I meant to post before now, but my break has gotten away from me. I leave for Haiti tomorrow, so I will post when I get back :)
Monday, December 28, 2009
Haiti :)
I meant to post before now, but my break has gotten away from me. I leave for Haiti tomorrow, so I will post when I get back :)
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Current Countdowns:
2 days until finals are over, which means HOME SWEET HOME!!
4 days until Yates Christmas
10 days until Christmas
13 days until Haiti
89 days until Spring Break
109 days until Easter Break
124 days until Dad’s Ordination
145 days until Bridge the Gap
160 days until Graduation
161 days until Baby Painter is due
162 days until Twin’s birthday
203 days until my first day of grad school
4 days until Yates Christmas
10 days until Christmas
13 days until Haiti
89 days until Spring Break
109 days until Easter Break
124 days until Dad’s Ordination
145 days until Bridge the Gap
160 days until Graduation
161 days until Baby Painter is due
162 days until Twin’s birthday
203 days until my first day of grad school
Sunday, December 13, 2009
I'll love you forever, Twin
Tomorrow one of my best friends will be having surgery. Gabrielle, or as I like to call her, my twin... has a Chiari malformation. A Chiari malformation is a structural defect in the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls balance. When the indented bony space at the lower rear of the skull is smaller than normal, the cerebellum and brainstem can be pushed downward. The resulting pressure on the cerebellum can block the flow of cerebrospinal fluid and can cause a range of symptoms including dizziness, muscle weakness, numbness, vision problems, headache, and problems with balance and coordination.
Unfortunately this week is finals week with me, so I won't be able to be in Chicago with her for the week as I would like. My prayer for her is that God will watch over her as she goes through the surgery and during her recovery. I also pray that the Lord will be with the surgeon as he operates on her. And lastly, that He will be with her family.
Twin, I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living, my twin you will be. Don't forget your prayers. I love you Gabbo!
Also, it's my Granny's 85th birthday tomorrow. So a special Happy Birthday wish goes out to my Granny. I hope it is wonderful!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
This specific post is for my brother, Matthew. To the rest of you, it probably won’t have much meaning.
I’ve always been a huge believer in signs. When I pray, I ask for a sign, to let me know that my prayer has been heard. It may not be answered the way I would like for it to be, but when I see a sign, I know it has at least been heard.
So… when I went home for Thanksgiving break, I found a Novena that my Mom had given to me during my freshman year of college. It was the Novena on the Spirituality of St. Therese. For those of you reading this that don’t know what a Novena is, it is a nine day prayer for a certain intention. The day before I left to come back (it was Saturday) to Quincy for school, I decided I was going to pray this Novena.
My mother loves St. Therese, not only because it is her patron saint, but also because of the wonderful example she has set. St. Therese is known as “The Little Flower.” One of her quotes is, “I will let fall a shower of roses. I will spend my heaven, doing good on earth.”
On Thursday, I got an email from my Mom… I am one of five kids, so a lot of times she writes to all of us in one email. This is what part of it said:
Dear Kids,
I find that I have less and less time all the time, but I wanted to write a few lines. Several days ago when I went outside I saw a pink rose bud. I thought it was ironic that it was budding when it was so cold out, but then I do believe in miracles! Today when dad went out he noticed that it had bloomed! It has been freezing temperatures and we have strong blowing wind, so it certainly isn't the right weather for roses. But I wanted each one of you to know that if you have been praying for something or just turning things over to God, He (along with St. Therese the Little Flower) has sent a rose our way. I simply believe that there is no other reason for it, other than to give us hope! So, say a prayer of thanks tonight, for whatever it may be.
Love, Mom
I told my Mom about the Novena I had started praying, and she also told me that my oldest brother, Matthew had called home saying he was praying for something too and he felt like the rose it was also a sign for him. So this is it. The rose was my reminder that I need to keep an open heart and open eyes to all that He is trying to tell me!
Monday, November 23, 2009
My Bucket List
September 25, 2003
My List of Things to Do:
1)Go to all 50 states: I have already been to Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, Mississippi, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
2)Places I want to visit (or visit again) outside of the US: Haiti (I will probably go back a hundred times!), Australia, Figi, Vatican City, Medjegorie, Peru, Greece, Egypt, Ireland, the Holy Land.
