to my readers.

on my mind...(yes you have to open the links!)

interested in this movie that our friend is directing and Darrin is working on.
enjoying the warm weather.
praying for the folks in haiti.
thankful for our church friends and family.
enjoying work.
getting ready for our next purchase.
giving our time and pennies to this school.
reminiscing this day.
squeezing in time for D's gift.
excited for this baby.
going to make prep these for tomorrow.
having the taste for this.

A Little Update

Hello!

I can't believe it is already 2010, how exciting! Here are a few things that I am looking back on, and looking forward to!

2009...
January - Got married! To Darrin Dean Dick, you may know him, he is pretty incredible.
February - Darrin and I celebrated both of our birthdays, got my nose pierced, went to Orlando and didn't work! Found a great church -- Savannah Christian.
March - Darrin Started school, I got a temporary job. Settled into our apartment.
April/May - Work, school, church. stitches in my finger!
June - Went to Miami to see Shawn and Anna, got Tatoos, got new jobs,layed out in the hot sun!
July - I worked only part time (really enjoyable, God really provided!) Darrin worked A LOT! Family came to see us.
August - I went to NE, then came back and started my 3rd and current job.
September/October - Work, School, BLITZ! (Junior high youth group) Small group.
November - Thanksgiving, Darrin started a 2 month break from school, christmas tree.
December - Christmas, family, gifts, food, snow, fun.

2010...

- Anniversary (JAN.)
- Mom comes to visit (FEB.)

- Grandpa and Grandma Bauer come to visit (FEB.)

- Birthdays! (FEB.)

- Darrin's Graduation (MAY)

- Baby Kliwi! (JUNE)

- Mr. and Mrs. Derrick Dick (JUNE)
- Summer! (APRIL-AUGUST)

In recent news, Darrin got me a Lodge cast iron skillet, and Anna gave me Pioneer Woman's cookbook...and they both are changing my life. I highly recommend either one.

Anyways, thats about all. We don't know what we will do when Darrin graduates...we are leaving that up to the Lord!

Short and Sweet. Part 4

I read somewhere that a lot of celebrities put on huge earrings and a hat or sunglasses to look glamorous even though they just woke up or got off an airplane. Well I tried to pull it off this morning by throwing on my hat and hoop earrings. I think it worked. Of course I did actually have clean and matching sweats on, so I didn't feel totally scummy going to a few stores. So next time you have no time to shower and need to be on the run, dust off those old earrings and be on your way!

Short and Sweet. Part 3

Who's this? Oh just my bear I have had since I was 4...my Dad's grandmother gave her to me. And she been with me since. I never had a blankie or anything...just this bear. And I never have named her.
Isn't she cute?

What's this? Oh just a pizza lunchable...I am afraid to admit, I love lunchables.

Short and Sweet. Part 2

This little guy took hold of my heart at 12:11pm on May 7th, 2002. And I haven't been the same since then. I asked God for him for so long, every-time I found out we would have another addition to the family in fact (4 times), little did I know that he would be my other half in the sibling world.

Can't get enough of this little guy? Neither can I...here are a few more...

 

Short and Sweet. Part 1

My Pumpkin Spice Muffins....with homemade Cream Cheese Frosting!!! Yum...I took them in my cutsie Longaberger basket to work. Everyone loved them.
Here's the delicious recipe.

Also, I also made these last night...

Peanut Butter Balls! (Darrin's favorite)
1 c. peanut butter
1/2 stick butter
1/2 (more or less) powdered sugar
1 1/2 c. rice krispies

combine them, form into little balls.
melt some chocolate chips and put the two together.

I actually made my p.b.b's kind of big, and put them in my mini muffin tins, and then just spooned the chocolate over them...I don't like to much chocolate. Then I cooled them in the freezer.
These are a quick and easy treat, and pretty inexpensive too!

Fall?

I believe September 22nd marked the beginning of fall. My favorite season.
Here are some things that for the past 19 years I have loved about (Nebraska) fall.
- raking/playing in the leaves.
- husker football.
- wearing sweatshirts.
- being chilly in the morning.
- apples and apple cider.
- just getting into the swing of school.
- changing out my summer clothes for winter cloths.
- highschool football games.
- homecomming.
- going on walks.
- family dinners.
- just the overall joyous feeling i get from fall.

Now that I married and living in Savannah, my fall is way different. Completely different. I have my home and my mind set up for fall...

- holloween kitchen towels.
- "leaves" wall flowers making the house smell delicious.
- candles everywhere (ohhhh wait, that is a must all year long)
- fake pumpkins scattered around.
- purpleish-black toenails.
- a new fall furniture rearrangement.
- a huge bowl of apples waiting to be made into apple crisp.
- sweatshirt sitting in my car.
- dawgs games.

