My Name is Havalah

friday night for an introvert

2012-01-14T18:17:00.002+13:00

Most anyone who knows me, knows that I am a major introvert. So after an unexpectedly long day at work, the very best thing for me, was a night home alone. Add to that delicious Hot Chocolate from Starbucks (and a very sweet boy who made it for me even though it was 3 minutes past closing time), PJ's, fuzzy pink slippers and How I Met Your Mother re-runs in bed. Not a bad Friday night in my books :)

Couch Potato to 5K

2012-01-12T10:25:00.002+13:00

Anyone who knows me, knows that I have struggled with my weight for a long time. Sometimes I can manage to lose a little bit for a few months, but it always find me again and usually brings friends.

The other day I was perusing my sisters pinterest, and saw that she had pinned something about Couch to 5k. I clicked the link and started reading a little bit. It took several days of me trying to ignore, but this morning, I finally started. It's not much, but starting small is easier for me.

This morning I did day one of the workout, which included walking for 5 minutes to warm up, and then switching off jogging and walking at a 60/90 second interval.

I'm excited for the plan, because it seems achievable, which makes me super excited!!!

I decided I needed to set a goal for myself, so I have decided to commit to do Pat's Run which is held here in Tempe. And of course - I'm posting it here for all to see, so that I hopefully can't back out.

I'm going to try to blog more about how running is going, and even results I see in my body (hopefully)!!

Thanks for reading!!

.

2011-12-11T08:43:00.001+13:00

Please excuse my AWFUL camera phone photo, but I wanted to show off my latest project.

DoriBob

2011-08-30T16:02:00.000+12:00

Sunday morning, I was awoken by ringing. As my eyes blinked rapidly, straining for clarity, I realized that it was my cell phone. My eyes darted to clock. 4:46am. I'd been asleep for barely 3 hours.

Why was someone calling me at 4:46 am?

The display lit up, and I saw the name Natalie. It was my cousin. It took a moment for it to register that it was my cousin, as we never talk on the phone, and I couldn't rationalize why she would be calling me. Unable to process in time, my phone stopped ringing. That's when I saw the message alert in the top left corner.

It read: "FWD: Grandma went into cardiac arrest. She's in critical condition."

Time Stamp: 4:01am. 45 minutes earlier.

I filled Dahvede in on what was going on and darted for first my bathrobe, and then the living room to call my cousin back.

I was met with the information that caught my by such surprise, yet given the events of the last 3 or 4 minutes, I was suddenly expecting.

Grandma is gone.

I later was told that she died from a pulmonary embolism (clot from the lung). In that moment, I couldn't even grasp what my cousin was saying to me. Then all the sudden I heard it.

"You're the only one in your family that knows. I can't get a hold of Susie."

That meant my Dad didn't know yet.

Even as I sit here writing this, I am almost in tears thinking about that moment. Not only was my grandmother gone, but I suddenly was faced with the responsibility of informing my Dad that his Mom was gone.

I can't remember a time or more specifically a phone call in my life that was more difficult than the one I was suddenly making. I was heart broken for my Dad. I remember almost 10 years ago now, when my Baboo passed away. I was sitting in the LAX airport, at Starbucks (my first time) with my dad, my sister, and my little brother, talking about the grandfather that we had just lost. In a moment, all of the memories came flooding back. The worst of them all, seeing my Dad cry. My dad is the most kind hearted, and gentle man you could ever know, but even so, he does not cry often. There are very few times in my life tat I remember him crying. That was one of them. Another was when I moved across the ocean with my husband. The worst feeling I have felt was having to tell him that his mom was gone. Quickly after the call, I lost service. I called back a minute later. He answered the phone and I could hear it in his voice. Tears. I felt like my heart had suddenly been wrapped in a rubber band.

My grandma was the sweetest, most loving, most caring person. And she was soft. Her hugs were always the best. I remember countless times, coming to see them on Vacation. She cared for elderly people in her home with the help of her husband. She had such love and compassion for them. I would walk in the front door of their big log cabin, and I could smell "Phyllis's rolls" somewhere warming. They were my Grandpa's favorite. Straight ahead, was the stairs that led up to the bedrooms, and our favorite place, Grandma and Grandpa's bed. Just to the left of the stairs was the living room. There was always someone in there watching TV or playing cards or talking. But I always darted to the right first. past the dining room table and into the kitchen. Grandma was always there. I'd walk up, wrap my little arms around her waist, and bury my face in her chest. Every time we went to see them, it was the same.

The last time I saw my Grandma, was over a year ago now. I was visiting for my cousin Dorothy's wedding, and was blessed the time with her. She was by no means perfect, and in fact, some of my favorite stories of hers were the ones that painted her in a semi-rebellious light. Like when she used to sneak cigarettes. Or how she stole my Grandpa from another girl. That one was always my favorite. It's the same way for my grandpa. I remember sitting on his lap, feeling his beard brush my cheek when he would go to kiss me. He taught me how to gamble while playing solitaire. I didn't think that was even possible :) little did i know.

But this is about my grandma.

I'm leaving in less than 36 hours to go be with my family as we lay her body to rest. I say her body, because I know that's not her anymore. It stopped being her yesterday morning, and I'm OK with that. She's finally with Baboo again. She entered through the gates and heard those beautiful words "Well done, my good and faithful servant."
While Baboo was the theologian out of the two of them, Grandma knew, and loved, Jesus, the Gospel, and Scripture. Her body will be buried next to my grandfather's, But I know that her spirit is already worshipping at the feet of Jesus.

Grandma, we love you, and we will miss you! I'm so glad you're finally home!

Tomorrow

2011-04-14T19:03:00.001+12:00

My day will include lots of resting. It will also include lots of these things.

2011-04-12T12:30:00.002+12:00

As promised - I would like to introduce you to the new car!

It's a girl, but a name has not been decided on yet.

She's a little beat up. Someone rammed into her from behind, but that is soon to be fixed.

Until then, she's our little Ford Escort, with no real name.

We are taking suggestions.

thought patterns

2011-04-08T19:48:00.004+12:00

Tonight we had our weekly home group at our house (it almost always is), and my awesome friend Autumn found out I have like a dream tattoo that I want, but would basically never have the nerve to get, and since she's doing a series on people with tattoo's, and a follow up series of what tattoo's people would have, she's going to use me as one of her model's i guess. I'm super excited.

What does that have to do with the rest of the post? basically, my dream tattoo is a half sleeve floral motif, with different flowers representing different people in my life. Gerbera daisies for me. Frangipanis for my sister Melody. Lilies for my sisters Susie and Cate. And most importantly, Blue hydrangeas for my nephew, Joshua Matthew.

Which got me to thinking about hydrangeas and my deep love for them. Which lead me to put this photo as my Desktop....

And best of all. This photo as my google homepage:

Just wanted to leave you with some beautiful hydrangea love tonight :) happy early morning friday!

big announcement!

2011-04-04T18:59:00.002+12:00

We were given a car today!!!!!!

photos and details to follow, but just needed to say this:

JESUS - YOU ARE AMAZING!

the post in which i confess myself to be a granny

2011-03-26T06:32:00.003+13:00

What? A granny? ok, so no. I am not actually a grandma, but with the things that i like, sometimes I feel like one.

the latest thing on my wish list for the house??

Yup, that's right. A Glider. Ok, so they're perfectly fine if you have babies, but there are no babies in our near future, and yet, I want one. I can think of little better than sitting in my rocking chair, with a cup of tea next to me, and crocheting.

So there you have it. I confess. I'm a bit of a granny! Now I just have to convince my husband to get one for me :)

beginning again

2010-10-27T05:48:00.002+13:00

Almost 2 years ago I started WeightWatchers. It worked for me. I lost roughly 20 pounds and really felt great. However, I didn't keep it up, and not only gained back everything I lost, I added about 10 to it.

So today, I'm starting off. I'm 180lbs and my goal is to be 130lbs, a healthy weight for my body. That's a long way to go, but I am determined to reach my 1st goal by Christmas. I want to at least lose 10% of my body weight (18lbs), but preferably, to hit that 2o lb mark!

I will be tracking my progress here and being brutally honest about how things are going, how I'm feeling, and what's new.

thanks for reading :)

new job?

2010-10-14T05:24:00.002+13:00

Ever since I got my current job, I've been dreaming about leaving. I don't mind my job, but it's food service, and I'm not a huge fan of it. I do however like my co-workers, and I think my boss is great. And my hours, for the most part are pretty spectacular. I don't work nights, and I don't have to work Sundays. It was perfect for me. My boss trusted me, and while I've only been there about 8 months, I'm being given more senior rolls and shifts. I liked it for the most part.

About a week ago, a friend of ours mentioned that he was looking for a new front desk person/receptionist at the hotel he works at. I was ecstatic! A job where I could take pride in my work for one of the first times in my life. I could get dressed up, and look pretty at work and not just "good enough".

I applied. My references were contacted. I interviewed. I had my background checked. I interviewed again. I was offered the job. And somehow, in this whole process, I have lost all interest in the position. I will be working nights. Till 11pm mostly. I may be scheduled for Sundays. I was already scheduled for a Thursday night, which is when we host a home group in our home. We likely will not be able to go spend Christmas with family because of it.

I left the interview feeling like to take this new job I will have to sacrifice from my relationship with my husband, and from my relationship with God. Is that true? Maybe not. But it's how I feel.

I have orientation for the job today, and while I'm still not feeling 100% about the job, I'm going to go. I'm going to pursue it, and give it my best shot, but I'm keeping my foot in the door at my original job for the time being.

I guess all of this was just to say... I'm kinda scared.

my evening

2010-06-23T16:20:00.002+12:00

What have I done tonight, you want to know....

After returning from Wal-mart with the cousin, I made myself eat at least a little bit of dinner - downed several glasses of water, proceeded to wash at least 3 episodes of The Office, learned a new game - Time's Up - and played with the cousins and their signifigant others.

But finally, around 10:30pm, we decided to bake 3 more batches of black bottom cups for Saturday (the wedding day) and one batch of regular chocolate cupcakes for the bachelorette party tomorrow night. And clean the kitchen from the days festivities. and Dye the bride's hair. And blog.

yup. that was my crazy night.

yours?

House-Sitting

2010-05-19T18:13:00.002+12:00

Our friends Eric and April had an amazing opportunity to go hike the Grand Canyon this week, so we are camping out at their house for the next few days. They have a beautiful, and super fun puppy named Lucy, and we are enjoying getting to be puppy parents while they're gone. Lucy does however know that I am NOT April and she has been a little bummed since Mom and Dad left. I feel bad! I don't know what to do to cheer her up. Any tips people???

Can't Sleep...

2010-05-14T19:25:00.002+12:00

So of course... Blog. Not so much of course. It's been a little while since I've consistently blogged, but no apologies. It's my blog!

It's 12:30 and my husband is where I hope most of you are right now. In bed. Asleep. I tried, but sleep was not coming, and my husband (though God knows I love him) snores. So I got up. And what else do you do when it is almost midnight and you can't sleep? Wash dishes of course. My kitchen is sparkling right now!!! I even scrubbed my microwave.

Don't get me wrong... we wash dishes almost everyday here, so there weren't even that many dishes to do. However, our apartment, and more so our kitchen is small and our counter space very limited. So they feel like they build up super fast!

Anyways.... Just wanted to document my victory moment over my dishes :)

L O V E

2010-04-27T18:03:00.002+12:00

I am so super duper in love with my hubby!

He is such a hard worker and is so wonderful to me! I treasure the fact that I get to spend my life with him!

Dahvede, I love you so much! I can't even begin to tell you how much you mean to me!!!!

friends

2010-04-20T05:27:00.002+12:00

I have always had a really hard time making friends. Ever since I was little I was the type of person with 1, maybe 2 friends, and that was it. I am a fairly quiet and incredibly shy person and that has always hindered me.

The year that I spend at Bible college in NY was one of the best times of my life simply because of the friends I had. I had the most, and best friends I'd ever had there. Leaving was one of the hardest things to do.

The time Dahvede and I spent in New Zealand was difficult for both of us, because neither of us felt that we had many really close friends. I had my family, and having grown up homeschooled, that was very normal for me, but Dahvede really struggled.

Moving to Arizona had me really scared for a long time. I know how hard making friends is for me, so I was really worried.

BUT - here comes the best part of the story!!! God proved Himself to me in such an amazing way and blessed Dahvede and I with so many amazing friends! While Dahvede was away, many of his guy friends got engaged and married, meaning insta-friends for me :)

Last night we had "a few friends" over to play games. The short list of friends included 10 people!! Maybe to some people that doesn't seem like much, but to me that is amazing! They are all such amazing people who are not only FUN to be around, but encouraging and uplifting! They are the reason I am falling in love with Arizona! They are my family here, and I love everyone of them!