3)Go on a Disney Cruise (well… any cruise… I just really like Disney!)
4)Go on a service trip each year (so far successful since my sophomore year of high school!)
5)Meet the man of my dreams.
6)Get married in the Catholic church (preferably Holy Rosary Catholic Church
7)Raise a family
8)Learn how to drive on a stick shift, and then own a jeep of some sort.
9)Go to a game at Lambeau Field. (too bad Brett won't be there playing!)
10)Go to a WNBA game.
11)Make at least All-Conference in at least two sports in high school. Track – 1600 and Basketball
12)Win MVP of my high school basketball team.
13)Ride horseback along the beach.
14)Become a college athlete. (This one won't ever happen now. I was hoping QU would pull through for me and get a Cross Country team a year earlier!!)
15)Go to the Olympics (to watch Brian pole vault!!)
16)Go to the ocean.
17)Live by the ocean (not forever… just for awhile, maybe for grad school?! Maybe not at all…).
18)Become an Occupational Therapist. Then maybe a youth minister, basketball coach and a photographer on the side.
19)Graduate from college – both undergrad (with a Biology major) and with my Masters in OT (Rockhurst)
20)Become a godmother.
21)Host a foreign exchange student.
22)Climb a mountain. (Cement Mountain, Mount Bierdstadt – over 14,000 ft)
23)Go back to Lamar, Colorado (where I was born) as an adult
24)Graduate in the top 10 of my high school class. (9th)
25)Graduate from college with honors. (also not going to happen. Thank you Chemistry!!)
26)Own a huge tank of tropical fish.
27)Bungee jump or sky dive
28)Have my Pops walk me down the aisle.
29)Casting Crowns concert
30)Learn how to ice skate.
31)Go skiing in Colorado.
32)Win a state Championship. (We won two -- both for Track in 2003 and 2004!)
33)Learn how to play the drums.
34)Adopt a child (maybe one from Haiti!!)
35)Study abroad… or have in internship or job (preferably in Australia!) Doubtful though, so maybe just a vacation?!
36)Run a half-marathon.
37)Design/build my own house.
38)Go Snorkeling, skydiving, swim with the dolphins in Hawaii.
39)Take surfing lessons.
40)Own a restaurant/diner. Call it Coach’s Corner… a place for the kids to hang out/eat after games etc.
41)Start or own my own Occupational Therapy Practice.
42)Name my first son Silas (family name) and my first daughter Sydney. (Of course, my husband will probably have other plans!! And I’m willing to compromise, I guess.)
43)Celie’s Waterfront Inn, Baltimore, Maryland
There will be more to come. The list just keeps growing :)
Also, the ones I've already done are the ones in bold!
My List of Things to Do:
1)Go to all 50 states: I have already been to Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, Mississippi, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
2)Places I want to visit (or visit again) outside of the US: Haiti (I will probably go back a hundred times!), Australia, Figi, Vatican City, Medjegorie, Peru, Greece, Egypt, Ireland, the Holy Land.
3)Go on a Disney Cruise (well… any cruise… I just really like Disney!)
4)Go on a service trip each year (so far successful since my sophomore year of high school!)
5)Meet the man of my dreams.
6)Get married in the Catholic church (preferably Holy Rosary Catholic Church
7)Raise a family
8)Learn how to drive on a stick shift, and then own a jeep of some sort.
9)Go to a game at Lambeau Field. (too bad Brett won't be there playing!)
10)Go to a WNBA game.
11)Make at least All-Conference in at least two sports in high school. Track – 1600 and Basketball
12)Win MVP of my high school basketball team.
13)Ride horseback along the beach.
14)Become a college athlete. (This one won't ever happen now. I was hoping QU would pull through for me and get a Cross Country team a year earlier!!)
15)Go to the Olympics (to watch Brian pole vault!!)
16)Go to the ocean.
17)Live by the ocean (not forever… just for awhile, maybe for grad school?! Maybe not at all…).
18)Become an Occupational Therapist. Then maybe a youth minister, basketball coach and a photographer on the side.
19)Graduate from college – both undergrad (with a Biology major) and with my Masters in OT (Rockhurst)
20)Become a godmother.
21)Host a foreign exchange student.
