ALOHA

Tomorrow morning I will be boarding a plane, because I am going to HAWAII! I'm meeting my family there. I'm taking a week off of school and getting the heck out of dodge. I'll keep you posted on what we do while there, I really don't know what is planned, but I do know we're going snorkeling and we will be at the beach!

I'll keep you posted!

My yesterday :)

Yesterday was nice. I didn't have to go to my firsts class; it was test day and all tests are all online. Cool, I got to sleep in some. I checked my e-mail and found out my other class was canceled. AWESOME! A day to myself get things done before my escape to Hawaii. :)
Later, like around 5p.m. Liz and I were getting our i.d. cards to get some dinner with our friend Rob, when my R.D. Jonny saw me and was like "I was just going to find you! You're getting a roommate." I wasn't going to get my hopes up like the 5 other times, so i just went on with my day. After dinner I ran into my R.A. Kyle who told me that my new roomie was going to be stopping by my apartment to get my signature on a paper later that night. So, me looking at my apartment in disgust, midterms, research papers, figuring out my schedule for next semester was being displayed throughout the whole apartment. I frantically started to clean, I didn't even get to my bedroom... when I heard knocking on my door, it was Ally my new roommate and Kyle.
She's going to be moving in sometime today and I'm at peace about it all. Everryone is shocked that I'm so OK with this happening 2 months into school but there is something about this situation that I'm at peace.

God has really been using me these past 2 months. I may not know what the purpose of it all until a later date, but I'm glad he is using me. I have really been struggling down here and I feel I'm supposed to be here now. I'm hoping this feeling will last for the rest of my school career.


I just thought I would update you all... please pray for me.

Tag you're it!

Rules: go to your 6th picture folder and select the 6th picture and then tag 5 people... I really don't want to tag other people so this game of tag is ending here... SORRY!!!






This is of a family friend Ron and his granddaughter Sadie Rose at Oktoberfest quite a few years ago... this is also the Oktoberfest that Sadie took her first steps...

Ode to Paige

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAIGE!


This street sign is on 99 south in between Fresno and Bakersfield
I see it every time I'm on the road either to or from school.

I think we're at Universal Studios waiting in line

Today is my sister Paige's birthday. She is is 17 months older than me. I'm really happy that it's her birthday (my birthday is in February and I'm turning 21 you figure out why I'm excited). I dislike the distance that's between us... you know the 200 plus miles apart... which makes the drive just a little under 4 hours... yuck!

Paiger, I love you and hope that today is an amazing day!

Allergies...

Last summer I found out that I am allergic to kiwi. OK, cool, whatever, I had never been allergic to anything before. Like really allergic: itchy throat, swollen tongue, trouble breathing, blood shot eyes, an itchy feeling all the way to the inside of my stomach. I'm used to the seasonal stuffy nose and watery eye thing, that's nothing compared to my newly found allergy. Today, I found out that I am allergic to more than just kiwi... I am allergic to yet another fruit which happens to be one of my favorites; crenshaw melon. You see I could care less that I'm allergic to kiwi. Why you ask? Because I never liked kiwi to begin with, but this melon is my favorite of all melons!

What does the fruit have in common? Well, kiwi, crenshaw, cantaloupe, and honeydew all have the same enzyme. I just happen to be allergic to that enzyme. Lucky me! Strange thing is that I haven't had a reaction to cantaloupe or honeydew yet but to avoid in itchy swollen innards and throat and tongue, I now have to avoid eating more fruit... Do you know how hard it is to always be checking juice labels to see if if you're allergic? It's a pain in the hiney!!!

My thoughts

I told Walker that I don't feel the same way for him. Somehow he convinced me to go to The Music Man and so I'm not sure if he thinks that it's a date... I really don't want to lead him on, but I don't think he realizes that me being nice and a friend just means that I want to be friends... He's never had a girlfriend, or even told a girl that he like her. I don't want to hurt him, but I don't want to hurt myself either. I feel pressured by not only Walker, but also my friends. When I asked them what to do they said "date him, give him a chance." I just don't want another clingy relationship; Walker seems dependent, whereas Adam is very independent and I'm attracted to Adam's independence. I just don't feel the chemistry between Walker and I as much as I do between Adam and I.




I've been trying to get a hold of Adam to tell him that I like him, or that he needs to stop sending mixed signals if he doesn't feel the same way towards me. So far no luck. By the end of this weekend I'm going to talk to him about it!

