They're Here!

So my cousin and the kids made it here early this morning from Kansas.

After what seemed like forever. =)

Day one.

We just hung around the house for awhile. Nevaeh decided we should paint pictures so we headed to town to get some paint. We met my dad for lunch and then homeward bound we came. Of course we just had to start painting right away. =) Some wonderful art was made today. No pictures of the art yet. After that we headed outside for a short ride on the rhino around the house. Too short of a ride because they all wanted more. So in the house we came and suited up for some cold weather. Up the mountain we went. It was great. The sun was shining and it was beautiful! I took plenty of pictures already today. Had to bribe the little man to get a picture...so he got to drive for awhile. So the following are from the trip up the mountain,. Enjoy! =)




Real nice Uh-oh, we're going down.

Everybody...

Cuties

Watching the kids throw rocks

All our shadows

Nevaeh.

I'm driving!

Smile and I'll let you drive home. =)







Zoomed in just a little.

Hey!

Feeling sentimental.

Here we are again...getting close to the end of January...where has the time gone.

I was hoping that this new year would bring happiness, contentment, peace, love, and all things good. Instead it has brought me anger, pain, stress, hurt, and confusion.

I have had some great times. Making some great new memories with those I love dearly.
Yet, the sadness follows me everywhere. I have spent awhile in this weird funk. I was deppressed for awhile. Even when I had plenty of things to be over joyed about I just wasn't.

I have come to terms with some things so far in this new year. That people move on, and I am perfectly okay with that. Sometimes friendships just end and you can't do anything about it. Ones that I didn't want to end did and then some that were on that track that I was trying to deny. All in all everything has worked out for the best. I know whom my real true friends are and I wouldn't trade them for anything.

I have learned the importance of family. I have always had a family in the Luizs'...I have always known that they would be there for me whenever and for whatever I ever needed. I have had some rough luck with the "mom" department...but Mam has taken that place and done an amazing job. I have felt like one of the kids. From being scolded for a crappy attitude to laughing and sharing in excitement, to sharing in the sadness with tears. I love them so much. More than I could ever express to anyone. Each one in their own way brightens my day with love.

I have learned that there is no bond quite like a sister bond. Even though we aren't blood, you are a better sister than the one I was given. You are a best friend. All I have to do is think of the last time we were together and I can be laughing in no time. You bring so much to my life and I love you so very much. I think you are starting to realize just how much. =) Our inside jokes, our endless laughs. I wouldn't change a thing.

I have learned that I am my fathers daughter. We are more alike than I would like to admit sometimes but I wouldn't change it...not ever!
If I had to choose, I would have picked him. I can't even begin to explain how much I love him. How thankful I am for him. From the laughs we have over something stupid or the fights that end up in giggles. His caring heart. His humble actions. His love for helping. I wouldn't want it any other way. He is great!

I have learned that I am who I am. I am content in who I am...and I will only change who I am for myself. I will not rearrange who I am for anyone but myself. I am done letting people walk all over me. I am a strong person that will stand up for myself. I will say what needs to be said and I will not back down to something I believe whole heartedly in.


One day you go to sleep as one person and the next day you wake up to a whole new version of yourself. I'm liking this new version. I'm not going to be afraid. I'm not going to let people control my actions.


Inspired.
=)

Long Day!

Well today I had the priveledge of spending some time with the family. =)

I spent last night at the Mam's... So that I didn't have to get up twice as early to make it to town by 5:30 to leave for Lynsey's volleyball tournement in Albany.
It was real nice. I didn't get much sleep...surprise surprise. =) It was a real good day. The team did amazing and my sister played aggressive, and fabulous.

It was long but I got to see fancy pockets. =) A rooster. And we were dangerous and stole a basketball for awhile. Ha.

The day seemed like it lasted forever but it was real nice to spend it with the family.
I love them lots and I don't know what I would do without them. I'm thankful they claim me. ;)

*Cheers* Here's to the New Year.

I'd just like to say that venting is the best! Especially when something amazing comes from it. =)


I'd like to hope that this will be the end of the nonsense....however, I have the feeling it is only the beginning. So let's all pray that this passes quickly and people move on. Life's too short to have such ugly feelings...and besides by the time you want to act on those feelings it wouldn't be worth it to involve the law. ;)

Thank you Lord for 2009...this is the year that I eliminate people and I say what I need to. No more shy, quiet, passive Jessica... welcome to the new me. Who knows what I deserve and what I don't and will NOT let people walk all over me.

It's going to be a tough and trying year...but God is good and that is all I need to keep a smile on my face.

How dare you....

So, most of you that are reading this hopefully know me... and know me well enough to see that I am shy and quiet most of the time and like to sit back. I don't so much like to be the center of attention and I certainly don't tell you what I am thinking unless provoked.

So with that.... this is what I have to say.


I am real angry!
I mean...I guess I might be over reacting just a bit because I am not actually involved in the latest predicament....however, I LOVE my family. They may not be blood family but they are as close as it gets for me! I would do anything I could for them.

So when you go talking about them, LYING about them, and saying hurtful things I am obviously going to have something to say about it.

I wanna know who this lady thinks she is. I mean seriously!!! Jumping down someones throat without all the facts, bad mouthing the daughter of whom you are speaking to AND having the nerve to say that pretty much their parenting sucks...that it is lacking! AND that you and your child are not being Christ- like!

Excuse me!!!
Get a clue lady!
You need a reality check!
Your daughter is the gossip queen of the youth and a liar!
That's right, I said it, and I will say it again! LIAR!

Don't be critisizing someone elses family, parenting, and life when you can't even get a hold of and control your own!



Okay, so I vent here...cause well it is just better than in this persons face cause I know that, that would be wrong. So if this all comes across real bad, sorry...but I had to say it to someone...

I love my family.
I got their back!
=)

Change...

So life has been all about change lately.


Friends
Family
Future
Myself

You name it and I am pretty sure it has changed.

A lot for the good, I think…and yet some for the bad

I am not real sure how to categorize it all…
All I know is that I am starting to freak out a little with all that is going to take place.
I know that I need to leave it at the Father’s feet but I am really struggling with this part. =(

For most things I am happy for the change, I welcome it with open arms…
When certain things change I am okay with it, but when I have to step beyond my boundaries I get a little nervous. I don’t want them to change.

I am a worrier. I can’t help it. I want to fix and make everything better for anyone I can…and when I can’t I just stress.

Well I am at that point…the stress part where there is no turning back now. I know that there is nothing I can do to fix things yet it is tearing me up. I want so badly for things to be good. Not to have to worry about tomorrow…but I can’t be like that…It feels like that day will never come.

I’m just overwhelmed…with lots of things…and I probably don’t even make sense.

Sorry….

Walk down memory lane. =)

So Saturday I got to meet up with an old friend, Stefanie.

It really had been too long since we had gotten together...but it was great. It was just like old times and it was great to laugh like that again.

The long deep conversations to the crazy and wild pictures. =)

It was so nice to feel like we went back in time to where we seemed so care free and had nothing to worry about.

So thanks my friend...for the friendship, the laughs, the pictures, and the memories. =)