Eric, April, Katie, Christian, Jason, Marilyn, Meaghan, and Justin you guys are amazing and we love you so much!!!!

Craigslist Bargains

2010-04-17T04:00:00.001+12:00

The last week or so we have been on the hunt (through craigslist) to buy a bed. Dahvede's parents left us their guest bed, which although it is beautiful, and fairly comfy... after a few months on it, both of us noticed the affect it was having on our sleep. It's only a full/double and while a queen (what we wanted) is only about 6" wider... it makes a huge difference. Tonight we picked our new (to us - but also almost brand new) mattress and boxspring. It was a total steal as the couple we bought it from had downsized homes, and just wanted it gone!!!! Woohoo!!! We're still in the market for a good frame, but since I have something very specific in mind, and I am cheap-o mc. cheaper-son, it may be a little while before that happens.

I'll post pictures once we get it all settled, but as we're using this opportunity to switch rooms (a whole other story) the mattresses are lined up against a wall until we can find time to deal with them.

Poor Neglected Blog

2010-04-15T17:36:00.002+12:00

I feel bad when I realize that I have not posted on this blog in over 3 months. It's pitiful really. Well anyways... no whinging (kiwi's - sp?). Here's what is new:

~ Dahvede started school and work.

~ The in-laws moved overseas so Dad could teach english. Exciting!!!

~ I found a job.

~ We moved into our very own apartment on our 6 month wedding anniversary!

~ We're loving church, and our small group, and making tons of new friends!

Not a huge update... because it's getting late and I am POOPED! but just dropping in to say HI and to promise more blogs coming soon!

just for fun

2010-01-07T13:00:00.006+13:00

I was flipping through some old photos today, as I am in the process of moving all my files to our external hard drive so I can free up space on my computer, and I stumbled across our engagement photos. I clicked into the album and landed on this series of shots. I love them because they sum up our relationship somedays.

It started off so innocently.....

Having fun and laughing with my sister.

The wind picks up and...

Yup... this really happens

...

Oh yup... That would be my hair.

That you BIT OFF!!!

...

You HAVE to laugh!

"You know... with some bacon..."

This is my "Oh geez" pose.

Haha... I love us!

So proud

2009-12-30T07:55:00.002+13:00

My niece Oceana, who is about 3 1/2 years old prayed with her daddy last night and asked Jesus to come into her heart!!! I am so excited and so proud of her!!! I wish I could be there to give her hugs and kisses!

Aunt Havie and Uncle Dahvede are SO incredibly proud of you Oceana! We love you sweetie!!!

And in honour of Oceana I wanted to post my favorite video of her dancing a few years ago. I can't embed it though, so if you want to see it, go here!

Not Me! Monday

2009-10-13T08:33:00.003+13:00

It's been a long time, but I decided that it was time for a Not Me! Monday again! Besides, MckMama is giving something away today! How could I not?
It was absolutely NOT ME who suggested listening to a sermon to my husband on our three hour car drive and then proceeded to fall asleep. I would never leave my husband alone and bored on a road trip! Not ME!
There's no way on our return trip home yesterday, I got sick of my jeans mid-drive. I absolutely did not have hubby pull off into a deserted parking lot so I could change into my skirt. I was then NOT rewarded by sitting down on a bee who had flown onto my seat whilst I was getting my skirt. I did NOT scream and cry like a frightened child and shout at my husband (who was only trying to help) "get it off, get it off, GET IT OOOOFFFFFF!!!!!" It was NOT funny. Kinda.
After swearing I was gonna "start eating healthy" again, I absolutely did NOT go to bed last night with a bowl of Pioneer Woman's Coffee Cake and ice cream. That's just unreasonable.
I did not just answer the door with my bed hair and in my bathrobe. It is not almost 9 am. I am very responsible and of course did NOT just get up.
Hope you had fun reading my Not Me! Monday post. Head over to MckMama's and join the fun!

I'm ready

2009-06-14T15:29:00.000+12:00

I am so stinkin' ready...

For these two little girls to come home :)

Oceana and Naomi.... you are missed! Be good for Mama and Daddy and have fun with your east coast family... cause when you make it back to the South Pacific... I'm not letting you go again!!! Get ready for lots of cuddles!

Love you girls!!! :)

Auntie Havie

funny moments

2009-06-05T22:28:00.002+12:00

I've been at Mom and Dad's tonight and we've been laughing, teasing and various other fun things...

anyways, this was a conversation that went back and forth between my parents tonight.

Mom - you know mike, in about 10 days, Havalah will be at work, and Dahvede will be here with us, sitting in your lap.

Dad - I'll be in _________ in a week.

Mom - No, 10 days.

Dad - well he won't be sitting in my lap......

Pause

.... no, he probably will.

Hahahahahahaha! I love my fiance... and my family. that really really made me laugh.

*disclaimer* He would be doing it as a joke.

sweet relief

2009-05-28T20:48:00.003+12:00

This morning, for the first time in two months... I was finally reunited with Dahvede. I found him at a random campground that is free for backpackers making their way through NZ. They didn't have a tent or anything, so him and his team slept outside under a tree. Or at least they tried to sleep.

But that is not why I am blogging tonight. I am blogging, because after two months of tension, and two months of being emotionally drained, he is finally coming home. Finally seeing Dahvede today, and being able to hug him, and hold him was one of the most relieving things I could have asked for. Since he left, I have dreamt about seeing him again, and what it would be like. I was so grateful that I went to the wrong part of the park, because when Dahvede came to find me, it gave us a few minutes on our own. I could hardly believe it had been 8 long weeks since I had seen him. We have done much longer stints of long distance - the worst of which being 7 months, just 10 days after we started dating - but it was so different this time around.

God has grown us through this season, and for that I am grateful... but I'm ready for it to be over now. I'm ready to have Dahvede home, and to get to plan our wedding together again, and to get to plan our life together.

Thanks for listening tonight. Did I mention how amazing it was to see him? I was jumping up and down telling my little brother about it. It's just a little later and colder now, and my musings have taken a different turn.

I love you so much, Dahvede. I can't wait for our life together to start. :)

Nothing much

2009-05-27T23:48:00.002+12:00

Had you asked me two hours ago, what my plans were for my day off, I probably would have said "nothing much," and a combination of some of the following:

~ Sleep in

~ watch movies

~ maybe read a book

~ hang out with little brother

~ maybe some shopping

~ dinner

But after realizing that my fiance, Dahvede, and his mini outreach team were just TWO HOURS AWAY I did some fast moving, got ahold of him, and asked if I could come visit. It was late and I didn't know if I'd hear back from him. After a half hour, I was in the bathroom when I heard my sister answer my cell phone. Immediately I knew it was him. AKK! After talking about some of the logistics with one of his team mates, and praying about it together, they decided it would be fine for me to come hang out and tag along with them for the day! I can't wait to see him!!! I have to be there (2 hours south of here) between 8:30 and 9 am, so it's gonna be an early start, but I don't care! i am just so excited to see him for a few hours!!!

I'm off to wash dishes and get stuff ready for the morning. As if I could even sleep being this excited!

It's 1 in the morning and all is well!

2009-05-26T00:54:00.002+12:00

What pray tell am I doing up at 1 am? Oh yes... I finally set about to read MckMama's monstrously long blog post about getting blurry backgrounds in your photos. I was sad when pretty much straight off the bat, she had no tips for those with point and shoot cameras. DRAT! But! Instead of giving up, i hijacked my sister's DSLR and had a go with it. Nothing fabulous came out, but I was able to understand what she was talking about and I saw the difference when I played around with the aperture. Haha. I feel so grown-up using that word. Anyways. I had a blast and I have decided that I want one. An SLR I mean. They are amazing. Maybe when I get through saving for the wedding/honeymoon/new life with hubby, I'll save up for one. Hehe. oh man. It would be so cool! When my camera dies, I'll have to look into it. For now though, my trusty Nikon and i will keep on keepin' on.

Did I mention that my camera (and my ipod) fell, along with my purse, into a bucket of soapy mop water with bleach in it while I was at work the other day. *sob* I asked around about what to do, and ended up rinsing them with fresh water (never thought I'd see the day that I'd willingly pour water over my ipod!) and leaving them in the hot water cupboard for 6 days. Camera works. No problems there. It's older, but it's got some spunk :) the ipod also works. Sorta. It turns on, and after some fiddling with and resetting it completely, I am able to maneuver through it, and it plays! The backlight is busted, so good luck using it if there isn't light RIGHT nearby, but I'll take what I can get! Praise God!! It's gonna live to see another day!

Ok, I'm off to sleep now. Goodnight all!

joy

2009-05-20T23:47:00.002+12:00

It's what I felt tonight as i glanced down at my phone. I had my phone on so it only beeps once when it goes off. I heard it go, but I assumed that it was just a text message, and since I was busy, I ignored it, planning to check it in a minute. But it kept vibrating, so i looked down. SO GLAD I DID! Dahvede called me! It's not completely uncommon for me to talk to him. In fact, we spend two hours on the phone last night. But because it's so expensive to call to cell phones here, I was not expecting him to call. He was calling just to say hi and to pray together. It was so nice to just have those few minutes catching up, sharing about our days and laughing together. Have I mentioned lately that I miss him? Good grief. I'm so over him being gone. As I was saying to someone a few days ago, "I might see him in 2 weeks, I'll definitely see him in three weeks, and in four weeks, he's home to stay."

My project tomorrow (after I finish cleaning my room) is to make a paper chain. It's my tradition. If I can, I make one a few weeks before he comes home. I think I'll make one with mini goals of the 2, 3, and 4 week marks, because they're all exciting! I made one when Dahvede first went to Tonga on his own DTS outreach (before we were dating) and I've done it a few times since. It's fun, it childish, and it's still exciting to rip one more off everyday. I was having dinner at a friends house lately, and her husband had been gone on and off for 2 months. She has 2 small pre-school aged kids, so it makes it more difficult. Every couple of days they pull down the calender, and the kids both get to cross off a day until they see Daddy. It reminded me of my chain and inspired me to do one again. I love projects, so I'm excited!

Ok, I've rambled enough tonight. I'm off to bed. Work will come too early tomorrow morning. G'night all!

Not Me! Monday

2009-05-19T08:58:00.000+12:00

Every week, when MckMama posts her fabulous "Not Me! Monday" post... I get annoyed because I didn't think ahead and write one! Well I won't be caught out this week, folks! Tonight, when I realized that I was compossing one in my head, I figured I should just bite the bullet and get started early!

~ There is NO way that I arrive at Church each Sunday with notepad in hand for those little wedding ideas that DON'T pop into my head throughout worship. We are NOT getting married in our home church, so my brain does NOT spark off every cotton-pickin' time I walk through the doors!

~ I was NOT overjoyed, giddy or ecstatic when Dahvede called me from the Nadi airport today. I did NOT love the way our conversation relaxed and felt totally normal even though we haven't seen each other in 2 months.

~ I do NOT exagerate over how long it has been since I saw Dahvede. It is NOT because I simply don't know how long he has been gone, and it certainly has NOTHING to do with me not wanting to check.

~ I did NOT almost need to bite my tongue tonight at work to keep from swearing when my purse, that did NOT contain all my make-up, my iPod, AND my camera did NOT drop into the bucket of mop water that did NOT ALSO have bleach in it. I did NOT almost cry in front of my 17 yr old co-worker.

~ I did NOT just watch Legally Blonde by myself at midnight to cheer myself up. I would NEVER do something like that.

~ I am NOT giddy about the fact that I am now in day counting territory until Dahvede comes home. I am NOT planning to make a paper chain and hang it up in my room. Nope. Never. Not Me!

Hope you enjoyed it! Head on over to MckMama's blog to join in the fun!

i'm dreaming... what can i say

2009-05-18T10:51:00.003+12:00

If I had unlimited resources..... I would SO be busting out one of these:

But seeing as you need over 1000 fresh roses for a 50 foot aisle... I'll just swoon.

Random Picture Challenge

2009-05-17T23:27:00.005+12:00

I seriously need to organize my photos better. I have like 4 different albums from Sept 08. Ah well, I get to choose!

Here is one from my first album. This is Jeremy and Lori on their wedding day (duh). Jeremy is the Captain for our ship, and Lori works as the purser. Our wedding will be just two weeks shy of their 1st anniversary :)

This photo is from a hike Dahvede and I went on. It's a killer. We went back and were able to complete the full hike this Valentine's Day. I'm learning to love hiking.

Head on over to 4 little men and twins to join the fun!

