Took me long enough....

Ok....so it won't come as a surprise to most, that one of my favorite TV shows is The Biggest Loser. I look forward to Tuesday evenings, when it comes on :)

This year, the theme-song has captivated me, each and every time it plays. It has a really catchy tune, and I LOVE it...

WELL...it only took me 12 weeks of listening to it, to finally GOOGLE it, lol. And I finally figured out the song, so enjoy :)

Busy, successful weekend

WOW...what a weekend! I certainly managed to cram a TON into the few short days I had off of work!

Friday night, I started by making Grandma Brook's famous meatballs.... (if you want the recipe, I'll gladly share it with you)

Saturday morning I had a Memorial Service to go to. Grandma Sue, was my cousins' other grandma (confusing I know)...and has been at almost all of the family gatherings over the years....She was such a sweet lady, always very caring, and very quick to offer a smile. Heaven gained an angel when she entered, and man we lost a wonderful lady....

Saturday afternoon, mom and I had a decorating blitz! (We had started some on Thursday, but did the majority on Saturday.)

To say we have a few snowmen, would be a VAST understatement....

FINALLY...we got to the tree :)

Tonight, I got a head-start on wrapping Christmas Presents!

I decided, that since I had wrapped all the gifts for my Grandparents special gift(s), that I might as well, bang out the remaining gifts that had already come in the mail! (Sorry Kevin, maybe you'll have a bed when you come home next week from school...for now, it's storage for me!!)

This weekend flew by...now if only the work-week went by as fast, then I'd be really happy :)

Christmas MUSIC!!!

So, I've gotta admit...I've been listening to Christmas music for WEEKS!!! Most years, I'm still fighting it in early/mid December, but for some reason, I got bit by the Christmas bug early :)

I keep hearing my favorite songs on the radio:
"12 days of Christmas", by Straight, no Chaser
"Christmas Shoes", by Newsong
"Mr. Heat Miser"
ANY song performed by Mannheim Steamroller
"All I Want for Christmas", by Mariah Carey
"Mele Kalikimaka", by Bing Crosby
"Last Christmas", Glee Cast

SO...what just made my heart leap for joy?

I just heard "Joy to the World"!! They burst into that song as they lit the tree in Rockefeller Center, and I got the biggest smile on my face!

BECAUSE, as much as I LOVE CHRISTMAS, I needed the reminder of the REAL reason for CHRISTmas. With out Jesus Christ, there would be no holiday celebration. No special gift given to us that day by God himself, so that we may one day enter into His holy place!

Oh how I love the Christmas Carols...

Music Monday (a few hours early!)

Well...considering it has been weeks since I've done a Music Monday post, I decided since I knew which song I wanted to share with you guys, I might as well do it tonight :)

This weekend, I was able to watch one of my favorite chick-flick movies: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.

So...here is one of my favorite songs from the movie!

Life on a Dairy-Free diet....

I've mentioned here before that I have recently been told I'm lactose intolerant, and have been trying to reduce the amount of dairy/milk products I run into.

This has become my new best friend...

But for the next few weeks/months I am going to try and even cut out the little encounters that I've had with dairy over the last 6 weeks. (It was mid-September when I was told of this food allergy, and wow has it changed my world...)

I went grocery shopping today, and let me tell you. I have NEVER realized how much food has milk or a milk derivative in it. I kept picking up boxes of food and putting them right back onto the shelf... I was able to find a few chip/snack alternatives, so those quickly got added to my cart, and written down in my notebook.

One of the things that has been recommended to me is Soy Milk.

Well...I had my first sip of the soy milk maybe 10 minutes ago and well...the jury is still out. Talk about a different flavor and consistancy. I know it is going to take time to get used to it, and I'm not completely discouraged...it is just going to have to fit into my new attitude towards this.

It takes time.

It takes time to adjust to anything new...life without dairy will take time to adjust too.

Today was the first day where I felt limited in what I could eat. We got home from church and the leftovers in the fridge didn't really look appealing. There was salad but I wasn't in the mood for that. So...I stood looking into the cupboard and pantry just staring at foods that I can't eat now.

I looked at some noodle items...nope, takes milk to make them. Looked at the box of instant mashed potatoes, nope...has milk in it. Finally as I was about ready to warm up Ramon Noodles (so yummy, lol) I noticed the box of rice next to them. So, rice it was...

