boys & birthdays. [a joint post by anna & laurel]

Southern boys are pretty easy to spot out here in Wyoming and we love to spot them. Laura and I (anna) were at work on Friday and these three very Southern looking boys walk in. The store was really busy so we were unable to strike up a conversation with these three. The boys left and Laura and I thought we had lost our chance.

Stay tuned though..

Doug (our boss) walked into the store and we told him we saw these three very Southern looking boys, but we didn't get the chance to ask them where they were from. Doug, of course, has no fear so he goes outside where the boys are sitting and asks them if they go to Auburn (knowing good and well that they do not). They say no and that they go to Mississippi State. He then proceeds to bring them back into the store and makes them introduce themselves to Laura and I. Our faces are bright red at this point, but surprisingly it was a really smooth conversation. They asked us if we wanted to hang out later and Doug quickly grabs a blank piece of paper for us to write our numbers on (he is our embarrassing father). But we can't lie we were thankful for his boldness! The boys came over later that night and then Laurel and I went hiking with them on Saturday. Then Saturday night we all went to the Jackson Hole Rodeo. It was such a great weekend getting to know our new friends! Thanks Doug!

In other news.. I (laurel) am LEGAL! I don't know what's crazier.. that I am 21 or that I got to spend my birthday in WYOMING! I'm not going to lie, sometimes I wish my birthday wasn't in the summer because when all of our friends are in Auburn, birthdays are a big deal and are always so fun to be with everyone. However, this year was different! My sweet friends made my birthday SO special. I am so thankful to have friends like them and feel so loved! The celebration started when the clock hit 12 am on the 29th. We counted down and had a dance party and then headed outside to watch some Wyoming shooting stars. The next morning we woke up and they surprised me with a giant poster, a "Happy 21st Birthday" balloon, & sunflowers (all of which i LOVE.) It only gets better, the gave me an envelope and when I opened it, it was 2 Chaco's (sweet sandals) printed off from the computer. They told me I could pick out whatever color I wanted. I was thrilled considering I am in desperate need of some new Chaco's! We headed to Pica's ( a local mexican restaurant) for a yummy lunch.

After lunch, we headed to Teton National Park and hiked around Jenny Lake. It was so fun!

After hiking, we cleaned up and headed to the Cadallac Grille because the night before, we met the bartender and he told me that if I came back for my birthday he would give me a drink on the house. Thanks Shameus! (Hi everyone, Morgan writing in. His name is spelled SEAMUS. Am I the only one who's heard of that name? Seamus Finnigan anyone? And, sorry, I  just can't help but edit. And spell things correctly. Lord knows, I should know how.)

After we celebrated at the Cadallac Grille, we headed to Teton Village for one of the most delicious dinner's I have ever had. We ate at a restaurant called "Osteria". I decided to splurge (big time) since it was my birthday and ate a steak. After dinner, we headed back to "the basement" for a homemade Haagen-Dazs ice cream cake made by yours truly. I had such a wonderful and fun birthday and it was only made possible by Morgan, Anna, and Laura!

To add to the excitement of my birthday, today I had the experience of riding horses at a BEAUTIFUL ranch! If you have read this blog from the beginning, you know how much I love horses and how much I have been wanting to ride one since we have been out here. One of the first weeks we were in Jackson Hole, I met a sweet friend named Hannah who lives and works on "Lost Creek Ranch." She told me that there were some openings and that I would be able to come ride for the afternoon. I had SO MUCH FUN! Not only did I LOVE riding "Butch" but it was incredibly beautiful. At one point I said, I am in Wyoming, riding a horse with the sun shining of my face and surrounded by Mountains and fields of wildflowers! Is this real life?

As I was captivated by the mountains, I couldn't help but think how beautiful the Lord's work is. Not only that, but as beautiful as it was to sit there and look at this incredible view, it is nothing in comparison to His Majesty & Glory and what we will see one day. I thought of this line today sung by Shane&Shane, "all of this is but the fringes." What I saw today and experienced was so incredible and beautiful but only a "fringe" or outer layer of what is yet to be seen. Our eyes may have seen some of the earth's most beautiful wonders, but they have yet to see the Lord in ALL of His Glory and Splendor. What a day that will be!