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! :)