tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8106593102989873102024-03-14T01:24:55.606-07:00The Louvier LifeStephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00847911759075735322noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810659310298987310.post-83064273359093860312013-08-22T08:54:00.003-07:002013-08-22T08:54:43.466-07:00Happy Birthday, Allie!<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tr><td><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/play/4d7a63334d544d304d44633d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link&partner=googlebs" target="_blank"><img width="420" height="330" alt="Click to play this Smilebox greeting" src="http://www.smilebox.com/snap/4d7a63334d544d304d44633d0d0a.jpg" style="border: medium none ;"/></a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://www.smilebox.com?partner=googlebs&campaign=blog_snapshot" target="_blank"><img width="420" height="46" alt="Create your own greeting - Powered by Smilebox" src="http://www.smilebox.com/globalImages/blogInstructions/blogLogoSmilebox.gif" style="border: medium none ;"/></a></td></tr><tr><td align="center">Make a digital greeting card</td></tr></table>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00847911759075735322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810659310298987310.post-59131267762840587112013-08-06T10:20:00.003-07:002013-08-06T10:20:34.658-07:00Silas's First Birthday Party<table bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/play/4d7a63314e4459784f54413d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link&partner=googlebs" target="_blank"><img alt="Click to play this Smilebox invite" height="330" src="http://www.smilebox.com/snap/4d7a63314e4459784f54413d0d0a.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="420" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/?partner=googlebs&campaign=blog_snapshot" target="_blank"><img alt="Create your own invite - Powered by Smilebox" height="46" src="http://www.smilebox.com/globalImages/blogInstructions/blogLogoSmilebox.gif" style="border: medium none;" width="420" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td align="center">This <a href="http://www.smilebox.com/anytime-invitations.html?campaign=blog_playback_link&partner=googlebs" target="_blank">free invitation card</a> generated with Smilebox</td></tr>
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Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00847911759075735322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810659310298987310.post-86053818860370915732012-08-17T19:00:00.001-07:002012-08-18T07:31:34.052-07:00Nursery/Guest Room Make Over<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Wow...I haven't posted in awhile, but now that I actually have something interesting to post about, I hope to do it more often! Nothing like having a baby and blogging about them...right?! So this first "baby blog" is about his nursery...which is currently shared with a guest room. So we still live in the basement of Grandma's house (yes, it's been 4 years...amazing how the "6 month" plan always changes). This room used to be used for storage. There was A LOT of work put into this room to make functional...and cute, of course! We had to clear it out, put some decent carpet in, repaint and repair! Since we aren't staying for too much longer (I laugh as I type this since we have yet another "6 month goal") we don't want to invest too much time and money into everything. I am pretty darn pleased with how this room turned out though. Especially since Caleb said "Don't expect to have a nursery" because we honestly didn't have room! Well, we purged and made it happen! Now we not only have a nursery, but a place for our guests to stay!! This room was completed on a tight budget, but we made it happen! </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdIK4YVqnW0__anDAC1l9e3p6DvW8WymjdYoTYXvsGe6cKkOfnmdROa9c9P2POcA4OiSqcisY4NsX-azl2xXKZXQ4cB-ea2Z1rAlC61EQHdgCghm6TLFDhIIOuTQLGGR_4XVacwKLxnrK/s1600/IMG_4867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdIK4YVqnW0__anDAC1l9e3p6DvW8WymjdYoTYXvsGe6cKkOfnmdROa9c9P2POcA4OiSqcisY4NsX-azl2xXKZXQ4cB-ea2Z1rAlC61EQHdgCghm6TLFDhIIOuTQLGGR_4XVacwKLxnrK/s320/IMG_4867.