Erin's Wedding- Texas Trip 9.10.11

A picture of my dearest friend Erin and I right before her wedding. We've been the best of friends since we were in 6th grade. I was overjoyed to be able to be there for her special day. She was a beautiful bride!

New look for the Living Room

So we finally took the door out on the E side of our living room, and replaced it with this new picture window (24"tall x 33"wide) that we designed to have the look of an old leaded glass window, but with modern energy efficiency. The piano will be moving directly under this window, after the drywall patching/paint is all done. And in honor of the piano moving, I thought it was time for some new decor for the living room....

The total of these 7 items was a whopping $22

1. Green vase (free with my turnstyles rewards)

2. Decorative box-something like you find at World Market ($7)

3. Yellow jar ($6)

4. Carved Walnut architectural salvage piece (purchased a few years ago)

5.Ruby Red vase ($5)

6. Bronze cross ($4 )

7. Blue bowl (free with my turnstyles rewards)

So I'm all about symmetry. Tallest items in the middle, with balanced items on each side. I also wanted to alternate colors (green, yellow, red and blue) with the brown/bronze items. I chose the 4 colored items as accent colors from the oriental rug that I got for the living room. With a mix of color/texture- the items have much more detail up close.

reflections of my car accident

So as most of you know, I was involved in a car accident, just down the street from my friend Jeanna's house on 9.9.11, when we were out of town. This week has been off to a better start. Last week I was feeling completely overwhelmed. So last night, Seavie and I were talking about the accident again, and he tells me all the names this woman who hit my car was calling me. From the moment she struck my car, she started cursing me. Once I got out of the car, he said her strains of profanity continued, like m.f, and dumb s. And her said her young teenage daughter kept telling the police that I was a dumb b. Um excuse me. How nice is that, honestly. They didn't even ask if we were okay. They just threw a big ol' scene.

Which made me reflect that of the few accidents I've been in, that they were all anything but normal. When I was 16, I had my very first car, it was my grandma's old 1986 Honda Civic. A hispanic man, who was 40, and only had a learner's permit, turned right in front of me when I had a green light, because he couldn't read the sign that said yield. My car was crushed up like a tin can, by his steel boat of a car. This was only going 35 mph. I had major whiplash, and bruised ribs, and took me several months to recover, physically. Mentally much longer, that made me jittery driving. So my poor car was completely totalled.

So my dad bought me a big tank of an 1984 Suburban, that would protect me in my young driving years. Within a few months, another incident. I was driving to work,turned R on the green light, and this small pick up truck comes flying over the hill going 65 mph in a 45 mph blowing through a red light, and instead of rear ending me, goes to the L side of the car, and up on the median, and side swipes my car. He steps out of his car, and low and behold he's wearing a long black trench coat (in summer time) and has about a dozen different piercings in each ear. I start yelling at him, because seriously, didn't this just happen to me a few months ago, when a man in a car pulls up in front of him. I guess the guy in the truck that just hit my car, almost just hit this man's car earlier down the street. So they get into it yelling and arguing, when who should drive by but my dad and sister on the way to the bank, when my sister says, isn't that M's car? So my dad's there, and all the guys are yelling at the crazy guy in the red truck. Luckily I had a mere scuff across my car, but had I still been in my Honda, I would have been seriously injured, and most likely gone to the hospital (no air bags in the 80's cars)

Fast forward to 14 years later, and I'm getting cursed out by some grumpy old lady in a van. Driving in a construction area she wasn't supposed to be in, and the pd didn't record construction cones that caused accident in their report, and they won't return my insurance agent's calls. How nice is that. Thank goodness I took lots of pictures, that clearly show they're lying and it's not my fault. So with all that said, those are the negative things of these life circumstances.