Wedding-ness

2009-05-16T23:54:00.002+12:00

Dahvede and I agreed, just days after we got engaged that we wanted one of those awesome Wedding website. SUCH a good decision! So many great resources! Anyways... feel free to wander over here! I try to update it often, and just loaded a bunch of photos on tonight. Enjoy!

for my sake

2009-05-14T21:38:00.004+12:00

Have I mentioned recently that I miss Dahvede like crazy? I won't say it's quite as extreme as our captain claimed when his girlfriend (now his wife) was in the Philippines (i believe dysentary was refferenced), but I miss him. I spend most of my days thinking of him and remembering little things that I miss and things I love about him. I was looking back through our engagement photos, and ran across a few that are not right for "official" use, but I love them because they say so much about us.

I love this photo. It's random... it's kinda silly, and it's very us. We love to go find parks, wherever we happen to be, and lay in the grass, talking, dreaming, laughing and other such joyful nonsense. that wasn't what was happening here, but it reminds me of it and i still think it is such a sweet photo :)

I forget what grabbed me about this one. It's cute and could actually be used. I think it's just our smiles that I love. happy. content. comfortable.

I just love this one cause it's silly. We couldn't see what the other one was doing, so we felt awkward and just started goofing off. Again, not really useable for anything, other than my pure enjoyment!!

We're total goofs, what can I say? I love him!!! I feel comfortable with him to be myself and I don't worry what he thinks when i just want to goof off and be silly!

Wedding rant

2009-05-10T22:36:00.002+12:00

I have no intention of turning this into one of those wedding blogs, where nothing is posted that doesn't involve cakes, centerpieces, favors, shoes, etc. I enjoy those blogs and frequent them on occasion, but I am not interested in turning this into one of those.

However, this is still my blog, and if weddings are on my brain (and at this second, they are) you are going to hear about them.

I have been working on the guest list a lot lately, and I am getting sick of it. It seems as though everything I do to it, makes like more complicated. I'm trying to keep everything in one place, but I'm always forgetting which computer I did something on, or which website does what, and do I bother with the e-save-the-date cards that ask for your mailing address or just email people personally and ask them since no one really responded to the first round of save-the-dates. Or do I search everyone individually on whitepages.com or what. Have I mentioned that I have a splitting headache tonight?

I don't get those girls that plan their entire wedding without their fiance's having any input whatsoever. The "what am I wearing and where do I stand" grooms, would be the absolute death of me! There are so many things I just CANNOT handle doing all on my own, and although my sister helps where she can, she has two little girls and a hubby to care for. My wedding plans (understandably) take the very back burner. And my dear Maid-of-Honour is on the other side of the world, so the classic "your MOH is your wedding slave until your wedding" deal is off for this wedding. I would never do that to you though, Dor. SLAP me if I do. I'm always telling Dahvede that I'm excited for him to get home, so we can finish planning together. Isn't that, after all, what this is all about? Doing life together? When Dahvede asked me to marry him, that is what we were commiting to. To do life together, and to partner with one another through thick and thin. I know you say your vows at your wedding, but for us, that commitment in many ways, started the day he slipped that ring on my finger.

This post has gone in a dozen different directions, but it is what I needed. To jabber and to vent. I am sick of a lot of this wedding planning. Maybe it will get better when Dahvede comes home, maybe it won't. But one way or the other... in less than 4 month, I will be his wife. So tonight, that is what I will be dwelling on. Not how frustrating guest lists are, or how i don't have any decorations yet, or even really know what I'm doing for flowers. I will be dwelling on the dream of finally being married, and Dahvede finally being home. I'm done with wedding plans for tonight.

poor baby girl

2009-05-08T23:12:00.001+12:00

As I sat here wedding brainstorming just now, I heard my neice, Oshee, wake herself up crying upstairs. I left it for a few minutes because her mum had just gone up and usually she'd just cry herself back to sleep. She didn't seem to be settling so I went to check on her just as mum came to the rescue. Poor baby. She's a tosser much like me, and she had flailed enough in her sleep to toss her blankets from her, and she was curled up in a ball, crying because she was cold and much like any of us... waking up in the middle of the night doesn't usually mean clearness of mind. She has a good Mummy, who bundled her back up with extra blankets and cuddled with her till she calmed down, but i couldn't help but just think... poor baby :(

100th Post

2009-05-08T06:46:00.000+12:00

For my 100th post, I wanted to do something special. And also, seeing as I have given this blog a bit of a makeover and am "starting over" so to speak, it seems fitting to start off with a big bang. I started this post a long time ago, and forgot about it until today. This post is to explain who I am, and what I believe.

No Apologies, I am a born again, Holy Spirit filled, Bible believing, Jesus loving Christian. What does that mean? It means I believe that there is one true God and that He created the universe we live in (Gen. 1:1). I believe that He created man (or humans) in His image (Gen 1:26-27), so that we can have relationship with Him. I believe that God sent His only Son, Jesus, into the world as a man (but still fully God - more info, check out Jesus is both God and Man), through Mary, who was a virgin. I believe that Jesus was sent into the world to provide a way for us to be saved and to spend eternity with His Father, God, in Heaven. I believe that Jesus was crucified, He died and was buried. He died to pay the debt for MY sins and ALL the sins of the WORLD! I believe that Jesus was raised from the dead after three days, appeared to His disciples, ministered, and then ascended to Heaven, where he sits at the right hand of God, my Father. I believe that every human will have to answer for their life, for their decisions, and for their subsequent sins, and that a just and fair God will judge them. I believe that to be saved, a person has to accept Christ as their Saviour and seek relationship with him. Those who reject relationship with Him will be judged, and will spend eternity in Hell.

I am aware that a LOT of you readers out there simply will not agree with me. You may think I'm just another crazy deranged "Bible thumper" and that's fine. That's your right. But it's also my right to share what I believe. God has walked with me through some tough stuff, and honestly, I don't know how people do life without Him. God desires that all would have relationship with Him, and spend eternity in Heaven with Him.

If you have questions about something I wrote, please feel free to comment and ask, and I will do my best to answer them.

Thanks for reading guys! God Bless!

A new look...

2009-05-06T22:25:00.002+12:00

I love blogs. And I love blogging. So in an attempt to get myself back into blogging.... I've undergone a facelift. I like it!! It's rather pretty! Let me know what you think!

countdowns

2009-05-05T20:23:00.001+12:00

It's been a long time. I know... it's been more than a long time. Life rather suddenly got busy. Thankfully it was just as Dahvede up and sailed away for 3 months. Between the occasional wedding plans, and work, and a new and incredibly adorable neice in the house who demands love and affection, blogging takes a back seat. This is just a short post to say that I am coming back. Although I don't think many people read this... to no man's land out there... I write. I'll be back soon. I actually miss blogging. But for now I'm off to shower and scrape myself together before heading out to go get Susie, Oceana, and Naomi. Farewell for now!

Welcome to the World

2009-04-11T00:03:00.002+12:00

Naomi Aroha Sams - Welcome to this world. I love you so much already sweetie!!!

*for details and more photos, head over to Susie's Blog Here!

Random Picture Challenge

2009-03-30T20:12:00.003+13:00

It's time for random picture challenge over at 4 little men, and I decided to join the fun this week.

I have 2 different December 2007 albums (i hated the photo of me in the 27th of the 27th option) so here's both. From my album -

Cleaning the pool at Dahv's house. He was instructed to do so, so i thought I'd be a good little girlfriend and help out. I like my hoodie. it was so comfy! I should go put it on actually... it's kinda cold here.

And this was the album from Dahvede's camera while I was there:

Don't I look thrilled? It was actually fun. Bowling with the extended family the day after Christmas. just a very bad shot!

Not Me! Monday

2009-03-17T14:45:00.002+13:00

Not Me! Monday time again! Time for good old fashioned denial/therapy!

This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

~This week there is absolutely NO way I stayed up until 2:30am with Dahvede doing nothing of real mention, simply because I could and I wasn't working early the next day. It also had NOTHING to do with me simply wanting to spend as much time as possible with my fiance before he left for three months.

~ I did NOT buy and later eat an entire tub of sweet chili Philly with Susie. It was NOT delicious and it did NOT all disappear while I was NOT watching The Notebook. I would NOT watch that movie because it is NOT up there on my list of movies girls obsess over. Twilight is NOT also on that list.

~I did NOT get suckered into working an extra shift on Sunday. I did NOT open AND close on the same day. That is simply SILLY to agree to such ridicule! I am NOT a sucker for punishment!

~ I did NOT go shopping two days in a row and did NOT buy things both days. I also did NOT go to Starbucks yesterday. I did NOT enjoy it. I do NOT enjoy spending that much money on coffee and it is NO different from any other coffee.

~I did NOT come home today with every intent to NOT sit in my PJ's and NOT watch a silly girly movie while NOT eating things that I should NOT be eating (that part is real - darn it!). I was NOT dissapointed when we ended up at Mom's without the comfy clothes, or movie, or food.

~I am NOT putting off getting ready for work, even though I know I should leave in 15 minutes and I'm not dressed. I'm always VERY organized and never procrastinate.

~I have NOT NOT NOT needed to clean my room all week and put it off everytime I think of it. I am NOT running out of clean laundry. I have NOT considered buying new underwear to avoid having to clean and/or do laundry!

~That is NOT all from me this week! I am NOT going to start early next week because I LOVE being the very last person to link up for Not Me! Monday!

work

2009-02-12T23:31:00.002+13:00

blueberry picking in the morning. Yay. I haven't picked at all in almost two weeks. I'm so out of routine. 1) because I am still up at 11:30pm. What am I thinking? 2) because instead of going to bed like a smart person would do, i blogged about it.

3) good night.

I want one!!!

2009-02-12T11:54:00.002+13:00

Ever since I started reading MckMama's blog, I have fallen in love with Babywearing. My sister told me about it, and I thought it was cool, but it took me seeing a few bright pink slings for me to be utterly convinced! So! all that to say, 4 little men and Twins is having a giveaway of a meeUp baby carrier and i really want one! I know I don't have a baby, but I do have a new neice coming in a matter of weeks and someday Dahvede and I are gonna have kids of our own so why not be prepared?

Random Photo Challenge

2009-02-08T11:49:00.003+13:00

Brittany over at 4 little men and girly twins is hosting a random picture challenge today. The rules are simple, but I'm lazy so I'll copy and paste :)

March 2008 5th picture from the end or 10th picture folder {March 2008 is MY 10th folder... that's how I picked this} 5th picture from the end

So, first I looked up my March 2008 folder, and the 5th pic from the end is from nursery or creche and I don't feel good about posting it. Not my baby. Fair enough. Here's the 6th though:

Me and my buddy Sara, at elim. One of the only time I have ever curled my hair. Maybe i will today.... hmm?

And then I looked up my tenth folder down, and it's from Dahvede's photos of our anniversary and engagement. Here's the 5th from the end:

Head over to 4 little men and join in the fun!