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Nursery/Guest Room updated! By Caleb: Room painted, redone/painted knobs on furniture, hung floating shelves. My friend Lindsay helped me hang the poms and lanterns which were from a couple of my baby showers.<br />Only major things left are a name plaque which I will design once we come up with a name...probably after he's born, and a Canvas of a maternity picture (check out Living Social and Groupon...they always have companies putting good deals up!)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNKbRU8jle8CqX2ncMAwFXKxKvtpOQKRCexRFC_z7RFKAhb21dMJd32SLpsahJiad_Z-cDloAVMkQZdp8uqYWlLSmWizsLxrIn6DRgNfLC45526zWNzuoADQdRZ0Oqdlz5tqTCK7DSAyN/s1600/IMG_4875.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNKbRU8jle8CqX2ncMAwFXKxKvtpOQKRCexRFC_z7RFKAhb21dMJd32SLpsahJiad_Z-cDloAVMkQZdp8uqYWlLSmWizsLxrIn6DRgNfLC45526zWNzuoADQdRZ0Oqdlz5tqTCK7DSAyN/s320/IMG_4875.JPG" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Little hanging rack was given to me by my mom years ago, I'm glad I found a use for it now! Maternity pic by Quinn Neeley, Framed "I love you a bushel and a peck" free printable, "L" block letter made by Caleb, toy Jeep was Caleb's old car he used to play with, Glad air freshner (like it more for the look than the smell...haha), baby boy's first towels and bathrobe! That bathrobe used to be my nephew's...such an adorable hand-me down.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dresser was found for a killer deal on Craigs List...it came with a crib (picture to come), a crib mattress, and 2 adorable baskets that matched the room (I believe it all came to less than $200...our crib alone was more than that in a store!)<br />Decor on dresser: bucket full of toys/sports stuff (all gifts from showers), sounder soccer piggy bank and green candle from my aunt, framed ultrasound (frame was one of the first gifts I received and was what inspired the colors of the nursery...originally wanted to do a beach theme, but Caleb said "no way". Okay so sports and Sounders colors it is), lamp found at Target, adorable preppy hat found at Old Navy and part of first outfit I bought for him after we found out the gender.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwIfHhavAf_MI0eMdi-F3nTbsX-Kd99iUHZI0kpvPPoZiCM7TtiiY2LyZkwJojCv5m6YYm84lqq73UN-rUPHawsyV7fPLLoRN-lQAWqncOYQzk7ScQ0Gv-s7ELv2fbazyl5s9TDhYxp6O7/s1600/IMG_4872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwIfHhavAf_MI0eMdi-F3nTbsX-Kd99iUHZI0kpvPPoZiCM7TtiiY2LyZkwJojCv5m6YYm84lqq73UN-rUPHawsyV7fPLLoRN-lQAWqncOYQzk7ScQ0Gv-s7ELv2fbazyl5s9TDhYxp6O7/s320/IMG_4872.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The floating shelves were a great deal found at Ross ($12), I can't find them at any Ross now..bummer. On the shelves: couple maternity pix taken by Quinn Neeley, framed quote, "I am a Child of God" and framed Bible verse (Philippians 4:4) both found for free on internet (through Pinterest of course!), mini sounders soccer ball and mini football were gifts from showers, Auntie Kelsey gave baby his "My First Teddy", baby shoes were given by Auntie Jenny.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKN_zm3iYe1FwrhXC19xzKR6ihCFk7GTiCVYZ3uhOUtZcWS4wNyewTSli_BltS_0WkvFFp9YqW9tQ2wqppKNku4qsYa0IqKfhjmTWg49tDorTz9CIvnaqQGZU6WFYktz9Weit84eWTR2bK/s1600/IMG_4873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKN_zm3iYe1FwrhXC19xzKR6ihCFk7GTiCVYZ3uhOUtZcWS4wNyewTSli_BltS_0WkvFFp9YqW9tQ2wqppKNku4qsYa0IqKfhjmTWg49tDorTz9CIvnaqQGZU6WFYktz9Weit84eWTR2bK/s320/IMG_4873.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The changing table used to be an old desk, Caleb sanded it, painted it and redid the knobs (also redid the knobs on the shelving unit above it)...It turned out awesome! I bought the shelving unit for $9 from a gal from church and found the laundry basket at Ross for about $10.