Say it isn't so

So Walker called me up and wanted to hang out today. Cool, so I thought... He was really nice and asked me how things were going with Adam, I laughed and told him he was opening a can of worms. I told all the recent news about Adam, I how I've tried to not like him and all the crap that's been happening. We got on the subject of if someone were to like me if I would want them to tell me, I said yes like a dumb shit... Walker confessed that he likes me and wants to take me out on a date, and how all the talking of me liking Adam is really hard for him. I had an inkling that Walker likes me I knew it deep down, I just hated telling him that the feeling isn't mutual. BUT, because Adam is a LOSER, we are going on a "date"-ish thing... we're going to see the school's production of The Music Man on Saturday. I guess I'm just going to see where dating Walker goes? I'm not too sure about this whole thing, actually I'm really feeling awkward.

I still like Adam a lot, and I'm planning on telling him that I do like him and that how he acts around me is sending me mixed signals and if he doesn't feel the same way his actions are showing, then he needs to just STOP!

No matter what I want to keep the friendships that I have with these two men (boys?) it's just figuring out what my heart truly wants and whether the feelings are mutual between both the guy and me.

That is how my weekend is starting off....

Dream Wedding

This is a narrative that I wrote for my English class. I'm told that it's good, but I'm not too sure. Tell me what you think.

P.S. You will probably want some Kleenex close by...

Dream Wedding

It was a cold October, the day was supposed to be perfect, but there was a storm rolling in. I was nervous and had butterflies in my stomach; it was half an hour before the ceremony would begin and the guests were already starting to arrive. I was able to see those that were coming in from the room where I was waiting. I saw many of my friends, even my youth minister from my high school days.

My wedding was supposed to be outside, but with the unpredictable weather we rushed to the closest indoor location. There was an old rustic barn that happened to be on the same property as where the ceremony was originally supposed to take place. What a blessing that I noticed the bard during one of our walk-throughs at the venue. With a little magic and a lot of help we could turn the old, rustic barn into one of the most romantic ceremony sights I have ever seen. It hit me, this is where I’m going to get married, in front of friends and family, to the man I love and want to spend the rest of my life with.

We had white candles leading the way to the altar. Christmas lights and Chinese paper lanterns were hung from the rafters and beams. It looked like a fairy tale, my very own fairy tale that only I could have dreamed of came to life; it was so romantic.

As I stood waiting in my dress I reminisced on what it took to find it. I had gone shopping with my mom, we visited three stores and I tried on close to thirty dresses. But when I slipped this one on, I just knew it was the right one. It fit like a glove, like it was made special for me. The dress only needed one alteration to the hem. It was an A-line (Princess) silhouette, with a Basque waistline, and a Sweetheart neckline. The color was a crisp white, with a satin ribbon that tied around the waist.

My hair was pulled back in a chignon bun surrounded by perfectly, smooth curls. Tucked on the right side of the up-do was a white phalaenopsis orchid. That particular kind of orchid was symbolic because it was my grandmother’s favorite. This is my way of remembering her on this special day; and the orchid placed on the right side because that's the side that faces the audience from the front of the altar when I face my groom.

I was almost ready to be given away, when my Dad, my strong tower, gave me one of the best father daughter talks I could receive on my wedding day. He said, “You will always be my little girl, but today I will be giving you to a young man who loves you almost as much as I do”. My Dad was a strong masculine man who very rarely showed any emotion, but as he was talking he started to get choked up and teary eyed. As he fought back the tears he spoke softer saying, “Darling, you aren’t going to need me to fix your car or come to save you when you’re in need. You will have Eric to do all those things for you. I won’t be your hero anymore, he will, but I will always be your Daddy, and I will always love you. Now go and make me proud, get down that aisle and say “I do.” As I dabbed at the tears welling up in my eyes I told my Dad that I loved him and that no man could ever get in the way of that. He smiled and asked, “Well, are you ready kid?” and with a nod we proceeded to the barn.

I stood at the end of the line. First my bridesmaids walked down the aisle. Their dresses are perfect; each dress style is different for each girl. Some are short, some are long. Some have sleeves, some are sleeveless. But all of the dresses are a gorgeous shade of sage green. Each girl has her hair done differently, something unique to their individual personalities. The florist did an excellent job on their bouquets. Deep colored sunflowers, with a lot of foliage, very simple. One by one my girls are walking down the aisle. One by one it gets closer to my turn. Closer to my future.

There goes the flower girl, my niece. She wanted to make sure that she sprinkled the petals just perfect. So cute. She practiced a lot according to her parents, my brother and sister-in-law. It has been such a job watching her grow up the past five years.

