Going to church...

I love church. Everything about it...going to worship, listening to my father preach, being with friends and family...

Can not wait!

Little things about me...

I LOVE doing these little things. Found this one HERE! Love her blog and her little family!

Anyway~enjoy!

I give you money and send you into the grocery store to pick up 5 items. You can only pick one thing from the following departments...what is it?
1. Produce: Grapes
2. Bakery: croissants
3. Meat: chicken breasts
4. Frozen: Peas
5. Dairy: String Cheese


If I was to listen in on your conversations throughout the day, what 5 phrases or words would I be most likely to hear?
1. Let's get in our seats!
2. Let's get ready for break!
3. Please tuck your shirts in.
4. Girls...No talking.
5. Guys...be quiet.
(total classroom quotes.)

Let's say we're heading out for a weekend getaway. You're only allowed to bring 3 articles of clothing with you. So, what's in your bag?
1. A cute shirt and dress pants
2. Veg out clothes...
3. A bathing suit.

So, what 3 things do you find yourself doing every single day, and if you didn't get to do, you probably wouldn't be in the best mood?
1. Eat breakfast.
2. Kissing my husband
3. Reading a good novel.

We are going to the zoo. But, it looks like it could start storming, so it'll have to be a quick visit. What 3 exhibits do we have to get to?
1. The monkeys
2. The dolphin show
3. Bears---just cause of my husband...

You just scored tickets to the taping of any show that comes on t.v. of your choice. You can pick between 4, so what are you deciding between?
1. The bachelor---I KNOW you can't be there...but this is my own quiz so I can!
2. Dancing with the Stars
3. Gilmore Girls
4. According to Jim.

You're hungry for ice cream. I'll give you a triple dipper ice cream cone. What 3 flavors can I pile on for ya?
1. chocolate peanut butter
2. Cookie dough chocolate chip
3. mint chocolate chip

We're talking a 3 hour block with nobody around. What 5 activities might we find you doing?
1. Computer time! FACEBOOK-BLOGGER-etc.
2. Taking a walk!
3. Reading!!!!
4. Eating something....
5. Laughing! :)


Someone stole your purse...in order to get it back, you have to name 5 things you know are inside to claim it. What's in there?
1. A hot pink wallet
2. My red cell phone
3. The pink notebook that is my planner
4. A serving spoon...do not ask. Been in there forever!
5. The current novel I'm reading.


You are at a job fair, and asked what areas you are interested in pursuing a career in. Let's pretend you have every talent and ability to be whatever you wanted, so what 4 careers would be fun for you?
1. Author
2. Professional Tennis player
3. Wedding Planner
4. Teacher (since I am one!)
5. Book Reviewer


If you could go back and talk to the old you, when you were in high school, and inform yourself of 4 things, what would you say?
1. You are super cute and THIN...don't worry about your friends size or yours!
2. DO NOT focus on boys! You do NOT need a boyfriend...enjoy your girlfriends!
3. Take more chances and don't be afraid of what others think!
4. Learn to love your body now...

27...er...10 dresses

School is over and my summer has begun. Unlike most people who start spring cleaning in March, I hold off til May so that I can go FULL force without distractions. This morning was my morning. I was ready...to tackle our closets.

Deep in the back of our closet I found my bridesmaid's dresses. I've been a bridesmaid 10 times. (Well, 9 for now, but next month will be 10.) Don't get me wrong, I LOVE being in weddings, and since I've been a bridesmaid almost 10 times, I'm REALLY good at it. So, after pulling them all out, I couldn't help but get a few pictures of them. So here we go...ready!? OK!


My 1st wedding I was in was Emelie Boelter waaaay back in 1997. I was 19, and a freshman at NCU. During Christmas break Em got married and I was SOOOO excited. Now, this IS NOT the dress I wore, that dress somehow got thrown away (mom?) so in honor of her Christmas wedding I pulled out the same color dress. Love Em...loved her wedding. I felt so grown up.


The 2nd wedding I was in was Theresa's wedding. She got married older in life and was so happy and so quick that we didn't have time to order dresses. So, she told me just to wear the red dress above (the pretend Em one!) My friend Michelle was outraged that I'd wear red while the other bridesmaid wore a different color. SO Michelle went on a search to her sister in law's house and found this. I borrowed it...but forgot to give it back. Sorry Shelly! Lovely wedding, great memories...


The next number was for Paul and Candace Hurckman's wedding. Love both of those people and hold them dear to my heart. They got married in the great state of MI. and what a time we had. This dress was my 1st strapless dress and my one funny memory of the night was when my dean of woman Wendy Wirtz came over and pulled up my dress for me. I've learned that strapless and my body=NOT good. Besides that one issue, the wedding was perfect and I treaure the memory and friendship.


Candace got married in May, and in July I drove to WI and stood up for Mandy. My friend from college. What a memory her wedding was. They got the dress order wrong and this little baby came to me in the size 40. That's right. 40. I could have made a few other dresses from this one. Thankfully, a lady came to my aid and helped me tone down the dress. Me. Tears. Dress. Big. I look back and laugh...but at the time...NOT GOOD. Goodness. Moving on!


