The baby!!!

Here is my future niece or nephew! Oh my goodness I am so excited. I had to share with you all! I literally get the biggest dorkiest smile on my face when I see or think about this baby!

A plethora of stuff, and by that I mean 3 things...

The other day I saw someone that I only see once a week at most usually, and it was great to see her. But it just so happened that the last two times I saw her, I was not having the best of days.
At caribou last week I was sitting and reading when she walked in and asked how I was doing. I told her that my day was not going so well, but didn't get into details because the person she was meeting with walked in. Then the next time I saw her I was looking for my phone because I had misplaced it. So it was not the best time either as I was trying to get out the door but still had to find my phone. Then she asked me, "Whats going on? I think everytime I ask you how you are doing you are not doing well."
I felt bad that she thought that. And it got me thinking about what people think of me. I would hate for people to think that I am always crabby or having a bad day. I do have bad days, just like everyone else. And when someone asks me I usually tell them the truth, even if it means saying I am feeling like crap.
But anyway, I have been not having the best of days the past week or so. Its been roommate stuff, friends, family, boys, finances, time issues... But things are looking up and hopefully next time you see me and we talk I will have nothing but good stuff to talk about. I would like to only have great stuff to say about my life! And hopefully if I see you and ask how life is going for you, you will have some great stuff to say.

Secondly, I need to rant a little bit, you can skip this part if you want...
Is there something about young women that makes them uncapable of knowing anything? It makes me so mad when men especially think that young women are clueless about stuff. Here is why I am so stining upset- we have two swinging half doors going up in the cafe so that kids don't come wandering back behind the counter. But there is a problem, when the cafe was built, the walls that these doors are going on were not placed quite right, so the doors don't fit right either. When we were looking at the doors to put them on and saw this problem, I had a suggestion. 1, shim some of the wood off so that there is more space between the edges of the doors, or 2, do something with the hinges (you would have to see it to know what I mean) but both my ideas were shot down by a guy who basically said "Well _____ knows what he is talking about, I will ask him. But that won't be what he does." ... Well, person who said this to me, I was right! When _____ came in to look at the doors today, he said exactly what I said! So, poo poo on you. Just because I am a young woman doesn't mean that I don't know what I am talking about. I may not be a carpenter, but I am not dumb.

And lastly, Sunday was a great day... well, after work anyway! It was a long day, but after work Veronica Ray and I went snowboarding. She had never gone before, so I gave her a lesson in rocking on the snow hill. Although she was not a rock star on the hill by the end of the day, she was a rock star off the hill (as always) I wish I had a picture for you, but we were having too much fun to take pictures. We will be going again soon, and hopefully we will make it off the bunny hill so she can get a taste of what it is really like. We were working on balance, turning and stopping though, next time, we will work on jumps and 360's! ;)

Cambodia!

So, tonight I went to the Cambodia meeting...
Yep, I am going. (I think) As long as the details get worked out. I would be gone for about 28 days. Wow, long time. But how amazing would it be?!? I have to work out the details with work and such. I would be gone from about midway through July and be back midway through August.
So, pray for me! This is a big decision and a big commitment. But one that I want really bad!

Homesick is the worst of all the sicknesses!

This normally doesn't happen to me, I love my home, and I love being able to go home. But I have never been one to miss it to the point where I become homesick. I will miss my family and a house in which I feel comfortable with everyone (most of the time anyway!) but I always know that it will be there for me when I need it or want it. So knowing that, I never lingered on the fact that I miss it deeply.

Today it caught up with me though. It was to the point of wanting to burst into tears at work. I even sent my mom a message at work and when she got back to me I had to turn around so no one in the cafe would see me welling up. Family is one of the most important things to me. Especially my family. I do care very much for the families that have adopted me into theirs, but it just isn't the same as my own. And even though I can't stand my family sometimes, they are it. I love them even when I don't like them. And I always will. There is nothing I can think of that would cause me to not love one of my family members.

Living where I do now has been very hard on me. It is the first time (that I remember) not living with a family. I lived with my dad when I was getting older, then with my mom when I was actually growing up, with my dad again when I needed a change after high school, and then with the Jensen's when I needed out. Now I am living with two roommates, and it is a major change. One that I thought I was ready for. But true be told, I am not ready to grow up sometimes. I still long for a mom to tell me to make my bed, clean my room, pick up my junk... I do those things on my own now, but I want a mom to make me do it sometimes. I want a mom to make me pb&j for lunch or get me medicine when I don't feel well. But I have to "put on my big girl panties" and do what I don't want to. It has been difficult to realize it, and very hard at times, but I will do what I have to.

I want to give you a little taste of my family. My mom is Shelley and her husband is Dan. They are two pretty awesome people, and even more awesome when they are together.

I am glad my mom has found the one who is right for her. This is them in Napa.

Then there is my sister Ashley, she is two years older than me and my best friend in the whole world. She is married to Tim who is so perfect for her. They are one of the cutest couples ever, and they are expecting! How exciting is that!? Her due date is Labor Day... of all days. They are both in the military, and he is currently in Iraq. They have a crazy life going on right now, but normal is not their thing. This is Christmas of this year. Just relaxing with my baby Teuila Belle. It was so great having Tim and Ashley with us that day.

Then I have April 18, Tim 16, Joe 15, Tom 13, Jim 12. They are some pretty super siblings. I could hug each one of them all day everyday. But they are not so into showing their love for each other as I might be! This is just April being April. She is so cute!

Here is Tim and Teuila Belle. He is laughing because of a secret santa present he got. It was the Vikings cheerleaders calendar! We all found it very amusing, even my mom, which was surprise for us all! I think as soon as he got the present open we all looked to my mom to see what her reaction would be. We had a good time with that one!