Here are the positive things that I've been reflecting on this last week. When I was 16 in my first wreck, I was just a few blocks S of my church youth group building. When people started leaving, they drove by, saw what happened and stopped to make sure I was okay (Seavie was one of those people), even the assoc.pastor showed up and prayed for me while I was shaking and sobbing. The 2nd time, I was just across the street from where I worked, and less than a mile away from my house. My dad, was there to protect me from this crazy guy, and make sure I was taken care of. Just last week, the accident was as we were turning onto Jeanna's street, only a block away from their house. Jeanna and James walked down to see us, and comfort us. James drove Seavie and I around town to get some things taken care of, and Jeanna called rental places for us. She also contacted friends from their church there who so graciously let us borrow their car to drive another 250 miles down to TX for my friends wedding.

So throughout my feelings of being depressed and overwhelmed from all of this last week, this specifically came to mind. One of my very favorite verses of all time.

Psalm 23

1	The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2	He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3	He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4	Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5	Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6	Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I know being in a car accident, is anything but walking through the valley of death, but more than anything, being in a scary place in life. I always pray for God's protection whenever we're out driving. So through this, I've learned that even though bad things happen, God promises to always be with us and never leave us while we're going through those times. To protect me from all this spiritual warfare of the mean spirit of this woman, and to even go as far as praying for her. Something I was never able to do when I was 16. I was angry and very bitter for a long time. I'm angry at her, but that anger hasn't consumed me,like it has before. Everything that has ever happened in my life, has happened for a reason. Now I'm just trying to see what the reason for all this was.

My newest project

Empty frame wall art... I've been looking for fun and relatively inexpensive ideas to do for wall art for our living room. We're going to be re-painting the living room soon, and need some new decor. So I came across this idea on a google search. Basically all you do is mix different shaped frames, with an equal number of plain, versus decorative and mix them up into a design. I layed mine all out, so it's balanced visually and with the patterns etc. Hoping to spray paint them this week with an Antique White. Not too bad for about $20 worth of thrift stores picture frames :)

Summer Vacation 2011

This last week has been very eventful, and just wanted to write it all down before I forget the fun moments we had as a family on our vacation this year.

We left to go to Table Rock lake on 7/16, I worked that morning, and Braden went to an awesome Star Wars party right before we left. We hooked up our gps, and we were ready to go. Everything went really well, until we were maybe 30 minutes out of town, and low and behold hit a giant coyote, I kid you not. I thought it was a deer, and we were driving my car, which is low to the ground. So I was freaking out.Luckily it clipped the very edge of my car, and with it went the fog light flying off the side of the highway. Good thing it was already broken from when we bought the car. ha. Seavie went back and picked it up, and found the coyote with a broken leg. Serves him right from sprinting across the highway right at our car. Everything remained calm all the way to the lake, until about 10 minutes til we arrived. We had eaten dinner at Braum's and the winding hills didn't sit well with poor Mr.B's tummy- chocolate and french fry yuckiness all over himself and his car seat. Add that to the fact that the coyote left a nice suprise on the front of our car. Let's just say that my car stunk. So when we arrived to the lake it was full scrub down mode of the car seat, the inside of the car, and Braden. We spent Sat. night watching tv and the kids had an early bedtime after the whole ordeal.

Sunday was nice and quiet for 1/2 the day as my sister in law and her family didn't arrive until about 2-3 pm that day. We just hung out and snuggled with her sweet new baby. And the kids went tubing that night. We had pizza for dinner and celebrated Grandma's 81st birthday.

Monday we had time out on the lake and at the pool. Lots of tubing with the kiddos. That night we went into town to a super touristy place (which I'm not a fan of) to meet my in laws friends for dinner. The food was awful-cold and chewy and my sister in laws food wasn't cooked all the way. We ended up with a free meal, so that made it a little better. The friends we met gave us free passes to "The Track" which is a fun place for kids in Branson that has bumper cars, and race cars etc. Us 4 adults, each got to take a kid with us and go on go carts on the wood track that goes up 4 levels, and is really a blast. It was a great night of nearly free food and entertainment. Then on the way home I got car sick, or at least very woozy- since I also do really badly with windy roads. So when we got home, I went straight to bed.

