Almost a month has come and gone again!

A month in one post :)

- 1/2 marathon is now on the "have done" list of things. It was a beautiful day. Traci ran with me and some great support on the side lines.

- I am 3 weeks into my internship. I am part of a after care program at Teen Living Programs. teenliving.org. I have been really enjoying getting to know the youth and the staff at TLP.

- I am in Roanoke right now. Traci let me drive her car home for the weekend. It has been so good to be with my family. Also got to spend the day with Cassie Bertsch! We went on a beautiful bike ride. Looking forward to Leah's wedding tomorrow.

- I am sure there is so much more to post about but I can't think of anything right now.

Back to the Good 'ole Days

Well my roommate and I were listening to youtube videos. Music from Jr. High Days. Also "The Rye was found" come to find out you can get it at Jewel! Also we have seen it at Whole Foods. This is a follow-up to the previous post if anyone is confused!

So fun...

The other 6 weeks of my life has involved lots of fun here in the city and sometime at home in Roanoke area. Summer is now a thing of the past. I started classes today with an 8:15 Monday Social Work policy class (I may have to start drinking coffee). Tonight was a 6-9:30 Health Care Ethics class <-- that one should be an interesting class. Similar to my last semester's Philosophy class.

Wednesday I will be taking Graduate level classes!! Crazy huh... I'm growing up (or so my dad would yell as I am getting on the train to go back to Chicago, or maybe he did yell that yesterday as I was getting on the train to come back to the city :)

I also will be starting my internship at a location called Teen Living. (you can check it out on the net if you are bored teenliving.org <-- real original right :) ) I start Sept 1st (Happy Birthday Landon)

I will be staying with Brian but my other 2 babysitting jobs are not going to work out. This week is the last week I will be with Nick but I will definitely visit when I can. Marion's I finished our weekly visits last week.

So my schedule this semester (for Rachel mostly :), I will have to get you another color coated calendar):

Monday: 8:15-10:45 class
11:00-6:30 work with Little "B"
7:00-9:30 Class
Tuesday/Thursday:
10:00-6:00 Internship
Wednesday: 11:30-2:00 Class
3:30-6:30 Project Education Plus possibly (the after school program)
7:00-9:30 Class
Friday: 9:00-> work with Little "B"

Other news: Joe has a new roommate. Mark. <-- he is from Mackinaw so it is fun to be able to talk to someone from home area. He also knows how to make SUSHI and other fun foods. Good job Mark.

I am sure there is tons of stuff to catch up on but that just makes for a long post

Training for the 1/2 marathon on Sept 13.

ok that is all I have, I know. I know. 6 or 7 weeks of my life and this is all I got. ha Sorry!

Where is the Rye?

Got a few more goals accomplished...

5) Go to Dance in the Park. Laura Barth-Romero and her hubby Dave came up Friday afternoon and Saturday. Friday night we went to Taste Of Chicago, enjoyed the food (something called Behl... I think maybe Indian food? not really sure. but it had like rice crispies?) After the tasting we headed over to Grant park and enjoyed some live salsa music. They have an outdoor dance floor pretty crowded but lots of fun.

9) Field Museum. Ben Funk had some free tickets to the Field Museum so a few of us (Scott, Neal, Ryan, Ben, Troy, Blake, Andrea, and I) enjoyed about 5 hours of the museum. Some of my favorites. the Pirate Exhibit, The mineral exhibit. The tropical exhibit and the Egyptian mummies, the plants, and the animals. Did you know mongos are in the same plant family that poison ivy is?!

Add To-Do list...

14) See Chicago's 3rd of July Fireworks

Father's Day was good. Dad, Claire, and Landon came up and had supper here in the chicago area! I love my family! VBS was so much fun last week. We had 4 - 3 year olds and 3- 5 year olds. They were so sweet. I got to teach about Noah's Arc and Daniel in the Lion's Den.

