What is something you wish you could change about yourself? *Spring Forward Blog Challenge Day 18*

Man, there are definitely things I would like to change...this kind of goes along with the post about something you dont like about yourself. I wish I could not worry. I wish I could be carefree and trust. As I said before, I am working on that. Also, I want to look like I did before I had babies haha Gotta get on it now! Especially since I am in a wedding in June! I was so skinny. I just feel gross these days but I guess I did just have a baby .it will be 6 weeks ago in tuesday!

Something you crave a lot *Spring Forward Blog Challenge Day 17*

hmmmmmm I crave Olive Garden and Red Lobster :D yummmmmmm Olive Garden's breadsticks and Red Lobster's biscuits :) I love bread haha and those are the best! ha

What you miss most about your childhood *Spring Forward Blog Challenge Day 16*

I would say, as most people would probably say, that I miss not having any adult responsibilities. ha As a child, I was carefree, didnt have to worry about living because my parents took care of me and everything. I also miss all the vacations and cruises ha ...things you look back on and took for granted til you are on your own and cant do all that stuff all the time :) I am thankful now for my family and having a house and a car but I wish we didnt have to pay hahahhaha

Something you don’t leave the house without. Why? *Spring Forward Blog Challenge Day 15*

That would be my phone...I couldnt leave the house without it because I feel disconnected from the world, number 1. Number 2- in case I need to get ahold of anyone or if anyone needs me, they can reach me. LOL I feel like I am writing an essay. This is kinda a boring post too...oh well. The funny thing with my phone is that I have an old phone. I dont text either because I dont wanna pay for it. lol My friends laugh at my phone...."i had that like 10 years ago" lol

If you had unlimited resources, what would your life look like? *Spring Forward Blog Challenge Day 14*

I would probably buy lots of clothes...lol and travel a lt. We would prolly go on more vacations and buy another car and bigger house, stuff for the kids..etc etc...really who would buy more? I would give to missionaries too and help others. I do love giving. We would prolly go to every world cup too LOL Nick already wants to ha I have nothing really else to say. :)

Where are you spiritually? In a valley or on a mountain? *Spring Forward Blog Challenge Day 13*

Why is it so easy to trust and be joyful in good times and hard to in not so good times? I really think I have big faith but then I go through trials and I worry. I fear. I doubt. I feel like a hypocrite sometimes. I need to practice what I preach but it is hard. I struggle the most through physical symptoms, especially weird ones. I worry that it wont go away or that there is something wrong. Deep down I know that is irrational and ridiculous. I go around the same mountain til I can trust God and remain joyful through trials. I am working on it. That is the purpose of trials - to draw us closer to God and lean on him. I have to just give it to him and trust that he is working it all for good and that he has good plans for me. Jer 29:11 Why is it hard? I want to feel good all the time. lol That is not gonna happen. ha I then think of people going through REAL. Hard. trials and they are happy and keep a positive attitude. That really makes me think. I need to focus on the positive and just "keep swimmin' " As one of my profs said "If God was sitting at a desk, nothing would go past his desk that he didnt approve first." God works in everything. This post is really jumbled and I just really just starting typing my thoughts so I apologize for it being random and/or confusing...and also sorry for this being late. I knew there was a lot to think about and I could write forever.....I dont really think I answered the question but that is ok. This is where I am right now. :)

A photograph of the town you grew up in. What did you love/hate about it? *Spring Forward Blog Challenge Day 12*

Jackson, MI is where I grew up. I dont really know what really to say about it. I like it. I dont know anything else. However, I know I dont want to live in BIG city. People say there isnt anything to do in Jackson; which I agree there isnt much. HOwever, I am not a partier and more of a homebody so I dont mind. This is a boring post but I dont have much to say about it lol

Greatest vacation or trip *Spring Forward Blog Challenge Day 11

So I have been on many many great vacations...but I will have to say my favorite was my honeymoon. We went on a cruise from Long Beach, California and stopped at Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico. :) It was sooo fun! I have some albums on my facebook if you wanna see all our pics :) We walked around Long Beach first and then at beautiful Catalina Island...At Ensenada, we went to a blow hole in the ocean. That was cool! And walked around little shops and tried to barter with them ha. After the cruise we spent two more days at Long Beach, CA.