Not Me! Monday

2009-01-27T15:51:00.004+13:00

It's time for Not Me! Monday again! MckMama, although she is away crusing right now, hosts this fun blog carnival every monday, and she time delayed it so we can join in the fun even while she's gone! So head over here, and enjoy some of the fun!

~~~~~

This week, there is no way I did any of the following!

There is absolutely no way I got up at 7am on a Saturday to go pick blueberries. That's madness.

I did not drive back and forth over a 5km stretch of road because I simply cannot follow directions or be bothered reading road signs. That is never something I would ever do!

I did not go to the grocery store late one night craving ice cream and come away with diet food. That's just silly. Who does that?

I did not sit through the entire Back to the Future Trilogy over the weekend just so I could spend time with my fiance. I am SO not one of "those" girls.

I didn't neglect doing this until it was no longer Monday, but in fact Thursday.

I am NOT drinking coffee at 9pm the day before I have to be up and out of the house by 7:15am. I would never do something so foolish and irresponsible.

I am not ready for bed despite not drinking coffee at a ridiculously early hour to not be tired at.

I am not signing off in hopes of early sleep tonight.

Weigh In time!

2009-01-22T11:23:00.002+13:00

One more week! One more loss! 1.5lbs! I'm just 1.5lbs away from officially being within my healthy BMI! Maybe even half way to my ultimate goal! We;ll see what happens! thanks for reading!!!

random funny from my day

2009-01-20T13:30:00.002+13:00

As Susie and I were headed home after her midwife appointment today, we were sitting at a light and this one old guy was crossing the street on his mobility scooter. I didn't think anything of it until I saw this other lady on her mobility scooter out further towards the middle of the road. I thought it was odd until it clicked! SHE WAS PASSING HIM!!! Susie and I laughed and laughed! It was the funniest thing to see and so unexpected! Hope you enjoyed that as much as I did!

gulp

2009-01-13T11:23:00.002+13:00

that right there was the sound of me swallowing my pride.

I've been pretty much off plan for almost a month. Anniversary, Engagement and Christmas all happened and I felt on top of the world and therefore decided to ignore my points altogether. I tried to track a little bit in my head, but wrote nothing down. So after two weeks of that, I finally did a WI (I had missed the week before). With a 4.4lb gain I felt like sobbing! I had no one to blame but myself and I knew it. I got back on plan for the most part that very day and I have tried my hardest to stick with it since then (new years day). I haven't been logging online but I think I've done a pretty good job of doing points in my head. I missed my WI again this week though, so I'm not sure if it's made a difference or not. I've still been pretty lazy as far as earning AP but I'm posting so I can get back on track and back on plan. I have a very pretty dress to look forward to wearing now, so watch out! Here I come!

because I'm in love and engaged

2009-01-12T00:32:00.004+13:00

and you all can just deal :)

I love my fiance! Tonight we drove out to pick up a van to help my parents move tomorrow. We left around 7, and left my friends house (where the van was) around 8. We got back to the ship and went back out for a few minutes to check out a park to do wedding photos at. We then drove back to the ship and proceeded to sit in my/our Nissan Sentra and talk for three hours! We talked about all kinds of stuff, from wedding plans to ministry, to our children, to our car, to Thailand, adoption and beyond.

So many times I found myself simply sitting back in my seat, watching Dahvede, my future husband! I listened as he shared his heart on ministry and on family life and so many other things. I smiled as he got all excited about our life together, and I about lost it when I saw him get choked up and begin to cry for the first time in our relationship.

I am so excited to begin my life with this man God has blessed me with. He is a greater blessing than I ever could have imagined and I love him. You know what's really awesome though?

He loves me.

It's Love...

2009-01-10T23:30:00.002+13:00

I'm home. I've been off work a lot lately because my boss is out of town and since this is down time for Dahvede, we decided to go stay with my parents for a few days to relax. It's been great, but I missed my room, my bed, my closet, and my computer. Don't get me wrong, Dahvede was very accomodating and even let me use his computer for endless wedding websites and bookmark a whole stack of pages. Good Grief, the man even saved my email and facebook login info on one of the browsers so I wouldn't have to go through the trouble of re-entering it everytime. It's love.

(yes, we are THAT nerdy couple)

All that to say, I still am glad to home, late at night when it's quiet, with a drink and my own dear, faithful laptop that has MY stuff on it and has MY bookmarks and settings. Am I a complete lunatic? My fiance and little brother both have nicer, newer computers than me, but I love mine. It's been with me for so long. It's had a busted key on it since it was about two weeks old. It's got so many smudges I don't know if I could get them off if I tried. She's had tea spilt on her. She's been bumped, knocked, dropped (kinda), stood on (two year old) and yet she stays strong (mostly).

Oh dear, I just had a "you've got mail" moment. anyone remember frank? the crazy ex-boyfriend who writes columns about how in love with his type-writer he is? I just did that, huh?

I'm Engaged! Part two: Pictures

2009-01-03T10:41:00.002+13:00

At long last, I have photos for you all! Sorry it's taken me so long, but I'm not really that sorry. After all, I have a gorgeous fiance who loves to take up all my time :)

The picnic spot where he asked me to marry him :)

Here I am about a half hour after he popped the question!!!

The Ring!!!! I absolutley love it!

A few days later we had my dear sister take a few shots of us and this one came out the best.

AKKK!!! I'm Engaged!!!!

oops

2009-01-02T12:28:00.002+13:00

Sorry! The pictures are coming! I've been away from my computer the last few days so I haven't had the pictures to post with. They're coming! I'll try to post by tonight!

I'm Engaged! Part One: Story

2008-12-26T21:28:00.005+13:00

Just over 48 hours ago, Dahvede and I took off to go hike a favorite spot of ours. There’s a local mountain near us, called Mt Maunganui. In truth, it’s not much of a mountain, but all the same we love it.

For a few days leading up to our date/picnic on the mount, I was wondering if Dahvede would propose. I was convinced it wasn’t going to happen that soon, until someone let it out of the bag that a ring existed. From what I knew, a ring did not exist yet. Anyways, back to the story. I didn’t think it would happen on our date, and then I did, and then I didn’t. I was rather tense and a little depressed leading up to the day because I felt like the surprise was ruined.

The day of our hike (Christmas Eve here), we woke up to POURING rain. Both Dahvede and I were not particularly happy about that but (little did I know) he was praying up his own storm, with the help of his Dad back in Arizona. Right around lunch time, the weather began to ease and all of the sudden, it had completely cleared up. We took our time getting ready, and headed out to my sister’s house to drop my little brother for the afternoon. Stopping at the grocery store (and the liquor store) for some picnic makings, we finally made it to the mount, parked, and headed up the mount. After a few stops, we made it up to a look out we like stopping at. We made it to the top and Dahvede took me over to a new spot he had found last time he was there. We broke out our picnic stuff and enjoyed a relaxed lunch/snack as we looked out through the foliage at Tauranga. A little while after we had finished, Dahvede got up and said he needed to go to the bathroom. He picked up the backpack to take with him, making a comment about “being possessive”. He then dropped an envelope into my lap as he quickly walked away. I asked him if I could read it as he left and he said “look at it!”

Turning it over, it said simply, “Read Me.” Increasingly curious, I opened it and began to read a letter, written that morning from Dahvede. It sent me on an adventure, around the mount, with directions to go to certain places where I could look out at various places that had meant a lot to us both.

I followed the letters instructions and then quickly, headed back to the picnic spot.

As I approached our picnic spot, Dahvede appeared and came to meet me. I wondered if he was going to get down on his knee and ask me there, but always being full of surprises, he led me instead, back to the rock where we had been before. As I came around the corner, something caught my eye. A guitar, and a pohutakawa flower (NZ Christmas tree flower). He had me sit down, and pulled out the guitar. As he began singing, my heart caught in my throat. He began to sing “Grow Old With You” from the Wedding Singer. One of my favorite songs. Not sure what to do with myself, I sat and tried to not just stare at the ground. I was so nervous. As he finished the song and set the guitar aside, I really flipped out. Intermittently smiling, nervously giggling and staring at my toes, I didn’t know what was coming next and it was killing me!

He shifted and I realized he was on his knee now. I honestly can’t tell you what he said to me, I was kinda in a daze, but it ended with “Havalah Moriah Faith Mears, would you do me the honor and the privilege, of being my wife?” As he said this, he pulled a ring box from his pocket. He opened it to reveal the most beautiful ring I could have hoped for. My hands flew to my mouth and in shock I just stared for a moment. We have differing opinions as to what exactly happened next, but the important part is, I said “yes!”

I stood up and pulled him up to embrace me. We stood for a long time, simply holding each other. For the first time, Dahvede told me he loved me, and of course, I returned the sentiment. We had made a commitment before meeting one another that we would save those precious words for our spouses, so it was an incredibly special moment for both of us.

We celebrated our engagement over bottles of Smirnoff Ice, and shared things we had been holding back until we were engaged. It was a beautiful engagement and we are so happy to be together and are so excited for what the future holds!

For those of you who stuck with me and read this whole things, THANKS! I couldn't be happier right now!

~~~~~~~~

For Dahvede's version of the story, click here.

*Pictures to follow*

because I can

2008-12-10T14:04:00.004+13:00

40 Secrets About Yourself.
If your tagged do this then tag 10 of your friends.
Be honest no matter what.

[One] Have you ever been asked out?
yup :) only once I ever cared about

[two] Where was your default picture taken?
umm.... at Jer and Lori's wedding, and my blog photo, the one of me was Natalie and Tim's wedding, and my header photo is at hemlock lake in NY!

[Three] What's your middle name?
Moriah Faith

[Four] Your current relationship status?
So completely happy being utterly taken - any questions?

[Five] what is your current mood?
mellow.

[six] what is your current mood?
umm... really?

[seven] what color underwear are you wearing?

that is for me to know and for me to know.

[eight] what color shirt are you wearing?
Black

[nine] do you have any pets?
no.

[ten] if you could go back in time and change something, would you?
I dunno.

[eleven] if you must be an animal for one day, what?
giraffe. imagine all the cool stuff you could see!

[twelve] ever had a near death experience?
I guess

[thirteen] something you do a lot?
spend time online

[fourteen] the song stuck in your head?
nothing really. Don't stop the music by Rihanna now that I think of it. mmm... fun song.

[fifteen] do you want or have tattoos?
maybe but not right now

[sixteen] name someone with the same birthday as YOU?
Lauren

[seventeen] when was the last time you cried?
almost cried last night. but's a whole other blog

[eighteen] have you ever sung in front of a large audience
not really. well, back up for worship. There was like 200 ppl there

[nineteen] if you could have one super power what would it be?
not sure.

[twenty] what's the first thing ..you notice about the opposite sex?
not sure

[twenty-one] have you ever been in love?
I'm pleading the fifth

[twenty-two] if so are you still in love?
21

[twenty-three] favorite color?
Pink

[twenty-five] do you still watch kiddy movies or tv shows?
I love most anything that the Disney channel puts out. call me lame, whatever.

[twenty-six] what are you eating or drinking at the moment?
I'm gonna go make some tuna and get some coke zero actually

[twenty-seven] do you speak any other language?
nope

[twenty-eight] what's your favorite smell?
dahvede. Just in general

[twenty-nine] if you could describe your life in three words what would it be?
crazy, weird, awesome

[thirty] when was the last time you gave/received a hug?
this morning when I was at the ship

[thirty-one] have you ever been kissed in the rain?
Nope, but I plan to.

[thirty-two] what are you thinking about right now?
kissing my boyfriend in the rain (hey, I'm just being honest)

[thirty-three] what should you be doing?
nothing really. oh....maybe cleaning my room. my mother is coming home tomorrow after all.

[thirty-four] who was the last person that made you upset/angry?
not talking about it

[thirty-five] how often do you pray?

not as much as I want to, but I usually pray little prayers throughout my day

[thirty-six] do you like working in the yard?
not really

[thirty-seven] if you could have any last name in the world, what would you want?
hmmmm.... how bout... jonas? haha.... j/k I'm not that immature! At least I didn't say cullen. *groans with frustation at every annoying person who won't stop talking about twilight*

[thirty-eight] do you act differently around the person you like?
I don't think so

[thirty-nine] what is your natural hair color?
blonde

[forty] who was the last person to make you cry?
don't remember

for you...

2008-12-09T01:26:00.001+13:00

Dear Dahvede,

Two years ago tonight I was anxiously awaiting your arrival home. I was so nervous. I had no idea what to expect and I don't think I ever could have imagined where we are now. After two years we have seen and experienced so much. We have been apart for more than half of that time and although it was difficult, I know it made us into the couple we are now. I wouldn't change that.
We've both gone through 2 international moves, first years of university, being on our own, being together, lots of being apart, hundreds of emails, chats, and phone calls. All in the last 2 years. I can't wait to see what the next two may hold!

Babe, you're amazing. You are my best friend in the world, who I can tell absolutely everything to. You are the best listener and you value my thoughts and opinions. I am so proud of you and of all you have come through and accomplished in the past two years. You're handsome. Let face facts... you're flippin' gorgeous! But I don't just appreciate that about you. I love that you love to talk. I love that you love to listen. I love that you let me vent and don't (always) try to fix the problem. I love your heart for God. I love the passion you have for people and for your country (and mine). I can't wait to see what your vision is going to develop into.

All of this to say, thank you for sticking with me over these last crazy two years. Can't wait to see what the next two hold!

Your Girl,

Havalah

**Click for larger photo**

*One Year Anniversary*

Weekend.... Away?

2008-12-08T19:51:00.002+13:00

This last weekend, my good friend/weightloss partner/fellow cook and decided we wanted to get away. We had plans to go to a great tourist spot a few hours south of here and camp for a few days, but being a little pinched for cash, we decided to rock the cheap version.

Ladies and Gentlemen, we camped in my backyard. Yeah, that is something you do when you're any age between 6 and 14, but we did it. I never really got to when I was younger cause it scared me, and who cares? We had so much fun! We did a day road trip to my old town and hit the GORGEOUS beach! We went swimming, and we tanned, and we drove and it was great!

We also watched Gone with the wind, and went out on the town and shopped. It was such a fun weekend that I would love to do again! If you never got to camp in the back yard as a kid, I strongly suggest it. Except for you Northern Hemisphere people who are in multiple feet of snow. That's not such a good idea right now!

time for WI

2008-12-04T20:57:00.004+13:00

Dun da da da!!!!

157!!!!

That's a loss of 3lbs! And I ate every single one of my flex points this week! A three pound loss after thanksgiving! yeah baby!