Otherwise... Last weekend Adam and Amy, 2 of my friends here in Chicago (Adam lived with Joe) got married Sunday. Rachel, Joe, and I took the South Shore Line Commuter Train out to the wedding in Chesterton, IN. It was lots of fun and good to spend time with Rach and Joe outside of the apt. Got back around 9:00 and enjoyed a walk back to the apt. Watched "Expelled" later Sunday night. It is a good documentary about intelligent design and evolutionist theories. I would recommend it to anyone interested in Science theories.

the Rye title... well Joe checked a few places for Rye flour but couldn't find any. I didn't think it would be that difficult, so Rach offered to google it... well come to find out, many people have blogged about the shortage of Rye in the City. lol. Just thought I would add it to the google Rye search results.

Junior High Girl's Camp was this past weekend. The theme was "Swept Away by Jesus": we were the Mr. Clean Cabin! It was so good to be surrounded by Christians and youth and not the big city. I didn't wear shoes starting Wednesday night till Sunday. Man I miss that part of the country. (Although when I went on a jog yesterday my feet really hurt afterwards?..). Highlights of Camp...

1) The Worship (including but not limited to singing) I miss guitar singing every week...
2) Our Cabin Girls ROCKED. They were loving the speakers and seemed to really have open hearts to modesty and loving God and Choosing Him when making decisions. Also the girls did a great job of including each other!
3) The Food! Camp Food Rocks, pretty sure we were fed almost every 3 hours.
4) The lake and the Beautiful weather. We took the 90 + girls out to Norris (Herman's Lake) for a few ours on Friday. It was beautiful.

Well that is a small taste of camp life. Otherwise. Sunday was Kyra and Morgan's wedding. Beautiful day. I really appreciated their focus on Christ through the service. I have to admit seeing my friends from Phoenix and California was truly my highlight of Sunday. I just love Friends :)

Scott and Neal endured another ride up with me. This time I was exhausted for the weekend... but... they didn't make me walk so. Thanks boys.

Monday was work and catch-up day for Rach, Joe, and I. Yesterday was Grocery day. Joe came with us. His first Aldi experience (in the city at least) and first Stanley's experience.

Well I think that is it for now. I can't find my camera... I think I might have lost it a Girl's Camp. Sad, so spread the word if any one finds my red camera :). Next week I am teaching, with Betty, VBS for the pre-school age kids. Should be fun times. I am looking forward to it.

That's All Folks.

Weekend Fun

Friday was enjoyable. It was full of babysitting little "B". Started at 9 and ended at 9. It was a beautiful day. We spend 4 hours outside and he still takes naps so that made a nice day for me. We went to the loop to run an erand, while we were on our way Joe texted me and let me know there was a Turkish festival in Daley Plaza so we stopped there on our way through. The arts and jems were beautiful. They also had some dancers and beautiful outfits! So that was accomplishing a little of #5 of my goals:).

Friday night my friend Val came into the city to visit! It was so good to have her here. We were able to play checkers on the beach (# 12) Traci we need to play chess on the beach <-- I always rememeber playing you at family get togethers with your chess set, which we were always breaking or glueing together :). Also went to watch fireworks on the Pier Saturday night! It was so good to have the opportunity to talk and hang out in the city with Val! I feel like we covered every subject from deep theological thoughts about our mighty God to the small influences of life.

Yesterday Val headed out on the train in the morning and I enjoyed a day of worship at church. In the after noon I went to the Lincoln Park Zoo with some friends. It was another beautiful day. Welp I am going to get back to work, Little Einsteins are done :)

The Month is Gone again.

Once again the month is gone. It is the end of May and not much blogging so we will get to basics.

I am spending the summer in Chicago. Working with my babysitting jobs and tutoring.

I am looking forward to some down time here in the city. Since I have moved up here, it has been full of getting to know my school, finding friends, getting acquainted with the city, finding work, and falling into a "way too busy" lifestyle.

