Call me the scrapbooken fiend...

Monday evening and Tuesday all day I scrapbooked. Monday was scrapgroup at moms, so i went over after work and we scrapped until about 1am. Tuesday I went to granny's in the afternoon, and mom and granny and i scrapped all day until about 8:30pm. Then we went back to moms to scrapbook some more. I swear my mom has a death wish because she had another mishap with the scissors. Why is it that we laugh at the expense of another person's pain?! HAHA. Here are some of the layouts that I finished between monday and yesterday. I must warn you, I wasn't feeling too creative.

Easter!

I had a special Easter this year. I got to see both sets of grandparents, and spend some good quality time with my family.
Easter with my paternal relatives was celebrated at Carol and Bob's this year because it is currently the only wheelchair accesible home in our family. We really had a good time. We ate Ham, our yummy family recipe of cheesy potatoes, corn, salad, and snicker salad. The food was great, and the dessert was even better. Sarah and Steve were in charge of the dessert. They brought three different types of ice cream and about 10 different types of toppings. It was so good! We had a special prayer time for our family's deployed soldiors, we sang the HORRIBLE family happy birthday song, we played a little ROOSKIE, and chatted lots. At one point I was sitting in the piano room with uncle John, and Harold...Aunt Penny's Father. Harold just began telling uncle John how he was asking God to intervene in some way and somehow let his deceased wife Ethel know that he is doing ok down here. Immediately I broke into tears. I cant even explain how sweet it was to hear this little old man talk about how he was asking God to tell his wife in heaven that he as doing ok. He continued by telling a dream he had the night before which he described as divine intervention. He walked into a room and saw many beautiful women dressed to a T wearing big beautiful hats. He walked a little farther in and saw his wife Ethel standing there "with the most beautiful smile" which he said she had always had. He then woke up and felt as though that was God's way of telling him that Ethel knew he was doing well, and loved him. I was seriously a wreck. What a beautiful story. Such beautiful love these two have...even considering one has passed on to heaven. He's such a Godly man. What an inspiration.

