Day 12

7 things that brought a smile to your face in the last 7 days. be specific.

1. My babies (well that I nanny).

2. Love...and falling there! :)

3. Being in a basketball gym again.

4. The anticipation of going home this weekend.

5. My special someone

6. Daisy baby.

7. friends, mine are amazing! :)

Day 11

favorites. questions here and there.

color: pink...but I wear a lot of blue.

song: changes a lot...but right now I'd have to say "That's Beautiful to Me" and "Kiss Goodbye" 

tv show: private practice, biggest loser and OTH.

book/series: Dear John

author: nicholas sparks. 

movie: all time favorite is Love and Basketball

photo website: I don't use one.

season: spring.

actor: umm...if it can be an actress, I'd say jennifer aniston.

animal: dogs, by far.

food: pizza…

cereal: honey bunches of oats.

beverage: dr. pepper, water

drink from coffee shop: hot chocolate. 

store: umm, express or Gap outlet.

restaurant: george's, olive garden and huhot.

fast-food: subway! 

perfume/cologne: I have 5, one for each day of the week! :) two j simp ones, dkny apple, victoria's secret and true by faith hill.

outfit: i don't have one.

shoes: currently my privos

car: don’t have one.

hairstyle: when i had long hair, it was half up and curly

5 favorite things to do that you don’t do every single day:

run. play with my nieces. cuddle with my certain someone. be with family/friends. play basketball.

3 guys that have stolen your heart:

sam. adam (only 2)

2 things you wish you could do or be:

-singer! have a dog rescue shelter

4 things you want right now:

my man. lose weight. be in mn. a tan.

3 people you would payback for all they’ve done for you:

mom. dad. my grandma i live with right now.

4 awesome memories:

-senior year high school. my nieces being born. california. play sports. 

Day 10

share some pictures of your group/s of friends from your high school days. keep in contact with any of them? still close to anyone?

I know I just used this pic, but it's a good one! :) 

I keep in touch with most of these people.  Some of them it's just once in awhile we'll talk or see each other and others I see almost every time I go home.  I had some of the greatest memories from high school and these people were a big reason for it! :) I wish I could get my group of friends from high school back...they were amazing and now the relationships are so much different! :(  One of my best friends is from high school though and I don't see our relationship changing! :) 

Day 9

what was one of the best times of your life to the day? something exciting. not simply just: the day i graduated college. the day my children were born. etc. be interesting.


I could go two different ways with this one...but there is a story I tell over and over again and I simply laugh every time.  It was the summer after my first year at college and I got a group of high school friends to go to the Tim McGraw and Faith Hill concert at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.  Since I planned it I drove.  We headed up towards the concert and stopped somewhere along the way for a cheaper dinner than we'd get at the concert.  We stopped at Subway, packed back into the car and got back on our way.  Well at a stoplight right after we stopped I looked at my gas tank and it was at about a quarter of a tank.  I thought we could make it cuz it wasn't that much further, my friends thought I should stop, but I decided to keep going (we were on a time crunch after all).  


Well, we got stuck in concert traffic about a mile or 2 before our exit...we were barely moving.  Right before this time my gas light came on...GREAT!  I can still remember all of us constantly looking at the fuel thing on my dash.  We came up on the parking ramp and I just kept saying "what if we run out of gas in the middle of this thing?"  Well we made it to a parking spot.  I almost missed it, so I had to reverse and fix my parking job. Just as I put it in reverse, my car wouldn't move...We had run out of gas (with a stream of cars behind me).  I quickly turned my car off and then back on and pulled into the parking spot.  We went to the concert and had a great time.  I had made arrangements with a friend in the cities to bring us a gas tank. Well, 15 minutes before the concert was over she was too tired and couldn't stay awake any longer...GREAT!!!!!!  So there we were not knowing what to do, so we decided to just walk to one.  This was at 11:30pm in downtown St. Paul...


That is where the true adventure began.  We asked multiple police officers where the closest one was but got different answers, so we picked one and went.  Well it was a good half mile walk.  During this walk we walked past a bar on the opposite side of the street.  A guy smoking outside decided to whistle at us.  Erin speaks up and yells, "Do not whistle at us, we are not dogs!!!!"  We all about died laughing.  We rounded the corner when I car stopped to ask where the detox center was.  Erin again spoke up and said, "Why do you need to go?"  They replied, "no but our friend is there."  Erin then says, "Oh that sucks.  Do you know where the closest gas station is?"  The other three of us were not the happiest with this, but we laughed anyway.  They offered us a ride, we declined and kept walking.  We saw a prostitute or two around the corner and then finally saw the signs to the gas station.  We walked in, got a little tank and paid at a counter that was protected by bullet proof glass (boy did we feel safe).  We started walking back when all of a sudden we saw my parents (they had started to drive up and said they weren't going to turn around until I had a full tank of gas in my car).  So, we jumped in the car and got a ride back the rest of the way! :) 


It was such a great night, one I'll never forget! :) 

We got free energy drinks after the show...I'm truly not drunk or high in this picture! :)

In my parents car on the way back...

