{Stars & Stripes}

The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays - mostly because it doesn't seem crazy, just relaxing. I love sitting in a lawn chair, being with people I love and watching fireworks! I was worried about how I'd be able to handle the heat, but I drank LOTS and LOTS of water all day long and Benny forced me to sit down and relax with my feet up in between activities. It really wasn't too bad!

4th of July 3 years ago ..

And here we are spending our last 4th of July as a family of two!

 

Friday night we wanted to go to the fireworks but had no lawn chairs and were being super lazy - so we went and parked somewhere and waited and waited and waited. I kept telling Benny I was going to die it was so hot in his car so he'd turn the air on for a few minutes and then turn it off and I instantly thought I was going to die again. Finally they started, and of course, a big tree was blocking our view! We did end up driving around and finding a spot and caught the end of them .. Poppy went CRAZY during them. My tummy is so stretched out now and Poppy is so big that we can feel definitive body parts so that was quite entertaining! We got up in the morning and drove to Estherville for the flight breakfast and aerobatic demonstration. We waited in line forever for the breakfast and were almost up to the front when we realized we'd miss the show if we went in, so we got out of line and walked around and checked out the airplanes. The show was neat (nothing like the Sioux Falls airshow), but it was still cool to see. We got back to town and enjoyed some Subway and picked up some new lawn chairs at Wally World. We spent the afternoon just relaxing (and I cleaned light switches around the house..ha) and hanging out. Benny even got in a few games of ping pong in with Ryan. 

Then it was off to mini-golfing...which is one of the few activities I can still do - it's just a little ackward and I can't bend down to get my ball out of the hole!

                                          

*You almost can't see Ashlee behind that tummy*

And, of course, we have to take this picture every summer.. Nice hand, Benny.

 

 Benny just being Benny -- "Ok, guys, here are the current standings."

We kinda sorta like each other... sometimes...

 

Shawna and Ashlee hula hooping - I was going to give it a try because I thought I might be pretty good if I balanced it on top of my tummy, but I decided I'd just end up in pain.

 

We all enjoyed some pizza at Godfather's where apparently soft serve ice cream is NOT free - just for the record - and then it was off to Arnold's Park for the concert and fireworks. I skipped the go-karts...

Great friends .. even if Ben did almost put me into labor with his crazy driving.. I think I'll go for a ride with him in about 2 weeks when baby hasn't come yet!

Little Sis .. aren't we cute?! She's adorable!

The Love Birds

I LOVE being at Arnold's Park for the 4th .. quite the atmosphere!

Top it all off with a gorgeous sunset (this picture doesn't do it justice)

By the end of the night, I really wished I had a couch to sit on or at least a pillow, but I was thankful for Landon's little footstool. 

 All the boats out on the lake.

And since we're old, and pregnant, and have jobs .. we went straight home (okay, we got a little lost on the way) and went to bed! The fireworks didn't scare Poppy out, but hopefully they at least gave him/her a little encouragement...

The End. 

A Day Of Presents

You only turn 24 once, so I thought I'd send Robyn something fun for her 24th Birthday since I can't be there to celebrate with her!

I purchased some small, fun, and silly gifts...

 

And of course there had to be two cards - one from Benny and me and one from Poppy!

And a little note explaining what she was supposed to do...

I wrapped them up in some Christmas wrapping paper scraps I had leftover in a basket because a) I knew Robyn would not care and b) I knew Robyn would think this was funny...

Put little tags on each one with what hour she was supposed to open it!

In the box and ready to ship.. it even got there a couple days early so she had to wait to open all of them!!

HAPPY 24TH BIRTHDAY, ROBYN!!

God, Family, and Roast Beef

Benny and I have been talking about what we want for our family for a long time - what values and traditions we want to carry on from our own childhoods and what things we would like to be different for our children. Obviously, these conversations are occurring more often now that there's actually a little on on the way.

