Music Boxes

Grandma Sue gives me a music box every year for Christmas. So at this point (for another few days) I have 21 music boxes. For the last four years since I moved to Nampa, they have all been sitting in a box under my parents house :( Before that I had most of them up in my closet at home, but not exactly displayed! However, I finally have the room to do so! This year, they are lining the fireplace...I love it! Can't wait to see which one I get this year!

It's finally here...

I am offically done with school! No more papers to turn in, no more tests to take, no more class! Crazy!! This is my first weekend without homework hanging over my head...it is amazing. Although I constantly catch myself feeling guilty! I feel like there should be something I'm doing! I cannot belive how freeing it is...I feel like I've accomplished more in the last 2 days then I have in years! My entire house is clean, deep cleaned! I organized all the closets, and rearranged my room. I've made fudge, stuffed shells, choc. chip cookies, and peppermint cookies...in the last 24 hours :) I've spent more time hanging out with friends and doing Christmasy things then I thought possible. And in with all of that I've found the time to watch a few Christmas movies, read a book and oh yes, update my blog :) haha. It's been awhile.
I leave for wenatchee on Christmas Eve, unfortunately I have to work all day so I fly out at 4 and am scheduled to land in Spokane...lets hope they don't receive another 24 inches of snow in the next few days! If I have to spend Christmas Eve in the airport somewhere I'm going to be very sad :) I am so looking forward to going home and spending the weekend with just my family. And then...the day after Christmas, Katelyn is moving from Seattle/Wenatchee to Nampa, into my house!! I'm so excited! We've been talking about living together for years, and never knew when it would happen. Well it has finally arrived! I can't wait!!
Merry Christmas everyone! Have a wonderful time celebrating the birth of our savior!

The ponderings...

Its December?! And there is no snow! In fact I am wearing a t-shirt today, this is crazy!

I have been really frustrated at work lately, not because of work or because of my job. Just the atmosphere and how often I step into a converstaion and realize the entire exchange is based on talking bad about someone else. Aren't we supposed to be adults?
There are so many instances when the whole discussion during lunch is how someone did this and isn't that the stupidest thing you ever heard! But the problem is...it is all simply because whatever was done isn't the way he would have done it. Basically if you think something other then he does, you are wrong and stupid. He spends all his time talking about the idiots around here and how all these people have wronged him or done something they shouldn't have. It is driving me crazy! I do not want to spend my break time listening to people complain and tear down other people. I am tired of feeling mad everytime I get up and leave the break room. I don't want to listen to it anymore...but I really have no idea what to do about it. I am just sick of people putting everything in a negative light. Why can't we be content with who we are, understand that everyone is different, celebrate the different traditions and methods we all have...and learn from each other? Is it really so much to ask?!

Birthmonth?!

Well as Katelyn would say, it isn't so much about your birthday as it is your birthmonth :) Well I am definitely living that up this time!
The day before my birthday we had a huge family get together while my grandparents were in town...it was fun to have everyone together...
Then of course on my birthday I spent the day at work and in class, but I received way too many treats! We had cookie dough ice cream cake from Cold Stone at work, and the girls in my class bought me coffee and cookies during our break and one of the guys brought me fries and chocolate cake!! Way too much sugar :)

The weekend my family was here was a blast, we spent Friday celebrating my birthday and then Saturday doing all of the NNU homecoming activities. My parents completely cleaned and stocked my house while I was working Friday morning...wow! So nice! Then they picked me up from work at one and the girls went for pedicures (while the boys washed my car! ;)...

Carmen met us at the salon...and that evening her and Ken came over for ice cream and games! We played Cranium, which was quite entertaining :)

For dinner, whenever Dad & Kurt come to town, Roadhouse is on the list :) I have no problem with that! The Birthday dinner...Dad & I shared Prime Rib...yum!

Then this week all of my girl cousins (and both aunts in Boise) went to dinner for my birthday (we do a dinner together for each of our birthdays...a fun way to catch up with everyone!)