Here's the reason I'm being so cautious right now....I FINALLY FEEL GOOD AGAIN! It has been months since I last felt this good... My belly still hurts from time to time, but I haven't overall felt this good in a very very long time.

And lets face it...I'm sick of feeling icky. It has interfered so very many functions. I've gone out with friends or family feeling like crud too many times. I just want to feel normal again.

SO...with the changes in my diet, getting even more strict today, I am bound and determined to GET MY LIFE BACK!

SO, let's raise a glass (of soy milk, of course) to my resolve to do what I must to regain the upper-hand in life...Here GOES!

Allergies = New Snacks....

So, I've alluded to having a lot of doctor appointments lately, and I've gotta admit that thankfully there isn't anything super-serious with me. I've been going to the allergist to try and figure out why my allergies are so awful at times. I have now started getting allergy shots, and am hoping they really do work.

One of the interesting things we (the doctor and I) figured out is that this mild, cheese, ice cream, yougurt freak is lactose intolerant. They say you can have food allergies/intolerance for all of your life and it isn't until a really bad flair-up of the allergies or sickness that they become known.

Well for me...I've had instances from time-to-time over the years that were indicators of what was to come. I now wish I knew what I had eaten on those days when I felt icky...

So, I have totally had to embrace DRASTIC changes in my died. I'd love to say that i don't miss my dairy foods, but I do... I miss them terribly.

I'm learning that Lactaid is my new best friend, but let me tell you...friendships take time to develop. There have been many meals eaten or mostly eaten before I realize "SHOOT! I need to take a pill!" I've had mixed results with taking the pill mid-meal, so I need Need NEED to start recognizing dairy more...

(Note to self: Pizza has CHEESE on it! TAKE A PILL!)

Here is a modification on a classic snack that I enjoy. If you had talked to me 3 months ago, I would tell you my typical bedtime snack is Ice Cream and that it often has chocolate sauce on it. Well...here is the new snack: Pretzels dipped in Chocolate sauce! Talk about the best of both worlds here...crunch, salty, and chocolate!

Do any of you, dear blog friends, have any experience with lactose intolerance/dairy allergies?? I feel kinda lost, not sure where I go from here. I've heard some people can re-introduce dairy after an extended period of time away from it, but has anybody actually done this?? Any good replacement foods you'd suggest??? ANY HELP WILL BE APPRECIATED!!!

I've been MIA...I know

I don't have the ability (or time) to update you guys on how crazy my life has been lately.  I feel as though I've been playing "catch-up" for several weeks now.  It's been insaine! 

I've traveled, had medical appointments, worked like CrAzY, been to weddings, and trying to find my inspiration to workout again.

The workouts is what I want to talk about...

I am in the middle of the hardest "seasonal" transition that I go through during the year.  I struggle transitioning from summer/fall, fall/winter.  Here in WNY, we are definitely in the middle of fall, well on our way to winter :(

I struggle when the day light is gone almost as quickly as I get out of work.  It is dark when I wake up in the morning.  It is dark by time I finish doing the dishes after dinner, and soon will be dark as I drive home from work. 

I've learned in past years, that the best way for me to combat this is to continue with my workouts at the YMCA.  Here is my issue...I haven't been there on a consistant basis in MONTHS! Yes...this workout queen said months. 

This summer, I did home workouts for the most part:  Insanity, bike rides, etc...

After that...I've done diddly squat!  I have been extremely lazy for about the last 8 weeks.  It has been very busy at work, and so I've been getting out late.  That was my excuse...I didn't have time.

Well, I'm done with excuses.  I can already tell that if I don't nip this in the bud, I will struggle that much more this season.  I can HAPPILY say that I've been 2 days in a row!  I know that isn't much, but when I've maybe gone 2 times in the last 2 months...it's impressive. 

So...here is my confession.  You guys are my accountability partners in this...and I hope you'll hold me to it!  I vow to keep this up, so I can make it through this rough period of the year...

Wow.....

HOLY COW!  It has been FOREVER and EVER since I've gotten on my computer to post.  I miss it...I've come to enjoy the opportunity to "spill" my thoughts and (hope) that you guys enjoy reading what I have to write.

