Bath Time!

Ryan being a boy who used to hate bath time has now grown to love them. The boys will sit in that tub for an hour if we allowed it! They splash, play, and sing and love every minute of it. Those two just make my heart melt...

NEW HEADER!

I want to say a special THANK YOU to Becky at Lady in Waiting Blog Designs for designing my amazing header! She has taken over blog designing for The Blog Fairy as she prepares to bring her son Noah home. I pray for safe travels to Verna!! I hope you guys enjoy the new look! We had a nasty storm last night bringing ice and snow, so campus is closed today. So now I think I'll go make some more coffee and snuggle up with a movie! ;)

Fun Weekend in Indiana!

We made it back from our visit to Indiana. We had a lot of fun! Well I did anyways. Tyler was suffering all weekend with a nasty swollen throat and cough and went into the doctors today. He has strep throat!! I'm PRAYING I don't get it. After we drove back last night we laid around together and watched a movie. I tried to keep a good distance but its hard not to want to snuggle up to your honey when they are sick! ;) Anyways, the weekend was tons of fun. The girls and I went out Friday night and had a blast. We then stayed in Saturday night and played Guitar Hero on the Wii....and I must say for a first timer...I ROCKED!! I also got to see Tyler's cousins baby girl for the first time. She is precious. Her name is Elle (pronounced "L") and she is 2 months old. She was only 5lbs. when she was born and now she weighs 10lbs. even. She felt like a feather when I held her. I'm used to the big babies over here! Well just pray for Tyler to heal fast and get back up on his feet. He is an awful sick person because he has a hard time just sitting around. Happy Monday friends!

Me, Julie (friend), Emily (friend), Jess (Tyler's cousin's wife)

Me rockin' out to Guitar Hero! ;)

Elle Brooklyn (Those cheeks are adorable!)

Favorite Photo Friday

This is a picture of me and my four best friends. It was taking on the beach of Lake Michigan in summer of 2006. I hardly get to spend any time with them anymore because we all went away to different colleges. I love them all dearly and when we do get to spend a Girls Night Out together...it is fabulous!!!

I hope you all have a glorious weekend...Tyler and I are heading to Indiana to spend some time with friends and family. Happy Friday!

Suggestions NEEDED!!

I've been dealing with this nasty sore throat since last weekend. It seems to be worse and night and in the morning. I know that is from drainage of...well....snot! I get colds a lot in the winter and now I just have lots of ewwy's in the nose! I need to know if there is anything out there that has worked for you guys that soothes a sore throat. I even woke up at 4am this morning in tears because of the pain! I've been taking pain killers, drinking tea, and sucking on throat lozenges but it still is killing me! Any suggestions????????? PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!

~ Wednesday Wishes ~

The Bucket List

Tyler and I braved the cold tonight and went on a date! We went out to dinner at a local Mexican restaurant where we shared faitas (yummy!!) and then went to go see The Bucket List. Now, if you have not seen this movie yet...I'm telling you TO SEE IT! You leave the movie with a new outlook on life and it just gives you warm fuzzies in your belly. ;) Warning: you will laugh and you will cry but its all worth it. Tyler said its one of the best movies that he's seen in a long time and that's saying something. He is the toughest movie critic I know!

...The snow keeps falling and we are again expected to get 3-5 inches tonight. I even did a mini fishtail with my car on the roads tonight. Why does it feel like summer is so far away?! Stay warm everyone!

Baby, Its Cold Outside!

I made it back safely from my weekend at home! It is currently FREEZING outside...wind chills in the negatives....EWWWYY!!

It is my brother-in-laws birthday today and last night we had a little party for him. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEREMY!!! It was fun to get together with some friends and have a good time. Now, about that football game I just watched...holy cow! I wasn't really partial to either team but it was a nail bitter! Looks like Patriots and Giants are in the Superbowl...gonna be a butt whoopin' if you ask me! ;)

On the flip side, I am just jumpin' for joy right now because I don't have class tomorrow, thanks to Martin Luther King Day. I'm hoping to get to bed soon and sleep till 9...maybe 10?! Ahhhh that would be lovely! Then I'm planning on being some what productive. Maybe cleaning my bathroom...doing some homework...maybe some laundry? Lets just hope I wake up well rested and rarin' to go!!!! I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend!