<br />Decor on the shelving unit: Maternity pic (all colorful frames were found at Target...I love the RE brand!), Caleb's old soccer shin guards, small football found at garage sale for a quarter, Sounders Teddy bear gifted by my aunt, little sign made by my cousin and was part of diaper cake.<br />On the changing table: Aveno lotion, automatic hand sanitizer dispenser (great gift!), and natural stain remover (I'm looking fwd to all the blow-outs, spit ups, etc).<br />Hanging from the shelving unit are adorable burp cloths my sister made...So awesome! The surf board off to the right was made by my crafty friend, Anna (yay! A touch of "beach theme" that I wanted!)</span></td></tr>
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Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00847911759075735322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810659310298987310.post-85578741555183925532011-11-13T09:59:00.001-08:002011-11-14T18:01:58.419-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
Weird how time seemingly goes by so slowly yet so quickly all at the same time! Not everyone experiences this, but I certainly do. Reason being is that God is teaching me patience...actually its been a lifelong lesson but He's been seemingly teaching me this lesson through more extreme circumstances these past 3.5 years. <i><u><b>3.5 years</b></u></i>. That doesn't seem like a long time, but to me it has felt more like <b>10 years.</b> That may seem like an exaggeration but truly, time has seemed to inch by.</div>
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Being a full time working wife with multiple jobs, trying to support her husband through grad school has been one of the most challenging experiences in my life. My faith has been tried in so many ways. I am so blessed to have a job, but let me tell you, I have not had the easiest time supporting us. When we moved back to the Seattle area I was convinced I would have a stable job to support us through Caleb's schooling. Boy was I wrong. Over these past years I have gone through 5 plus jobs. Praise the Lord I have stuck with one for 2.5 years: personal training at 24 Hour Fitness. </div>
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Not everyone knows the life of a trainer. It is not easy...at all. I had no idea I was entering into such a challenging profession. I wanted to give up so many times. I got depressed within the first 6 months of this job and thought that I was stuck. A year and a half later, the Lord opened doors for me to get out of the mud pit I'd allowed myself to get into. I knew I needed a change in order to get my focus back. I thought for sure it would mean leaving 24 HF, but God had another idea...a transfer. So I transferred from a Kent location to a Seattle location. I was scared. I didn't want anything to do with Seattle. </div>
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Thankfully, I went through the door and have not looked back. Training life is still incredibly challenging: wondering if I am going to have any clients week to week, wondering if I am going to get paid day to day, wondering if I'm researching the right resources for my clients, wondering how many times I'm going to have to change my schedule around in a day. Wondering, wondering, wondering. All this "wondering" can be accurately translated as <i><b>anxiety.</b></i><br />
God has helped me tremendously to change my perspective. As long as I seek Him daily, I find the joy in every aspect of my job...no matter how challenging.<br />
With this change, came the drive to change our living situation. We have lived in Caleb's grandparents' basement for these past 3.5 years. It is an old basement that had lots of stuff when we moved in. It's been a slow and gradual process but we now have a more roomy and homey place to live! I've been admittedly terrible about putting up pictures of the progress, but will hopefully kick into gear and get it done!<br />