My future stood waiting, Eric, was a mess of nerves; the anxiety had built up from all the hustle and bustle of getting ready just for this moment. When the doors had opened for my entrance, he was the first and only person I looked at. Butterflies had started to flutter in my stomach, not out of nervousness, but out of excitement to start a new chapter and life as Mrs. Karen Johnson. His face in awe of my beauty, he couldn’t take his eyes off of me. It was the reaction I had always dreamed of; it had sent chills up and down my spine that made me more anxious. I felt as if I were the only person in the room. The butterflies had grown bigger with each step towards him. My grip to the bouquet of cal lilies grew tighter and my palms clammy as I reached my Prince Charming. When my Dad had given my hand in marriage I knew that this whole “dream” really wasn’t a dream. Our childhood Pastor, Reverend Brad Smith, talked about watching us grow up, and how to keep our love strong long after the wedding. We wrote our own vows, with words of love and hope of a great future. My sister was my matron of honor; she read a passage from the bible about how love is always patient, kind, never boastful, or full of pride. Our mom’s got up and placed a combination of flowers in a vase to unify our families. Eric wrote a song for me; about his undying love for me, he sang with what came from his heart while my brother played the guitar. Our uniting kiss was magical as if it were straight from a fairy tale. I will never forget the day that I declared my love by saying “I do”.

So what do you think? Leave some feed back. :)

Advise From a Guy

So, during brunch yesterday with Walker, somehow we stumbled on the conversation about who we like or more towards who I like. Even though I'm pretty positive that Walker wasn't/isn't the best guy to be getting relationship advise from he is well a guy so I kept it simple, didn't mention any names, and well asked him solely because he is a GUY! I asked and he listened, thought and responded. My questions really were simple like "If a girl liked you would you want her to tell you?" or "Do guys want as to be a "chase" or simply be tangable?" even "If a girl were to tell you she likes you how would you want her to tell you?". Simple as that, he answered all of my questions, (don't worry he would respond by saying Adam's name, so he knew who I was refering to. He wasn't thinking I like him(Walker). Anyways something that he said really struck me as good advise, "...If he isn't initiating anything he's probably not interested... although he could be shy around girls he likes even though he doesn't seem like he would be, but he easily could be shy". Walker also quoted the speaker from chapel on Friday she said, "You are significant with or without another." Her whole reason for saying that is because in this world, and in our culture it is very uncommon to not be engaged or married, but if your purpose for engagement and marriage is to have a social status then you are in it for all the wrong reasons. Love is to special and important to waste for status. So, "You are significant with or without another" really puts in perspective on how God looks at us with or without a significant other.

Today, being a typical Monday, I went to class, walked to chapel, saw Adam and talked with him for awhile, later in the day get text saying "it's One Tree Hill night and I still have your plate come over" so around 9 go to Adam & Karl's apartment watch OTH and hangout. So, taking Walker's advise from yesterday, that Adam's probably just not interested, this made me utterly confused! Adam came and sat down super close to me, was totally flirting with me, he was even interested in what's been going on in my life. AGH! Right when I was trying not to like him, right when I was set on nothing happening between us, right when I was just going to be friends; he starts the whole process over again.

I really wish I can say that I'm over him, I wish that I can only see him as a friend, but why is it right when I decide that it just isn't meant to be he starts to initiate things?

I'm back to where I started CONFUSED. I really think that he's not worth all of this thought and confusion, this game, and this frustration.

Quote Of The Day

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'." I'm whispering "I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven."
When I say... "I am a Christian" I don't speak of this with pride. I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.
When Isay... "I am a Christian" I'm not trying to be strong. I'm professing that that I'm weak and need his strength to carry on.
When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not bragging of success. I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.
When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not claiming to be perfect, my flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.
When I say... "I am a Christian" I still feel the sting of pain. I have my share of heartaches so I call upon his name.
When I say "I am a Christian" I'm not holier than thou, I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow!

--Maya Angelou--

Only a Week? Really?

So I have officially been living here for a little over a week actually closer to 2 weeks. It's been a crazy week too! Let's see, well I moved in last Friday and had no electricity until Wednesday. I had to register for classes on Tuesday when classes started Wednesday, so I didn't get all of the classes I would have liked to be in and at what time. Oh well, I'm enjoying the classes that I'm in so that's what matters right? Adam and Karl live diagonally and across the lawn from my apartment. Adam is a whole different story that I'll get into a little bit later. I've been living on my own and today I found out that a girl who also lives in my court but with 4 roommates has been approved to move in with me! YAY I get a ROOMIE!!! I've made quite a few friends some who are commuters and some who live in my court who are also transfers. Also, my bestest friend in the whole wide wolrd since 4th grade is going to fly out and visit me in October! So much has happened I just can't think of it all... sorry.

So you open my front door and this is what you see. My living room.

My Dining Area.

My Kitchen.

Half of my bedroom.



That is a brief tour of my apartment I left out my desk and the bathroom... oh well!

I went to buy some of my books today, which my luck was only 2 of the 7 books were in stock, but the bookstore did have this super cute backpack and camp pretty much distroyed my backpack trust me it has seen better days! So, I bought a new backpack and it's really nice, it has a special pocket for sunglasses, and a insulated pocket to put cold sodas in... and it can carry my laptop which is what I need since all my classes allow them.

