Skilled

I have been so impressed with myself lately as I have mastered a really, really useful skill. It started back this winter as I listened to a Pandora country Christmas station while sitting around the kitchen table with my mom. She would hear a song she liked and say, "Ooh, who's singing this?" I would respond with my best guess before checking who it actually was and, 90% of the time, I was right! I knew all of these artists' voices, not just which new hit song they were singing at the time--I felt like a real life, true blue country fan.

And it's so true, I am the BIGGEST country music fan in the whole wide world.

Below are the latest songs that I heard on the radio for the very first time and instantly knew who the artist was. I wish there was a game show for this sort of thing--I would totally win.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73tkJPTNxdg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmHjOCZw43U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNNIdHcnrlQ

That's all for today, folks.

Wordless Wednesday: sister

In honor of my sister's 30th birthday tomorrow, I decided to dedicate this wordless post to her.

Abby, this picture really doesn't do you justice :) You are one beautiful 30-year-old, inside and out!

Happy Birthday!


<3,

Your Favorite Sister

Wordless Wednesday: baby on the way!

This afternoon I received a text from my cousin, Amanda, that said "what do you think about another second cousin?"

My face has been stuck like this ever since:

Only God Knows Why

About a month ago, while making the nine hour trek to Oklahoma for my cousin's wedding, I started (and finished) a book titled, "Only God Knows Why." I was absolutely blown away by this book--I still don't understand how the author had me laughing and crying on the same page...and this happened more than once.  

The book is a memoir written about a mom's postpartum depression, the unimaginable loss of a child to SIDS, and her bumpy relationship with God. Amy Lyon (the author) writes of these things with such complete honesty--I still get the chills thinking about the things she went through and the gut-wrenching feelings she describes.


As I mentioned in an earlier post, my Dad and Grandma recommended I read this book. Amy Lyon, you see, is the wife of my dad's cousin, Chad. I was sure that this relation made my Dad and Grandma biased in their opinions of this book, and that it couldn't really be that good. But, thanks to a long car ride with not much else to do, I read it. And I couldn't put it down. It really is that good.

When I was about three-quarters of the way through it, though, it hit me. I am related to this precious baby--baby Isabelle--who died so suddenly, so sadly. It took my breath away. No, I have never met baby Isabelle, I don't even recall ever meeting her father (my dad's cousin). But, a part of my blood is hers. She is as closely related to my dad as I am to all of the babies that I have been posting pictures (up the wazoo) of on this blog (Kennedy, Quinn, Matthew, and Claire). I cannot imagine that feeling of loss.

Although you might be thinking otherwise, my opinion is not biased--I promise you, dear reader, this a must-read.

For all you Kindlers out there, e-versions of this book are available. I, personally, have not jumped over to the e-side of things, but my parents, aunt, and grandma have all read this via tablet (in fact, my mom, aunt, and I were all separately reading this book while road tripping together--and reaching for tissues the entire way).

M.I.A.

Holy, holy smokes! I have been gone for so long I don't even know where to start! The number one reason for my absence is work. For the past four weeks I had been working on audits where I did not have internet access (or, if I was lucky, I got to share an internet cord with two other people). And, since I usually blog during my lunch break, that really wasn't feasible. Also, for the past four weeks I have been working on audits that suck the life out of me. Literally. It wasn't uncommon for me to be at work at 6 AM and not leave until 7 PM (or later). This, you see, has really planted the "find a new job" seed in my mind--but enough about work--I am soooo sick of it!

This is a typical work space for me and my co-workers. I dream of having an office (or even a cubicle) someday!

This is not exactly a typical binder of ours, but it was so funny looking that I had to take a picture. I am SO GLAD I was not the one who had to go through this ginormous thing.

Last Friday Trent and I spent the evening in the quad cities and stayed at a casino (not sure which one), where I was the star of the blackjack table and won a whole $25! On Saturday we went to my second-cousin, Matthew's, first birthday party in Davenport. It was such a fun day full of lots and lots of babies.

Baby Matthew and his dad, Drew.

Unhappy baby Claire and her great-grandma

Kennedy, me, and Quinn

Quinn and me. I love his cute little smile here :)

Every free minute I had this week was spent creating my sister's bachelorette party invites. And, if I do say so myself, they turned out absolutely ADORABLE. But, just to warn anyone that considers making them, be sure you have enough free time set aside! I made about twenty-five of them and it probably took me a good twenty hours to get them all done.

A corset or a martini glass...depending on how you look at it.

This past Thursday, Trent and I took half a day off from work and headed to Omaha to see, drum roll please....TAYLOR SWIFT in concert! HOLY CRAPALONI she was soooo good! Seriously, I don't even understand how she can be so good. She even sang my favorite song of hers, "All Too Well." Click this link to hear it:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzJlpnBaJyw

This is the best picture we took of ourselves as we waited for Taylor to come out.

This is the best picture I got of her that wasn't on the big screen. We really did have great seats, but my stupid phone wasn't taking the greatest pictures.

I spent this weekend at my cousin Amanda's house dog-sitting while her and her family went to Chicago. I gave her fair warning that her dogs would be getting absolutely no attention from me, and that is exactly how it went. All I did for them was fill up their dog bowls and open up the door so they could go outside to do their business. This weekend confirmed my previous decision that I would never own a dog--not because they misbehaved or anything while I "watched" them, but because they are pointless--they sit around and sleep all day long, they stare at me very annoyingly, and their tails whack me in the leg whenever they are within a foot of me. And, I discovered this weekend, that the smell of dog food makes me want to gag.

Along with dog-sitting this weekend, I worked on more bridal shower projects, went shopping with my sister and her soon-to-be stepdaughters for their junior bridesmaids dresses (we found the perfect one!), and tried to give my miserably sore legs some rest. If you recall from this post, I was supposed to start my pre-training a month ago. Welp, that didn't happen, so this week I suffered through my training and now feel quite miserable and out of shape.

This week *should* be a bit better for me at work so hopefully I will not be M.I.A. from the blogging world anymore.

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all and to all a good night!

Sweet, Sweet Weekend

Once again, I was behind at work and was not able to enjoy my "day off" on Friday and worked for eight and a half hours. Technically, three of those I had to make up due to this long, miserable drive that made me late to work last week. But still...

After work, I picked up my brother's friend/cousin's boyfriend, Quin, and we headed to Webster City to pick up my cousin, Carson, and head to Cedar Falls for the night. I was driving, and we were running a little late...so what's a girl to do?

Speed.

...which led to a $114 speeding ticket. I was sure the officer was going to let me go with a warning as we spent a good ten minutes comparing the (few) pros and (several) cons of being a state employee. But, he showed no mercy.

We finally made it to Cedar Falls, grilled brats, drank beer, and stood around chit chatting. My precious friend, Toni, and her man, Dustin were there. I hadn't seen them in soooo long. Toni, if you are reading this... I AM SO HAPPY YOU CAME! Please, let's not wait so long again :)

After the grill out (in the middle of winter), we all headed over to the casino to watch our friend, the (soon-to-be) oh-so-famous Neil Hewitt. Seriously, watch this video and you'll understand my obsession:

Me, Carson, and Quin

Toni and Me

The entirety of my Saturday and Sunday were spent prepping for my sister's bridal shower. I cannot wait to post all of the details! It's been a lot of work, but it will be so, so, so worth it (at least it better be!).

Which brings me to today, Bachelor day. I just got back from my weekly (by weekly, I mean for the last three), Monday night, Bachelor "party" at Natalie's house. Next week is the three-hour finale. I can tell you right now, there will be no time for blogging next Monday!

Ta ta!