This dress that I'm IN is from Rachael Boucher Patel's wedding. My friend Leslie wore the same dress at my wedding and therefore I don't have it in my closet. I figured I could help her out and so she bought it from me. I LOVE this dress. Rae and I had not seen each other in 4 years (since she graduated college) and I was so happy to be apart of her big day. The wedding took place in VA and I thought for sure Thomas Jefferson himself would be there. The culture...the buildings...I was swept away to 1776. WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES....


My high school best friend got married and I got to wear this green dress. Oh the fun we had planning her wedding. She lived 5 blocks from me and what a great time it was to go to the pool everyday and soak up the sun so our tans would be perfect for that day. That summer was amazing. Planning and playing, and sitting in the sun. A summer full of dreams. Perfect way to end the summer...a wonderful wedding.


This jacket is what I wore with a HOT PINK top and skirt to Danielle's wedding. My friend is borrowing the pink part as we speak. That's why I don't have a picture of it. Great wedding...So much fun cause Danielle was a high school friend and oh the memories we have together~love her...and her family!


My sister Beka got married less than a month after me...and this dress was the dress I got to wear as her Matron of Honor. Fun and flashy, this little number would make anyone smile! Can you see all 13 bridesmaids walking around in them!? Very fun. (Yes, she had 13.) Beka loves bright and so bright it was. Very beautiful for a summer wedding.


On my 30th birthday I got to stand up for my friend Jessica. She got married on Dec. 6th, 2008. Winter Wonderland was her wedding. Beautiful. I felt like I was on White Christmas, only I didn't get to hear Bing sing, "I'm dreaming of a White Christmas..." Instead I got to hear some amazing talented Southern Gospel singers...."Oh my heart has found a home.."


Are you still with me!? Last one! My baby sister Libby gets married next month. This is the dress I will be wearing. Beka has one like it too. Only she is 6 months pregnant and so...I'm sure it will look a tad bit cuter on her. Just kidding but really, you can't compete with the baby bump! Libby's colors are gold and pink and I will say amazingly beautiful. I can't wait to make memories and take pictures of three of us sisters together. SO close!


All my 10 dresses hanging for the world to see. Great memories come with each one. Each bride was so special and each friendship I share with them I treasure.

So...IF YOU need a bridemaid, I am your woman. I come with my own dress, shoes and I can and will say all the right things to make your day super special!

Let SUMMER begin!

I L.O.V.E. summer. By far. Sometimes, I even forget how much I love summer...until the weather gets warm, school is out, and I'm a free woman.

To welcome the beginning of summer...here are a few pictures!


Next month my sister married Ike! Can't wait! He's playing bean bag toss and lost to...


Team Fox... And they didn't let anyone forget who the champs were!

Wil and I were against each other playing Ladder ball-Amish golf-ladder golf-whatever you call it--and therefore Wil and I couldn't smile for the pic. TOO much competition for husband and wife.

Lots of friends playing Bocce ball.

Memorial Day Service. A highlight of the beginning of summer!

My Papaw's flag...brought tears to my eyes.

My dad praying for our nation.

What a great way to start Memorial Day...

AND what a great way to start off the summer. Let the fun begin!

Happy Memorial Day!

Every year, on Memorial Day, my family goes to the Memorial Service in our town. My family plays a big role in the service. My sister sings, my dad sometimes is the pastor that speaks. AND the best part...my Papaw's flag is used.

My Papaw was a POW in WW II. When he died they had the flag draped over his casket. My father got that flag. We use the flag different times throughout the year, today being one of them. I can't wait to see the flag being raised today. Always reminds me of my Papaw!

Happy Memorial Day!

The love of my life...

1st day of SUMMER!

Off to a great start! Wil, my sweet husband, went for a walk today and came back with these flowers...FOR ME! Seems like a promising summer so far!






So beautiful! Wish there was a way for all you bloggers to SMELL THEM! Divine!!


Can't wait to see what the rest of the summer brings!

Might as well try!

Summer is coming. Might as well have this. That way I could drive Beka and the baby around. HEE! HEE! (Beka and I have been "picking on each other all day!) One more poke before bed!

A new season...

Summertime...Magic words of teachers all over this nation. But, this teacher...this word is taking on a new meaning. Come this Friday, my "teachering" days will be over. Life seems to always change and after 7 years of teaching...life is changing again.

My husband and I decided in the fall that I this would be my final year of teaching. We planned on starting a family and me staying home.

So...this week is my last week of school. How do I feel? Happy, sad, ready for the school year to be over. Doesn't seem nothing has changed.

I'm sure in the fall it will hit me harder. But for now, change is good. I'm excited to be HOME. Clean my house in the morning, not RUSH out the door at 7:20 to be at school. I'm excited to get to know my Mennonite sister-in-laws better-to go to garage sales on a Friday-to attend prayer meeting-to have free day and do nothing if that is how I feel.

Summer has always been so fun to me. I love the freedom I feel.

I can't wait to see what my next season brings!

Robin Jones Gunn's new book!

Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes! by Robin Jones Gunn, in stores May 5, 2009.

"Summer and Noelle, two pen pals since 4th grade, meet for the first time in the land of tulips and windmills. An abnormal mammogram sends Summer on a quest to fulfill her lifelong wish before she begins the same struggle her mother fought against breast cancer. The story of these two Sisterchicks is brimming with hope and cheer and will bring encouragement for any woman who has faced a fearful future."

My girl, Robin, has done it again...and I want to win a copy of her new book!