Isn't she a beaut?

Now for Adam. Well, I didn't really see him in the beginning of moving down here but lately I've been seeing him around more, and not like passing him on my way to class its like stopping by my apartment to hang out. But, I still have no clue what we are... if we are anything...

Do you want the good news or the bad news?

Good News: I'm living on campus
Bad News: Don't have a roommate yet and I'm not sure if I'm getting one until Spring Semester.
Good News: Living in the apartments... the same court as the boys!
Bad News: I have no electricity or gas until Tuesday/Wednesday


I'll take pics. to give you a tour of my APARTMENT!

Time Flies

Time flies when you least expect it!

Change of plans for the BIG move. We are no longer leaving Friday afternoon with Courtney, we are leaving tomorrow right after I get home from some appointments... crazy huh? So all the time that I wasted by sitting and relaxing from my exciting/ exhausting summer, I should have been packing everything up.

WOW! This summer seriously flew by... Where did it go?

OK. So, I know I should rely on God for a few things such as where I'm living, what courses I will be taking, and who my friends/ roommates are, are they going to be nice?


TRUST IN GOD IS ALL I CAN DO....

Wish me luck!

I'm Home!

So, I'm home for a week before I go and move away for college APU here I come!
My last week of camp was emotional but so fun! To start off with the fact that I had met 2 of my campers earlier in the summer (that made some things easier), Zan "Avocado" turned 21 on Tuesday so on Monday at midnight a few of us snuck out of our cabins to celebrate with sparkling cider and breaking in the kitchen for some cookie dough and chocolate ecairs, on Tues. I played a little soccer with some campers and injured my big toe, Wednesday went to Urgent Care to see why my toe was still swelling and bruising found out that it's shattered like a piece of glass, the start of staff leaving for home/school. It was hard to leave but, I can say that this summer I have grown up and grown spiritually.


I'm Glad To Be HOME!!!

Staff Banquet

Saturday, August 9, 2008 was the Staff Banquet. It was so much fun! We took pictures, had dinner, the girls wrote a song for the guys and gave them gifts and visa versa, AND then we DANCED the rest of the night away. Which by the way I made Adam jealous by dancing with one of the other guys which was so much fun he twirled me and dipped me and he actually knew how to dance but like half way into the song Adam and the girl he was dancing with decided that they were going to cut in and so she danced with Paul and he danced with me!


P.S. I had kept my dress a secret from all of the guys and the majority of the girls... I was told that I was a KNOCK OUT!!! You tell me...

Adam and I.... (I'm wearing high heels... I barely make it to his shoulders... lol)

Just A Few Of The Girls

ALL OF THE GIRLS ON STAFF (minus some of the 1st half L.I.T.'s)

My "D" Group (small group)
"Tropicana" Kaitlyn, "Totally Awesome" Shannon, "Buns of Steel" Corey, "Sweet Pea" ME, "Jumper Roo" Alyssa, "Rica Suavecita" Johanna, "High Five" Angela

Home Sick

Have you ever been home sick?

I have... well I am it's almost been 3 months of me not living at home... and well I just miss it.
I miss my family, my bed, not living out of a suit case, home cooked meals, my friends, my MOMMY (everything about her. Her hugs, kisses, conversations, cooking, even being embarrassed by her....)

This is definitely the longest I've been away from home and it's starting to really show that I miss it. I know I've gone home twice while living here but it's not the same and not nearly enough time. The next time that I go home, which by the way is in 2 weeks, I will be packing up for college and I only have a week to get the fulfillment of my family...

Here's a Little Something to Look at

Michelle "Cliff Hanger" was leaving and I couldn't resist to take a funny Picture.

The first half L.I.T.'s I miss them!
(Orbit, Luchador, The Temp, Tinkerbell, Electric, Dinkydoodle, Rip Tide, Handshake, Duct Tape, Shaka, Jackpot, The Barn, B.O.S., & Cliff Hanger)

Week 7 Girls!

Me at mini bikes before I crashed....

"Nirget" (Eli), Me, & "Orange Crush" (Jodi)



These are just a few pictures from the last 3 weeks, so I hope you enjoy!

Don't Know Where to Begin

So, I know that a lot has happened since I last wrote. What has been happening in my life you may ask? A LOT!!! Ok so, I went home after being on rotation, I was only there for 1 night not even for 24 hours. I filled out lots of paper work stating that I will be attending APU this fall, and where to live STUFF! I then went to get my car SMOG it failed so in order to get back to camp I got to barrow my mommy's car!!! YAY! So then I had to go back home to get my car once it was fixed (the next weekend). In the meantime of having my mom's car I was counseling, it was Christmas in July week... and it was my worst week EVER!!! This last week I was also Counseling and it was besides the fact that they were 9th graders and my all time favorite cabin It was my best week!
My girls although I tried to hide the fact and act as if nothing were happening they figured out that I like Gumby.... They didn't let me live it down either!!! They teased and pestered me about it the whole week! But, he didn't help the fact I'll explain later...