I have made a little list of summer goals and look forward to slowing down and prioritizing life. Here is a little preview of my goals. Not in any peculiar order.

1) Sit through a court hearing. I have heard you can go to the county court house and observe a trial.

2) Go to Pilsen and other diverse communities. Pilsen is a mainly Hispanic community and my friend Adam and his fiance will be moving there after they get married next month.

3) Ride the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier.

4) Invest time with people on the street and those in different situations. (Pray for God's guidance in this area)

5) Dance in the Park (Rachel has talked about a little dance instruction in millennium park and some music) and different festivals.

6) Go to one of Nick's (the kid I tutor/babysit) baseball games

7) Go with Jayme to a taping of news ch 2 (Jayme is Nick's mom and she said I can come to work with her some time.)

8) Ride on the Yellow line of the El. (It goes out to Skokie and only runs at certain times)

9) Visit the Field Museum (only big museum here in Chicago I have not gotten too, I think.)

10) Watch fireworks at Navy Pier (they have them twice a week and I am going to be around for the fourth! so that shouldn't be difficult)

11) Play my guitar at a nursing home (I have to find one first :) )

12) Play chess or checkers with a friend on the lake front (there are permanent stone boards along the lake)

13) Make Sushi

That is all I can think of for now. Last weekend I went canoeing with my family and friends. It was such a fun time. (although I think I got sicker from it). Derek, Claire, and I were together in a canoe which was super fun. Claire was our emergency alarm. Anytime she saw a ripple she would scream and get scared. but we just had fun with it.

Landon ended up riding with Steven in a canoe which had previously got wrapped around a tree. They bent it back but still Steven had to bail the whole time while Landon rowed. Oh the memories. And one of our other canoes got caught in the current and a log and is still at the bottom of the vermillion.

I made fudge yesterday. well it was an adventure. Joe helped, but I still forgot 1/2 the ingredients. lol (I guess I can't multi-task that well-talk and cook). I only forgot a "dash" of salt and a little vanilla. Dad would have hated that recipe.

In the end, it tasted really good and I even turned a few into truffles. When I took it over the our after-school program Lynette (the lady in charge) hid the fudge in her drawer (I guess it was good)

Looking forward to my friend Val coming into town this weekend. Hope to keep more on top of this blog thing.

It's about time.

Well the first school year at Loyola is wrapping up! I can't believe it! I have one last final Wednesday night.

Today is a beautiful day. (I should be typing this outside). I got up around 6:45 and prepared for a 4 mile race to support 4 organizations that support women's health here in the City. I did not expect to run the whole thing but wanted to support my friend Megan.

Well back up- Last weekend I ran a 5K with my cousin Traci. <--- this is an event I have been training for for about 2 months or so. The 4 mile race was a random suggestion Thursday night.

I was actually able to run both the 5K on the 25th and the 4 mile run today. It was a beautiful day and both races were run by the lake. That is my biggest accomplishment besides finishing school stuff!

Other news: This week was full of Friends. Last weekend Traci came in for her birthday and run the race with me. Tuesday one of my friends was here for a conference and we went to California Pizza Kitchen <-- good food. Wednesday I got to go to Moody's chapel. Thursday some friends from Tremont were here (Tyler Thompson presented a monologue drama of the Biblical story of Mephibosheth). Friday my friend Val came in and was here til last night.

Moody chapel: gave me a new appreciation of the past God has brought me through. Sometimes I get so focused on the future I forget to praise God for His presence in my past.

Yesterday we (Rachel, Val, Joe and I) took the after school kids Joe and I hang out with to fly kites. (17 kids+6 "adults"+a Chicago park full of a million kids=PANIC and craziness). It was a full day but so much fun. When we initially got to the meeting place there were no kids and then about an hour later there were 17!!! 4 2-year olds and a few other younger ones, but we came back with 17 and some great pictures and memories.

Here are a few pictures of the last week. Never mind, they won't upload. Maybe later.

