Random collection of thoughts...

Animal Hats...

Anyone else seen these?  Apparently they are all the rage.

I think on small children and baby's they are completely adorable.

So freakin' adorable!

On high schooler's and even Jr high kids... ridiculous!

Really, are we five?

So this is just a pet peeve of mine.

But I guess every generation will have some fashion trend that everyone else looks at and shakes their head.

When I was in high school it was watches.

Like, kiddie watches with cartoon characters on them.

I had two... a crayola one and a hello kitty one.

That crayola one was pretty darn cool though, I got a lot of compliments on that watch (from other "cool" high schoolers. lol)

**Snooooow**

We got a measly inch of snow last week and then some freak blizzard on Sunday night (which lasted all of 2 hrs and left barely enough snow to cover the ground)

I've been itching for another big snowstorm before winter is over.
I even got brand new boots, waterproof and fuzzy and oh so cute and according to the tag they are rated for -25F, hopefully I'll never have to test that... ;)

I'm ready for the snow, bring it on!

**Beauty and the Beast**

I just love this movie!

It was the first movie I remember seeing in the theater.  It's always held a special place in my heart. Well it came back to theaters in 3D.
For my birthday L-dub took me to see it, it was even his idea (excellent!)
So I'm not the biggest fan of 3D but it was worth it just to see it on the big screen one more time.
First picture attempt...

L-dub:Ha, I made a face. You won't like it...
Me: shoot, my eyes are closed.

 Take Two...

L-dub: Well that ones not bad.
Me: No, I look ridiculous

 One more time...

Me: dang, it's off center.
L-dub: I think we are annoying the people behind us.

Apparently we are terrible at taking pictures of ourselves. ha, oh well!

~IPhone~

I want one.
They are so pretty and cool and fun and all the cool kids have one. ;)
My phone is from the stone age... like 3 years old, it doesn't even have a touch screen.
funny story about that...
My nephew (who's 2 1/2) was playing with my phone the other day. He was getting quite frusterated because when he drug his finger across the screen nothing moved and nothing happened.  He looked at me and was like, "It's broken".
Nope buddy, it's just not cool like mommy's (my sister has an iPhone... jealous)
I'll save my pennies and hopefully be able to get one before too long.
If not my brick phone is still able to make calls and send texts and take pictures which I spose is all I really need it for anyway.
An iPhone is just on my wish list, it would be fun. =)

**Curly hairs**
I recently discovered that my hair has some natural curl/wave in it.
hooray!
All these years of straight hair and now I can change it up on occasion
It takes some coaxing and lots of product but the end result is kinda fun.


OH!
I made it to the gym TWO mornings this week before work, in preparation for next week.
Boot camp starts Monday morning bright and early at 5:45AM!
Hopefully I can keep up this morning routine.
This is gonna be fun, I mean interesting, I mean... what was I thinking?


**AWANA Skate Night**
was tonight.
Apparently my kids from the city mission called church five times today to make sure we were coming to pick them up.  Fortunately another van was sent to help Jono and I.
We had two ComPlEtly FUUUULLL vans! 13 kids in each.  All our regular kiddos plus a handful of new kids.
I had 1-4 children hanging on my arms at various points during the night.
I only wiped out once (due to Jalee falling and taking me down with her)
I have a nice huge knot on my left knee.
hooray.
Despite the wipeout it was fun to just interact with all the kids.  A little less structered than a regular Awana night so we could interact with the kids a little more.  And not just my 3rd grade girls but all the kids, boys and girls.
I believe it was a fun night for all despite a few wipeouts and tears.