Thinking of my childhood usually brings smiles - I was blessed with two wonderful parents and two awesome brothers (I didn't ALWAYS think they were awesome... that came later in life) who made life a lot of fun. Now that one of those people has chosen to no longer be a part of my life (or at least a healthy/positive part), sometimes these memories bring a few tears as well. Despite what emotions they bring, they are a part of who I am and a part of the mother/wife I will be. I could go on for days about everything I remember from my childhood, but instead I'll share something so relevant to today .. Sundays.

I remember Sundays growing up in two different ways - Football Sundays and Spring Sundays.

Fall Sundays meant waking up to dad on the couch with a cup of coffee in his favorite Bears shirt watching ESPN pregame shows. Mom would either be sitting on the couch with her bible, out in the garden, or putting the roast in the oven. I don't remember many Sundays we didn't have roast, carrots, and potatoes. We'd all hover around the TV for the BIG game - the Chicago Bears and whoever they were playing. When I was younger, I'd play with my mom's hair coming up with all sorts of new styles for her and sometimes even beg her to leave it that way. I always sat in the same oversized chair with her because we were both little enough to squeeze in. Sometimes we'd get bored of the game and go to Hy-Vee grocery shopping. To this day, I still miss grocery shopping with my mom - it was one of my favorite things to do. I think too often we only remember the BIG things, but it's really those little memories that mean the most. Sometime in the afternoon, my dad and his friends would have a big football game in our yard. It was the PERFECT yard for playing football. All the kids would run around the house doing whatever kids do or chase each other around the yard. I sure do miss that farm!

Sundays in the Spring were a little bit different... My parents weren't big church goers when I was growing up. As I went off to college, they became very involved with their church and bible study, but I usually had to convince them to go when I was younger. What I do remember about church Sundays was dad putting on a button up shirt (the only one he owned that wasn't HyVee white) and combing back his hair after he got back from doing a few things at work. Mom would get all dressed up, do her makeup and curl her hair. We'd head to church and then afterward we'd all pile in the van and head to Creston. The whole way we would listen to Casey Kasem's Top 40 on the radio - Jake would bring his headphones so he didn't have to listen, but he'd turn them up so loud that I'd complain to mom that I could only hear his music. Of course, I always won because I was the baby. We'd enjoy a meal at Happy Chef (which I don't think is even there anymore) - I'd always have chocolate milk. We'd conclude the day walking around Walmart picking up a few miscellaneous items. If we didn't go to church, we'd often all pile in the van and head to Des Moines or Omaha and spend the day shopping.

Most importantly, I remember Sundays being about family. We weren't worried about getting things done - those could wait until Monday. This Sunday was much like those I remember from my childhood. We got up and cooked a hearty breakfast of eggs and hashbrowns. Benny put on his button up shirt and combed his hair while I got all dressed up and curled mine. Off to church we went (where Poppy kicked/punched me through the entire service) and then it was to Walmart for him to get a haircut and me to pick up a few random things. We came home to the aroma of roast in the crockpot - my mouth was watering already. I made a pan of brownies, ate half the pan of brownies, and beat Benny in a few games of Ping Pong. We'll probably spend the rest of the day cuddling on the couch while the snow falls outside.

I feel truly blessed to be married to someone who will not only stand over the pan of brownies and eat them with me, cut the fat off my roast, drive me safely to church in the blizzard, and hold my hand while we're praying - but someone who shares the same values in life and truly appreciates all the little things. We are so blessed and I give all the credit to the man upstairs.

P.S. I encourage you to check out the song our praise band sang at church this morning - I'm in love with it! It's called "How You Live." Happy Sunday to you all!

Who Says You Can't Go Home?!

I always love going home. I remember in college I would get so excited for a weekend at home - seeing high school friends, visiting relatives, and eating a home cooked meal. I always had to stop at the high school to catch up with old teachers, too. Now I look forward to going "home" just as much. Even though Spirit Lake is our home now and where we own a house and are starting a family, I can't drive down one street in Spirit lake and have a thousand memories flood back to me. When I go home it's the football field and all those nights cheering under the lights, the dance studio where I spent so many hours, the Hy-Vee where I knew exactly where everything was that I needed & everyone knew my name, the hair salon where the same lady cut my hair for years, the farm I grew up on & even though my house has been torn down - I can still drive by & think of every moment we shared as a family, and the high school where I fell in love with my sweetheart! It's crazy to think that my children will have those memories .. but here. (or maybe not - you never know where we'll end up!) Some people just couldn't wait to get out of my hometown, and while I can't say I could ever go back to living there - I sure do get homesick sometimes.

