travel

Okay, I promised photos and you shall have photos!
Spring Break was wonderful! I got to see all my loved ones and felt truly refreshed and relaxed when we left. Sometimes I just wish the world would shrink a bit so I could be close to everyone that I love at the same time. I’d love if everyone was less than 4 hours away! I think I was meant to be a sort-of rancher (minus all the hard work stuff) because it seems like the whole family lives on the same plot of land. But then would we drive each other crazy? And I really like living near big cities. I guess you can’t have it all!

Traditional St. Patrick’s Day dinner at Aunt Carla and Jenn’s house. Aunt Carla is one of THE BEST COOKS/BAKERS I’ve ever known. I’m blessed to have gifted cooks and bakers in my family!
Left to right (Jenn, me, mom and Aunt Carla)

Oma and mom. I don’t have any pictures of Oma and me, but Oma does, so I will have to scan those!

The most precious Reeck family and me! I’m sad that I’m missing watching these boys grow up because they are too cute!
left to right (me, Paul, Noah, Carrie, Wesley aka C’s boo)

And finally, a word from Dylan and Wesley, with a cameo by Noah.

LOVE!

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Okay everybody, don’t be all shocked when you reread all of this in a chapter of the book I write with Cecilia.
Saturday night mom, dad and I are hanging out, watching tv and whatnot. I was feeling pretty accomplished because I had successfully installed a digital thermostat. I was contemplating all the energy and money we’d save because I have SKILLZ, yo! Dad comes up from the basement and says, “Do you guys smell gas?” As soon as he finished the sentence both of us were hit with a wave of a unlit-gas-burner smell, so we KNEW this wasn’t the beginning of a joke about flatulence, this was SERIOUS. Mom says, “I think we should call 911.” So I call and they tell us to close all the doors and windows and get out of the house. We oblige. Let me paint you a lil picture. I am outside in work-out paints tucked into wellies, with my Georgetown (go Hoyas!) sweatshirt on, my winter coat (thanks Alex and Kaitlyn!) and Dad’s new rain jacket on top with a knit hat on. I looked like a hobo. I was shaking, either from the adrenaline or the cold, or both. Two cop cars pull up, a fireman arrives in his truck (not firetruck, just truck). The fireman knows my dad, so they shoot the breeze until mom says, “Our house smells like gas, could you guys please chat later?” They go inside and find that we have twice the normal amount of carbon monoxide in our house. I, by now, have a wicked headache. The real firetruck arrives and a firefighter asks us what happened and if I want to be checked out. I agree to let them take vitals, they call the paramedics. My blood pressure is 138/80 (usually is 110/70) and my pupils are sluggish in response to light (normally your pupils respond “briskly”). The paramedics have a handy-dandy C.O. monitor and check me out, I have no CO poisening, yay! I’m assuming the headache was from the cold and high blood pressure. All of us check out okay with no signs of poisening. We waited for them to let us back in the house, after the CO levels were back to “normal”. We were told the CO came from the furnace and to leave it off all night and leave our windows cracked. Yes, we do have a CO detector but had it unplugged. Yes, we are THOSE people who you see on 20/20, who are found unconscious because they unplugged their detectors! Which reminds me, GET CO DETECTORS! There should be one on every level of your house and you need to replace the batteries in your smoke alarms too (apparently that’s a daylight savings’ deal)!! My favorte thing was afterwards, when talking to a dear friend, her mom asks in the background, “were any of the firefighters cute?” This is my life. And I’m REALLY thankful for it.
You know, carbon monoxide usually doesn’t smell. Now isn’t THAT interesting?
The next morning I woke up, packed (we are visiting Oma this week) ate a banana and took my multivitamin and promptly got sick. I think that the banana + multivitamin combo is not so much fun for the stomach because, believe it or not, this has happened before. I was fine afterwards and we proceeded on vacation. Just add it to the list of crazy things that happen to our family.

LOVE!

