A FRESH START

Hello 2011!! You and I are going to have a great relationship this year! I hope you know, I'm expecting a lot out of you. You are going to let me start over on some things that I kinda messed up this year. You are going to help me achieve goals. You are going to motivate me to finish things. You are going to allow me to be the person God wants me to be. I've never really made this relationship with any other year before, so you should feel PRETTY lucky! BUT, because this is the first relationship I'm having.....I'm holding you responsible and accountable for how I turn out come December 31, 2011 when we evaluate how our relationship has been over the past 365 Days. But don't you worry, we will have frequent evaulationships to see how your end of the bargain is holding up! I've compiled a list of all the things I would like for you to help me out with this year! Don't worry...it isn't long, but it is going to require some work. Are you ready? I AM!!

1. Reunite me with DAVE RAMSEY

He is a genius. Matt and I failed his 7 baby steps plan last year, and are now starting over. We have completed step one and now on to step 2. I am really going to cut back on excessive spending. I HAVE to live like no one else, so later I can live like no one else! WE have to create a budget and stick to it! GOODBYE DEBT!!! My goal for 2011: Eliminate AT LEAST 3 things that are causing us to be in debt! Why just 3? Start small! We can't take on more than we can handle, look where that got us! We will do the snowball effect, and if we can takle more than three, we will!





2. Reunite me with the YMCA and WORKING OUT!

Since going back to school, I haven't really had the time to work out like I need to be. But, now, I'm correcting that statement. I haven't been MAKING the time to work out like I need to be. There is ALWAYS time in the day to fit in a workout. EVEN if it means parking at the far end of the parking lot of the grocery store just to get a walk in! I HAVE to make it a necessity in my life to work out AT LEAST 3 times a week. Yep, start small and then work to make it bigger! 3 times a week I have to get a workout in! Whether it be going to the Y to workout in the gym, to do Zumba, walking at home or at school, doing Zumba on the Wii at home, no if, ands, or BUTTS, about it. My goal for 2011: Lose 14 pounds! Why 14? I'm putting it out there: I weigh 146, take me down to 132, please!





3. Reunite me with MY HUSBAND!

Since going back to school, Matt and I really have not spent ANY time together! People ask me-when do you see your husband? I saw when I go to bed and when I wake up in the morning. They think I'm joking, but sadly I'm not. My weeknights are spent either up at school, because I have class the next day, or if I am at home, I am working at Bath and Body works trying to make extra cash, or at home STUDYING. Weekends are the same, either working or studying. I don't think it's hampered our marriage, but it definitely hasn't made it stronger. BUT, we all know-the deeper you get into school, the harder it gets. My goal for 2011: at least one night a month, we have a date night. Nope, we don't go out to eat, because Dave says you shouldn't see the inside of a restaurant unless you work in one. BUT, we will sit down and eat dinner together, watch a movie, play a game, or just TALK.




4. Reunite me with my GIRLFRIENDS!

Again, going back to school has taken time away from hanging out with my girlfriends! A girl needs time with her goals! This past year, two my my BEST FRIENDS and I went Christmas Shopping one WHOLE Saturday. It was the BEST time I have had in a long time! I need more GIRL TIME! My goal for 2011: At least one girl night a month! An INEXPENSIVE girl night! DiGiorno's Pizza, Wine, Rented Movies, Mario Kart on the Wii, BOOK CLUB!!!





5. Reunite me with JESUS!


There has been a common theme here-Since going back to school, I have neglected spending time with Jesus on the weekends. Oh don't worry-he hears from me a lot during the week and yes, even on the weekends. But I need to reconnect him for that 1 hour on Saturday or Sunday in HIS HOUSE! There are PLENTY of opportunities in Quincy for me to attend mass. I just have the excuse of my weekends are spent working and studying. But, I KNOW I can make that time to go visit him in HIS House! My goal for 2011: Attend Mass EVERY WEEKEND! Bonus goal: get Matt to attend with me!





