In short, small moments when I realize that pain is temporary and people are what matter, it makes all of my problems seem worthless and the people in them invaluable.

It's not about me. It's not about you. It's about God. Our time is short and our life is clearly full of meaning and purpose, and if we would start acting what we know to be true instead of waiting for someone to show us, or someone to make us, or someone to encourage us or need us or...(the list goes on and on), we would be happier, healthier, crazy Jesus Freaks with nothing but love oozing out of our mouths and our hands.

God is calling us--showing us--how to live, and it's our fault for dropping the ball. Pick it up and play. It's not too late to change your life and win the game. Some people make that last 1 second shot for a win, but wouldn't it be sweet to sweep the board completely by the first half?

p.s. For the first time in my life, I admit that I'm so out of shape it's seriously upsetting. I'm taking it to new heights. Come april 16th (when I have a life again) I'm taking on running as a new hobby. So ask me about it sometime, join me often, and change your life too. I need to live another 80 years so I'd better start working on it now right?

I've discovered that I have gone farther than I thought that I could simply because someone else thought that I could.  I just needed someone to believe in me. 

We just moved into a new house and it is so fun. Now, it's freezing cold (until Tuesday when we get the gas turned on) but so nice to finally be in a big place that loves me back. :) I am so excited to decorate and put stuff away, but it's kind of overwhelming because I don't know where to put anything or what colors I want to paint, or what type of furniture I want or whatever. I'm so indecisive. I like what I like, but usually all those things don't mesh well, so I'm working on creating more of themes in rooms...we'll see how that works out. 

We got a new fridge and i love it! It's a black Samsung and it has the fridge on top like I love. I can't wait to actually put some food in it! We replaced our TV and someday we'll replace everything else. But, for now, it's pretty exciting. :) Of coure, I feel like we've dropped a lot of cash lately and I guess that we have, but wow, I feel like a grown up.

Thanks for coming and helping Andrew! We could not have moved without you. I'm glad that you came, cause there was no way that I could move the fridge with Jonathan--or the couch--or anything else! You're so sweet!

This next weekend is going to be so fun. My parents, Roxanne, and Padraic will be here Friday night, and Saturday night is Andrew's "Who's the Man" event at school. Can't wait to see that Catwalk!

Tomorrow night is the Bachelor finale and I honestly don't know who Jason is going to pick. I think he'll pick Molly but I hope he picks Melissa. It's always opposite of what I want though, so I bet it will be Molly. Maybe it's me, or maybe it's just TV. Eh...either way. 

So, I gave up eating dinner for lent. That's a hard one friends. Oh my word, you get hungry about 9pm. I mean, when you wake up in the morning your stomach is mad at you. But, it's been really good to be reminded of the great things that I have here and how I don't ever want for anything like food as they do in so many other countries around the world. It is a great self-discipline, and I am so excited for the next 35 more days of lent. 

Lata...

Random as always...

I was watching TV last night and I had a seriously disturbing thought. 

I saw a baby being born--well I mean a newborn, not a baby actually being birthed, but ya know...and I thought to myself, "Wow, how come we celebrate birthdays when babies are one year old?" Isn't their first birthday at birth? Now, I know they are preoccupied with things like breathing, crying, and being cold, but I know that they are truly happy because they get to spend their first birthday on earth in a warm blanket with lots of cameras and attention. So I'm happy today, because I realized that I'm 22 years old, but I've had 23 birthdays. Yay. 

Okay so awesome news--we're freakin buying a house on Tues-dayyyyyy!  I am so excited! I can't relieve (that means "really believe" typed quickly) that we closed so fast! I mean, we but in an offer on like Feb 5 or something! Whaaa!! Well, whatever! I'm pumped, and we're moving baby! P.S. If you want to help haul our crap for the 2nd or 3rd time haha, I first of all promise that you won't have to do it again for a good 5 years and second, that when you move, I'll come haul yours, and third, we will feed you good food! So ya know...come chill with us and see the new dig. We're becoming stationary!

Mini is pumped about the wood floors. She told me she can't wait to be cold all the time and slide around . So, at least the whole family is excited there. :) 

Well, i wish I owned a cupcake restaurant (still). I wish it more everyday. Come over sometime and I'll make you cupcakes. Especially after next week when I have a new kitchen and a lotta new recipes!