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I SHOULD be doing something else…like, oh, say STUDYING for my critical care final. But I wanted to say hi. So, hi.
God is doing SO much in my life and in the lives of those around me and I’m SO excited. I’m pretty fired up, haven’t felt this way since high school, which is sad. I’m really praying and thinking about ways I can serve others once I’ve graduated. I really want to get into Habitat for Humanity, maybe volunteer at a clinic that serves the poor and maybe some international work. I know it sounds like I’m getting WAY ahead of myself, but I am praying about these things and trying to be smart. I just want to keep up the enthusiasm and think I’ve wasted enough time focusing on myself. I know there is A REASON why I am becoming a nurse, and I don’t want to waste this calling. There is nothing in the world like serving God and the people He loves, I want to do it ALL the time!
Okay back to studying!

LOVE!

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Or “rule” really. That rule being that I don’t post until someone has commented on my last post. But, people, it’s NEW YEAR’S EVE and everyone knows this gives you a free pass to get straight up crazy (straight up crazy? Is that an oxymoron?)!! I’m definitely feeling the need for catharsis via “let’s recap 2009 as well as the last decade” on my lovely blog!
First and craziest, I cannot believe I am old enough to remember the last DECADE and remember it well at that. I can probably remember the last two decades actually. EEK! As I tweeted earlier, 10 years ago today I was doing the exact same thing I am doing right now. Hanging out on Sanibel, wishing for something exciting to do with anyone under the age of 40 (no offense dad, mom and Gramps), drinking WAY too much sparkling grape juice, and most likely spending inordinate amounts of time on the Nokia cell phone I got for Christmas. I was a sophomore in high school, probably wondering why NO one “gets me” and desperately wishing for a boyfriend. Oh 16, what a beautiful age. Anywho, let’s move onto the nitty-gritty.

Top 10s of the last decade (in no particular order):
1. Graduating high school
2. Two trips to Europe
3. Trip to Australia
4. Trip to NYC (and seeing Wicked!)
5. My four blessed years at John Brown, where I met some pretty awesome people
6. Living in DC and near C for a year and half (DC is forever changed!)
7. Personal growth. Now before you start moaning about the cliche and throw your old self-help books at me, listen! It’s true. Honestly, sometimes I think about who I was 10 years ago, 7 years ago and last year and I am SO embarassed at things I did or said. I can’t claim any of this growth, however, it’s all by God’s merciful and kind hand!
8. Getting accepted into nursing school. Though in the midst of it I easily forget, God made a way for me, He opened so many doors for this and I’m really thankful and excited!
9. The safety and good health of my family. The past decade has really taught me to NEVER, EVER take these two precious things for granted. Each day is a gift! As is each kidney!
10. Knowing that my Lord has never forsaken nor left my side. His goodness never ends!!

Okay, I intended to do a “Top 10 of 2009″ but I’m all out of ideas! How about top 10 pictures? Yes?

Okay, started the year here. Love this photo because this is what I imagine God’s love is, rays of sunshine falling on us.

Love this. That’s it.

My hometown, Kansas City.

Backyard wonderland.

My best lil guy, well within 60 miles. I have some best guys in Colorado too, just don’t get to see them or photograph them very often! I’ve loved getting to be a part of his precious life and family!

My BEST GIRL! Well, my best furry, four-legged girl! haha. Paisley has been such a blessing and a great addition to our family! I love her dearly.

Speaking of furry best friends! Denali has been a great addition to this family too! I took a really good picture of him but I feel this one adequately puts together what D means to us and Alex.

KELLY CAME HOME! YAYAYAY! And here she is at my birthday celebration! Joy!

I flew to surprise C in DC. “Awesomeness” sums it up. I love that you can tell how excited we still are when this photo was taken!

My family. Laughing. Doesn’t get much better than this.

Okay. That took longer than I thought. I should be moseying to bed as I’m getting up at 6 (6!!) to start the drive home tomorrow. I’m purposely ignoring how depressing this could potentially be because! look up! God has blessed me beyond belief!