All in all, I don't think those are bad goals! Let's recap:





1. Elimiate at least 3 things that are causing us to be in debt.


2. Loose 14 pounds


3. Date night at least once a month.


4. Girl night at least once a month.


5. Attend mass every weekend.








OK-it's in writting! And it's official!!!

COME ON IN 2011!!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Prayers

I've got a lot of prayer requests and I figured, what better way to get people praying then to post a BLOG about it!!

1. My Daddy
He is having another surgery tomorrow on his vocal chords. My mom and him will leave Quincy about 8:30 tomorrow morning and head to St. Louis. This is the 2nd surgery he is having, and the first by this particular doctor. The doctor says he will keep dad in the OR and under the anesthesia until the whole lesion is removed. Please pray for him and my mom (she gets a little nervous about this things)

2. My BFF from Kindergarten, Mary Achelpohl-Tjeerdsma
Mary and her husband Adam, are awaiting their first child! Mary was due two days ago, but the Dr. says the baby ain't ready. Mary is being VERY patient! I want Baby T here!! SOoooOOOoo excited for them! And-I've said all along, that it's going to be a BOY!!! Hope I'm right!!

3. My friend Ashleigh
Ashleigh just recently found out she is pregnant for the first time, unexpectedly! Please keep her and her husband, Chris, in your prayers as they await this miracle from God.

4. ME!
I'm asking for prayers as school, work, social life continues to get harder and harder! Please help me prioritize and keep everything in order in my hectic life!

5. Matt
He asked for prayers to that he starts to feel better. I guess you can pray for him if you feel the urge to ;)

6. Matt and I
We are still finding ourselves in our new marriage, and with me going back to school, we need prayers more than ever. Our free time isn't usually spent together, and when it is spent together-it's usually us sleeping, or I'm studying. We know this is what we need to do to better our future, but it's just hard right now :(

7. Mini-TEC
December Mini-TEC is the 17th and 18th. I'm on the team for this one!! I'm really looking forward to it, as I usually do! I will be on the service team-and I'm really stoked for that! We've already gotten a handful of candidates in, so that's a good sign!! Please keep the team and candidates in your prayers as we prepare for the weekend!


Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nothing is impossible in life as the word impossible itself says ‘I’m possible

"Nothing is impossible in life as the word impossible itself says ‘I’m possible"

I came across this quote today and hit really hit me. I am for sure one of those people that has to stay busy. OBVIOUSLY!! Anyone who really knows me, knows I can't sit still! I can't even sit on the couch and just simply WATCH TV...I have to be on the computer, or texting, or studying, I can't just be.

Lately, I feel like I have TOO much on my plate though. Let me just recap what I'm involved with or what is going on in my life:

SCHOOL: I commute just a little over 2 hours to Ottumwa, Iowa for school. This term, I am only taking one class, which also has a lab, and I take it Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00-11:30. The past two weeks, I leave early Monday evening, come back after class on Tuesday, leave early Wednesday evening, and come back after class on Thursday. I am sure this will change once winter really hits, and then I will stay there Tuesday-Thursday.

WORK: I work at First Choice Physical Therapy during the week when I am not at school. My evenings and weekends, when I am available I work at Bath and Body Works in the mall.

TEC: I am on the TEC board, which I haven't been able to attend since going back to school because 1st term, I had class Monday night. I coordinate the Mini-TEC program. We haev 3 Mini-TEC's each year. I am on the team for the December Mini-TEC so I'm wearing two hats at the moment! Being on the team, and make sure it all goes smoothly and all the paper work is in and whatnot!

IDTA: The Illinois Drill Team Association is who Illinois high school dance and flag teams can compete with. This is the organization I comepeted through while a member of the Quincy Notre Dame Pom Pon Squad and then as a coach. This year, I will be an apprentice judge! I just couldn't walk away from it all together! HAHA! I'm really looking forward to being on the judgining side of things. This will consume some of my Saturday's from January-March.

SOCIAL:



As you can see, I have left my social life blank, because I don't have one. Whenever I can, I try to make time for my husband and my friends. This past Thanksgiving weekend was the most time that Matt and I have spent together since our HONEYMOON! I have decided I really need to look at what I am involved with and make some changes.

