My Life. My Stories. My Thoughts.

The 13th of November

2011-01-24T22:14:00.004-06:00

I woke up and it was snowing, like really snowing. Snowing so much that it was the largest snowfall in one day in November since 1991! Thankfully, though I had the day off*. Matt and I planned to go to his friend's last college football game and my Friends Thanksgiving, which we still did EVEN though it was snowing as much as it was.

While at the game, I was freezing! It was snowing and very windy, though it was nice to be able to say we made it and cheered Josh on as he played! The game ended just in time to get back to my house, give Matt a haircut, change, and get ready for the Friends Thanksgiving.
The Friends Thanksgiving was a lot of fun! Matt got to meet a lot of new people from the church I grew up in and of course there was lots of food, games, and laughter!

We left just before nine and as we walked to the car Matt thought he had forgotten his wallet at my house, in the bathroom, so we drove back to my house to get it.**

We arrived and he asked me to go in and look for it while he checked the car once more for my purse or his wallet. I didn’t think anything of it and took my keys, unlocked the door and walked up the steps to the bathroom. After looking and not finding it, I tried calling him, but he didn’t answer so I started down the stairs to return to the car. Halfway down, I heard him honk the horn, so I assumed he’d found his wallet.

Perfect.

All jolly, I open the house door and that’s when I heard the sound of tires spinning on a somewhat icy road. To my surprise, Matt was peeling down the road and I didn’t understand why. I stood in disbelief as he drove down the block, thinking maybe he was playing a trick on me. When he didn’t turn around and completely left my development and I couldn’t see him any longer, I tried calling him again.

No answer.

I thought to myself, “Well, what in the world! Maybe he is going to get my purse, BUT WHY wouldn’t he just wait for me!” I was completely devastated; just like in the movies except it was freezing outside and I was in front of my own house instead of a deserted gas station in the middle of a desert. I stood in dismay realizing at least I had my keys and my car, though I wasn’t sure what exactly they could do for me at that point.

After standing outside for at least two minutes, I decided I may as well go back into my warm house. As I turned around, I noticed something move behind the tree near the corner of my house.*** I leaned in to get a better look; it was one of Matt’s good friends, Zach. As he came out of hiding, I went off like a later mentioned Bop-It, “Zach! What are you doing here? How did you get here? Where’s your car? What are you holding in your hand?” After repeating those questions a few times he interrupted saying “Anna, can we pleeeease just go inside, I’ve been out here for like 20 minutes and I’m freeeeezing!” My inconsiderate self kept going, “But what are you doing? What’s going on?! and Where did Matt just go?!” Finally, I relented and we went inside.

He wondered on in, as I’m completely frustrated and getting a little angry, I repeat the questions, because he hasn’t said a thing! He put this:

on the table and I ask, “What’s that? Why do you have a Victoria Secret bag at my house? Is it from Matt!?” Saying his name, I was reminded that he just left me, I sent him a text saying, “MATTEW!!! What’s going on!!!”

I was irate.

Picture Zach just looking around all calm and collect and me pacing fiercely.

Zach asks for a tour, since he’d never been to my house. I gave him a look of shock and ask, “Really?!” without letting him say anything he got what he wanted, but my version. I pointed to my left “This is the kitchen!” then pointed to my right “This is the living room! Now, tell me what’s going on?!”

He smirks and pulls out a GPS**** sneakily from the bag and says, “Well, I suppose you can have this”, referring to the bag. Completely skeptical I say, “okay…” as I walk over and see a card sticking out of it, “Do I open the card first?” I ask madly, doing so without an answer. It read:

“Our First Kiss” I couldn’t help but beam, knowing it was from Matt, my heart softened. Next in the bag was

a pair of pajama pants***** (hence the Victoria Secret bag) that read “Kiss Me” all over them.

Thinking that was all in the bag, I snap back to the situation and I wasn’t charmed any longer, so I ask Zach, “Okay, what now?!” He said there was more in the bag, so I continue to look.

Sure enough there was and this is what I found:

A gas card. I quizzically look and him and ask, “What’s this for…are we going somewhere?” Of course, no response from Zach, so I kept looking in the bag and I found:

a tennis ball that had, “Ghetto Tennis” written on it. I couldn’t help but smile again and Zach asked what it was.

I told him about the time Matt and I played tennis for one of the first times. It was March of 2010, snow on the ground, but not on the courts, it was gorgeous outside, but the nets hadn’t been set up yet. We improvised and created our own net with an orange extension cord. We jokingly called it, “Ghetto Tennis” and it was an inside joke ever since.

Zach, playing a long asked, “Where did you do that at?” I, not picking up on his lead, thought about it, “I actually can’t remember where that was.” His face immediately changed. So then I figured it out that we’d have to get there. So many thoughts ran through my head, “Where DID we do that...oh where did we do that??? “I don’t have my purse!” “Oh, I do have my keys though…” “BUT where did we do that?” I frantically thought for a minute and then I put all the pieces together and shouted, “Oh yes! It was at the middle school, for sure, yeah...that’s where we played!”

Within minutes, we were all set to go, in my car, “UH OH” I blurted out, “My car needs gas!” playing along again, Zach said, “Oh man…and you don’t have your purse.” “No, I DON’T!” We thought for a minute and I remembered the gas card that was so conveniently in the bag. Telling Zach the plan of where we'd go for gas and then how to get to the school; he asked me if the card was for somewhere specifically. Of course it was, and OF COURSE it was a QuikTrip, which we don’t have around here.

I freaked out a little bit as I recalled that I still didn’t have my purse, which holds all my money. I asked him, “Well, do you have any money?!” He hesitantly said, “Umm..yeah, I think so..” In my head I was thinking, “Okay, either you have money and we can use it or you don’t!”

When we arrived to the middle school I was searching for Matt’s car, but there was no car insight. I wasn’t sure what else I should be looking for and I saw nothing, so I looked at Zach and he just sat there smiling. I looked outside some more and then I saw something in the snow, “HEY! There’s something in snow!” I shouted as I got completely giddy and ask, “Should I go get it?!” Zach nodded with a smirk, “Yup…”

I ran out of the car and grabbed the object from out of the snow. As I jump back in, Zach asks me, “What’s that?”

"It's a bowling pin with 'Our First Date' written on it!" I explained. I proceed to tell him that Matt and I went bowling in Eden Prairie on our first date. Beaming I state, “We must have to go there, huh?!” Then I froze, thinking out loud “Oh man, I don’t remember how to get there” as I try to remember, we sit in silence. Then it occurred to me, “THE GPS!!” I shouted. Though Zach was just waiting for me to finally figure it out, he played along and said, “YEAH!” We hooked it up and found that Matt had already programed our destination into it.

I was impressed.

As we drove the 30 minutes to Eden Prairie, Zach asked me all sorts of questions.

“How was the first date?”

“It couldn’t have been better! It wasn’t awkward at all. He asked for a hug upon first meeting me. He paid for bowling, but he was very impressed that I not only offered, but reached for my purse. After bowling we went to Old Chicago and split a pepperoni pizza and shared a great conversation, plus he let me pay!”

“Did you beat him in bowling?”

“Nope, I lost both games, I was too nervous to actually bowl my best!”

“How are you feeling right now?”

“I feel really excited, I don’t know what’s going on, but I love it!”

At this point, I really didn’t know what was going on. I was seriously just super excited and giddy that I didn't even think to stop to try and figure it out!

As we pulled up to the bowling alley, I asked, “So are we going in to bowl or what?”. I thought that maybe we were meeting Matt and a bunch of others to do a little bowling. Of course, Zach didn’t answer, but instead asked me, “So...where’s the side door?” I was totally confused because for one, why would I know where we were suppose to go and two I didn’t know where the side door was and three why the side door?! We drove around the parking lot, so I was looking for Matt’s car or even other cars that looked familiar, I didn’t see any.

Finally, he just pulled up to the curb and I got really anxious. I asked him whiling looking around, “What am I suppose to do? Are we going inside?!” Then I saw movement in the door. “OH! I just saw something move! Is it Matt?!” The door to the alley opened and out came, Josh, Matt’s other good friend. “It’s
JOSH-EY!” I got really excited and flew out of the car running up to him. Full of energy, I give him a big hug and tell him he did a great job during his football game since I didn't see him after it. I asked him, “What are you doing here!?” and he smiles saying, in the most monotone voice, “I have something for you.” As he didn’t immediately hand something to me I beam and ask, “What might that be?” Then he whips out a bundle of something. So I take hold of it and look at him confusedly. He unemotionally looks at me and says, “Well, open it.” So I did just that and I unraveled:

Matt’s Operation Christmas Child t-shirt, name tag and all. “Awwww!” I said “It’s Matt’s Operation Christmas Child shirt!” “Turn it around…” Josh states, again without any excitement. The back read:

“Where we first met”. “Are you coming with us?!” I ask Josh after reading it, knowing that’s our next stop. “Nope…” “awww..really?!” I said disappointedly, “Okay, well…BYE!” I said without much thought and ran back to the car beaming.

“What did you get?” Zach asks as if he didn’t already know, so I explain to him that Matt and I met at Operation Christmas Child and that we were suppose to go the warehouse it was at. “Oh no…I don’t remember anything about how to get there though, I don’t even know what town it’s in!” I was at a loss trying to figure out where to go, then it occurred to me, “THE GPS!” I shouted. Zach nods, “Yup!”

Still not having a clue as to what’s going on exactly, we headed to the warehouse about 15 minutes away. I was thinking Matt was there waiting and we were going to have a candle lit dinner or something. When we got there and I didn’t see Matt’s car I looked at Zach and asked, “What am I suppose to do, here?” He just sat there and waited as I anxiously look around for something. I saw foot prints that lead to the sidewalk. My eyes followed them upto something in the snow again. Without saying anything I jumped out of the car and ran up to find:

a wine bottle that read “Our First Picnic”.

Returning to the car, Zach asks, “So…what did you find?” “It’s the wine that Matt and I shared on our first picnic!” I exclaimed. “Oh that’s nice! Where was that at?” “It was at Lac Lavon Park!” knowing just what to do, I checked the GSP and sure enough we were set to go! Though, I did insist a few times that I already knew how to get there, Zach, a little concerned with my sense of direction, urged that we use the GPS, just in case.

On our 20 minute drive to Lac Lavon Park, Zach asked me questions, just as he did before.

“How was your first picnic?”
“It was so nice; Matt surprised me with a super cute blanket and also a picnic basket! It was so adorable!”

“How was the weather?” – This was him trying to get me to remember where we ate, but I didn’t pick up on that at all, I just kept on talking.

“Well, it was kind of windy, so we had to eat behind a retaining wall, but it was still great!”

Halfway there, Zach announces, “Ya know, Anna, I really have to go to the bathroom, do you know of a gas station around here?” I just glared at him, figuring this was not part of the plan. “Do you really have to go to the bathroom, Zach!? Or are you just stalling?” “No, Anna, I really do…I’ve been drinking all this water!” he said holding up is empty bottle. Not convinced at all, I direct him to a gas station.

As I was sitting in the car alone and soaking all that was happening up, I got even more excited! I’m pretty sure if anyone was watching me, they probably thought Zach was crazy for leaving a person with spasm issues in a running car alone. At this point, it may have dawned on me that something bigger than normal was occurring, but it didn’t cross my mind fully that Matt was going to ask me to marry him that very night. All I knew was that I was super excited that something was happening!

Zach returned to the car and asked, “Are you ready?” I look at him, “REALLY? Yes, I’m ready!” We drive a few more minutes to the park and as we pulled into the parking lot I noticed a black car. “Is that Matt’s car!?” I shout without getting a response. Driving closer, I realize that it’s not and that instead it’s Nate’s, Matt’s brother's car. “It’s Nate’s car!!” I exclaim. We pulled up along side of it and I again, wasn’t sure what I was suppose to do so I ask and with a little hesitation, Zach says, “well, let’s get out.” We get out of the car and that’s when I spotted foot prints in the freshly fallen snow. “I think we should follow these!” I suggested. We did and I couldn’t help but leap from one print to the other, because I was so excited! Halfway down the path I realized that Zach was really following the prints, instead is heading straight to the place Matt and I ate at. Laughing, I shouted to him, “I guess I probably don’t have to follow the footprints, but it’s really fun!” Nate had made the path quite zigzagged.

As I approached the corner of the retaining wall, I stopped and just peaked around it. There was Nate, posed, lying on the blanket, next to our picnic basket, holding to empty glasses. As I run up to him, he says all elegantly, “Come Anna, have a glass of wine with me!” I burst out laughing, then realize and say, “OH NO, I forgot the wine in the car!” He chuckles under his breath and says, “Oh, it’s okay, it’s freezing out here, I don’t think we’re actually going to have a glass.” “Oh right of course!” I say as I sit down next to him beaming. We sit there smiling and enjoy the moment, then he asks, “How ARE you?” with a big grin, “I’m doing great!” I reply, not sure what’s going on anymore. Then he says as he reaches into his jacket, “Well I do have something for you.” And he pulls out:

a coconut! I take hold of it and just stare at it, not sure what that is suppose to mean. “Guys,” I say quietly, “I really don’t know what this one means…” hoping they’d give me a clue, since I really had no idea what a coconut had to do with anything.