Anywhoskies, Abby is possibly coming to visit this Friday/ Saturday. Val and I are going to the beach in 25 min. (it's my day off!). And this Saturday is the Staff Banquet at 6:30p.m. and I found the perfect dress (it only cost me $10)!!!


I'll fill you in later!!!

Who is he?

Ok so they aren't good clear pictures of him but the mysterious guy in these pictures is Adam Lofgren a.k.a. "Gumby"



I hope this helps put a name to the face or how ever that saying goes....

Finally some pictures of this summer!

Week 3 girls!

Best L.I.T. Cliff Hanger

Best Surprise Ever!

Just happened to be wearing an APU shirt!

Week 4 Girls!

Azusa Pacific University

On Thursday July 10, 2008 I recieved a bouquet of flowers written on the note was:

"Congrtatulations!
Pack your bags for Azusa!

Love,
Mom & Dad"

AHHHHHHH!!!! I'm going to APU! (you know!!!) starting in the fall!!!!! I am so excited you don't understand!!!!!




I'll post pics soon!

Week 4

Week 4 is officially over! I am now 0n rotation!!! So my girls were pretty good this week. Shockingly (sp?) Four of my girls accepted Christ and on their invitation cards they wrote how through me was one of the main reasons for them to ask God to be their only God!

Week 3

So week 3 is officially over but week 4 starts tomorrow....
Debbie Downer was actually one of the best girls in my cabin actually I LOVED ALL THE GIRLS IN MY CABIN!!! They seriously helped me grow spiritually. I really need to start to post pictures but it is really hard being a counselor and trying to keep up with everything!


OK so this last week my girls names were:
Courtney Jones
Courtney Schmitt
Savannah Bowen
Sean Salas
Ashley Christensen
Natalie Parks
Laura Bobich
Josina Carlisle
Joy


Two of my girls are military kids one of which is living in Germany her parents are stationed there, and the other one is in Ft. Leavenworth. They were the shy ones the ones who decided to step out of their comfort zones on Friday!



Also, Gumby.... oh geese.... so I didn't really see him at all this week and then on Wednesday we actually talked and he seemed really sad that he wasn't being able to see me all the time… it was cute he made me blush and I’m pretty positive that he knows that I like him…. So…. We will see what happens.

Please Pray for Week 4 of camp I will be counseling and all of my girls are going to be in 7^th grade… so pray that God speaks through me to them and that they find the real reason of coming to camp not just all the fun stuff that they get to do but the growth in God!

Gumby

So Gumby.... or Adam.... whichever you perfer, apparentally likes me....

Ok so Sumo (Brittany) was talking to him yesterday and without even mentioning me he started to spill the beans. He likes me (thinks I'm cute and could be a potential girlfriend) but, he has been on again off again with a girl back home and apparentally he was talking about all of the red flags that there are with the relationship back home..... He is seriously an amazing guy and I really do like him!


I didn't come to work here at Frontier Ranch in hopes of finding a boyfriend... actually I gave my liking of boys over to God. You see I figure that by me giving God the power of something I really don't need in my life then he will bless me with the right one and there are so many GOOD things about Adam.

For starters he is a christian ( a frim believer at that), he is all that I can imagine as far as the personality goes, he goes to APU which HELPS a lot.... and there's just so much that I can't describe....




P.S. I'll try to post a picture of him sometime soon

Camp Name

So here at Frontier Ranch all camp staff have nick names and for those who are new staff get names by the end of the week....

Last night was the naming ceremony, I waited anxiously as all the other staff gave ideas for nick names by yelling and screaming trying to get their idea noticed by me.... here were they're suggestions

• Chipper
• Spontaneous
• Ginseng
• Gouda (but pronounce the "g")
• Sweet Pea
• Freckles

So which do you think became my nick name I bet you'll never guess it......

Sweet Pea

So here is how I got the name. A few of the other girl counselors and I were talking about going to the bathroom. One of them was saying how she had been peeing pretty much every hour, I laughed and said "If you think that's bad I peed for almost 2 whole minutes!" Everyone responded with that's a "sweet pee". The name stuck and was brought up during the naming ceremony.... but "pee" is not appropriate so it is spelled "pea".

Onomatopoeia, Button, Sumo, Sweet Pea

Going to square dance dressed as bandits

Update!