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In the mean time, I'd thought I'd share a few things that I have found to love about living here...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoaFPU_L2D-OP65F6Dje8fRhjlXP-9Ue1Gp0i_IX0crS2UB4BtkYivPaOhCEGkiEmkYgTSRVG9nW7-N79ur5-7p13Q5Yi3AzlRTPBZPNA6m84jUQM9mbsw8RbuT_xveCU_bYgnPdK8jHPt/s1600/IMG_0890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoaFPU_L2D-OP65F6Dje8fRhjlXP-9Ue1Gp0i_IX0crS2UB4BtkYivPaOhCEGkiEmkYgTSRVG9nW7-N79ur5-7p13Q5Yi3AzlRTPBZPNA6m84jUQM9mbsw8RbuT_xveCU_bYgnPdK8jHPt/s640/IMG_0890.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what our windows look out to...pretty amazing. A new sunset every evening...never gets old!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8E9nY6d9QWsDe3j9W1rTXjzM2pmEasE9dK5iI9ZrxeV9XIp5Sp_8mWNx8JsCgpMiI9Uicj8ULmAz84c8RIIOMuBEMkyZXi3rcGoWm9CxfCT1TzJoC-K_2QXjfgPxXv-rEdr0vYbroAaCL/s1600/IMG_3004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8E9nY6d9QWsDe3j9W1rTXjzM2pmEasE9dK5iI9ZrxeV9XIp5Sp_8mWNx8JsCgpMiI9Uicj8ULmAz84c8RIIOMuBEMkyZXi3rcGoWm9CxfCT1TzJoC-K_2QXjfgPxXv-rEdr0vYbroAaCL/s640/IMG_3004.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lake is gorgeous with snow!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZexlqejZQ1FaS8UZCEgEKXcDVtkF9s6vOqdvvLg3llXfVuTpydMCQo3ZXJzhZyvr8ST3MN8fz8TNuyE9t6A-6Vy6IKCG94hZfSSZJa_3w0uhVcoXuJArR1TGJs5TewtCCGktm578YgkSR/s1600/IMG_2402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZexlqejZQ1FaS8UZCEgEKXcDVtkF9s6vOqdvvLg3llXfVuTpydMCQo3ZXJzhZyvr8ST3MN8fz8TNuyE9t6A-6Vy6IKCG94hZfSSZJa_3w0uhVcoXuJArR1TGJs5TewtCCGktm578YgkSR/s640/IMG_2402.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Get to see unique things, like a blood red moon.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We get to see these kiddos way more often living right next door to Grandma and Grandpa Louvier! Our two nieces, Baylee Joy and Allie Rae are the 2nd girl from the left and the girl on the far right. Gracie Faith and Cayden are just like our niece and nephew too...we love them like family!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7X2beKgoqqpv185qJlhxxTzsFmQlc0QPIHnehQyzfLqnKShQ1LV6naGC2vEEiCMn4-vuO821mS0NJ-xRZZ4CWE0rhjKfbaBWrrZNLQ5xEda69OmDDSMTtIT95l3sYLQQn6AuyL-yVbrd/s1600/IMG_3845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7X2beKgoqqpv185qJlhxxTzsFmQlc0QPIHnehQyzfLqnKShQ1LV6naGC2vEEiCMn4-vuO821mS0NJ-xRZZ4CWE0rhjKfbaBWrrZNLQ5xEda69OmDDSMTtIT95l3sYLQQn6AuyL-yVbrd/s400/IMG_3845.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We love being silly with Baylee.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMn6iz0hodfvZnxMvi5OSlsuiz9-uPxRJmDWgeMn7nf_vEBufuBHmbxK0LaT1A7Bax_pu2ESMYEsHBybbKGINMZ1J6Z8Kl7ZxUWWQaiKNIK5cCejW9pPN5ZjLJS62eP1eXewIGDcJPYX4K/s1600/IMG_3843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMn6iz0hodfvZnxMvi5OSlsuiz9-uPxRJmDWgeMn7nf_vEBufuBHmbxK0LaT1A7Bax_pu2ESMYEsHBybbKGINMZ1J6Z8Kl7ZxUWWQaiKNIK5cCejW9pPN5ZjLJS62eP1eXewIGDcJPYX4K/s400/IMG_3843.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cayden is my little man! I ADORE this buddy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS3NOINvGZCmVM2obVY2CMs3a6tKqbuEFJE0UAd1Fg86PLMpTzSLW72IS7hDOKVQN0kTsuewNl5XXXiy-0jUK-wl1ZXW7dZ8mqzFQs2N-hs_Yo-_5p7MDHL7tkb23UwvpaGHuC7g8ZMAnX/s1600/IMG_3797-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS3NOINvGZCmVM2obVY2CMs3a6tKqbuEFJE0UAd1Fg86PLMpTzSLW72IS7hDOKVQN0kTsuewNl5XXXiy-0jUK-wl1ZXW7dZ8mqzFQs2N-hs_Yo-_5p7MDHL7tkb23UwvpaGHuC7g8ZMAnX/s640/IMG_3797-1.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Uncle Cayub" is a favorite of Gracie Faith and Allie Rae. They love him so much! Every time I see them with him , it melts my heart!<br />I love this picture...I took it on our annual coast trip to Grayland...it was actually extremely nice weather this year! </td></tr>