They let me freak out and search my brain for anything it could lead to, but I didn’t come up with anything. After a few minutes Nate says, “Well, I have something else for you that might help.” Completely relieved, I grabbed the note that Nate handed to me.

It read:

“Meet me in Mauritius” My eyes grew big, because that’s the place Matt and I talked about going for our honeymoon. “What does this mean!?” I ask “He couldn’t possible be in Mauritius….right?!” hoping they’d confirm and tell me where this leads me. Of course, they didn’t and I sat there again, wondering where “Mauritius” was, because I knew he wasn’t all the way to a small island off of the east coast of Africa!

After a few more long minutes, Zach says, “Well, why don’t we just go back to the car…” It was cold outside, so we did, though I wasn’t sure where we would be going after that. Getting up to go, Nate grabs me, “Com here!” and gives me the biggest hug he’s ever given me. I think then, after so many people were involved, it occurred to me, but even still it wasn’t like it had settle in completely that by the end of the night I would be engaged.

Zach and I returned to my car and we just sat there. I didn’t know it, but we were waiting for Nate, because then Nate came along after picking up the picnic stuff and Zach says, “Oh! I forgot to give something to Nate.” I replied with, “I am sooo sure, you did!” I sat in the car as they talked, presuming they were done, Zach opens the doors, but I guess they weren’t, because he shuts it. I sit there confused, but excited!

Finally, Zach gets in the car and says, “Alright, let’s go!” “But where are we going?!” I blurt out. “Where ever God takes us!” He says with a smirk. “Are you serious?!” I ask astonished, hoping he actually knew where he was going.

We drove about a block when he slowed down to read another park sign. “Nope, that’s not the one” He said and kept driving. I couldn’t believe I didn’t know where we were going, I felt so anxious. We drove about another block and he slowed down to read yet another sign. “Oh, this is the one!” He exclaimed. I think my heart skipped a beat as he said it.

As we pulled into the park parking lot, I saw Matt’s car immediately. I was beaming, ear to ear, no joke! “Oh man!!! That’s Matt’s car!” I screamed. Pulling up behind his car Zach says, “I think you’re supposed to take this one alone” and he gives me a hug.

As I’m following the foot prints that lead me behind a building, I’m freaking out inside, knowing my baby is finally around the corner waiting for me! I slowly look around the corner and there he was, standing (and shivering) in a black suit, looking as great as ever! “Baaaaby!” I shouted and ran into his arms. Then he took my hands and said his beautiful proposal and pulled out he ring from his pocket, “Marie, will you marry me?” I literally danced in my place, screamed with excitement and said, “Yes! Yes! YES!” He put on the ring and I probably jumped in place a few times and then gave him a huge hug and kiss! I checked out the ring once more, probably screamed again, then probably jumped around some more, and gave him another hug. I was beside myself, completely ecstatic; no words can actually express my feelings that night, so I won’t even try any harder.

In the end, I was surprised.

For months, I had been reading into things, guessing, presuming, and hoping that it would be that day, but it never was. When it finally came, I was surprised. Matt did a remarkable job setting it all up, even though it didn’t go quite as planned****** and he did an exceptional job with dealing me the entire week prior*******.

What a story, huh? It’s definitely, one I will never, ever forget!

Extra details:
*I wasn't really the one who got the day off for myself, though I did in fact request to have the day off, my request wasn't granted. I had requested it off since Matt and I decided we'd both would because of the Friends Thanksgiving, though it was at night, we thought we'd just spend the whole day together. It worked out perfectly that Josh's last game was that day so we didn't have to take off any more time of work to watch him play is last season.
Now, two weeks prior to the 13th the schedule was posted and I saw that I worked that Saturday. It was odd, because most of the time when you request a day off you get it. I double check that I had written in the request off book and I did, so I left my boss a note. It explained that I had requested the day off and still would really like to not work if it was at all possible. I placed it where the notes for the boss go, right above the computer.
That night, after work, I of course expressed my frustration and concern with Matt that I was scheduled. I mentioned that maybe it would be okay if I still worked and got someone to come in a little early so that I could still make it to the Thanksgiving Party, he wasn't to fond of that idea.
The next day, I went into work and asked my boss if he'd seen my note. Sitting in his chair, right in front of the computer, he looks around confused, not sure of what note I was talking about. Then he looks, where the notes go, and says "Oh..." and reads it. I was thinking to myself, "really dude! that's where they always go" I had figured he had seen it but didn't want to deal with it until I came to him about it. Annoying.
After reading it, for the first time apparently, he turns to the schedule and says, "Saturday the 13th? I didn't schedule you that day..." I knew he was lying, because the day prior to, I looked and tried to figure something else out on my own without having to talk with him about it. I checked other people's schedules to see if someone could cover for me and they couldn't. So when I looked and saw that I indeed wasn't scheduled I couldn't believe it. I looked at him very suspiciously, thinking he was being prideful and didn't want to have missed my request and now has to grant it to me. I really couldn't believe it, but I got it off so I didn't really care how it had happened.
I called Matt to tell him what had happened and he was so excited, couldn't believe my boss would pretend he had given me the day off all along. It was ridiculous, really.
It turns out that Matt had called him that morning, after finding out I was put on the schedule. My boss gave him a very hard time, saying, "I can't disclose the information of an employee's work schedule." Matt literally had to tell him, his plans of asking me to marry him and that it was very important that it was the 13th and that I had to have it off.
So basically everyone at work knew, before I did.

**On the way back to my house, I realized I had left my purse at the party. Matt slowed down and said, "Really...are you sure?" maybe slightly annoyed. Luckily, I had my keys in my jacket pocket, so I could still get in the house and we could just get my purse on the way back. Or so I thought. In his mind he thought, "Screw the purse, as long as you have your keys the plan is still a go!"

***When I told this part to my cousin’s, who I live with, they said with complete relief, “Ooooh! That’s what those footprints are from! We thought someone was peaking into the windows!”

****Earlier that day when Matt came to pick me up for Josh’s football game, I noticed his GPS was gone. I questioned him where it was because I thought we’d need it to get to the game. He simply replied that he was updating it and forgot to grab it before he left. I thought nothing more of it.

*****Along with the, "Kiss Me" there were little animals printed all over the pants, which were apparently Matt’s favorite part. Anytime we told people the story, he was sure to point them out because he loved that part so much!

******The original plan was to have his friend Zach, surprise me in the morning with my favorite coffee and record the entire thing. Matt also had planned that each of his groomsmen would be at every stop to give me the next clue, but because of the mass amount of snow that was falling traveling wouldn’t be as easy or safe and Josh wouldn’t have made it to his game on time. So, then with the plans being changed, not every guy could be there when we did it at night, unfortunately.

*******The whole week prior, Matt and had been meeting up with his guys all the time and I’d get frustrated that we couldn’t talk or even hang out because he was with them, planning apparently. I didn’t make it too easy on him, especially the night before. He had to make a quick call, to Rachel and beg her to make plans with me Friday night because I was hurt that he didn’t want to be with me. She did and saved the night, but I was still frustrated and I wasn’t afraid to express it to him. If I had only known…

Picture Update

2011-01-03T13:51:00.001-06:00

Mostly because I'm a major slacker, I have not been blogging.
And because I'm obsessive compulsive about order I can't just jump to tell you about our engagement story or my wedding dress shopping experience.
So I'll update you with pictures from the last 4 months.

Monday September 13, 2010
Matt and I celebrated 6 months as a couple with a delicious cake!

Saturday, September 18th, 2010
Rachel and I celebrated our 21st and 22nd birthdays by taking pictures and going out to a lovely restaurant in Uptown.

Sunday, September 19th, 2010
I watched Matt and his brothers, friends, and cousins play football and a gorgeous fall day!

Monday, September 20th, 2010
I was surprised with a supper at Ruby Tuesdays before softball. My parents, Troy, Rachel, and Matt's parents were all sitting at the table when Matt and I arrived. We went to Panino Brothers after to play some bananagrams, share some food and enjoy a drink with some friends.

Tuesday, September 21st, 2010
Matt surprised me to a Twins game, with seats right down the first baseline AND a Valencia Jersey!


We were so close that I went down and talked to him. I was too afraid to get my brand new jersey signed unfortunately.

Sunday, October 3rd, 2010
Matt and I enjoyed our 5th and last game of the season together.

Sunday, October 10th, 2010
Matt and I went golfing for the first time together.

Saturday, October 30th, 2010
Rachel and I enjoyed bowls of soup at Panera Bread.

Monday, November 1st, 2010
I cooked Matt Chicken Pot Pie for supper.

Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010
Rachel and I enjoyed a trip to Goodwill, finding some good deals and outfits you can only create at the Goodwill.

Tuesday, November 9th, 2010
Rachel and I enjoyed some delicious pizza and of course had great conversations and lots of laughs!

Saturday, November 13th, 2010
Matt asked me to marry him after we enjoyed my Friends Thanksgiving.
(the story to follow in another post soon)


After I said, "YES!"

Sunday, November 14th, 2010
I showed off my ring the entire day!

Tuesday, November 15th, 2010
I practiced writing my future name! And Matt and I went to check out a place for our wedding in Eden Prairie. After calling around and looking at only two other places we went with our first option!

Friday, November 26th, 2010
Rachel and I did what we do best. Talked and Laughed together.

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010
I went wedding dress shopping for the very first time.
(the wedding dress shopping experience to follow in another post soon)

Wednesday, December 29th, 2010
Rachel and I took a trip to Maple Grove and found ourselves cute aprons to try on.

Promoted

2010-09-17T13:43:00.000-05:00

Consider this girl, *promoted* in the Caribou Coffee Business. I'm finally becoming a Shift Supervisor (SS)! Since I was a SS for Caribou before I moved to NY, this won't be too much of a new thing for me. I'm familiar with the system and responsibilities, but of course it's new for now so I'll have to step up my performance.

There's quite a story behind on this, and don't you worry...I'll share it with you.

When I was hired, Bob, my manager wasn't in need of a SS at the time so he hired me on as a Team Member. I was fine with that, it was a job that I was familiar with and I didn't care if I didn't have the extra responsibilities right from the start.

Upon my hire, we did briefly talk about moving up and when it did become an option he would certainly consider me.

After a few months and the summer coming to a close, the schedule and availability for other employees started to change. I was hopeful that the offer of promotion would be around the corner. We did talk a few times, but on one occasion he brought me to the back and had a discussion. He brought up my availability. Since I had other jobs I was less available and as a SS he would require open availability. Including Sundays.

Oh Sundays! He has had the hardest time understanding my desire for needing Sundays off. From the very start as a Team Member, he would give me grief, even though he hired me knowing I wouldn't be available to work that day.

As we sat in the backroom talking about moving me into a SS position he asked me if I would be able to work Sundays and I declined. I had a feeling it was coming, so I was prepared and stood my ground. I think he was a little bit shocked, but I'm just not willing to work on Sundays. Period.

I felt like he was trying to get the most out of me, not appreciating the Sundays I did work for him. Trying to make me feel like I wasn't SS worthy if I didn't work Sundays. He tried to make it seem like if I didn't work just when he wanted, he wouldn't move me up or even give me the hours I wanted. I didn't fall for it, not even a little bit...

That was about two weeks ago and at the point he did hire in a new employee as a shift supervisor, but for some reason I was hopeful I'd be promoted this fall. There was still some movement going around in terms of other employees and I had just quit my other jobs, giving him more hours to work with. I'm very confident in my work ethic and customer service, so I didn't lose hope.

Then, just Wednesday, Bob calls me into the back. At first I wasn't nervous. Then I got nervous. Then I collected myself and wasn't so nervous anymore. He started off by asking me if I was still interested and what more it would take on my part, the hour change that would occur and the process. I agreed, nodded, and smiled. Knowing darn well, he had been considering me this whole time, but his attempt to get me to work Sundays failed, but he still needed me as a SS. It's not like in the last two weeks my skills or experience increased so much that he would change his mind.

It's usually a 3-6 week process, but he wasn't to make the change in 2 weeks. It'll be official in two weeks and I'm mostly thrilled! I'm a little nervous, with him being my boss and hasn't been the most appreciative. He's quick to expect, but slow to appreciate. For me, that's a hard person to work for, considering I really like to do my best to begin with.

It really was a leap of faith for me. Quitting my other jobs, knowing God had provided them for me, just as I needed them, how could I give that up?! I also knew, I was slowly putting God into the backseat because I had too much going on. It's not like I didn't need that cash flow, trust me, but I wasn't at peace. I was never guaranteed the Shift Supervisor position when I quit those jobs, just more hours, which would had to suffice, because I didn't want my relationship with God and others to suffer for the sake of having more money.

Now this, God providing yet again. This isn't why I serve him, but I sure have a testimony in the last 8 months of how my God has cared and provided, not on my time, but on his. He amazes me, constantly, in so many ways as my life changes.

Six Months

2010-09-13T14:48:00.124-05:00

It's been six months since Matt and I've been an official couple and it's been so happy. He makes me so happy. There's so many great things I could say about the last six months, rather I'm going to share some pictures and tell you why I've grown to love this man so much in the last six months.

(Our 6 Month Cake)

He's a Hardworker. Driven. Motivated.

We share similar Goals. Dreams. Passions.

He's excited for the future.