It snowed again...

SO... Sunday was like a sleety, snowy day. I really enjoyed my Sabbath, though. Saturday night I sang praises with some fellow brothers and sisters in Christ from Moody Bible Institute. It was a reminder of the Holiness of Sunday. ("Lady Sabbath" for all those who are familiar with Shiloh)

Saturday night I took a minute to read a paper my friend had written about Sundays and the need to keep them separate and holy. It is difficult when I am pulled from my home and have a million other things to catch up with. This Sunday though I made a special effort to reflect on the gift of Sundays. I was able to go out for breakfast with some ladies from church. Enjoy a day of fellowship and teaching at church. Enjoyed after church "snack" with my wonderful cousins and friend. Got a little nap and reading time in. Had a wonderful supper with some church friends. Safely made it back into the city. Chatted with my roommate and Joe and got to meet their friend. To wrap up the day Joe and I plotted to start a business because the government claims to give $50,000 for new business owners. :)

In reflecting on the day I praise God that he reminded me of His presence. I enjoyed the day and felt it was a good reflection of Heaven in the sense of community and fellowship. I can't wait to one day be able to talk and enjoy everyone's company FOREVER.

No more homework. No more cleaning. No more work.

No more insecurities. No more hurting hearts. No more petty over-analyzing moments. No more stressful relationships.

Just Jesus and me and all of my sisters and brothers. I don't even know what I will feel or how I will love and glorify our God, but I am Excited!

(playing on the radio is "Better is One day")

Amen Lord Jesus Come.

Happy Birthday Derek

So what have I been up to for the last 3 weeks you ask?!

Well I got accepted in the BSW/MSW Program meaning: I will be finishing my Bachelors in the Fall but the classes will count towards my Master's degree and I will be completed by May 2011 with my MSW. That is excited.

Today was a beautiful day in the city. I took a jog to the beach this morning (I am training for a 5K I am running with Trace in 3 weeks). It was perfect. The sun was out and warm.

Then I spent a lot of the day cleaning. I enjoy it so much though, especially when I am putting off doing my homework :). It is such a productive activity and so much better than writing papers. I pulled out Scott's Dance Cd (number 4), gotta love some good techno, windows open, and the smell of pinesol and soft scrub in the air.

Tonight my room mate and I made a delicious supper if I do say so myself! It involved Salmon, rice, and corn muffins.

I recently discovered that my roommate didn't eat sea food because she was nervous to cook it, not because she didn't like the taste. So I have tried to learn a new skill and so far so good. I have no made a tasty Tilapia and Salmon. :)

Otherwise I really can't think of much else, the other day I went to Fleet Feet (it is a super store.). Margaret helped me find running shoes and analyzed my feet through watching me walk and run (although I didn't buy them because they were a little pricey). She even had me try on these socks made of Bamboo. They were $12/pair though, so I had to pass, although I have been thinking about them a lot since. How are socks made of Bamboo?

I really think that is all for now.

Lost Generation

I know I haven't blogged in a while so I won't even try to catch up Nothing terribly new,

Trying to look into the summer, I will be in the city, just trying to figure out my babysitting hours.

I sent my Social Work Master's Application in on Wednesday. I am not really nervous. I made popcorn balls for Joe and I's after school program. <--- I have always associated popcorn balls with teeth falling out because once in Kindergarten my mom made them for the class and my tooth fell out in one and I swallowed my tooth, but I decided to conquer my fear and I think they were pretty good.

The reason for this post is I watched this youtube video and wanted to share it. It is less then 3 minutes but I think it is prfound. Enjoy...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=42E2fAWM6rA

Home Sweet Home

Well last week was way too long ago so we will just start with this weekend...

I got the opportunity to go home to central this past weekend. There were some friends from Moody that convinced me to come home with them. I am so glad I did. God really used the the weekend to His glory! I was able to do my sister's hair for homecoming and get excited for my brother taking his girlfriend to homecoming. I know these seems like little things, but it was a time to show my siblings I love them and care about their lives. That is one thing about living away from home... I have to learn to communicate with my family in a whole new way.