The last week has been busy!  Here is a recap of the last 10 days, eak!

Work:  Busy busy Busy.  This is a good thing...usually we see the number of patients we see drop as summer comes upon us, however this year it was completely different!  I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that the economy is so bad right now, that the vacations patients typically took before school started, didn't get taken.  That's ok with me...I'd rather be busy then slow.  And with what I do, it means I get to meet that many more people :)

Home:  I feel as though I haven't been home in DAYS!  The evenings have been quite full with the usual activities:  small group, errands, drs appointments, babysitting, etc....  This is the first night I've been home able to relax in ~5 days, it's been busy busy busy!

I got to go away this past weekend for a long weekend to visit my best friend from college!  It has been a long 10 months since I was able to make the 2 hour trip to Abbey's house (pathetic I know, but we have both been so busy that there haven't been any free weekends!)  Here is a picture from Saturday night when I got to spend time with Abbey and Risa (her friend, who has quickly become my friend!)

                                                         (Abbey, Risa, Me)

The trip to Erie, also meant that I got to do some basic shopping.  Sticking to my Dave Ramsey Budget, from Financial Peace University, I was able to pick up some great bargains off the clearance rack!!  

The other highlight from the weekend was....

            THE BUFFALO BILLS WON!!!!!

              WE BEAT NEW ENGLAND!!!

              WE BEAT NEW ENGLAND!!!

The Buffalo Bills haven't beat the New England Patriots in 15 consecutive games...that is a streak that goes back to 2003!  I was a high school freshman the last time we beat this team...holy cow!

(If you are a New England fan, please understand that I'm just super excited, and not trying to rub it in your face.)

I sat watching the 4th quarter (missed the rest driving home from Erie) and couldn't believe what my eyes were seeing.  There were many key moments in this game, and ultimately my team got the win!!  (I literally didn't move for several moments, I was in complete shock!)  I knew my team could do this, but realized they would be up against a tough opponent.  Congratulations Buffalo for not getting yourself down and for showing New England, and the world, that we are in fact a great team, even if we are the no-name Bills!



So...that is a quick recap in my life.  I have a few nights where I plan to catch-up on household things:  laundry, cleaning, etc...  PLUS I also need to catch up on some blog reading!!  I'VE MISS YOU!!!

Music Monday

Been a few weeks since I've done a Music Monday entry...gotta admit.  I've been super busy, and there haven't been any worth-while song to share. 

So...without further adu: 

"Remind Me" by Brad Paisley with Carrie Underwood

I Remember...

10 years ago, the world changed as we knew it.

10 years ago, I sat in my 8th grade classroom at Portville Baptist Christian School, going about the typical Tuesday morning activities.  That was, until the school secretary came into the classroom, and informed my teacher of what was going on.  She did her best to explain to us what had happened, but I'll admit, I didn't realize the vastness of this, until I got home from school that day.

See, the school I went to didn't have TV or Internet.  (It was in a Church, and didn't get internet for another year or so.)  I tried to look things up in an encyclopedia, but they didn't give me clarity to the situation at hand.  I was also "picturing" another "style" of building in my mind, and boy was I off.

I remember hearing on the radio about the amount of potential lives that had been lost when the buildings fell.  As soon as I got home from school, I turned on the TV and sat amazed at the destruction that had taken place on my nations land.  The visual images of what really took place that day are forever in my mind.

I remember crying.  Crying for the innocent lives lost, for the hatred shown towards us, and the heroes that were slowly emerging from the numerous situations. They gave me hope, that we as a nation, would over come this. That we would recover.

And now....fast forward 10 years.  I can't believe that much time has gone by so far, so fast.  9-11 has since become a humble day for me.  I tear up when I hear "America the Beautiful" and "The Star Spangled Banner".  The love I have for this country, for the freedoms I have here, are so imbedded in who I am, that I struggle to grasp what this life would be like if we didn't have them.

So here, as I sit 10 years away from the greatest tradgedy in my life-time, I want to say thank you.  Thank you to those who risked their lives on that day, trying to help and save others.  Thank you to the first responder firefighters, police men, and all the every-day people aboard flight 93 that crashed in Pennsylvania.  Thank you also to the service men and women fighting around the world, that I might continue to have the freedoms in America I am so accustomed to.  If it wasn't for men and women like you, the world would be that much more different.