He's a strong leader. Self-controlled.

Responsible. Timely.

He's Organized and Clean.

He's a Wise Financer.

He makes me laugh.

He's Considerate. A Gentleman. Charming.

He's a Handy Man and a Great Listener.

(Bright Flash -- Iron Man II)

He's Active and Enjoys Sports.

He likes Playing Cards and Games.

We share similar taste in Movies, Music, and Foods.

He holds me Accountable to be a Godly Woman.

He enjoys Learning. Readning the Bible. Praying.

He's Quick to Discern and Do What is Right

We share similar Beliefs/Morals, Passions, and Desires for Serving Christ

He has Great Family & Friends.

He gets along Great with mine.

He wants a Family of his own.

(golf carting)

He's Attractive. Very Attractive.

He Has a Great Sense of Style.

He's Affectionate.

He isn't Shy to Express his Love. Tell me I'm Beautiful.

(Fall Softball 2010)

We have Similar Personalities.

He's a People Person -- A People Pleaser.

We Think Alike.

We Have Similar Ideas of Man/Woman Roles.

He Enjoys My Little Surprises.

He's Understanding. Patient. and Honest.

Truly Genuine.

He allows me to be Open and Honest.

He Gives me Space and Time to Think.

He's a great communicator. Problem Solver.

He Compromises.

Matt is truly an amazing man and I'm so very thankful to have had him in my life for the last 6 months and I look forward to and pray for many many more!

Happy 6 Months, Mr. Matt Daniels!!

Update

2010-09-03T15:05:00.010-05:00

UPDATED: There's been another blog post added to the list below!

Update? Ha, right! Can a person really give an update in one blog post for two months of their life? I don't think so...but I do think it's about time I get back on the Blog Train. It's been exactly two months and a day since I've blogged. I'll have you know I tried several times to upload pictures and sure enough every time, either my internet was too slow, I didn't have enough time to write a complete post, or Blogger wasn't working properly.

I know, excuses. Sorry.

Life has been nonstop for far too long. Life has been too busy, too on-the-go, too much to keep track off and I'm finally putting an end to it well..some of the nonstop, too busy, too on-the-go...you get it.

As of yesterday, I'm done with my two nanny jobs. It isn't as bittersweet as I'd hope it to be, because I love kids and nannying as a whole. But, it was just too much for me. I didn't have a whole lot of "free" time and even when I did, I felt worn out, tired, exhausted, drained....I could go on and on. But I won't.

I couldn't exactly quit my jobs and expect to keep paying my bills, its just allows me to have more availability for Caribou. I'll be working more hours in one place, rather then all over the place, here or there and then to somewhere else. I do, however, still work for the guy across the road who owns his own insurance agency. He's really REALLY flexible and doesn't need a maximum number of hours from me each week. He'll take what he can get and give what he has to offer. It's the best of both worlds for the both of us. I'm so thankful!

I'm really excited about this fall's (yes, it's getting cold out and I did just say fall. EEWW!) transition. I just couldn't say it enough, it was just too much. Now, I'll have about 30 hours at Caribou and then according to what I want/need and my weeks agenda I can offer Adam a couple of hours in the afternoons.

With this transition, I'm hoping to keep my daily structure, but have more time to do the things I haven't done in a while...say blog and get back to reading things other than my bible/devotions. To have more time available for people to be with me rather then give them times that I am free. Now, I know I'll still be working probably the same about, but I feel like the difference will be I'm not bouncing from one job to the other, that seriously just wore me right out. Never thought it would, but life just goes by too fast the way it is and I don't care to feel RUSHED. In fact, I've never used that word as much before as I have these last few months. Though life will probably never slow down any, I'm hoping this transition will help me feel like it has.

With ALL that being said, I'm going to take you back, as if I didn't skip a blogging beat. I'm going to post as much as I can to get caught up. To record what the last two months have held for me and HOPEFULLY, I don't miss too much.

1.) Summer RoadTrip 2010
2.) More Softball
3.) Beaches N' Cabins
4.) Just Because
5.) Matt's Birthday
6.) The Kids In My Life
7.) The State Fair

Nannying and Babysitting

2010-09-01T18:38:00.004-05:00

The Kids In My Life

Classic pair of glasses with the nose.

Fell asleep on the couch.

I successfully changed the lil man without waking him!

Shifting Sand.

For at least an hour.

I actually enjoyed it.

Pearler Beads.

I never created them as a kid,

but their addicting, even as an adult!

Many Thursdays were spent making these!

Who says there's no time for silly?!

Ask them to smile for the camera

And they do...

SO CUTE!

The Star Charts I created for the kids on Thursday.

Whoever had the most stars at the end of the day

would get a treat the next week!

It made for a smooth, successful summer!

Oh Maisy!

The loudest one I had to care for this summer.

Lil Peanut, knew just what to do!

My lil plumber girl!

Her pants were always falling off!

*notice the pause to snap a bite of a carrot, then a quick return to singing!*

I love nannying!

I love babysitting!

...but I do often wonder, when is it MY time!

It'll come I know. Then I'll be the one looking for a sitter!

The State Fair

2010-08-27T11:21:00.003-05:00

Since being with Matt I've experienced a lot of things I have yet to experience in my life. One being the state fair! In all my 21, almost 22 years, I had never gone to the state fair and eat all the great, greasy foods, watch all the fun shows, ride the rides, see the animals...oh the things you can do at the state fair!

We (Matt, his mom, two younger brothers and I )arrived just before noon and of course needed something to eat. First stop, cheese curds and a Pepsi! Oh the cheese curds, they were by far my favorite! We weren't full after splitting those so we shared Bull Bites, which were really good!

After filling up a bit we walked around and decided to take the SkyGlider and head over to watch the Lumber Jack show. Pretty staged, but pretty funny! Then onto the DNR building where Matt and his brothers practiced their bow and arrow skills and looked at all the fish.

The fish made us think of the Animal Birth Center so we made are way over there and saw the sheep, the cows, and the pigs. It smelt, but it was pretty neat.

With it being about 3:00 at this point, we wanted to make our way to the stage where the free concerts are held. The hype of the day was definitely the Boys II Men concert. That's why we were all there, well maybe not me so much, but everyone else. Since we were the first ones (of the big group) to be at the state fair that day we grabbed a whole row and waited for more to show up.

As more family and friends made their way to us, Matt and I decided to hit the fair ourselves a bit. We got some french fries and lemonade, then a Pronto Pup. We made our way over to Midway and we got ourselves some tickets. I have never really played any form of carnival game, but it was really fun!
We played the one where you throw a ping pong ball into a bowl and Matt won a frog stuffed animal for me. Next game was the ring toss onto bottles, that didn't go over so well.

Story:
Matt has been going to the fair for years and of the last few, he's always gone with a girl. There's this one particular game that's he's never won and has wasted money on every time he goes, trying repeatedly to win a prize. He'd buy more tickets, just to break a glass bottle with a baseball. He's never been able to. I'm happy and proud to say this year was different! I was confident and he broke the two needed bottles to win a prize and he did it!

Then we played one more round of the ping pong ball toss and we won yet another stuffed animal! It was so much fun! Matt ended up going to the fair later that week and won me yet another even bigger,softer stuffed puppy. Impressive!

After our game spree we went back to the group and waiting for the Boys II Men concert to start.

Just chillin and laughin, having a good time!

Until I got something stuck in my eye

Matt, being the sweetheart that he is, got it out for me!

Then the concert:

I hadn't really heard many of their songs, but it was still a lot of fun! Great singers, awesome dancers, and good performers!

After the concert we finished off our state fair stay with a walk through the haunted house. It was BY FAR the scariest haunted house I've ever been in. Live people....LIVE PEOPLE! I wasn't expecting to be scare in there, but I couldn't wait to get out. Chainsaws and people in masks coming up behind you when you think you've gotten through the scary part, is SCARY! ...but fun.

It was a great and enjoyable first time at the state fair. There were many things I missed out on, so I've already got a list of things I must try and do next year at the state fair!

Matt's Birthday

2010-08-09T16:07:00.006-05:00

Happy 24th Birthday, Baby!

It's Matt's 24th Birthday*, his first birthday with me as his girlfriend. I've GOT to do something! With his brother's mind we master JUST the right thing!

We decided we'd take him to a friend's yacht that's ported at Treasure Island.

How would we get him there though?

PERFECT!

We would kidnap him from work. Just as he's leaving we would have a co-worker (Michelle, whom I play softball with) tell him to surrender his keys and put a blindfold on.

What a cooperative man he was!

Jeremy, Birthday-Boy Matt, and Michelle waiting for us kidnappers to show up.
Matt had NO idea what was going on.

Matt being walked to the car, leery, but cooperative.

I drove Matt's car, with him in it, back to his parents house so it wouldn't be left at Chili's.

He tested his boundaries. Trying to figure out who I was and where he was going.

I didn't make a peep. EVEN with him tickling me and asking me to

"clap once if you like___"

"clap twice if I can take this off"

I had the music blasting and he wasn't shy, he sang right along!

I tried to drive like a madman so he held on:

We successfully transported our victim to his parents house and transferred him, roughly, into his brother's car. He said he didn't know who's car we were in and at that point, had no idea who was with him.

Treasure Island is already a good 30 minute drive from where we were....but there was a detour, which we knew about. No big deal...sure enough ON the detour there was a crash, causing there to be a detour on the detour. The poor Birthday-Boy was blindfolded for at least an hour and a half!

But with a cooperative, singing, Matt we arrived!!

Matt being so helpful and carrying some stuff for us.
I was literally tugging him along,

he was certainly hesitant about the whole dock walking thing,

not knowing it was a dock.

SURPRISE!

He was so surprised and loved it!

We all had a blast putting it together and it worked out so well!

Detours and all!

Oh...and when we came up to the crash, there were policemen. We had to stop and ask them directions, with blindfolded Matt in the front seat. They just laughed.

Made me wonder, "how protected are we really?!"

We enjoyed a lovely cruise on the river

He did a little gambling for the first time

(started with a dollar, left with $9)

We all hung out there late into the night, having dinner and cake, laughing and talking. It was a great night!

The entire weekend was filled with lots of fun and celebration!

All for one VERY special man.

I love you Matt Daniels!

Happy Birthday!

*posted date not to be confused with his actual birthday August 8th

Just Because...

2010-08-07T16:17:00.008-05:00

...We're cute and I love him!

This is me "cutting our heads off!"

So he had to take one.

With My Dad's Car

During the months of July and August we went to 4 different weddings - all in a row. Two for people he knew and two for people I knew. It was a lot of fun!!

He's a great date, that's for sure!
I'll keep him!

Beaches N' Cabins

2010-07-29T16:09:00.015-05:00

As far as I'm concerned, no summer is complete without a few visits to the cabin and the beach. Though I didn't hit up too many beaches this summer. I did check out a new spot call The Quarry's, in Waite Park. It's this body of water (pond like, minus the grossness of a pond) with HUGE cliffs that you can jump off of. The tallest cliff is about 30 ft. high.

We were babies at first:

We DID scream and we DID hold hands...during the jump. For the fall, we couldn't help but wail our limbs in the air. Boy was it a rush!

Matt contemplating a dive.

I followed suit, with far better form.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Ahh..and cabins! Having been out of the state and busy with farming during the summer. I REALLY looked forward to days at the cabin. And THAT is an understatement.

Swimming for me of course!

Fishing, of course, for others!

Matt's Youngest Brother, Jordan

Before the sunsets, gotta get in one more cruise around the park on the golf cart! But if you head out just a few minutes too late...you drive into swarms of bugs

Causing this reaction:

Me using Matt as a shield
Matt sporting the bug repelling goggles.
Keeping your mouth closed is key!!

A night at the cabin won't be right without a campfire, roasting marshmallows and all!

Matt sure is a great campfire builder!!

After the fire dies down and the night still young, nothing better than a game (or two) of cards!

Me (on the left) and Mom (on the right) playing Egyptian Rats.
Neither of us willing to give up the pile.
I did relent.

Summer is great! The weather is perfect! Though it wouldn't be the same without a place to go to.

The Cabin.

The Trailer.

Up North.

The Lake.

Whatever it may be.....

There's nothing more relaxing than getting away for a few days!

More Softball

2010-07-19T16:08:00.034-05:00

Softball! Oh Softball!! I've had so much fun, far more than I thought I would, subbing and playing softball with my brothers, cousins and Matt.

Subbing during my cousin's All Men's League Tournament.

Matt's Summer League that I subbed on

When I don't sub, I love to be Matt's #1 Fan!

He got a double off this hit!

Yes, I do own my very own pair of clients.
And glove (not pictured) ...it's pink and black!

Matt and I
Fall Ball 2010

Summer 2010 RoadTrip

2010-07-13T15:35:00.035-05:00

We've been friends for a decade:

YEAH! That's what I thought too when we did the math in Duluth, the first location of our Road Trip.

(that's really the face I made and had to reenact for ms. photography!)

1st Stop: My cabin.

Mostly just for a free place to sleep, but we did hit up the hot tub at night.

2nd Stop: Duluth

We hoped to travel ALL of The 7 Bridge Road while there, but we only covered about 1/3 of it, because of construction.

Capturing this allow the way:

(...and many more of course, that won't be shown)

Beautiful View of Lake Superior

We did ~~some~~ a lot of bumming up and down the streets, window shopping, and even some trying on.