I spread myself to thin sometimes and some people and some things don't get the attention they deserve from me. I feel I need to cut out my job at BBW, but that will have to wait until after school is completed, because we need the extra money. ESPECIALLY when I start doing clinicals and that will be my only source of income.

I love everything I do, and I give 110% to everything I do. But.....I'm tired :(

Always the one......

It has taken me a loonnnggg time to find a core group of friends. I know I posted a blog a while back about my friends, but I feel things have kinda changed since then, or actually they've kinda always been this way, I'm just really realizing it now and am getting kinda fed up with it.

I feel like I am always the friend that is always there for my friends whenever they need someone. I'm the friend that calls to see how you are doing, texts a nice message/thought/or just a what's up, I'm the friend that goes out of the way to stay in touch. But some don't return the phone call, the text, the e-mail, or even acknowledge a 'just because' gift.

Relationships/Friendships/Marriages involve more than one person.


I feel I have done all I can do. God puts people in your life for a reason, and maybe they are only meant to be there for a certain while or there for a lifetime. To all my friends that will be with me for a lifetime-I love you and thank you. To those who were only in my life for a little time-I hope I contributed to your life in a positive way. And to the friends that are no longer in my life because of their choice, your loss ;)

AND-to anyone who is reading this that is a friend of mine...if you feel guilty after reading this-then maybe we need to re-evaluate our friendship :)

Moving On

For the past three years, I coached the Quincy Notre Dame Pom Pon Squad...the squad I was a member of for four years in high school. Going back to my alma matter was a great journey and a decision I am glad I made. When I first accepted the position, I had just come from coaching the dance team at Culver-Stockton College (another dance team I was a member of!) and was assigned the position with Ashleigh Douglas (now Wisslead). I knew right away that Ashleigh and I would do a great job, but I didn't know how much of a friendship I would acquire from her (see previous post!). The first year coaching was for sure a learning experience. Ashleigh and I had both come from a great squad...a history of being state champions, long lasting friendships, a great coach, gerat respect for each other, and so on and so on. Ashleigh and I had really high expectations for the squad and wanted it to be a year they would remember. The previous year, the squad did not make it to state. That was the first time in over 10 years Quincy Notre Dame Pom was not at the State competition. Our main goal was to get the girls to state. Well, that journey was of course not an easy one, but we know God did not give us anything he did not think we could handle. All of the situations he put before us made us stronger women, better role models, and deepened our faith. I never IMAGINED some of the obstacles we encountered, but we persevered and got the squad to state....PLACING 4th and msising 3rd by .1!!!!! We were very pleased with our first year as coaches of the squad.

So, the second year...I was on my own. Ashleigh took a job in a different city :( I had learned a lot from that first year of coaching a high school squad and was feeling very confident about going into the second year. The year went pretty smoothly, with a few bumps in the road here and there. We ended up with a small amount of girls then we started with, but we made it work! We made it to state once again, however, did not place very well. We took two routines to State...competiting in Pom and in Dance. The feeling of hearing them announce at Super Sectionals that we qualified our dance routine was out of this world! Dance had some PHENOMINAL teams!! We were definately out of league, but it would prepare us for the future. Pom, I do believe, we got shunned on. The team that won deserved it by all means!!! They rocked it out, no pun intended since their theme was 'rock and roll'. I do though, in my honest heart, believe we should've placed at least 5th! I feel I bonded with the girls on this squad more than I had the previous one, soley because a majority of these girls I had been with for two years. At the end of this year, I knew for sure I would be coaching another year, but did not know yet if I would continue on after. I would be getting married and that set up a whole new chapter in my life!!

