September 11th, 2001

Eleven years ago on this day, I was at the Monticello Middle School in my seventh grade study hall when I heard the terrifying news of the attacks. As I sat paralyzed and not fully understanding what was happening, the principal came over the loud speaker and announced that the World Trade Center had been hit by a hijacked plane. Immediately the TV's in the room buzzed on and there it was in front of me, the image of the burning building gorged into my memory forever. I was terrified. I didn't know what all of this meant I just knew it wasn't good because of the way the teachers were scurrying about the school and trying to mask their own worry and fear. I sat there staring at the TV not able to look away as my heart was pounding like a drum.  I watched the second plane fly into the second building right before the bell startled me back into reality. The halls were chaos as students were running around talking about the attacks and the teachers were trying to calm the anxious students and heard them to their next class. As I was pushing my way through the hall my mom passed by me. (She used to volunteer a lot and she happened to be at my school that day.) When I saw the fear in her eyes I broke down crying because I knew then that it was more serious than I thought. She hugged me and assured me it would be ok.

The rest of the day is just a blur of a memory for me. I remember bits and pieces, like watching the towers fall in my classes, my history teacher telling us, "You will never forget where you were and what you were doing when you heard the news of the attacks on this day in history", the procedures we had to go through to prepare for evacuation since there's a nuclear power plant in my hometown. My history teacher was right. I remember that moment like it was yesterday and I will never forget the terror I felt. I cannot imagine how the people of New York felt that day. I remember praying for the people of New York, the Firemen and Police officers that risked their lives, and the families who lost loved ones before going to bed at night. I think it's important that we take some time out of our busy lives today to reflect on how lucky we are to have the freedom that we have today because of the brave individuals that have continuously risked their lives for our safety. I am proud to be an American and live in a country where we have heros that are willing to lay down their life for others. Thank you to everyone who has served and risked their life. Where were you on September 11th, 2001?

A Look Into Our Fall

God has really been stretching me and my husband lately. All of the plans we had for ourselves for the fall, were not the plans the Lord had for us. We had a really busy summer with our apartment management job, and we both feel that the season of being an apartment manager is coming to a close. The Lord has made it clear though that we are not finished there, so we will patiently wait on Him.

Andrew spent the summer washing and staining decks for his uncle's company, Deck Works, and doing maintenance in our apartment building. He spent the evenings after a long days work in the sun and heat, applying to schools around the city and suburbs to be a teacher for any open position in the fall. I spent the summer nannying little Leo and up-keeping our apartment building and doing apartment management duties. We both spent the summer waiting for Andrew to get a job so we could look at apartments to rent in whatever area he got placed. I waited to find another job for the fall (aside from watching Leo two days a week) in whatever area we moved to… We are still waiting.

The Lord clearly has a different plan for us this fall. Andrew is still applying like mad to schools that have last minute openings or long term sub positions. He is also set to be a sub in 6 or 8 different districts around the cities and suburbs. I am continuing to watch Leo two days a week and work the other days at Salon Centric in Richfield. We are both still managing the apartment too. Thankfully that has died down quite a bit for the fall. We currently have no openings and there hasn't been a huge need for maintenance (thank you Jesus).

We are just waiting on the Lord in this season of our lives, and will continue to wait on Him for whatever he has planned for us in the future. Part of me feels unsettled and part of me wants to skip ahead to the day where we (Lord willing) have a house, job security, and maybe a baby on the way. But, another part of me feels contentment and such peace in this season, and I know that is coming from the Lord. I don't feel the financial stress like I know I usually would with Andrew's job uncertainty, and life as it is now is sort of an adventure. We never know what's going to happen next and that's very exciting in a way.

I just pray that the Lord continues to give us patience during this season. We have a lot to be thankful for:

each other

two functional cars

a place to live rent free

food in our cupboards

supportive family and friends

clothes in our closet

new grace and mercies every day

a faithful God

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. -Proverbs 3:5-6

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. -Jeremiah 29:11

I Can't Wait

I can't wait for…

cooler weather and crisp air so I can wear jeans, sweatshirts, flannel and scarves.

apple orchards during beautiful fall days.

hearty soups and savory casseroles for dinner.

colorful leaves all around me and leaves that crunch below my feet as I take a lovely fall walk. 

warm drinks such as hot chocolate and pumpkin spice cappuccinos.

bonfires, smores, and late nights under the stars.

hayrides, fall festivals, and football games.

soft, cozy yarn and knitting needles making beautiful creations.

baked goods and caramels.

the excitement of pumpkin patches and corn mazes.

curling up with a good book and cozy blanket on a rainy day.

feeling like a kid again raking leaves into big piles only to jump into them and watch the colors fly.

picking out the perfect pumpkin to carve.  

nesting, craft projects and getting our home ready for winter.