So it's been 4 days at Frontier Ranch and it has been so far so good. Learning everything to do and all the rules has been a lot to take in but it's all worth it. So many CUTE boys (I'm blushing if you couldn't tell). I am an official "belay"er... for the rock wall. :) Yesterday we had a free night so all of the girls went out for ice cream at Marie Anne's.... it was really, really amazing! After ice cream we started to get ready for our sleep out on the stage and watch a movie as well. The boys bless their hearts, walked on to the stage singing to all of us girls they were dressed in their best attire... and THEN they said that to make everything more special for our girls night they served us barbie and my little pony fruit snacks and popcorn and juice... it was really cute.... when they were leaving the stage they sang goodnight sweetheart...



Then this morning came and it changed everything that was appreciated! 6 in the morning WE woke up to the battle music from pirates of the carribean and water balloons were thrown to wake us up.... not happy campers now are we....



to be continued

I'm not ready yet

I leave in 2 and a half days and there is no way that I'm ready...
I caught the PROCRASTINATION bug.... I caught it badly :o(

I just don't feel like I've packed enough... or I don't have everything I need... ugh.... I hate packing!
2 day trip not a problem, 1 week sure why not, but almost 3 months what do you pack your whole wardrobe?



I gotta go and pack wish me luck....

What she doesn't know

My sister Courtney doesn't realize how much I'm going to miss her. Even though I complain about her acting more like a mom than a sister, I am going to miss her a lot overr the summer and when I go off to college. I've been ignoring the fact that I will miss her, but it hit me hard today on how much I appreciate the time I spend with her, and that I really will miss her! I like hanging out with her and running errands with her and being her little tag along sister but this summer is going to change all of that because there won't be any hanging out, running errands, or tagging along.... :o(


This is to you Courtney.... I'm gonna miss you, more than you can imagine!

Choices

I got this story as an e-mail and thought it to be an inspiration. I think when I get the moving e-mail's I'm going to post them, and share them with you!

Choices

John is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!"

He was a natural motivator.

If an employee was having a bad day, John was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.

Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up and asked him, "I don't get it!

You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?"

He replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or ... you can choose to be in a bad mood.

I choose to be in a good mood."

Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or...I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it.

Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or... I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.

"Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested.

"Yes, it is," he said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations You choose how people affect your mood.

You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live your life."

I reflected on what he said. Soon hereafter, I left the Tower Industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.

Several years later, I heard that he was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower.

After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, he was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back.

I saw him about six months after the accident.

When I asked him how he was, he replied, "If I were any better, I'd be twins...Wanna see my scars?"

I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place.

"The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon-to-be born daughter," he replied. "Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or...I could choose to die. I chose to live."

"Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked.

He continued, "..the paramedics were great.

They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read 'he's a dead man' I knew I needed to take action."

"What did you do?" I asked.

"Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me," said John. "She asked if I was allergic to anything. 'Yes, I replied.' The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Gravity'."

Over their laughter, I told them, "I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead."

He lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude... I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully.



Attitude, after all, is everything.



Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34.



After all today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.

Interesting week...

This last week was my last week working as the Children/ Youth Intern at Hilmar Covenant Church. Friday was my last day... I had mixed feelings, I was comfortable with my job and the people I worked with , but I've been ready to move on with my life and grow up or should I say ween myself from my mom (it's like I'm still attached to the umbilical cord.... ewwwwww...) ANYWAYS... So on Wednesday I had a doctor's appointment for a mole on my back and arm and stomach and face and neck.... (I don't use sunscreen as much as I should to put it lightly), I was scared that I had cancer.... LOL in other terms I freaked out and thought the worst possible thing good thing it was a false alarm! My appointment was 30 min. north from where I live so my mom and I made the most of our trip up. We went shopping! I got a one piece (I haven't worn a one piece since the third grade....) and I exchanged some shorts that I got awhile ago they didn't fit like they did when I tried them on... once we got home I immediately started to get ready for the Josh Turner / Carrie Underwood Concert!!! Let me tell you it was an AMAZING concert!!! After the concert we went to The Cheesecake Factory and of course we had cheesecake it was so yummy!
My sister Courtney bought the whole entire collection of Sex in the City so for the past week we have been trying to catch-up (we're seeing the movie on Tuesday with a lot of other girls).
On Friday I had to go and straighten somethings out at Merced Community College all dealing with my transcripts being sent to Azusa Pacific University... 2 hours later I hope they did what I had asked them to do... it was so frustrating!!! After I dealt with stupid-heads in Merced, I had to go to work for my last day working there...


Needless to say it hit me today that I will be leaving for the summer (11 weeks) in one week... I'm so scared and sad and excited and anxious all at the same time that it makes me all the more sad to be leaving my mom and dad all summer not even being able to talk to my mom everyday if I'm lucky once a week... OH GOD BE WITH ME!

Sleepover!