Okay, so I think that about covers family parties...now onto the friends :)

Well James & I have the same birthday, and Ben's is 3 days later so the three of us thought it would be fun to celebrate together, and we along with Steph, Jess & Erika went to dinner Sunday night. We went to Sa-Wad-Dee (Thai) and then watched Robin Hood! :)

But the real party, was Wednesday (2 days after our birthday)...

James thought he was coming to NNU for a party for me...and I thought I was headed to the girls apt. to give James his birthday present...it was after my class that night, so I was just stopping by...but as I opened the door everyone yelled Surprise! haha. The girls had decorated their apartment and made individual cakes for everyone! It was so much fun! All of my favorite people in one place together :) (And I'll admit it was kind of nice to share the attention...lol)

I don't think I've ever had a surprise party before...and I definitely did not suspect anything!!

We even had candles!! If you'll notice...his are all blown out...mine, not so much!

Laughing at me...since it took me five times to blow out all my candles! :) yes, all 5 of them!

James with his froggy...one of his lovely gifts from Jess & I...we got a lot of entertainment out of this guy! :)

But then the real excitement started...Erika brought out a lighter holding the fire in her hand, which was pretty fun to watch...but not near as much fun as trying it!! :)

Here goes...

Here the camera caught the beginning of the flame...

And full fledged!! It was crazy, so much fun! Only once did I actually have to shake the fire out because my hand was starting to burn (hurt)...otherwise it was just warm...seriously, you should try it, it is so much fun! Just make a completely closed fist (or if your like me you have to use 2 hands!) with just a hole at the top...pour the lighter fluid into your hand, for awhile :) You can hear it...then take the lighter out and place it back towards (or in) the top of the hole...and light it...and if you open your hand slowly it will sit there for awhile...so cool!

Day 2

So the second night started with dinner, catered by Panda Express, at Duck Park. It was raining and so we all crammed into the shelters to eat...making sure the table of food was covered proved interesting :) But then while the 'event' was playing a HUGE game of Twister we decided to roam the park...and took lots of pics....

Climbing trees...with a little help... :)

Our group picture :)

We never made it in the trees...we just kept watch from the ground!

Then from the park we went to the Corn Maize in Meridian, which this year was in the shape of Obama and McCain's heads...well don't really know how that was, because by the time we got there it was DARK, and last year it took us about 2 hours to figure our way out of that thing! Plus by that time it was raining again and we weren't sure we wanted in the mud and rain in the dark for that long :) Instead we opted for the Field of Screams...not nearly as scary as the Haunted World maze we did a couple years ago, but still fun. By the time we were done there we were soaked!! (Pictures in previous posts) On from there we headed to Boondocks! 3 hours of unlimited games plus 20 tokens...it was fun!!

It quit raining for awhile and so we started with mini-golf, which always turns into...who can get the ball in the hole in the most creative way?! Clubs...not necessary! Lots of fun!

Would you have liked to be the group behind us? haha...there was lots of waiting involved :)

Ope, and here are all us girls...at the park again :) It really is a nice park...

Katie & my 'Hot date' picture :) Riding the dino in the arcade games! We had lots of fun winning tickets! James, Jess & I combined all of our tickets at the end and each ended up with some candy and a toy :) Jess & I got pez dispensers and James got a parachute man!

Then we all played Laser Tag together...which was hilarious, especially since James & I never figured out that you had to hold in the buttons on the side in order to make it shoot! Wow, that would have helped a lot!!!

The final event of TWIRP, is always, midnight movie at the theatre on Overland. The school rents out the theater and we have our choice of 3 movies, and 2 concessions...this year the choices were Wall-E, Hancock & Journey to the Center of the Earth...well we had all seen them before (Drive-In specials!) and so decided on Hancock.

We also watched 101 Dalmations afterwards...yup, it was like 3am when we started it :)
But hey, it was daylight savings night...so really that was only like 2!! We have been on a Disney kick lately :) We started with Beauty & the Beast the weekend we were in Twin and then watched Sleeping Beauty the day it came out, then Aladdin, now 101 Dalmations...and Robin Hood is next on the list!