Happy New Year!
LOVE!

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I suppose I will just gloss over that fact that I got one, one-worded comment on a post I wrote ABOUT SEEING JESUS IN MY ROOM! This is me, glossing.

My glorious vacation here in Sanibel is coming to a close. Please hold while I cry like a little girl. Okay, back. It’s been really great, and honestly, the Lord has blessed me so much. While I was looking forward to coming to paradise (chuh), I was sad (seriously sad) that I’d have no hip young things to chill with this year. Shortly after we arrived, we found out my cousin Tim would be coming down (for something like 36 hours)! Whoopee! THEN! my cousin Grace decided she would mosey on down too (for barely over 48 hours)! Much excitement ensued, as well as much traveling to the airport, whew. And then, much fun occurred. MUCH. I don’t know how, but sometimes I forget what a hoot (yes, hoot) my cousins are! I miss them!
Okay, okay, enough talking, here are some photos for your delightment.

Paisley was quite excited at all the Christmas merriment!

Grace and me out to eat. There was a guy juggling glow-in-the-dark bowling pins and I was hoping we could get him in the background, but alas it didn’t work out.

try not to be jealous of my awesome tan.

The three cousins! It’s unfortunate that I showered JUST before we went out. Obviously a hott look for me.

Gramps with three of his grandkiddos! Have you ever seen such a look of elatement on a grandparent’s face?

superfluous sunset photograph

Wish you were here!

LOVE!

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I know, I know, yall were probably thinking, “Mandy’s going on vacation, I bet she updates practically EVERY day.” Well JOKE’S ON YOU! haha. Well, technically I’ve only had two days of vacation, as I was driving the first three days. So, here I am, writing on the second day, and that ain’t bad, so be thankful for WHAT YOU GET! I’m so full of Christmas cheer! Thus all the CAPITAL LETTERS.
As for the driving, it was LOOOONG, and I swear Atlanta drivers are trying to kill me. I also found that’s it not so easy to find (clean) hotels that accomodate pets. Another highlight of the trip was when I woke up one night and SWORE Jesus was in our room. Before you go believing I’m super holy, so much so that I am having a sacred vision, please know that I’m crazy in the middle of the night. C-R-A-Z-Y. So yeah, that was interesting. Turns out it was just the lamp shade. Make of that what you will.
The last two days actually on the island have been amazing. Paisley is such a water puppy! Which means she is truly with the right family, as we are all “water babies”.

Today I (drumroll please) got a massage. It was life-changing. MMMM. I’m hoping to get another next week!
Ended the day with my best girl (dog) watching the sun set.

Then dinner at Lazy Flamingo with strangers.

Hope your holidays are lovely!

LOVE!

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Now I’ve got you hooked because I bet you thought the title of this post meant I was going to reveal something dirty. Sorry.

I know a lot of people fantasize about this but I’ve been doing it more often than I usually do lately. Picture this……………………………………………………………………. I win the lottery. BIG. We’re talking AT LEAST 20 million. I would IMMEDIATELY go buy my dream Toyota Highlander (and by “immediately” I mean after tithing, paying off loans (my classmates loans too!) and giving huge amounts to charity). THEN I would pay for a driver to take me to and from school so I can sleep and/or study on the way, a masseuse 24/7, pedicures for life and a ridiculous amount of jewelry, shoes and clothes, trips around the world. Man, I go on FOREVAH. In fact, this is getting unhealthy, which is why I try not to do this. I am CONTENT (when not overwhelmed with stress) and happy with my life. But a new car would be super nice!

this is a 2007 but will have to do

What would you guys do with 20 million?

LOVE!

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The ONLY reason I am awake right now is because I want to get AS MUCH documentation done tonight as humanly possible. Naturally that leads me to blog. I was looking through some photographs for some vertical shots of Australia or Europe as my cousin has 4 empty frames that need filling. I am not much help on that front but I DID come across this photo and reallllly like it. I didn’t know if I’d shared it before or not. This picture pretty much sums up everything I love about rainy days.