Random late night thoughts

My birthday was on Wednesday

I turned 27

27 feels so old

In three years I'll be 30

I know 27 really isn't that old

When you turn 27 it feels old

I had to work on my birthday

I also rode in a van to pick kids up for Awana

(side note, there was a speck on my screen that looked like a misplaced period... I spent a solid 30 seconds trying to get rid of it before I realized that it was on my screen. it's late. you can laugh at me, really, it's ok)

Then of course I went to Awana

Melissa had all the girls, all 40 some of them, give me a hug/ tackle me

I ended up on the floor with multiple girls on top of me

Melissa just stood back and laughed

I got flowers on my birthday

They are pretty bright colors

They were from a certain boy

**if I didn't already say so, thanks babe, they're sooooo pretty!**

The flowers are sitting on my kitchen counter looking all pretty

I love getting flowers

My mom took me out to lunch on my b-day

We went to Macaroni grill

It was delicious

I ate too much

It was so hard to go back to work on a full tummy

We celebrated my birthday with L-dubs family on Sunday

We had sloppy joes and cupcakes

Gluten free cupcakes

They were so good

And I got a giftcard to Olive Garden

Olive Garden is delicious

Thanks for the gift card!

My mom is making my birthday meal this coming Sunday

I requested my usual

Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

My mom makes the best scalloped potatoes and ham

Mom, if you read this German Chocolate Cake would be the perfect dessert

I know I forgot to suggest that on Monday night but I'm requesting it now

If you read this

If not, whatever you make will be just fine.

thanks momma!

My sissy took me out tonight for my b-day

First we went to Paint Yourself Silly

I love Paint Yourself Silly

I painted a bowl

I couldn't remember how to spell delicious

I had to ask the girls sitting at the table next to us

I hope I spelled it right on my bowl

Then we went to Texas Roadhouse for supper

We got these Amaaazing steak medallions with mushroom sauce stuff

Our waitress recommended them

Did I mention they were amazing?

Cause they were, amazing!

I also got a Margarita

Carrie couldn't get anything to drink cause she locked her keys in her truck

Her wallet was in there

With her ID

bummer

I let her have some of mine though

It was huge

And yummy

Did I mention how yummy those medallions were?

After we left TX Roadhouse we called AAA

To come unlock  her car

She had to work in the morning

Otherwise she would have just spent the night

When you call AAA make sure you tell them you are in Lincoln

Or they may assume you are in Omaha

Even though the billing address on your card is Seward

Confusing I know

But why would a person just assume we were in Omaha?

And a guy named Chris called for directions... twice

Apparently there is an Indian Hills in Omaha close to 84th Street as well

That made things more confusing

It wasn't until the 2nd time he called that we realized why we were both so confused by the other

We were in different cities

No wonder he couldn't find my house...

He was super nice though

He called AAA to get it straightened out

The second guy that came figured out where we were right away

And he was speedy about unlocking the truck

But he set off her alarm

We couldn't figure out how to turn it off right away

I hope we didn't annoy our neighbors too bad

Tomorrow L-dub is taking me to Omaha for my b-day

To eat some more

I love food

I'm not sure what else we are doing

I'm looking forward to it.

I bought a new shirt tonight to wear tomorrow

Though it may be too cold to wear what I bought

I hope not

Cause it's super pretty

Enough random thoughts for one night

Sorry if you had trouble following that post

Like I said earlier, it's late

Forgive me for my randomness

have a lovely night all

and stay warm

it's a bit chilly out in these parts

'night ;)

**2011 highlights**

Happy 2012!

It seems the popular thing to do in the blog world right now is to post your past year in review.  Apparently it's the cool thing to do.  I was working on a month by month review for you all, even spent over an hour in a coffee shop typing away on it, but I was having trouble recalling exactly what went down each of the past 12 months.

SO...

Here are the highlights and memorable moments from 2011.

Kristin and I attempted to move to Colorado and the beautiful  Rocky Mountains.  Those hopes and plans were dashed when neither of us were able to secure jobs in our neighboring state.  Bummer.

And, for all you who are thinking or have asked me: Yes, in hindsight I'm glad it didn't work out. ;)

On a similar note, we found a new place to live here in good ol Nebraska.  We found another roomie to move in with us, Andrea.  We actually got a house with a yard and a garage and a deck.  We all got our own bedroom AND our own bathroom!  This was a major selling point with three girls. ~after having my own bathroom for nearly two years I don't know how I'll go back to sharing one someday...


There was an impromptu road trip to the badlands and Wahl Drug with Chris, Natalie and Fred.  The things we can talk each other into doing after 10pm...

Kristin, Andrea and myself made a trip to sunny Florida in May.  My first time ever down there and in the ocean.  I decided I love the ocean, salt, sand, jellyfish and all.  While we were down there we also detoured to Key West one day.  It was so pretty, someday I'll go back and for longer than just one day.