Did you know…

1. I had a VERY troubled childhood.
2. For some reason I feel awkward around my maternal grandparents
3. I have deep dark secrets
4. I love my fiancee more than any other human being on this earth
5. I want short hair
6. I wish I could live in uptown alone and create art and clothe myself in consignment store clothing
7. I am insecure
8. I think Nicole is the most beautiful human being alive, and it breaks my heart that she doesn’t see it.
9. I desire to give everything I have, including my time, to everyone I love and those I don’t even know
10. Sometimes I give too much so that I cant even take care of myself
11. Every time I smoke I think of my uncle Tom and my uncle Bob
12. When I don’t follow through with a commitment…it eats me up inside.
13. I wish that someone would see that I am a genuinely kind and giving person.
14. I had a scare with cancer a year ago
15. I have the utmost respect for Becky, and am proud of the changes she has made in her life. I love you Becky.
16. My best memories of my mom are when she lived with Julie and we sat on her concrete floor in her room and listened to classical music and made crafts. I love you mom.
17. I would take my uncles place if I had the choice. His children need him, his wife needs him.
18. I desire to have true love like Carol and Bob, and Mom and Scott.
19. I am an emotional person.
20. I desire to say I love you more often. To those I say it, I TRULY mean it, to those I don’t…sometimes its hard for me…BUT I LOVE YOU JUST AS MUCH.
21. I want to live with a small African tribe. I want to experience having no money, I want to find why they have TRUE joy, and I want to learn about their culture.
22. I beat myself up because I think I am selfish.
23. Bri, I think you are the biggest sweetheart in the world, and I see you doing BIG things in life. I love you.
24. I wish I could give all my money, and all the money in the world to my mom and scott, they are such amazing people.
25. Taking the Lord’s name in vain truly PAINS me.
26. I want children…lots of them
27. Sometimes I get depressed because I give, give, give…and don’t take time for me. When I get to that point, I shut everyone else out, and I have hurt a LOT of people that way. If this applies to you…I am sorry with all my heart.
28. I miss GG SOOOOOOO much, and I want to visit her….but I never make the time.
29. I ALWAYS see the good in a person before the bad. Sometimes it gets me into trouble, but I see it as a blessing. I think God has blessed me with being understanding and compassionate. I think I have potential to do big things.
30. I can get along with ANYONE.
31. I look up to my grandmother. She is the most loving person that ever lived.
32. I forgave my father a LONG time ago
33. I like to read.
34. I love my siblings more than they will ever know. Jay, you are an amazing man. I appreciate all you do for me. I appreciate you being there when no one else was. I appreciate you loving me no matter what. You are my best friend. Andrew, you are the smartest little boy I have ever met. You are hilarious. You are such a lover, and some girl some day will be lucky to have you. Lauren, I am sorry for all the times I made you feel like I didn’t love you as much. I do, I just have a hard time communicating it. I think you are brilliant, and God has made you into such a beautiful young woman. Britta, you are such a spitfire. You have a zest for life like no other human being I have met. Don’t ever let go of that. You are beautiful and intelligent and you will do big things.
35. It breaks my heart when my father doesn’t approve.
36. There is nothing I’d rather do than scrapbook with you mom. You are an AMAZING artist and I look up to you.
37. Mom, did you know that when you asked my father for forgiveness…it made me cry. That is huge. I cannot express with words how much I look up to you. I love you so much.
38. I have never met a father who loves his child more than my stepfather. You are amazing Scott.
39. I wish I tried harder in high school
40. I NEVER judge a person based on looks…and I take pride in that.
41. I wish Nikki knew how amazing she was.
42. I wish I remembered my childhood.
43. I wish I took more pictures
44. Every time I watch gymnasts in the Olympics, I cry. I always wanted to go further than I did in gymnastics…I wanted to be an Olympian.
45. I miss my old home, and I miss my grandparents old home
46. I want to join a choir.
47. I hate war and I hate the army.
48. I CANT WAIT FOR LANCE TO COME HOME!
49. Some of the most important things I have learned in life:
1. Love yourself
2. Don’t take love lightly, but make sure you say it to those you love OFTEN
3. Never judge a man by his outward appearance. I have found that many who are aesthetically pleasing to the eye, are lacking in substance, and that those who are different are AMAZING.
4. Follow your dreams NOW…there may not be tomorrow.
5. Money isn’t everything.
6. Take your job serious. Work is pleasing to God. Whether it be McDonalds, or Wall Street, work to the best of your ability and you will go far.
7. Never be afraid or embarrassed to be you…if someone doesn’t like it than they aren’t worth your time.
8. NEVER hold a grudge, and ALWAYS forgive.
9. Be humble.
10. Don’t be negative about anything….someone somewhere has it worse…trust me.
11. If you’ve been through a lot of hard stuff…IT’S A BLESSING!!! I have been through hell and back in my life, and I wouldn’t change a thing. I have learned so much. Now I have an opportunity to help someone somewhere with the same issues.
12. Respect your elders, those in authority over you, your parents and EVERYONE for that matter.
13. Put yourself above everyone in the respects that you don’t need anyone else to be great, but at the same time put yourself below everyone meaning you are never better than anyone else.
14. GOD SHOULD BE THE CENTER OF YOUR WORLD. WITHOUT HIM THERE IS NO MEANING TO LIFE OR DEATH.

I have so much running through my head. I cannot get it all out right now…There is so much more that I want you to know about me. To be continued…

I hate Mondays

I have never really liked Mondays. I dont like that it is the first day back to work after the all too short weekend, I dont like that I have to work early, and I just plain old dont like it. (wow...so much for that NO complaints thing) I got to work and didnt see that many appointments on the books, which on Mondays, I dont mind being slow. Then as the morning went on, we kept getting walk-in's and call-in's. Which is good, dont get me wrong I love my job, but I JUST HATE MONDAYS...and doing anything but being a lazy bum on Monday's just isnt appealing. So we had a CRAZY busy day (which ended up making the day go faster) probably due to President's Day. Another thing I despised about working on Monday...It was a holiday and it seemed like everyone was off but ME. Then put the icing on the cake...IT WAS A GORGEOUS DAY! I sure wish I could have had the day off just to even sit outside. It was so beautiful. Oh well...
I got a coupon in the mail for a free $55 for Mystic, which I was informed later is because I spend a LOT of money there. I thought that was funny because i dont really. So Jay and I went there and spent it. We ended up staying until 5am!!! And I left with $260! I was super excited because I didnt even spend a penny of my money! I had only used the fre $55. Then I came home and slept FINALLY!
I am not feeling up to par today, but rightfully so...I mean I was up all night. I am pretty much just going to hang around here and do some laundry. Maybe later I will go to my momma's house to do some good old fashioned scrapbooking. :)

I always blog about yesterday!