Also 3 of my friends were baptized this weekend in Washington. It is always good to hear how God works in lives and to be encouraged in the basics of my own faith. I was able to see 2 of my great friends from Phoenix. I miss Phoenix. Also 2 of my good friends Livy Leman and Caleb Zobrist announced their engagement!!! Very Exciting!

I got to spend a lot of time just chilling with my dad and mom too, and my puppy dog!

Last night was hard coming back to the city. There is always a distinct feeling of sadness but peace. I love this city and I love the things God is doing in my life here, but I do miss growing with my family in everything they do.

Tonight was great. I enjoyed just chilling at the apartment. We went to 7-11 and got slurpees. Yum yum! Pina Coladas. so good.

Tomorrow is Paczki day?! well we (Rach, me, Joe, Tom, and Liz <-- I don't know who that is) are going to some Polish place to get these "Paczki" donut things. Leaving at 6:00 AM. I haven't gotten up that early in a while. So I am thinking about going to bed soon. The end.

10 days and no posts...

SO sorry. Hope you are still alive and well. I know you are probably holding your breathe for the next post from me!!! :) well here it goes, you can all breathe again.

What have I done the last 10 days? Well I started yet another endeavor. I now volunteer at Catholic Charities, right across the street. It is such a good experience. I love the people I work with and I am able to help those who are "economically challenged" get food.

After school program: I made dirt cups for the kids, that was a first time recipe. It isn't too difficult :). The worst part was transporting them over to the program. Last week I made finger JELLO. That was also a first time. The unflavored gelatin does really help (they were heart-shaped for valentine's day). The kids loved them.

After last week I was kind of doubting my helpfulness at the program, though. I felt there were other opportunities for these kids to be learning. I expressed this concern to one of my friends. They encouraged me to keep being involved. They reminded me that ministry is not always "doing" but "being". Just being available to connect with the kids, even if it doesn't happen every week, is important. So I encourage you this week remember to truly be where God has placed you.

I got to run outside for the first time on purpose :D. I have started running on a treadmill but last weekend the weather was so beautiful I got to "take it outside". It is a different experience mentally and physically. I had some sore calf muscles! So Tuesday I decided I would run to work (I had read in Runner's World about a guy who runs 22 miles to work.) I can do 2. Well I didn't know exactly how to get to work on foot and ended up a little too far North, but it was funny. I want the 50 degree weather back :(!

Last weekend my Good friend Natalie came up to visit me. We got to spend time together Friday and went to a fun little Italian restaurant called Scoozi's. So good, and zero calorie bread (they were very proud of that). We then had the chance to go to Moody's Founder's Week and I got to see a bunch of other friends from back home.


ok... I am sure there is stuff I am missing but let's skip to yesterday. Rachel and I hosted a Velentine's Day party for the girls from Rachel's church. It was so much fun. It consisted of a lot of yelling and 8 girls (ages 2-10) running around the little apt. Lots of sprinkles on the floor from decorating cookies. We opened the sprinkles and they had no shaker top!!! A parent's worst nightmare. The girls left around 3:00. Rach and I cleaned up. We didn't do too bad. We sent one home without a sock (It was lost somewhere in the apt.) and one with her shoes on the wrong feet. Well what can we say... it was an experience.

Then in the evening I went out to Lincoln Square (such a fun area) and met up with Erica Sauder and Charla Zollinger. We went to Jack Rabbit and then got to see the film "Slum Dog Millionaire". I would highly recommend it. Finished off the night by joining some friends at "Shiloh" and sang praises to our Awesome God together. Life is good. My God is Love and I am in Love with Him. Until next post...

Too much

Well here goes another "catch-up" blog.