And I fit into another pair of Jeans that I bought.... before I even got to school last August. WOOO HOOOO! They aren't completely comfortable yet, but they button! i'll take the little highlight along the way!

Thanks for reading along!

yet another....

2008-12-03T15:58:00.003+13:00

NSV!!!! (non-scale victory)

It's not WI day yet but I couldn't help but want to blog about this one!

Most of the weight I'm wanting to get rid of is that which I gained within the last year. Looking back at Christmas 07, I was upset with my weight then, but I realize now, I didn't look so bad. There's multiple photos of me wearing my favorite size 6 American Eagle Jeans. They fit perfectly. They were snug, without being uncomfortable or giving me "Muffin Top." That's where your tummy bulges over your Jeans and your waist is given the look of a muffin with the top spilling out over. Yummy when it comes to muffins, but very unapealing when it comes your body. By mid January, I had been back to school and eating Cafeteria food for a week or ten days. It had been enough. Whether it had to do with the high stress of my nephew being at risk (read his story here) or just the stresses of school starting again, I gained a few pounds and stopped fitting my jeans. They were uncomfortable. They didn't look good anymore, and then the day came that I couldn't button them. I tried a crash diet (I hate you South Beach), and dropped a few pounds, but couldn't keep it up. I never fit back into them and it's been at least 11 months since I wore those Jeans. They are my mini-goal jeans. I'm going out and buying new stuff when I hit these goals. It's so exciting for me to fit back in my semi-skinny jeans!

A few weeks back I tried them on. They were certainly uncomfortable, and although i couldn't button them, I pulled the hair-tie/pregnancy trick and wore them for an afternoon with a shirt-dress over them so you couldn't tell that they still defineately didn't fit. After that they got put back in the drawer and ignored for a while. The discomfort wasn't worth it.

This morning, I decided to risk my self-esteem and try them on again.

THEY FIT!!!! I can button them! ok, so I still opted for the hair tie trick, as they were more comfortable that way, but ladies and gentlemen, I got them on! I love them more than i ever have and they look fantastic!!! WOOO HOOOOO!!!!!!

Thanks for reading the whole story and for supporting me through this journey! Love you guys!

four little men....

2008-12-03T10:01:00.002+13:00

... and twins!!!

I love this blog! I started reading her a little while ago, mostly because I LOVE looking at pictures of her little girls!!! She's doing a blogger giveaway and I get an extra entry if I blog about her site! So go check her out!!!

Not Me! Monday

2008-12-01T22:33:00.003+13:00

This is not my first time participating in Not Me! Monday and I'm not worried that I might be awful at it, but here it goes!

I did not get embarressed today when someone got in my messy car. I am not ashamed that I have not cleaned up the popcorn Oshee dumped on my back seat several weeks ago! I do not have multiple empty starbucks cups floating around in my front and back seats.

I have not forgotten to turn off my lamp several times this week when going to bed. I have no woken up any time between 4 and 8am realizing I left said light on. It has nothing to do with me reading until I fall asleep with my book in bed with me. I am not and will never be called a "bookworm." I do not have a bumper sticker on facebook proclaiming my love for books.

I did not make a trip to the grocery store tonight for mustard, BBQ sauce, and Coke Zero. I do not have any random WW cravings. Never.

I did not put off doing the dinner dishes until 11pm tonight. I did not spend 3 hours making a single card. I did not almost throw said card away because I didn't like it. I didn't manage to save it.

I did not have a midnight snack of tomatoes, broccoli and bell peppers. I did not dip said snack in Mustard (Italian Dressing for the Broccoli). Nope. Not me.

I do not ever wonder if my sisters pregnancy cravings are rubbing off on me.

I never ever put off going to bed. I especially never do so because I don't like going to bed last and staying up hours later than everyone else makes that better somehow. It also has nothing to do with the Scrapbooking mess I may or may not have created in the last 4-5 hours, and my lack of wanting to clean it and deal with it.

