Haven't been here in awhile!!

Wow, it's been awhile! A lot has changed! I am MARRIED!! yeaaa!! I am one of the lucky that has married the man of my dreams, my best friend and someone who makes me laugh so much that I could pee in my pants!

I still have the same amazing family and friends, I'm blessed in many ways. Aaron and I are now working on trying to have a bambino of our own! We have names picked out already (but no sharing until I'm officially prego!).

Aaron is working in the ICU as a Nurse right now, and he will be applying for the Anesthesia school in the fall.. we are praying for a school in our area because a long distance marriage is not what I call fun!

We're anxiously awaiting our next vacation in March on...another cruise, ofcourse! This time we're going to Half Moon Cay, St. Thomas, San Juan and Grand Turk, leaving out of Miami! We're going with Shawn & Chel Henson and Eric & Beth Ludwig so it should be a super amazing time! Chel will be about 5 to 5 1/2 months pregnant at the time so she should be feeling great in her 2nd trimester and looking too cute for words!

Otherwise, that's my update for now.. I promise I will get some funny in here soon.. just wanted to get my feet wet again! :)

I lost my Mom but my family gained an angel

So.. I think I mentioned before that my Dad has decided to start doing some things that he and Lea wanted to do together. They wanted to buy a motor home, a pontoon boat (since we live right on the Mississippi River but NEVER take advantage of it!), some camping ground space, etc. So, my Dad has actually done this within the last month or so.. I wasn't expecting it so soon..but it makes him happy to do these things and as he says "feel excited about something again".. plus it makes him happy to see Dylan and Addie so excited with it all. My family has never been known to have good luck (as you might have already noticed in so many situations) so it is rather weird how my Dad has came across the items he has purchased. My Dad and his first cousin Jimmy Jones (I always feel the need to use both his first and last name for whatever reason) were driving home from work which is about an hour and a half from home when they spotted a motorhome for sale.. my Dad thought it would be way to expensive for him.. but Jimmy Jones said they should at least go look at it. Within the hour, it was purchased at a super low price. It was an elderly couple who just wanted to get rid of the motor-home and they weren't looking to make a bunch of money off of it at all.
A camping space right next to Jimmy Jones came open in Illinois for leasing land on the river for like $365 a year!! Yea, you heard me.. for a YEAR!! Jimmy Jones just told my Dad a few days before the opening that openings very rarely come up because it's such good land for such a low price.. so my Dad wasn't relying on that spot. It's just amazing how it worked out.
Then for the past 2 weeks my Dad has expressed the interest in getting a pontoon boat.. he wasn't wanting to spend a lot of money on it.. but thought it would be fun for the family. It ends up that a man who lived down by the Illinois spot was actually getting ready to move to Waterloo within a day and he had a pontoon boat that he was taking with him to sell. A friend of my father was talking to this man and said that Joe (my dad) would be interested in the boat. Because my dad is working 12 hr days, 7 days a week.. he was not able to get there to look at it. He sent my Grandpa (the professional fisherman) to go look at the boat.. and my grandpa said it was a steal and my Dad should hop on it. The pontoon boat had just got the seats re-done and were never even sat on!! My Dad went last night to pay the man and found out that the older gentleman knew Lea!!! Lea had been on THAT pontoon boat many many years ago, right before Dad and Lea got together. (so that's like 11 years ago) When my Dad told me about that, I had goosebumps for an hour.. I always knew that Lea had a hand in this because it's not often to come across these items and at such a good deal. But then to hear that Lea had been on this pontoon boat, it just really sent chills (good chills) down my back. Without a doubt in my mind, I knew that she made this happen for my Dad and for our family. She wants us to be happy, to keep going and appreciate our lives and our family time. As hard as it is to be without Lea, it's very touching to know that her spirit is still living on with us and she is up in heaven protecting us.

My humps

So.. last night I made a deal with Aaron that I would proof-read his school paper about sexism against male nurses and he would give me a back rub. Sounds like a deal to me!!!
While we were in this process, Aaron starts rubbing on what he refers to as my sides and I refer to as my fat rolls. I get very self conscious about those lovely lady lumps and ask him no less than 40 trillion times to lay off the rolls, so then he (in a caring voice) says "those aren't fat rolls boo boo, those are love handles"... so before I even have the chance to rip his skull off, I start laughing because he honestly meant lovehandles in the nicest way possible. Now, don't get me wrong.. I am fully aware of these fat masses that jiggle on the sides of my body. I didn't figure Aaron would actually verbally tell me I have them. I couldn't get mad at him for stating the obvious..