We laugh a lot! My mom said something funny then took a picture as we were still in shock that she said what she said! You put the three of us in a picture and this it typically what it looks like. But here is Joe and Ashley over Christmas break. Notice how we don't look alike at all! We are only half siblings, but still. Half, step, whatever! They are all my brothers and sisters anyway! Even if we don't resemble each other.

This is Tommy boy fishing over the summer on our annual camping trip. I think he caught the smallest fish ever! It was like 2 inches long! Oh my goodness was that funny. We have a really great time together, of course except for when we are wanting to strangle each other... but usually we are having fun!

And last but definitley not least, Jimmy. He has started asking us to call him James now, but whatever, he will always be a Jimmy. He was not feeling to well over Christmas, but he managed to smile in a picture. What a cutie.

That is my family. I love them like crazy! And right now more than ever, I miss them so much. But soon I will get to see them and it will quench my homesickness for a while. But for now I just have to remember that they are my family even if they are not close by. And that I will get to see them soon, even if it doesn't seem soon enough.

Shout out to my Rochester families

The past week, excluding Monday (because I can't for the life of me remember what happened that day) I have been at someones house every night. I am so extremely blessed to have the families that I have here in Rochester. They let me come over and play with their kids, eat their food, nap on their couches, watch their tvs, and all that stuff. It is so great to know that when I need (or want) a place to go, I have not just one, but a number of places to choose from.

Sunday after work, Audrey invited me over for lunch. Lunch turned into all day, and it was a super one at that! Audrey and I both work at CCC and I love seeing her smiling face everyday. We ate Noodles and played the Wii. Then after Maddy Ann went down for her happy nap and Ryan got up from his, we were able to sit and have a nice chat. It was a wonderful way to spend the afternoon. Oh yeah, then we went to see Marley and Me... I am pretty sure I cried for the last half hour of the movie... It was so good!

Then Tuesday I was able to spend the evening with Deanne and the kids. She is so good to me, we have wonderful talks about life, that night, it was about boys. Ugh, a much needed conversation. After pizza and talking we played Jillian Michaels' Wii game. It was SO fun, not only because Jillian is my favorite TBL trainer, but because I was winning! I am quite competitive by the way...

Then I was headed over to the Jensen's. They are the family that I spend the most time with here in Roch. (Thank you guys for taking such good care of me!) We watched Biggest Loser w/o Jennifer because she was out having a good time, but missing the worst scenario for an elimination ever! Wayne, Alex, Megan and I were on the edge of our seats (we were actually on the floor) during the weigh in. It is so fun to watch that show with them. Megan and I were holding hands and our breath waiting for the last one to weigh in! We were SO mad that it was between the youngest, heaviest kid, and the oldest contestant. What a bummer! I was sad to see grampa go home...

Wednesday for me is normally a work day and night. But my good friends/extra mom and dad from the cities were down here so Dennis could get knee surgery the next morning. So, I had someone work for me and spent the evening with them. But first, after work I always go home. (by that I mean the Jensen's) It's our Wednesday night thing. What could be better than spending time with two wonderful families in one day? That night Dennis, Diana and I ordered walleye sandwiches from the Canadian Honker, played phase 10 and watched American Idol. Now, I am not at all a fan of Idol, but the auditions are so funny. We were laughing so hard! And it took us forever to eat and play the game because we were too distracted by the bad singing. I couldn't help but picture myself up there in front of the judges being ridiculed because of my horrible singing voice! Thankfully, I can laugh at my own voice. The only time I am good, is when I am playing Rock Band, in the car (alone) or when my mom is singing too... she just might be worse than me! Its a stretch, but I think its a possibility!

Ok, yesterday was a snow day! I got to close up shop early and go home to hang out with everyone. Megan had a couple friends over and we watched Kit Kittredge, which was a super cute movie, and Alex made us really good bluberry muffins. He is such a good cook, he doesn't fill the house with smoke like me... I think I did it three times in the short time I lived with the Jensens...

And Thursday nights are the best night for tv ever! Can I get an amen?! My Name is Earl, Kath & Kim, The Office (woohoo!), then 30 Rock. Every Thursday I go over to the Ray's house to watch our shows, eat dinner, play, chat, and just be in good company. Last night Trevor, Phil and Josh were also there. We had fettuccine alfredo with garlic toast and salad, thanks Ron for a super dinner! I really love going over there, because it is a good time for Veronica and I to hang out and talk. She may only be 16, but she is one of my best friends. I can talk to her about anything that is going on in my life. And it seems there is always something to talk about. And last night was no exception.

So, that was my week, it isn't normally that crazy, but I like it that way. I can't think of a better way to spend a week than with so many people that I love. So, thank you Bibeau, Breitenbach, Jensen, Ludwig and Ray families for a wonderful, fun filled week! I am thankful to have you all, and all the other families here in Rochester, in my life. You make the time go faster and fill my life with smiles and laughter.

First Post!

Ok, my first post. How exciting right?
I have been following a number of blogs by people I know, and I have liked the idea of having one. But the people who's blogs I follow are typically married with kids or have interesting lives. So of course their blogs are fun to follow because they have great stories to tell. Now, my life, is not so exciting. Not that I don't love it, and enjoy it, I just don't think it is that exciting from the view of someone else.
Here is the break down of my life-
I work at my church, its the best job I have had, I manage the commUnity cafe there. Other than that, I just hang out with my friends and families. That stuff is exciting to me, but from the outside, I think that it might look a little boring.
So, I hope this blog is not too mundane for you! Please enjoy!