I even said yes to a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte. Here is the problem. It is 90 degrees outside.  No I am not complaining...but fall just isn't the same. I have been feeling a little homesick lately, and have been really sad about missing Ponca...that is until I received news this morning that it snowed in Nebraska today. and is 26 degrees outside. Hmmmm...ok, I will keep wearing my sundresses and shorts. And be thankful for where God has me...Southern Georgia and not Northern Minnesota. Because I don't like being cold. I just don't.

Good Mornin' Good Mororornin! We Slept The Whole Night Through, Good Mornin', Good Mornin' To You!

Meet my coworkers. My favorite easy-to-find-when-I-leave-it-everywhere-green pen, and my girly-get-the-job-done pink box cutter. I couldn't live without these two at work. I sign my name on papers, batch and post orders, and make orders...I always need my pen...I also open a lot of boxes of things we receive...and my box cutter does just the trick. If I don't have them in my pocket, I feel lost. And at the end of the day, they ride home with me. I love them? 


But before I see these guys...I see this love of my life...

My taste for coffee is backkkkk! Everymorning I make about 4-6 cups of delicious coffee. This mug is my favorite (Thanks Meema!), her red sister is also my favorite...Thanks to Anna, I have the perfect holder for my cinnamon(complete with a mini spoon, yes we stopped in the Goodwill...and thats when we adopted this little gem) and yes, that is an ice-cube floating in my milky coffee...I don't do hot, I don't do cold, I do luke warm (as oppose to Auntie Anne, who microwaves it straight out of the pot!)

Meet my Grandmother (Judy), Grandfather (Mark) and their two daughters. Beth is hiding in the back, and Anne. 
Between Grandfather  and Aunt Beth, I had my very own first cup of coffee at age 6. I remember it like yesterday...I have never gone a moment without feeling completely loved and special by these 4...who are those people for you? Aunt Beth also used to work at a coffee shop, and by age 10, I was certain I would be opening my own coffee/book shop some day...who knows? 
Auntie Anne lives in a beautiful cabin out in the Nebraska prairie, I have decided that it is in my top 5 places to be. My other four? 


1. Grandmothers and Grandfathers house.
2. Meema and Papa's house.
3. The Dicks.
4. Out in Blair at the Dick's camper.


I haven't seen Anna and Shawns new place...but I'm sure I would love it. I also do like my parents house, but there is something about having good memories and even childhood memories in a house...


Toodles.

Looking Ahead

This is a little purchase I made a few weeks ago, and what a life saver it is! If you are like me, you have a million different things going on (and I don't even have kids) and your mind just can't hold all the important dates in. I used to keep my own planner, that I would carry around in my purse, but now, Darrin and I both have things going on, that we both want to know about! This dry erase board is not only practical, but very enjoyable to write on! (please ignore my nerdy Sunday writings, I get kind of carried away...) I have ours hanging on the refrigerator, but I did have to buy some extra strength velcro to keep it up there. And yes, our schedules are color coordinated :)

Happy Sunday!

Here is an exert from the book Experiencing God, but Henry & Richard Blackbay...I highly recommend this book. I am on week 6, and it is changing my life, and the way I look at things! It is very convicting, in a good way!

"Don't let experience alone guide your life. Don't allow yourself to be led by tradition, a method, or a formula. Often people trust these ways because they appear easier than cultivating an intimate walk with God. People do as they please and put the whole burden of responsibility on God. If they are wrong, He must intervene and stop them. If they make a mistake, they blame Him. God is not obligated to stop you from making a mistake! I f you want to know the will and voice of God, you must devote time and effort to cultivate a love relationship with Him. That is what He wants!

Until next time....

ok, ok

i don't have any pictures.
i have a million things in my head.
i feel guilty for not writing for so long.
i am self conscious of my blog.

BUT FEAR NOT (Anna, Darrin and Aunt Anne) JUST FOR THE 3 OF YOU, I WILL WRITE!!!
(anyone else who actually reads this, feel free to comment if you LIKE my writtings :) )
Anyways, enough babbling. On with the show!...or something like that.

RECAP:
Once upon a time I told you about a surprise trip Darrin had planned...it was back in JUNE (gasp!) and we went to Miami! We left on a Friday at about 5 and arrived in Miami at midnight. Stopped at an over priced Holiday Inn and then drove 4 hours on Saturday to the key right before Key West. It was worth all the time we drove, because the view was just gorgeous...white sand and turquoise waters. Then we drove back to Miami to pick up Shawn and Anna from the airport to spend some time with them on their layover! We had so much fun cruising up and down south beach, and eating at a restaurant on the water.

The rest of June basically consisted of laying out at my pool or the beach and working part time at a hair salon. It was a very relaxing summer, I am so glad I was able to enjoy the Savannah heat!

