HAPPY5.

Spending 5 years with the same boy has got me to thinking why I like him and how we made it to the monumental mile stone that is 5 years :) ...

1. We trust each other

2. We have the same hobbies

3. We have different hobbies that we like to share with the other

4. He will watch Biggest Loser with me and I will watch documentaries with him

5. He doesn't mind (too much) that I go to bed early and I don't mind (too much) that he stays up late...and most importantly....

6. When I am insisting on eating ice cream and cookies, he knows when to say "babe do you really what that??? but he also knows when to just come home with a pint of Ben & Jerrys for each of us.

Happy 5!!

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Stinky turns 3

First of all, you have to understand my sister and brother in law are not planning on having any kids....Gunner is the closest I will potentially come to having a nephew....so with that in mind:

Happy Birthday Gunner!!! 3 years!!!

Facts about Gunner.

1. he likes to play tug with anyone willing to participate

2. he is everyones friend

3. he loves his sister and cousin

4. he does not like squeezing through any tight space or loud noises

5. he is my running partner and pace setter

6. his real name was Ranger and he is from East Lansing

7. he is a stinker

here's to 5!!

Jonathan and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary last weekend in NY...well the actual date isn't until this Saturday, the 29th...but we celebrated early because it was our last weekend together. Here are some pics from the weekend....and a quick recap....

-It took us 2 days of driving and 17 hours to make a drive that usually takes 10 hours and didn't accelerate over 50mph until the end of Pennsylvania....

-We stood still on a Pennsylvania Highway for 2 hours straight, Jonathan talked to truckers, peed on the side of the road and we downloaded a police scanner on my phone to keep up to date with what was happening.

- We saw a 9 semi truck pile up

-We studied together at a cute coffee shop

- We had dinner at The Melting Pot and the waiter brought us cheesecake with a candle on it for our anniversary :)

- Jonathan got me a heart shamrock shaped necklace and he got a compass from me, it was engraved with the quote "So you always know where you are and where home is" :)

- Now on to the next 5!!

home sweet homestead

In the winter, The Homestead is my favorite place to go in Michigan...It is right on Lake Michigan and is just the perfect place :) I am thankful to Jonathan's family for including me on their winter ski trips!

perfect timing

Tonight my work had a post Christmas get together at my coworkers fabulous home....Everyone knows what has been going on with my family and were offering their encouragement, prayers and support and it was so uplifting to see these amazing women after a long 2 weeks away.

One of my coworkers and party host who I truly love offered this advice..."All you can do is take care of today, do what is right for now and have the faith that the rest will work out."

Those weren't her exact words but you get the gist...well as I was driving home I felt really comforted by this. I was beginning to feel strong and confident that all we can do as a family is what needs to be done and what is for the best right now and give the rest to God.

This is not advice I usually like... I like a plan and "it will all just work out" does not sound like a great plan to me. Jonathan is famous for offering advice such as "it will work itself out" or "don't worry you will figure it out" I never really considered (or appreciated) that advice until today it seemed to be the perfect answer....

Well short story long, after a little googling and inspiration seeking I found this little website and realized that my friend (and reluctantly Jonathan) were right and trusting it will all work itself out and offering it up is sometimes the best answer. The title of the site is perfect, and is set up and explained in almost a Bible Passages for Beginners sort of way (which I appreciated), and I really enjoyed reading what I found....

Matt 11:28-30 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." NIV

a limitless life

Jonathan gave me this book for Christmas.... the subtitle is "Inspiration for a ridiculously good life." The cover speaks for itself, but here are some of my favorite quotes so far...

" There is nothing wrong with looking ahead and planning for the future, but know that your worst fears could just as easily be your best surprise. Very often life works out for the good."

"Your can't wait for that miracle, or just the right opportunity, you should consider yourself the stick and the world your pot of stew. Stir it up. "

"Don't ever forget that God never gives up on you. Keep moving ahead because action creates momentium, which in turn creates unanticipated opportunities."

More to come ... :)

Lets try this again.....

Well since my last entry was in April of 2010 it is clear I ran out 0f things to talk about....but I figured there is no time like the present to get going again, and as it just so happens I now have a lot to say! And since the only people probably reading this are my cousins ( and Erin) .....I hope you 3 enjoy! :)

2010 recap

- We almost bought a cottage up north...but then didn't

- We lost Grandpa Galas :(

- Jonathan and I spent out first Thanksgiving in 5 years together

- Gracie is not anymore trained than she was in 2009

- I spent the year back at school pursuing an associates degree to be a Physical Therapy Assistant....About 1.5 years left!

- Dad got diagnosed with colon cancer after Christmas...we are still awaiting a lot of details...

- My cousin Kyle moved home from silly Arizona!!!

I will add more as they come to me :)