100

1. I get easily embarrassed for other people.
2. I have a very hard time not buying all black when I go shopping b/c I look best in that color.
3. I hate applesauce, but like apples. I hate creamed corn, but love regular corn. I just can't stand textures where you don't drink, but don't chew your food either, creepy.
4. I don't care to ever match my socks, I'm fine with wearing one blue and one red.. it doesn't matter.
5. I miss coloring on those one posters from book fairs that had the black felt stuff on them, I never bought an actual book from them before.. just those posters that usually had unicorns or butterflies on them.
6. Sometimes when I'm driving alone in my car and I think of a conversation that I want to have or I wish I had, I will say my part out loud.
7. I hate hearing my own voice on recordings because I always sound like I have a stuffy nose.
8. Although I have friends from different countries that I am very very close to, I am still culturally stupid and I hate that.
9. When I get scared at night when I'm by myself, I get this weird feeling in my butt.. it's true!
10. Although I love shoes with all my heart and sole (haha, get it.. soul, sole) teehee, I don't wear them when I'm at work.. you will always see me in socks or barefoot.
11. I laugh at my own lame jokes, see above.
12. I use to wear all sorts of fun eye shadow colors until I saw a picture of myself with lime green on and realized I look like a 'tard, so now I just stick with grey and it seems to be working out.
13. I still feel bad about violating curfew when I was 15 because that was the only time my Dad was truly disappointed in me.
14. I believe accessories and shoes can make or break an outfit.
15. Eyebrows can also make or break someone's face.
16. I still feel like a kid and worry when I go into bars that I will get carded until I remind myself I am of age, for the past 4 years now!
17. I wish I still remembered how to play 4 square like I did in 6th grade.
18. When I get stressed or worry too much, I get a cold sore.
19. My friends and family don't know as much about me as they think they do, not because they don't care.. but because I don't share.
20. I can't understand why people put more time and thought into a wedding itself, but not the marriage.
21. I'm not big into politics but I know what I believe in.
22. I can hold in my emotions as long as I don't talk.
23. I want to go to a professional NBA game for the Sacramento Kings!
24. My favorite cookies are oatmeal with white chocolate chips.. mmm.
25. I get frustrated with people who take their jobs too seriously and become the office police.. chill out!!
26. I don't understand why there are security drivers in the mall parking lot, do people really run so fast that you have to drive after them??
27. I get super happy when I go into a public restroom and the toilets were JUST cleaned.
28. I fold my toilet paper when I use it, I don't wad.
29. I use lotion on my entire body every day.
30. I don't like to drink too often, b/c I hate the taste of alcohol and I hate wasting calories on a drink.. arrghh!
31. I don't say 20 til when saying a time, I say 40 after and I was told that's strange.. it's the same time so why does it matter?
32. I always talk baby talk to the cats unless they tick me off then they are usually called bastards. (I'll have to change that when I actually have children)
33. I only watch the auditions for American Idol, the rest of the crap is stupid.
34. I hate silence unless I am with very close friends, family or Aaron.. because I always feel awkward and I start rambling about nothing.
35. I think stretching when you first wake upis probably one of the BEST feelings in the world!
36. I love cappucino and flavored coffees, especially in the vanilla family.
37. I hate painter's jeans, tapered pants and corduroy on men.. enough said.
38. I think I would make a good modeling scout.
39. I just became attracted to Ashton Kutcher after watching 'The Guardian' (Coast Guard movie)... it's probably just a one movie attraction, but an attraction none the less.
40. I hate that I pick Aaron's faults apart.
41. I must wear lipstick or lip liner of some sort or my lips are too pale and I look like I'm 2 seconds away from passing out or dying.
42. I must wear eye liner or people think I'm sick, honestly.
43. I love slippers, robes and sweatpants soooooo much.
44. The absolute best part of every day for me is around 10:00 pm when it's just me and my baby in our bed talking and cuddling. (I know, sounds gay.. but it's true)
