I'm going to be an Aunt!!

So, yesterday we went over to my brother-in-law and sister-in-law's house. The plan was to go out to dinner to celebrate Kay's work promotion. We were all standing in the dining room and everyone was talking, and playing with Jonathan in his car seat when Lucas said, We never got to thank you for making me and Kay an uncle and an aunt, so I guess we'll just have to return the favor. (something along those words). I knew the second he said it, got really excited and gave Kay a hug! Both mom's looked at each other and screamed!! It was great! Congrats Lucas and Kay! Now Jonathan will have a 1st cousin, and they will only be a year apart!! Ya!!! Kay is due late Feb/early March.

My Indiana Trip July 2010

A few weeks ago I went to visit my Grandparents and many family members in Indiana. While I was there I decided to climb the tree (probably for the last time ever because let me tell you, I am not as flexible or as strong as I use to be, so it was HARD to get up). My dad took a picture of me in the tree. I wish I had a picture of me in the tree as a child. I'm sure I do, but I just can't find it right now!

While there I spent a lot of time with my cousin's Abby and Ashley. We had a fun day at the park. They love getting pictures taken, so we had fun!

Before we left we made sure to get a picture of Grandpa Sand holding his first great grandson! I love this picture of them together!

high school continues

My sophomore year was probably the hardest year for you. At the time, I thought my life was just awful, I was depressed and didn't know what I was doing. Of course, looking back now, I realize I was young and stupid... I had a great life, and things weren't as bad as they appeared to be. I don't know what started me feeling sad, but I remember friendships in my life were changing, and I felt like things were going all wrong. Needles to say, I wound up falling into a group in school that weren't the best people to hanging out with. I started pulling away from my faith, and started to control my surrounds by not eating. I look back now, and realize that I was never really anorexic, but I was more trying to get attention. My pastor at the church ended up talking to me, praying with me, and meeting my parents to talk about what they could do to help me get though this tough time. I went to see a counselor and a nutritionist. Through talking with them, getting back involved with the youth a church, getting back into a good group of friends. Many friends reached out to me at that time as well, which was a blessing to me. If you are reading this, you know who you are... and Thankyou! I started getting my life back on track.

And when I mean back on track, I mean right with God. I read my bible every day, spent time in prayer, helped lean a bible study at school, and got so involved with the kids from church. I had never felt as close to Christ as I did at that. I look back and remember how happy I was, and I realize at this moment, I don't think I'm in that spot anymore. I need to start readying and praying daily again, for when I am in the WORD, I am most happiest, I trust God with all my heart, and I don't stress about things. Anyways....

The years went on in high school. Nothing else eventful. I went to dances (good story.... Junior year, I asked Nathan to go to turn-a-bout with me. If you ask him, I was crying(???) when I asked him,.. so he felt bad and said yes.... I don't remember it that way. Well a few days later he informed me that he decided not to go. He broke my heart. :) funny memory), I performed in Wizard of Oz my junior year, did 2 years of tennis, did 2 3-Act plays, performed in 2 summer musicals (crazy... my mother-in-law was the director, to this day I don't know why she put me in them... I'm not the best singing in the world). But my best memory is the time I spent with friends.

Marissa and Jesse were my closest friends in high school. Us three were together all the time. We laughed, we watched movies, hung out, but most importantly, we prayed together. Our group as a whole in high school was a good group. No one did drugs, smoked, or anything. We all respected our parents and did what they said. Without that group, I don't know what my life would be like today. Sadly, only a few of us are really in touch still. But I always hold them all in my heart.

