Friends

Last weekend, some friends of ours came up from southern Iowa to visit and come to a hockey game! Here are a few photos from the evening at the game.....

Us four girls (Deanna, Joci, Megan and me)

All of us - Joci, Nikki, Kyle, Me, Megan, Caleb, and Deanna

Thanks for coming up guys! We'll have to do it again soon! =)

It's here!

The day we've been waiting for is almost here! The amazing movie, Fireproof, will be released on DVD tomorrow (1.27.09)! Do not miss out on this opportunity to buy this life-changing movie! Click here to visit the Fireproof blog, where they have many updates and neat tidbits about the movie!

Let's support this great Christian film!

Sweet 16

Last Monday, I celebrated my 16th birthday! My family made my birthday so nice - our dining room was decorated all in "Sweet 16" decor, we had our grandparents up for cake and presents, and I got lots of wonderful comments/emails from my friends (thank you!)!

Now there is a reason for this facial expression. My parents gave me a WONDERFUL birthday present - tickets to a Bill Gaither Homecoming concert this May!! I am SO excited!

Of course we had to get in a game of pool

With my last birthday girl - they end at 16. =(

Mom making sure that I really haven't ever been kissed! Which I haven't, of course. =)

Except, of course, by my daddy!

Another ecstatic reation to another fabulous birthday present....a cell phone! YAY! I've been waiting a long time for one!

With my grandparents

Texting my cousin to tell her that she can add me to her contact list!

Thanks to everyone who commented on my last post about my "blog-iversary"! It was sooo good to hear from all of you - and with a record number of 32 comments! For those who haven't added themselves as a "follower" on my sidebar, please do so! =)

my first blog-iversary

Last January 18th, I joined the blogosphere! I have enjoyed getting to know people by reading their blogs and I have loved updating everyone on our "everyday" life!

I want to hear from each and every one of you in honor of my blog-iversary! Whether it's the first or hundredth time you've visited, if you're a regular commenter or a "lurker", I want to hear from you! Please leave me a comment telling me your name, how you found my blog, and (as a fun extra!) what color shirt you're wearing!

Also, feel free to go back and look at some of my posts from the beginning of my "blogging career"! =)

Let the commenting begin!

Tagged Twice

My two friends, Olivia and Lacey, tagged me in a picture tag! Here are the rules:

1. Choose the 4th folder where you store pictures on your computer.

2. Select the 4th picture in the folder.

3. Explain the picture.

4. Tag four people to do the same.

5. No cheating (cropping, editing, etc.)

This picture was taken two years ago while Nikki played Minor League softball. She's the one at the pitcher's mound (standing next to the pitching machine).

I tag:

Abby

The Chmelar Family

Sasha

Suzanne

Megan

Then I was also tagged by Suzanne and Nikki for a different tag entitled "Remembering 2008"

The rules for this tag are:

1. Fill in your memories of 2008

2. Link my blog to yours

3. Tag others and comment on their blogs so they know they've been tagged.

Remembering 2008.....

A good book I read: There are too many to narrow it down to one (I looove to read), but I really enjoyed 'Faith of My Father', book 4 from the Chronicles of the Kings series by Lynn Austin. I would definitely recommend this series (and any by Lynn Austin or Beverly Lewis).

Great film/movie I watched: Fireproof

A new place I visited: Downtown Chicago (so pretty!)

An inspiring verse or quote I read: "But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;"

~ Isaiah 43:1-3a

Discovery I made: The joy of driving!

A new skill I acquired: Playing pool and ultimate frisbee

A lesson I learned: That God's grace and love supersedes all earthly devastation and that He always provides.

A moment I will always remember: Shaking Sarah and Todd Palin's hands!

For this one, I tag:

Lacey

Megan

Anna

Jenna

Under Southern Skies

Have fun!

Ice Skating

What does everyone think of the fabulous new header that Sasha made? She loves making headers and is fantastic at it! Thanks, Sash!

SOLD!

After a year on the market and being through a flood, our old home has finally been sold! Praise the Lord! Thank you to all who were praying along with us concerning this!

Christmas

Yes, I am just now getting pictures up from Christmas!! =) We had a great holiday season...I hope you did also!

Baking fudge

Displaying some of our goodies for Christmas with my dad's family - we had everyone over to our house this year

Little cousin Sophie

Mom and Deanna with Rachel (our cousin)

Grandpa and Grandma

Brian and Lindsey - their first Christmas as a married couple! =)

Heidi and Chris

Bob

Nikole and Nikki

Opening presents

There's a neat little story behind this. It is a "jewelry tree" that belonged to my grandma. It was ruined in the flood, so she had to throw it out....she was devastated. That night, my uncle went back over to their house and grabbed it out of the dump pile without them knowing. My aunt cleaned it all up and gave it to my grandma for Christmas! Needless to say, she was very surprised and soooo happy!

Playing Pictionary

Christmas morning!

Sporting our new scarves from our aunt and uncle in Arizona

Modeling my new pajamas, earmuffs, scarf, and mittens

Getting ready to go sledding on Christmas day

Dad had a somewhat difficult time getting on the sled! =)

It was positively freezing and snowing really hard - I was ready to go home!

That night, we decided to go out to eat, so we got all ready, jumped in the car, drove around for an hour and guess what?? There was NOTHING open (well, except for Chinese and a Hardees)! So, we came back and ate leftover soup and pulled pork sandwiches. =D

All of us in our new pajamas

Dad had a picture of our family made into a puzzle - it was really neat!

I'm looking forward to getting more into the swing of posting now that the holidays are over and life is getting more routine.....so be ready for more posts soon!