I'm heading home for the weekend! I hope you all have a relaxing and refreshing weekend and I'll be back Sunday! XOXO

~My Little Buddy~

~Amy and Ryan~

I have been in Ryan's life ever since he was 2 months old.

He and I have always had a special bond.

We both love to cuddle and be lazy.

We both enjoy food (if you couldn't tell by his chubbiness!).

He loves all girls who are blond because that resembles me.

He started to say my name and won't stop saying it.

He knocks at my door if its closed and calls for me everyday.

He gets ready with me in the morning by getting his hair brush and standing next to me

while I do my hair, and he does his. ;)

He mimics everything I do.

He likes to watch me do my makeup and pretends to powder his face.

He wants to sit on my lap and just cuddles up to me every time I'm at my computer.

He gives me this smile that warms my heart.

He runs to me when I pick him up from day care or just walk in the front door.

We have always had a special bond and I'm so lucky I can experience this with him.

He is my little buddy, my Ry!

OH yeah baby!

It's Wednesday evening and that means the week is half over! Why not turn on some 90's music and jam out!?

** Notice Ryan try to shake his booty like his brother, his CHEESY smile, and then looses interest in the whole dance party...haha... I love that boy!

SEVERE Pain...

Can we say "OUUUCCHHH!?!" I have been having severe pain on the right side of my jaw for about 2 weeks now and I was just kinda blowing it off...taking ibuprofen like its my job! Well I was thinking and then thought...oh wait, at my last dentist check-up, they said that they could see ONE wisdom tooth growing in and it was my bottom right one. DING DING DING, I have found the source of the pain! I even think that the pain is the reason that I threw up the other night. I woke up with a pounding headache which in turn turned into a stomach ache and so on. Now, I must say, I'm VERY scared to go to the oral surgeon because I was home when my sister had hers out and seeing all that blood drip out of her mouth totally disgusted me! I have an appointment next week Friday and I'm praying that I only need this one out. But who knows! Ok people, here is your cue to tell me that its not THAT bad and I shouldn't be scared.... ;)

Monday, Monday....

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I hope you all have a good start to the week.... I was up last night throwing up (gross I know) so I'm just praying to get through the day!

Happy Sunday...

Back and Relaxed!

We are back from our night away but I unfortunately forgot my camera. :( We were about 5 minutes down the road and realized it...of course Tyler wouldn't turn back! haha But we had a great night away! It was very good to see my friend and her boyfriend. She is expecting an engagement ring very soon...so I'm excited to have a wedding shopping partner!! We stayed the night in a hotel that was right at the bottom of a ski hill. Our window had a view looking over the slopes and it was just beautiful! After we settled in, we headed to the main lodge were we went to dinner. The dinner was very good and I was VERY full afterwards. Emily got a margarita sampler that consisted of 3 mini-ritas and boy were those good!!! ;) We then spent the evening in the room playing cards, chit-chatting and drinking wine. We had such a fun and relaxing night. I just hope we can do that once in a while when we are actually married!

Friday Night Getaway!

Tyler and I are heading up north to visit some friends for the evening. I have a girlfriend who lives in Indiana and I don't get to see her very much at all! Her and her boyfriend are heading up north to go skiing for the weekend and asked Tyler and I to join them for tonight. I'm very excited to get away for just a night to have a fancy dinner and sip some wine with some close friends! I hope everyone has a fabulous Friday and I'll be back tomorrow with some photos hopefully!

XOXO

What do I want to do with my life?