NOTE-> If you ever visit Key West do NOT run around on the sidewalk barefoot. Even just down the block to your car to get the nice snorkeling instructors a tip.  The cement is extremely hot and you will get heat blisters on your feet making walking around the rest of the day completely miserable.  Just sayin...

I did a lot of wakeboarding this summer.  It was glorious!  I cannot wait for summer to roll back around so I can get back out on the water. =)

I bought a helmet late in the summer after a minor concussion, I spose I should wear it this next summer to avoid a similar event again...

Then there was the lovely mice-ca-pades we had the joy of enduring in our home.  We have captured and disposed of four to date I believe.  There hasn't been any evidence of them lately but once the Really cold weather hits we'll see what happens. =/

And then...

of course...

There's this boy that has made his entrance into my life. =)
(he says I "used" my bro-in-law to get him to ask me out...I say, Hey it worked... he just smiles)

He's pretty cute.

I think I'll keep him around.

"insert witty post title here"

**Christmas Eve**

I had a lovely migraine keeping me company most of the day. I did a lot sleeping to try and fend it off, it only half worked.

5pm~ Off to Christmas Eve service at our church with my man.

After that we were off to his parents for supper and gift opening.

We had this super yummy soup (no idea what it was but it was good) tasty little ham puff things, cheese, crackers, meat and a whole array of sweets spread out on the table all night, I mean what's a Christmas get together without food?

OH, I got this adorable little music box from his dad that he made for me, perfect place to keep the necklace I got from L-dub (he's gonna just love that I called him that on here, muahaha).  They coordinated their gifts without even realizing, nice!

**Christmas Day**

Church to start the day off

No Sunday school, extra music and Gil finished way early, her NEVER finishes early!

Off to my parents house for round two of stuffing our faces and more gift opening.

NoTe~ My family believes in LOTS of food! Minimum 3 meats and five side dishes, not to mention the myriad of candies, breads, dips and desserts left on the counter throughout the day to munch on. I ate soooo much food!

Gift opening was organized chaos.

OH, I got Steve Madden boots from my mom and dad...

LOVE them ~ OK, so I picked them out. =)

We played cards, shot guns, rode horses, played video games and just chit chatted about anything and everything.  Before we knew it it was 9:30 and people were packing up grumpy and tired children to get them home and in bed.


**White Christmas**
We did not have one =(
Yes, I'm one of those nuts who loves snow especially around this time of year.  It's magical somehow and just makes things feel "right". =)
random fact... did you know in Nebraska the chance for a white Christmas is 30%.  That's about once every three years.  The last white Christmas was in 2009 so that means next year we are due for snow on Dec 25. crossing my finger. ;)

**The day after Christmas**

I had to work... at 8 am... bummer.

The streets were deserted, it was like a ghost town driving to work.

The post office was closed... no mail.

The bank was closed... no deposit.

Every other company was closed... no phone calls.

On the Bright side~

My boss wandered back to our office about 10:30 am and said it was pointless for us to be there and sent us all home.

AND

We get to wear jeans to work all this week (I didn't see this email til this morning so I actually wore dress clothes today but I can still wear jeans Wed, Thur and Friday!)

**The Santa Situation**

I read a blog today where a mom vented about Santa Clause, it was good actually.

Christmas is so commercialized, kids are pummeled with Santa and Frosty and goofy songs and caught up with getting on some fat man's list...

I love the way Shauna put it on her blog.

(Christmas is...) the day that the One who made every single beautiful thing and who keeps my heart beating and keeps the stars in the sky and the blood flowing through my babies' veins, humbled Himself enough to restrict his powers, temporarily, and took on skin and bones and muscles and human breath.

Too often we too as Christians get caught up in the commercialized side of the holiday and forget what it's all about.

I'm not saying that you shouldn't put up decorations (I absolutely LOVE decorating for Christmas!)
I'm not saying you shouldn't exchange gifts.
and I'm not saying that it's wrong to let you kids believe in Santa, that's your choice.

I don't think I'll let my kids though.