So as you sit here reading this and reminiscing about the past 10 years, would you please pause for just a minute, and remember those who died, and those who are currently sacrificing their lives for you??  If it wasn't for them, we might not be here.

One of the best days of the year!

OK...gotta admit. Today is one of my most favorite days of the year. Granted the date changes from year to year, but one thing remains the same....

YUP!!!! It is opening night for football, and I couldn't be happier!

(Well, I guess I could be...if my team decides to show up this year.)

See...I am a die-hard fan of the:

                                          BUFFALO BILLS!!!

Yes...I know most of you probably just inwardly cringed, however, when you live where I live, professional sports are kinda lacking in quantity.

But you know what?? I am not ashamed one bit to say that I LOVE BUFFALO!!!  

And here is something pathetic.  My favorite people on the team are:  Brian Moorman and Rian Lindell.  Know what their job is?!?  To punt the ball down the field when we have done a 3-and-out, or to get a field goal so we can at least have 3 points, lol!

I'm still optimistic that Ryan Fitzpatrick can join my list of favorite players this year.  I think he had a promising outlook at the QB position, so I choose to be optimistic!
So...here is to opening night in a football season I honestly wasn't sure would even start late!!!

Happy Football Rooting!! 

Labor Day Weekend

We spent labor day weekend at my Aunt Julie's cottage, near Lake Ontario!  What a great afternoon/evening!!  Here are some pictures...enjoy :)

Music Monday

Music Monday is back....it's been several weeks since I've had a song I was DYING to share. 

So, without further adu, this weeks song is going country:

Lady Antebellum:  We Own the Night

Lazy, yet productive Sunday

Today was my ideal Sunday!  I got up, went to church, ran some errands, and then cuddled up on the couch with a book! 

I didn't quite read the WHOLE book (I read up to chapter 5 yesterday), but I took advantage of a quiet house and finished it tonight :)

So, what book did I read that allowed me to become one of the characters, and have difficulty putting it down even for dinner?!?

There is something about his books that captivates me in ways I don't expect to happen.  I know a lot of it is that I'm a hopeless romantic at heart (no surprise if you know me!).  And in each of his books is a love story so unique I am sucked-in by about page 30, lol!

I am also captivated by the way he uses words to describe the beauty of North Carolina.  This is where he has each book set, along the beaches throughout the Carolina coast.  (And since I've never been to North Carolina, I'm that much more engrossed in the book by the descriptions!)

I also appreciate the fact that he doesn't sugar-coat anything...his characters are real.  The situations they find themselves in, are very possible for my life.  I love getting to the end of the book, and reflecting on it, trying to think of how I might handle myself should I end up in a similar situation.  (Thankfully, to date, no similarities in my life!)

Finally, what I love most about books in general, is that I finally feel as thought I've had a successful, yet resting day...which is exactly what I've been craving/needing the last few weeks!! 

So...a book and a glass of wine (my new favorite kind!).  That was how I spent late Sunday afternoon/evening.  What a perfect ending to a perfect day!

P.s.--Here is my new favorite wine, you should definitely try it :)

Ice Cream Social!!!

If you were one of my neighbors, you recently received this invitation:

That's right...it was ice cream time! 9 years ago, we had 4 new families move into our neighborhood in a span of 6 months! That's a lot of new people, and well...my parents wanted to come up with a way to get to know them better! SO, Ice cream it was :)

This is a great opportunity for the neighbors to get together and catch-up with each other, but also show anybody new in the neighborhood "hey, we know each other, we know each other well, and we WILL watch out for random/suspicious things going on at their homes." For this party, my parents provide the ice cream, the neighbors supply the toppings!

Needless to say, all the little kids on the street LOVE when the invitations arrive, and it is the buzz on the street for a few days. I had one little boy come running up to me saying "Laura, Laura! It's almost time for ice cream in your front yard!!!!" (How cute is that?!?)

 

Everything went great! Great turnout, great food, great conversation, and great laughs! Can't wait for next year :)

Late August Ramblings

This week has just been a continuation of my busy-busy August.

Some things to note:
~Kevin went back to school :( My brother goes to college about 2 hours away, and while I know he won't really miss me, I miss him when he isn't home.