Tuesday morning, had a super yummy breakfast of biscuits and gravy courtesy of my brother in law, who is a great cook. Then we all headed to White Water for the day, in Branson. Seavie's parents paid for us all, so another day of free fun! We had a blast, and rotated out during the day who took kiddos on rides and had kid free time. My favorite was a super tall 4 lane slide that you ride on a blue mat on your stomach on the water. It was a blast! The fountains in the kids splash cove area had freezing cold water which felt amazing after being in the hot sun all day. We all got thoroughly fried in the sun, despite all of our sunscreen. We even had a cool cabana to hang out in all day. Dinner was nachos and margaritas. Yum!

Wednesday morning, everyone woke up early except for me. I was completely exhausted from the previous day, and so I slept in until 10am. Rare for me. So I missed out on them renting a Pontoon boat for the first 1/2 of the day. Which I was totally okay with, because it gave me about 4 hours to catch up on design shows on HGTV, which I don't have the luxury of watching at home, since we don't have cable. Dinner was Spaghetti.

Thursday morning we had a big breakfast of eggs, toast and juice. After we loaded up in the car, after about 3 miles, Braden started complaining that his tummy hurt. He was fine for a while. Stupid us for following the gps through the most winding lake roads in the world. He started complaining some more and then started spewing his breakfast all over himself. It was awful. Luckily where we pulled over on the side of the road, the owner was coming down the driveway and said we could use his water pump that was next to the car to clean off. Which resulted in Braden getting a cold shower on the side of the road. He seemed to be better. But then several miles out started complaining again. So we pulled over, this time he had time to get to the bushes. Seavie knocked on the door of an old bungalow and explained the situation to the little old woman who lived there, who was kind enough to give him some paper towels and a cup of water for Braden. This time we got a towel from the trunk and put it under and around his car seat just in case. He fell asleep maybe 15 minutes later and was out until we got to Joplin. We stopped for lunch at Braum's and then drove through the town to see the tornado damage. It was completely devastating running E and W of the main strip in town. The highschool and homes along that area were in complete ruins. It was very shocking to see it in person. After that we headed to Tulsa,OK to see my grandma and we got in town around 3pm. We just hung out for the afternoon talking and had a tummy pasta dinner and brownies for dinner.

Friday was a fun day. My grandma took Seavie and the kids and I to a place called Incredible Pizza. Which is kind of like a Power Play here where we live. It had a small movie theatre showing "Where the Red Fern Grows", a giant arcade, mini golf, bowling, go carts, bumper cars, and an incredible food buffet, which was the yummiest-in 3 different retro dining rooms! We got a deal on the buffet that came with a $5 gift card, so the kids each got $12 worth of game cards to play on which lasted them quite a while. They had a blast!!! We headed back home so the kids could rest for a few hours. That evening, my aunt took the kids to see the new Winnie the Pooh movie, and they loved it. Seavie and I went out on a mini date night to Applebee's for some dessert and drinks since we were so stuffed from lunch still. Then we got back and talked with my Grandma and Aunt for a few hours before bed.

Saturday morning we headed out to the Tulsa Air and Space Museum. It was about 10 miles N of where my Aunt and Uncle live. They had aeronautical exhibits from local Tulsa history as well as space displays. The kids got to sit in an F-14 fighter jet, like the one Tom Cruise flies in Top Gun. They got to use the robotic space arm, and do a simulated flight launch, as well as fly a plane in an air tunnel. The highlight of it was the Planetarium show. For those of you who have never been to one, it has a domed ceiling, where all the stars and planets are on the screen. It went through a tour of the solar system and the planets, and Grace's eyes and mouth were wide open. She said oh.my.gosh. this is so cool. She was on top of the world excited! We watched a show about kids traveling through the solar system in their cardboard rocket. It was fun. After the museum we headed to the Oklahoma Aquarium. It was pretty crowded, but definitely worth it. It had all types of organized sections and exhibits. The kids loved the jellyfish, and the nemo fish. Braden got to touch the shrimp and a star fish. There was also an area where the sharks were that they had a domed tunnel that they were swimming overhead. They absolutely loved it! After that we all went to a yummy little Mexican restaurant called Ted's. It had great salsa and cheese dip-complimentary, and free sopapillas for dessert. I thought my grandma was crazy for wanting to get there at 4pm, but by 4:30pm it was packed. I guess people in OK eat dinner a lot earlier than they do in KS. After dinner we headed back home and hung out and talked.