Many of you know that I'm a college student but have no idea what I am going into. Well...I am an Entrepreneurship major with an Earth Science minor. Those who don't know what Entrepreneurship is...it is starting up and owning your own business. Ever since I was about 10 years old, I loved doing hair and makeup. I was the girl in high school who did my friends hair and makeup for dances and other things. Now, I've done a few of my friends hair for weddings and what not. It is my passion and the whole idea with my major is that I dream of starting up my own salon and spa someday. I have not gone to cosmetology school yet and probably won't for a few years yet. Now, why the minor?! Well, the minor is just random! :) I do also enjoy learning about the earth, weather, rocks, etc. Loser?! Yeah its ok to call me that! So, I just picked up this minor because it was just fun. Now if they offered a minor in makeup and hair....oh I would SO be all over that! I do however before I graduate have to complete 900 hours of an internship. For awhile I was thinking that I wanted to do it in a salon to get some experience. But not being certified yet, I could only be a receptionist. I am now looking into getting an internship with a company that I would be doing everything from finance, to marketing, to business planning. This I feel will give me a great outlook on the business aspect of it all. Ultimately, I would love to have a big salon and spa for moms to come to so they can relax and just enjoy themselves and have a little salon in my home where I can be at home with my kids and still do what I love! Now, I gotta get Tyler on making some more $$ and building this for me.... ;) ;)

Just thought I would let you all know where I'm headed or want to head towards with my schooling! And for you bloggin' girlies who live in the same state as me....I will so hook you guys up some day!!! :)

The Blogging with a Purpose Award goes to....

I was given this award by Paula at The Baby Journals and I thank her very much. She is an inspiration to me and always puts a smile on my face! I am however required to give this award to 5 other people. AND THE AWARD GOES TO.....

1. ~Never Too Many~ , Steffie B. has been a friend of mine for some time now. Her blog was the reason why I wanted to start blogging. Her family is so sweet, loving, and generous to not only me but my fiance' Tyler. Her blog always leaves me laughing or crying...all in a good way! When ever I get a chance to visit her and the "Things" I just love it! Stef is the one who opened my eyes to adoption. Watching Sophia grow up and now watching the wait and journey to Olivia just makes my heart scream with excitment for her and the Tribe.


2. The Seventh Diamond, Kim was one of the first friends that I added to my favorite blog list. She always has the sweetest posts and is always there to throw a party or wish someone happy birthday. She is a very caring person and I can't wait till her little Sophia is in her arms!


3. Life With Lily Lin, Nikki is such an upbeat, super mom! I love her stories of her sweet girl Lily. Lily is the spicest girl I know! She seems to have the best heart and always makes me laugh (out loud) when I read her posts. She brightens my day...everyday!


4. Oatsvall Team, Gwen has the biggest heart around. Her love for her children is unimaginable. Her story of her sweet Maggie is something that will stay with me forever. She definitally wins the award for how many times I've cried! Her and her family have such a love for eachother that just seems so wonderful. She is truely a wonderful person.


5. Room For More, finally I would like to nominate Verna. Verna aka The Blog Fairy is such a giving and amazing person! She has such talent with her blog making abilities, she even helps me out a lot when I try to get creative. ;) Her journey to Noah is such a moving story to read about. It won't be long until she will have him in her arms!

AWARD GUIDELINES:

1. Awarded parties must nominate five people who have not received the award.
2. The blogs that receive the award must serve some purpose.
3. In their post about the award they need to link back to the original entry.
4. Awarded parties must post the award banner on their site. The banner must remain linked to Eric Novak's site.

Bad Storm = NO Power = NO SCHOOL!