If only we each had $80.00 to spend on these oh so cute boots!

After driving, bumming the streets, and relaxing by the lake we had to get ready for our Dressed Up Night Out in Duluth. But where....?

Of course, after a day of wind and sun, we did need some pretty serious fixin' up. But really, where would we do that?

"We could try Caribou's bathroom?"

"Do they even have outlets in there?"

"Well if all else fails we could just get ready out in the lobby where there are outlets."

We were desperate.

One of us was brilliant enough to think of the hotel right on the shore. That same brilliant one wasn't a bit scared to use a restroom in a hotel we weren't paying for.

But we did it!!

And locked the door, for at least 20 minutes.

An old lady was not happy with us when we heard a knock, not once, but several times.

Oh, her face when we walked out...

But look:

It was SO worth it!

Of course a road trip is NOT complete without stopping randomly. ....especially with my dear Rachie.

Story: She didn't just stop at this beautiful picture, she went to explore the house. I, went to the car and ate chips while I waited.

...There was barbed wire, okay?!

3rd Stop: Forestville State Park/Mystery Caves

We were, by far the kind of people who takes pictures, talks, and has way too much fun, during a serious, well-mannered underground tour.

See:

After the hour tour, we headed to our campsite and pitched ~~our~~ my brother's tent.

Then we walked and walked. Discovering, taking pictures, talking, laughing, and admiring God's creation.

We walked for a good three hours. Completely appreciating the not so well-designed map. Oh dear, the maps!

More driving and more random stopping. Even to pick flowers and take a picture:

4th Stop: Upper Sioux Agency State Park

Who can say they've slept in a teepee? A TEEPEE!?

We totally can! It was SO much fun. Literally one other group was there, but we didn't mind them. We talked and laughed into the late hours of the night. ...even finding it funny that we had to spray bug spray around the perimeter of our shelter for the night.

We did lots more hiking, with poor maps, and picture taking here as well. Beautiful, I tell you!

I couldn't have ask for better quality spent time with my best friend, of TEN years!

I know, that's what I thought!

Life As It Is

2010-07-02T13:03:00.002-05:00

Life has been busy and moving by quickly as ever, but I'm enjoying it.
I can't believe it's already July 2nd, where did June go?
I can't believe my mom turned 50 yesterday, she sure doesn't look that old!
It's hard to believe the days and weeks go by as fast as they do, I really don't understand.
Why can't it slow down?
No matter how low key I try to make each day, things ALWAYS come up and things ALWAYS have to get done. I just don't get it. I'd really love for this time in my life to be put on a slow cruise. That's what I'd really like.

For the last two weeks, I've been on medication for strep throat. I went in after two days of having a sore throat and it felt awful. They put my on meds right away -- without a throat culture, that's how bad it was! I even heard the doctor say as he left my room "WOAH!" Embarrassing. But, there's nothing I could do...I took meds for 5 days and on the fifth night, the sore throat returned. So...I went back in to see the doc. I just finished a week more of medicine and I've been cautious of any soreness in my throat. I'm trying not to worry, but every now and then I'll swallow just to be sure. Hopefully that's out of my system, though I did enjoy having a few days off of nannying.

Speaking of nannying. The children, four of them, that I care for on Thursdays can be quite a handful. Not very good listeners, they like to complain and gripe, and they get physical, quickly and aggressively towards their siblings. Now, I can handle kids who have off days, I mean we all complain and we've all hit our siblings, but these kids...they make my feel out of control. So, I had to take some ~~serious~~ not so serious measures. After talking it over with their mom we came up with a lil reward system. Each kids recieves stars for good behavior and whoever has the most at the end of the day will recieve a treat the next Thursday I come. They've thrived on it, looking for opportunities to help me and play peacefully with their siblings. Thursday was a lot of fun and soo much easier.

Just two more days of work and I'm off to explore the Good Ol' Minnesota with my Rachel! I'm pretty pumped for our week of just us. With me being away and her being in school, we've definitely grown in different ways, but I still love her to pieces and I'm looking forward to some real quality girl time with my best friend! ...before she leaves me for two years. I can't believe she leaves for Africa in 26 days. I really can't believe it. But I can at the same time. Her drive is an inspiration and to see her dreams come true makes me so happy! I can't wait to see how God uses her and what things he'll teach her, how she'll grow and change in the next two years as she's away. Oooh...how I'll miss her. This week with her will be cherished and pictures will be taken and shared!

Life as it is, is beautiful. I'm loving it, even moment, every new truth, every new opportunity, every change. Some are harder than others, but I'm loving it and I'm so thankful for the times at hand.

My Reads

2010-06-25T14:04:00.003-05:00

It's been a while since I actually read Searching For God Knows What by Donald Miller, but at the start of the summer I started the "My Read" posts and stated I'd blog about each book I read. This is me fulfilling that lil commitment of mine. -- you know me, MUST DO WHAT I SAY or it haunts me!

I mentioned this book as I was reading it a few times, hoping that it would get better. It never really did, though I'm happy to say I did complete it.

Overall, it just wasn't what I expected because I thought it would have been filled with insight on things Christians are constantly seeking and asking, but it wasn't too insightful. I hoped that it would get me thinking deeper and seeking out further truth and asking deeper questions, but it never really triggered such things.
Maybe I didn't care for the book, because I was so hungry for more truth and I wasn't satisfied. The author would tell many LENGTHY stories to explain something that didn't have a whole lot of depth to it.

The book wasn't all together bad, though most of my comments were after his stories, I did underline a few quotes and comment on the margin.

"The sum of our faith is a constant dialogue with Jesus about whether or not we love Him."

***

"If man was wired so that something outside himself told him who he was, and if God's presence was giving him a feeling of fulfillment, then when that relationship was broken, man would be pining for other people to tell him that he was good, right, okay with the world, and eternally secure."

"If we could muster a portion of the patriotism and bravery we feel toward our earthly nations into a patriotism in concert with the kingdom of God, the enemy would take fewer casualties to be sure."

***

"How did a spirituality such as Christianity, a spirituality that speaks of eternity, of a world without end, of forgiveness of sings, and a mysterious union with the Godhead, come to be represented by a moralist agenda ... how did a man born of Easter descent, a man who called Himself the Prince of Peace, a man whom the sacred writings describe eating with prostitutes and providing wine at weddings and healing the sick and ignoring any political plot, a man who wants us to turn the other cheek and give all our possessions if we are sued, become associated with-no, become the poster boy for-a Western moral and financial agenda."

"[We] evangelicals need to return to the sort of call Christ has given us, to obey Him and experience intimacy with Him through sharing our faith, loving our enemies, serving and feeding the poor and hungry directly, and to stop showing off about how moral we are and how that makes us better than other people. "

Lots of long stories, but overall I'd give it about 3 stars if I were to give My Reads a score with a 5 star scale. Would I recommend it, no probably not, but that's just my opinion.

Now, I did just right into Knowing Christ Today after I finished Searching for God Knows What, but after reading several chapters I wasn't grasping anything. Whether that was because I was on information overload or not quite reading for such a deep book, I am not sure, but since then, there has been a halt in the extra-reading portion of my life, but getting back into another books sounds pleasing to my mind.

Next up: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Spectator Turned Player

2010-06-19T20:04:00.005-05:00

(UPDATED with pictures)

Just when I thought I was easing into this whole softball thing, I get put in the game.

In my mind, it was going to be a great day. A day full of softball, from the bleachers, of course. I planned on working on my tan, cheering on my boyfriend, brother and cousins. I had the cooler stocked, the weather was perfect, and I was pumped! It was going to be a great day!

Then, two players didn't show up and here I am sitting in my chair, only person watching and I hear, "Anna, you're in! You're catching!!" Of course I thought he was teasing, I'm a girl for goodness sack and this is clearly a men's league. The umpire calls out, "She can't play in those shoes" ...he meant flip flops.

In my mind I was thinking, of course I can't play, not because of the shoes, come on guys...let's not even joke about this. I'm here to cheer, relax, have a great day. NOT to mention I was just prescribed with strep throat on Thursday. I couldn't play...I just couldn't. ...Plus, I'm a girl!

A few sad innings go by and of course some more jokes are said. I was told to go change, gear up, get ready, they needed me to catch.

UM, OKAY?! Really though? Are you people serious?!

Off to the car I went, to a pair of yoga pants and a PINK (yes....pink is all I had) and white shirt.
As I return to the field, everyone was a rightly hesitant to put me in the game, but they were losing, so I was ready at anytime! The game was finished (without me) and being short two players they lost.

The changing wasn't for nothing though, I was in the second game...right behind home plate, like NEVER before. Wow...what was I thinking?! (I was quite excited to be honest, that they were that confident to put me in...it gave me any confidence I had!)

We won our next three. My dad even made an appearance on the field with us! Never ever did I think the day would come! All this time I've been watching them all play, but today...it was a great day - even if it was a different kinda great than I thought!

I didn't play too much like a girl, nor did I play like a champion. I didn't show them up, but I don't think I was what they expected either.I did catch two of the balls thrown home to me, but I never got the player out, unfortunately. I'm going to have to work on that skill if I'm ever going to be a catcher again, that's for sure! My batting was pretty average, I suppose, only hitting one decent one over the short shot and third baseman. Most the rest were right to either of them, getting me out on first every time. I did get to run for one of the other subs, it felt good to run over home plate -- especially with Matt cruising up behind me! So exciting!! I'm hoping one day, I'll rightfully cross home plate on my own hit!

Of course, I didn't leave the tournament without getting bruised. The ball got thrown in from just behind shortstop and I didn't catch it and the ball went right into my upper shin. OUCH! It definitely looks like I have two knees on that leg!
On the other hand, I did catch a foul ball! I was pretty pumped about that! Apparently my mouth was wide open as I caught it, but hey...I CAUGHT IT!

The day was a success considering their lack of players and how it would have turned out if they didn't find any subs, Matt's brother being one of them! Our team took second place and it was pretty exciting, for me anyways! If their players would have showed up, they would have dominated for sure, but I was glad to help!

Matt and I with the 2nd Place Trophy

(Just in case you don't believe this..)

Easing into this whole softball thing would be nice, but I am getting the hang of being thrown into the game last minute and just playing. Looks like there's no excuse for me to play on Monday night!

Sunday Night Softball

2010-06-15T11:21:00.003-05:00

I've always been a fan of baseball and as my brother's got older, softball. It's such a fun sport to watch. I stress, to watch, because I've never really played. I stress, really, because I was on a softball team, way back in the 4th grade. All I remember from that was being awfully nervous every time I'd be up to bat! So, I never played on a team again. Too much pressure for me.

Though, I've never been on a team since then, I've also never been afraid of playing catch with my brothers or swinging a bat in the backyard growing up, but I never built enough confidence in the sport to play on a team again.

Now that I'm dating a huge Twins fan and a softball player, I'm watching more games than I ever have before and he's even got me practicing and playing with his family every now and again. It's fun and relaxing, because there's no pressure.

I've also learned how to record the stats in the book for Matt's Sunday night team that he manages. That's my favorite!
It's also been super fun because my brother Troy has been subbing on his team for the last few weeks. I really enjoy Sunday Night Softball.

Now, last Sunday, was a bit different. My view was different. I wasn't sitting in the bleachers as a cheering fan like I usually am, rather I was sitting on the bench. Not as a bench warmer either. I was apart of the team! I was out on the field, batting and running, just as the rest of them! Wow, Never thought the day would come, to be honest. My nerves get the best of me when I know I'm being watched and when I know there's pressure of teammates to play well and win. (That's why singles tennis suits me so well)

But I played, nonetheless. I was told I played great and it was said to Matt, "I didn't expect much from your girlfriend, but she was really good, do you think she'd sub on our Monday Night team next week, I need a sub." So with that being said, I'm trying to believe that I did well, I did my job as a right fielder and a batter, but still...I have to try.

It's mostly hard for me to believe it because of this:

It may be hard to tell, but that's a bruise on my upper left arm, caused by me DROPPING the ball or not catching it at all-- I'm still not sure.
I played right field, the easiest position out there and I still couldn't manage. I think three balls total were hit in my direction. The first was between me and right center, so they got it. The second was the one that caused the bruise. Practically right to me, I don't recall having to move much. I put my glove up and was waiting for the ball to land in my glove. I hear "That's you Anna, that's YOU!" coming from the infield and I got nervous. I'm pretty sure I did catch the ball, but it was hit so hard that it went right out of my glove and smacked my arm, but I don't know that...it happened so fast and the nerves get the best of my memory. The third and last ball that was hit to me was a blast to the fence, so there wasn't much failure on that one, just had to get the ball in! But boy, I was praying the entire time a person came up to bat. I'm not sure I would describe my experience in right field as fun or super enjoyable, but it was simply okay.