I don't want presents and lights and packages under the tree to be their focus.

I want them to realize what this holiday is really about, if Christ was never born then he never would have died and we would never have been offered this great gift of salvation.

That's what I want to impress on their little minds without the distraction of flying deer and red suits and getting on the right list.
I'm not trying to be a scrooge.

I'm a sucker for a little Christmas "magic" and I love the hub-bub and chaos that ensues this time of year.  It's fun and addicting.
Just don't get so caught up in it that you lose focus.


But I spose this can be applied all throughout the year as well.  There are so many distractions in this world to pull our focus away from where it should be, holidays only magnify those distractions.


**Boot Camp**
(yes, I know this last one is random... sorry, it's how I operate)
One of my roomies convinced me to sign up for boot camp with her.
I'm not sure what I was thinking.
It's only four weeks and we are supposed to start Jan 30.
well... three weeks hard core and one week of recovery/yoga.
it's at 5:45 am.
REALLY not sure what I was thinking.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Hopefully I survive to tell you all.
=)

Pins accomplished!

So months ago I started a Pinterest account as I mentioned here.  It's pretty addicting and while there are numerous fun and entertaining ideas, I pin so much more than I'll ever be able to accomplish.  This past weekend I actually executed THREE, yes three of those pins.  woot, small feeling of accomplishment. =)

1) Tile coasters
I actually saw this first from a friend and then rediscovered the instructions via pinterest.  You simply buy 4 inch square tiles from a home improvement store (mine were 16 cents each at Home Depot), Modge Podge, Clear acrylic sealant, scrapbook paper and felt.  They are super easy and you can have cute coasters to match whatever your decor style.  As you can imagine there is a much wider selection of scrapbook paper than coasters in the store.

cute right? =)

2) Button art/letters
I'd see a few variations of this one.  I couldn't find quite the right frames that I wanted but I found some were satisfactory.  The buttons were a little harder to find.  After searching three craft stores I finally managed to come up with some that worked.  Those along with the buttons I had in my craft stash already and some from a friend's button stash made up a fun combination.  I'm not a huge fan of the way the "L" turned out but it's still cute.  This one was a little more work but I think I'll try it again. 

more christmas decor!

and lastly...
3) Gluten Free Carrot Cake.
So my dear ol dads birthday was today, the big 6-2.  The funny part was this morning when he was asked how old he was turning he couldn't remember.  It was like, "Well I was born in '49 so what does that make me? Once you get past 50 you stop counting." (haha, I'll remember that Dad)  Anyway, his favorite dessert is Carrot cake.  My sister and nephew are gluten free so they often don't get to partake in dessert.  In an effort to be sure everyone would be able to enjoy the sugary confection I decided to give gluten free baking a go.  I made sure to buy new sugar, baking soda and baking powder to be sure that there was no bits of flour contaminating my ingredients.  Of course I didn't have any GF flour on hand so that had to be purchased as well, it's not cheap.  After a little reading I discovered that by buying Bob's Red Mill Pizza Crust Mix I didn't have to buy xanthum gum, apparently this flour mixture has that in it already (xanthum gum is a nessecity in GF baking.  Without it your dessert will be a pile of crumbs or gummy and unedible, the gum binds everything together and allows the air pockets to form and the cake to rise).  Anyway, for my first go at GF baking I'd say it turned out quite well.  My dad didn't even realize it was gluten free and I'd told him before I dished him up a piece that it was gluten free.  I guess his old age is affecting his memory (that and I'm not sure he totally grasps the whole GF thing yet).  Of course we had to top it with cream cheese frosting, what's carrot cake without cream cheese frosting!?  Anyway, it was delicious and I sent 1/2 the leftover home me padre and the other half with my sis (she doesn't get many sweets that her or my nephew can eat due to the cost of ingredients needed, so she was ecstatic).  

Gluten free deliciousness!

Oh, so this wasn't a pinterest pin but it was a craft that I did this past week.  I was feeling especially crafty and accomplished. =)

Our sunday school group was having a masquerade Christmas party.  I know, not quite what you'd expect for a Christmas party theme but it was still fun.  My guy wasn't too thrilled with the thought of wearing a mask all night, or at all for that matter.  But after a some debating and a little begging we came to the agreement: If it was a superhero mask (he requested Spiderman) he would wear it for 15 minutes at the party.