So, that brings us to the third year of my coaching experience at Quincy Notre Dame. I had a super group of girls!! A very talented, hard working group. We killed it at camp! Camp is always a great time, but I saw this squad grow so much and get so close and learn so much! I knew this was going to be a challenging year for me as I was getting married in September. I had a group of Alumni pommers help out the week of my wedding and the week after while I was on my honeymoon. During that time, we had the annual fundraiser where we host an after school camp for gradeschool girls and then they perform that night at the football game. Because of the awesome parents I had and the support of the alumni pommers, everything went smoothley! We started working on competition and had a great theme for pom. We decided to continue on with our dance journey, ordered costumes and picked out a song. When we started teaching the squad the competitiong routine, it was obvious that our strong suit would be pom, and we decided to forgo entering our dance routine. In January, I made the decision that I would not continue the next year as the pom coach. I had gotten in to Physical Therapy Assistant school, which was a goal of mine to do after Matt and I got married. It was a VERY hard decision. I listed out the pros and the cons, and talked to Ashleigh about it, and it just made sense to step down. WIth it being my last year, I wanted to do well more than ever before!! At our very first regional we received 2nd place, beating the current state champs. As the regionals went on, I felt like we kept getting screwed (sorry). We qualified the routine for state and the girls did a great job, however-the judges saw something in other routines that they did not see in ours. I was heartbroken. I wanted this squad to place well at State...even come home with a 1st place finish!! We just couldn't do it. It was very hard. I felt like as a coach I had let my squad down, my one senior, the upperclassmen who choreographed the routine, the past pommers. Ugh! Hopefully, the girls will come back strong next year!!!

I'm not going to lie........there are times I miss it. When I see photos of the girls from camp and know what a great experience that can be. When I hear the girls talk about how excited they are for the upcoming season. When I hear a song on the radio or see a routine and think (OH that's a great idea.....oh wait lol). There is a QND Football game tonight and I am going. This will be the first time I attend a QND football game as just a fan. Not as a member of the pom pon squad, not as a clinical athletic training student on the side line, not as a coach..........a fan, an alumni of the school, and an alumni pommer. Just Laura :)



SO, as I look back on my three years of coaching, I hope the girls:



Looked at me as a good Christian Role Model.

Learned to treat others with respect.

Saw how much the alumni pom pon squad members support them and that they always will.

Learned time management.

How to succeed even when you think you have failed.

Know they can always come to me, any time/any place/with any issue!

Know that everything I did, was in the best interest of the squad and them as individuals!





I wish the two new coaches (Alumni pommers of the squad as well...WAHOO!!!) the best of luck!!! I sure learned a lot! I've been in your shoes, and if you ever need advice on anything...I'm here for you!! In the good times and the bad!!



To the current and future members of the squad.........treat each other, your coaches, and your parents with respect! Don't talk bad about each other, don't criticize each other. Pray together, learn together, succeed together! CHEERIOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Once a QND Pommer.....Always a QND POMMER!

Pommers: What is your favorite memory?

General Readers: What do you think?

Comments are open to all!!

FRIENDS

Two of my very best friends don't live in the same town as me....not even the same area. I miss them dearly and hate that we don't have the convenience of driving across town or just down the road to see each other.

Mary lives in Grimes, Iowa a small town just outside of Des Moines. We have been best friends since Kindergarten! She is currently pregnant WAHOO!!!!!!!1 We just played phone tag for like 3 weeks trying to get in touch with one another! We would leave each other voicemails with our schedules so we could try to catch one another. I miss that she isn't just down the road. I want to run to see her and her belly growing with that precious life growing inside of it!

Ashleigh lives in Edwardsville, Illinois just outside of St. Louis, MO. I miss this girl like crazy. We went to high school together and were on pom together and have done TEC together and all that jazz. However, we didn't become good friends until we were both coaches of the QND Pom Pon Squad a few years ago. This girl is my ideal woman! She is SOOO strong in her faith, her love of Jesus, her love of her family, and her love for her husband. I hate that we don't live by each other anymore. I want her to come over to watch So You Think You Can Dance or go to Gem City for Chicken Nachos and Margaritas. She is such a GOOD friend and I miss her.

Then I have my friends in the town of Quincy. I don't even get to see them that much either because we are all SOOOO busy! I feel like I have such a great group of friends, but we never get to see each other! With me going back to school for the next 2 years, it's going to be even worse!!!