The funny thing that was while we were there, there was an anime convention. It. was. hilarous. and crazy how man people were there for it!! There were thousands of people dressed up walking around to the convention center! Goood times haha So that is our trip in a small nutshell ...here are some pics from it...if you wanna see more look in my facebook! :)

Favorite Way(s) to Pamper Myself *Spring Forward Blog Challenge Day 10*

Hmmm I need some pampering haha

One thing that I dont get to do that often is get a massage! Last year for Christmas, I asked for a bunch of gift cards to the spa and I got a massage, facial, and body wrap! It was all heavenly and a great Christmas gift! I have to say my favorite was a massage and facial. I have another gift card and some left over from last year so I want to get a facial!

Another way I pamper myself is taking baths...I do that more often. What I love even more is going in the hot tub! My parents have a hot tub. I used to go in it all the time when I lived at home. I havent been in a while because I was pregnant... so I will say hot tub is another fav. This is a pic of my friends Karina and Betsy and I in my parents hot tub :)

A photo of your last significant purchase. Did it satisfy a need or a want? *Spring Forward Blog Challenge Day 9*

Ummm I dont know what my last significant purchase was...what defines significant? Prolly the last significant purchase was diapers....cuz we NEED those!!! times 2! except we havent had to buy any for Emma yet. Thank you to all who bought us diapers :) But the wipes go fast and still getting diapers for Drew cuz he isnt potty trained yet...so boring post but there ya go!

Not necessarily huggies but didnt feel like taking a pic of our diapers hahaha

The Best Advice I have ever received *Spring Forward Blog Challenge Day 8*

Hmmmm the best advice I ever received.... I dont know if I can pick one that is THE BEST but....I would say something that is very important is to never compare yourself or your children with others. Everyone is different and everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. We may look at each other and think he or she has it all together but everyone has struggles, and gifts as well! As for comparing children, I have learned I cant do that because of the fact that they all grow and learn at different rates and that doesnt mean that one is better or behind the other.

Tell us about your wedding or your dream wedding *Spring Forward Blog Challenge Day 7*

Our wedding was on June 23, 2007 at Grace Church and the reception was at Davis Catering. As they say on Four Weddings on TLC " I should win because my wedding was the best." BAHAHA I am totally not saying that and jk. I think its ridiculous they say that because of course you are going to think your wedding was the best because it was YOUR wedding haha anyways... just a little sidetracked.. :)

Anyways, the wedding and reception was so nice and fun. We had a fairly big wedding and and a wedding party of 6 bridesmaids, 6 groomsmen and 2 flower girls. Three of my girls were friends/roomies from college, my sister-in-law and my maid and matron of honor was my sister and my middle school/high school best friend. My flower girls were my two oldest nieces :)

My colors were pastel colors. Each girls had a different color dress. The flowers were gerbera daisies. :D

The reception was so much fun with all our families and friends. I had a bunch of friends there from elementary/middle school, high school and college! :) It was a blast! We were all out there on the dance floor having a great time.

Nick and I danced to "Time of my Life" for our first dance! It was so fun - you know from Dirty Dancing :) I kind of lead him in the moves but I wish we practiced and actually did the dance haha

Well there is a lot I could write about all the details but those are some highlights :) It was one of the best days of my life besides giving birth to Drew and Emma :)

Tell us about your best friend when you were 16, and where you two stand today *Spring Forward Blog Challenge Day 6*

Kathryn (aka Katie to me) and I were best friends at 16 and we are still friends today even though we have gone down different college paths, locations and careers. We have known each other since preschool and have more inside jokes than can count. I miss those days but thank goodness for facebook, we keep in touch. Katie is a professional woman working as a Public Policy Specialist at Disability Network/Lakeshore... (I just copy and pasted that from her info on facebook) lol. I dont even get what she does :) But she is good at it! Anyways, even though we live a few hours away from each other and do different things, I still love her. We have been through good times and bad times and I hope to stay connected through our whole lives. :)

Something You Definitely Could Live Without *Spring Forward Blog Challenge Day 5*

Something I can definitely live without is WINTER! The cold! The snow! I hate it. I hate being cold. I rarely complain of being too hot. I am in the wrong state. ha
Anyways, this is something I can live without and wish I did. I am so ready for summer! I was very thankful for the beautiful day yesterday and hoping its not just a tease. I know it is Michigan though so the weather can change at the drop of a hat. At least the end of winter is in sight! :)

Something or Someone You Can't Live Without, Because You Tried *Spring Forward Blog Challenge Day 4*

It is probably pretty popular to pick your spouse as someone you can't live without but it is true. I have been with Nick for 9 years and will be married for 4 years in June. It's hard to remember my life without him. The longest we have been apart is 2 weeks when we were dating when he went on vacation with his family. It was the longest 2 weeks ever haha! He is my best friend and I love doing anything and everything with him. Even when we are fighting, I would rather be with him fighting than without him. I know I am getting all mushy gushy ;) Its all true. He is my lobster. :D (F.R.I.E.N.D.S) "Shes your lobster. It's a known fact that lobsters fall in love and mate for life. You know what? You can actually see old lobster couples walkin' around their tank, you know, holding claws like..." Phoebe

I havent really tried to live without him but thats ok. I know I cant live without him.