I got my favorite doughnut (the filled long john with the crumbles on top!) at the bakery, my favorite pizza (Breadeaux) and got to catch up with quite a few people. My grandma was sick with the flu, but I couldn't keep myself from stopping by her room to show her my baby bump and tell her I love her. I stayed with my aunt & uncle & cousins which is always fun! Uncle Jerry had picked out a pair of Iowa State slippers for Poppy. Saturday morning I got to watch my little brother play in two basketball games. I was such a proud sister - he's quite aggressive out there. I didn't know I was so competitive, but I got really excited when he had a good move or play! Saturday afternoon I visited some friends and got to catch up! Then it was off to Clarinda fto spend the night with Robyn & Lily. If you don't know this already, I LOVE Lily. She has had me wrapped around her finger since the minute she was born. We spent the evening twirling around, doing moves from her dance class, and singing from a church bulletin while she played the piano. We finished the night watching "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" and Robyn actually zonked out before me for once.

Sunday was one of the best days ever!! We loaded up Robyn's truck and headed to David's Bridal in Omaha. We met the other ladies in Red Oak and made our way! I felt like I was on an episode of "Say 'Yes' to the Dress" because I've never go to be part of someone's wedding dress experience. Our big party sat in the chairs and waited for her to come out with the first dress. I'll admit it was a little emotional for me .. she's so pretty that I'm pretty sure she could've come out in a potato sack and rocked it, but she was gorgeous!! Every dress she tried on was SO pretty. She did say YES before we left -- I got very anxious when the lady asked, "Is this your dress?" because I really didn't know what she was going to say (but really hoped she said YES because in my opinion it was PERFECT). We went out for lunch and then we met up with Benny and we headed home. Benny finally got to meet Baby Emma who was born in December - I'm way jealous I haven't met her yet, but I have a bad cold anyway so it was probably best I stayed away. He keeps talking all about her & it makes me so excited for when we have our own little one!

Our Wedding - May 22, 2010 - Can't wait to get
the reverse of this picture on June 1, 2013!!

It was a wonderful weekend at home - it always is! I'm always glad to be back at our house with just the two of us, but I look forward to the next time we get to go back for a visit .. and the best part is I have today off!!

Baby Enma smiling at Benny!

The AWESOME wreath Emma's mommy made us!

Happy Birthday in Heaven!

Today is a very special person's Birthday -- the one & only Lauren EliSabeth! She would have been 22 today and let me tell you, that is hard for me to believe.



I don't think there's much to be said about how much I miss Lauren or how much she means to me that hasn't already been said. They say time makes things easier, and it does, but days like this are still hard to get through. There a little things that really get to you and sometimes the tears just have to flow... today is one of those days! Other days, random things she did or said make you laugh out loud for no reason. Lauren is very much still with me in everything I do!




Until we meet again in Heaven, I'll be missing you and living life how you taught me to - knowing tomorrow is not a promise & making the most out of today.

Thoughtful Thursday

I've been thinking a lot lately about the things I've been through in the past couple years. I've had moments I felt on top of the world and months I thought I'd never smile again. Life has thrown some sharp curves at me, but I'm still standing and I think I'm finally figuring out why. It's all about attitude.

I don't think that happiness is based on what you have or even what happens to you. It's how you handle and react to those things that determines your happiness. It's accepting that not every day is going to be a bowl of ice cream and not every chapter of your life will be from a fairytale.

Maybe it's the bump growing in my midsection, or maybe it's the thermometer hitting 48 in January that's got me on cloud 9, but I have been one happy girl lately even with the raging hormones. I was complaining about something at work today and then I stopped myself mid-sentence and said, "Why am I even complaining? I don't even care. I love my job and it really doesn't matter." I was done complaining about that insignificant detail from yesterday's staff meeting. I do love my job - there's something about getting up every day and sitting in a classroom full of 2 year olds who say the most HILARIOUS things, being welcomed into people's homes by little voices screaming, "Teacher Grace is here!" and seeing the difference I'm making in their lives, and laughing all day long with the awesome ladies I work with that makes getting up in the morning a breeze. Some days my job sucks. If your job doesn't ever suck - you might want to do some evaluating and make sure you're actually doing your job.