Last weekend I got to head home for the weekend. Rachel, my room mate, went with me. Started out almost missing our train. 3 minutes later and I would not have made it home on Friday night. Next we got into Pontiac station 20 minutes early so I got to experience the arcade games for the first time. Bowl was a great success, much better than I do in person, but the Turkey hunting didn't go so hot. I went "hunting" twice and didn't shoot anything. The one time Rachel shot something, it was a Hen and I guess that is not legal, She got an "F" instead of the typical "D".

Mom and Cris picked us up. Then in the morning we were headed to my Grandma Marti's for breakfast. Well there were 5 of us and we were going to fit in my brother's truck. Ok, and this is not just any truck. It is ... well it has no power steering and no reverse. So we all pile in and he tries to turn it on. Only to find out he left the lights on over night and it is dead. So he starts rolling down the window and says, I hope there is enough juice to roll down the window. Come to find out, you can't open the doors from the inside either, and the windows are automatic. I can just imagine this call to AAA.

"Hello, can you please come unlock us?" -my family
"You mean you need us to unlock your car?" - AAA
"Yes, but we are inside and can't get out, all you need to do is open the door"- my family.

Anyway. We did get out and went to breakfast. Mom had us help sequin a wedding dress and then headed to Marcy's house to help make some invitations. It was a lot of fun to be with my friends and to get to show Rachel where I come from.

Sunday was super bowl at my house, always a good time and my dad makes the best food. I love my family.

Back to Chicago we went on Sunday night, again almost missing our train. (I am not the best at planning times)

Got back to Chicago... This week included: lots of school, working, starting volunteering at Catholic Charities 2 mornings a week, as if I don't have enough to do... and talked about Christianity and it's back round, also about the pope and Catholicism. I actually stayed up pretty late Tuesday night talking about it and Wednesday morning there was a large fire at the Catholic church right next door. Nothing else too excited.

Joe called last night and said his heat wasn't working. So I went down to see if the fireplace would work. well it didn't, but the moment I turned the thermostat down and then back up it kicked in... I'm just that good. Maybe I should go into heating instead of Social work. :)

Also, Sunday the fire-hydrant right outside our door started leaking and has been ever since, due to this aweful coldness I now have a ice skating rink outside my apt. door! Fun times in Chicago...

Random question of the week: If we freeze our bodies (immediately getting stuck in absolute zero temps) can we be revived?! ok. maybe I don't really think this, but it was discussed. :)

I don't want to proof read this, so take it for what it means not what it says. sorry so long.

Inauguration!!!

Life has been so crazy the last week. I had the opportunity to go to Washington DC on Tuesday. There was a group of 7 of us that rented a van. Left on Monday around 2:30pm. Got into DC around 4:30 am on Tuesday. We had to wait in line to get past a security check point til about 2:15 pm. (yes 10 hours of no food, drink, bathrooms, and 24 degree weather. not to mention the 7,000 + people with me.)

It was all worth it in the end though. We got to see the president and first lady very close in the parade. I also was able to get a few good pictures of the capitol building. I am hoping to go back again and see the buildings on the mall area. This was my first Washington DC experience, but I sure hope it isn't the last! :)

We headed home around 4:30 pm and got home 4:30 am on Wednesday. The rest of the week was spent catching up and keeping my head above water in school and rehydrating myself. By Thursday I felt fine but had TONS of homework.

Now I am at one of my friend's house, they are out of town, so I am able to really focus on my homework. So I am going to head out for now but will try to add some pictures later. FYI: If you see any pictures of my green stocking hat on CNN, let me know :) JK

If only you could copy money

Wednesdays Joe and I help out at an after school program. I did something similar in Illinois with the South Side Mission. It is always an experience. You never know how many kids or what is going to happen. Today was very small. Terrick was one of the kids there. He came in determined to make a duplicate dollar bill.