The quote on fb for this pic..."Why is this so erect?" None other then the great Erin Becker! :) 

Day 8

Playing catch up a little bit...

more music. what device do you play your music in? turn it on shuffle/random. what are the first 34 songs played?


I usually listen on my computer or ipod, but the music is the same on both, so I'll use my computer for this (since it's handy and all) ;)
American honey. she is love. i'm in a hurry (and don't know why). the house that built me. the way you love me. happy. til kingdom come. backseat of a greyhound bus. here comes goodbye. times like these. i was here. man enough. no end in sight. first time. cry. down the road. change. just say the word. when the stars go blue. the man i want to be. lovin' you on my mind. yesterday's rain. let her cry. any other world. red light. the women in my life. sweetest sin. amarillo sky. far away. only grace. last kiss. beautiful disaster. tell me why. this love. 

Music

I heard this song the other day and it talked so much about what is going on with me and a special someone.  I could listen to it 50 times a day, it's just amazing!

You were Juliet and I was into you
And I asked you out til you couldn't say no 
And you finally felt it too.
I drove you down the boulevard 
That's where you took my heart
And you gave me yours instead
And every day you find new ways to be beautiful
You laugh at the garden that won't grow in the lawn.
Drink coffee in the kitchen with no makeup on
Sing all the wrong words to my favorite songs
You're beautiful and that's beautiful
You got lines on your face from sleeping on me
Call me at work cause you lost your key
Go to buy a dog and you come home with three
You're beautiful and that's beautiful to me
You turn every head when you walk into a room
But your kindness and your sweetened soul lingers like perfume.
Babe, you coulda gone with Romeo
But you let him go 
And you stayed with me instead 

And every day I find new ways that make you beautiful
You say honey give me roses but don't buy red
You need 46 pillows all over the bed
You guess every punchline before its said 
You're beautiful and thats beautiful
What's she doing with a guy like me?
You're so cool and I'm high tea.
I don't deserve to
Have a girl as beautiful as you
You laugh at the garden that won't grow in the lawn.
Drink coffee in the kitchen with no makeup on
Sing all the wrong word to my favorite songs
You're beautiful and that's beautiful
You got lines on your face from sleeping on me
Call me at work cause you lost your keyGo to buy a dog and you come home with threeYou're beautiful and that's beautiful to me
You're so beautiful
And that's beautiful to me.

Day 7

musicians that speak to you. one song or every song. can you think of 20?


j simp. jaron and the long road to love. darius rucker. casting crowns. blake shelton. zach brown band. sara evans. sugarland. kellie pickler. steel magnolia. the band perry. miranda lambert. little big town. brandon heath. eli young band. daughtry. third day. carrie underwood. lady antebellum. kate voegele. 

Day 6

share something cool about your relationship with a good friend of yours.


I can't pick one friend...I have 3 best friends and each of them brings something special to my life! :) 


One started over a pair of shoes, back in my senior year of high school.  We barely talked after that, until the fall of my freshman year of college.  We randomly started talking about deep, life things and ended up taking a road trip together, that was the beginning of one of my best friendships, something that will last a lifetime! :) It's fun to think of the beginning of that story...oh how far we have come! :) 


My other best friendship started when I was 8, although we grew apart for a few years and started it again in high school.  She is so much like it me, it's awesome (most times).  We went through some of hardest times of our lives together, we leaned on each other, depended on each other...and we came out of it together.  She continues to be one of the few I turn to at all times! She's amazing! She also gave me a panda bear for my 8th birthday, and I slept with every night for YEARS until somehow it disappeared! :(  I miss that little guy! 


My other friendship is fairly new.  It started through boyfriends and although one of those may not have lasted (and almost both, eek), we have remained close.  We bonded instantly that first night we hung out and went on a double date...we had so much in common.  She probably knows my special guy better than any of my other friends, and I tend to turn to her the most in that area.  She supports me through everything, all of these girls do actually.  They all want the best for me, and I love them all for that! I'm blessed, truly truly blessed! :)

Pure Perfection! :)

Almost 9 months ago, I spent 5 days in complete perfection. I went to L.A with a special someone for a special event.  My cousin was getting married and it happened to be over my spring break...PERFECT timing!

The weather was perfect. the company was perfect. the wedding was perfect. my relationship was absolutely PERFECT, it's hard to even explain.