I am not going to get off of my computer now, turn it off, clean up my mess, get ready for bed and go to my room. I will then absolutely not read my murder/mystery/romance novel not mentioned above for at least an hour before trying to go to sleep. I will not leave my light on again.

~~~~

thanks for reading! head over to MyCharmingKids to join in the fun!

Blogger Award Nominations

2008-11-30T20:35:00.003+13:00

I was very excited to recieve my first Blogger Award a few days ago from Nathan over at Road to Recovery! The award is for "Real Blogs. Real People." This blog is pretty real for me. I'm not a great writer, sometimes I ramble, sometimes I vent but a lot of the time, I'm pretty quiet. I like that I can do/say what I want and not be to fussed about it.

So thanks Nathan!

Here's the rules for the award.

The rules are listed below to nominate another blogger:

The Rules:
1. Please put the logo in your blog
2. Place a link from the person, from whom you received the award
3. Nominate at least 7 or more
4. Put the links of those on your blog
5. Leave a message on their blog to let them know

The people that I am going to nominate are:

Dot at Words Like Silent Raindrops Fell

She's my cousin and one of my favorite people ever. We grew up across the ocean from each other, but we pick up where we left off, everytime we see each other! I love her to death! She's an awesome writer and an incredible actress, having played Beatrice in Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. Amazing! Go visit her! Leave her a comment saying hi!

Susie at Be Strong and Courageous

Susie is my big sister! I live with her and her husband and their little girl Oshee. Her blog was started for my nephew, Joshua Matthew, who was born with an encephalocele. He spent 67 precious days on this earth, and was promoted home on March 15. Go check out her blog, and read Joshua's story. It is truly amazing!

Dahvede at Thoughts of Late

He's my boyfriend. :) I like him a lot. His blog is a place where he can update friends and family back home about his travels, and happenings in ministry. He's a missionary with YWAM and is staffing DTS. Miss you, Babe! Can't wait to see you soon!

Melody at A Single Mom's Search for the Ocean

Another Sister :) Melody is mommy to my little nephew Jacob and she's great at it! I love reading her blog because it gives me glimps into her life and keeps me up to date (especially with JD constantly growing!) when we're so bad with regular communication! Love ya Mel!

Aline at a journey in New Zealand

My dear friend who convinced me to start WW! She's such an encouragement to me! She didn't lose at all the first month that she did WW but she stuck with it!!!! Such an incredible girl! She took over my job when I left the ship!

Christina at Taylor Family Adventures!!!

Christina married my old youth pastor a few years ago and moved back to NZ with him for a year. This was just as I was coming back to NZ after a year and I was really missing the States. I loved having Christina living just down the street from me, and I loved spending time with her as all three of my big sisters were in the USA. She has two adorable little boys and writes about life with them as stay at home mommy! I love to read her blog and hear (and see) how the boys grow! Love you Christina! Thanks for all your encourgement on my weightloss journey!

Nathan at ROAD TO RECOVERY

Thanks for the nomination Nathan! Nathan was the first WW blogging friend I found and it's encouraging to read his story and hear how things are going! He's real and talks about the ups and downs of his weightloss journey! Keep up the good work, Nathan!

Congrats everybody!

YAY FOR NSV'S!!!

2008-11-30T20:16:00.002+13:00

Hey all! just a quick little note about a great NSV I had today! I was in the grocery store today, and I was quickly walking down an aisle (trying to find a bathroom actually) and just as I walked past this one guy I clearly heard him whistle at me.

Normally, I hate that kind of thing, and today was no different until I was thinking about it later. He didn't whistle because he liked my shoes. He thought I was hot! Still not a fan of whistles, but it was a nice boost to the confidence!

dun dun dun.... time for Weigh In!

2008-11-27T17:29:00.004+13:00

*I thought I posted this several days ago.... oops*

Well, I am a little sad to report that my WI this week resulted in me gaining 1lb. It's not that bad, but it's not a loss so I'm a little disapointed. Still, I think I know why I didn't lose and there's no one to blame but me. Tomorrow is another day, and although I am going to enjoy my thanksgiving dinner tonight, I'm not going to be ridiculous. Tomorrow I will be starting fresh. Forgetting yesterday and striving forward.

In other news... I did my measurements. I will not be posting exact numbers, but I will say that I have lost 1 1/4 inches all together. Not as much as I thought, but I didn't measure my tummy, or my legs and those are target areas for me, that I know I have lost from.

Anyways, that's all from me!

A promise

2008-11-25T13:50:00.003+13:00

I am blogging this to make myself do it.

Tomorrow is my WI day. I think it's been a pretty good week, and I am pretty confident that I will have lost again. However, tomorrow will not be like any other WI day, because tomorrow my sister, Susie will be helping me take my measurements. I took them right before I started WW because I had to order my bridesmaids dress for my other sisters wedding. I am very excited to see what the change is. I've lost 11lbs, but for me, a lot of my motivation comes from looking better and fitting things better.

So that is my promise. Tomorrow, you will not only be hearing my new weight, but you will also be hearing my measurements!

*fingers crossed* here's to another NSV!

Happy Blogging!

A fun adventure from the weekend

2008-11-21T18:34:00.000+13:00

While Dahvede was in town, we were blessed to have a lot of time to spend together. More time than we probably ever had during DTS. Anyways, I was so excited to be able to have several dates with Dahvede, and I thought I'd share bits of one of them with you all :)

Having skipped church on Sunday to sleep in, I came over just after lunch to see Dahvede at the ship. I got somewhat dressed up, and put on my cute shoes and everything. Well, about 5 minutes after I got there, Dahvede suggested going to the mount for a hike. My house was about a 10 minute drive back in the opposite direction. Thankfully one of the students (my good friend Heather) had some extra socks and shoes she let me borrow and Dahvede lent me an A-shirt.

It was a beautiful day for a hike (as you can see above). We took a different route up the mount, so we were actually able to circle the whole thing, seeing the harbour from every angle. It was a really great time. I thought I might not make it all the way up, but Dahvede was wonderful and stuck with me, encouraging me and even at times coming along behind me and pushing me. We made it up and it was SO worth it! I hope we can do the hike again at Christmas when he's home :)

I'm putting off going to bed

2008-11-21T00:00:00.002+13:00

1. What is your funniest childhood story?

hmm.... when I was 11 or 12 (not quite childhood, but funny) I was attempting to flirt with my crush.... while teaching sunday school (very small church + Pastors kid = sunday school teacher *cough*glorifiedbabysitter*cough*). He was teasing me.... as 12 year boys who like girls do, and I picked up the shoe of one of the kids - a visitor - and tossed it at him. My aim is terrible. It hit him in the face and his nose started bleeding. Embaressing at the time, but kinda funny now.

2. What would your dream dress look like if you could design it?

Hmm.... I really have no idea. Right now I really would love it if I could wear a strapless Maxi.... Someday soon maybe!

3. What weird habit does your hubby/boyfriend have?

I can't think of one at the momet. Weird. Um.....

4. How many cookbooks are in your kitchen? 5 or so that are my sisters. I just got 4 or 5 more from the library today though :)

5. Granny panties or loyal Victoria Secret girl? well, somewhere inbetween I guess

6. My favorite memory from 2008 so far is...

Having the WHOLE family in NZ for Mum and Dad's 25th Anniversary Celebration - Surprising mum and dad was pretty awesome too :)

7. I secretly...

.... if I told you it wouldn't be a secret! On a less serious note, I could totally go for a pita and some hummus right now!

8. I could really go for...

A good long cuddle with Dahvede (who cares if he's only been gone 2 days... I miss him).

9. We are going to have a big snow storm and you will find me...

Jumping up and down and running to get warm clothes on! or, sitting by the window with a blanket and cup of hot tea enjoying the beauty of it.

10. I knew he was the one...

I'm skipping this one for right now.

WI and a little confusion!

2008-11-20T11:57:00.003+13:00

This morning when I stepped on the scale I was shocked to see another loss! I WI at home, so I actually stepped on and off the scale several times because each time it's different. I fought the urge to take the smallest number, and have averaged them out (roughly) and have come up with another 2lb loss! Putting me in the 150's, just 6lbs from my 10% goal, and 9lbs away from a healthy BMI! YAY!!!

There was a little bit of a downer though, when the link popped up on my online tracker to recalculate my points. When I dropped below 170, I lost one point, and I figured I would have the same thing happen this time. Well to my shock, I dropped 3 POINTS! I didn't think I would drop so much at once, and although I know I can do it, I'm not too thrilled.

I have to keep remembering that I am comfortably wearing clothes that a month ago I couldn't get buttoned and was nearly in pain trying to wear. It's all worth it! It will be so worth it to be able to stand up next to my Sister in February as her Maid of Honour and feel good about myself, and know i won't hate the pictures for years to come!

I'm excited again! Thanks for being my silent cheerleaders, and letting me vent for a minute!

I'm off to the beach today! I have a date with Jesus!

WW weigh in a couple of days late

2008-11-13T19:40:00.002+13:00

I am happy to report that I managed to lose..... 4 more pounds this week!!!!! That brings my total weightloss up to 9 lbs! I almost reached my goal to lose 10 lbs while the DTS was gone. They get back tomorrow which I CAN'T WAIT FOR!!!! Dahvede and I have had very limited contact the last few weeks and I am soooo looking forward to having him back in town for a few days!! You won't hear much from me this weekend cause i'll probably be pretty exclusivly on the ship. Have a great weekend!!

New Blog title and gadgets

2008-11-12T16:56:00.002+13:00

Hey there!

So I was mentioning to my Sister that I didn't like my blog title (at all) and I wanted to change it. She suggested this, and I like it. I have an abnormal name and I have always had to repeat/spell/pronounce/etc for people. It's quite fitting for me.

Also check out my new header... nothing special but at least there's a picture.

My weight tracker is on my side bar. I may not always blog about my progress, but I will update that.

Happy blogging!

Update on WW

2008-11-11T20:24:00.002+13:00

I haven't been great about updating on my WW progress, but this is worthy an update.

Last friday (I know.... i'm way behind) I stepped on the scale and was elated to read 165!

I've reached my first mini Goal!!!!! 5 pounds in 3 weeks isn't amazing, but it's loss. It's healthy, and it's something I can stick with! WOOO HOOOO!!!!

Please Pray

2008-11-06T11:47:00.004+13:00

I just got a call from the Marine Reach office (from Susie), and they have heard from the Solomon Islands team, and three of the girls have Malaria. We know two names, but not the third. I'll update again when I find out who that is. Meanwhile please be praying for the girls and they're leaders and the rest of the team. Dahvede is co-leading this team, so it has a special place in my heart, as well as one of the girls being a very good friend of mine.

Thanks!

Here's a picture of the team!

Heike is knealing in the front with the green striped sweater, Heather is standing on the far right in the white shirt and black dress. The third girl is one of the others. Not sure yet. Thanks for your prayers!

Old School

2008-10-25T14:42:00.003+13:00

Pastor Ryan over at This Is REVERB is going Old School this weekend and I decided to join in the fun. The challenge was to post pictures of some Old School stuff you have around the house. For me that's a struggle. Being the traveling MK that I am, there's not too many things that are kept around for nostalgia's sake. That said, this is most of the content from my one "special" box.

These dolls are over ten years old now, and have been well loved. The far set, is a gift from my 9th Birthday, from another traveling MK from Russia. Three of the dolls have chips in thier paint right on the face, which is sad, but I still love those dolls. The front set is also a gift from my 9th birthday. My big sister went on her first mission trip to Hungary and she happened to be gone for my birthday, so she brought me a gift from Budapest to make up for it. They too have been well loved and the largest doll has teeth marks from when I left them out and my Dog, Coal had a bit of a chomp on them.

This is my one and only Precious Moments figurine. My parents got this for me... for one of the Christmas's. I think I was 8 or 9. I have always loved Precious Moments and they wanted to get me something special.

After that gift, a pattern was started and I started collecting that particular figurine. I found this blanket fabric while shopping for blankets makings for my friends new baby.

It came with these... Again, more of the same picture (on the left). My mom agreed to get them for me, helped me finish making them and we set them aside for my first baby someday.

This is the top to the first outfit I made. My mom grew up sewing and she taught all of us girls when we were little. I think I was 9 almost 10 when I finished this one. I had LOTS of help.

This photo and frame is the oldest thing I still carry with me. The little one is me, believe it or not. It was a gift from Rommy, the same girl that got me into Precious Moments (also the one whose babies I was making the blankets for). I was her flower girl when I five. I've carried this photo with me ever since.

And thus concludes my "Old School" Exhibit! Hope you enjoyed it!

Progress Report

2008-10-24T00:10:00.003+13:00

About 30 minutes ago I made myself a cup of sugar-free hot chocolate and sat down with my daily piece of toast to blog about my journey so far. I get distracted easily. Keep all shiny things far from me. Please.

Anyways, being somewhat serious. The last few days have been going ok. I moved home on Tuesday. I'm not sure if i find it easier to keep my diet here or not. I got to cook dinner for just me tonight. MMM! I loved it! Cooking that is. I tried sweet potato fries and some oven fries. They were pretty yummy but I gotta figure out the seasoning/cooking a little more next time. I also had some sauteed veggies with my grilled chicken. It was yummy. Fresh asparagus, carrots, mushroom, onion, capsicum (bell pepper). It was really nice. A little sad to sit in front of TV by myself though. I don't like eating alone. It's not fun.

I did go for a nice walk before dinner. It felt a lot longer than it actually was, but I'm working myself up. I found a nice circuit that works well for now. I want to work myself up to running but i'm not quite there yet. I also did some pilates after dinner. Again, felt a lot longer than it was, but I have to start somewhere. I want to start biking as well, but I wasn't feeling it today. Mostly because my hair wasn't gonna fit in the helmet as it was and I just wanted to get out the door and not mess around anymore.

There's my story for today. The last few days have actually been going pretty well, but i'm excited to start exersizing more regularly.

A quiet ship

2008-10-23T20:00:00.002+13:00

The last few days before the DTS left a lot of the crew were talking about how nice it would be when the ship was quiet. It always funny to see the differences in peoples opinions based on where they are in life. I remember being at that stage a couple times. For me it was after I'd been around DTS for 2 years. I love DTS and I always loved the students, but DTS got very tiring to be around and I got to the point that I was happy for the peace and quiet. Happy to not clean as much. To not fight for hot showers and to just have more space.

This time around was so different. I was so ready to be done cooking. I was tired of it. I greatly respect those who came before me and did it 3-4 times as long as me. But I was not ready for the DTS to leave. I guess it all depends on where your priorities are. A year (and a bit) ago, I was ready to leave for uni. I wanted the students to leave because then it meant less time until I got to fly away across the ocean. It meant that much less time until I saw Dahvede. I just find it interesting to see people who are fairly new to the ship all excited for the students to leave. I actually struggled with being offended that people were looking forward to them leaving. I have to remind myself sometimes that they don't all have boyfriends on the team... hmm... that might have something to do with it I spose.

Have I mentioned that I miss my boyfriend?

A step in the right direction....

2008-10-20T13:58:00.002+13:00

A few months back, I took the dreaded steps onto the doctors scale. I was devestateted to read the result. 77.7 kilos. That's about 170 lbs. My stomach, heart, and confidence dropped to the floor. I felt terrible. I felt like bursting into tears in the middle of the doctors office. I had no idea how I'd managed to gain so much weight. I remember my top weight being 143lbs before I started a diet with my parents. I know that compared to a lot of people, my story really isn't so bad, and I'm fine with that but I am over feeling tired and unable to exersize. I am not giving excuses anymore. I'm doing something about it.