45. I miss my best friends more than they will ever ever ever possibly know. (Tara and Shar)
46. My dad is probably the smartest man I will ever know, and he didn't go to college.
47. I get nervous around Aaron's family still.
48. I love fruit, but I hate when it's mixed together b/c then it all tastes the same and it's usually like cantalope or watermelon.
49. I love farmer's markets with their fresh fruits and veggies.
50. I laugh very loudly and that usually upsets Aaron if I'm on the phone.
51. I'm the office clown at work, and I think most people appreciate it accept Lynn a.k.a. spawn of the devil.
52. I aspire to be half as good of a mom as Lea was to me.
53. I love how music and songs can bring me back to a memory in just a second's time.
54. I miss teen magazines and teen movies and sleep overs with some girl friends.
55. I love sex shops!
56. I think midget porn is hilarious.
57. I wish I had a closer relationship with all of my siblings, distance makes things much harder.
58. I love tall socks.
59. I think that Aaron has a different smell when he's sleeping and I love the scent.
60. I want to plant flowers in my front yard but I haven't a clue where to start.
61. I daydream a lot, a lot, a lot.
62. I miss my grandparent's farm that they sold 8 years ago.
63. I wonder if the people in heaven get to see every single thing you do in life or if they get the censored version (I'm hoping #2).
64. I worry that when I go to have kids, I won't be able to.
65. I love chinese and japanese food, as long as it's chicken.
66. I love my new rice steamer, it's the next toaster people.. buy one.
67. I'd like to take photography classes, but I've been too lazy to look into it.
68. I'd like to take pottery classes, but again.. too lazy.
69. I say that I'm busy, but I really just waste time doing unimportant things and not the important things.
70. I car dance all the time, whether I'm alone or with people.
71. I catch myself sometimes wishing away the future, like saying.. I can't wait until Aaron's done with school in 4 years when I need to be happy with the time right now and NOT wish away ANY time!
72. I remember when my Dad told me that he would catch a cloud and put it in a jar for me when I was little and he gave me cotton.
73. I remember when my Dad told me that we lived next to Indian Mountain and I believed him, but in all truth it was just a hill with trees.
74. I love to wear sassy undies and I got the addiction from Lea.
75. I feel like it's selfish of me to be so sad over the loss of Lea, so I try not to let my Dad or Aaron see me cry.
76. I love tootsie rolls.
77. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day.
78. I have super fat toes, and Aaron always says they look like little smokies.
79. I like using the girl excuse to not mow the lawn, change a tire or change the oil in my car.
80. I would love to get married on a beach or in a huge house overlooking a beach in Antigua.
81. I sometimes pray to God that I will lose my 17 lbs I gained, but I know that's selfish.
82. I like having big boobs, I feel that it evens out the size of my butt plus it makes Aaron go loco!!
83. I want Aaron to get the tattoo that Bam Margera has on his side.
84. I wish I could see Sharlyne's kids more often.
85. I like tanning but hate the way it makes my skin smell.
86. I don't like to wear tennis shoes with jeans because it makes my legs look even fatter and shorter.
87. I'm pretty sure whenever I do get pregnant I will look like an oompa loompa with a bowling ball in my tummy.
88. I like the smell of new books alot.
89. I even like the smell of musty basements, I don't want to smell like one.. but I like smelling it from time to time.
90. I love looking at the worst dressed pics and reading the smart comments about their outfits from different stylists.
91. I can't decide for sure what I want to do in life.
92. I do know that I want to visit kenya, russia, london, monaco, antiqua, china and japan though.
93. I think it's a sin to wear full butt panties with pants, underwear lines are a no-no no matter what age or size.
94. Bad hygiene and bad breath makes me gag.
95. Sometimes I just want to be annoying.
96. Aaron and I have wrestling contests pretty often and I always thought I was stronger until the other day when he actually put forth more effort.. dangit.
97. I hate being cold, so I will never ski.
98. I love bubble baths, hot chocolate and candles.. all together is heaven.
99. Hushpuppies from Long John Silvers come from heaven too.
100. I can't wait to buy rollerblades and go out to Forest Park this summer!! waa hoo!