Sunday-today. We left this morning after a nice big country breakfast courtesy of my Aunt's cooking and headed back to KS. Pretty non eventful trip headed back except for the check engine light coming on in my car right when we left town- almost 100% sure it's the exhaust system, which we already know we need to fix. Then right when we got into town, there was construction backed up on the highway and it took for.ev.er to get home. Then we got stuck behind the train by our house. And finally we were home. The kids went down for a long nap. and I just enjoyed being home. I thoroughly missed my sunflower shower and my foam mattress. Small luxuries that I've had to go without the last week. So now we're all settled back in. The dogs were thrilled to pieces to see Seavie again, and spent some time inside cooling off. Early bedtime for the kiddos, and it's movie date at home for Seavie and I. It was a great vacation and I wouldn't have changed a thing.

We had the best time ever with my grandma, talking and hearing her stories. My Aunt told us that she has slowed down since last Fall, and that was really evident. Her memory is staring to slip a little, and her handwriting. She has a hard time getting up, and is on oxygen. It was sad to see her not her normal self, but she was still her spunky self through it all. We got lots of great pictures with her, and of our trip, which I'll try and post soon. Keep her in your prayers, she's finally going in to have surgery to have a pacemaker and a defibrulater put in on 8-9-11. She told me if it doesn't go well, she'll be in heaven, which made me cry, because I would miss her so much. But also happy knowing that she would be going to a better place. I love my grandma so much and it was a great last few days spending some extra time with her.

7.4.01

10 years ago today was the best Forth of July imaginable, but first, fast forward to the week before, on my 20th birthday. I was so excited for what my birthday present from Seavie would be, because I had a sneaking suspicion that he was going to propose soon. So what do I get on my birthday, but a gold watch. I was not a happy camper, and told him how upset I was. So then imagine my suprise a week later... I had to work that day, and my evil boss at Lowe's would not let me go home early, even though I told him I had dinner plans, and we were not busy. So what did I do, but clock out early, and seriously run out the front door when they weren't looking. Like I was really going to stick around, and miss out on my dinner date with my sweetie. So I had just enough time to get home, get cleaned up, and put my cute little brown dress on with my platform brown strappy shoes. Seavie picked me up, and had a dozen long stemmed roses for me. He took me to eat at "The Bristol" at Town Center Plaza, and after dinner, before we had dessert, he came over to my side of the table, got down on one knee, and opened up the ring box, and asked me to be his wife. I was so excited, and immediately said yes, and we kissed and held each other for a few minutes. After dinner, we stopped by his parents house, and they had stepped out, but had written me a sweet letter, welcoming me into the family. We then packed up a blanket and drinks, and headed out to SM Park for the local fireworks display. Which was just amazing. I teased him later on that he should have proposed at the fireworks display which was very romantic- he said he originally was, but was so nervous at the restaurant that he proposed then instead. It was still very sweet.

I was thinking this morning, has it really been 10 years, but yes, it has. We had dated for almost 3 1/2 years, and then after getting engaged- had an 8 1/2 month long engagement. I think 6 months or less would have been great, but it all worked out okay in the end, because we're counting down the months to our 10 year anniversary next spring!!!

Devotion of friends

My dear sweet friend Beth and I became friends our Sophmore year at KSU in our Construction Methods-Interior Design Class. We spent those next 2 years together in every ID class, and many many late nights working on studio projects. You really get to know a person when you spend so much time together. We shared so many fun times together there. We've kept in touch the last 11 years, through we've moved apart, and started our own seperate families, we've remained the best of friends.