Just thinking of all these things that come with fall gives me warm, fuzzy feelings inside. Yes.

I can't wait for…

autumn.

 

August 29th, 2010

Two years ago today this man got down on one knee and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. I cannot believe that that day was two years ago already! Time sure does fly when you're having fun. So much has changed since that day (including my last name), it has been quite the adventure. Andrew and I have learned so much about ourselves and each other in these last two years. I feel so blessed to have my best friend as my life partner. I can't wait to see where God takes us and what he has in store for our future. I love you Drew!

Sebastian Joe's

The other day Andrew and I were able to have a double date with some newly married friends (Cody and Sarah) at one of the ice cream places on my list, Sebastian Joe's. I had already been to Sebastian Joe's, but it's not official until I document it and compare it within the same time frame as the other places. (The night Andrew proposed to me, almost two years ago now, after I had excitedly said yes, he told me the night was not over because we needed to get dessert still. When we pulled up to Sebastian Joe's to park, I saw a big group of our friends and family sitting outside awaiting our arrival. He planned a surprise engagement party for me where we could get ICE CREAM! Love that!)

Anyways, even though the weather wasn't exactly hot the other day, I can always go for ice cream. We met Cody and Sarah at the Sebastian Joe's location in Linden Hills instead of the one on Nicollet Ave so there weren't quite as many flavors to choose from, but the experience was just as good! Sebastian Joe's has been offering homemade ice cream for almost three decades. The one on Nicollet Avenue offers at least 22 different flavors where the one in Linden Hills has 12 flavors to choose from. The flavors can change hourly depending on how popular they are and how fast they go. Sebastian Joe's is known for it's uniquely named ice cream flavors, so samples are welcomed if you're not quite sure what the flavor is. Some of their popular flavors include Raspberry Chocolate Chip, Oreo, Pavarotti (a combination of banana, caramel and chocolate chips), and the aptly named Nicollet Avenue Pot Hole (chocolate ice cream blended with fudge, truffles, heath bars, and sea salt). Among their many flavors of homemade ice creams and sorbets, they home-make their waffle cones as well. You can't go wrong trying one of their dipped cones in flavors like coconut, almond, Butterfinger, Heath Bar, chocolate, and one of their most popular: chocolate with sprinkles. Some other tasty treats they offer include: ice cream sandwiches, Oreo and Turtle ice cream pies, and Brr Bars (Oreo ice cream dipped in Swiss chocolate).

I tried their Oreo ice cream in a sugar cone - one of their best selling flavors. Sarah tried the Coconut Cream Pie flavor, and Cody got a pint of the Raspberry Chocolate Chip - another best seller. Andrew decided to just have water for the night. He didn't feel like having an ice cream cone in sweatshirt weather. I thought my choice of the Oreo ice cream was fantastic! It really hit the spot. I have never had Oreo ice cream as good as what Sebastian Joe's has to offer. Sarah loved her Coconut Cream Pie cone, and Cody thought the Raspberry Chocolate Chip was good as well. He almost ate the whole pint… Sarah helped him with the last few bites. Once we were done enjoying our yummy treats, we continued conversation while playing a friendly competitive game of cards. Cody and Sarah taught us a game called three up, three down. It was really fun! Sarah and I could not beat the boys though! We'll have to have a re-match very soon! Thanks for sharing a wonderful evening with us guys!

My Oreo ice cream cone

Me and Sarah enjoying our cones

Playing three up, three down

So far I'd have to say that Sebastian Joe's is in first place over Conny's Creamy Cone (read about that here) and HomeTown Creamery (read about that here) in their ice cream and in their relaxing atmosphere. I'd definitely recommend Sebastian Joe's to anyone who has not yet tried it!

1. Adele's Frozen Custard in Excelsior

2. Conny's Creamy Cone in St. Paul

3. Edina Creamery in Edina

4. Grand Ole Creamery in St. Paul

5. HomeTown Creamery in North St. Paul

6. Izzy's Ice Cream in St. Paul

7. Pumphouse Creamery in Minneapolis

8. Sebastian Joe's in Minneapolis

9. Crema Cafe in Minneapolis

A Road Trip to Illinois

This past weekend we had the privilege to road trip down to Peoria, Illinois to see some good friends and celebrate the marriage of Tyler and Breanna! On Friday morning at 5:45am, I packed up the last of my cold medicines (my cold was still lingering a bit) and our friend TJ picked Andrew and me up outside our apartment building. We were on the road by 6am sharp. After taking a minor wrong turn and ending up in White Bear going West instead of going East, we were on our way headed in the right direction. I was able to sleep a lot on the way there which was nice to catch up on my sleep after not sleeping much from having my cold. The trip was about an eight hour journey, but it felt like it breezed by. Before I knew it we were pulling into Normal, Illinois where we would stay with our good friend Noah (who moved there after graduating college) and a handful of other friends who had made the eight hour journey.