I mean, who else will randomly do stuff with me on the weekends when I can't come up with something else to do?!? Needless to say, we will chat a few times a week, and the best part: I can call/bug him whenever!

~I am going through the process of being allergy tested. My allergies have always been annoying, but the last few flair-ups have been even worse! So I met with the allergist on Wednesday, and had some blood work done. I will return this coming Thursday for the "prick-test" where they will test for specific allergens on my back, and see if I react at all.

The down-side to all of this: I can't take any kind of an anti-histamine for 7 days. They did give me a nasal spray to use in the mean time, and while I enjoyed how I felt on Thursday, I am pretty sure I had an allergic reaction to it yesterday. I literally itched from head-to-toe ALL day long. Nothing really seemed to help it. Today I haven't had anything at all, and have a mild/moderate headache currently. I think tomorrow I'm going to try the nasal spray one more time and see if I get itchy...if I do, it is going in the trash, and will be 3 long days with no medicine. If I don't, I'm going to continue using it, praying I don't get itchy again. (Thank goodness I have understanding co-workers, who were sympathetic to what was going on and willing to scratch my back when needed...)

~Work is just plain busy. Usually we see our numbers drop off the last few weeks of August as people go away on one last vacation...no so this year. It has been just as busy, if not busier then usual. I know this is a good thing, business wise, however I'M EXAUSTED! There are literally only 2 days this ENTIRE month where all the staff that should be at work on a certain day, are there! Between weddings, vacations, children, etc, we have been crazy short-staffed. Needless to say, COMMON SEPTEMBER!

~I have plans to go out to dinner with one of my besties tonight! I haven't seen her in weeks, because one week I was in Illinois for a wedding, then she left for a missions trip in Jamaica the following week! I can't wait for girl-talk and major catch-up time!

(Needless to say, with as busy as I've been, all of my girl-friends will be getting a phone call about a girls-night-out soon! I've missed them all tooo much!)

How has your week been? I've enjoyed taking some time today to get caught up in your blogs...thank you for being dedicated to your blogs, cuz I always love a good read!

Weekend from my weekend

So, for quite some time, I've had the catch-phrase I'll use at work specifically on Mondays: "I need a weekend from my weekend!"

Does anybody else feel like this?!?

I've said it once, and I'll say it again....I've known August was going to be busy, but it is proving to be busier then I thought it would be! I'm TIRED!

Weekend recap...

FRIDAY: Busy day at work...we've been short staffed most of the month with people being off for various reasons, and Friday was again busy! I rushed out of work to go to my church, OCC, and help prepare food for the Family Fun Day held on Saturday, that I couldn't go to on Saturday :( It was after 9:00 when we got back from that, and I was whipped! Quiet nite spent at home with my current read: "At First Sight" by Nicholas Sparks (very good by the way!)

SATURDAY: Quiet morning, spent getting ready for my co-workers wedding!!!

Annie made such a beautiful bride! She was absolutely stunning...

I wish her and Kyle nothing but happiness and love through the upcoming years!

After the reception, I met up with some friends for late-night appetizers! It was great to catch-up with some people that I feel I haven't seen in weeks (and haven't) due to my busy schedule!

SUNDAY: Church...oh how I love church! This past Sunday was my week with two of my favorite kids in the whole wide world! I spend one Sunday month working with my youth pastors' children, Micah & Isaac. They are both autistic and create fun and interesting experiences! Yesterday was pretty low-key, with Micah content to watch a movie, while Isaac played on the computer!

From there, I went home and tried to relax. For some reason, I've had a stiff neck since Saturday evening, so I tried to spend yesterday afternoon as low-key as possible. Inevitably though, I had to catch up on laundry, bills, projects around the house, because lets face it...I don't get it all done during the work week.

Last night, I was able to get caught up on some blog reading (I always miss you guys...), read a little more of my book, and crash at a fairly decent hour!

MONDAY: Another busy day at work...good thing I have dress-shoes I can run in! Needless to say, my feet were sore when I got home today, and I've been trying to rest up for the craziness this week will hold.

WOAh...that was a weekend, for sure! I'm so glad to read the stories of your weekends....hope you enjoy mine!

Wordless Wednesday

(Storm clouds, while driving through Ohio.)

