R is for Ronnebeck!

Yeah, I've kind of fallen off the planet a little... I've been getting some awesome headaches after work which postpones both my study life and my actual life. Fun! Don't worry, I'm on top of it. I'm just checking in here to say HELLO!!! And... we'll chat soon... When I become inspired again (hopefully soon - I love this blog!) In the meantime, check out this awesome menu my friend Max and his girlfriend have prepared for Eric and I tonight. Max is from Shanghai and is going to cook us some awesome authentic (not Americanized) Chineese food! Sweet-and-sour mock ribs(from Shanghai) Kung Pao Chincken (from Sichuan) Lion head! (yes, Lion head, actually , just large meatball. :) I don’t know why we call it lion head.) Scrambled egg with tomato(traditional Chinese food, but I am not sure it’s from which part of China….) Very excited!  Have a good Weekend!!!

Each year on Memorial Day, Mom, Kathy and whoever else was up for the ride, would go to each cemetery in the area and visit our departed loved ones. The idea behind Memorial day is to honor our soldiers. We would not only honor them, but anyone who had passed away and we were missing. This year, I would have loved to make that trek, but being 1,500 miles away from any of those cemetery's made it quite impossible. Instead, I dug out this photo of my Grandpa when he served in the military during WWII. Thank you Grandpa, and all soldiers that have served to keep our country free. Hope the rest of you enjoyed your 3 day weekend! I know we did!

The wedding weekend extravaganza started out with us all getting our nails and toes done. Boys included! It's the first time I've ever had fake nails done by a professional, and boy do these things have some sticktuitiveness. It's really hard to type with them on, so no judgement on the typos. Dan asked Noelle to be his Girlfriend on May 13th. He then asked her to be his wife on May 13th, so It was only natural that on May 13th, she became his wife.  Which is why, the wedding was this past Tuesday. It was a simple, beautiful affair with lots of beach themed goodies. We wore coral, and so did the boys. Everyone looked so beautiful and everyone was so excited. us girls - ready for fun! I'll spare you the details of most of it until I get some better photos. I hardly took a shot all weekend, I left it up to everyone else in their iPhones. So, this is what I've snagged so far... enjoy! Kaitlyn helping unload my car of centerpieces. Dan and Noelle at...

I searched high and low last night to find a picture of me and my Mom when I was a baby, or when I was little. Come to find out Mom and I must have spent a lot of time just the two of us, because there's a lot of pictures of just me, and few of the two of us prior to me being about 17 or so.  I ended up settling for the one to the left, the comments on the back tell me that we were playing patty cake and I was about 4 months old.   Sending Mothers Day wishes to heaven just isn't the same as having her here.  Mothers Day is the day that stings the most. Each passing anniversary hasn't hit me nearly as hard as Mothers Day does. It's the sting of the constant reminder that I don't have a Mom to celebrate in the same way I've always known. Every commercial, every sign - the packed breakfast places, it's hard. I found a niche that works for me, every year since she's been gone I've sent a balloon to heaven with a note written just ...

This week rocked me like a hurricane. My work was crazy, my stress level was high, and my heels were too tall causing my feet to ache. Okay that last one was my own fault, but the shoes were SO CUTE! I can't believe it's Thursday allready! I am trying to SLOOOWWW DOOOWWWNNN... but the reality is that I have Chapter 6 Underwriting to learn, a car to clean, a lawn to mow, recycling to take out, dusting to do, packing to do all before I get my nails done on Saturday because I know I'll be helpless with pretty nails... and... and... and... BREATHE....... *sigh... Doesn't that feel better? Trying to get my mojo here... trying to put on my "CAN DO" attitude, and leave the "BUT" behind. Speaking of Butts... I better get mine in gear.... We'll chat, when I return from Ocean Shores...!

 I've told the story to just about anyone who would listen, but Tim is my camp counselor from Ne So Dak back in 2000/2001. He has been a constant source of friendship, faith and love for me in my life.  I was bursting with pride when we received the invitation to go to his ordination, and a bundle of nerves yesterday morning as we walked out the door. Tim had called me weeks in advance and asked me to be the "Official" photographer for his event. I couldn't imagine a better way to participate. I crawled around every inch of that church trying to get the best angle.  I'm so proud, and so happy to be able to be here for this day, and even more excited to be able to document it in this way. Way to go Pastor Tim, we love you and are very proud of you!