The blessings of my life

I don't know why but today I feel compelled to share with you how wonderful the main people in my life are. How great they are to me and how much I value them.... so here goes....

1.My Parents

As I have grown up I have always known that I have a wonderful set of parents. They have always been the kind of people that I could go to with any problem or joy and know that I was supported 100%- granted, they may not always agree with my decisions but I know they will always love me regardless of my choices in life. I didn't fully realize how great I had it until Karl and I broke up and I moved home with them. It was a VERY hard decision for me because I was losing some of my freedom, you see Mom and Dad will always see me as their little girl and sometimes forget that I am almost 25---don't get my started on turning 25--- ANYWAY... I took off for some girl time with Rhea and came home to my old bedroom all set up and ready for me. How sweet is that. One of the most constant blessings, besides their love, that my parents have given me is a place to call home. A place to go that is always open for me. I have lots of other blessings associated with my parents but I think the biggest is how much they love me. (duh, right) :-)

2.My brother

I have the best younger brother in the entire world! Growing up we weren't always fond of eachother but since I graduated from high school we have been through so many changes, so many life altering situations and through it all we have leaned on eachother, cried with eachother, laughed with eachother and always known that if we have a problem we can come to eachother and talk it through. We have always been eachothers traveling companion as Mom and Dad often drug us on lots of LONG road trips, the best one was our last big trip to Yellowstone: I think it was the first trip we didn't fight and argue on because we were able to enjoy eachothers company full instead of bugging the heck out of eachother. Bill has always been a great ear to listen and has the best hugs in the world, espcially when that's all that you need to fix your world. He is the best!!!!!

3. Dustin

Oh my handsome wonderful man! Dustin and I have been through a lot and it all showed both of us how much we love eachother, how much we value our relationship and how well we really fit together. He makes me laugh when I want to cry and holds me when the laughter isn't enough. He teases me, compliments me, encourges me, and most importantly he loves me! He truly loves me! He also puts up with my forgetfulness, my lack of knowledge on just about everything, he takes me on adventures to places like Ione and Moyie (if you haven't been there you haven't lived!), we go camping, we go boating, he covers me in mud when we're playing in the big S-10, he laughs with me and at me. Dustin is my other half and when he wasn't in my life everyday I was empty. I have never felt so full of life and love as I do when I am with him.

4. Rhea and Keona

My first sister and neice! I love you! Rhea and I have been through so very much in our lives. From tiny infants to now adults we have enjoyed laughs and love and held eachother while we cried of those we have lost. Rhea is always my go-to friend and has picked me up when my world has come crashing down. I am blessed to have Rhea! Rhea has also allowed me to be part of beautiful Keona's life. From the moment Keona was born and I heard her cry for the first time I knew I loved her. Standing in the hospitol hallways my arms wrapped around Misti crying because we were so happy she was here! Keona is a light in my life, she is so funny and sweet and cute and TOUGH- that girl is just as awnry as her mother. They are truly two peas in a pod! I am so blessed by both of these wonderful girls!!!

5. Leah

OH my Leah! Leah and I are so similar it's scary!! We're two peas in a pod and when we are together it's always tons of fun!! Leah is my cheerleader, my dear sweet sister and friend! She can pick me up on my darkest, most stressful day and remind me that life is beautiful! While we have only gotten to be good friends this year I know that we will be a lifelong pair. :-) She has already been welcomed into my family and I know she will be part of it for a very long time.

6. Dustin's parents

Even though Dustin and I aren't married I still feel like Lorraine and Dennis are my other parents. They are wonderful to me and have always welcomed me with open arms. I am so blessed by them, by their generosity and love. They tease me and encourage me. Heck Dennis made me my ONLY birthday cake last year (Rhea made me a super yummy birthday cheesecake though). They include me in family activities and have really made me feel like part of the family. I know that they will be a huge part of my life for the rest of my life.

My life is so full of wonderful people who lift me up when I'm feeling down and encourage me along the path of life. My life has been marked with those people who have not done that which makes the blessings in my life shine even brighter. Thank you to all of you who are blessings in my life, I am truly, truly grateful for you!!

SNOW

Okay now that the snow has finally stopped falling daily and is slowly melting I feel compelled to post some pictures of our snow adventures... it's pretty crazy how much snow we actually got! I think the most was around 3- 3 1/2 feet!!! I got my car stuck twice... my own silliness caused both- did you know that if you back into a snowbank its highly likely you'll get stuck??? (Note: Leah and I got me out... girls rule!!) Or how about going thru a 1 foot deep by 2 feet wide snow berm MIGHT just high center your car, did anyone know that either??? Okay enough sarcasm... here are some pictures :-)

I think the only reason I really liked all this snow was how pretty it looked on the trees!
This was the path down my parents driveway, keep in mind its usually around 1 1/2 car lengths wide!

DON'T YOU LOVE THE HAT!!

Who needs a snowmobile when you have a free 4-wheeler???

Dakota was watching Dustin ride the 4-wheeler but wasn't allowed to follow, it about drove her crazy! Enough play... time to get to work... Dustin shoveling his parents roof

This is only the 2nd year that I can remember Dad having to fire up the Cat to make room for more snow!!

WATCH OUT FOR MY CAR!!!