We were even Christmas colors together! That was totally just a coincidence. haha

One with the sissy

one with the roomie

It was fun seeing what people came up with. Apparently there are a lot of creative people in our Sunday school group! 

Other happenings this week?  I managed to get all the Christmas presents I've purchase up to this point wrapped and under our tree.  I only have a couple left to get then I should be good to go and ready for Christmas weekend!


Oh, funny story (it really happened my sister but it kinda involves me as well)

back story: So my guys 6 yr old nephew always says hi to me when he sees me in the halls at church.  It's really cute, last Wednesday night he was all the way on the other side of the hall and I hear this "HEY ALICIA!", I look up to see the little blondie waving with all his might to get my attention, melts my heart!

So this morning my older sister runs into him in the halls after Sunday school and he's all like Hi Alicia!  She chuckles a little and informs him that she actually is not Alicia but my sister.  Apparently he gave a look like, ya... right... nice try. haha

As if confusing one of his nephews isn't enough...

Tonight during the kids Christmas concert me, my guy and his sis and family were sitting three rows ahead of my family.  His 3 yr old nephew looked back and saw my sis sitting with my family. So he starts smiling at her over his dad's shoulder and flirtin like any 3 yr old would.  Then he looked down the bench and saw me sitting just a couple people over.  I guess he kept looking back and forth between the two of us like, what is going on?

ok we look like sisters but I can tell us apart, right?

Oh well, it's another fun story to add to the many we have about people mixing us up.  I actually answer to both our names which probably doesn't help matters any.  I know we aren't twins but at times I have a pretty good inkling on what it feels like to be a twin, aside from the being the same age thing.   Maybe at some point I'll share more of our mix-up stories, there are some good ones. =)

So that was my week in a nutshell.  This next week we have no AWANA or Bible study or much of anything for church activities so things should be pretty laid back.  The forecast keeps going back and forth as to if we'll get snow or not this next week.  As much of a pain as the roads are I'm hoping we get a white Christmas!

Hope you all have a very

A lesson learned

So my blog of late has been ramblings of mine from recent life events. Family, football, furry creatures and so on.This is entertaining (at least for me) and more fun/easy to write about, usually. I'll be the first to admit that I don't always have the best filter on my mouth.  I have a tendency to spew words without realizing how they may come across.  My mind is a jumble of thoughts that make sense to me but once they escape my lips they often sound much less eloquent then I intend. Words written out here, despite the lols, hahas and smiley faces are sometimes hard to understand.  You can't see my face, you can't here the influx in my voice and if you don't know me well enough my sarcasm may not come across the way I intended. (side note: I grew up in an insanely sarcastic family, it drove my dad nuts).  Words are powerful and need to be used carefully and with thought, which sadly, I do not always do. and it got me thinking...

**Lafue I'm afraid I've been thinking... a dangerous past time... I know...** (movie anyone)

Are these things what you really need to know about me?  Does it matter that I caught 4 mice in one month in my house? Does it matter who won the football game?  Or what color of shirt I'm wearing today?

These things do not affect eternity.  These things are not the core of who I am.

The about me section on the side bar starts: 

"First and foremost I am a child of the King..."

If He is first and foremost in my life shouldn't that be reflected in my posts?  First and foremost, shouldn't I be encouraging and loving and covering this blog with what God is teaching me and how He's blessing me? I was put here to glorify Him and encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ.  While the occasional funny story is entertaining to read and fun to write I need to be aware of what I am putting out here for anyone to read.

If a stranger stumbles upon my blog will they see a funny and crazy girl who talks only about herself and the drama of her life? Or will they see one of Gods children, on fire for Him and shining for the everyone to see?

I pray it's the latter...

