Sure....I'll keep writing.....

Well I know this is out of character for me (two posts in like two days?! What the what?!) - but I've been thinking lately..........it's probably my favorite thing to do....and I thought I'd start writing and see what happens.

I've been doing homework in front of my fireplace for an hour or so now, and in the midst of reading and writing and reading and writing (about some relatively boring subjects, I might add) - I've caught myself in a reflective mood.

I've gone through some hardship in my day, sure. From broken relationships, and the heartache involved within them, to fights with God, to self-pity...sigh...the list continues........sometimes, however.......I'm relatively sickened by what I have to see others go through for me to snap out of my own self-mopeyness.

Selfish much??

I just heard this insane story about a man who was given the decision to choose either himself or his own brother to be sentenced to death. And, of course, he chose himself (long story, but you get the point.) Or - my friend's daughter having open heart surgery for what probably seems like the ZILLIONTH time to the family....(I was receiving text updates today through it, and tearing up at Safeway because I'm so impressed at how strong that family is......definitely freaking out my checker). Or losing someone so close to you, and knowing you'll never be able to confide in them again......

And this stuff happens EVERYDAY. I mean.......what?! I've gone through hardships?! What am I talking/complaining/moping about?!

...............wow...this post is depressing!

Which totally isn't my point. It's just the stuff I think about........a minute fraction of what I think about, I should say. My brain has this incredible (absolutely obnoxious) ability to be processing literally ALL the time.

My real point:
My life is......amazing, all things considered. Seriously. I am so freaking blessed and happy. I have the best friends and family a lady could ask for. The best support system. This post is honestly just meant to say thanks. Thanks for being in my life. I feel so filled with gratitude. I just want my community to know how much I love and think of them.

K. End sappy post.

Have I put this up here yet? Ah Laura - you look ridiculous. 

:)

FebRuary

Anyone else think that the extra "r" in February is funny?

English is so weird.....

I get the feeling I'm not going to be all that fancy with blog post titles this year - maybe I'll only get around to writing once per month, resulting in just calling them as they are.

So far....February as been a much needed improvement from January....and honestly, once it was all said and done - January ended on a nice note. I just tend to get easily stressed.

To celebrate the ending of Sobuery (sober January), as well as have an excuse to get outta this silly town, Noah and I embarked on a journey South to Sonoma County. I don't think it was quite the adventure he's used to (no real rocks to climb, or middle of nowhere camping, we had a nice kitchen AND a bathroom) - but, he was a pretty good sport about it all. When it comes down to it, how can one dislike wine country anyways? We were only a couple miles from a redwood reserve as well, so we enjoyed an awesome hike to kickstart the trip post sitting in a car for too long.

This was our first real trip together - just us. I am curious, somewhat, about what each of us were expecting  - but whether or not all expectations were met, or exceeded - I feel (and seeing as this is MY blog, you will get MY opinion) that the trip was a perfect success. It was so fun to explore as much as we wanted - as well as laze around. We made our dinners, drank too much wine, and explored our funny little area. The demographic in our town, specifically, was very...........I'm not really sure how to describe it accurately - but "free?" could be a good word. The crowd was interesting, to say the very least. The wine was great - the meals were fun, and the company was my favorite part.

One of the things we talked about as our trip was coming to a close was our future. No no no no - I'm not talking like that. I guess I should say, our dreams. What have you always wanted to do your whole life?! What if I don't get into nursing school? Noah has been insanely encouraging in always saying he is certain I'll get in - but yesterday was the first day I really considered a back up plan. "Instead of waiting for another year to apply - why don't you LIVE this year?" I'm definitely GOING to nursing school, but getting accepted is no easy feat right now.

So with that - we came up with some potential ideas for me. I'm excited. I've had a goal to be fluent in spanish for YEARS - in the event that I don't get in for 2012, I'm going to look into a short immersion program (just like 3 weeks) in a S. American country (Guatemala, Nicaragua, etc). It's something I've never even considered before - but something I would SO love to do. He's so smart, that guy.

Unless I get accepted to nursing school - if that happens I'll turn into a bubbling basket case of excitement.

We'll see.

Here are some pictures to highlight the month:

Like I said...we kickstarted our trip with a 6ish mile hike in the redwoods. This is JUST before we started a ridiculous ascent - I was sweaty here..........eww.

I think he was saying "see, look - there are spiderwebs EVERYWHERE." In my minor panic of seeing a zillion little creatures crawling on my shoes. Yikes! Bullfrog Pond. I couldn't find a bullfrog. :/

We tried. Kinda. Taking pictures is awkward business - and my face just looks huge and funny. Noah looks normal though.

The hike ended with this tree. HUGE.

See what I mean?!

Noah got tired, here. I was FREEZING. Sweating so so much, then ending in all this shade.

The sun found its hiding place behind the clouds as we headed to the beach post hike (and nap). It was a beautiful beach, though!

My proof to sunshine.

This was as we were leaving town (like I said in a previous post - I suck at taking pictures).

But I tried!!! obviously all sunned out - but I still thought it was cool.

Noah took me to this classy joint on our way home, valentine's day. They gave me a carnation upon arrival. It.was.AWESOME.

HUGE portions.

 

Naturally, Noah got the hot turkey sandwich....

This is where I switch subjects........

I got new OR shoes!! I've been wearing the same ones for like 4 years.......time to upgrade! These are fun! :)

A cute pic of Kari and her little man. :)

Amber may kill me for this pic - but it's our last day working together - I couldn't not document it. How sad!

Jack Jack! My favorite little mister. Candace made a nice boy.

You know you have too many friends with kids when you think a tiny BP cuff is one of the cutest things on EARTH.

I like to play at work. :)

Guess I'll end on a picture of gloves? One more thing to mention to add to my joy of February, is that one of my VERY best friends of all time, Jenna, had her baby this month. I was a complete pain in the ass that day at work as I just wanted to be in Hawaii supporting her. LOVE YOU FRIEND! So excited to meet Ruby Sue!

Next on the list of excitements:

Amber's babe. I'm ready to meet little Finn!

MOVING!!!! I'm so excited for my new place!

New laptop! HA :) - I finally got my tax return, time to blow it all. :/

Birthday - girls weekend again! Victorian Cafe?! YES!

That's all for now. This year has a little trip every month, it feels like - so hopefully blogs won't be too boring.

Love you all.

I'd rather love just a little too much.

The minute you think of giving up, think of the reason you held on for so long.

---------------------------

Down to the river to Pray - Allison Krauss

Jesus doesn't expect His followers to be perfect, but He does call them to be authentic.