Beth made the trip up for my 30th birthday party-drove almost 3 hours, just to spend 3 1/2 hours with me, and then drive 3 hours back late at night, to help me celebrate my birthday. That to me is absolute devotion and dedication to a friend!!!

Beth, our friend Christi, and I all have our birthday's just within a week apart, so every year since college, we've always made it a point to remember each other's b'days and send cards, or a small gift. This past weekend, was Beth's b'day, and so on Friday, I happened to get off work early, and made the drive to help her celebrate. Christi was there with her family, and we hadn't seen each other in 4-5 years, but it was like no time had passed at all. It was great being there together with 2 of my very best friends. It didn't seem possible that it's been almost 12 years since we were the young college girls. It was so fun seeing them interact with their families, and see them as mom's. They are still so very true to the women they've always been.

I cherish our friendships, and we've been through so much together, it has brought us all together. They have always been genuine, down to earth, always true to themselves, never fake around other people. That is what I love in a friend.

So I had a great mini weekend visit with Beth, and got to stay up late chatting about old times, and current times. Then drove back the next morning to see my family. It was a wonderful weekend :)

My new job...

On May 10th, I got an e-mail from the organization that I volunteer for, saying that they were looking to hire someone for a position called "Client Services Assistant". I read through the job description, and hours, and applied for it immediately. I had been waiting so long for this opportunity and God placed it directly in my lap. I had my interview on June 2nd, and then found out I got the job on June 8th, and started on June 17th. I work Friday's 8-4 and Saturdays 7:30-11:30am. So 12 hours a week, which is the perfect balance between work and family.

It's pretty much a continuation of what I was doing there before, as a counselor- doing PT's, and helping out clients. When the Director of Client Svcs isn't there, then I take over as the staff member in charge, overseeing volunteers and client care. Which was actually the case for 3/4 of my first days that I got to be in charge, so that was fun! It comes with a lot of responsibility, one that I appreciate, and still seems a little surreal, that I'm on staff there now. I think it's still sinking in. I even have a staff e-mail, but my computer is not behaving there, and so it's a work in progress getting it all going. I love all my co-workers and friends there, and it has been a great last 3 weeks.

I also love that God has given me all the desires of my heart right before my 30th birthday. This was just one of them, and one that I am so very thankful for, and thrilled that it is in his will for my life.

My 30th Birthday!!!

I celebrated my big 3-0 birthday a little over a week ago, and am just now getting to write about it. It was an absolutely gorgeous day, beautiful sunny sky and warm sun. I started the morning, by getting to sleep in, and then Seavie got me a chocolate long-john donut from QT-my fav. I put on a new fun outfit, and did my hair and make up for the day. Seavie's grandma came over to watch the kiddos, and so I got to go meet Seavie for lunch at Mi Ranchito. Yes, I got sung to, and wore the giant sombrero and was totally mortified. After that, I headed to the L.Store for some beverages for my party the next day- and wasn't carded :) yay! I then headed to a place called "The Nailery" and got a spa pedi/mani for only $58- best deal in town I think, and they did an amazing job. Then headed out to do a little Antique window shopping to speed the time along, and then came home to see the kids by 4pm. I was so stuffed from lunch, that I didn't eat dinner until maybe 10 that night. I got to sing, and lead a song with the band, and it was a great time :) Best 30th Birthday ever!!!

The next day, I had a Girl's Night In birthday bash with some of my dearest friends- Tasha, Beth, Kristin,Teryn, Heidi, Jessica, Christina, Christine, Chelsea Hib, and Melissa. My 2 friends Katy and Katie couldn't make it, as well as a few others. It was a great time. We had my cheesy chicken enchiladas, chips and dip, fruits and my apple dip, lots of brownies, strawberry margaritas, sangria and wine. Lots of good times for all. I felt so blessed to have so many friends care, and make the effort to come help me celebrate :) They showered me with unexpected gifts- which were all great- thank you's out this week! I love the card from Teryn- her side note was, "Happy 30th- and at least you don't drive a mini van :)" She's one of the few that shares my sentiment on that, but it made me laugh.