Senior years was great. I was so excited to get out of school. At the time, I didn't really know what I wanted to do. My friend talked about becoming a nurse, and I thought that might be good. My mom always said I'd make a great nurse. I looked at some colleges and narrowed it down to UW Oshkosh (more of college life to come) Below is my senior pic

But before graduation, I was on the computer one night chatting with Nathan. All of a sudden he typed.. "I have to tell you something".. I said "What?" He then informed me that he liked me. So what did I do.. I told, 'that's nice, but I don't feel the same way!". But I had lied to him. I did feel that way, but I wasn't ready to admit it. I remember talking to Jesse a few days later about it and saying, I'm so stupid for not telling him. Nathan said he remembers feeling really embarrassed about it. Needles to say, I then told I did like him, but we didn't start to date right away. We wanted to wait and see how things turned out, since he was moving to St Paul in a few weeks for school.

Graduation day was great!!! I was so happy to finally be done and free of school. I remember sitting there waiting to go in thinking, "Wow, I did it! All those years I sat in class, thinking of this day, and it's finally here!" I was so excited, and so proud of myself. My mom cired, which meant a lot to me. They threw me a HUGE party the day before graduation, where most of my family came into town for. That meant a lot to me as well.

To be continued....

Green beans!

Jonathan had his first taste of veggies... green beans. He HATED it. The look on his face was priceless.

Just a reminder, i did not forget that I'm telling my story.. part 3 coming soon!

Our camping adventure

This past weekend we went camping.. and we took Jonathan! It was a blast. He love being out doors so we had no problems. As we packed up the van I realized I probably over-packed for Jonathan, Nathan would said I DEFINITELY over packed. I brought:

pack n' play

swing

stroller

Bumbo chair

2 diaper bags

feeding bag and the

chest carrier

Needless to say, I USED THEM ALL!!!

I set up out huge tent nice a neat. The front half was Jonathan's side. I had the pack n' play on one side, a chair and the swing on the other side so I could nurse him if he woke up. On the back side we had out 2 cots pulled together to make one big bed and our suitcase. (I wish I had a picture of this!) It was a nice little homelike set up. I wish I could say it stayed that way the whole night.

We had a HUGE rain storm that night. As it turns out, our tent is not as waterproofed as we would like... it's not water proofed AT ALL. I woke up with Nathan saying 'I'm getting dripped on". So we looked around, sure enough, one small drip above him. No big deal, right? We moved the cots over more and put a towel there. A little while alter we noticed one corner of the tent had water building up and roof was sagging. Now I'm getting worried. Nathan used the flashlight to push the water off and we went back to bed. A little while later Nathan turned the flash light on again to check the other corners. At that time Jonathan was in his swing. AND right above him the water was pooling and the ceiling was sinking it. I quickly jumped up and got him out of the swing and put him in the pack n' play. Of course he woke up... bummer. After getting him back a sleep I tried to sleep, but of course I needed to go to the bathroom, so I got the umbrella and make the trek to bathrooms... stepping in just about every puddle there was.

Finally back in bed, I thought I could get more sleep. Boy was I wrong, I heard drips. I looked up and water was dripping onto Jonathan, so I pulled the crib closer to me. He stayed dried the rest of the night. Unfortunately, I had a drip over me. Now at this point, the walls were seeping in water and the floor was flooded because the water was coming up through it as well. I didn't have anywhere else to move, so I slept with the drips. We woke up at 12:15 from the rain, and it stopped raining at 3, and Jonathan got up at 5. LONG NIGHT!!

But besides the night it was so much fun. Nathan and I went biking with friends of ours 5.6 miles. And the two families went for a hike to town (Fish Creek in Door County). It was a long walk, but fun. Oh yeah, I did fall of the bike within 1 min of getting on, twisted my ankle, but it's okay now. My parent's loved having Jonathan with them.

Our parents took us and our friend's to Wilson's Ice cream place to celebrate our anniversaries. Theirs is only a few days before ours.

Jonathan did great, he loved looking at the trees, and loved laying on the blanket with toys and he's friend Gabby!

We left Saturday night because it was suppose to rain again... and we bought a new tent Sunday for our next camping adventure in 4 weeks!

Wedding Day: 5 years ago!

We've been married 5 years. I look back at the pictures and remember what an AWSOME day our wedding day was!