A few thoughts...

I've had some things on my mind for a few weeks right now. And wanted to revisit a few moments when things just seemed right, times when I felt like I knew that things were going to be good for me. I need to feel those feelings again right now in my life, so maybe this will help me get back there.

So this is me in Guatemala. This was the day I got to go on a mobile clinic and we stopped at this waterfall. I felt like I was in LOST (tv show)!! But this trip made me so thankful for my job back at home and thankful for what I do have. The whole trip really did something in me and I want to feel that again so when I wake up in the morning I actually want to go to work.

And this day...oh man it was awesome. Byron and Sarah invited me, Anne and the Kornrumpfs out to the farm. This was like March or April of last year and it was a beautiful day, warm weather, clear skies. BK had his convertible so we drove out to the BR. It was a Sunday afternoon and me, Anne, Sarah and Katie all laid on a blanket in the sun and just took in the day. I remember wishing that the day would not end, that the sun wouldn't go down, that I could stay with those girls and no one would move away and we would be friends forever. I LOVED that day. LOVED it.

And then their's Alison. I miss her. She challenged me on a daily basis when we were roomates. I heard Kiera say tonight that she was at Winterfest this past weekend and I envied that! It's almost been a year since I've seen her. And this night we took this picture she stayed the night and Katie stayed that night too and the 3 of us stayed up til 1 or so in the morning giggling ourselves to sleep. I didn't want that night to end either, because I didn't want her to leave us again. I miss you Alison!

So this one is funny!! This is at work not too long after I started working there. I wasn't too close to any of those girls and now 2 of them are 2 of my closest friends. This was a crazy time in my life where I didn't know what I wanted out of life! But to see how far I have come makes me feel just a -tad- better.

And this is my Grandma. She was in the hospital for a few days last week in TN and I almost got in my car and drove to the hospital in Paris, TN to be with her. I don't want her to ever feel pain or suffer from anything. I want her around for 25 more years!! She and my grandpa are all I have left and I want them to see me get married and have children and have them be around it. I miss her greatly right now, because I want to be there to take care of her and be her personal caregiver! She is a strong woman though and gets through her pain. She is my biggest fan and is always encouraging me and supporting me through the good and the bad. Be mindful of her in your prayers. Love you Grandma.

I've been thinking a lot lately. Mostly things that I really WANT right now. I thought I would share my thoughts.

1. Sunshine...mostly to feel it on my skin.

2. To be tan.

3. A man to share this time of my life with. Someone to call home. (this one trumps all)

4. Cookouts.

5. A far away vacation.

6. Lose a lot of weight.

7. Finish painting all of the rooms in my house.

8. More time off from work.

9. Flip flops and sandals.

Ok...I think that does it. They may all seem silly. But those are the things that I am so tired of working and waiting for!! The finding a man thing really is such a big desire of mine right now, and since most of my really good friends are married and having children it just constantly runs in my mind. God knows the desires of my heart, but I know I need to desire him more right now than my own wants. Man...that is so much easier to say than DO!!!

Now something fun...

The Great Chop off of 2010!

I was getting tired of dealing with the long hair so I got 8 or 9 inches cut off. I haven't measured it yet. And Yes it is going to Locks of Love!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Snow Day!!

So...it's kinda been snowing a lot here lately. I decided to get snowed-in with my family, especially the kiddos! I had a great weekend and loved getting to have one-on-one time with them! Here are a few pictures from our day in the snow.

Coming soon.....

-I cut off 9" of hair last week. Before and After pics.

-Myrtle Beach trip with Amber and Evan

TA DA!!!

Before and after of my kitchen!!

I started Friday night and finished the next night. Katie and sweet Nathan came over and helped. I appreciate the company more than the actual work! But I'll still take! Thanks again Katie! Hope you like the outcome!

I suppose this awful plaid wallpaper used to be in the kitchen! I am so glad I didn't have to deal with taking that off!!

Before:

After:

The frame above my stove is a cover of a Donut Friar box. The Donut Friar is a place in the Village of Gatlinburg and is a family favorite!! I just cut the logo off the box and put it in a frame! Talk about cheap decor!! And it means so much to me and I love to see it everyday and think of good memories! I think I'll do that more often!! Especially in the kitchen! So if you are ever in Gatlinburg make sure you check it out! It's right behind the Pancake Pantry, which is another favorite place of ours!