I'm going to Buffalo Wild Wings with my brother Andrew tonight. There is a Thunder Watch party, and not only do they have awesome food, they have this really hot emcee that's going to be there giving away free tickets or something cool...

Tomorrow is going to be a great day. It's going to be a Sam's sampling day with Jonathan and a whole lot of furniture dreaming and paint buying. Hooray for grown up life and $8,000 stimulous bills.

Oh and also-- I just want to say thank you Karlee for inspiring me to write on my blog again...finally. Man, I used to be pretty good about updating all the time, but I've really fallen behind!! Well, I miss you Kar and I hope life is treating you well...or I'll else I'll come down and kick it's butt! Come back and lets go to a Thunder game together. :) We have had our moments, but I hope you know that you are still so loved. Miss you.

Oh my word.

Breathe.

Okay. 

So life lately...

I don't really know where to begin, so I'll just start talking--typing--I suppose. When I started this job of mine, which really is alright besides the occasional freakout from a boss or two, I realized, or thought I realized, the meaning of Tax Season. No. Well, evidently it officially begins in February, but because of the "higher up" denial of understaffing and the overly ridiculous amount of work required by two people (well technically one, but I help), we have to stay until about 8 every night. How does that make sense? 

Anyway, so I guess our house shopping was put on a hold for a while because of work, but ya know, that's just how life is, and really, jobs are more important that housing (which would not be possible without them). Besides, I plan to take an insanely nice trip with all the overtime cash....I see no other option. :)

Anyway, so Twilight was great. I've heard tons of different opinions about the books, but my personal one is just.....AWESOME. I'm such a dork. I don't really care...I love them--LOVE THEM. Anyone want to see the movie, again?

So I'm not sure how Jonathan and I have been staying afloat with his technically 3 jobs---oh that's right, the Lord.  :) Between overtime, house shopping, Tuesday and Sunday church responsibilities, shopping of any kind, moving houses, and ahem ahem--sleeping (yes, it's a category), I cannot say thanks enough to God for sustaining and loving us through these (busy) times. I am so excited to do nothing this week though, and I seriously hope that Jonathan takes a day off! He's sort of like the energizer bunny...but I know that they replace the batteries when that bunny thing is not in a commercial shoot, right?

Also--lovin the Bachelor. I have been slightly disappointed with the last couple of shows, but Jason seems like a real guy with a real life. Go him.

And now...for some of the normal things I miss...

1. Going to Sam's and sampling everything with Jonathan

2. Vacuuming because I feel like it

3. Qdoba

4. Fall weather walks!

5. Taking pictures of people I love

6. Reading a bestseller and then talking someone else into reading it!

7. HGTV :)

8. Mom

9. Nonfat extra-hot Toffee Nut Starbucks latte

10. Michael Buble and Ingrid Michaelson

P.S. I am blessed blessed blessed. The Lord has taken care of me and Jonathan these past years of our life, and i definitely do not doubt him now. He continues to teach and show me ways to show his love to others, and I feel that I have been put where I am in life sort of as a missionary in a sense. It's hard, and it's not always picture perfect, but I am becoming a much stronger person, and I realize that through it all, God is glorified if I just do my part. How are people going to see Jesus if they do not have a chance to be shown Jesus' love? I am grateful to the many friends I have, and those that have prayed for us and continue to think of us. 

God is good, and though we may not understand where or why we are right now in life, there is a purpose. Looking back, I have never been disappointed in my life because I feel that everything I have done has a purpose. It has taught me what I do or don't want, what I need from myself, and I learn more about myself everyday through life experiences that are often awesome or sucky. Either one---haha....or both, like moving! :) 

Anyway, bring on life. I'm pumped about tomorrow!

"Count it all joy."

Okay, so I'm sorry I haven't written in ages and I kind of feel bad about it. Almost. Well, not right now though. I don't have time. I have to finish the Twilight Saga. After that maybe I'll have time to talk. Actually, I'll have a lot to talk about, and if Jonathan has anything to do with it, nothing concerning Twilight. I've almost burned his ears off already.

So I'm sitting here admiring this Christmas Tree thinking about life and how come I'm enjoying it all by myself tonight. I feel bad that Jonathan can't spend these times with me. These sweet days when all I want to do is play tennis or go for a walk. It's depressing I guess if I think about it. But then I just think about that sermon, "God is near" and it makes the time go by a little sweeter, even if the clock doesn't tick any faster.