I've missed you guys

I almost feel like a broken record today, as I say, "Dear Blog friends...I've missed you!"

I know I said an opening line much like that last week, but once again, life has been BUSY!

This past weekend, I went with my parents and Kevin, to Illinois for the wedding of my cousin Mark and his new wife Annie! After long car rides viewing this for hours on end, we made it!

Everywhere you look...Corn (and soybeans)!

But...back to wedding details!

Mark & Annie, so beautiful, so in love! Their wedding was a perfect demonstration of how a Christian Marriage! The focus was obviously on their love for each other, however more importantly, it focused on their Love for their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

We then moved on to a BEAUTIFUL reception held at the horse farm that Annie grew up on!

Wonderful food, dancing, and time spent with family! What a great night, what a great weekend!!!

THEN, on Sunday Morning, we got to attend a polo-match healed on the polo field behind Annie's parents house! Talk about a completely foreign sport to be watching...those horses were amazing! Annie's two brothers and dad participated, so it was kinda neat to watch them play! It also gave us as a family one last chance to spend time together before we went back to our respective state(s) (Colorado, Illinois, Wisconsin, and New York were the states represented at this wedding!) I love this family...and time with them is so very precious! I can't wait for another family reunion (hm...which cousin is going to get married next?!?)

(I'll leave you with a sneak-peak at the family picture we snapped at one point...I'll put it this way...if mom want to use it for a Christmas Card, I won't stop her!)

SO...now, how was your weekend?!? I've been catching up on blogs, but would love to hear about it here too! Feel free to e-mail me or leave me a comment!

MUCH LOVE <3 <3

Praises!

No wordless Wednesday today...Wanted to give you an update on my grandma though.

She is doing MUCH BETTER! I don't believe we are completely out of the woods yet, but we are well on our way :)

When I saw her Sunday, I honestly wasn't sure I'd see her alive again....but I have new hope, and my grandma is a fighter!!!

I saw her tonight, and she looks amazing! She was dressed, in her wheelchair, watching the news, engaging in conversation and so full of life! She had color back in her cheeks and looked sooo much better then the other day!!!

God is so very good :) Thank you to all who have been praying for her. Keep those prayers coming...she is still on oxygen, but hopefully won't need it much longer!

Isn't amazing to serve such an awesome and wonderful God?!? I love Him more and more each and every day...Thank you Lord for answering prayers!!!

Missing in action...

Dear blog friends...I'VE MISSED YOU!

This past week has been complete and utter choas! Good chaos and bad chaos. Every evening for the past week has been full with things going on and activities planned for me. Mostly good stuff, though.

I got to go to my best friends little boy's 7th birthday party one night...They decided this year instead of gifts, to pretty much ask for books! What a great alternative to traditional birthday gifts (which he still got some of). It was a lot of fun going through my book collection and picking out a few to order for J.

The next few nights were spent running very important, miscellaneous errands (done in prep for Friday nights activities). (More details later...)

Thursday night was the all important hair appointment so that it would be looking perfect for Friday's activities.

NOW...Friday night was probably one of the fun nights of the week, yet simultaneously stressful. My 6 cousins and I (7 total) did a photo-shoot trying to update the picture from 7 or 8 years ago that is currently hanging in my grandparents house. (Here is a sample picture...mums the word if you know any of my family members, especially my grandparents!!)

Saturday night was a bachelorette party for my coworker, followed by Sunday family activities.

We also received word on Saturday that my grandma isn't doing to well. She had come down with pneumonia earlier in the week and the antibiotics didn't seem to be helping fight it. They have since started a new medication and from the updates today she seems to be doing some better!!!

When I saw her last night, I was very sad...she looked so weak and helpless. I know my grandma misses my grandpa (who passed away in 2008) but I'm just not sure that I'm ready to say goodbye to her yet. It is my continued prayer that God would have what is best for her, even if it isn't what is best for me.

Would you say a prayer for her right now?? Pray also for guidance as most of us are supposed to be leaving town later this week, for an out-of-state wedding. Plans for some have already been adjusted, and we are praying for confidence in whichever decision must be made (about people traveling and whatnot.) At this point, with her doing slightly better today, I think people are more comfortable with the thought of going out of town, but prayers for guidance would be greatly appreciated!