I remember a time last year when I thought, "Is this really the rest of my life?" I was going through a very difficult family situation, I hated my job, I was grieving the loss of a best friend, we had no friends in this town, and I was very homesick for family, friends, and college. I had a lot of good things going for me - the most significant being a husband who stood by my side when my world was crumbling to pieces. Yet, I was just down in the dumps and it was no good for anyone.

I realized then these three things were missing from my life: Prayer, Laughter, and a Positive Attitude. All 3 of those things are now a SIGNIFICANT part of my life - I don't go a day without praying, laughing, or looking in the mirror and smiling. Yes, even on a bad hair day .. I look in the mirror and smile. I smile because I see a person who has taken some really horrible situations and used them to become a stronger woman. A woman who can't wait to take on the world, follow her dreams, be a best friend, and put my trust in God. I'm not perfect - far from - and my life is far from perfect, too, but it's the only life I've got and I choose not to waste it frowning.

I'm not saying every day of my life is great - and every day of yours won't be either .. you will get sick, people will let you down, and you will have to work to get what you want. Don't pretend your life is perfect because you're not fooling anyone but yourself. Cry when you need to, fall apart, and admit things just suck. But just try smiling in the mirror sometimes. Try waking up and counting your blessings. Try having a little faith...your shoulders will be less tired if you stop carrying the weight of the world. Try thinking, "Today will be a good day" instead of complaining and dreading all the work ahead of you. Be thankful for the life that was given to you, that you are able to do the things you do, and that there is no one else in this world just like you. No matter what, believe in miracles -- because if you don't, what's the point in believing in anything?

XOXO

Quarter of a Century Celebration

Happy Happy Birthday to my adorable husband, Benny! It's hard to believe he's 25 today since we've been together since he was 17. We've really grown up together and I love looking back at all we've gone through and imagining all the things we will do in our future. This Birthday can't quite compare with his 24th Birthday since we spent it in Germany at the Neuschwanstein Castle, but it was still a pretty good weekend.

An aftershot of the Birthday shot

We celebrated Friday night with some friends at Benny's restaurant of choice. Then it was back to our house for games, cake, and ice cream. I even let them have my bottle of champagne I got for Christmas! Saturday we relaxed at home and had my dad and Lisa over for supper (I tried one of my Pinterest found recipes). We also opened the last of our Christmas presents .. ha!

We clean up nice!

Out to Supper

Today, on his actual Birthday, we have been working on the puzzle he got for Christmas. He opened his presents from me and later we're watching a movie with friends.

Card and grill topper from me - for all our yummy veggies we grill in the summer!

Card and Iowa State shirt from Poppy! Poppy's already a good shopper.

I'm too Pretty to Do Math!

I know I have blogged about Lauren several times, but I am so overwhelmed at how all of us have made the best of the worst of circumstances. Losing Lauren was a tragedy, but life can and will go on...and we'll all be wearing a little memory of Lauren along the way...

If there's one thing I've learned through this grieving process, it's that Lauren was friends with some of the greatest girls I've ever met and I couldn't be luckier to have them in my life. I was not in Lauren's class. In fact, she is two years younger than me. I was friends with a couple of her good friends through dance or cheerleading, but some of them I never got to know very well until now. Sometimes I get sad thinking about how I know Lauren would have been my friend forever - all the memories we would have made - but then I feel grateful that now I've got a great group of girls who know exactly how I feel and when we all need a little laughter in our lives. I got to spend Sunday with those girls .. and it was exactly what I needed.