Batting in the other hand, I am more comfortable with. In fact, it wasn't as nerve racking as I remember. My first time at bat I hit a "solid hit" which was stopped by their shortstop, getting me out on first.
My second time at bat was, by far the best, though I don't recall it at all. Unfortunately, I don't remember hitting the ball and I just ran after I hit it, without watching where the ball went, but apparently it cruised over the right fielders head who had come in because I'm a girl. I don't remember much, because of the nerves, but I remember getting to second (my first double ever!) and everyone is cheering, really loud. It made me so embarrassed. Their shortstop came to me and said, "Nice hit!" and gave me a high five, still everyone cheering. Troy shouting "That's how we Heuring's do it!" and Matt "That's my girlfriend!!!" I got two RBI's with that hit and put us in the lead by one, with two outs mind you. Looking back now, that excites me, but during the game, I was too anxious and nervous to really register much of what went on.
The batting went down hill from there...my third at bat I hit a single, but got out on second. My last time at bat I was the most nervous, with one out and 4 runs to get to tie the game. I swung at a pitch that I most certainly shouldn't have and got out on first. Agh!

Batting was by far more enjoyable than being in the out field, but I guess that's part of the game. I still haven't decided whether I'll sub for the Monday Night Team that Matt plays on, but I'm sure he'll convince me, cause I know he wouldn't ask if I wasn't capable. It's about time I conquer and overcome these nerves and have some fun, huh?!

I've been told I'll be playing in the fall by Matt, Troy and the rest of Matt's family and I'm sure I will, but I certainly need some more practice so I am comfortable and confident. But until then, I'll thoroughly enjoy bookkeeping and being the loudest on the bleachers! -- and subbing when needed, I suppose.

Memorial Weekend

2010-06-01T13:49:00.005-05:00

Memorial Weekend 2010 was definitely a weekend to remember, not only because of the holiday itself, but also because I spent it with Matt and his family and friends!

The weekend can be summed up by swimming, bonfires, grilling and lots of other food, laughter, a little yard work, volleyball, lots of card playing, music, church, the Twins game, and of course just taking it easy.

I didn't capture many pictures during the weekend, but here's a few from Monday night when we had people (including my brother Troy, which was nice) over for a BBQ, volleyball, and a bonfire!

Matt grillin' it up for us!

The fire pit area we made together, Beach Style.
Thanks to my dad for the logs and sand, doesn't it look great?!

The Twins game was probably the highlight of the weekend. It has been since college that I've been to a game, not the mention the new stadium...and sharing my first Twins game with Matt. It was a blast, though we did experience the down fall, literally, of having an open stadium. It rained for a while.

Waiting for the gates to finally let us in!

Beautiful skyline, Great seats!
Awesome game, Perfect person to share it with!

Even a rainbow made an appearance!
(We were sitting right next to these guys)

Memorial Weekend 2010, thank you for being a good one!

Overdue Update

2010-05-26T19:09:00.001-05:00

I got my laptop cord in the mail, about two weeks ago. Though, I didn’t get back with my bad habits of being online all the time. Hence, the lack of blogging.

Hopefully I’ll be getting back with my good blogging habits. I really do hope to, but I can’t promise every other day. Not a lot changes in this life in MN and MOST of you know what’s going on. BUT I’ll be sure to blog for memories sake! There’s some fun stuff in making for the summer!

Caribou and Nannying still fill most of my time, but since my last “Randmon Thoughts and Update” I’ve picked up another part-time nanny job and on top of that I’ve become the Office Manager for the dad’s Insurance Agency.

It’s been two weeks and so far, I’m not a fan…but he did get me a good deal on insurance, so I’ll continue to give it a shot and see how it goes!

The Thursday nanny job that I have will grow from two kids to four in two weeks as school is out. I’m not sure how I feel about this as the kids seem to whine really easy, but I’m learning to put my mothering expectations aside and just keep the kids safe and entertained.

I’ve definitely finished my last mentioned currently read. I’ll be sure to blog about that in the near (ish) future.

I’m still completely in love. : )

I got accepted into the Mentoring Program at The Open Door, which will kick-off at the end of the summer! So happy to get that phone call!

I’ve halted the process of Re-Minnesotan-izing my car, because I would have to renew the tabs in September again. So instead of spending at least $100 to do that now and at least $70 again in September, I’d wait. I hope I don’t dread that choice…

I’m getting my hair cut soon. Hopefully this week, but if not, then next week! Yes, I’m sticking with the short hair.

I knew this one was going to be sweet and short. But it’s at least something to get me back in the groove!

Random Thoughts and Update

2010-04-16T08:30:00.001-05:00

My laptop cord is broken, for the (at least) 5th time. I'm in the (rather long) process of purchasing another one.

I haven't blogged for a (long) while because of that very reason.

Caribou fills up (most) of my week and I'm still completely loving it! Though, now that summer is around the corner, I'm making more (and more) cold drinks...and I prefer to make the hot ones.

Nannying and (odd, but fun) babysitting jobs add to the business of each week. I love when I get a call and I'm able to go spend time with kids I haven't seen in a while!

The family I nanny for just got a (small, cute) puppy. Now I can say, I nanny and puppy-sit on Thursdays.

I've enjoyed many afternoons outside in this (gorgeous) spring weather! Playing tennis or softball, having picnics and (simply) relaxing.

There's been a few Sunday evenings where I've been able to go watch Matt play floor hockey with a group of (older) men. I couldn't help but be the (proud) girlfriend who takes pictures (and videos - which I'll post someday when my laptop is up and running).

I'm (exactly) halfway through my current read. This one has been a much quicker read, not (quite) as good as I was hoping, BUT I'm not done with it (yet) so I'll see how the end of the book turns out.

I'm (sometimes surprisingly) in love.

I filled out an application (4 times) for the Mentoring Program at The Open Door. After the 4th time of it not submitting, I called and they (happily) sent me the link to sign up for an interview. I'm pumped (to say the least)!

I've (kinda) started the (dreadful) process of Re-Minnesotan-izing my car.

This weekend I have two birthdays to celebrate. Matt will be at both of them. One as Superman (costume and all) and one as himself (still a Super Man, but without the costume).

I'm (currently) trying to decide if I want to keep my hair short (like it is now) or grow it out (long, like it was a few years ago) . What do you think?

I don't mind (usually) mind Coke, but I (still) prefer Pepsi.

I've been in the mood to go shopping (for fun, summer clothes), but being that I didn't have a job for a few months, I feel like I should stock up the savings account again.

My flowers (from Matt) have died, but I dried and pressed some of them (for the first time) to keep as a memory.

Every time I work, I (seriously) struggle with the decision of which drink to get for my shift drink. It's always with white chocolate, but the decisions after that are (quite) hard to make! It's (usually) between mint, carmel, or raspberry...then hot or cold. If cold, then it brings up (yet)another decision, iced or blended? I guess my decision could be more life changing, so I'm not complaining, I always walk away happy!

I've (completely) enjoyed being home. Being able to (randomly and not so randomly) stop over at my parent's house has been awesome, not to mention I get mom-cooked and dad-grilled meals every now and again! Also, not to mention calling one of my (three) brothers to meet up for half-prices appetizer or drinks.

Drive-Thru Surprises

2010-04-05T17:24:00.000-05:00

Ever since the Drive-Thru Preaching, I've only had GREAT experiences from the Drive-Thru at Caribou...not to mention I haven't actually been assigned to work it.

So are you wondering how I've gotten surprised in the Drive-Thru in the last two days? Rest assured, I'm going to share my experiences with you!

First, on Friday as I was making drinks on the bar, I over heard the conversation the Drive-Thru worker was having with a customer and it went something like this:

"Thanks for stopping by Caribou, what can I get for you today?"

--guest speaks on other end which I cannot hear--

"I'm sorry, that was a White Chocolate Cold Press with what? Why don't I just see what we can do when you get to the window"

I'm ready to make that drink so I ask her what it was and she says, "I don't know he wants a White Chocolate Cold Press with a shot of Marie or something?"

I instantly thought, MATT! So I said, "What car is it? My middle name is Marie, I bet that's my boyfriend!"

She replied, "Well my middle name is Marie too!"

"No, I'm pretty sure that's my boyfriend..."

Sure enough, that guess was Matt, ordering a Cold Press with White Chocolate and a shot of Anna Marie.

I could not stop smiling after that. It made my day, for sure!

Then Saturday, I'm having a seriously great time at work, working the front register. I hear the Drive-Thru worker call out, "Anna, someone is at the drive-thru and just wants to talk to you."

I instantly got very curious! I didn't figure it was Matt AGAIN, but who else could it be?

It was a special Easter bag full of candy! From my mom and dad delivered by my mom! I was so excited! Whose mom and dad are so great to give their 21 year old a bag of candy and have it specially delivered to her at work! I was so surprised and excited to turn around and show everyone the delivery. I shared, a little, they thought it was so thoughtful and of course enjoyed an unexpected treat themselves!

Not only am I seriously loving my job at Caribou, but to have people come just to see me and on top of that surprise me makes it so much better!

I'm blessed to have a job and love it as much as a I do!

...and by Drive-Thru Surprises!

My Reads

2010-04-03T09:30:00.000-05:00

I love to read, I really do. I maybe always have, but during the years of education, reading for entertainment or unforced knowledge didn't happen, because well, I ~~was~~ should have been reading to learn what was being taught.

Anyways...

I've been spending a lot of my spare time satisfying this craving I have for knowledge and truth. It started with a book I posted some quotes from here in this post, but I didn't really blog about the book as a whole. I'm going to start, because I have 6 books on my "Must-Read" list, which I'm so excited about!

After the previously mentioned book, I was so anxious and hungry for another book, but I was waiting for two of the six books to come in the mail, so I started "The Mystery of Marriage" by Mike Mason.

I've had it sitting on my bookshelf for at least 3 years, so I figured while I waited, I'd give it a read and see what comes of it.

Overall, I really enjoyed it. Unfortunately, it's one of those books that start off GREAT, but slowly worsen. It wasn't that the book got worse, exactly, but I think it just got into subjects that I had already been taught about and then things that I just couldn't quite relate to because, well...I'm not married.

I was so captivated by the beginning half mostly because it talked about love. My little heart longs for love, and not just love of a friend or love from family, because I have those, no doubt! My little heart longs to be loved by a man, so the book explain things and used scripture to illiterate what love is and what it looks like. It helped me understand, what the design of marriage is from God's perspective and how his love for the Church correlates with a husband's love for his wife.

With that being said, I thought I might be able to encourage some of my married readers and maybe help some of my not married readers sort their thoughts on love like these quotes did for me:

"If we truly have the love of God, we will find that it spills over to everyone around us. First to those closest to us, then out and out like ripples in a pond."

*****

"This is the way God planned it, that everything in our lives should perfectly reflect His love, so that His glory covers the earth."

****

"It [Love] asks for everything. Not just for a little bit, or a whole lot, but for everything. And unless one is challenged to give everything, one is not really in love."

***

"A wedding was the occasion not only for the first miracle of Jesus; it was, after Creation itself, God's own first miracle: "He brought the woman to the man." (Genesis 2:22)"

****

"For that is its very purpose: to get us out beyond out depth, out of the shallows of our own secure egocentricity and into the dangerous and unpredictable depths of a real interpersonal encounter."

*****

"For love is restless by nature, continually searching, probing the depths, seeking tirelessly to enlarge the heart and to exploit to the fullest the endless possibilities of human liberty. To be married is not to be taken off the front lines of love but rather to be plunged into the thick of things. It is to be faced day in and day out, with the necessity of making over and over again, and at deeper and deeper levels, that same terrifyingly momentous and impossible decision that one could never have made without being head over heels in love and out of one's mind with trust and faith."

****

"Marriage involves a continuous renewal of a decision that... ...can be made only through the grace of God."

***

"That, in fact, is what God's love is: It is His armor, an armor of forgiveness and acceptance that we put on over our corruption, and armor of worth or worthiness that completely cover our own worthlessness. God's love is, in a sense, the courage to go on living in the face of our sin, in the full knowledge of who and what we are. This intolerable knowledge if self must, indeed, be exchanged for knowledge of the Lord, and supremely for the knowledge of his saving power through the love of His Son Jesus Christ. That is what it means to "put on" Christ: It is to assume His strength and purity and goodness, recognizing that we have non of our own."

****

"It is not that the vows hold any guarantee that a couple shall always be in love, but rather that through God's grace and strength they may continue in faith to love."

*****

"Christian love: not a feeling, but an action, and not a human and limited action, but a supernatural and eternal one. Love is a deep continuous, growing, and ever-renewing activity of the will, superintended by the Holy Spirit."

****

"We need to learn to see that... ...anything under the sun, may actually become an instrument of the devil if it is allowed to disrupt the love between two people."

Eyes Closed

2010-03-30T13:40:00.000-05:00

When I close my eyes at night

I see

milk being poured

espresso shots being pulled

whip cream sealing a cup

My hands doing the work of a Caribou Barista.

When I close my eyes at night

I see

a man who smiles back at me

dark brown squinting eyes

an outstretched hand waiting to be held

My boyfriend who is always there.

When I close my eyes at night

I see

the sun shining, even if it wasn't so bright that day

birds in the sky

fields of green

My God in His awesome creation.

When I close my eyes at night

I see

a table full of food and people

laughing and smiles

love

My family gathering like we do best.

When I close my eyes at night

I see

words

pages being turned

blue stars marking something good and wise

My book or the Bible that keep me coming back for more.

When I close my eyes at night

my mouth can't help but form a smile

because of these great things.