Last friday (?), I joined Weight Watchers. It's incredibly humbling for me to say that. I struggle with admitting it. To be completely honest, a lot of the people I live with don't know. I don't want them to. I'm a little embarresed and I really don't want everyone putting their two cents in about my weight.

I do however want the accountability of this site. I want to be able to talk about what is hard, the progress I'm making and things I've found that work for me. You don't have to read if you don't want to, but I'm doing this. I'm determined.

Genius, Playlists, Smoothies and adventures!

2008-10-06T20:29:00.005+13:00

I really do enjoy blogging. I know it's a rarity that I actually remember to, but it really is something I enjoy. Well, I don't have anything profound to share, but i'm ok with that. This blog is mine and I get to do what I want with it. And that is share pictures. I love pictures. You can catch so many memories and emotions with one simple click of the camera. I just wish I took better ones. But that's a blog for a different day.

My crazy friend Mercy gave me a really good idea the other day. She has a playlist that she plays especially when she is blogging. I thought it was really cool and a great idea. Unfortunately, I'm not feeling very creative tonight so trying to make a playlist wasn't gonna happen. Instead, I found one song I liked and would blog to (perhaps harder than making a whole list), and clicked the delightful "Genius" button in my iTunes. I love it! Suddenly I have a fabulous playlist with fun and mellow songs that keep me happy but somewhat concentrated.

Ok, so the pictures... The first is a photo from two weekends ago. Dahvede was in the wedding of our Captain and Purser, Jeremy and Lori S. They are precious. I'm so happy for them! They get back from their honeymoon tomorrow and it'll be great to see them! Anyways, The picture was at the wedding with Dahvede in his Sailors uniform... Mmm hmmmmm! Hehe. Our great friends Rob and Tanya were there and Tanya took this picutre of us. It's nice to have some good couple shots again. It's been a while!

This shot is one Dahvede took of me at the Luge in Rotorua. He got the weekend off so we drove down to Taupo and found a great little backpackers to stay at. It had a spa and we watched the Office and did nothing. It was great! On the way home we stopped at the Luge, the same place we visited with our friend Helen, two years earlier and he took this picture of me. Isn't my helmet AWESOME?!?! Haha.

My favorite picture though, is this one!

:) I like him. That's all.

Auntie's bliss

2008-09-29T10:01:00.004+13:00

I am so excited to announce that my dear oldest sister Susie is pregnant!!! WOOO HOOOO!!!! I love being an aunt... have i mentioned that before? I'm so excited to be looking forward to another little one in the family! I'm also excited to be around to watch her grow and to be here for the baby's birth. With Oceana, we found out Susie was pregnant just a week after we'd flown back to NZ and I missed her birth by a day or two. With Joshua, I was in Fiji when I found out and flew straight to the USA. I had decided very early on that I wouldn't come home for Christmas, and when I found out there were complications, I still couldn't afford to fly home to see him. So again, I completely missed everything.

I am completely exstatic that I will be here, in New Zealand and living with them for when the baby comes. Thank you Jesus!

ps - please be praying that Susie has a happy, and uncomplicated pregnancy!

Adventures to Hobbiton

2008-09-18T23:00:00.003+12:00

Dahvede gets one "day off" each week while staffing DTS. Sometimes he wants to do something together and sometimes he prefers to "hermit" somewhere by himself. Last weekend, he decided he wanted company so we started to plan what we could that would be interesting. We landed on going over the mountain to Matamata, where they filmed Hobbiton in LOTR! We knew we wouldn't do the tour, but we thought it would be fun anyways. After a few hurdles we finally got out for the day. We got to town and wandered around for a bit, had lunch and picked out silly presents for each other at the $2 store! (fun date btw)

There wasn't much else to see so we headed out to the Wairere Falls to go for a hike.

Yes, I said Hike. I am not much of the athletic type. At all. I have been trying more lately, but I still find it a real struggle and when I have to stop several times in a hike to sit down because I'm so winded... it's not very encouraging and I prefer to give up! I didn't though and eventually Dahvede and I got to the look out to see this:

Maybe someday we'll venture the rest of the way up! We only made it to the lookout. The top is another 45 minute hike (yes... 45 minutes is a huge deal to me!)

Althought we tried (only once, but give me a break!) to get pictures of the two of us, they didn't come out so awesome, but I liked this one I took of our feet. This was at the top of the lookout. It was a lot of fun to challenge each other (ok, so I mostly needed that), and to conquer it together. :)

And this picture? This is just a shot I got along the way. When I got it home and onto my computer I was surprised at how much I liked the way it came out. I did however have to show it to Susie before I dared put it up. She knows far more about these things than I do :) Bless her heart.

Ok, enough out of me for the night. I'm off to finish my Galley-er duties! I'm excited... can't you tell?

At least I don't have to make the milk. But that's a post for tomorrow.

My Galley

2008-09-12T19:29:00.003+12:00

So I decided that I should introduce you to the lovely land that I spend my days in!

This is my galley! :) Rather, this is one of the work bences I have. They are very limited. But you see that blessed machine in the back corner? That is my new favorite toy! AK!!! I got to make up my "wish list" for the galley and that was the top of the list! WOOO HOOOO!!! It's awesome! It's a food processor and a blender and food mill! I love it!

These are some of my darling volunteers doing the dinner dishes. Dishes for 35 people is no easy task! But look! They both have smiles (even though Duncan had just hit his head on the door to the galley - this ship is not made for tall people!)!

First of all, the girl in this picture with me is Heather. She's a fellow MK and I love her to death. Her big sis had my job before I came.

Second of all, and the entire reason for this photo, was for the apron. Oh, how I love this apron. Everyone does. It has pockets on it and it's yellow and it says "Kansas" on it! We have two guys from Kansas that work on the ship so they LOVE that it is around. It's the only fun apron so it's my favorite to wear. There's not much too fun about a plain old previously white but now very stained and gray apron.

This is Mercy. She was taking the photos but refused to allow me to take one of her. She said I could post this one though :) Go stop by her site and leave a comment!

Lazy Sunday

2008-09-07T15:38:00.002+12:00

As I sit here with my feet up, I am pleased to report that I have successfully done nothing today. That's right. N-O-T-H-I-N-G. It's really quite fantastic. Ok, not quite nothing because I did get up and shower and dress (nicely) and go to church. When I got home I made my menu for the week and started the shopping list and even the wish list for the galley (ps - when it's on a ship, a kitchen is actually a "galley"). I totally want one of these! I always have. I told my little brother that I wanted him to get me one when I got married (I told him this like 6 years ago). It is my dream. Ok, not quite, but I totally would use it a hundred times a day. Maybe 10 times. Well, probably at least once a day.

.....

anyways!

I hope I get it. I also have a strong love for big chef's knives. Like the one Pioneer Woman uses. Her's makes my heart sing.

But back to my day. I did do my laundry cause I don't have enough space in my closet to keep it contained in, so I had to hang it out but my lovely Mummy helped me with that. Oh yeah, I hate hanging out laundry. With a passion. UGH! I love my dryer sheets. I know I know, hurting the environment, but when you have to put three to four pegs on every item you hang up because otherwise the fishies will be wearing it.... yeah. Try it. Then talk to me. I'm learning to hate laundry more than doing dishes. And that's saying something.

But now I am enjoying sitting in the lounge with my darling laptop and my feet up on a stool (I really could use a pair of socks. BRRR!!!!) and my Starbucks Thermos filled with hot Green tea with Lemon and Ginger. MMM. Actually it's too hot to drink yet, but I'm still excited for it. I am all bundled up with a hoodie and my baggy clothes. I'm feeling especially needy right now so I'm getting my Afgan when i'm at my Sister's house tonight. The thing with living on this ship is you often feel like you live in a tin can. Rather chilly.

Well, I feel as though I have bored you for long enough. So I shall bid you farewell.

Oh how I love substitutions...

2008-09-02T10:14:00.002+12:00

I live and work on a ship. I cook for 35 people everyday. I don't have my own car. So, when I am in the middle of a meal or some sort of preparation and I realize I don't have an ingredient, I just have to make do most of the time. For example, say the recipe calls for buttermilk. Unless you're like Pioneer Woman and just have the stuff lying around (she doesn't even have it all the time), you can use 1 cup of milk and 1 Tbsp of Vinegar. YAY Substitutions!

This morning I went to find the recipe I planned to use online. I discovered it called for plain yogurt. AK! I don't have any! And I have no time to go get any! So on to Google I go. Substitution for yogurt.....

Sour Cream

or...

Milk with 1 Tbsp Lemon Juice ( i think it has the same effect as vinegar)

or...

Buttermilk (again milk and vinegar)

With that, I will leave you because there is food to be cooked. And my apologies to Dahvede because this post will absolutely bore you to death. :)

Check it out!

2008-08-29T01:22:00.001+12:00

The ministry I'm working for (cooking for) was featured on the midnight news tonight. You should check it out!

http://tvnz.co.nz/view/video_popup_windows_skin/2044020

That's my Dad being interviewed. Isn't he a cutie?

A Precious Memory

2008-08-26T11:40:00.001+12:00

For the last two months, Susie and I have been planning a 25th Wedding Anniversary Party for our Parents. They were in Samoa on the day of their Anniversary and were not actually able to do anything special. We were able to surprise them and have our two sisters fly in from the South Island and from the States. If you want the full story on that one, head over to Susie's Blog.

The weekend went great, as did the party on Sunday. I realized something after Mom arrived and when I was looking back through the pictures this morning, I knew I had to share the story.

My Great-Grandmother on my Mom's side had an engagement ring with 5 (yes, 5) opals in it. When she got older, she decided that she wanted to have the ring broken down and made into 5 seperate rings and give them to her 5 grand daughters. I've always known the story about the rings and knew that my mom haad one of them. It always stayed locked up in fireproof box we owned, ever to actually be worn by mom.

Except once.

She wore her Opal ring on her wedding day. She said she had always struggled with her lefts and rights, so when she got her engagement ring it made life a lot easier. Well, on her wedding day she had to think which hand to give my Dad because they both had rings on them. I think it's kinda funny.

Anyways, so for the first time in 25 years, she wore her Opal ring out. I think it's quite fitting and a very special memory. I think it would be nice to have a piece of Jewelry that you only wear on your wedding anniversary. Something special that you get to look forward to.

Melody also lent her the opal necklace she has to match the ring for the special night.

10 things I hate about you….

2008-08-15T16:31:00.000+12:00

I’ve had an interesting day. Which will be clear to you if you just read my last blog. Yikes.

I was thinking while trying to deep “boil” my fried dough about all the dumb things that happened to me today. And since I have nothing else to do, I’ll blog about it.

1) I burnt my finger. I went to pull the mince and cheese pie out of the oven and I forgot the oven mits I was using were USELESS and burnt my finger before dropping the seemingly 30 pound tray on the stove. Yes, it still hurts.

2) I had to go grocery shopping again, even though I shopped for the whole week on Monday. Grr!

3) Got Starbucks out of the deal so all is well again.

4) Put dinner out a half hour late because the blasted potatoes took FOREVER!

5) Tried to boil (in water) fried dough. I understand that no part of that statement makes sense. Please leave me alone.

6) Burnt my tongue because I forgot to put milk in my tea before drinking it.

7) Hated the internet connection for not working tonight.

8) Almost pulled a pot of burning hot oil down on myself. (again, the stupid fried dough)

9) Watched the clock like a hawk waiting for Dahvede to get back from Small groups.

10) Blogged about it.

I’m all alone.... There's no one here beside me!

2008-08-15T16:28:00.001+12:00

So it’s small group night. For those of you who don’t live inside the delightful life that is YWAM, small groups are where you are split up in to… you guessed it! SMALL GROUPS! WHHHOOOOO HHHHOOOOO! Ok, anyways, you usually go out and do something fun and talk and fellowship and it’s a cool group of people who you can trust and can trust you and it’s great. WELL! I am not in the DTS so I am not in the small group crowd. I am left to my own devices this evening. Not so bad except there’s a group meeting where the TV is so no Olympics for me and the internet is down (I’m writing this offline and will post it when I can). Hmm… I borrowed DVD’s from Dahvede but I don’t’ feel like watching a movie by myself in a dark room. So instead I sent my delightful sister Susie a text asking her to find the recipe for fried dough and send it to me. Bad Idea. Oh well. It was a night of experimentation.

Started out ok. Found all the ingredients, no problem. Made up the dough, no problem. Got out a frying pan to start frying my creation, no problem. Big problem. Don’t try to shallow fry if you’re not supposed to. I put my burner on high cause my sister said “boil”. This is txt language mind you so Lord only knows what that really means. After burning the first one, I turned the heat WAY down and tried again. Still cooked way too fast without actually cooking the inside of it. Grrrr. So I took the frying pan off and tried a saucepan. Again, because it said “boil” I turned it to high and tried again. Again. Big Mistake! Burnt my dough in no time, still, not cooking the middle.

Then came the worst part. I know it doesn’t make sense, but please don’t judge me. I was misled.

I thought, “Maybe when she said “boil” she really actually meant with water.”

Stop judging me. I told you you’re not allowed to.

STOP IT! I mean it!

And stop laughing at me. Not that I mind, I'm used to it, but your family/child/significant other thinks you’re crazy!

So I tried it with boiling water.

After the dough doubled in size I figured that wasn’t what she meant and I reminded myself that in order for fried dough to be fried dough it had to be fried in some aspect.

So out went the water and back in went the oil. Oy. After texting back and forth with Susie it finally got communicated that by “boil” she really meant, cook with oil over very low heat. Exactly what I think when I see the word “boil”. Not.

So after a half hour of desperately trying to figure this thing out, I figured out what to do and the fried dough made it out of the oil, into the cinnamon sugar and onto my plate. I did however put too much cinnamon on them, therefore making most of them almost impossible to eat so they sit on the coffee table in front of me only half eaten.

Don’t judge me.

Am I alone?

2008-08-13T11:51:00.002+12:00

When I got back to NZ a few months ago, my sister got me into reading more and more blogs all the time (I used to just read hers and Dahvede's). She also put me onto Google Reader. It's fantastic since I'm a chronic blog checker and it saves me from going to 10-15 different blogs 5 times a day. Anyways, my point is this:

I read my blogs in a very particular order. They appear on my reader in alphabetical order, but that is never how I read them. I have to work my way up. I start with the ones that are sometimes kinda "meh" (the ones I need to delete but haven't gotten to it yet). Then I move onto the read the interesting inbetween ones. Things like Pioneer Woman and American Mum. Then I finally get to my favorites. I love love love Sgt and Mrs Hub and I am so happy to have my sister back blogging again because hers will ALWAYS be my favorite. And of course, Dahvede is always in the top two of reading orders.

So anyways, am I the only one who does this? Or am I just crazy? Well, I know I'm crazy, please don't rub it in. I want to know if I'm the only one though?

On another note, I don't remember. Oh, yes I do! I love the Olympics! I could watch for hours. Unfortunately, at midnight last night when I was finally heading to bed, soccer came on. Usually easy to pass up. But....*Gasp* it was NZ vs. USA. *sob* Good-bye Sleep, you were a nice idea! I had to watch at least part of it. I finally gave up after an hour and went to sleep knowing I had to be up at 6:30. Ouch. It's ok. My coffee and I are doing just fine.

IT'S HERE!!!!

2008-08-10T20:35:00.002+12:00

The Olympics.

They're on.