Only in Michigan would we get weather like this in January! Last night, we started to get thunderstorms, it was getting worse and worse out and then BAM BAM BAM, we start getting hail. At this point the satellite when out and of course we can't find a radio! The Internet was still up and running so we jump on weather.com and find out that our little county out of the whole state of MI is getting hammered the worse. I then see a tornado warning come up....ahhhh SCARY!!!!!! I start to freak out and run down to my room to gather candles. Soon enough...about 10 minutes later, the power is OUT! I screamed a little when it went out because I was sitting in my room which we call the shoe box room...it is a very small rectangle with NO windows so it was DARK in here! I run up stairs, using my cell phone as my flashlight and crawl up to Lisa (the mom of the house) and of course she is laughing at me. I immediately start freaking out again because I just worked out and was all sweaty and I couldn't shower now. But I was soon told that I could because we have city water. HAHA oops, I'm used to living with a well so we could never flush the toilet or shower when power was out! So....I go crazy with lighting candles and we start the gas fireplace. By this time, it was going on 11pm so we all decided to hit the sheets. I set my phone alarm so I could be up for school. I wake up randomly throughout the night to still no power. At 8am my phone rings and its my mom. She said that my school just flashed on the tv and we have a 4 hour delay. WAHOOOOO I knew I took all morning classes for a reason! ;) I then lay back and bed and again get woke up by my phone ringing at 10:30am...hehe. It was Tyler and could NOT believe I was still sleeping! Well I get back online and find out that campus is closed all day today and night! I guess a transformer blew from the storm!!!!! Now...if only I had something to do today. I don't have any homework to catch up on because it is only the second day of the semester! :) So...maybe I'll start some wedding planning.... yay!

This is why I love him...

Today started just like any other day...I woke up to my alarm, I ate some Cheerios, and then decide to hop in the shower. The whole time I'm going through my routine, Tyler is playing with the boys...I mean on the floor playing cars and making all the "vroom vrooom" noises! The boys just adore Tyler. Ryan calls him "Ty" because he can't quite make out Tyler and Kyle is clued to his hip the moment he walks in the door. Well after this, we get the troops in the van for church. We get to church and decide to try a new option our church is offering. Instead of sitting in regular service, you can opt to go to the old chapel, where there are tables and chairs set up, hot coffee brewing, and its just over all a much more casual situation. Any how, after we get our seats, we start to sing and worship. In the middle of one of my favorite worship songs, Tyler grabs my hand and my heart just starting going a mile a minute. I look into his eyes and I could just see how God is working in our hearts. We then did communion. At this service, you walk up and rip off a piece of bread and dip it in the cup. Tyler and I went up together and did this hand in hand. Again, I hear and feel God all around us. It was such a powerful moment today. I never thought that I could feel that strong of a presence at one time. It was as if he was saying, "he's yours forever"....it made my heart dance with love and compassion. On another note, Tyler is in construction and works very hard at his job. He loves every minute of it and loves to take me to the sites to see what he accomplished. The other day, he was actually on the front page of the newspaper here for showing how much Tyler and his company accomplished, making them fall ahead of schedule. I am just so proud to be marrying a man who is great with kids, compassionate about God, and has such a strong work ethic. I must have done something right I guess?!

This is the picture that was in the newspaper! (I yelled at him for wearing a spring break shirt with a beer on it!) haha

Happy Sunday!

glitter-graphics.com

Enjoy the day...relax and thank God for all he has given us!

Christmas Break is Over...

It is so sad to see another Christmas come and go...but I must move on and start my last semester of college, and wedding planning of course! WAHOOOO!! I start classes on Monday and I'm not looking forward to it....however, being my last one makes it a little easier.

When I came back to school this afternoon, I got to see the kids faces lit up as they ran to hug and kiss me. That was such a bittersweet moment. I love those boys! :) Well after unpacking my FIVE bags this afternoon...yes I don't pack light, hehe, Tyler and I went out to a nice dinner. We ate at this authentic Mexican restaurant, very de-lish! Now, I'm trying to get back into the groove of things, checking e-mail, organizing, trying to start a weight loss plan...etc. Yes, I know loosing weight is such a New Years clique', but I am getting married after all!! and for some reason, I seemed to indulge in a lot of "Christmas" this year ;) ;)

XOXO

New look!

Here is my new blog look...the header is brought to you by THE BLOG FAIRY! I'm still home for break but will be heading back to school tomorrow. ~sigh~ I can't believe I start classes again on Monday...AHHHHH!! I do however have some good stories and pictures to share. I hope you have all had a great holiday season and beginning to a fabulous year! Can't wait to get back to you all!