On July 17th, Darrin's siblings and two friends came to visit for the weekend. That was a lot of fun to see everyone. As a suprise for Kathy's birthday, I booked a photographer to take our pictures...I think they turned out great, and I think she liked them :) We wanted everyone to stay for so much longer, but they left that Monday. It was really sad for some reason...we miss all of our family!

On July 18th my mom was re-married. If she actually read this blog I would write more, but she doesn't....so....

On July 25th Anna came and stayed for a whole 5 days! (Thanks Shawn!) For those of you with a sister, you know that NO ONE:
1. knows you better
2. makes you laugh till you cry
3. relates to you
4. has the same memories
5. likes the same things
6. has the same characteristics
7. is your best friend

thank God for sisters. I would go on to talk about all the beach-lovin, yahtzee- playin, wave-dominatin, music-jammin, bargain-shoppin time we had, but I am only in July and it is almost October...pressing on...

The day after Anna left my family came down...all 6 of them (oh, except my beloved father :( who we missed so much). They all stayed for two nights and then we sent mom and Jeff off to Florida...so we could have so REAL fun :) just kidding...but there is something about having no "adults" (little does Joe realize that me and Darrin are actually adults, shhhhhh, don't tell him! Then he might stop telling me his secrets and giving me kisses)
Anyways, we had a blast with those guys...of course you all know how much my siblings mean to me, so I won't gush anymore....buttheyarethebestinthewholeworld.

After mom and J got back we left for Omaha. I don't know what I was thinking when I planned the 11 day trip AWAY from Darrin...but I had so much fun back in Omaha...here's what I did:
1. went to adventureland with dad and the kids...for the 1st time in 8 months, I finally felt like i could let my guard down and breathe. i was laying in my hotel bed, and caroline was watching t.v next to me, and dad and joe were doing something, and for a minute i just felt great. i don't think i every realized what a daddy's girl i am until i moved away from him...it was great.
2. went to the zoo.
3. ate (gaggg) sushi.
4. had long talks with my grandmother.
5. went to meema and poppas house (one of the best places on earth).
6. watched an ole game of sand volleyball.
7. saw some good-old friends.
8. went to my moms wedding reception.
9. cleaned my mom's house.
10. sat in the dick's living room and talked with dennis and kathy...always wonderful.
11. walked around darrin's old house, it was bittersweet. i LOVE that house, but i missed darrn. and it reminded me of when i used to live in omaha without darrin...that wasn't very enjoyable.
12. went to the ole grace dorms.
13. hung out with my friends. my real friends.
14. at runza.
15. had dad's homemade dinner.

Ok, then I got back into Savannah and I was back home again. wherever Darrin is, thats where I want to be.

I started my "new" job as soon as I got back, and after 6 weeks, am still loving it!
We have got into a yet new (routine) this fall.**

Labor Day weekend brough us Darrin's parents, Dennis and Kathy. They arrived Friday evening and stayed until early Tuesday morning. It was such a treat to have them here, although the whole weekend I felt like death :( We love them so much and loved going on all the double dates! But they would never let us pay for ANYTHING! We are so spoiled. It was a nice relaxing weekend, and they got us into the habit of going on walks! Now I don't want to poke my eyes out, I actually enjoy it! and I now walk 2 miles everyday during lunch...thanks D & K!

This past weekend was yet another vacation for us...we went up to Toccoa, GA with our friend Laura to see our good friend and her boyfriend, Robbie. We had a great time in the beautiful small town, near the mountains! The weather was gorgeous, and those two are so fun to be with. It was a great weekend.


Well there is a little peak into the lives of me and Darrin! Hopefully now that I have caught up I will actually blog more :)
toodles!

thought of the day...
God is pursuing a love relationship with us! He is making an effort, are you?




**Ok here is an average week for us:
Monday...
7:30 am...I am up cleaning, doing laundry, singing, drinking coffee, and getting ready for my day. I have the most energy in the morning so I take hold of it!
8:40 am...kiss my still sleeping love (because he was probably up until about 2am) goodbye and I am on my way to work! This is the day, this is the day, that the Lord has made...well, you know the song.
6:00 pm...I am off of work! Darrin has been to 2 classes that day and is somewhere doing homework or work. I am heading to my "Power of a Praying Wife" womens-dinner bible study.
8:00 pm...me and Darrin time!
10:00 pm...I can't keep my eyes open...so I go to bed, and as I am falling asleep Darrin goes to to homework...this is the time when he now has a lot of good energy!
Tuesday...about the same except that Tuesday nights are free!
Wednesday...we meet at Blitz...the jr. high youth group at church.
Thursday...Darrin is at church rehearsal until about 9:00pm or so...girls night for me!
Friday...small group or date night!
Saturday...sometimes I work from 8-5, and Darrin always works from around 1 or so until about 7:45 at church...I go to an "Experiencing God" bible study at 6:15pm at church.
Sunday...Church together in the am, then we do whatever, and then we go downtown to a more contemporary service of our church at 7:01pm.