(Here is a picture of my cousins Jodi, Jessie, and Me with Grandma Peg last summer.)

So there you go...my weekly re-cap in several thousand words of less :) I hope you guys have been having an amazing week! Can't wait to catch-up on the blogs I've missed reading this week. Trust me, I've missed you!!

Remembering Adam

It is amazing to think how life changes in 5 years. 5 years ago, I had just graduated high school, and was gearing up to head off to college. 3 years ago, I had completed my physical therapy assistant program up at Mercyhurst, and was now a college grad. 2 years and 10 months ago, I took my PTA boards (to become board certified) and passed! From there on, full-time PTA has ruled my life!

But, 5 years ago today, July 30th, 2006 turned into one of the worst days of my life. It started as a typical Sunday: church, little time off in afternoon, the off to the grocery store where I worked for an evening shift. Everything was normal, I picked up a video to watch that evening on the way home, and expected a calm, relaxing night.

My world turned upside down when I was walking up the driveway though. My mom and dad met me outside to tell me that one of my best friends, from the Christian elementary/middle school that I had gone to, had gone missing at a local state park. Instantly my heart sunk. "They need search crews," I said. "They have people already looking, Laura." my dad replied. He went on to tell me more news that would rock my world and faith immensely. Adam had fallen into the gorge and because of the high water levels, got caught in a whirl-pool. We didn't know if he was injured down-stream, unable to contact any rescuers, or if he had passed away. Ultimately, Adam did not make it.

So now, 5 years later, my friend is still gone. The friend that I met on the first day of kindergarten had passed away. Adam, the kid who tutored me in my state capitols, beat me in math competitions, and kicked my bum at ANY physical race/activity was no longer here on this world.

I struggled with the "why" guestions. "Why, Lord, must someone living their life for you be taken away so early??" "Why him?" Needless to say, I went through a very broken, empty, faithless time in my life where God was not a source of comfort. (Thankfully time heals, and my faith is stronger then ever.)

There still are days when I get really sad and miss what used to be. I miss not running into him while at the YMCA, or the grocery store.

But at the end of the day, Adam is safe with Jesus! Somehow, the friend who could run and never grow weary, beat me in the race to Heaven. He gets to rejoice in the majesty of the Lord. No worship service here on earth can ever compare to what Adam is experiencing up there.

I wrote a paper about Adam while in college, and this greatly helped in the healing of my broken heart and faith. Here is the closing sentence to my paper: "As much as I miss him every day of my life, I know that he would not want me to live my life in the yesterdays of the past, but to keep on doing what God has called me to do, and to do it to the best of my ability."

So, Adam Clair Elliott, may I continue to live up to the goal I set in that paper. May I continue to life my life for God, bringing blessing to Him. You were such an amazing influence in my life, may I turn around and be that way towards others.

I love and miss you...

Random Conversation....

Today, I had a very unique situation happen at work today (and because I don't know the lady's name, I can't break any privacy laws!)

So I'm standing there, working with a patient, when this lady I'd never seen before came storming into the clinic. She walked towards the secretaries, and I lost sight of her. All I heard her say was "Does anyone know where the DMV is?" (actually, she didn't say that...she YELLED it!)

So, I calmly said "I know where the DMV is..." and when she came around the corner, started giving her directions. Next thing I knew, I was getting yelled at by this lady because she "didn't know where to go" and was told it was located off "_______ Ave." (I literally was afraid she was going to slap me across the face, because I wasn't "getting" what she was saying!)

I told her that yes, there is a side entrance off of that road, but it is much more accessible from "_____ St." I was able to calm her down enough to give her the "most basic directions EVER" and she stormed out the door, headed for the DMV.

I looked at the patient I was still treating, looked at a coworker who walked out during the middle of this incident, and both of them asked me simultaneously "WHAT WAS THAT?!?" I honestly had no answer, and was just glad she was no longer yelling at me.

I then had another co-worker come out, and she goes "So, the lady in room 1 just heard what happened....and made a comment that the 'DMV closes at 5, but if you aren't in line at 4:30 with all the correct paperwork, they make you come back tomorrow'" (Gulp...) I looked at my watch and said "It's 4:32! (Double Gulp!)

Thankfully, this lady did not return to yell at me!

