Thanks from the BBQ Wife

Here I am waiting to leave for the boys’ second BBQ competition. Thinking over everything that I am required to bring, just me and a change of clothes, while the boys rush around installing the license plate on the trailer and confirming the gallons of homemade BBQ sauce, rubs, and marinades. Oh and did I mention the 95 pounds of raw animal in our kitchen?

This past Sunday the boys had their inaugural barbeque smoke-out on their new home built barbeque. And while for the entire day I was confined to the couch with the worst headache of my life, I managed to grab a few bites of beef. As I laid there I starting thinking over all the people that were in my house. It was a small gathering of family and friends, all the people that have given and supported these boys over the past 9 months. And I am thankful.

I am thankful for my husband who found his passion and had the ambition to make his dreams come true. I have a hard time remembering why he is doing this sometimes. While it is fun, he hopes to one day cater full time and do this as a career. How many people go their whole lives without a passion? Andy has finally found his.

Thankful for my mom who was always there to answer my phone call while my husband was out “working on the barbeque,” which became the usual response when anyone asked where Andy was. It wasn’t even necessary to ask these last few months while I showed up alone to social activities. And for giving Andy his first barbeque smoker, that while it only wetted his appetite, it got him started.

Thankful for Keith and Jared for slaving over this propane tank turned barbeque for so many hours, I lost count months and months ago. Such true generosity was shown in them, and their families. These boys wouldn’t have been able to accomplish this dream without them.

Thankful for my wonderful in-laws who just gave and gave to their son, when he needed it or not. Especially thanks to my father-n-law Scott for instilling the passion for cooking in Andy, thankful that I am not the one that has to cook dinner each night as well! And for driving to Escondido to pick up all the previously mentioned 95 pounds of meat and even more wood. So thank you.

And thankful for all our friends and even more family that have just shown support by asking how it is all going or lending their truck to help tow the trailer or pick up metal.

All of these things have not gone unnoticed and I am just thankful. This network of support gave unconditionally and I am so happy that Andy’s dream is coming true.

So here we go on another trip. When anyone asks about when we want to have kids, I say that we have a barbeque instead, so I find it funny that it was 9 months ago that the boys had their first barbeque smoke-out on New Year’s Eve and here we are with a great big barbeque finished and complete ready for its first competition in Nevada this weekend. Please keep us in your prayers for a safe and successful trip, and calm nerves!