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So as you can tell, we are extremely blessed by location and people by living where we are! There is so much more I wanted to put on here but this post is fairly long, so I suppose I will continue later! Until then, practice what I've been trying to learn...PATIENCE!</div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00847911759075735322noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810659310298987310.post-8244214988617381402011-03-08T17:28:00.000-08:002011-03-08T19:23:00.942-08:00"Project Basement"...CAUTION: long blog!So I just have to say that I am so very thankful for family! Caleb's grandma has been letting us live in her basement for over 2 years now. She has also let us make some pretty big changes! We are <span style="font-weight: bold;">so, so, so grateful</span> for her kindness. She is a HUGE blessing!! I am not sure where we would be right now if she and grandpa hadn't taken us in....probably in a box on the side of the road - ok that might be a bit dramatic but we seriously would be in an interesting situation! God always provides though. I am also <span style="font-weight: bold;">so, so, so thankful</span> for my hubs, my father-in-law (Gregg), my mom (Sharon) and everyone else who has been helping us with this basement makeover! It has given me something to do and look forward to! And it has given us a comfortable place to live. The pictures below do not give justice to the amount of work that was put in. I wish I had more <span style="font-style: italic;">"before" </span>pictures...let's just say when we first moved in there was just enough room to walk in and out of the front door. Then again, we were only planning on living here for 6 months...oh, funny how God works. His ways are truly so much better than mine!! After being here for a month, I was DYING to move. I got pretty depressed when the 6th month rolled around and I realized we weren't going anywhere on my small income. Praise the Lord I listened to the Spirit and "hung around." So many times I wanted to walk out the door, walk out of this life, walk out of everything I thought was so terrible. I was looking past all the blessings in my life...my husband included. As I've said in my previous blog, its easy to get caught up in the depression...but when you do, you are blinded by Satan's lies.<br /><br /> I never thought I'd say this, but I don't mind living here and I am willing to stay here as long as it takes. Only God can provide a peace that I now have...I thought I'd never be able to get out of my pit. So, thank you all who have been an encouragement to Caleb and me these past years...really, since day one of our marriage. It's not been an easy road...not even close, but how would we realize how blessed we are if we had an easy way out? How many times have I been drawn literally to my knees, humbled and broken only to be drawn to the cross?! So many...and so many more times to come...because I am a Christ follower. Not just a Christian, but a lover of Jesus.<br /><br />With all that said, enjoy the few pics we have and many more to come as the adventures continue with our "Project Basement"!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL9Sn_GRBfYtdymCn-Ulygn2EmUlVaJTDQmGvEFumXQy8So5owCgWSFHTuwQajLgxlpYyOnbQ6gSJ4jGzEpJdO6vt87Arq-wma7LIO-skKcrd6VqTluyYESd7sVhnSWZfvF8bOlJOa2acI/s1600/IMG_0004.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL9Sn_GRBfYtdymCn-Ulygn2EmUlVaJTDQmGvEFumXQy8So5owCgWSFHTuwQajLgxlpYyOnbQ6gSJ4jGzEpJdO6vt87Arq-wma7LIO-skKcrd6VqTluyYESd7sVhnSWZfvF8bOlJOa2acI/s320/IMG_0004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581888517219346578" border="0" /></a><br />This was December 2009...this is way better than December 2008...just pretend a huge pool table (which is in the back in this picture with all the "junk" on top) right smack in the middle of the room. Convenient for the Louvier kids as they grew up so they could play pool and ping pong...but where were Caleb and I going to put our couch? Where would we lounge? How could we have visitors? So the cleaning began....