We began by laying by the beach for half a day.  We ran into the ocean (it was freezing).  We laid next to each other in the sun, on the sand We held hands.  We watched the dolphins (it was amazing, I'd never seen it in real life). We LOVED...

The next day we had another relaxing day.  We laid by the hotel pool, most of the time just the two of us.  We brought out drinks.  We tanned.  We listened to music.  We talked about the future.  We held hands (isn't that the best feeling?).  We had a blast!

Then we went to Hollywood! :)

We saw the stars...On the walk of fame and even sited a real one! :)

We saw some famous people's houses...

                                                                    Dr. Phil's house

                                                                  Simon Cowell's house.

We then went to a wedding...a wedding that was simple, beautiful and perfect.

We also got to hang out with some awesome people! :)

We made a connection to last a life time!  I'd give anything to go back to that time.  It's so hard to put into words, but it was unbelieveable!!!! So. Amazing...

Day 5

i believe that… i believe you should… i believe in… 20 of them. explain some.


Oh boy...I believe that... 1. doggie's love is the best. 2. a person can change someone's life for the better.  3/ everything happens for a reason (except for death). 4. you should always have a positive attitude (easier said than done). 5. a smile can change someone's day.  6. a dog can change someone's life (there is no better companion). 7. tattoos are a form of art and each one tells a story. 8. babies are life's true blessings. 9. every person you come in contact with impacts your life (just think about that).  10. dreams can come true! :) 11. I was meant to come to iowa for a reason (i might have found it too). :) 


i believe you should...12. pray every night (it's a great feeling when they're answered).  13. enjoy the little moments of life, you'll never get them back.  14. take time to spend time with those that truly love and support you.  15. trust few with your heart. 


I believe in... 16. God. 17. true love. 18. photography (and how it can impact people). 19. trust (I want to see the best in people). 20. true happiness (in every aspect of life). 

Roller Coaster

Sometimes I feel like I'm on a roller coaster in my daily life.  I graduated college in May with everything figured out and perfect, or so I thought.  I had a great relationship, a college degree, what seemed to be the perfect job, a free place to live, an adorable puppy (well that didn't actually come til June), and a support system that was amazing and loved and cared about me for ME! :)

A few months later, the boy moved to Chicago in June, I moved back to Iowa from home to live with my grandma and started classes at Drake, all at the end of August.  Well, the moved caused things to fall apart in the relationship, I wasn't working yet and my grandma was driving me crazy and I missed home.

Well around that time/beginning of September things completely fell apart in some aspects, while others it picked up.  The relationship was done and I was over it.  Things were so crappy at the end that I wanted nothing to do with that.  I was ready to move on, find someone else and when the year was over, go back to Minnesota.  My job was great, and that kept me going through everything.  I felt like I was actually doing something I wanted to be doing.

Well, it's now the middle of November and things have taken a crazy, life jolting, turn...again.  The job is not as great as it once was.  I don't feel the connection I once did with it all and some of the passion has left.  The boy was wanting to see where things could go again and was very persistent with it. We finally hung out and things clicked again, it all felt right.  Maybe we needed the break.  I know things can be great, they were at one point.  I know with a positive attitude and some patience, things can get there again.  We no doubt have some kinks to work but I think we can do that.

As happy as I am with most things, I'd rather be out laying on a calm, smooth ocean than riding this crazy roller coaster of life.  I'm ready to come out of the tunnel and see the end of the ride.  But does that ever really happen?  Doubtful...

This is what life is like...

When we need more days like this...

and I'll end with this quote from one awesome person... "we must be willing to let go of the life we planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us to live."

Day 4

what is your shower routine? is it strict? right before, in there, and after. do you shower everyday? what things do you do in the shower? do you ever change products? post a photo of your shower!


I'm not a fan of this day post, I want something creative haha, but I'll do it anyway! 


Since most of the time I shower at my grandma's (where I'm currently living) I'll do that routine.  


I get up and put my puppy outside.  She then follows me into the bathroom for shower time.  She LOVES to lick the water and she'd do it the whole time I'm in the shower if I'd let her.  I get in and crack the door while I get under the shower for the first time and put my hand to her and she licks the water running off my fingers.  I then close the door on her and she goes and sleeps in bed with my grandma.  I then wash my hair, and rinse it.  Then I put conditioner in.  While the conditioner is sitting in my hair I wash my face and body, then I wash it all off, including the conditioner.  If it's a day to shave, it's a whole different routine! :) 


Oh and I have to brush my hair before and after my shower.  If I don't, it's gross.   That's day 4...I hope I can be more creative from now on! :)

Day 3

any thoughts on God/religion?