22)Climb a mountain. (Cement Mountain, Mount Bierdstadt – over 14,000 ft)
23)Go back to Lamar, Colorado (where I was born) as an adult
24)Graduate in the top 10 of my high school class. (9th)
25)Graduate from college with honors. (also not going to happen. Thank you Chemistry!!)
26)Own a huge tank of tropical fish.
27)Bungee jump or sky dive
28)Have my Pops walk me down the aisle.
29)Casting Crowns concert
30)Learn how to ice skate.
31)Go skiing in Colorado.
32)Win a state Championship. (We won two -- both for Track in 2003 and 2004!)
33)Learn how to play the drums.
34)Adopt a child (maybe one from Haiti!!)
35)Study abroad… or have in internship or job (preferably in Australia!) Doubtful though, so maybe just a vacation?!
36)Run a half-marathon.
37)Design/build my own house.
38)Go Snorkeling, skydiving, swim with the dolphins in Hawaii.
39)Take surfing lessons.
40)Own a restaurant/diner. Call it Coach’s Corner… a place for the kids to hang out/eat after games etc.
41)Start or own my own Occupational Therapy Practice.
42)Name my first son Silas (family name) and my first daughter Sydney. (Of course, my husband will probably have other plans!! And I’m willing to compromise, I guess.)
43)Celie’s Waterfront Inn, Baltimore, Maryland
There will be more to come. The list just keeps growing :)
Also, the ones I've already done are the ones in bold!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
You should probably know....
This specific post was inspired by Tanner. Really, I loved reading your list and hope at least one person will get the same enjoyment out of reading mine! Some random things you should probably know about me!
1.I am so extremely obsessed with Haiti. Just ask Katie LeGros or Brittany Galvin how addicting it is. I fell in love with the country and the people the moment I stepped off the plane.
2.I have mixed feelings about graduate school next year. I am so excited to begin the next phase in my life, but I’m very nervous about living anywhere other than Monroe City or Quincy.
3.My biggest fear at this point in my life is losing my parents. I am so lucky to have them in my life. My parents are absolutely amazing and I can’t thank them enough for bringing me up the way they have.
4.I hate popcorn. Everything about it. The smell, the taste, the texture. I’ve only met a few other people who feel the same way… my siblings, and Brian.
5.My family is my world. Being the baby of the fam is my fav. My siblings really know how to take care of me! This also includes the in laws, my nieces and nephews, and extended fam =) Sydney, my puppy and Scooter, my horse included!!
6. Being an aunt is possibly the most amazing part of my life. My nieces and nephews make me feel like a million bucks, and I only wish I got to see them more! I’m sooooo excited for Baby Painter =) Only 192(ish) days until the due date!
7.Disney movies are my weakness. Maybe it’s because I can’t resist with Olivia wants to watch one?!! Or maybe it’s because I’ll always be a kid at heart.
8.I’m a biology major and I love love love it! After I get my Masters in Occupational Therapy, I want to own my own practice someday.
9.I have really random OCD tendencies… my dvds are in abc order, my closet and drawers are all color coded… it’s getting worse. So much for making fun of Mandy the past 22 years of my life.. :)
10.I CAN’T WAIT to go back to Haiti. I love the simple life they lead, and the happiness they have in their lives even though they are living in extreme poverty. I miss the people I met there more than I ever imagined I would!
11.I have been to 31 of the states, and plan on going to all of them before I die!
12.My first truck was a stick shift, and I loved it because not many of my friends could drive it!
13.I’m obsessed with Livestrong… the clothes, the foundation, the man behind it all. It amazes me. (Twin, the shirt you got me for my birthday = amazing.)
14.I have a tattoo of a Jesus fish on my left foot.
15.I love country music, but my ipod holds a lot of randomness to it… I like to try new things :)
16.I have a personal trainer. His name is Nate Toole :)
17.I don’t really like the Midwest mainly because of the weather and it being so cold, but it will always hold a place in my heart because that’s where my fam is. This is also why I will probably never leave the area.
18.I am very highly allergic to poison ivy… to the point I’ve had it for 2 months at a time.
19.I’m a typical girl, and think about my wedding day all the time. The thing I’m most excited about is having my Pops walk me down the aisle. I am the biggest Daddy’s Girl in the world and I think the hardest thing in marriage for me will be making room for another man in my life!
20.I love my Godchildren, Brock and Olivia and am very blessed to have them as a part of my life!