Terrick's Dollar instructions:
Start by copying both sides of the dollar (with help from Joe and Lynette)
Next cut the dollar out (They deffinately both ended up different sizes and did not match when put back to back.)
Next securely connect the 2 sides together with water and then freezing the dollar (?? where do kids come up with this stuff). Needless to say, that did not work as well as planned so he resorted to taping the sides together.

In the end I think we concluded we are just going to have to work for money. Too bad.

Anyway. Nothing much more. Class and actually I am now on a break for a 4 hour class that goes til 10:00 pm. not fun times. And worse yet, it is History. We shall see.

Welp, enjoy the dollar bill recipe and if anyone wants to come to Chicago this weekend I am free all weekend :) Back to class I go...

"Peeze Help"

SO today was full of my new family. I worked for the Luces family today. I really enjoy Sandra the mom. She is one of the sweetest, soft spoken people in the world. Anyway. Sandra went to drop off Evan and Margarita at school and I stayed home with Austin. I was putting away clean clothes and I kept hearing Austin randomly and then I heard a door shut and no more Austin...

My heart stopped and I realized I needed to find him ASAP. I first checked all the exit doors as I called his name. No answer and I didn't see him on State Street (yes they live right off of State street). I finally went back to the parent's bedroom and he had locked himself in the closet. From inside I heard this calm 2-year-old voice "Peeze help". It was a keyed lock and so I first tried to use my AAA card and some pieces of cardboard but it was to no avail. I was talking to Austin and asking him to turn the door or the lock. Finally I found a key that fit but it didn't turn. I think Austin actually unlocked the door finally himself. When I opened it I also saw he was standing on the scale for more height. He is a smart little cookie. So sweet too.

It was a overall good day. And now I am going to bed.

The End.

First Day of Classes!

Well this semester is once again random. I have 5 clases but they are all just once a week. 2 night classes, 1 evening class, 2 11:30 classes. Then hoping to get about 20+ hours of work in a week.

Today was good. Just babysat Brian and then headed to Theology. It looks to be a good class and I shouldn't have too much of a problem staying on top of things.

Yesterday was a great day. Went down to church with Boyd & Lois, good friends from the City that I started out living with. Then after church I went to pick up my Transportation pass up north. Which takes like 40 minutes to get there and 2 minutes to pick up the pass. Oh well, at least I have it now.

On my way back I stopped early and hung out with Boyd and Lois. I read my book and it was just good to have that "homey" atmosphere. They fed me a wonderful dinner also. Then I headed back stopped by Adam and Joe's apt. Joe came up and hung out. Made sure his appendix wasn't exploding and talked about the different communicating ways of males and females. lol. Always a good conversation.

Tonight Rachel and I read through the Betty Crocker cookbook. There are some good recipes in there. And now we have a very long grocery list. :) We are going shopping on Thursday night.

Oh enough for now. Hope this post finds you all in good spirits. IT IS STILL SNOWING HERE. Check out how much Snow Chicago has gotten lately. It is incredible.

A Week Come and Gone

Fun Times since Tuesday...

Tuesday I worked a very full day. Wednesday was nice and relaxing night around the apt. Oh Joe went to Ikea and picked up some stuff for his apt and also a sofa table for us. It looks really nice. So I helped him and Adam (his new roommate) put up their stuff and then put together my sofa table. I love assembling furniture, when it isn't too difficult that is and I have the right tools.

Thursday worked again.

Friday was fun. I got to give Blood! always a good time. Joe and I went to the Thompson Center and then out to UIC. Then came back to Babysit. It was beautifully snowing on my way home. So pretty. I fresh reminder of the covering of Christ blood that covers my sins and gives me the opportunity to glorify Him in my life.

Got home and Adam and Joe came to visit and we ordered delivery pizza. At Dominoes you can watch on their site your order being made and it says by whom. The whole step by step process. We were impressed.


They enjoyed their pizza. I ate a little too.


Today. WICKED. I can't even tell you. I was so excited. It was so good. AHHHH. No Typed words can explain my excitement!