I am thrilled.

I love The Olympics.

And we have special permission to watch them.

Oh Baby.

She's back! She back! She's back!

2008-08-10T19:32:00.003+12:00

My sister has been in Samoa for two weeks and I haven't heard anything from her, or been able to read her blog for two whole weeks! I missed her! I haven't actually seen her, and won't for another two weeks, but I can't wait.

Now I can call her and beg for cooking tips! WWWOOOOOO HHHOOOOOOO!!!!

I love you, Susie! I missed you SOOOO MUCH!

it's coming

2008-08-08T19:18:00.002+12:00

I decided tonight that I was going to blog. But then I lost motivation. Seriously how could anyone blog when GREASE is on and you've got your boyfriend sitting next to you. So with that... I'll blog again soon!

i give up

2008-08-06T10:45:00.003+12:00

I've been working on a blog for a couple of days now and I just gave up on it.

Here's what happening today....

I've been cooking for about 10 days now. It's not as bad as I thought it would be. Norma, who I was supposed to be assissting is only coming in every two or three days now, so I'm actually in charge of the kitchen and most aspects of the kitchen. I'm learning as I go along and being creative. There are times though, when it would be really handy to know some basic things in the kitchen. For example, last night we had meatballs and mashed potatoes. Norma had helped me plan the menu, and had made the meatballs the day before when she was here. All I had to do was make the spuds, green beans, and heat the meatballs. Well I decided that we really needed gravy with this meal. No big deal right? Any one of those Mommy Bloggers out there could do it with their eyes closed. Like this one! Or this one! Or my darling sister who is out of the country! Hmm... Issue... Not a Mommy Blogger. AK! I'm cooking for 21 people and I don't know how to make gravy. I'm ashamed. Anyways... I decided to do this about 1/2 hour before dinner was supposed to be on. The potatoes were still boiling, the water for the beans hadn't boiled yet, the meatballs had just been put in the oven and I was texting my sister, Cate, to call me and tell me what to do. (Why must my mom and older married sister be out of the country right now?) Thankfully, Cate was available and mostly able to talk (she was grocery shopping). I quickly discovered that she mostly just uses the packaged stuff that you add water to, but she had a better footing in the kitchen so she could tell me what to do. So with my student helper/kitchen slave at my side (who is getting married so we were both learning important things), we tried to watch four things at once. Dahvede walked in about 3 minutes into the ordeal and asked me if I needed something. I quickly shoved my phone in his face and said "Tell me what she tells me to do!" Poor Guy.

Long story still long, we managed to get everything out ok, I learned how to make gravy (and in theory, a white sauce) and nothing burned. So dinner was 2 or 3 minutes late. It tasted good! Nothing is a better ego boost for me than having multiple 18-20 yr old guys tell me dinner was good! I think I'm getting the hang of this thing.

whirlwind events

2008-07-25T10:19:00.004+12:00

Recently, the regional director of Marine Reach (and subsequent director of DTS) approached me and asked if I would willing to work as the cook for the upcoming DTS. At first I told him no way, mostly because I thought he was joking. But then a few weeks later, he asked again. Very seriously this time. I told him I would think/pray about it. I felt pretty confident at first but when I got home and really thought about it, I freaked. I realized all of the responsibilities that would be on me, and I didn't think I would be able to handle it. So I sent word through Dahvede that I couldn't do it. That was the end of that.

Or so I thought.

Yesterday, I went into the office to get a few things photocopied, and just to see everyone and hang out. It's a pretty relaxed office, and I've known everyone there for several years, so showing up to say hi is no big deal. Well, the photocopier was in use at that moment, with about 700 pamphlets needing to be printed, so I made myself a coffee and sat to hang out with Susie. Well before too long, Jesse (the director) came wandering through and asked to talk to me. I jokingly whispered "uh-oh" to Susie as I headed for his office. Thankfully, he did not ask me to be the head cook for the school. He did however, ask me if I would be willing to be an assistant to the cook. "I can do that!" I blurted out. And there I was... with a job!

Granted, it's only for two weeks... but I get to travel three hours from here, to where the school will be held at first, and I won't have to be alone in the house while Matt and Susie are gone.

It may not seem like such a huge deal, but just the night before, I was at a small group for 18-25 yr olds, and the pastor's wife, Amy, sat down and prayed for me, that I would find a good job that I would enjoy. Just over 12 hours later, I have a job!

So with less than 24 hours till I leave for two weeks (and having found out less than 24 hours ago), I am frantically packing, doing laundry, and cleaning. Ok, not quite frantically since I'm blogging about it. But Still. PRAY FOR THE SUN TO STAY OUT! With all four of us leaving for two weeks tomorrow, the washer is going non stop and we're just praying that it all gets dry! YAY!

So with that I shall leave you and attempt to get some stuff finished before lunch. Happy Blogging!

*Disclaimer* NO! I'm not taking both suitcases for two weeks. I tried to use the smaller one (the closed one), but it wasn't gonna fit all of my bedding and such things in it, so I'm using the bigger one instead, and just haven't put the little one away yet.

My week in Pictures

2008-07-24T11:30:00.000+12:00

I know I haven't updated in a long time. I have an excuse. Who finds time to post when you have cuties like Oshee around?

Or a cutie like your Boyfriend around? (Babe, please don't kill me for this picture!)

For the last 3 weeks that Dahvede has been staying with us, he's been sleeping in my room, and I was supposed to be up in Oshee's room with her. However, after about a week of FREEZING to death, and Oshee's sleep habits getting out of whack, I moved downstairs.

Thus, please observe my bed for the past two weeks. Not all bad, I must admit. I was kinda sad last night when I was back in my bed. I wanted to turn into the back of the couch and snuggle in, but I couldn't. Sad day. Anyways, it is nice to have my room back. It's amazing what a door does for your well being.

In other news, it was my birthday yesterday. :) I'm nineteen now. Anyone's thoughts on that one? I find it to be a rather unclimactic, and slightly boring year/age. Ah well. Dahvede actually got to be here for part of my birthday, which meant a ton to me so it was a good day! And my mom even managed to call from Samoa for a few minutes. So all in all... Good day :)

Birthday shot! Waiting for our hot chips for lunch :)

ouch. hello reality.

2008-07-16T22:40:00.003+12:00

Reality paid me a visit tonight. It brought me a big stick. It then proceeded to hit me over the head with it.

You have that moment where that thing you KNEW was gonna happen happens and you realize how unprepared you are? It's like reality comes walking in with a 2-by-4 and hits you over the head with it. It hurts. Doesn't matter how long you knew it was gonna happen, or the fact that you didn't think it would bother you... you're not, and it does. Gr.

Should I decipher the gibberish I've been rambling on about now? Dahvede had his first staff meeting tonight. He came home and informed us (me, matt and susie) that he wouldn't be here for dinner anymore because the staff would be having dinner together. Seems like no big deal, huh? Well it was a step beyond what i had prepared myself for and unfortunately I didn't take it great. Now before you go jumping to conclusions I didn't fly off the handle, start bawling, throw a fit, or some other irrational thing like that... I just got quiet and started thinking. Not always a good move for me.

The reality of this new phase of our relationship hit me. It's starting to sink in finally. It's not all fairy dust and rainbows. There are parts of this I'm not gonna like. But at least it's finally sinking in. Sadly it's the only way it can sink in with me. A 2-by-4. Between the eyes. Ouch.

corrections and happenings

2008-07-15T09:00:00.004+12:00

*note to anonymous.... No, my sister is NOT pregnant! Joshua was born six months ago. What I meant was that she had a baby 5 or 6 months ago and while I am trying to get rid of my "freshman 15", she is trying to lose baby weight.*

It's sad when it's almost 10am and I'm still in my PJ's waking up. Dahvede came and woke me up this morning by plopping Oshee on me. He then left for the Office with Matt. The boys from the office are going golfing this morning so he went early with Matt to join in the festivities. When he gets home, we're watching Oshee for the afternoon while Susie teaches dance, and then heading out on my BIRTHDAY DATE! Yes, my birthday isn't until next week, but Dahvede leaves the day before so he's taking me out now. We're going on the date we never got to have when we first got together. I'm excited!

Well, that's all from me today. I'm gonna try to take pictures today to show you from the date.

Happy Blogging :)

are you ready to pee yourself?

2008-07-12T16:33:00.002+12:00

We got home yesterday to Susie saying she found this INCREDIBLE comedian, and she wouldn't stop quoting him. Anyways, this morning we were breaking the rules and got on youtube to check it out (darn you download limits!!!). I realized I had heard him before, but it was still just as funny!

So if you are lucky and don't have blasted download limits, please check this out! The guy's name is Jeff Dunham. Enjoy!

Home again home again jig-ity jig

2008-07-10T11:17:00.002+12:00

Wow. I didn't realize how long it had been since I had blogged. Dahvede got here a week ago today. I'm a happy happy girl.

The mystery date he took me on was a visit to all the old "Memory spots" of ours in Downtown, followed by lunch at Iguacu. Yay for connections! After that we hit up a park near-by, searched desperately for public toilets, and then headed out to Kelly Tarlton's. I love Kelly Tarlton's. There's one of those awesome underwater tube's like in 50 First Dates. And a fun penguin ride thingy.

*side note* I just looked up and saw my niece putting chapstick on. Problem is it wasn't a tube of chapstick, it was a glue stick. Awesome. *end of side note*

The rest of the day we spent with friends of his parents at their home. After a 4 am start for me and 20 hours of travel and jet lag... Dahvede and I both fell asleep around 8. It was only supposed to be a 20 minute nap. Oh well. An hour later I went and woke him up and we spent the rest of the evening hanging out.

The next day we made some stops at more "memory spots" and my old hometown after breakfast with his cousin, and finally made it home in time for a 4th of July party with friends. My poor sister had been trying to get ahold of me for several hours, but the battery on my phone died so I had no idea. OOPS! I stressed my poor dear sister out so bad!

In other news, the job search continues, it's freezing here, and I need to clean my room. Happy Blogging!

a few days away

2008-07-01T23:38:00.002+12:00

Tomorrow afternoon I leave for Auckland City to pick up Dahvede. It's been just about a month since I left the states, so that's as long as it has been since we've seen each other. Not too bad in the grand scheme of things, but I'm very ready for him to be here again. I'm going up a day early so I don't have to drive up in the middle of the night (yay for 5am flights) and I'm catching up with my old youth pastor. Should be a good time. Once he gets in we're doing "stuff" in Auckland. I have some ideas of what we're doing, but he's keeping a lot of it secret, which I can't say I mind :) We're staying the night with some old friends of his, and then coming back the next day and making a stop in my old hometown for some fun and lunch.

I'm really excited for all the activities coming in the next three days, but mostly just to have Dahvede near by again, and especially back in New Zealand :) WOOOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!! There is one very excited little chicky over here!

So with all that said, I shall update again when I'm home and I promise to have pictures for you!

Nighty-Night!

good day. ouch. giggles.

2008-06-29T21:09:00.004+12:00

Today began with my sister waking me up about half an hour before they left for church. I'm still finding my footing being "home" but in a new town, house, situation, etc. I didn't feel like going with them to their church again - not that it's bad, but I want to be careful to not mistake being "settled" and being lazy. On the other hand, I don't enjoy going somewhere that I don't know a soul, or rather, I just wasn't up for it today. All that to say, I decided that a good middle-ground would be to stay home, and spend some real, quality time in my Bible and have Jesus and me time. When I finally got woken up enough to take in what I was reading and finished 1 Corinthians, and skipped over to Philippians. I also had some "Screwdriver Prayer" while washing the dishes. Good morning.

On another note, before moving here, I was on the phone with my sister/soon-to-be-landlady, and we were discussing our need to "get healthy" and work-out together. Susie is 5 months off of having a baby, and I am two months off of college cafeteria dining so needless to say, we're getting desperate. So after being here for nearly two weeks, we finally went on our first walk together. I didn't think we'd go that far, or walk that fast, but little did I know, my sister had far different ideas. She was pushing my 2 year old niece in the pram/stroller and I STILL had to work to keep up. My bro-in-law was playing soccer with men from the church, and Susie wanted to walk over and watch. Long story short, 2 1/2 hours, and (roughly) 10 km's later we made it home, having watched about 20 minutes of the game. All I have to say... is Ouch. It was good, but it was.... ouch. So with that, I am going to be a bum and watch "Hook" and go to bed. Happy blogging!

ps - I stumbled across a delightful blog of a homeschooling mother of 12. AHHH!!! Anyways... Susie and I read and laughed until we cried. Check her out!

parties, birthdays, fun, and photography

2008-06-27T17:28:00.003+12:00

I was thinking about my time down south with Cate today, and I realized I never really talked about what I did. I won't tell you everything we did, because honestly... you'd get bored. But I will share some highlights of my time.

While I was there, her friends J and R were having thier engagement party, and since Cate and Drew were both invited, I tagged along. It was fun, albeit, awkward since I didn't know anyone. It was a great excuse to get all prettied up and go out for the evening. This picture is proof that with some scrubbing and extensive time spent in front of the mirror even I can be ready for a night out ;)

This is a picture of the picture taker at Cate's 21st shin-dig. Her name is Shan and she's one of Cate's best friends. The Par-tay was lots of fun, with yummy food, and some friend I hadn't seen in a couple years. It was great.

And of course... a fun time wouldn't be a fun time without some random, silly pictures of me being stupid :D It's my favorite thing to do! Just ask my darling boyfriend, Dahvede (who gets here in 5 1/2 days by the way! WOOOOHOOOOO!)!

And this picture, is my attempt at photography with my point and shoot digital camera. This one is dedicated to Dahvede's Dad, who I thought of when I saw the broken old wagon. He has a rustic old wagon wheel in his bag yard. I personally, think it's awesome!

That's all for now friends who actually read this... Happy Blogging :)

a few more.....

2008-06-27T17:09:00.002+12:00

More Pictures.... :)

fun self portraits

pretty pictures with my big sister

being goofy

a reversal of the picture below.

curiousity killed the cat

2008-06-26T13:31:00.002+12:00

I like to blog... I know I don't do it very often, but I do. Part of the reason I don't blog as much as I'd like to, is because i don't think many people READ my blog. Sooo.... if you read my blog, leave a comment, let me know. I just really wanna know. Thanks guys!

My Name is Havalah

friday night for an introvert

Couch Potato to 5K

.

DoriBob

Tomorrow

thought patterns

big announcement!

the post in which i confess myself to be a granny

beginning again

new job?

my evening

House-Sitting

Can't Sleep...

L O V E

friends

Craigslist Bargains

Poor Neglected Blog

just for fun

So proud

Not Me! Monday

I'm ready

funny moments

sweet relief

Nothing much

It's 1 in the morning and all is well!

joy

Not Me! Monday

i'm dreaming... what can i say

Random Picture Challenge

Wedding-ness

for my sake

Wedding rant

poor baby girl

100th Post

A new look...

countdowns

Welcome to the World

Random Picture Challenge

Not Me! Monday

work

I want one!!!

Random Photo Challenge

Not Me! Monday

Weigh In time!

random funny from my day

*gulp*

because I'm in love and engaged

It's Love...

I'm Engaged! Part two: Pictures

oops

I'm Engaged! Part One: Story

because I can

for you...

Weekend.... Away?

time for WI

yet another....

four little men....

Not Me! Monday

Blogger Award Nominations

YAY FOR NSV'S!!!

dun dun dun.... time for Weigh In!

A promise

A fun adventure from the weekend

I'm putting off going to bed

WI and a little confusion!

WW weigh in a couple of days late

New Blog title and gadgets

Update on WW

Please Pray

Old School

Progress Report

A quiet ship

A step in the right direction....

Genius, Playlists, Smoothies and adventures!

Auntie's bliss

Adventures to Hobbiton

My Galley

Lazy Sunday

Oh how I love substitutions...

gulp