Some people might find it a little strange that we went through Lauren's closet and called dibs on tanks, t-shirts, workout pants, jeans, dresses, purses, shoes, sunglasses, socks (yes, very colorful socks), nail polish, jewelry, etc. But if you really think about it, what's the point in having it sit in her closet collecting dust (I know, Lisa is quite the duster, but let's be real). It was such a fun day. Going through Lauren's stuff brought up all sorts of memories -- what kind of trouble she got into wearing a certain shirt, why there was nail polish all over the bottom of a purse, how she could pull off the craziest shirt and look fabulous in it, which articles of clothing in her closet actually belonged to someone else in the room, and how if she loved a shoe it didn't matter what size it was - she would squeeze her foot in it. We also came up with a very special idea that will help each of us have Lauren with us at the biggest events in our lives (but I won't tell you about that..it's a secret).

I'll leave you with my best finds of the day -- A deck of Barbie cards in a Barbie tin AND the "I'm too pretty to do math" socks that I bought her a few years ago and she wore ALL the time (but we hadn't been able to find them since the accident).

Lions & Tigers & Dancing Elephants? Oh my!

Donna and Adam came to visit us for the weekend. We have been so excited for them to come since we rarely have visitors and they hadn't been to our house since we moved in so I couldn't wait for Donna to see the changes. Plus, our new furniture came on Thursday .. woohoo!!

They got here Friday night and we hung out at the house. I talked Donna's ear off and showed her the 400 pictures I had finally printed from the last 3 years of my life. Nick convinced me to let him buy Mario Kart ($50 for a game..rediculous!) so him and Adam played that all night.

On Saturday, we woke up bright and early to the sound of Donna fumbling around in the kitchen in search of coffee supplies. We both hate coffee, so although we do have the stuff, it is not easily accessible. We spent the morning crunching on some good old Cap'n Crunch and lazying around. But then it was time for the big event .. The James Cristy Cole Circus. We headed to Spencer for one heck of a show.

I decided during and after the circus, that people in the circus are just plain stupid. Not talented. Stupid. I don't care how much you've practiced or how "balanced" or "strong" you are, to run around the outside of a giant spinning wheel blindfolded with no mat or net below you just isn't smart. Entertaining, yes. Donna made the comment, "This is worse than riding in a car with Nick." I really enjoyed the trapeze artists, aerial dancers, and the dancing elephant. Adam's favorites included the man on the space wheel and the "ball of death" which was three guys driving motorcycles in an enclosed sphere at the same time without running into each other. That was also Nick's favorite, but Donna really enjoyed the tigers/lion.

After the circus, it was stir fry for supper, a comical game of Apples to Apples (Adam's FAVORITE game .. even though he doesn't know what half the cards mean!), and watching Ghostbusters until we all fell asleep on the new furniture.

They left this morning and even though there was plenty to get done around here, I napped for quite awhile and then kicked Benny's butt in Mario Kart. It was a very good weekend and we look forward to the next time we have company! And since Donna took the pictures this weekend, all I have is one of our new loveseat which includes a shot of Donna in the background. We also got a matching couch and recliner!!

Right where we left off...

There's nothing I love more than a friend who you can go months with only occasional life updates or without hardly speaking to at all, and when you meet up, it's like you never missed a beat.

It's been really hard trying to make friends in a new town where we essentially don't know anybody. Most of my co-workers don't live here and neither do Benny's since he works in Minnesota. It's not like the college days where friends lived in the same building as you and you had a ton of opportunities to meet new people. Although we're starting to get out more and try a little harder at having a social life, I get VERY excited when someone I know is coming to down. A familiar face always makes my day.

My friend, Krista, and one of her friends for college met me for supper tonight and it was wonderful. Krista and I have been friends since high school. We danced together, but it wasn't until we were both at Iowa State that we became really close. It's been fun to watch Krista change .. and she really has changed a lot .. and become such a wonderful young lady (not that she wasn't wonderful before, but you know what I mean). I always get so proud of her accomplishments .. it's like she's my little sister! But I don't worry about telling her anything and everything because I know she won't tell a soul or judge me. We've had some really great conversations (and wine + so you think you can dance nights). She's just one of those girlfriends I love being around!

Tonight was a great reminder that no matter how far away I may travel in life, those old friends will always be the best of friends and will always brighten my day!!

Oh, and the pizza wasn't bad either...