The day after, I was suprised by my in-laws with a Nascar Ride along at the local Speedway. 3 laps going 165 mph, and it was amazing! I love going fast, and racing cars, and so this was so much fun!!! Some of you would be suprised to learn that I love Nascar, Monster Trucks, Demolition Derbys and driving big old SUV's. Mostly all thanks to the awesome 1984 suburban that I had in HS that would blow any sports car away any day. I have that to thank for my no mini van mindset. Sorry friends :( Then, since my parents were out of town, my in-laws threw me a family party, and we had Nachos for dinner and cake. It was a great Birthday weekend.

I also know I'm getting old, when I can't stay up late 3 days in a row, wake up for work, and be exhausted the next day. It's all starting to catch up to me now...

The whole turning 30 thing still seems so surreal, but a new phase in life that I am so excited about. My dreams are all coming true, from what I thought my life would be at this point- playing the piano, singing again, even starting up photography again. Being more bold in my every day life, and focusing on things that really matter, and trying to forget all the petty stuff.

Being the person I was for so long in my youth, and I think some of that slipped away in my 20's but I'm back to being the person! Here's to the next decade in my 30's and all that is has to bring.

Life is too short

Last Thursday, Seavie's Aunt went to the hospital for kidney stones. Things took a turn for the worse, she had a heart attack, all her organs started to fail, and things were not looking good. Her family thought it was the end. But then a slight glimmer of hope, and her doctor's put her on dialysis, and she started slowly but surely getting better. A week later, she has mostly recovered, alert and bright eyed with the determination that she has always had. We went to see her Wed. night. Her husband of 50 years was there- he hadn't left her side the entire week she was there. He swept her hair back, and brushed her cheek with his hand, and told her he loved her, and you could see she loved him in her eyes too. It brought such tears to my eyes... watching high school sweethearts, who had nearly lost each other, have such a sweet embrace. It made me think, that could be me and Seavie someday. My life would fall apart if I were to lose him. It brought me comfort though knowing if I was sick someday, that Seavie would be by my side taking care of me and loving me through sickness and in health. It made me realize that life is too short to take little things forgranted.

Then last Sunday a massive tornado tore through Joplin,MO. Complete devastation to 1/3 of the town. People without homes, or any material possessions. People losing loved ones. Everything just completed obliterated in the blink of an eye. This was another, life is to short moment.

How would the rest of the world react? How would you or I react to losing everything?

As a society, we place so much value on our standard of living. Having the best house, and the nicest car. Newest and most stylish clothes, or furniture or appliances. Going to the best schools, going on the most lavish vacations. Comparing our lives to lives of others. Then in an instant.... it's all gone. Everything that we hold dear, ripped from our lives, left with nothing. I'm not a very worldy person, or at least try not to be. We have nice things, but there is nothing that I own, that I couldn't live without. If I had to leave today, or lose it all, I would be okay. I'm not attached to all these things, even though they're nice, and provide comfort. I think of Luke 12:34- For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. I don't ever want to be so consumed by things of the world, that I lose track of my eternal purpose.

Don't get me wrong, my heart completely breaks for the people of Joplin. They did nothing wrong that brought this natural disaster into their town. I'm just trying to say, it's how you would deal with a loss of that nature, how would you react. I would be completely devastated. I would call out to God, and say why me? But I would put my trust in him to get through the very hard times. This whole thing, makes me want to live life each day, like it could be my last. Cherishing all the moments with my kiddos and husband. Building friendships and relationships that glorify God. Having a servant's heart and helping people in the community. Knowing that God is in control of my life and that his will prevails. Never taking things forgranted...