Archive for December, 2009

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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to say that I have made it so anyone can leave a comment for up to 30 days on any post that is 30 days old or less! If you didn’t say what you wanted to in 30 days, well, not my problemo people! Get with it. Commenting is all the rage these days, it’s the new pink.

LOVE!

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The fact that I’ve just finished the CRAZIEST week of my nursing program with both my life AND sanity intact has led me to thinking about how I got here. Okay, so the sanity bit is debatable, I’ll give you that.
This is how I got here:
I have an amazing mom who has done my laundry, cooked my dinners, prepared my lunches and listened to my tirades even when she wasn’t feeling well. I did NOT let her do all that since she’s been sick, seriously. Okay so maybe I have let off some steam here and there, but you can BE SURE that I whispered if she was sleeping. Do you realize how hard it is to WHISPER while ranting? Try it.
I have A-FREAKIN-MAZING classmates who unknowingly reach out to me in my darkest moments, give me desperately needed rides to class on a whim, buy me Starbucks when I’m having a bad day, pray for me, text me when I’m not in class, stay 20 minutes longer after class so I can copy their notes and always make me laugh. (you know who you are ;))
I have a dad who scrapes the frost off my car and warms it up 15 minutes before I leave for class (running late no less). He also lets me practice my sharpened wit and sarcasm at his expense. Thanks dad!
I have a dear, sweet friend who comes over to wash our family’s dishes, walk our dog and offer continual support, fellowship and love. She has shown me what a true servant’s heart is like.
I have a best friend whose mere 10-minute phonecall was able to keep me laughing, smiling and realizing how blessed I am.
I have a God who loves me more than I am capable of understanding, who patiently waits while I fume about how unfair life is, and who has given me the people mentioned above.

Oh and I have people who read my blog (and exclaim at my outlandish remarks to quit) whom I love, no matter how quiet and un-commenting they are.

That’s how I’ve made it so far, and I know I’m gonna make it to May 2010!
What are you grateful for?

LOVE!

ps So in the month of November I got more hits here than ever, which is ironic to me considering the lack of posts and then the “I QUIT” post. Maybe I should quit more often.

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