True, unfaltering, unconditional love.

Carl and I are so lucky to have the families that we do. We've been raised with families that love each other very much, and I know those values of marriage have been passed down from many generations before us.

We celebrated Thanksgiving with Carl's family this past Saturday and while we were there, Susan got out a box of old pictures. In it, there was the following article in print form. I had never read it, but I am so glad I did. I emailed the editor and had her email me the archived version of the story that was published February 13, 2001 about Clay and Jane Murray, Carl's grandparents. I only wish you could see the enormous picture that goes with this article... it's of Jane kissing Clay's forehead and they are both grinning like the day they first met I imagine. It's beautiful.

I am so fortunate to know that I have found this love also. I know that if I were sick, Carl would be right there by my side, and vice versa. That's true love, true devotion. I know we'll have ups and downs, just as every marriage does, but I am along for the ride of a lifetime. They seem like the couple they based the movie "The Notebook" on, only happier. :)

My point: I am so excited to get married in Mexico, but that's not the climax of our story. We are at the very beginning of our life stories, and I can't wait to live out all the chapters. I look forward to vacations together, family holidays, starting a family, and just the ins and outs of everyday life. Not everyone will get to come to our wedding, whether it be for babies, prior committments, or other reasons. But know that you'll be there in spirit, and that all we ask is that you be there for Carl and I as we begin this journey into what will be the beginning of a beautiful marriage. So on this holiday season, I guess you could say that I am thankful for the future, but I am loving every second of the present.

Country Critters

Most of you know of my fear of scorpions. Well, this is a new-found fear as of June 27 (move-in day). I was unpacking a box in the kitchen and as I took the last piece of newspaper out, a scorpion scampered to the corner of the box. I of course screamed, as any scorpion fearer would, and I cussed. Yes, I cussed in front of my future mother-in-law.

My fear stems from an old movie I watched as a kid. Most children weren't allowed to watch movies like Friday the 13th and Jaws because they'd get nightmares. Well, the movie that should have been banned from my house was Honey I Shrunk the Kids, starring Rick Moranis. I probably don't even have to mention this, but remember the scene when the micro-tiny kids were walking in the backyard and they come across the monstrous scorpion that eventually kills their ant friend? (Sorry if I just ruined it for you...) Apparently that left quite an impression on me. The only other times I have ever seen a scorpion: (1) in a jar of alcohol for a bug collection, and (2) in Texas Hill Country at a diabetes camp, dead behind the trash can in the ladies restroom (still screamed at this one). Here's a picture of the scorp from that movie to refresh your memory...
After insisting that we call the exterminator that the Murray's use in Talala, he comes out to spray. Turns out, spraying for scorpions does in fact kill the creatures, but when they die they come out from wherever they were hiding to die in the middle of the room. This is lots of fun, especially because I don't know what a scorpion bite does to a cat, especially a wussy domesticated cat like Herbie. Let's just say I ALWAYS wear house shoes and/or socks at minimum.

To date, we've had approximately 35 scorpions cross our threshold. (Lovely, I know... please still come visit me...) I thought this was the worst of my worries until recently...

About 2 nights ago, Carl and I were doing the dishes and Herbie would not move from underneath the dishwasher. There is a gap in the masonry that opens up to a really nice hole under our cabinets/trash can/sink/dishwasher. (We didn't build the house.) I knew he had to have seen something, so I get a flashlight (thanks, Mike and Susan for our stocking stuffers) and get down to see what he can't keep his eyes off. I see nothing but a great hide-out for mice. Carl takes the flashlight and I go back to cleaning up dinner. All of a sudden, he jumps and gets all jittery and creeped out and informs me the mouse just stuck his head out of the hole and looked straight at him! Herbie goes nuts, of course, trying to fit into the little hole himself. We know now that we have to take action, but can't until tomorrow. There's nothing we can do now, so we go back to our evening routine.

Before bed, Carl tells me that I must go look at my cat. He has not moved from the kitchen since the sighting. Carl was so proud of him... he had made himself his own little kitty tree stand or mouse blind under a shelf I have! He perched himself there and remained to my knowledge the entire night.

After a less-than-restful night of sleep, I woke up to Carl saying Herbie has now chased the mouse under the tv stand in our bedroom! That's not a pleasant thing to wake up to, I'll tell you that. Once I'm up and out of bed, the mouse DARTS across the bedroom floor, Herbie hot on his tail. I didn't know this about myself, but apparently I scream at mice. Maybe it's the unpredictability that scares me. So I screamed, and Herbie cowers because he thinks I'm yelling at him! Very counterproductive for the cat and mouse game. Herbie chases him around the room, catching him a few times, but without claws, he really has no way to catch him! All he's chased in his days are crickets, scorpions, and toy mice! Never has he had the opportunity of chasing the real thing... he just thought it was a play mouse I bet! Carl was now very disappointed at his hunting abilities. I was surprised too, because Herbie Cat was originally a barn cat! He is officially not anymore. Wuss.

So moral of the story is, despite where your cat may have been born, not all of them are born with the instinct to catch and kill mice. Too bad for me, because now we have traps all over our house and I am scared to death to open a door or cabinet to find one still...

What is the silver lining, you may be wondering? Carl now insists that we get another outside cat with claws. :) If you know of any litters, please let me know!

I've added a cute pic of Herbie Cat being very scared of Carl's bear rug paw.

Kelly bags her limit...

(Thanks for the title, mom...)

Carl and I went to Jennifer and Zach Coburn's house to hand out candy. In Skiatook, not many ghosts and goblins venture back through our gates... it really is pretty spooky, so it's quite a shame! (It may have something to do with our neighbor recently putting up a sign that says "No Tresspassing: All tresspassers will be shot. Those that survive will be shot again.") Anyways, we were both coming from work, so we changed when we got there. I rang the doorbell like the good trick-or-treater I am, and lo and behold, a flamingo answered the door! Let's just say, I was almost regretting all the waters I drank with dinner!!

I know it may be hard to see us because we're in our camouflage, but look closely for Jenn and I...

Here I am with my first big kill with my trusty bow. Pretty nice 8-point, huh?

Save-the-dates soon, website up and running!

Save the dates for the Mexican wedding are going out shortly... get excited! Em did all the design work for them and they turned out great! If you're interested in hiring her for her design services, you can email her at emilygrober@gmail.com. She does great invitations, save-the-dates, programs, stationery, etc. She can also email you the work she's done I'm sure...

I've been working pretty hard on the wedding website. I believe everything you may need to know can be found on there! The only things I haven't added yet are the registry info, but that'll come soon... just have to get Carl Murray to Lowes, Target, etc to help me... (good luck, right?) :) The address is http://www.carlandkelly.com/. There you'll find all the travel information you need for the trip south! Enjoy, and leave us a comment!!