It's a good thing I like my co-workers at First Choice and Bath and Body since I'm around them ALL THE TIME!! They are my friends, too. It is true, people. You can be friends with the people you work with....it would just be nice to spend more time with them outside of work, but that isn't possible when you are always working!!

Prayer List

Mini-TEC 56

Friends far away (Ashleigh, Mary, Joni)

Friends close by (Mandy, Nikki, Keeli, Ashley Z, Dawn, Cassie, Kara, Michelle, Jayson, Rasche, etc)

First Choice Friends (Brooklyn, Ashley, Becca, Kelly, Brian, even Mike and the rest of the gang HAHA)

BBW Crew (ALL OF YOU!!!!)

Matt and I for a safe travel to Chicago this weekend

The Cubs (please get a WIN on Saturday!)

Kelly Veihl *LOTS OF PRAYERS GIRLFRIEND*

AMEN!!

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY WEEK!!!!!!!!

Per the request of my many avid bog readers, I have decided to put up a new blog! Your welcome :)

It's been a few weeks since I have blogged, and we've got some updating to do!

1. My Dad had surgery last monday for luekoplasia which is basically an abnormal white spot on his vocal chords. The surgery went well and he isn't able to talk for 2 weeks, or have little talking for 2 weeks. We got the results back on friday and the doctor said there was some dysplasia noted which is just some abnormalities. He wants to see Dad again in a couple of weeks to re-evaluate him, so please continue to keep him in your prayers.

2. We played volleyball last Thursday at 10:00. *10:00* seriously?!!? on a THURSDAY!?! I'm getting to old for this! I was perfectly content at home on my couch watching So You Think You Can Dance and Big Brother. BUT, we went and played volleyball and unfortunately lost our first two matches of this session so that was a MAJOR downer. THEN on the way home...I got pulled over :( He pulled us over because my driver side headlight was out and said he clocked me doing 62/55 and THEN he also said my rear registration light was out (WHICH IT ISN'T!!). Anyways, I just got a written warning, but I'm thinking he was hoping to get a DUI out of me which wasn't going to happen buddy, I WAS SOBER!

3. Come into work on Friday to find out my co-worker and good friend was in an awful motorcycle accident! When another co-worked told me about it, I straight up said I didn't believe her. SO, I hurried to get online to find the news article and DAMN....it was true. She unfortunately lost her right leg and has a pretty bad broken right shoulder. God wasn't ready to take her yet and we are truly grateful he is letting us keep her! She is a very strong woman and she will get through this, but it's going to be a tough journey. I went up to see her Friday afternoon while she was in the ICU. She's since been moved out of ICU to a private room. I went and saw her last night, but she slept the whole time. I plan on going to see her tonight. She was supposed to come out to my house and watch the season finale of the Bachelorette, so I'm going to go up there and hopefully we are able to watch it together.

4. IT'S MY HUBBY AND I'S BIRTHDAY WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!! I really love that our birthday's are so close together! Matt will be 26 tomorrow and I will be 27 on Saturday.....that's TOO close to 30!!! EEK!!!!!! We are going to Chicago for the weekend and I'M SUPER excited for the getaway! We are going to see a Cub's game on Saturday! WAHOO!!! Hopefully we will see a WIN...they are playing the Reds so..........anything's possible though at Wrigley!!

5. There is a Mini-TEC this weekend and we currently have 23 candidates! AND I have directors for all of the Mini-TEC's this year...whew!

WELL, I think that's all the updates I have!

PRAYER LIST

Kelly Veihl

Dr. Kim

Ashley's Grandma

Becca's Mother-in-Law

Mini-TEC 56!!

AMEN!!!!

I Can't Explain Why....