I know only little girls have sleepovers.... but, I won't be seeing friends over the summer unless they visit me, or I actually have the weekend off to come home for a night.


Anyways, we wanted to have a going away sleepover... besides we only get to see each other only once a week so it's nice to get together and have a good laugh!

I always laugh when I'm around these girls. They are amazing friends who all love JESUS! I thank God everyday for Ashley, Kayla, and Valorie. I'll take pictures of the sleepover and post them later!


Have a great holiday tomorrow!

Here comes the bride.

This last weekend was my cousins wedding. It was a lot of fun the motto was "it took 10 years for the wedding so let's party all weekend!"

Let me tell you.... I partied hard!


"Kaitlin, catch-up , this is my 4th cowboy margarita.... you're not even close to finishing your 3rd!" Paige teased.


PAPARAZZI!!!


All the girl cousins, we were goin' for the wind blown look!


Sorry I didn't post too much but I'm busy now that I'm done with finals and have to get everything before the 9th of June!

Today is my sister's birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COURTNEY!!!

Courtney is 8 years older than me. Today she has turned one year younger.... I think once you turn 25 you don't celebrate getting older, you celebrate getting younger! (that is as much of a hint to her age as you're going to get)

A camping here I go....

GREAT NEWS

This summer I am offically going to be a camp counselor.
The director from Mission Springs, Frontier Ranch called me this morning and asked if I wanted to be a part of the Frontier Ranch Team!
I of course said yes and immediately called my mom who started to cry because it will be the first time ever for me to be away from home for so long.
I will be gone for 10-11 weeks starting June 8th-August16th or 23rd.

February 24th

You are very optimistic and that's why you always enjoy life. You are gifted in entertaining others. Your friends love and trust you. You'll be the first they come to when they are in need of someone to speak their heart out. Your Love, Sometimes you fall in love just because you want to be in love, not that you really like that person. You always be seen as a sweet couple but you can't really get over your love ones from past. Your partner is usually crazy about you because you are remarkably charming and romantic.



So this is truly me, I don't usually believe in these types of things but out of curiosity I look at them. But this just by my birthday explained me in a nut shell!


I need to get a life and maybe actually fall in love.... LOL I was kidding I just want to date around right now.

Waiting for an answer

I forgot to mention;

So, I've got a of last things to complete for APU
1. Have my college transcripts sent to APU.
2. Have a Christian Leader fill out a reference form.
3. Call to make sure they have got all the information


I had an over the phone interview with Frontier Ranch and I will find out this week if I will be gone all summer being a camp counselor or not.


Inconclusion I am way too impatient for 2 really important events that will hopefully come true... agh can I know now? please.....

HAPPY MOTHER'S/ BIRTHDAY!

Ok, so this was like 2 years ago.... when I graduated from high school.
Look at how happy they are; their baby is finally out of high school!

Today was an extraordinary day. Yes it was Mother's day.... HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MOMMY (and the rest of you who are moms)! It was my DADDY'S BIRTHDAY..... HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD! So for their day we went to Sacramento and spent the day shopping at IKEA, we got dad new sun glasses because he doesn't need his perscription ones anymore (he got lasik eye surgery on May 8th), we went to Chipotle and had linner (it was a very late lunch and a really early dinner), and on our way home we stopped for Cold Stone's ice cream..... oh how I love banana ice cream with reese's peanut butter cups..... just thinking about it puts me on cloud 9.

Cross it off the list :o)

So I can cross a few things off the long list of things to do.... but I had to add a few more things to do to keep me busy.

• I finished my APPLICATION for Frontier Ranch to become a camp counselor.
• I now have to ask one more person to fill out a reference form and send it in ASAP!
• I'll do that tomorrow :o)

• I turned in my APU APPLICATION
• Now have to ask for people to fill out reference forms for me (I have to ask a Teacher and a Christian Leader).
• And I have to get my transcripts sent to APU (I already requested for my high school transcripts to be sent)

• I need to study for my finals that are in two Mondays from now...
  

• I have TWO doctors appointments in the next 3 weeks... for totally different things..... I'm scared to go to one of them although it has to be done I've been complaining about it for probably 3 years now.... oops!

• I get to go to my cousins wedding at the ranch! I love going to the ranch.... most people think I'm a city slicker but deep down I love to be in the open fields and the smell of horses and cattle. And the beautiful sight of wrangler butts!
  

• I have got to CLEAN my room like majorly clean it! If I'm going to be gone all summer my room will surely be used as a guest room.... so it's got to be clean before I leave :o(
  
• I don't want to clean my room.... and it's not like the floor is covered its that I use my dresser as a catch all and you can't tell that there actually is a flat surface....

• I need to FIND a date for Karly's wedding! Oh and a Pretty Dress!

I know there is a lot more that I need to do but for right now this is a BIG list.... well sort of.