I made a last minute decision this past Saturday to make a trip to Nashville. The reason being...my brother was having a private cd-release home show. I have wanted to go and be a part of it ever since he told me about it, but I really didn't want to make that trip alone. But the more I thought about it the more I wanted to go and be there to support Patrick's music and represent his family! Plus I had Monday off of work for a MLK day, so I just decided to DO IT! I left at 6:30 am on Saturday and made it there in GREAT time!! Oh...and did I tell you that Patrick had NO CLUE I was coming?!?!

So Erin and I had been talking all morning and trying to make it so he would answer the door, so I knocked on the back door and sure enough he answered! He was so so so excited and so confused! But he couldn't stop laughing and asking questions! He loved it! And his reaction was just priceless! You're the best Patrick!! Love you!

Here's the sun rising over the mountains:

Erin singing with Patrick on a few songs and Deidre the amazing celloist who plays with Patrick as well

Check out Patrick's website http://www.prattleonrick.com/

You can purchase his new EP, Communion Bread for $5.

This cd has really excited me lately, and not just because he's my brother, but the songs have made me really think about my life as a journey and what I'm going to do with that journey. I really believe in his music and his talent and I want people to know about it. Seriously....go check it out. BUY it. $5!!!! My favorite is Lately. He is on itunes too! So put it on your ipod people!! And for my Nashville friends he is always playing in and around the area, so look at his concerts.

Happy January everyone!! This post is mostly to show some of my favorite "spots" in my house! I have lived here for 6 months now?! And improvements still need to be made, I just need to set aside the time to make some changes, mostly painting...which I DREAD!

Here's the guest room:

Where several guests have already slept! Like Katie Beth, Sarah Branch, Patrick and Erin...and many more to come!

My staircase...

Entryway:

Living Room sitting area:

(This MAY be my favorite!)

Part of my kitchen counter with my new/fun, under-the-counter paper towel holder!!! And my Moravian serving plate!

AND this little cutie pie is not in my house, but I did get to spend the afternoon and evening with him and his parents (well mostly Katie http://kornrumpf.blogspot.com/ ). He was very smiley and I had to take some pictures. So SO SOSOSOSOSO cute!!! He was ready to go out in to the 20 degree weather! I love this little guy and love watching him become a little man!!!

Yule Tide

Hope everyone had a great Christmas!! I got 5 days off in a row for the holidays and I spent every minute of it with my family. My grandparents and Patrick & Erin got here the Sunday before Christmas and were here through this past Monday. Tuesday night Patrick and Erin came over to stay the night and we decided to re-arrange my living room!!! And I LOVE it!! But, I do miss having them here with me to enjoy it and to talk about all the possibilities in my place. It's so fun to dream with someone else and have something to look forward to. I miss them a lot already. So I took a couple of pictures to give you a good look. I plan to paint the room a blue color that will go with the pillows on the couch.

Here's my dad with baby Ethan on Christmas night. He really liked this picture and I like it too. Ethan was the star of the day he was so sweet and went to EVERYONE in the house.



Christmas Eve I had everyone over to my house for dinner. My aunt Debi also got here that day and I was so excited for everyone to see my place and eat at my table. I made Chicken tortilla soup and a baked brie for an appetizer. It was all very yummy!! It's so cool to have my family in my home eating and talking around the dinner table together. It was my first family meal in my home and I won't forget it. After dinner I had showed all of my Guatemala pictures to my family and told them all about the trip. They were troopers through the body part/organs pictures from the operating room! Christmas day was my favorite thus far. We had 18 people at my parents house. It was an awesome day! That weekend we all hung out and stayed indoors with each other. I am so bummed that everyone has left and I had to go back to the ol' routine. 5 days was NOT enough!

And....

This is my tree. So sad. It was given to me a couple of years ago and is so beautiful, but during the move it got all messed up. I didn't leave it crooked though, I just had to straigten it up! So it was its last Christmas. So sad.