People ask when we are going to have kids... well we already have 3.
One of the things Chad and I have in common is we both love horses. In my pre-Chad life I already had 2. Chase and Taz. Then not long before we got hitched, we got Denny. Here's a little about them.
Chase
I spent two years in Tucson doing a horse training apprenticeship. After graduation my plan was to start training horses maybe get a few of my own, probably barrel race and do a few other competitions. Well some dear dear friends of mine decided to start me off with this Thoroughbred gelding as a graduation gift. Registered name, Wings for Charlote. great, athletic horse. He hates being dirty and will help himself to regular baths in water troughs or tanks.
I've done some barrel racing, pole bending (not as much as I would like), some ranch work and roping, o..and he LOVES to jump. I've been challenged by many a cowboy to race and we have won every time... :)
Taz
Some times I like to call him Diablo. If you are familiar with horses and breeding you may know these names...Indian Music, Driftwood Ike and Beduino. That's where this ol boy comes from. He's fast, ornery, and athletic. I knew this character when he was two. The same friends that gave me Chase owned Taz and were breaking him. I had always thought he had wasn't very pretty and a huge head but I recognized his athleticism and intelligence. When he was two he would always screw around with me, he would unsaddle the horses I was trying to saddle or untie them...I know I should have just put him in another pen or tied him up but o well.
He was sold and then years later we came to find out he was for sale again. A couple of us bought him as a barrel racing project. I was going to train him and sell him. Well we got him trained and then I fell in love with him and here he is...He's another one that has one every race a cowboy has challenged us too :)
Denny
This little guy turned 2 the end of July. He came from Montana and is all cow. I love his blood lines and his demeanor. Denny was a wedding gift. One of our first. I had shown interest in him and another horse and at one time was given the opportunity to buy both and a third. Well 5 horses sounds fun but then again my pocket book wouldn't have liked it at all. I had to decline and watched the other horses be sold. Then one spectacular day I found out that Denny was going to be one of my presents. He is awesome. We weren't sure what to call him, then one day Andrew came down to help feed the horses and he said "Hey, you have the horse from Man from Snowy River". We laughed and then thought that it totally fit..seeing as he's a gift and all. :) Chad and I are both training him, But I've decided he's more of Chad's horse. After all Chad is going to need a good solid horse when he starts roping again and this guy should be perfect. Who knows...maybe he'll want to try barrels too. :)
Well these are them so far. No worries to all you real baby lovers. We will have our own when the times right.
I am ashamed to say that I can be one very ungrateful fetch sometimes. I am blessed with some very amazing friends and family members. All have taught me so much and have blessed me in so many ways.
I had 4 brothers growing up and I was quite content as "being one of the boys". It seemed like we spent a lot of summers with grandma and grandpa Fairbanks. I loved grandpa Fairbanks and worshiped the ground he walked on. He took us hiking, gave us constant art lessons, took us on adventures, and helped me gain a great appreciation for this world and it's true and natural beauties.
Then in the middle of my fun times, grandma Fairbanks would always pull me away. It aggravated me that I had to leave to help with dinner, learn how to crochet, or embroider, play the piano, clean and other things that contributed to me being more of a lady then a little tom-boy.
I held it against her and was bitter for most of the time I grew up. Then one day as I was crocheting one of my own blankets I realized everything this woman had done for me and how blessed I was to call her grandma. She not only introduced me into a world of "domestic dulness" she taught me how to work and enjoy the labors of my own hands. She had a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and shared it with all of her family and friends. She was and is an elect lady.
Now all of the things I hated (except for cooking) are things that I enjoy.
Grandma passed away this year. Gosh it was hard. Especially when I would look at clouds. She loved clouds. Ir has been hard for so many people, but we will see her again and we will rejoice in our reunion.
Chad was awesome through it all. I am blessed to have such a good supportive husband and friend. He's helped out in so many ways. Thanks handsome! He too comes from good people and I am greatful for them aswell.
I have many other friends and family members that I am so greatful for beccause they have blessed my life and taught me so many things..they have been there through thick and thin! Thanks to you all!
Chad and I got hitched in the Snowflake, Arizona temple at 9:00 am on Friday the 13th. For some people (Lisa, sorry it was a horrible day for you!) it was a very unlucky day, but for us it was awesome.
One of the best parts about it was we were able to spend the day with so many friends and family. They came from all over to celebrate and be with us and we give our thank yous for all that everyone did! We are so blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives. Being with all of them made it perfect.
We had one reception in Holbrook and another in St Johns. Both were incredible. Everyone helped out so much and the days were literally gorgeous!
I have to apologize to many. I am not the type of girl that was all about planning a wedding. I know I was a little too relaxed about it and I'm sorry. Everything turned out amazing and we all had a blast. We wish we could be around all of our dear friends and family members more often. We love you all and thanks for everything!
I've had a few people ask me how Chad proposed, so here it goes......
While Chad and I were dating, he lived down in Mesa and I was living in Holbrook. We usually only saw each other on the weekends but one week Chad told me he was going to come see me during the week and he wanted to take me out on his families ranch and ride horses. Hanging out with Chad was always fun and I'm always up for going riding so I took a day off from work, he came and picked me up early on a Thursday morning and we were off.
Well the weather had been pretty bad. It was super muddy and cold outside so instead of going riding we went for a cruise on the back part of the ranch. After a fun muddy ride Chad stopped the truck by some old corrals at the base of a little mountain range and said " We should hike that."
At first I thought he was kidding. In fact I was probably thinking something along the lines of you are nuts. We were both dressed pretty nice (even for riding) and both had on boots. Cowboy boots aren't especially comfy for hiking and it was just way too muddy out. The look on his face told me he was serious so I decided this could be a pretty good adventure and hopped out of the truck.
Our hike was not an easy one. We were slipping all over the place, the mud was pulling our boots off not to mention we were going straight up. There were a few times I almost fell and each time he caught me. If he got ahead of me or I him, we would wait for each other. On other hard parts he would grab my hand or my arm and help me along.
We got closer to the top and there were more rocks...I being sarcastic told Chad to look out for snakes. He only laughed. Finally we got to a rocky ledge and we were able to take a break. He pulled me aside and got even more serious. Then he said...."Laurie it will probably be hard, muddy, uphill , some days it may be rocky and there may even be snakes (and he smiled). But I know we can do this if we do it together." Then he got down on one knee and pulled my ring out of his shirt pocket.
The rest is history. We've been married 7 months now and as silly as it may sound, we just get stronger and become better friends every day.
Love your guts Chad!