And then babysitting tonight. Evan (5), Margarita (4), Austin (2)

Back to Chi-town

It was so good to get back into the City. Ok, I will miss my friends and family but it was good to be back with my friends up here! My family brought me and my dresser up on Sunday, everything went flawlessly. Ikea is AMAZING, so organized, I got some "stem-wear" as my lovely roommate some eloquently called it. Otherwise just lots of fun ideas. Rachel and I enjoyed the rest of the evening catching up and getting our dresser acquainted to our room.

Yesterday it was back to Brian. I spent 10 lovely hours with him. Gotta love little innocence! Then Rach and I tried to scrounge up some food. It was a little difficult due to the lack of items in our cupboards. Although, I think we have "plenty of food" just ask Rachel. Then Joe came up and we all enjoyed a Bally-wood film "Bride & Prejudice". It was really fun, loved the music, but I kept getting confused because I couldn't remember who was who. (minor detail)

Today I babysat, walked everywhere (because I don't get my Public Transportation pass til next Monday). Then went over to a new babysitting job. The kids are so precious. Margarita (today was her 4th birthday), Evan (5), and Austin (1 1/2). I was mainly with the 2 boys but they are a bundle of energy themselves. I will be babysitting them on Tuesdays from 8-1.

Then enjoyed a Bible Study with some girl friends in the city. We discussed God and the ideas we have of him and his characteristics. It raised more questions but it was good to reflect more on scripture and our Awesome creator.

WICKED COUNTDOWN: 3 days, 15 hours, and about 4 minutes (actually I don't really know when it starts but I thought about 3:00.) I am super excited.

Lindbergs!!

Yesterday I was able to spend the afternoon with some sweet sweet friends! My friends from Georgia are up here for a short time. The Lindberg family moved to Thomasville, Georgia area about 5 years ago(they previously lived less then 10 miles from my house). I enjoyed the company of the 5 younger Lindbergs Ben, Lydia, Hannah, Joel, and Rachel. Megan Kies also came over! It was very fun. We enjoyed playing outside and taking a walk back to the woods. Rachel and Joel especially enjoyed the ice. I will hopefully have pictures to post when I get back up to Chicago. We had fun dressing up the dog (although I don't know how Chase felt about the whole thing :) )

Last night I was able to visit our Nursing Home and sing with a church group and then I spent the rest of the evening with more friends. I can't believe I only have one more night in Central Illinois, there are still so many friends I want to spend time with here. Oh well... back to reality I go. And I am looking forward to catching up with Chicago friends.

I am heading back tomorrow with my family. After stopping at Ikea and Bass Pro Shop my family will drop me and a new dresser off and busy Chicago life will start up once more. Until then...

Rose Bowl Today

Last year on this date I was in California enjoying the Rose Parade, now I am only watching the game on tv. It was my cousin Amy and Johnny's wedding weekend. Wow... does time fly. Amy, I think I am going to wear my dress to church on Sunday. I tried it on today, still love it! Although my shoes are in Chicago, I'm not a big fan of having 2 houses.

And 2 years ago yesterday my other cousins Traci and David got married! Trace, I went to the mall Tuesday and thought of our fun pictures!

This New Years Eve was good times. I went out to Francesville, Ind. to surprise Dani Wuethrich. I have to admit I wasn't terribly excited especially when I learned that they have a church program that last til midnight. But after being there, I would encourage anyone to go. It was really encouraging and the time flew by. I really enjoyed the last few hours of 2008. Also It was great to see Francesville friends. After church Dani, Megan, and I headed down? up?... to Lafayette or West Lafayette to Kim Furr's (obviously I didn't drive...). There I was able to catch up with some more friends and then enjoyed my first meal of 2009 at Denny's this morning.

Random story: On the way home Megan and I stopped at DQ in Fairbury and she tried to catch the quarter in the twirly donation box, and SHE DID! She got a free Blizzard. Good job Megs!

The End.