<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebrfP6cC45xyzky9ymqMNMIlShOUeZbkK8zTboady-8RWJkYXKzmpt0BjV0TtC5KTmjgI9xBnGVF6uOHLlNnwslWNvlSS7NiP5fIQYJijYBnFMWcVfQoZh16eOt2vM95qMQiM8Y6Bj5WU/s1600/IMG_3159.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebrfP6cC45xyzky9ymqMNMIlShOUeZbkK8zTboady-8RWJkYXKzmpt0BjV0TtC5KTmjgI9xBnGVF6uOHLlNnwslWNvlSS7NiP5fIQYJijYBnFMWcVfQoZh16eOt2vM95qMQiM8Y6Bj5WU/s320/IMG_3159.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581888520483890946" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is rather blurry, but notice how the pool table is gone along with the junk on top...I was surprised to find a built in book shelf (in the far left corner in the picture) which was perfect for all our textbooks etc from all the years! There's also a functioning fireplace!!!! I was stoked (ha ha, pun not intended)!! Well...its not functioning quite yet...it hasn't been used in years!<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhb7bXnc_fnnSb9BToOb2eiGmrd2qAMqdciXXkFee-umNPYLO0mfNWpEvHj6Z_cUzptkA0o03GJRSqtps7Fw249Yin9bVvnsAvuqiTe4fQeEOEYd4ZU6S02INXKoa5-ogktkAPob2o7TWw/s1600/IMG_3462.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhb7bXnc_fnnSb9BToOb2eiGmrd2qAMqdciXXkFee-umNPYLO0mfNWpEvHj6Z_cUzptkA0o03GJRSqtps7Fw249Yin9bVvnsAvuqiTe4fQeEOEYd4ZU6S02INXKoa5-ogktkAPob2o7TWw/s320/IMG_3462.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581888525650795458" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The end result after all the random cabinets and junk got moved! Woohoo! We have living room space! Thanks Tim and Jane for the entertainment center!<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZdcVgpZsIxt6Cwhd3tlxQVDkFJdupnHp6Nu_3hmq1GpDxXFN7eTJEeQk3U-pC-Nbm0yGq8nwgGwphg8FAyQ-zWb64I56hTpC1VIJU96By-2SrwnR__ulxfIaen9HJKLurZJ-fFQ7gnT4/s1600/IMG_3360.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZdcVgpZsIxt6Cwhd3tlxQVDkFJdupnHp6Nu_3hmq1GpDxXFN7eTJEeQk3U-pC-Nbm0yGq8nwgGwphg8FAyQ-zWb64I56hTpC1VIJU96By-2SrwnR__ulxfIaen9HJKLurZJ-fFQ7gnT4/s320/IMG_3360.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581888540624029426" border="0" /></a><br />My mom came up and made pillow covers (from curtain fabric...curtains seen in pictures below), and helped me find that awesome rug! The curtain fabric, table and rug are all from Ikea (thanks Nate and Jen for giving us that table! It's perfect!); the couch (given to us from my dad, thanks dad!) is from Crate and Barrel, and the super soft white pillows are from Costco! Some people like to know where things come from, so for those of you who were curious...there you go!<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPdaiLbHyl3dJUwRMA-RkkehfWnmoyNCRvgF3WNn0It37l9dQiNRIHw-qRKeVQXX_Wm2h3fLHaiU1kCokCNgBlt6W3XeapMgVoIj5mVXnhFG1VxTV4EF86oeUBsr0IdSZwNgd-O3i0F5Mv/s1600/Picture+044.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 199px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPdaiLbHyl3dJUwRMA-RkkehfWnmoyNCRvgF3WNn0It37l9dQiNRIHw-qRKeVQXX_Wm2h3fLHaiU1kCokCNgBlt6W3XeapMgVoIj5mVXnhFG1VxTV4EF86oeUBsr0IdSZwNgd-O3i0F5Mv/s320/Picture+044.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581890823131681090" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ok, so this is kind of a random picture of me opening presents on my birthday after work in July 2009. But if you look behind me you notice the two oval pictures on the wall, the stairs and part of the kitchen...remember those details<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjqCVMhC-wyMGDFoipdPvZvX81-D6e7zdBWlfsrCDqDw0DUeH9VW7ErCEFrNRwkBU92chTbriJUynYH5lKDrR3C6GJ_GBaJQdibb6PYhwwjDWlBtgwl4ThVnVCNs9ENyNI5dH3_npIA68/s1600/IMG_0070.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjqCVMhC-wyMGDFoipdPvZvX81-D6e7zdBWlfsrCDqDw0DUeH9VW7ErCEFrNRwkBU92chTbriJUynYH5lKDrR3C6GJ_GBaJQdibb6PYhwwjDWlBtgwl4ThVnVCNs9ENyNI5dH3_npIA68/s320/IMG_0070.