Drive-Thru Preaching

2010-03-26T13:15:00.001-05:00

I was in working the Caribou Drive-Thru this past week and I was wishing the guest a great day and hoping they'd return, he leaned towards the window and said:

"Ya know, I've been encouraging people today to turn from their sinful ways and receive the strength of Jesus Christ to live a holy life for God. I just wanted to encourage you with that today!"

I naturally smiles and responded, "I completely agree!" just to let him know, I already believed.

Then he kept going, "Christ came to be our Savior and save us from our sins, to give us strength to turn from our evil ways and live a holy life."

I was a little put off, to be honest, that he kept going, so I said, "Amen to that, I believe it, for sure!"

Then he smiles and before he takes off he says, "I just wanted to encourage you to turn to God today."

With that, I just said, "Thanks." Because clearly he didn't understand that I was a believer already.

He left and I thought about what he said and what he did. His approach and what he was thinking in doing so.

I was a little put off by his approach and I'm a Christian, what does that say?
I just wondered, if I wasn't a Christian, would I have really thought anything of his message?
Was it his intention to pray with me before he left, had I been moved?
Was he really going to just speak the truth and trust God would speak to me later about what he meant? That it would change the course of my life...
What if I had questions about his words, as an employee of Caribou, I can't talk about religion, and certainly not with a guest.
Does he intend to follow-up and help me grow closer to God in my walk, had I believed his words?

I'm not saying what he did was wrong exactly, but it just got me wondering how effective we, as Christians are when we witness. Personally, I don't think that approach is really all that effective in America. I'd venture to say, most Americans have heard of Jesus Christ and have a pretty set mind on the whole Christianity thing. They may not know, just exactly how great of goodness and saving grace he has to offer, but is that something that can be shared in a few minutes in a drive-thru? Not to mention, this man's words weren't spoken because God was leading him to, because I don't see why God would have someone preach the salvation message to a believer.

I guess, you shouldn't count on me for Drive-Thru Preaching, rather I'll continue (and strive harder) to live my life with the love of Christ and trust that His light shines radiantly so that others see a difference in me. That they are intrigued with whatever I've got, that they don't and let the Holy Spirit guide my tongue so that I speak with His power and words, not my own.

Drive-Thru Preaching. Not My Thing.

Well-Needed Update

2010-03-17T18:34:00.005-05:00

It's been far too long since I've written a post. Things are happening, all the time, so I've had little time to sit down and type anything up, unfortunately.

Caribou Coffee is keeping me most busy these days, even though I'm only working part-time, it's something that fills the week up pretty quickly. I've loved it so much! Everything has come back to me after two years of being away from the bar and register. Surprisingly, my first day back I was on the bar and I kept all drinks orders under two minutes! It's been another thing, finding drinks on the register with the pressure of a customer who is clearly in a rush, but the people I work with are super understanding and very helpful! They've accepted me and so far I get a long with everyone! I've reconnected with some regulars and getting to know more! I'm still asking some questions, but for the most part I'm right back where I left off!

Thanks be to God!

Serving in the nursery on Wednesday mornings is coming to an end as March is always through. It's been so fun having kids to look forward to be around and not having to make a huge commitment! It's been perfect for my schedule and my availability to serve in that way! Bubbles and Books, Toys and more Toys, Laughs and Smiles, sometimes tears, but overall a great way to spend my Wednesday mornings!

I've had the past two Thursdays off, because there's lice in the house of the family I nanny for. Which has been both nice and unfortunate. It's been nice to sleep in, but I sure do miss those blue eyes and morning stories!

There has also been a change for my relationship status if you'd like to know the story behind that click here. I wanted to post it on the day it occured, but time got away from me and it's not getting done until now.

This weather has been amazing and it makes me want summer more than I even knew I wanted! With having a NY winter and a MN winter, it broke up the season, so it didn't seem as long as it usually does...but I'm more than ready to pull out the shorts and spend all my spare time outside!

Though, I'm not waiting around until it's fully summer or spring for that matter to get outside! I've recently hit a softball for the first time in 11 years! Boy, it sure feels good to swing a perfect swing and hear that perfect sound as the ball cracks off the bat! I look forward to this summer watching many softball games and maybe even playing in a few as a substitute! We will see about that. I've also been on the tennis courts twice already! Another great feeling to be out on the courts after two years (practically)! I look forward to getting my game back and spending as much time as possible this summer hitting a tennis ball around!

I am SUPER excited to get my application in for the mentoring program at The Open Door! I mentioned it here when I was first deciding to come back, but the application process is only once a year and that time is NOW! I love nothing more than to help teens during those curcial developing years as they go through middle and high school! I look forward to being a positive, consistent influence in a girls life and I can't wait to meet who God picks to be that girl!

I'm just very happy these days. God's been faithful, he's speaking truth, and he's guiding me which brings me great joy!

The 13th of March

2010-03-13T15:30:00.003-06:00

A month has gone by and I've gotten to know the man from The 13th of February story a lot more. I've spent a lot of time hanging with him and his friends and family, and he with mine and of course with just the two of us. I like what I'm learning and have so much fun in his presence! It's mostly just a label, but it's a label I'm excited to have with him.

It had been talked about, when it would be an okay time to become official, for me to be his girlfriend. For a long time, I really wasn't sure and all I knew was it wasn't time, yet. I've been meeting with a great friend Samara and she's been so helpful in sorting out so many thoughts, including this one, "the right timing". With talking through it with her and discussion with Matt and bringing it up in prayer I had mentioned, to Matt, that March 13th would be an acceptable time for such a change, but I would leave it up to him to decide on the direction of the relationship at that point. I was comfortable with that, but I wasn't going to rush things, even though it may be "just a label".

After work, I headed down to attend a dance recital with him. I really enjoy watching productions like that and it was a lot of fun! Once the recital was done, Matt drove us to Cub. I was a little suspicious, because I knew it was the 13th of March, but I didn't want to have high expectations, so I didn't assume anything. He told me I had to help him pick something out and I jokingly said, "What a good looking head of lettuce?!"

We walked in the store hand and hand and he pulled us in the direction of the flowers.

"I've been looking all afternoon for Gerber Daisies, do you like them because they're hard to find or what?!"

"No..I just think they're pretty." I said in a very nervous tone.

I noticed what I thought were Gerber Daisies, but were actually Sun Splash Daisies. So I said, "Here these are close...."

He asked which one looked good and I picked one and we walked to the check-out, purchased them and returned to the car.

He handed them to me saying, "They are yours, ya know?"

"Thanks?" I said hesitantly.

"Do you remember what today is?" he asked.

"Yes...."

"The day I ask you to be my girlfriend?" He nervously stated.

"Yup, and it's also the day I say yes...to your question."

With a big exchange of beaming smiles it became official and I'm now his girlfriend. I proudly accepted the flowers and they are now sitting beautifully next to my bed.

Bright and bold, reminding me of the spring around the corner

new beginnings to story that started in during the months before, dead of winter, in a cold warehouse.

Scheduled

2010-03-03T15:10:00.003-06:00

I've been scheduled. As most of you know, I did get the job at Caribou Coffee, finally. After all this, even more time has went by before I got the official, "You're hired".

The second, but third interview was the best yet - which it should have been since I was asked the same questions.

Impressively, the very next day, the manager called to inform me that he WOULD in fact like to hire me. Of course, but I'm sure not intentionally, he dragged the conversation out before he actually told me why he was calling. I was a bit nervous at that point, but relieved when he finally told me I was hired.

With that, one would think I've been working this week already. But No...that would be far to simple.

After that conversation, he told me he'd be giving me a call when he was ready for the next step.

Oh boy..but I'd been patient up to this point, what's the rush, right?!

Saturday he called and left a message for me to check my e-mail for a link to fill out the remaining paperwork and once he received it, he'd give me call.

I completely the paperwork Sunday afternoon and it was sent. I knew he worked Sunday night, so I figured I'd get a call then or on Monday.

Sunday passed, as did Monday and Tuesday. Read: too many days went by!

So, as I've been doing all this time, I called Caribou today.

He apologized for not getting to me and listed a few excuses, which is fine, understandable, whatever...I'm patient, right?

He hadn't quite set up a schedule for me, but got right to it as I waited on the phone.

I've got it, my first schedule of 22 hours, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday!

I'm a little nervous, but excited at the same time to finally have a job, get behind the bar and serve up them ~~far too expensive~~ drinks!

And on another, but similar, note this whole not having a job for 2 months had finally caught up to me this past week. The well hasn't completely run dry, but it's in need of some Head and Shoulders, if you know what I mean.
Mostly because car insurance was due and I've been talking on the phone to a non-verizon customer so much that my phone bill is FAR more than I ever intend to spend ever again on a phone bill. Note: Lesson Learned.
Monday, I was a little down, because of these things. Every need had been met just as it came up and most of my wants had been given to me just as I desired them. God truly has taught me in the last two months, that He is my Provider, but on Monday I wondered where those funds, would come from.
God answered, in one phone call. My tax returns. Not only will my tax return money pay for those expenses, I'll have far more than I expected to put into said dry well!

God is good!
I've been scheduled!
And I'm ready for whatever lesson is next, but until then...
I'll continue to remember what I've been taught in this process.
And practice what Paul said, "However, I consider myself worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me"

Thursday Mornings

2010-02-25T12:33:00.000-06:00

I've mentioned a few times in my blog and have tweeted about my ~~new~~ not so new nannying job, but I'd say it's high time I introduce you to the blonde, blue eyed cuties that I care for on Thursday mornings.

I start at 7:30 AM and get greeted at the door by Annie!

Annie just turned 3, which you wouldn't believe by the kind of conversation she carries on. She's a talker with a large vocabulary, expressive, and certainly knows how the house is run. She likes things just so and she will correct your words or actions if you're doing something wrong.
She's usually eating breakfast when I get there, still in her pajama's, but awake as ever. After breakfast, she goes "tinkle" and changes into her clothes for the day while I pick up the oatmeal from the floor and put away the her dishes.

After breakfast, we read. Not just one book or even two, but a stack and I mean a stack of books that she so quickly piled for us me to read. I really don't mind reading, but mind you, I would have literally just got up about half an hour previous to this event, so my eyes quickly get sleepy. Most days, I just keep on reading and fight through my sleepiness, but one morning, after reading at least half of the stack, I asked Annie if she wanted to read me a book. She said sure, and got up from the couch to find the book she likes to "read". This is what I got delighted with:

After books, we usually end up playing a game. The games have consisted of Candyland, Zingo (a form of bingo), Operation, and Chutes and Ladders. She's a great game player and I have a lot of fun during all of these games with her! We play Zingo the most and several games at a time, but I really do have fun playing it, so it doesn't bother me at all!

At about 10:25, we do a quick clean up and get all bundled up to meet her sister, Julia at her bus stop. It can be a process to get her hat, boots, snowsuit, and gloves on, but most of the time I over estimate and we stand in the house for a good five minutes before we go.

Julia, is a lot like Annie, in that she knows just the way things are suppose to be and is sure to let me know when I cut the peanut butter sandwich wrong. She's certainly more authoritative and will boss Annie around, directing her to do just about everything. Though they do get along well, most of the time. Like most siblings, they have their moments. Not to mention, they can be quite the whiners, but I've already seen a change in Annie when she needs help with something. She'll ask for help with a please rather than whine for my attention.

After we get Julia, we usually play a game before I start making lunch. They usually get a show in before and after lunch, which they thoroughly enjoy. With lunch getting fed and cleaned up, my time with them is done around 12:30. Fast day, but fun.

Since, most of my time is spent with Annie, I've really grown to like her the most, she's just adorable. The things she says and her actions always make me smile, if not laugh out loud.

"My mom usually let's me watch a show after breakfast." she told me one morning, stressing on the usually. I knew she was trying to pull my arm so I said, "I don't think she does, Annie." and then she looks at me all concerned like saying, "Yeah..usually" stressing the usually again.

A different time, after I told her she could watch a little T.V. before we went to get her sister at the bus stop, she said with such authority, "I'm in charge of turning it on."

One morning after getting dressed in her room she says to me as we leave, "After I grab my blankie, I usually go bumpity-bump down the stairs." She's always making sure to tell me what is usually done. She's a riot and makes me smile.

The Waiting Continues

2010-02-22T14:33:00.003-06:00

Caribou Coffee, why won't you hire me?!

The process is still in progress. With my second interview, just hours ago, I know as much as I did before.

I have to wait. Interview again. And keep trusting.

Interview went well. There is to be my second "official" interview on Wednesday. Apparently, the interview I first had with the previous manager, doesn't count? I'm not sure why..but, it is what it is.

I've spent the last hour and a half in Caribou reading a book I've been working through for months now, called "The Mystery of God's Will". It's been so good for me, teaching me to simply, do the not so simple.

Pray and Trust.

God's Will really is a mystery and He only reveals to us what He wants us to know, in His perfect timing.

Scripture to reflect on for this subject: Genesis 22:1-14

Abraham was tested, far more than I ever have and to be honest, I have a long way to go, before I trust and obey as much as he did when he was asked to sacrifice Isaac. He did it without question, completely obedient, without a fight.

May I become like Abraham, trust and obey as he did!

Quotes that have spoken to me, spoken for us to remember as we live our lives:

"The same God who created the world is able to carry you through and work out every situation of your life, no matter how impossible it may seem"

"...I've come to believe that surprises are among God's favorite things. They are often the very best tests of how willing we are to obey Him."