I was talking to a co-worker yesterday about possibly going on Cursillo or a TEC (encouraging him moreso for a Cursillo). My co-worker grew up catholic, attended catholic grade school, high school, and then a DOC college. He is very opinionated on his beliefs, which aren't the same as mine contrary to us both being of the Catholic Faith. He doesn't beleive that Mary was a virgin, he doesn't believe in confession, he doesn't believe in the immaculate conception, and the list goes on and on and on. He asks why I believed the things I do. And sadly, I could not come up with a good answer. The only answer I could come up with was that is what I have been taught since I was a little girl and that is what I have CHOSEN to believe and follow. It's frustrating to me because I don't know how to explain it!!

My co-worker and I talked about creation and the only way I can sum it up is by the song "My Reedemer Lives". The lyrics include "who told the moon where to hide until morning" and "who told the ocean to only come this far". Not some scientist!! The only person capable of creating our beautiful earth and creating man and woman is God himself! How can you deny that??

I also asked him if there is ever anything that has happened in his life to make him think "Wow, God totally had a hand in that" and he said the birth of his daughters. Props to him on that one!

He also said he gets freaked out when people tell him they will pray for you. He doesn't get it. He said when do they pray for me? He think thinks the only place you can pray for people is at church.

The whole conversation left with me with a bitter taste in my mouth. I think he is open to hearing and seeing what other people have to say, but he will always argue what he believes and what he believes is right. All I can say, is I planted the seed, and we will see if it grows or dies.

Prayer List For Today

My Co-Worker (it will freak him out to know I'm praying for him haha)

Rob and Randy Cadwell...I had them on my prayer list about a month ago because their grandfather had passed away...sadly their other grandfather passed away this week.

The QND Pommers as they prepare for camp this weekend (I miss that part)

The Women of Cursillo #272 taking place this weekend.

Mini-TEC #56 who has their first team meeting this Sunday

My Family

AMEN!!

Love :)

Jayson and Nikki's wedding went off great....they are married and celebrating their honeymoon in Florida!! We had several stressful moments, but we overcame them. My husband gave a great best man's speech....I was sooo proud of him! Matt's not a big talker infront of people, and he was VERY nervous about giving the toast. He credited Jayson and Justin for us being together (awww) the crowd cheered on that remark haha.

I've attended 2 weddings since Matt and I have been married. Each wedding makes me remember my special day. Each wedding makes me see how important my marriage is to me and how much I love my husband.

Everyone always said the first year of marriage is the hardest. I am going to have to agree with 'everyone' on that. I am a strong believer in your shouldn't live together before you are married. Now, many of you reading this know our past. I stood my ground. I wanted this to be something for us to experience together for the first time. Living together has been one of two big challanges. Just adjusting to each others style and living habits. Matt's really bad about taking his dishes to the kitchen....and then rinsing them off and putting them in the dishwasher. I am really bad about putting my clothes away. Also, just adjusting to being around each other for a lot of hours was a big adjustment. I think it's made us stronger and closer as a couple. The other thing that has been a struggle for us is our faith. I am Catholic and Matt is Lutheran......not that different I know....but it has caused some big arguments. So big where I told Matt if this was going to continue, he would just have to not go to mass with me anymore. As many of you know, I'm very involved with TEC and Cursillo. It has been an ongoing prayer to get Matt to one of these retreats. I think we are leaning towards Cursillo, but I still haven't gotten a firm 'yes' from him.

So....Love. Love is realizing the person you have chosen to spend the rest of your life with means more to you than anyone could ever imagine. Marriage is about riding a roller coast but staying on the ride even when it gets scary. My husband is a great man and means the world to me. I don't know how I got so lucky to have him by myside for the rest of my life...it is for sure a gift from God.


Prayer List for Today:

Nikki and Jayson on their new marriage and that they have a safe and enjoyable trip.

Kaysi and Pete on their new marriage.

Ashleigh and Christopher on their new marriage.

A Mini-TEC Director for February (still need one!)

All who are traveling for the holiday weekend

All married couples.

The family of G.K. (a dear patient of mine who passed away last Thursday)

AMEN!

Slow down and enjoy the ride

The bachelorette party was a MAJOR SUCCESS!!! SUCH a good time and every worry I had went out the window! We went to six different wineries, two outside of Hermann, and the other 4 were in Hermann. Our Trolley driver was a riot and we had such a good time! But most importantly, the Bride-to-be enjoyed herself!