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581904278182251010" border="0" /></a><br />Another seemingly random picture...but notice the large tan desk (its a goner now...or at least out of the basement; I threatened to throw that thing into the lake countless times...just ask Caleb) and where the garbage cans are there is soon going to be a new wall...<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwz2siiEhjiW0EeanibqLae4ZztuWaHP7WOYycJoxeQ5hNVQoLjOkqvcgSdLh4Kkji3IvgeID0y3BBsp3ol4AVYTi9Up0Wn-2VmQm6iRhSFTTSDYXk1mIuHKPhPsEFKfegn1wj4FFu4mrD/s1600/IMG_3153.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwz2siiEhjiW0EeanibqLae4ZztuWaHP7WOYycJoxeQ5hNVQoLjOkqvcgSdLh4Kkji3IvgeID0y3BBsp3ol4AVYTi9Up0Wn-2VmQm6iRhSFTTSDYXk1mIuHKPhPsEFKfegn1wj4FFu4mrD/s320/IMG_3153.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581890827666003346" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvQ_49rcaScDIafgSqipnLb6kjGUcgDrGyWvJ-cFD6ZOpgGFwjJiB-QBfKNThjJ9iEckQoHDmR7YfUu7YDoRGmCU0EuEYa8Z-YaApAZnBthC1B5EzJ1wRDKdz2sXdM-R9irWqTqce4SNb/s1600/IMG_3152.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 302px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvQ_49rcaScDIafgSqipnLb6kjGUcgDrGyWvJ-cFD6ZOpgGFwjJiB-QBfKNThjJ9iEckQoHDmR7YfUu7YDoRGmCU0EuEYa8Z-YaApAZnBthC1B5EzJ1wRDKdz2sXdM-R9irWqTqce4SNb/s320/IMG_3152.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581890834782669106" border="0" /></a><br />This was part of the kitchen remodel! The picture on the bottom shows the two wall structures that Gregg and Caleb built and painted (they stayed up for HOURS on end to finish when Caleb was on winter break); and some of the new cabinets are installed.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6u9yE_X5yterYL5qa0k5o7yRcdoK1QnlGiOMyb3qwWtf50C75aadVJfhn1rmbqC1m3YMwM0wHdLaerlAlF_qfKmWadXQcW6wF_6jCSA8gxqRTNvGj2KjoI9nQxkXIwIeXKGxmjcTj6IAc/s1600/IMG_3460.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6u9yE_X5yterYL5qa0k5o7yRcdoK1QnlGiOMyb3qwWtf50C75aadVJfhn1rmbqC1m3YMwM0wHdLaerlAlF_qfKmWadXQcW6wF_6jCSA8gxqRTNvGj2KjoI9nQxkXIwIeXKGxmjcTj6IAc/s320/IMG_3460.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581890839243590738" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The result: New and improved kitchen with new curtains my mom helped pick out and hem (Ikea), bamboo shades (super discounted at Lowes), a HUGE new sink, a lazy susan (not pictured; it was given to us but from Ikea), new counter tops with formica, a new drop light (Ikea) and new cabinets (given to us from Gregg's former employer)!!!!<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4t5ziyOwiaJD-Bd7lFq2Bt6rDdjuQIw6l9egdYfAfQ2xzLbPC8Q5O7c6L1fiU_YUzzA2m6jPZOErq5lVPuod8NBegXjdo5LLHVJ9nqyi7t86MWdwTMKkd1E6PD5dGzQtHzvnxQOaNcDPJ/s1600/IMG_3458.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4t5ziyOwiaJD-Bd7lFq2Bt6rDdjuQIw6l9egdYfAfQ2xzLbPC8Q5O7c6L1fiU_YUzzA2m6jPZOErq5lVPuod8NBegXjdo5LLHVJ9nqyi7t86MWdwTMKkd1E6PD5dGzQtHzvnxQOaNcDPJ/s320/IMG_3458.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581903316042158066" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Marsha and Gregg gave us their stove (which I LOVE!) because they got a new one! The cabinets and counter top are all new...oh and the painted wall too!<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFoU0VK1HXCSlvemPT0CzvPtZqRm0jLInt6jndLFJEtjnTM2s242h9cdmfOZBgG-CWR83jaW6Bz4rFtdvuMGLh3ySjaI57bKSkuifsGEXY9oI79fF_1V8qjXlByHT4fCEhppWihqNBQuRi/s1600/IMG_3370.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFoU0VK1HXCSlvemPT0CzvPtZqRm0jLInt6jndLFJEtjnTM2s242h9cdmfOZBgG-CWR83jaW6Bz4rFtdvuMGLh3ySjaI57bKSkuifsGEXY9oI79fF_1V8qjXlByHT4fCEhppWihqNBQuRi/s320/IMG_3370.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581892639712668386" border="0" /></a><br />Remember the two oval pictures from the above picture of me opening presents? Those are now replaced with a pic of us (taken by Olan Mills when we got our church directory pics taken...yay for a free copy!) and letters that spell "LIVE" that Caleb made and spray-painted...I hung them with ribbon. The mirror I got a few years ago at Pier one and it is mounted on our new wall (which is painted deep barn red!)