"You lay yourself before Him. You pray. You ask for counsel. You seek His Word. You are willing to give up whatever you need to give up , and you move through the door, the door closes behind you, it is locked, and you know that God led you there, and then . . . boom! . . . your surroundings are a total surprise. You thought it would be one way, and it turned out to be another. Talk about unfathomable. Talk about unsearchable and infinite. Surprises - especially those that disappoint us-are all of the above."

"In the mystery of God's will, we sometimes come to a place where we cannot explain why things turned out as they did; yet amazingly, we are still right in the middle of His will.."

He's arranging my life for my good and for His glory and I'm trusting that.

My Provider

2010-02-16T23:01:00.004-06:00

"Answer this question: Does the God who lavishly provides you with his own presence, his Holy Spirit, working things in your lives you could never do for yourselves, does he do these things because of your strenuous moral striving or because you trust him to do them in you? Don't these things happen among you just as they happened with Abraham? He believed God, and that act of belief was turned into a life that was right with God."
- Galatians 3:5

In the last several months, I've learned so much in terms of trusting God, having faith, and simply - but not so simply, believing in His promises. I don't even know, if I could tell you what exactly I have learned, because I feel like what I've learned isn't anything I've gathered myself. I, knowing my doubts and lack of faith, began to search the Scriptures, seek truth, and bring my honest prayers before the Lord.

Searching and consistently being regular in His Word has just helped me. Reading about His continual providence and seeing how He's in control even when it seems like He's not, has really just spoke volumes to my non-trusting spirit.

It's been a constant thing for me to question and test whatever I hear and read. I've craved truth lately more than I ever have before. When I hear something I decipher it, test it to the Scriptures and I've latched on like a baby to the things that are true. The things that He has promised and has proved to keep time and time again, I've highlighted and referred back to several times when I feel my doubts arising. It has helped me greatly to simply seek and be open and ready to find and accept His truth, waiting for Him to speak in His timing. Believing, even if it felt like I didn't, that His timing is right and therefore perfect.

Honest prayer and quiet time before God has helped me be real with my lack of faith and feeling of disbelief. Expressing my confusion within the Church and the dull, non-passionate life I can often find myself living. Just being free to go before Him and lay those at His feet has helped me. It helped me be real and honest with myself, and open up to Him, what He already knew. It was freeing and in doing so, He was able to begin His work in me.

During the past several months,t here hasn't been one particular verse that stood out and suddenly gave me trust or a moment where I strongly felt the shifting of the Holy Spirit within me, it was just a gradual realization as I read that God IS always there and He DOES always provide. I've prayed and I've believed. I'm seeking and I'm trusting. I have faith and He is keeping His promises.

Caribou Coffee has YET to hire me, or even give me a second interview. A week or so after I returned to Minnesota, I was told quite confidently, that Caribou would hire me. I, hearing this new was elated, of course! They've got great benefits and since I've worked there before, I was just excited to get back into that environment.

I had filled out an application, before I was even back in the state, so I had a friend who works there mention my interest in a job to the manager and the manager was interested in hiring me. I stopped in a few days later, introduced myself to the manager and became acquainted. I ended up calling in a few days later, to see if an interview could be set up that week. An interview time was schedule and it went really well. I was told she, the manager, was being transferred so, my second interview would have to be with the incoming manager. He was to be starting two weeks for the interview, but she said to expect a call from him the next week.

The next week comes and goes. I was unsure with the next move. So, I stop into Caribou and the manager who interviewed me was there and asked if I'd heard from Bob, the new manager. I told her I hadn't and she said, she was surprised he didn't do anything about it and that he was now on vacation for the rest of the week.

Cool. I waited the rest of the week and still hadn't heard from him on Tuesday of the next week, so I called in on his second day officially at the store. Being his second day, he hadn't even looked at applications but had plans to that Thursday and he said he'd give me a call sometime that weekend - which I was going to be out of town, but I thought at least we're headed in the right direction. So, the weekend came and went and I didn't hear back from him.

Even cooler. I went into Caribou that week to write, this, and while I was ordering my Cold Press with White Chocolate - because it was sooo nice out, I asked if Bob was working. It was he, who was taking my order, so I introduced myself and he apologized, that he still hadn't had time to take a look at applications. I sympathized and he told me if I don't hear from him by Thursday, I should give him a call.

Said Thursday, is tomorrow and I haven't heard from him. He's got one day, before I ~~come knocking on his door~~ call him.

Should I be worried? maybe, but I haven't been. Should I doubt, I'll get the job? maybe, but it hasn't crossed my mind. Should I be concerned with my money status? maybe, but I really haven't been. It's been over a month without having a job, but I've trusted and believed, without worry or concern that God will provide me with the money I need and a job in his time! I've trusted his promise and He really has kept it.

In the last month, I have babysat so many times, providing me with enough money to keep my gas tank full, pay car insurance and the cell phone bill, all while being able to do fun things with family and friends. Seriously, God is good and He is proving Himself faithful to me these days! Honestly, my funds should be on zero, but their not. I could be worried about finding a job in this economy, but I'm not. If it's not Caribou, I trust it will be something else, something better. He has been working in me and in my life. Working out my doubts and non-trusting spirit by proving to me, that He is my Provider.

The 13th Of February

2010-02-13T09:30:00.003-06:00

"Will you be my Valentine, on Valentines day?" he asked.

"Yes I’ll be your Valentine on Valentines Day!” she answered.

After exchanging smiles, he said, “Since I know you’re not a huge fan of the holiday, I was thinking we could do it on the 13th. Valentines Day is a good business day and if you don’t mind I’d like to work that night, plus it’s a Sunday, and the 13th would be exactly two months from our first date, what do you think?”

Completely flattered, by all his reasonings she said “That sounds perfect!”

They had been talking for three months and dating for two. Ever since the first date, of bowling and pizza, they’ve managed to hang out just about every other day, with maybe a couple spans of more than one day in between each time together. They’ve had a good balance of dates. Dates with just the two of them, double dates with siblings and each other’s parents, bowling, games, and movies, lunches, dinners and drinks, late night talks, shopping, and game nights with his friends. Their time spent together can only be described as fun and exciting, never boring!

They really haven’t skipped a beat, with hanging out as much as they have and talking almost daily, ever since the first exchange of Facebook messages. Yes, thanks to Facebook and its ability to connect people, these two got in contact with each other.

Though, Facebook isn’t the only reason for this connection. They first saw each other on December 2nd, he was working and she volunteering at Operation Christmas Child. Their eyes locked for a brief second and the first connection was made. He then, carries on with his job and she waiting for instruction while mingling with her group.
Finally, her group was directed to the orientation room, where he stood waiting to present the plan for the night. She sat listening, of course, but in the back of her head, she couldn’t help but think about how good looking he was.
After the orientation was complete, her group was brought to the warehouse to sort boxes and do what she came to do, serve the Lord and bless children all across the world. He staying in the room, to continue instructing groups of the rules and process of the whole night, watches her leave and couldn’t help but think “that girl is a knock-out”.
She having a blast of a night, joking around with her line leader and fellowshipping with her team, had forgotten about the good looking orientation instructor, until he came to give her line leader his evening break. She was struck and got a little nervous. He was pumped when he saw that she was on line #8, the line he was told to go to and give the line leader their break. They both, not being able to hold back, were beaming.
She had been given the job by her team to ask the line leader about particular questionable objects. Every object she brought to his attention, she knew probably couldn’t go, but was told to ask, so she did, hoping he wouldn't think she was doing so, just to talk to him. He thought just that, “this girl knows that can’t go, why is she asking me?”
After a while of exchanging smiles and small talk about items, he decided to talk with her. He could tell she was nervous, so he didn’t ask too many questions. He found out that she was visiting her family for the Thanksgiving week and would be flying back to her home the next day. He was bummed out, to say the least.
He was then dismissed by the original line leader, who was sure to tell her as he left, “He’s single!”. The line leader didn’t just say it once, though, he repeated it several times. She just smirked and nodded, knowing there wasn’t anything she was going to do about that.
As the night drew to an end, he knew there wasn’t a whole lot of time left or the fact there wasn’t much he could do about figuring out her name, since he was “on the clock” and could get in trouble for pursuing a volunteer, but he just had to do something. Her smile and eyes had captivated him. He, did all that he could, by leaning on the front desk as the volunteers left, hoping that she would see his nametag, perfectly placed on his arm, that he purposely stuck out a little farther, just to make it noticed.
She was walking down the hall with her parents and the rest of the group and saw him leaning against the front desk. Her dad noticing him, as well, said “That guy there, is Matt Daniels, he remembers me every year, how cool is that?!”. Hearing his name, it was glued in her head, whether she wanted it to or not. It was stuck like a song you just can’t rid of.
As she walked out the door, she just couldn’t look at him. He looking at her, knew she didn’t see his nametag, perfectly placed on his arm, just so she would notice it, not knowing her dad had already mention his name, he was devastated. Never again, would he see her and there was nothing he could do about it.
On the way home, he was on her mind, for his name was like a song that you just can’t get rid of. She didn’t know why, because she’d seen a good looking men before, but this one, there was just something about him that intrigued her. Maybe it was his smile or his charm, but knowing his name, she knew that it was up to her if she wanted to get to know him. She was a bit hesitant about it, though, because she was in a relationship. Contemplating it, she decided to see if he was on Facebook, sure enough he was the top Matt Daniels in the search. Without much thought then, she clicked “Add as a Friend” and sending a message saying she had seen him at Operation Christmas Child and hoped it wasn’t creepy of her to have looked him up.
As he left work that night, he couldn’t stop thinking about her and wondered if he had missed his shot at getting to know a stunning Christian girl. As a couple days passed, he still couldn’t get her out of his head and couldn’t get over the fact that she didn’t look at him as she walked out, to notice his perfectly placed nametag. That’s about when he logged into Facebook and noticed he had a friend request. Reading the message, he wasn’t sure if it was her, the girl from the other night. Could it really be? Did she actually see my nametag? He had hope that it was, but he wasn’t sure. He sent a message back, saying he really hoped this was the girl who didn’t live in Minnesota and if it was, he was so happy she found him, if it wasn’t, he was sorry for thinking it was someone else.

The second connection was made, thanks to her dad boldly mentioning his name and Facebook.

Since that day, they’ve exchanged messages and chatted online, which led to texts, then calls. In the last three months, they’ve talked about everything. The good, the bad, beliefs and morals, hopes and dreams, interests and hobbies, family and friends, passions and goals, the past and the future. Covering all grounds and they are still intrigued and excited. There have been bumps, but no red flags. There have been discussions, but no major disagreements. The conversations have never been dull, awkward, or uncomfortable. They’ve been open and honest, sometimes forward and blunt, but it’s always been great conversation between the two of them.

She’s excited, but nervous about the 13th of February, for he’s a man who knows how to treat a woman right and she’s not used to that. She doesn’t know what to expect, and doesn’t know how to respond to being treated so well. She has loved it and is learning to accept it, but it still makes her nervous at times, especially on a day when the standards are put high because of the holiday.

He’s excited, but a little nervous about the 13th of February, for it’s their first Valentines Day together and he wants his plans to go as smooth as he hopes they will. He wants to make her feel special, but not do anything too cliché, because he knows she wouldn’t like that, plus he doesn’t want things to be like that either.

As it was said, the man’s name in this story is Matt Daniels. The girl in this story he calls Marie, for that’s her middle name. As you can guess, that girl is me and I’m excited to share with you this story, this new development, this new experience!

Peanut Butter Cookies

2010-02-10T21:38:00.003-06:00

As I said, here, I wanted to start baking and cooking more. So, today, I did just that. Oddly enough, I feel like today was really chill and relaxed, with not a whole lot going on. Now, you’d think…since I HAVEN’T heard back from Caribou Coffee that I’ve had a lot of spare time. But I really haven’t, at least it hasn’t felt that way.

As I was saying, today was pretty chill. I got up to help in the church nursery this morning, which is probably the only reason I’d be up at 8 in the morning, since like I said, Caribou STILL hasn’t called me. Anyways…so I was up at ready to go when I got home around 11:30. I had picked up some groceries, filled my car with gas and was ready to make some cookies.

I went with Peanut Butter Cookies - for a special reason to be shared later. It were simple and it was fun. I didn’t screw up. …okay wait, I didn’t screw up the cookies, but my fingers…one could say they got a little screwed in the process.

Here’s the story:
After I put all the ingredients into the bowl, I was getting the handheld mixer ready. Plugging it in first, of course, then while I attempted to put in the beaters, my thumb bumped the on button. This is where one could say my fingers got a little screwed.

I quickly pulled my index finger out of the spinning beaters and turned it off.
Phew..that was close, right?

Just wait, the story gets better.

The beaters still weren’t completely in place, so I try at it again. And guess what happens in the process…

Screwed fingers, yet again. Ouch! You’d think I would have learned the first time.

Just wait, the story gets better.

Unfortunately one beater just wasn’t staying in, so…after making sure my finger wasn’t broken, I had at it again. Of course, I’m in disbelief that my thumb hits the on button YET again and am shocked that I can’t figure this thing out as I watch my finger spin and well, get screwed around and around.

