretty good!!)



Mighty Snowman creators Julie (left) and Vicky (Right) with Brownie their fearless protector - yea...that's him....rolling in the snow...or maybe ... licking something...I don't know....



Ahhhhh...Jenny arrives and makes us complete! From left: Jenny, Dad, Vicky (back), Julie (front) and Mom. So, does anyone else see Joe in this picture or is it just me?