21.I collect shotglasses… and I’ve been a Packers fan since the second grade… both thanks to my brother, Marcus. I guess I just always wanted to be like him!! Ha..
22.A few of my favorite things… white grape peach juice, animal crackers with rainbow chip icing.
23.I love shoes, but I love being barefoot. It doesn’t make sense at all, I know.
24.I love the number 24! It’s been my favorite for as long as I can remember.
25.My Confirmation name is Sebastian… patron saint of athletes and soldiers!
26.My favorite TV shows are Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, Greek and Family Guy.
27.I am 22 years old, but I sleep with a teddy bear every night. Her name is Haiti…the obsession continues! (Thanks Brady!)
28.I go to bed at 11 every night and wake up at 7 every morning. Yes, I am a lame college student.
29.I love to read. Give me a good book and I am lost for hours!
30.My boyfriend is amazing. He’s everything I could ever ask for and more!
31.I have a twin. Her name is Gabrielle, and she was born 3 years after me. You see, we aren’t really related at all, but we are practically the same person in different bodies. It’s true and it kind of scared me at first. But I’ve found one of my very best friends and I love her very much!
32.I live with Kari Miller – we have cute lights on our front porch and personalized stockings for Christmas.
33.I miss my Grandpa Yates more and more every single day. I can’t believe it’s been 12 years…
34.I miss high jumping, and high school basketball more than I ever thought I would!
35.I love pictures, my TEC Bible, collecting shotglasses, cereal and my jeep.
36.I love how I don’t even have to order my breakfast at the UC. Lynn and Dimple know exactly what I want. And they know to leave the bacon off on the Friday’s during Lent. (One more thing I will miss about QU…)
37.Two Words: Stretch Hummer
38.Zane and Zavier make me happy when I can’t see my nieces and nephews for a very long time. They are the most beautiful blue eyed, blonde haired boys I have ever seen in my life.
39.I have two brothers and one sister-in-law serving in the US Navy. I’m so proud of them :)
40.I am one of 35(ish) grandkids on my Mom’s side alone!
1.I am so extremely obsessed with Haiti. Just ask Katie LeGros or Brittany Galvin how addicting it is. I fell in love with the country and the people the moment I stepped off the plane.
2.I have mixed feelings about graduate school next year. I am so excited to begin the next phase in my life, but I’m very nervous about living anywhere other than Monroe City or Quincy.
3.My biggest fear at this point in my life is losing my parents. I am so lucky to have them in my life. My parents are absolutely amazing and I can’t thank them enough for bringing me up the way they have.
4.I hate popcorn. Everything about it. The smell, the taste, the texture. I’ve only met a few other people who feel the same way… my siblings, and Brian.
5.My family is my world. Being the baby of the fam is my fav. My siblings really know how to take care of me! This also includes the in laws, my nieces and nephews, and extended fam =) Sydney, my puppy and Scooter, my horse included!!
6. Being an aunt is possibly the most amazing part of my life. My nieces and nephews make me feel like a million bucks, and I only wish I got to see them more! I’m sooooo excited for Baby Painter =) Only 192(ish) days until the due date!
7.Disney movies are my weakness. Maybe it’s because I can’t resist with Olivia wants to watch one?!! Or maybe it’s because I’ll always be a kid at heart.
8.I’m a biology major and I love love love it! After I get my Masters in Occupational Therapy, I want to own my own practice someday.
9.I have really random OCD tendencies… my dvds are in abc order, my closet and drawers are all color coded… it’s getting worse. So much for making fun of Mandy the past 22 years of my life.. :)
10.I CAN’T WAIT to go back to Haiti. I love the simple life they lead, and the happiness they have in their lives even though they are living in extreme poverty. I miss the people I met there more than I ever imagined I would!
11.I have been to 31 of the states, and plan on going to all of them before I die!
12.My first truck was a stick shift, and I loved it because not many of my friends could drive it!
13.I’m obsessed with Livestrong… the clothes, the foundation, the man behind it all. It amazes me. (Twin, the shirt you got me for my birthday = amazing.)
14.I have a tattoo of a Jesus fish on my left foot.
15.I love country music, but my ipod holds a lot of randomness to it… I like to try new things :)
16.I have a personal trainer. His name is Nate Toole :)
17.I don’t really like the Midwest mainly because of the weather and it being so cold, but it will always hold a place in my heart because that’s where my fam is. This is also why I will probably never leave the area.
