Conferences and More

Tuff attended a Four Square Convention in Dallas the last week of May and was deeply impacted by the speakers and networking with the leadership.

This past Wednesday through Saturday we attended the Awakening Giants Conference.  The Awakening Giants is a four day revivalist conference hosted by Native American Revival Ministry, Crow Awakening.

Post conference photo of many involved to make it possible.

Other than attending conferences, my mom came from Minnesota to visit!  She arrived last Thursday.  She's been helping with some projects and me nesting.  Haha.

We went to garage sales two days in a row, which my mom said was more than a lifetime for her.  Saturday we went to the Briarwood community garage sale, which included more than 30 homes all in one area.  I was in heaven.

Among a few of the projects was painting some art for the nursery.

Painting onesies.

My dark skinned beauties.

Also on Saturday was Toni's wedding shower.  Below is a picture of all the Harris sisters, Noelle, Adrienne, Jeri Lyn and Toni.

Toni capturing the moment.  She had her mom and future mom-in-law have a balloon popping competition.

The bridal shower ladies.

On a fun note, we taught Luna to walk on the treadmill.  She takes about a 20 minute speed walk each morning.  The photo below is from her first training session with me beside her but she can now go solo.

Oma found out while here in Montana that Grace could swing for hours.

And Luna too...

Today my mom, Grace and I are traveling back to Minnesota.  Grace and I will be there through Saturday the 21st if anyone there wants to see us!  Tuff will be joining later.

Where Did the Month Go?

Wow a month has passed since my last blog update!

Tuff has been out of town quite a bit this month and the last week of April, including a trip to Kansas City for our good friend Daniel Sepulveda's wedding, flying with Montana Governor Bullock to Lame Deer for Dull Knife College Graduation and a trip to Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota as keynote speaker for Sitting Bull College graduation.  He is leaving this weekend for a conference in Dallas for five days, including a speaking opportunity.

With Tuff being gone often, Grace and I get plenty of mommy-daughter time!  This includes dates at Cafe Rio, mommy's favorite Mexican grill...

...visiting any place that has fish tanks and critters to see...

...storytime...

...for all her babies and stuffed animal friends...

...playground time...

...pigtails as requested each morning by Grace...

...adventure walks...

...driving around town to get to all these places...

 ...Barnes and Noble story time (the other week Clifford came to visit; Grace is third from left)...

...and taking pictures to send to daddy when he's away.

This past week on Sunday, May 18th Tuff's mom and dad ran their first 5k together.  It was amazing to cheer them on!

Momma Melody in Pink.

Pappa Jerry in black.

Post run interview.

Later that day we painted the nursery "tame teal" and guest bedroom "humble gold" with the gracious help of our friends Jon and Kassia.  Donnie and Tuff were child watch support.  

The nursery is still Grace's room for a while.  She is proud of the new word teal she added to her vocabulary.  Grace's yellow and gray will go out and in will come cow print and red for baby sister.

Made some picture swag to hang on a big wall.  I used two, three foot long 2x4s, wrapped them in burlap, screwed some fun drawer knobs in, and tied some jute string between them to hang photos on with clothes pins.  

Now just missing the photos to paper clip on.  

 The paint crew.  Jon brought us uniforms for the day.

Later that evening a massive hail storm came through the area.

The neighbors were shoveling the hail and debris away.

Tuff decided to grab a shovel and a helmet for precautions.  Haha.

Video of the craziness:

The weekend before, May 10th Tuff's mom ran a two mile race for Women's Run.  She is an inspiration for all of us, only picking up distance running this year.

Post run high.

Tuff, Grace, Addaleigh and Donnie spectating the run and cheering on Ma'am and Kassia.

Later that day we attended Little Miss Bri Beck's first birthday party at the zoo!

Check out that tutu!

 
After the indoor portion of the party we headed outside to see the animals at the zoo.

Other than the above happenings and Tuff being out of town, we've been enjoying outdoor activities.  Tuff joined a softball league and I joined a ladies golf league as a sub (since I'll be having a baby in a few months).

The other night the lighting was so beautiful that I made Grace model a bit.

 Fishing with daddy on daddy-daughter day.

First golf outing of the year in early May.  We try for the one pm tee time and Grace naps in the stoller.

April 25th and 26th I attended Women of Faith tour, From Survival to Revival with my extended family.  We neglected to take a group photo so I snapped a quick shot of everyone eating BBQ after the last day of the conference.  Auntie Darlene blessed us with tickets and it was a fantastic event.

Also at the end of April, Grace received a late birthday package in the mail from her birthday buddy Kaitlyn Hillesland. Kaitlyn made a mini University of Montana Letterman's jacket replica by hand (in photo below)!  It is amazingly cute.

Back to recent news.  May 20th we finished and submitted the legal work for 501(c)(3) status of One Heart Apsaalooke.  Below is a picture of Tuff signing the paperwork.

Finally, just earlier today we finished a handout for promotional materials of One Heart Apsaalooke.  I scanned it so its not the best quality.  Click the photo to make bigger.  You all are the first to see.

(front)

 
(back)

Blessed to have everyone's support.  Until next time, and I'll try not to let another month slip away.