A few hours after arriving we were on the road again to Peoria, Illinois for the Hetland wedding. The wedding was held at Kickapoo Winery, and it was one of the most beautiful locations I've seen for a wedding. The ceremony was held in an open air barn and they could not have been blessed with any better weather. It was sunny, yet it wasn't too hot and there was a nice breeze blowing through the barn. The vineyard was just to the left of the barn so you could look out and see all the vines. It was gorgeous. What a perfect place to exchange vows and proclaim your love for each other.

My handsome date

Ladies, meet TJ.

A beautiful sunset… One of my favorite things!

We failed at getting the Sunset in the background

The dinner and dance were held inside the Kickapoo Winery building. They had a perfect sized ballroom for dinner and dancing. After a fabulous dinner and a yummy cupcake dessert, we danced the night away and entertained ourselves with the photo booth (Yes, there was a photo booth! And yes, I took multiple pictures… again!). The DJ for the dance was fantastic playing just the right music at the right time with a lot of upbeat tunes, but still a few slow songs thrown in there. By the time we made it back to Noah's that night we were all exhausted.

My handsome date and I trying out the photo booth props

Noah and Andrew

Noah, Andrew, TJ

I found a dead chicken

Me and Sarah with Andrew creeping in the background.

Me, Sarah, and Gaby

Me, Sarah, Bobbo, and Gaby

Andrew acting like a clown

Bre and Tyler decided to have a photo booth at their wedding instead of a guest book. The idea was for everyone to take a photo or two (or four in my case) to document in a fun way that you were at the wedding. 

Andrew and Me

Photo courtesy of The Guest Booth

Sarah, me and Gaby

Our message to the bride 

Photo courtesy of The Guest Booth

Back Row L-R: Andrew, TJ, Cody, Gaby, Bobbo, Noah

Front Row L-R: Me, Wade, Sarah, 

Bottom Two: Schuey and Kent

Photo courtesy of The Guest Booth

Boys in Back: Schuey, Tyler, Wade, Noah

Girls: Me and Sarah

Photo courtesy of The Guest Booth

Back Row L-R: Wade, Cody, Andrew, Bobbo, Cody, Schuey

Front Row L-R: TJ and Noah

Photo courtesy of The Guest Booth

The next day we slept in a bit before packing everything up to head home.  On our way home we stopped in Peoria, Illinois (where Bre, the bride, grew up) and enjoyed some yummy food, pool volleyball, bags, and gigantic blow-up bouncy castle. What a fantastic way to end the road trip. I wished we could have stayed one more night and just hung out with everyone, but we were thankful we were even able to go. On the way home I basically read the entire way. I had brought a really good book and got completely sucked in. It helped the eight hour drive home go by fast! We saw an interesting car on the way home too…

Bre and Tyler thank you so much for allowing us to share your special day with you! You two have a beautiful story that I can't wait to see play out year after year! We're praying for many blessings on your new marriage. May you always keep Christ the center. 

This was our ninth wedding this summer… three more to go!

Photo Booth Fun

My husband and I recently attended a wedding that had a photo booth for guests to use while waiting for dinner and the dance at the reception. I had never been to a wedding before that provided a photo booth and I thought it was fantastic. The photo booth had an assortment of different props that we could use to make the photos more fun. I could not get enough of it! Luckily Andrew was willing to tag along in my fun. I think we used it five or six different times that night! Here are some fun shots from the evening:

Definitely a fun thing to have at a wedding! I've been kind of absent in my posting lately. I'm getting over what the doctors called a "glorified cold". I got it from the cute little boy I nanny. Little did I know this was a killer cold. I was sick for two weeks and it's still lingering a bit. After 3 1/2 boxes of kleenexes, a week sleeping trying to sleep on the couch (because I had to prop myself up), a lot of coughing, and a visit to the doctor where they made me wear a mask, I'm thankful that I'm now feeling better and I was able to go to our friends' wedding in Illinois (more to come on that later). 

All the kleenexes I used in just an hour… no fun.

A very attractive look sitting in a waiting room full of people. They look at you like you have a terrible disease.

I hope you all have been enjoying your last couple weeks of summer!