18.I am very highly allergic to poison ivy… to the point I’ve had it for 2 months at a time.
19.I’m a typical girl, and think about my wedding day all the time. The thing I’m most excited about is having my Pops walk me down the aisle. I am the biggest Daddy’s Girl in the world and I think the hardest thing in marriage for me will be making room for another man in my life!
20.I love my Godchildren, Brock and Olivia and am very blessed to have them as a part of my life!
21.I collect shotglasses… and I’ve been a Packers fan since the second grade… both thanks to my brother, Marcus. I guess I just always wanted to be like him!! Ha..
22.A few of my favorite things… white grape peach juice, animal crackers with rainbow chip icing.
23.I love shoes, but I love being barefoot. It doesn’t make sense at all, I know.
24.I love the number 24! It’s been my favorite for as long as I can remember.
25.My Confirmation name is Sebastian… patron saint of athletes and soldiers!
26.My favorite TV shows are Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, Greek and Family Guy.
27.I am 22 years old, but I sleep with a teddy bear every night. Her name is Haiti…the obsession continues! (Thanks Brady!)
28.I go to bed at 11 every night and wake up at 7 every morning. Yes, I am a lame college student.
29.I love to read. Give me a good book and I am lost for hours!
30.My boyfriend is amazing. He’s everything I could ever ask for and more!
31.I have a twin. Her name is Gabrielle, and she was born 3 years after me. You see, we aren’t really related at all, but we are practically the same person in different bodies. It’s true and it kind of scared me at first. But I’ve found one of my very best friends and I love her very much!
32.I live with Kari Miller – we have cute lights on our front porch and personalized stockings for Christmas.
33.I miss my Grandpa Yates more and more every single day. I can’t believe it’s been 12 years…
34.I miss high jumping, and high school basketball more than I ever thought I would!
35.I love pictures, my TEC Bible, collecting shotglasses, cereal and my jeep.
36.I love how I don’t even have to order my breakfast at the UC. Lynn and Dimple know exactly what I want. And they know to leave the bacon off on the Friday’s during Lent. (One more thing I will miss about QU…)
37.Two Words: Stretch Hummer
38.Zane and Zavier make me happy when I can’t see my nieces and nephews for a very long time. They are the most beautiful blue eyed, blonde haired boys I have ever seen in my life.
39.I have two brothers and one sister-in-law serving in the US Navy. I’m so proud of them :)
40.I am one of 35(ish) grandkids on my Mom’s side alone!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Birthday Week!
So, I'm fairly certain that there will be no rhyme or reason to my blogs. I tend to be pretty random, so I am going to stay consistent with that :)
It's my birthday week this week. Yep, birthday week. My 22nd birthday was Tuesday, but I plan to celebrate until Sunday rolls around. That's the only way to do it! I had yet another amazing birthday and I thank my friends and family for that. That is what I love about birthdays. The people around me sincerely wanted me to have the best day ever, and they were very successful. The only thing that could have made it better... getting to spend it with my family.
My random thought for the day:
Someone once told me... "Do something for someone who can't do anything in return for you." That single thought rings in my head almost daily, and I often feel like I fail at living it out. So I am trying to make a conscious effort to do that every day. Starting today: I volunteered at the soup kitchen in Quincy for an hour. Very small time committment, but very rewarding at the same time. If you are reading this, I encourage you also --- to do something for someone who can't do anything in return for you!
It's my birthday week this week. Yep, birthday week. My 22nd birthday was Tuesday, but I plan to celebrate until Sunday rolls around. That's the only way to do it! I had yet another amazing birthday and I thank my friends and family for that. That is what I love about birthdays. The people around me sincerely wanted me to have the best day ever, and they were very successful. The only thing that could have made it better... getting to spend it with my family.
My random thought for the day:
Someone once told me... "Do something for someone who can't do anything in return for you." That single thought rings in my head almost daily, and I often feel like I fail at living it out. So I am trying to make a conscious effort to do that every day. Starting today: I volunteered at the soup kitchen in Quincy for an hour. Very small time committment, but very rewarding at the same time. If you are reading this, I encourage you also --- to do something for someone who can't do anything in return for you!
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