Day 1

So last weekend was TWIRP...which if you know NNU at all you understand, but for those of you who don't have the privledge of participating in The Womas Is Required to Pay...it is a two day event put on by the school. It is girl ask guy, includes dinner both nights and then activities for the evening. There is always a theme, and Friday night is costumes, based on the theme. Saturday night everyone wears their TWIRP shirts! There are shirts included in the ticket prices, all of the guy shirts are one way and the girls another...and they go with the theme. In my four years at NNU the themes have been: 1. Rags to Riches 2. Disney 3. Noah's Ark and this year was 4. Board Games.
Well I'm not "technically" a student, and didn't plan on attending TWIRP this year, but Katie ended up with free tickets and the 2 of us went together...for free :) We went in a group with Jessie & James...and then a bigger group with Steph, Josh, Erika, Sean, James, Amanda, AnnJean, Brad, Courtney and Cameron. It was great! But the four of us spent the night before TWIRP making costumes...we went as a Settlement...from Settlers of Catan. Which is one of my favorite board games and it is how we met James the very first time.
How cute are we? haha...it was fun...and then the back of our shirts gave our resource names...which there is a lovely picture in the previous blog :)

Friday happened to be Halloween so a part of the planned evening was simply trick-or-treating...and while that was going on we decided to go to Dr. Allen's...a professor at NNU who has opened her home to students whenever needed. She has more 'toys' and games then we could ever find time to play, not mentioning the theatre room! So we played pool, ping pong, darts, air hockey, guitar hero and at James request even Jenga :)

Then that evening was as "harvest party" and cosmic bowling. Well the harvest party basically consisted of blow up toys and the true entertainment...a mechanical bull :) Wow...it was hilarious to watch people fall off!! We spent about an hour just watching people fly around!!

Two-Two

Today I am twenty two. Weird. My dad keeps suggesting that i need a tutu now that I have 'earned it'. Well I'm not so sure that anyone really wants to see me in a tutu, but I think this is the first birthday where I have felt like the last year has gone way too fast, and I am not ready to add another year to my age. I do NOT want to get older. Yeah, I know, I'm not old...but it sure seems like life is moving fast.
My family is coming to Nampa this weekend, and we will spend lots of time celebrating and having fun :) I'm excited! Today, however, I have spent my birthday at work and in 4 hours of class. Fun Fun!
And today is also my friend James' 24th birthday...so...Happy Birthday James!!

Have I mentioned...

I love pictures...

I love friends...

I love rain...

And...

I love FALL...

This weekend was a great combination of all...

More coming soon :)

Blessings

There are so many things in my life that I know are a definite blessing. I haven't figured out why I deserve them, or how it happened...but I know that they only came about because of the Lord's blessing. And as I was struggling this week with some things, He continually kept shwoing me how blessed I am in the friendships I have....friends would say things to me, completely out of the blue, that I would instantly think...wow, thank you Jesus for that reminder, thank you for these people in my life, for this chance I've had to spend this time building those relationships. For keeping other things out of the way, so that even as I am working and going to school, there is time for these friends. So many different things that can come across as "not ideal" have led to the strong friendships I have. Even now, as bored as I have been at work in the last few months, it has been such a blessing because it has allowed me to accomplish so much school work during the day, so that I had time to spend with my friends. I know that this is exactly where I am supposed to be, and that He has kept so many things out of my life, that maybe I would choose to have, so that I can have this time--just being a college student...well, sort of :)
He is continually looking out for me, blessing me and providing for me. Yet there are so many times in my life when I am working on something or making a choice or worrying about what the outcome will be...when I realize, I never once prayed about it. I don't ask Him to be there, or to help me...I don't invite him along. And its this weird contradiction in my head...I can't figure out why I don't remember to talk to him about it beforehand, when as the question unfolds I know without a doubt that it is all Him. There is never any question in my mind as to whether or not the answer comes from Him. It is Him alone that could have made that happen, or could have calmed my irrational fears, or could have given me the patience to wait for His timing. Thankfully He walks with me even when I forget to ask him, but I want to do better. So, here's to a new season...of invitations!

Pumpkins!

I love fall...
I love sweaters, orange, coffee, cool weather, red, spiced cider, yellow, leaves, changing climates, fireplaces, blankets, football...
Fall means pumpkins, my birthday, thanksgiving...


Championship Powder Puff game...go Bloodbath!