oh the joys of v-day with aaron

I really wanted to scan in the card Aaron got me for heart day, but I keep forgetting.. and I think it's highly important that I let everyone read what he wrote to me just so that the moment does not pass! haha

So here it is;

Tinky Bear,
This last year was a trying year for both of us and one that was hard to get through. In our tough times I like how we lean on eachother and feel like we can make it through anything. Boo-boo thanks for being a great girlfriend and especially helping with things I am not good at (writing papers). You are the Best girlfriend I've ever had and the most thoughtful. Some mornings when I see you sleeping I think I am a lucky guy even though your dragon breath is kickin. Pooty Tang thanks for being a caring wonderful big breasted girlfriend. I love you and I hope you have a great year.
Aaron V-day 07

Then there is a pic on the bottom of the card that he drew of me, him and the 2 cats. They are stick figures but it has big muscles on his arms and I have huge droopy boobs. Mila has no fur but on the end of her tail and Sug looks like he has a huge cone head.

There are so many funny things about this card, such as he tells me to have a good year?? who does that on a v-day card to their girlfriend? He thanks me for helping with his papers ON A V-DAY CARD!! hahaha

Then ofcourse thanking me for being big-breasted, I can see that on a v-day card... but c'mon he called me Tinky bear, boo boo and pooty tang all in one card.. that's true love!! hahaha

Keith Urban better be telling the truth!!!!

I was listening to Pandora radio at work today and I heard Keith Urban's song "Better Life".. and I was thinking I really really really hope that is true for me and Aaron!! We have had some really crappy, horrible luck in the past couple of years from little things like getting screwed out of some of Aaron's grant money for school to losing a parent and losing power in the freezing cold winter, to being robbed, having to buy a new washer, a generator, etc. I know, I know.. I'm complaining...
But anyhow, I hope these lyrics are going to be true for us!!!

"Better Life"
Friday night and the moon is high
I'm wide-awake just watchin' you sleep
And I promise you you're gonna have
More than just the things that you need
We ain't got much now, We're just startin' out
But I know somehow paradise is comin'
[Chorus:]
Someday baby, You and I are gonna be the ones
Good luck's gonna shine
Someday baby you and I are gonna be the ones
So hold on, We're headed for a better life
Oh now there's a place for you and me
Where we can dream as big as the sky
I know it's hard to see it now
But baby someday we're gonna fly
This road we're on, you know it might be long
But my faith is strong
It's all that really matters
[REPEAT CHORUS]
So hold on, hold onC'mon baby, hold on
Yeah, we're gonna have it all
And ooh
[REPEAT CHORUS TWICE]
Oh, a better life
Hey we're gonna leave this all behind us baby, wait and see
We're headed for a better life, you and me
We're gonna break the chains that bind and, finally we'll be free
We're gonna be the ones that have it all, you and me
Just hold on tight now baby

Lea's headstone

We are in the process of getting Lea's headstone all ready to be put in the cemetary this spring. I went back to Iowa this last weekend to go with my Dad on Friday to talk with the Monument people. I would definitely recommend them, they were so friendly and nice, they weren't pushy and just very genuine down to earth people. That makes a huge difference when you're going through such a sad experience, yet you are doing all you can to make Lea proud and give her a headstone that honors her properly. Anyhow, their website is www.harrisonmonuments.com, they are a little location in Warsaw, IL believe it or not! I worked with Danyelle who is just a sweetheart. Well, yesterday she and I were emailing back and forth a few 20 times and we finally came to a pretty good decision (with my Dad's approval ofcourse) for Lea's headstone. I'm going to attach the pictures, but keep in mind.. these are just drawings now and it will look much better on the actually black granite. There is also a vase on the side that you can see. The granite is in a mountain shape. Let me know what you think!

In case you can't read her poem, it says;

You were a precious gift from God above,so much beauty, grace and love.You touched our hearts in so many ways,your smile so bright even on bad days.You heard God's whisper calling you home,you didn't want to go and leave us alone.You loved us so much, you held on tight,until all strength was gone and could no longer fight.
We know those we love don't go away
You still walk beside us every day
Unseen, unheard, but always near,
Still loved, still missed and very dear.Your memory is our keepsake with which we'll never partGod has you in His keeping, we have you in our hearts.

I stole part of it and wrote part of it, I think it fits Lea perfectly!