"So it's not gonna be easy. It's gonna be really hard. We're gonna have to work at this every day, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, for ever, you and me, every day." Noah, The Notebook

A Photo of Something I Ate Today: was it worth the calories? *Spring Forward Blog Challenge Day 3*

I have become addicted to animal crackers. not necessarily organic. Someone gave us these after we had Emma. :) And I have been eating a lot of them. especially today. Luckily, they dont have THAT many calories. compared to other things I could be consuming in large quantities. ha The serving size is 17 crackers. I have eaten that many or more today. But its ok and I say...worth it. haha there ya go!

Something I Really Dont Like About Myself *Spring Forward Blog Challenge Day 2*

Of course this post is easier than day 1...

I do not like the fact that I worry easily. I worry a lot about physical symptoms, especially when they seem weird or annoying. I get panic attacks about it and worry it wont go away. I know, irrational... I need to practice what I preach and trust God. He is in control. However, I still struggle with worry and anxiety. That is my biggest struggle. I have to give it to God daily.

I also do not like the fact that I tend to be on the pessimistic side; HOWEVER, I have been more positive lately. But at times, I focus on the negative and not ALLLL the many positive blessings in my life. Why cant I be one of those people who is always positive? I can strive to be that way. It is a choice. I am striving to be more thankful and think of alll the blessings I have and focus on those things in my life God has given me.

What I like about Me *Spring Forward Blog Challenge Day 1*

Hmm so...I feel weird talking about what I like about me because, its just weird.But here I go...

I like to think of myself as a compassionate/sensitive person. I care about people and their feelings. I think I am pretty in tune with that and dont want them to feel bad etc. Of course I cant say I am like that alll the time but...

I also like to think I am a good friend to my friends. I know that any relationship takes work and sometimes I dont put in 100% effort all the time but I think that I do my best to keep up with my friends and stay connected and interested in their lives.

Finally, I like to think I am a good mom. I do my best to take care of my Drew and Emma. I put their needs above my own almost to the point of worrying, well ok I do worry but hey that is what moms do ha

Alright...that was kind of hard to write. It felt weird. lol But there ya go and I hope that you agree with me?

See you tomorrow for day 2!

Spring Foward Blog Challenge

some things to remember, a few to forget.
spring clean your soul with the happy life blog!
march 14-april 13


Day 1 – A picture of you and something you like about like about yourself
Day 2 – Something you really don't like about yourself.
Day 3 – A photo of something you ate today. Was is it worth the calories?
Day 4 – Something or someone you can't live without, because you’ve tried.
Day 5 – Something you definitely could live without.
Day 6 – Tell us about your best friend when you were 16, and where you two stand today.
Day 7 – Tell us about your wedding or dream wedding.
Day 8 – The best advice you've ever received.
Day 9 – A photo of your last significant purchase. Did it satisfy a need or a want?
Day 10 – What is your favorite way to pamper yourself?
Day 11 – The greatest vacation or trip you've ever had.
Day 12 – A photograph of the town you grew up in. What did you love/hate about it?
Day 13 – Where are you spiritually? In a valley or on a mountain?
Day 14 – If you had unlimited resources, what would your life look like? (Have fun with this one!)
Day 15 – Something you don’t leave the house without. Why?
Day 16 – What do you miss most about your childhood?
Day 17 – Something you crave a lot.
Day 18 – What is something you wish you could change about yourself?
Day 19 – What is something you hope never changes about you.
Day 20 – The meaning behind your blog name.
Day 21 – A photo of something that consistently makes you happy.
Day 22 – A letter to someone who has hurt you recently.
Day 23 – Tell us something you think no one really knows about you.
Day 24 – A photo of something that means a lot to you.
Day 25 – Someone who impacts your life regularly.
Day 26 – How have you changed in the past two years?
Day 27 – What is something you need to forgive yourself for?
Day 28 – What is something you need to stop blaming yourself for?
Day 29 – Something you could never get tired of doing.
Day 30 – A photo of you today, and 3 good things that have happened during this blog challenge.