The boys....

The girls...

Pumpkin Carving Party...

I

funny...or not?

Patience has never been my strong point...

God has quite the sense of humor...
However, I'm not sure that I really wanted to learn this lesson!

Clean Clean Clean

I have this overwhelming need to have a clean car. I am very particular about what happens in my car, what surfaces I drive on, where I park, and how often it must be washed. Now some of you may think I'm crazy...but really, I come by it very naturally. At my house there are more rules in the car then in the house. You don't eat in the car, you don't touch the paint, you only use the handles...to close the doors and the trunk, you beat off your shoes before you get in, you don't put your feet on the dash or on the seats...My dad will call someone for a ride before he takes his car out in the rain. He built himself a garage at his office, so that even when he is at work his car is not exposed to the elements. Our cars are VERY well taken care of, my dad's is now 6 years old and still looks brand new.
One thing driven into me from the time I could reach the windows, was that NEVER, under any circumstance do you draw/write on the windows. Car windows are not an artist medium...I learned last weekend that not everyone has these same convictions! When it is snowing outside and the windows are foggy, apparently that is an invitation for expression. We took my car to Twin Falls last weekend, all six of us. And by the time we were in Boise, where we picked up the guys, Jessie & Katelyn had both written on my windows. Yes, they were cute notes...but even as they were doing it, and I knew I would have to clean the windows later...I couldn't bring myself to join in. It is just too ingrained in me, that that is wrong, to consider that something fun to do.
Well needless to say, Jessie & Katelyn know me very well and both know that isn't something that I would do in my car :) And as we spent the whole weekend traipsing around in the snow and mud, climbing in and out of the car frequently...it received its fair share of loving reminders of our adventures. James kept telling me he wanted to help me wash my car...well I've come to expect that other people don't really see a clean car as a necessary part of life. But I've learned that James & Kevin lean a little more towards my family's side of the spectrum....both liking their cars to be clean. So while driving to Twin Falls most people may never consider washing the car as something necessary on the return...it was definitely at the front of our minds :)
So...James brought all different cleaners and such to church with him on Sunday and afterwards all 5 of us washed my car!! And not only washed it...but CLEANED it...we cleaned every piece of that vehicle. (Let me tell you, it helps to have tall people!!) It was really fun!

And it makes me grateful for my friends, simply that they respect others. I've had people borrow my car before, and when I got it back the first thought was...wow, I will never let them use my car again! It's refreshing to have the opposite experience, and I mean I was even with them, it wasn't like they borrowed my car...but they still wanted to help me clean it. It's just a thoughtful, respectful, thankful approach to looking at life. It's how I was raised.

Pictures

We all happened to wear flowy black shirts Sunday...so we had to have a pic :)

Pictures from Portland with the Finkbeiner clan...Mom's brothers and their families...

The cousins...Holly loved the swing!

She's a binki thief :)

Her shirt..."Party at my Crib" 1am-6am
SUPER Holly!! lol

Took Isaac to the river to throw rocks!
She's so much fun! 
All the cousins...

Sibling shopping :)

Holly's first swim :) She wasn't quite sure what to think! 
Caleb...always ready with a smile :) 

SNOW

Yup, that's right! We had snow this weekend!! Friday night it snowed in Boise...it even stuck! And then Saturday we went to Twin Falls and it snowed ALL day! It was so much fun!!

Katelyn came for the weekend! It was SOOOO much fun! We wanted to go camping in McCall, but with the snow warning decided that wouldn't be the best idea...so instead James mom invited us to their home in Twin Falls. We headed over there Sat. morning and spent the day outside...it was gorgeous! The canyon, parks, waterfalls, lakes...amazing! And the snow flurries made it that much more interesting :) It was so much fun to be outside...played on the swings, danced on the docks, climbed up the rocks, watched parachuters jump off the bridge, snow ball fights, launched rockets, hot tubbed, and crammed six people into Torree! lol.

It's always interesting to me how relationships just sort of develop, out of nowhere. Its been so much fun to get to know these guys over the last few months and see the influence Christ can have in relationships. It was great to get to go to their hometown and meet their parents and go to church with them...I love to watch God create the unexpected :)