Darling Harbour, Sydney

Okay off to see how many useable brain cells I have left!
LOVE!

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The ear fiasco 2008 continued…

Yesterday I talked to my cousin Annie, who also was diagnosed with an ear infection. She talked to her pediatrician and explained my situation. The pediatrician was sure I would be fine to fly on Saturday and this sparked some quick-based action. I called the walk-in clinic I visited on Tuesday to see which ENT they were referring me to. I still haven’t heard back from them. So I called Annie’s ENT in Olathe and they got me in TODAY! I was totally surprised that things moved that quickly. Today after leaving 15 minutes later than planned from work I rushed to Olathe Medical Center, got lost of course and was pretty late for my “be 30 minutes early to do paperwork” date. I did that paperwork in RECORD time I tell you. Then I was off to the otologist for a rather intense hearing test. I’m not hearing so well out of my infected ear, chuh. I was sweating during the test though, my breathing is so loud and labored due to my cold that I was afraid I’d miss some of the high-pitched noises so I held my breath. Next I saw the ENT who checked me out and suggested that I either get temporary ear tubes put in or take short-term steroids. The important part was that he said to definitely NOT cancel the trip to Sanibel. SWEET! I was kinda thrown off by the whole ear tubes bit, I didn’t think I’d have to make such a big decision. And anything involving slicing and inserting sounds like a big deal. He said I could think about it and get back to him the next day (Friday). After talking to mom I decided the ear tubes were the way to go, only problem being I am working all day Friday and have already put this family through the ringer. I didn’t want to go back on my commitment to them so I called the ENT office back and asked if they had any availability today. This is at 2ish PM. They had an appointment at 3:20 and I said I’d take it. What a whirlwind. I went back, the procedure took about 15 minutes and now I’m ready to go!! I am all souped up on drugs now too, shoot. I almost feel like there isn’t a natural product running through my body at all at this point. When those natural products are mucus and viruses, yeah, don’t so much mind those not circulating anymore. Whew. I am worn out. BUT I AM GOING TO SANIBEL. That is the bottom line and it’s the best bottom line. I just can’t believe all that has happened in the last 56ish hours. God is GOOD!

LOVE!

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I know, I know

What can I say to explain my lengthy and extremely quiet absence from blogging? Let’s see, well, DC to Denver to home then off to Northwest Arkansas for Homecoming? Fill in the free time with loads of homework, studying, reconnecting with good friends and working? This equals BUSY! Honestly I feel like I haven’t yet caught my breath since leaving for DC. I’ve just today gotten back on track as far as homework is concerned. Oh and I’ve fallen in love. With my 11-week old cousin (please spare me the hick jokes). Seriously. I don’t care that he’s colicky, I don’t care that half the time I am with him he is screaming in my ear or placing his precious toes into his dirty diaper. He’s so dang cute. Which is interesting timing as I just spent a weekend talking to my JBU girlfriends about how we are SO not ready for kids. I mean, my first reason is that I am not married, which is a deal-clincher for me with the whole kids business. Shocking, I know. Secondly I LOVE SLEEP. Thirdly I make, oh, about $1,000,000 less than is necessary to raise a child. Anyhoo. Last week I helped my cousin Annie out with her 10-week-old Ethan. When I left on Thursday and imparted on that loathed drive from KC to Siloam Springs (more on that later) I realized I missed Ethan. I love how he smells and how his head fits perfectly under my chin. I love his coos and giggles and full-body smiles. I couldn’t wait to go back and cuddle with him yesterday morning. So this makes me think that someday I will be ready to have kids. I have always known I will and have always wanted kids, but once I got to that stage of life where it seems like everyone I know is having kids, I started to freak out. At least now I know that the freaking out can hold off for a long while. There is freaking out that I need to focus on now, like WHEN WILL I EVER FIND A GUY? SERIOUSLY? Will I EVER get married? Will I live with my parents FOREVER?

LOVE!

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