Sunday was Father's day. We had just a nice laid back day with our father's. I think my Dad really just enjoyed having his children around him for a nice BBQ. And I KNOW he LOVED the windchime that Matt and I gave him.

This week, I've been really busy. I've worked at Bath and Body Works the past two nights and will be there again tonight. Tomorrow night my mama and I are going to dinner then out to the retreat center for Cursillo's Sponsor Hour. My mom and dad usually handle the registration process, but since my dad is on the weekend, I'm going to fill in for him.

Friday will be spent getting all prepared for the wedding. I have to take Wrigley to the vet first thing and then we will be getting our nails done. Fabulous lunch date planed at The Ranch :) and then Saturday is the big day!!!!!!!!!!! Matt's got his Best Man's speach all ready to go, and I think it's going to great and Jayson and Nikki will really appreciate the toast in honor of them!

At work, we just watched the amazing USA Men's Soccer Team WIN! What an exciting finish it was! All the patients were in to it as well! Yeah for the red, white, and blue :)


Prayer List for Today:

Nikki....so she doesn't get any more stressed out about the weekend

Rob and Randy Cadwell who lost their Grandpa yesterday

Cursillo 271

Angie, that she enjoys her new nephew and knows in her heart she made the decision that will make her happy

Everyone who will be traveling to the wedding this weekend

Ashleigh and Christopher on their new marriage

AMEN!

I am SOOOO ready for the weekend. Ready to escape Quincy and head off to Wine Country aka Hermann, MO! I think things are finally coming together for the Bachelorette party and I just hope all the planning that Mandy and I have done will all pay off for Nikki and she will enjoy herself!

Worked at Bath and Body Works last night...if you haven't been in-get there soon! Big sale right now is $5 Wallflowers and Signature Collection is Buy 3 Get 3 Free!! Signature includes the NEW Men's line and the NEW Summer Vanilla's! There's also a lot of prodcut marked 50-75% off...you really can't miss this sale!


I've been stressing (and still kind of am) trying to get directors for this years Mini-TECs. I have August and December taken care of, but I still need a director or directors for February! Please say some prayers that the person I have asked will say 'yes' to February!


I got my first bill from Indian Hills in the mail yesterday. Two summer classes-almost $200 which isn't bad, I don't think! However, these two classes I have to take are one day for four hours each......and it's stuff I already know. First Aid/CPR and Basic Life Support.........Been certified in this since 2001, but it's a program requirerment so it has to be done through the program *blah*. Oh well, it will get me on campus and help get me get familiarized with the campus and buildings and what not. I really am looking forward to going to back to school and furthering my education. I feel like this is the right time in my life and my head is in the right spot. Hopefully, that motivation stays with me for the next 2 years, right?!


SO, agenda for tonight.....I should be able to get off work early (pretty stoked about that one!) SO, if that's the case there are a couple of errands I need to run (mainly to get ready for the bachelorette party and help the husband get ready for the bachelor party), then dinner with Michelle, which I am looking forward to, volleyball tonight, and then meeting up with Mandy to make the shirts for the bachelorette party!



Anyways-hope all who are reading this are having a great day!

Prayer List for today:

Daphne Whittaker's family...former pommer of mine whose grandmother just passed away.

Bill Gilmore family...Bill is the man who was to be on my Dad's Cursillo that suddenly passed away.

All the people who are traveling to Bill's visitation tonight (espcially my Dad, Jeff Steinkamp, Mike Grant, and Msgr. Mike Kuse).

Melissa and Luke Maynard who were just blessed with their first child!

Mary and Adam Tjeerdsma

Cursillo #271 (taking place next weekend, my Dad is on it)

Request #2 (taking place this weekend, my Mom is on it)

A Director for the February Mini-TEC

Those of us who will be traveling to Hermann for Nikki's Bachelorette Party.

The boys who will be traveling to the Ozarks for Jayson's Bachelor party (LORD, REALLY watch over them)

AMEN!!