So here is what is confusing for me: Why do people freak out when they ask for help and someone is willing to help them?!? If it were me, I would NEVER storm into any building and DEMAND directions to some place. I would calmly ask someone for the directions and LISTEN to what they had to say, then asking for further clarification if needed. It still has me flabbergasted that some grown-adult would act this way.

Any thoughts, dear blog friends, why people act this way?!?

Cuz lets be brutally honest...does anyone really WANT to go to the DMV?? I HATE having to go there....

Music Monday

Ok...so for "Music Monday" today I've decided to feature a song by Bebo Norman.  It's called...'Here Goes'.  This song really reminds me to "let go, and let God" have control over each and every situation I face in my life. 

Now...for the cool part of this.  While I was looking on Youtube for which video I wanted to use, I found that someone uploaded him singing AT MY CHURCH!  It isn't the whole song, thus the reason for the second, complete video.  But how cool is it that someone videoed it and posted it?!?  (I'm pretty stoked, if ya can't tell :})   (Sorry for the non-Bebo people singing in the background)





So yes...Bebo came and sang at Obi last fall.  Talk about an amazing Christ-centered concert.  It really felt more like a worship concert, to tell you the truth.  While I was a Bebo lover before this concert, needless to say, now I really love his music!

Happy Monday Ya'll!!

Happy Birthday Kevin!

Ya know what they say..."Better late then never!"  Now, mind you, this birthday post is still coming on Kevin's actual birthday...just at the end of the day, rather then the beginning!

So...HAPPY BIRTHDAY KEVIN!!!


Here are some fun facts about us:

~You may be my younger brother, but you will always be my bigger, taller brother.

~I will always be 3 years and 4 weeks (exact) older then you!  I love how our birthdays are on the same day of the week, every year :)

~When you were born, story has it "I couldn't wait to show off my baby brother!"  I wanted everyone AND anyone to meet you :)

~I remember being young, 7 or 8, and when I couldn't sleep at night, I'd ask you to sing me a song from your room.  Somehow just hearing your voice, would lull me to sleep!

~Remember the time we broke the lamp with the babysitter?  How about when we broke the thermometer with another babysitter?

~I used to get so jealous at how quickly you would pick up on whatever we were learning about at school....I used to have to study for hours.  You hardly cracked the book.

~Finally, remember the time I was learning how to play the song "The Entertainer" and you went running throughout the house yelling "Mom, MOM...the ice cream truck is coming....MOM the ice cream truck!"  "I need some money for the ice cream truck!"  I just remember playing the song over, and over, and over again...til you finally realized that I WAS THE ICE CREAM TRUCK!  You were so mad at the time, but later in the day when the real ice cream truck came by, you already had the dollar from mom to get some :)


I hope you have (had) an amazing birthday!  May you always remember how much I love you :)

Wordless Wednesday :)

Ok, so one of the things I promised to do when I got home from Hawaii was to share some pictures from the adventures I got to do there....WELL, I forgot. So, for Wordless Wednesday, enjoy pictures from my adventure with Kevin...Parasailing!!

(Disclaimer: all pictures taken with a water-proof picture, sorry for the lack of quality)

Going up...

 Boats swirling around us

Looking at the row/line of resorts/hotels all along the coast :)

Looking south, towards the town of Lahaina

Kevin & I

Coming down for a landing :)  This was a dry-landing, so we took off and landed from the back of the boat!  It was pretty neat :)

Music Monday

Well...gotta admit, my "Music Monday" song is not the song I planned on sharing with you. I heard the "it" song on my way home from work today, and had to look it up on the radio's website to get the title. WELL...needless to say, this was the song BEFORE the one I was going to do. I didn't recognize the title, but love the singer, so after youtubing it, I have found a new favorite song! ENJOY!!!

The Help

If any of my readers are looking for a GREAT summer-read here is one of the BEST books I have ever read! (I know bold words...but it was an amazing story line that taught me something, too!!)

Now, you may have heard this title before, quite possibly because it is being released as a movie this summer :)

There is NO DOUBT that I will be going to see this movie, even though I ALWAYS say the book is better then the movie (I think you are able to become/relate better to one of the book characters, then you can at the movies.)

SO....if you can get your hands on this book, DO SO! And...if you get the opportunity to go see the movie, DO SO!!!

Needless to say...I can't wait :)