I keep my religion pretty private and don't talk about it much.  I believe in God and I try to attend church every Sunday and pray every night.  God can really do some amazing things...it's hard not to believe! :) 

Day 2

Share some thing sad in your life.

In just a few days, it will be 11 years….That’s crazy to think about.  November 23, 1999, a day I will alway remember.  I was in sixth grade, way to young for something like this to happen.  A few weeks earlier, she fell and hit her head and was rushed to the hospital where she was there for 2 weeks.  She was in a medically induced coma and they tried taking her out once and she arrested. They tried again a few days later, and she arrested again, but this time she didn’t have the fight left in her.  She passed away with her parents by her side.

That next day at school I remember I found out right away.  I was putting stuff in my locker when someone a year older than me said, “I’m so sorry about Mary.”  I had no idea she had passed away, so I quickly found my friends and confirm the devastating news.  I spent most of the day in the nurse’s office with my friends crying and talking.  My mom came during lunch to take us to Hogan Brothers, a much needed break.  

The visitation was on Thanksgiving Day.  The line was out the door.  I was so nervous to see her.  She looked different, but I won’t get into the details!  She had a love for her dog Max and I remember her family brought him to the funeral home for the visitation.  The next day was her funeral at St. Dominic’s church, a place I had never been before and a place that will forever be connected to Mary.  Her parents asked me to read a prayer.  It was just a few sentence’s long, but I was so nervous being in front of all those people.  They told us to go slow so people could understand us, and I remember reading it so fast! Oops! 

My relationship with Mary was pretty new, but something that was definitely growing.  We sat 2 seats away from each other in band, in the clarinet section.  The day before she fell, she was complaining all during band that she had a headache, so we were devastated to hear she was in the hospital the next day.  I had spent the Friday before it all with her at the Northfield football game in Prior Lake…Something I’ll never forget.  Years later, her parents asked me to talk about her at the dedication of the softball shelter/concession, I was a freshman in high school, it was the first time I was ever in the paper…The front section of sports page and I was crying.  Later, my freshman year of college, I went and got a tattoo of the words live, laugh love on my back.  The saying that is on Mary’s plaque on the softball shelter.  

Sorry this is kind of scattered, but I had never really written about it.  I was young and it’s been 11 years, I had forgotten some of these details until now.  I can’t believe it’ll be 11 years in 4 days…Live Well. Laugh Often. Love Much.

Mary Elizabeth Stanton June 6, 1988-November 23, 1999.

Day 1

Day 1

I have a few friends that have talked me into getting this new blog, so I’m giving in.  They are doing 30 days of getting to know them and I want to write about some of the things, so here I am! :) 

Share 7 things about yourself and post a recent photo.

1. I have two beautiful nieces that are truly my world! You can’t be around me if you don’t like them! ;) I have an unbelieveable connection with the older one, and working my way towards that with the younger one.

2. I LOVE the state of Minnesota.  I had known that four years ago, I would never have left.  Here I am, in the state of Iowa and wishing everyday I could be back home.  There is just something about the Twin Cities area…everything is at your finger tips.  But an hour north of the area, you’ll be surrounded by huge, old trees, and thousands of lakes.  Nothing can beat that! :) Simple an amazing state!

3. I have two older siblings, a brother and sister.  Both of them happened to be adopted.  My parents were told they couldn’t have kids…Then came me! :)  Life is full of surprises.  Although I don’t always get along with them, or have that much in common with them, I love them dearly.  They have truly shaped the person I am today.

4. I’m a vegetarian.  Let me save you the time of asking why…It happened in third grade, crazy I know.  Some family brought in one of their baby pigs to my classroom and I have always been a huge animal lover.  My best friend and I at the time promised each other we’d never eat meat again.  She lasted a few weeks, then another few weeks of just not eating any pork products.  I, on the other hand, have not eaten meat in 14 years and counting!  The most annoying thing people can say is, “I could never do that.” I’m not asking anyone to do it or asking for your opinions, it’s a choice I made and I’m not commenting on your choices, thank you very much! 

5. I have a crazy puppy that I love like crazy!!!! :)  She can drive me crazy sometimes, but the love of a doggy is like nothing else! 

6.  I also really love kids! I’m currently a nanny and completing my early childhood endorsement.  My dream job is teaching preschool…I think.  I just want to make a difference in people’s lives.

7. Some people think it’s weird that I love Jessica Simpson.  I’m not really sure why, I guess I just fell in love with her beauty, it’s breath taking!  I believe she played a dumb blonde on “Newlyweds” and don’t really think she’s like that.  And if she, then she gives me some good laughs! :)  It’d be a DREAM COME TRUE to meet her! :)