Months ago my sister and I started a study on humility.  I knew a number of girls who had gone through the study before me and warned me to be ready, cause no matter how mature you think you are in your walk you will be convicted!  I was reminded that there's a lot more to humility than just putting others above yourself.  Anyway, life got busy and we only made it through the first chapter (the first very convicting and thought provoking chapter).  I've been wanting to pick it back up again but just haven't made it a priority.  I think it was God tugging at my heart strings because even though I haven't started it yet God has taught me some lessons I apparently needed to learn.  Lets just say I that word spewing problem I have surfaced and as a result I learned a lesson on humility and grace.  I guess when God wants you to learn something He'll teach it to you, ready or not.

Now I'm not saying I'll never post any more mundane daily happenings.  I'll still send the occasional shout out to my beloved Cornhuskers, I'll still let you know if any more furry intruders decide to once again take up residence in my kitchen cabinets.  I may even post about some random event and/or small things I find hilarious throughout my day.  Those things are still part of who I am and effect my daily life BUT they are not All of who I am.

~I am a child of the King saved from the grips of sin and for that I am eternally grateful!~

A loooooong weekend

So this past weekend was thanksgiving... and a long weekend, it was lovely!

On Thursday we headed out to my grandmas house in Seward to stuff our faces.  My family from Iowa was in and I only get to see them all about twice a year so it was fun to catch up with them and see how much their kiddos have grown.  This was the first extended family event my man was in attendance at.  His family is rather small, but then in comparison to our clan most families are small.  My family in total is right around 45 people, ya something like that, and only half of us were in attendance on Thursday.  When we get together we tend to be pretty loud and a little on the crazy side and maybe slightly obnoxious... needless to say I believe he was a little intimidated but, I must say, he handled it well.  I LOVE my big, loud, crazy, obnoxious family!  It's what I grew up with; 20-40 people laughing and making fun of each other and just having a grand ol time together.  After you adjust to the noise level most people tend to come around and enjoy themselves, at least that's what they let us believe.  We may appear a little crazy from an outside perspective but we are a semi-normal crew.  I don't think they scared him too bad.

On Friday we headed out to my parents where the everyone was gathering to watch the Huskers destroy the Iowa Hawkeyes.  It's a little more interesting to watch this game with our family because two of my cousins married Hawkeye fans so now this new "rival game" have more meaning to our family than most.  There was some good natured ribbing that went down and at the end of the day only two people in the room were frowning (though I did feel a little bad that they didn't put up more of a fight for our boys)

The funniest part is that my cousins little 5 yr old boy is a Husker fan... his dad is a die hard Hawkeye.

Now I'm not really sure that he knows what he's saying when he cheers for the scarlet and cream, I think he just sees the reaction he gets when he tells his dad the Hawkeyes stink that he keeps going.

E: Hey dad, Go Huskers

A: haha, you better run or I'm gonna spank you (said completely joking of course)

E:  I don't care, spank me... GO HUSKERS!

hahaha, that kid cracks me up.

E: Hey whats that smell?  Oh, it's the Hawkeye over there

I didn't technically do any black friday shopping this year either... ok so may "technically" I did but really does hitting the stores at 5pm count?  I don't think so...

I didn't even buy anything, though my man got himself a $2 pocket knife from Menards.  Good deal!

OH! on saturday I slept in til 10:30 then got up and did laundry (5 loads!), cleaned my bathroom, picked up my bedroom (mostly), cleaned the kitchen and ran to the store and got a few odds and ends.  All this was completed by 5 pm.  I felt pretty accomplished! Totally profitable day.

Then we went to Famous Daves where we waited over and hour for a table then about 20 minutes for our food.  I was so hungry by the time it hit our table I'm not sure I really tasted much of what was on my plate.  But the cornbread muffin, I save that for last and made sure I enjoyed it (my favorite part of eating there!)

Today after church I headed out to the parents to have some sister time.  My baby sis wanted to take some pics and mess around with her camera.  I made myself presentable and we went at it.  Now I'm not exactly camera shy but for some reason as soon as she pointed that lens my way I couldn't keep a straight face (and she was wanting to do modely serious poses).  We did manage to get a few good ones.  It was still fun. AND we saw a dead possum (no he wasn't just playing dead... his eyes were open, his tongue was hanging out and he was at this crazy awkward angle. OH and when we tramped by squealing he didn't move... GROSS!)

Hope you all had a lovely, fun, crazy, enjoyable and busy weekend as well!

We're just cool like that!