So yesterday (Saturday) was the start of my busy, crazy weekend. I went to work from 9-5. It was again a slow day...I'm not sure why, but it was painful. So we worked...or not, and then we left. After work, Nikki and I ventured off to the Burnsville mall to do a little shopping. Did I ever mention that I HATE shopping? I think I have been ruined from working three years at the Mall of America. I just hate malls now. Anwyas, we went to the mall and went to Wet Seal. I think we were in the store for almost two hours. Im trying not to complain (its a new resolution I have) SO I wont explain the feelings I had while we were there...but I will say that they werent good. Once Nikki finally paid (she spent $215!!!) then we left. I assumed that we were leaving but i was up for another surprise. We didnt leave...we went to a little purse stand where Nikki spent another 30 minutes deciding which purse, out of two, that she wanted. Once again, I will not complain...but you must understand my frusteration. We did eventually leave the mall, and we headed to Time Out Restaurant and Bar in Eagan. We got some drinks, and ordered dinner. We ended up having a really good time, and I think Nikki got a job there as a dancer??? And I got a new haircut client. How very exciting. We really did have a good time though, and it was nice to spend some time with Nikki.

I've made a beginning of the year resolution...

Today was the typical, work and home. Today at work while trying a new method for applying extensions (which you must know is VERY LONG and annoying process) I was listening to the girls around me just moan and groan and complain about life. Everything from, "my butt is too big, I wish God blessed me with better hair, and why does this take so long?" to "gosh i wish i looked like her". IT WAS SO TACKY AND ANNOYING, and as I listened I thought...my life is so much worse than that. And then I thought...wow that is selfish of me to think...I have SOOOOO much. I have a home to live in, I have a great family, i have a PERFECT job, I have a man who loves me who is alive and healthy, I have AMAZING friends, I have health, and so much more. There are so many people in this world, some that I can think of and some that I dont even know, that have so little or even nothing. So i decided, starting today, that i will NO LONGER complain about anything whether big or small. I hope that it will inspire those around me to realize how much they also have, and that they are all so fortunate...but mostly I am doing this for myself. I want to make it VERY evident that I am MORE THAN GREATFUL for the things that I have. I am so thankful that God has given me so much more than i could have ever imagined. This is my new resolution...no more complaining, and try to appreciate everything. :)

Another day in the life...

Yesterday was valentines day! WHOPPEE!!! Honestly...i could care less. I would give anything on any day to spend ONE MINUTE with my hubby to tell him TO HIS FACE that I love him more than anything in this world. How's that for romantic. All of you who have your significant other here, should NOT take advantage of it. (nor should you drink excessivly and complain about him after he just returned home from being gone for a year.) I would give anything just to be with him for ONE day. ANYTHING. Anyways, yesterday was just another day. I went to work, worked a little, got flowers and the traditional teddy from Lance, and then closed up shop early and went home to nap. How eventful huh? Then the bro and I went to Taco Hell and played a HILLARIOUS prank on Livvi. P.S. NEVER ASK A GIRL TO TACO BELL ON VALENTINES DAY, AND ASK HER TO PAY. Thats just wrong. :) We then headed to the casino for some good gambling action. I spent a buck or two. Then we came home and i reminisced with an old neighbor about the good old days. After that i chatted with Lance, and then headed to bed. Sorry guys, my life isnt that interesting right now becuase I am trying to take it slow. I feel like my life is just rushing past me, and that i cant even enjoy whats happening. So i am trying to enjoy the little things...like taco hell on valentines day with my brother. hahah. Hope you all had a good one.