A New Year

Ya know what I enjoy about a new year? It almost feels like starting over, I mean I know we don't actually wave a magic wand and begin again but there is just something relieving about a new year. 2008 was quite the rollarcoaster that I wish to never fully repeat. It came in with major changes in my life that had been coming for a long time. January was a rough month last year. This January, however, find me in love, finds me figuring life out, finds me genuinely happy! It's amazing the difference a year makes!

The strange part to me is I didn't realize all the changes that happened this year until I received a very sweet note from my Aunt telling me how proud she was of me and to keep my chin up and that she hoped 2009 was a better year. When I got her note I almost giggled 'cause besides relationship issues nothing REALLY bad happened to me or my family in 2008.

I think what I will truly value from 2008 is coming back to who I am and whom I love. I have a new respect for the relationships in my life, I have a deeper devotion to my family and my close friends. I have a strong relationship with my wonderful boyfriend, Dustin. One that I value so much and know he values as well. I trust that man with my heart, I trust every word that he speaks and I know that he feels the same way for me as I do for him. How great is that? How great is it to know that the people I hold nearest and dearest to my heart are always there for me. They are always there for a hug when I need it or a swift kick to the butt when I need that to. How many people can really say that?

I am blessed. My Grandpa Gregerson once said there is no such thing as luck. I think he would agree with me when I say luck is just the blessings God has bestowed upon us, to give us strength, laughter, and love.

In closing I am just so happy to be almost halfway through January, be looking excitedly to February and what the rest of the year may bring.

Christmas 2008

I had one of the best Christmases in a very long time! It was so nice to be overly happy, relaxed, giggly and just plain have fun with my loved ones! Christmas did find us running all over the place- Dustin and I got up around 7 am, were at my parents by 8 am, then at his parents by 11 am, then to Spokane by 2 pm.... made it home around 8 pm if I remember correctly... we got to see lots of family and have a wonderful time! I think the funnest part of Christmas was when everyone at Mom and Dads opened their Nerf Dart Guns- there were darts flying ALL OVER the living room, it was HILARIOUS and everyone was fair game because EVERYONE had a gun-including Grandma! So much fun!

The snow continues to blanket the area- we're expecting another foot of snow and we already have AT LEAST 2 feet, probably more like 3 feet!! UGH! I've gotten my car stuck twice now-really don't want to do that again!!

Anyway on to pictures... here are a few from our Christmas adventures!

I hope you all had a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

My lil Bruddah Bill and me
Our First Christmas tree pictures
Bill had just shot me in the forehead with a dart- it really was QUITE funny!!

The Kautenberger cousinsMy boys, I love them!!!

Snowed in...

Taken at Crystal Falls on our way back from Ione

SO we now have over 16 inches of snow!!! AND at last check... it's still falling! So I am pretending to be snowed in at Dustin's house (I might actually be snowed in but I refuse to try to get my car out of the carport) ... I mean what else could I really be doing- so playing on the internet, answering e-mails, catching up on some TV and doing laundry sounds like the perfect plan to me! Later I'll take Dakota the wonder dog out to play in the snow and maybe do a little shoveling... but why when it really won't make a bit of difference. :-) I must say while I grumble about how much snow we have it is wonderful to know we're going to have a wonderful white Christmas! I just LOVE Christmas AND Dustin LOVES Christmas! It's just such a wonderful time of the year to be with family and friends! Below are some pictures from playing in the snow last night as well as a couple of the Gingerbread house- that's what we're calling Dustin's house with all the Christmas lights on it!

Let's see... new in December... NOTHING! I'm on break which has been so wonderful! Gotten to watch my wonderfully beautiful niece Keona, do some shopping, spend time with Dustin.... what else have I done?? Oh... nothing! Ha Ha!

This is probably it until after Christmas- ya know my busy schedule doesn't allow for much blogging (insert extreme sarcasm!!)

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!!

Crystal Falls- partly frozen :-)

Dakota LOVES to play in the snow!! She was doing her best Tigger impression and bouncing all over the place!

See! Doesn't it look like a Gingerbread house!!

Out playing in the snow!

changes... again...

Life is crazy sometimes but it always works out like it should. I have changed men in my life again. Derick and I have gone our seperate ways for a variety of reason and Dustin and I are talking again and working things out, which is so wonderful. We both realize we made some mistakes but believe in second chances, something I have never given before. Life is funny that way, something I swore I would never do just seems so right. We're taking things slow, something that is crucial to 2nd chances or so I've been told. I never gave them out before because before the reasons for my breakups were so hurtful, so horrible, there was no going back. This time, we both got hurt, we both got scared and instead of coming together we pulled apart. It's important, I think, to recognize where you've come from but to keep moving forward, we both recognize we need to be more open and honest with eachother and to seek eachother when we have problems instead of holding them in. I'm very excited to see what the future holds :-)

Anyway.... It's almost the start of December which means one thing for me, well maybe two... DECEMBER OFF and it's CHRISTMAS time!! Two of my favorite things combined into one WONDERFUL month of relaxation and love. Can't wait to see what December brings.

So excited

OKAY just have to say that I am SO excited that my cousin is pregnant again!

As most of you know I have always been crazy about babies but there is something so special when someone you have grown up with adds to the family. Kristen and Chris blessed us 2 September's ago with handsome Nicholas (he just turned 1) and in May they will add a new little one to our family. I am so excited and so happy for them! What a blessing new babies are.

SO Kristen if you're reading this just know that I love you guys and can't wait to meet that new little one!

GO TEAM PINK!!!!