Peacemaker

Peacemaker:
I like that my friends trust me enough to come to me for advice and guidance. However, when it's two of your friends that are coming to you about the other one...that makes it really tough. I understand where both are coming from, and I agree with points they both make. But there is no way I can side with one over the other, and I think that may be where the problem lies. They each want me to say that she is right and the other is wrong. My sole advice is they need to talk to each other.....nicely. I pray that they can solve their problems and try to get back to being the friends they once were.

Bachelorette Party Update:
We are down two people now, making our total 6. The bride, the MOH, myself, 1 bridesmaid (the groom's sister), the groom's mom, and the groom's grandma. The bride's mom and one of her sister's aren't going now because of a family crisis. Family Crisis meaning the bride's great grandma is sick and all of the family members are flying in. Such a sad thing to experience during a time that is supposed to be joyous. I feel like this is a group of women from a family going on a vacation and the MOH and I are tagging along. I feel bad for Nikki (the bride) because as a bride (and I can speak from experience on this one), you want ALL of your friends there, especially your bridesmaids! I'm sure it will still be a good time, I mean you can't go wrong with wine, right?

Enjoy the People in your life:
So, Sunday I had gone to the buddy mass for my Dad's Cursillo. All of the men on the team are there and we have a mass to pray for the upcoming retreat and then each team member is called up and we pray over them. Afterwards, we have a dinner that the team supplies (or their wives haha). Yeserday, a patient of mine who is also to be on the Cursillo, informed me that one of the team members had a massive heart attack early Monday morning and passed away. This man was just at the budd mass on Sunday. I saw him! I prayed over him! We must cherish every moment of our lives, and cherish every person in our life. We must not hold anything back, because never know when God will call us home. Please pray for Bill Gillmore's family. His wife is to be the rectora of the next Women's Cursillo, so she will need even more prayers now then before.

Hello Monday....I hate you. Love, Laura

Ok, so first off......this is my first blog! A wise friend told me it might be a good idea to start a journal to get stuff off of my chest and a good way to express myself. Well, I would rather type my feelings then write them....writting to much hurts my hand. So, here we go with this blogging buisness!

I hate Monday's. Especially after a busy weekend when you really don't have time for yourself. And to top it off, it's rainy and dark outside, which really doesn't add to my mood. This weekend was ridiculous! Friday night, after working my full time job, I worked my part time job until 9:15. Saturday, my mom and I had a garage sale, then I had to work again from 10:30-3:00. After work, I went back to the garage sale to load everything up that didn't sell then went home to change and meet my husband, then back to Quincy for a graduation party. And it doesn't stop there. After the graduation party we went to the St. Francis Picnic (where I drank entirely too much) and after the picnic went to late night at the Phoenix. SO, here we are at Sunday. Slept in a little bit, but was hard to with the thunderstorms. Then I went to mass at 2:00 for my Dad's Curisillo, had a meal afterwards, then went out to TEC for the Hoot (it was hotter than Hell's Bells in the gym!!). After the Hoot, the parentals and I went to the Tower to eat, then headed back out to the retreat center to be a guardian angel. Those girls did not fall asleep until about 1:15 so i didn't get home until about 1:45.

And here we are...........Monday. I hate Monday's. I'm tired.........I would have liked to have slept in. I'm huntry ( I brought left over's from the Tower for lunch...don't know if I'm looking forward to that or not). I might have to work at Bath and Body tonight (call in shift. those kind of suck because you don't know for sure if you have to work or not). If I don't have to work, I'll do Zumba (LOVE this workout!!).

The bachelorette party is this weekend.....not sure how I feel about this one. It's been a roller coster trying to get it planned. I have to find tank tops for us all to wear friday night, so if I have a chance between work and Zumba, I'll do that. I also want to get a dress to wear to the winery on Saturday and will need to get a dress for the wedding.

Anyways...........I don't know if I feel any better after typing all that out or not. Maybe we will try this again tomorrow and see what happens.

Peace out :)