After this, I seriously wondered why my finger wasn’t hurting worse than it was. Literally people, I watched my finger get beat, by these beaters…and not just ONE time.
It’s unbelievable really.

Finally, I realized that I should UNPLUG the mixer, THEN put in the beaters.

Other than that, it went well. Nothing was added that shouldn’t have been added, all the ingredients were added just right, not too much or too little, and best of all…nothing got burnt!

See?

Did I mention that, the mixer I used was the most powerful mixer ever created - I'm serious. It kind of made a mess, thankfully of the dough, and not my fingers.

It was fun! More to come, I am sure. Who doesn't like Peanut Butter Cookies, anyways?!

My Thoughts.

2010-02-05T10:54:00.000-06:00

Thinking. Thoughts. Thinking. Thoughts.

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately, well over the course of the last month, since I've been back. Just about being back and what's it's meant for me to be away.

If I'm being honest with myself (and you) about the experience, moving to New York, not just once, but twice and being with James for two years, I must say I've questioned it. Why didn't it work? Why did I ever go back? What is to come of it? even as far as Was it God's will for me? Though, I haven't completely answered all of those questions. I have such a peace about it all, that I am no longer in search of answering questions of doubt and frustration, rather I seek other answers. Answers to questions like What did/can I learn from this experience? What can I take from these experiences to apply to life now and for the future? How did this impact my life? What has God taught me through living in New York and being in a relationship with James?

These are all the things I've been thinking about and formulating since I've been back. Reflecting on and Searching, Praying and Seeking, what exactly does God wants to show and teach me?

Though I can't put to words all that I've discovered and felt since the relationship ended and returning home, I know that I have learned so much and take the experience for what it is and I'm so thankful to have had the experience of living in New York and being in a relationship with James. They both taught me a lot and as I've been reflecting, I've discovered where growth is developing and the goodness that's come from what would seem (to some) to be a bad ending or wrong choice.

I'll start (yes...that was the entire introduction!) by saying, I really love the sight of upstate New York and I miss the country roads and scenery a lot. I miss being able to look outside and NOT see houses, but rather the beauty God created. To be able to snap a picture of it without buildings or telephone lines. I really do miss that.

But I don't miss, missing my family and friends, that live in Minnesota. Ever since being back, I have literally become so thankful for the people God has put into my life. I thought that being away, made my relationships stronger, because they weren't around and the time I'd get to talk with someone was cherished. Now, I think my relationships have grown even more, just because I know what it's like to not be able to see them and now that I can, I get excited about it. I've even better connected with people that were in my life before I ever moved, but didn't ever make an effort to build on the relationship. I think that's the biggest thing I've learned since being back. The importance of relationships with the people in my life, even if I can't be with them on a very regular basis, I still love being connected and sharing life with them on a more than acquaintance level.

There's a lot I could say about my first serious relationship, but I think I'll spare you all the growth that has come from that, because I'm sure most of you know from your own experiences, it's quite a growth spurt! I do want to say though, the peace that I mentioned almost every post leading up to me leaving is still so present. The peace never left me, the peace of knowing I was making the right choice to come home.

The best part about it, is that the few times I've talked with James, he's felt the same way. Still. He and I have both had such quick closure to it and in a sense we are both ready to move onto whatever is next in our lives and we're excited! I think that's what really encourages me the most. It wasn't either of us ditching on the other, it was the best decision for the both of us to make and we both knew it rather quickly. It's still just amazing to me how God worked in that relationship, teaching me lessons about myself and about dating relationships. Yet when it was time for it to be done, there weren't any hard feelings. Mutual as I've said so many times, it was beautifully mutual and I'm so thankful for that. The "moving on process" would have been a lot tougher, on me if it wasn't mutual. Had he broken up with me or I with him, it would have made it very difficult, but I consider it a blessing that God worked in our hearts the way he has, so that bitterness and broken hearts could be spared.

I learned so much about myself, while being away from home and out of my comfort zone. I went through times of utter loneliness and didn't want to do anything but stay in my bed. I went through times of meeting new people and building new relationships, and the awkwardness of putting myself out there to make new friends, was not easy for me. I had the challenge of living in an environment that wasn't like the one I was raised in. My faith and beliefs were tested as I was in search of a church to call home, which was probably the biggest struggle I went through while I was in New York. (see here) I learned more about what a dating relationship is and what it takes to make one work – or not work. I learned what I like in a man and discovered some things that I’d prefer the next one to have. All to say, God has really taught me and is still teaching me a lot from this whole experience.
I enjoy letting it all sink it and seeing what more there is to learn, taking what I know now and applying it to life as it is, inviting new experiences and people into my life so that I can practice what I’ve learned.

Thinking. Thoughts. Thinking. Thoughts.

...it never ends!

Playing Mom

2010-02-01T14:41:00.037-06:00

As I said, in my last post, I've been playing mom for the past week! It's been so much fun and I love these boys to pieces! The week has gone by fast, so my last three days with them, I will make the most of!

Our mornings have been fast. Get up, eat breakfast, get dressed, make bed, brush teeth, devotion while putting on hats, boots, coats and backpacks. And onto the bus they went.

The afternoons have been fun, with a snack and a talk of the day, we get right to business with getting the homework done. Playing spelling and memorizing verse games, I tried to make it fun for them! I was sure to sign the planners and get things set for the next day - but they were on top of things themselves! Snacks packed, books back in the bags, and clothes set out for the next day, we were ready to have some playtime.

On Monday, right after homework was finished, I had a little scavenger hunt planned for them. While I was in NY, the boys sent me a box of fun, including their friend, Racky, if you can remember. I had to retun him to the boys, so I thought it would be fun if I set up a lil hunt for them to find Racky in the microwave holding a sign "I'm Back". They had forgetten about him and seemed pretty excited to find him waiting in there. We had a lot of fun building and playing in this fort the first few nights, I think it's the biggest I've ever built! I was "The Repair Lady" and was on-call in the "spare room" for any collapses that took place.

(sorry for the blur)

I taught them how to play Chicken Feet, a game played with dominos. We've been hooked on that with most of our spare time. Evan seems to have the best of luck, but both boys have surprised me with their strategical moves. To prove my surprise, I've lost all but one game.

Like mornings, evenings flew by! It's been fun preparing meals for them, being sure they get their fruits and vegetables, drinking their milk, yet having it all taste good! I've really enjoyed making meals for people other than just me! After supper there isn't a whole lot of extra time to play, so it was mostly pick-up and slow down mode, shower if need be, get ready for bed, brush teeth, and usually 30 minutes of reading before the lights were to be turned off.

Friday night was movie night! We ate pizza rolls, carrots, strawberries and popcorn while watching Madagascar. We shared several laughs, ate until we were full, and had a fun night together!

On Saturday, I had the privaledge of watching one of Aiden's games and cheering him on with his brother, Evan! Aiden played very well, making one basket and helping his team win 8-4! Check out, #33 in this clip:

After the game, we came home, for it wasn't quite time for our next event. While we waited for time to pass, we cleaned out their pet hamster's cage. I'm thinking Buddy really appreciated that! Then it was time for us to go out to McDonald's to enjoy some food, laughs, and converstation. Highlight of this event was Evan feeling the need to get 8 overflowing containers of ketchup, only to use half of one. It made me laugh...

The rest of the day was spent playing games and listening to music. I, for one, had a lot of fun!

Sunday, was our big day of activities! Starting off with church where they recited their verses and learned that God is bigger than all I problems. After church we went home for lunch and killed time by playing more Chicken Feet. When 2:00 rolled around we were all bundled up, ready to have some adventures outside in the snow.

(sorry for the finger)

Snowmobiling

Sledding

And an hour of Ice Skating - not pictured or video-ed because I forgot my camera and phone in the car.
I think I enjoyed this the most! For the snow was quite hard for sledding and one can only go so fast with three people on a snowmobile. We played a lil hockey and worked on our stopping skills. It was so fun, though from all that day's activities, I'm feeling the burn!

After skating we went over to my parents house for a lovely, tasteful meal! Thanks, Mom...I want that recipe!

It's been such a blast, as you can see, I've really enjoyed my time with the boys! The next three days will go by so fast and I know I'll be sad to leave and go back to reality. A reality that doesn't have sweet smiles in the morning, games and homework, kind reminders to brush teeth, and hugs and prayers at night.

Hopefully, someday ...I'll have my own kids to care for, teach, play with and give kind reminders to, but until then, I'll love on the blessings in my life now!

The Room

2010-01-26T14:43:00.001-06:00

As most of you know, I am lucky enough to be living in my cousin's unfinished basement. I was determined to make it look like a room, my own space.

Since there are no walls, I hung up teal bed sheets from the ceiling to create one.

As you walk through the ~~door~~ pulled back sheet, you see that.

A wicker chair, with a teal sheet over it,

a curtain to dress up the wall with hung earrings and pictures.

Standing near the chair, you see the closet,

being closed off by more curtains and hung pearls.

Standing near the closet, you see the bed, teal ~~wall~~ sheet and
another curtain to decorate the wall behind the bed, which also drapes above the bed.

The pictures were taken with my phone as I didn't have my camera at hand and I was due for a post.
I'm really loving it there, a lot. It feels good to be settled in and have a place to call home, close to family and friends.

Though, with this place to call home, I'll be calling the Peters's house home for the next week as I care for the two boys while their mom and dad are vacationing in Cancun.

I'm sure going to enjoy playing mom for the next week! Speaking of which, the bus is due to arrive any minute, so as other blogging mommies. I've gotta run!

The Cut

2010-01-18T21:08:00.000-06:00

It was high time that I get my hair cut, I struggled with the usual battle; Short or Long. I was liking the idea of Short, though I'm comfortable with the Long because I've always had it Long.

It was time for a change. What better time to bring upon more change amongst the already changing life, I'm currently living. Though most of the changes that have been made in the last week have become very comfortable to me already.

With that, I went with the Short.

After my cut, I had already forgotten and walked into my brother Troy's room, this is what happened:

"Troy, what time is your meeting tomorrow?"

Troy turns from his game to answer me, "WHHHHHHHYYYY!?!"

"Woah..I was just wondering?" I said surprised that he was mad that I was asking.

"No, I mean your hair!" He said.

It made me laugh, still does. He's not a fan of short hair, as I've come to find, most guys aren't. Though, I've only gotten compliments, even from guys who prefer longer hair on a girl.

I'm loving this change, it's fun, it's different! I'm not sure, if I'll resort back to the Long for summer...I guess we'll see!

The Return

2010-01-12T00:30:00.000-06:00

The departure wasn't as hard as I thought it might be, but it wasn't as easy as it could have been.

God answers prayers:
I prayed for a safe/timely flight for my dad's flight - He had safe flights and caught all three flights, one with only 5 minutes to spare!
I prayed for clear roads - Roads were mostly dry the entire way. Some patches of wet roads, but never slippery.
I prayed for good conversation - My dad and I talked just about the whole way, though we both took small naps throughout the trip.
I prayed for no car problems - Halfway the battery light came on, but we kept trucking along because we didn't know what else to do. My car thought there was a problem, but dad checked it now and there isn't a problem.
I prayed for easy listening tunes - Well that was only a hope and we were singing a few times.
I prayed for no snowstorms or strong winds - There wasn't a bit of strong winds and we did come across some flurries a few times, but only one time did it ever slow us down a little bit and it didn't last very long either.
I prayed for quick stops - We took only one food stop that lasted maybe 15 minuntes, all the rest were just for gas and restroom usage! Oh, and one stop on the road to check why the light came on and another at a gas station to get some information..that one was about 30 minutes. We still made it home in 18.5 hours!
I prayed for good gas mileage - We have pretty average gas mileage, but usually filled up at just the right time when it was cheapest, so that was sweet!
I prayed for a good read for me - Which, I managed to UNPACK my trunk just to get this book to make it possible, but it wasn't even needed!

The trip was really enjoyable. Dad and I laughed several times as we tried to read some of the names of towns. They sure do get lengthy and complicated! We sang some songs, he mostly whistled. While I was driving, he'd have me look at the map, just to show me we were halfway across the page already. He's the perfect person to travel with, definitely did his homework!
Thanks Dad! For be supportive and willing to drive home with me, I really appreciate it.
To top ALL this off, we were secretly planning to drive throughout the night, so that we could surprise my mom. She thought we would be rolling in at earliest 9 PM, but we were here at 8:30 AM! Check this out:

I'm sorry that it's sideways.. but as you can see, she just stood there and didn't realize I there, until I laughed. Then she started hopping! This is how I know she loves me so much! She jumps for joy at the sight of me AND SHE HAD ONLY SLEPT FOR A FEW HOURS (due to "MUST finish setting a puzzle!")

The Start. The Beginning.

2010-01-08T15:00:00.002-06:00

Here's to new starts and new beginnings!

Here's to sharing my life, my stories, and my thoughts

to whomever will ~~listen~~ read.

Here's to being open and honest.

Real, not fake.

Here's to being less stubborn and more selfless.

Here's to God, because He is "he" in whereverHEtakesme.

All who are with me, say HERE!*

*Literally, I'd like to know who actually reads my blog. I have that right, right?

So if you're from MN or your from NY OR goodness, anywhere...

Please in the comments, lemme know you're HERE!

More to come, once I get home and settled in!