Bachelorette Weekend!

Partay! So one of my close friend Karly is getting married in 39 days.... she brought it up today... anyways... this past weekend was her bachelorette weekend and it was so much fun! We shopped till we dropped and then we learned how to pole dance! I was very skeptical about the whole thing but by the end of the lesson I was comfortable and felt sexy and confident (I also got a great workout). We went to a Japanese restaurant and the chef prepared the food in front of us, he was really funny making stupid jokes about everything! We had little lingerie party, and watched 27 Dresses (pay per view). Today we all went shopping at another mall and we headed our seperate ways home. Karly's wedding is on June 8th and I can't wait, it's just scary to think about her getting married because she is only a week older than me and we're only 20. I got to go to bed I've got school in the morning... eww....

Slacker

I've been slacking on this blog and I'm sorry I have some new developed
pictures and I just need to scan them and post them for your viewing. I tried to post pictures from the Rascal Flatts/ Taylor Swift concert and either my computer was being STUPID or it's the user.... hmmm I'm going with computer is stupid! Anyways I'll update you all on what's been going on... lets see:

• I have a "B" in my math class and if you could guess by my excitement that is because math and I don't get along at all and now we are be coming acquaintances. Not FRIENDS maybe by the end of the semester when I have passed the Final math and I will be friends (please oh please let me pass my math final!)
• KidZone the children's program at my church has one week left! This month we have been teaching the kids about Noah. I read them the story of Noah's Ark. The kid's participated in activities dealing with God's Promise. We even measured how big the ark was 450 ft. long x 70 ft. wide x 45 ft. tall. Let me tell you it was really long, pretty wide, and super tall! It's no wonder that Noah could fit 7 of each clean animal and bird.
• My parents rental that my sister Courtney is moving into is almost complete and ready for her to move in to. To see some pictures click this link practicing patience
• I have officially applied for a summer job as a camp counselor at a Christian camp that I attended as a kid.
• I have been happy with who I am and what I am all about. Not caring what people think of me.

I can't think of anything else right now but when I do I'll be blogging it!

Chance of a life time

So this summer I have a chance to work at a Christian summer camp as a counselor. I'm super excited but I'm not sure if I really want to spend the whole summer with kids... I have a few newish friends that are also going to be working there one will be kitchen staff and the other will be a counselor also (I've known these girls for awhile now but we've just now become more than acquaintances and are truly starting the life long friendships). So basically I don't know if I want to go for the whole summer and miss out on everything that is already planned out with my friends... I just don't know so if you want to put a sidenote in your prayers tonight, tomorrow, etc. for me working at Frontier Ranch, I would greatly appreciate it... By the way did I mention that this summer camp is going to be a life changing event I will grow in my faith more, and gain new friendships, oh and BE PRAISING AND WORSHIPING GOD THE WHOLE TIME?


I'm just confused yet hopeful...

I actually did it!

I got 100% on my math test!!! For those who know me, know that math and I do not get along at all! So my test is on the refrigerator with no bad markings and the only red ink on the test is the perfect score. I feel like such a little kid for putting it on the fridge, but my parents never did that type of thing when I was a kid so I asked my mom to clear a part of the fridge and I put it up myself! I was the only one in my class to get a 100% on this test! I thought about taking a picture but I'll spare you from looking at lots of chicken scratch from me working out all of the problems, and from thinking you're taking the test...


....This has made my day!


Oh and One Tree Hill is on today along with The Hills!

Last Night Was AMAZING!

Thank you Courtney for the perfect birthday gift! Last night was the Taylor Swift & Rascal Flatts concert.... We had the most perrfect seats and time!
I'll add some pictures later!

Finally The Pictures

These are all from Azusa Pacific University's Yacht Club's Semi Formal

Me, Megan, Brittney, & Liz

Sorry

So I haven't written for a week so I'm sorry for that. I've been busy with getting school back in the groove since spring break. All my teachers are starting to discuss FINALS. Eww....

So let me rehash what's happened since last time I wrote; hmmmm.... Well lets see, I went down to Azusa, CA and fell in love again.... with the campus and with about 50 singing college age men. I went to APU for a preview weekend and stayed with a student and a few other girls looking into transfering there as well (lets just say I didn't fit in with those girls), school started back up and it doesn't even seem like I had a week off! Seriously, spring break wasn't a break. Oh, I finished a quilt that I had started in June of last year and fiddled a round with it every so often, and now it is completed and comfy and I LOVE it! I have also been painting at my parents rental house we call it the cottage, my oldest sister is going to be moving in to it and all the renovations are almost done all that's left is the flooring and counter tops and the fencing/ landscaping, oh and for her to move in!

I'll post pictures of Myself and some of the girls at a semi-formal at APU. but for right now I'm calling it quits good night!