Happy Birthday to me!

It is June 16th and I am turning 28 years old. My where has the time gone. I remember when I couldn't wait until the next birthday but it is starting to get harder to celebrate them knowing that you are getting older! I do feel very blessed though. I feel exactly where I want to be in my life. It is my 10 year class reunion this year and of course the question on everybody's mind is, "Is this where you thought you would be in 10 years?". I have to honestly say yes this is where I expected to be!

 I am married to my soul mate and cannot be any happier. We just celebrated 4 years this year and can't wait for many more years to come! No children yet but we are waiting on God on that one. We know that God has a special plan for us on that subject and He hasn't quite let us in on that one yet. Although we are on the path to find out! 

I have a job that I absolutely love. I knew I was going to be a nurse long before anybody else did. I know it was a God-given gift because I get real joy from helping others and I want to do it for Him. 

I am closer to God now than I was 10 years ago. I have learned more and more to lean on Him for strength and courage. 

It is fun to reflect on your life and where you have come from but I am so looking forward to the future and seeing what God has in store for me. I thank all of my family and friends, those still with me and those who have gone on before me (I miss you, mom!), for everything you have done for me! Thanks for always being there!

Happy Anniversary!

Taken in Washington, D.C. when we went to the Frozen Four

It was 4 years ago today that I said, "I do" to my wonderful husband! I can't believe it has already been 4 years. The years have gone by so fast but have been so good! I am so happy and cannot wait to see what God has for us in the future. I am so grateful to have found someone who loves God  and wishes to serve him to the fullest and that he loves me for me. I love you, Brad, so much! Thanks for loving me and making me very happy!

I'm not as young as I once was

It's been a busy weekend, which was preceded by a very busy week. I worked last weekend 3 12-hour shifts at work and then another on Tuesday. They were all good shifts but busy. 

I am the 5th grade girls co-leader at our church's AWANA program. My good friend and co-leader, Michelle (she is also on the ski patrol), and I decided to take our girls skiing on Friday at our local ski resort. It was a lot of fun! We had 4 girls come along, Anna, Valerie, Alyssa and Jazmine. We would have had a fifth but Callie got sick that day. We missed you Callie!!!!! We had a blast though, and the girls enjoyed it immensely. That was the first time I had been at BV in the 10 years that I have lived in Northern Minnesota.  God was really good to us. The weather was cold but bearable. The girls had good, adventurous attitudes and were a joy to be around. We were also blessed with no injuries. I will definitely go again!

This was also a hockey weekend. The Beavers took on the Under-18 USA team in an exhibition game. Brad and I  went last night as usual, they won 6-3. It was definitely a good game!

All that to say...I AM REALLY SORE TODAY!!!! I have aching calves and sore upper back muscles. It has been awhile since I skied last and I definitely forgot what muscles get used. It was definitely fun and I hope to go again, but I am certainly feeling it today!

Merry Christmas!

I wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! May you be blessed as spend time with your family and friends. Remember the reason for the season: Jesus came to earth as a baby, so that He could save the world from sin when He died on the cross. May you know Him that has set you free! God Bless you! 

Happy Birthday Hayden

I want to wish my wonderful nephew, Hayden, a happy birthday! He turns 1 year old today! He and his mommy and daddy live in Oregon and so we won't get to celebrate with him. We certainly wish we could be there to celebrate with him!

 

Hayden, you are such a joy to have in our family. I know that you are a wonderful joy and miracle to your mommy and daddy. I hope that you have a wonderful birthday and a Merry Christmas. We love you very much and hope we get to see you again very soon! We love you!!!!

Love, Auntie and Uncle :)

Double-Tagged

Well, my friend Becky from college double-tagged me. Since she was nice enough to oblige both Kristin and I, I decided I better do the same. This is my 12th photo from my 1

2th folder. It's a little blurry but I think you will be able to tell what it is!

This is obviously Mount Rushmore at night. It is really interesting that both of my posts are from our Oregon Trip. We drove out to Oregon and did some sight-seeing along the way while camping at different locations. This was our first "touristy" thing. I had never been to Mount Rushmore before so since it was on our way, we stopped. We stayed at a KOA near there so we were able to go to the park right after we set up camp. It was really neat to see them light it up. My husband managed a better shot with his film camera than I did with our old digital. This still does it justice. 

I also thought it would be nice to put a day picture of Mount Rushmore as well. This was taken the next day. The park itself is free but you have to pay for parking. The pass is good for the whole year, so that is why we went back. At one of the exhibits it stated that there are many "faces" to Rushmore depending on the weather and time of day. So, we figured we would check that out. We also got a coupon to use the audio tour and didn't have time to use it the day before. It was a really neat spot. It was very hot out that day, thankfully though, it was dry heat so not at all the "hot" we know here! :)