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQwhSnMB_qLYjvv9OSvNAbnucmXqm7A2XNM5S4iBTvlY8fcrs-yR70iip3HclL4GtBlNE9XlhcPahlACShQDWOVqXwdszgk4sK-lydAos9W1zif9cfmwc047rJSRd4g28HWA2sSMb81rm/s1600/IMG_3369.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQwhSnMB_qLYjvv9OSvNAbnucmXqm7A2XNM5S4iBTvlY8fcrs-yR70iip3HclL4GtBlNE9XlhcPahlACShQDWOVqXwdszgk4sK-lydAos9W1zif9cfmwc047rJSRd4g28HWA2sSMb81rm/s320/IMG_3369.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581892633818056434" border="0" /></a><br />This is the view looking out of our bathroom...pictures of our cruise with Lindsay and Mark! Truly a fun and memorable time! Can't remember where I got the candle mount but you can find them at Khol's or pretty much any department store for pretty cheap.<br /><br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQoBuLP2USrZ-7eUi73Ke1c59y9bvk4Jo3TEUI7HVF8fbsjkEwV9ITHe6J2yMkXF_MFieEFgHV8jXliZmckDtCcfGk-Vgz04D0BZvFTnZHZXr6paVBeHgjf1TS7dC7ozNLagwVu480lfa/s1600/IMG_3364.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQoBuLP2USrZ-7eUi73Ke1c59y9bvk4Jo3TEUI7HVF8fbsjkEwV9ITHe6J2yMkXF_MFieEFgHV8jXliZmckDtCcfGk-Vgz04D0BZvFTnZHZXr6paVBeHgjf1TS7dC7ozNLagwVu480lfa/s320/IMG_3364.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581892627930777634" border="0" /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimMwKtXUqAE79F7yD65Ko3WqhXk8K-eA1r0L5r9-JRcRp0F_1U56xIs89fDNaMVv83wxdX5BvkqgA7iW6uv-aP_YvYh51eMBRZ4iG1fkb_Ze_-lyafETcehPwdMj7SqQyrX9UMXCehlTtq/s1600/IMG_3363.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimMwKtXUqAE79F7yD65Ko3WqhXk8K-eA1r0L5r9-JRcRp0F_1U56xIs89fDNaMVv83wxdX5BvkqgA7iW6uv-aP_YvYh51eMBRZ4iG1fkb_Ze_-lyafETcehPwdMj7SqQyrX9UMXCehlTtq/s320/IMG_3363.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581892623019052402" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">This is the bathroom...well what I'm willing to show of it! Mom helped me again with the curtain (which is from Ikea), the framed mirrors are also from Ikea, the wall clock was a wedding gift from Target (thanks Shauna and Jon!), the vase I got on clearance at JoAnn's in Salem, the cabinet is from Ikea but we got it from one of my past co-workers who were moving (yay for discount!), the letters were made by Caleb and spell laugh...<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRnAI-KCDezMHJsZqFg5eLoJSIrHEzoX5D-DyRFA1rM53DNRkaH2v6q0QUyN-TDz7smzfSsRPvmARl3IZ8uGbjuw8IUjxvsVxACjghLQKhyXQObrcm7wnOdQdgE0LIwiulEz_JpMB9V8JK/s1600/IMG_3348.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRnAI-KCDezMHJsZqFg5eLoJSIrHEzoX5D-DyRFA1rM53DNRkaH2v6q0QUyN-TDz7smzfSsRPvmARl3IZ8uGbjuw8IUjxvsVxACjghLQKhyXQObrcm7wnOdQdgE0LIwiulEz_JpMB9V8JK/s320/IMG_3348.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581892646206946626" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Up close of "LAUGH" and picture frame holding snapshots of our adorable nieces and nephews!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Whew! That was a lot! Not sure if anyone actually read all of this, but I thought it was important to share what was happening in the basement!<br /><br />Couple questions I could see arising from this:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Why is there a LIVE and LAUGH? </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /> Answer:</span> It is part of the LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE theme...the LOVE is in our bedroom...but there will be no pictures of our bedroom until we do a bit of a makeover!! That's on the list!<br /><br />This might lead to another question...<span style="font-style: italic;">what else is on the to-do list?</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Answer:</span><br />1. Flooring in the kitchen (its just concrete like the rest of the basement) and carpet (to cover the concrete in the living/resting spaces).<br />2. Fireplace screen...and a working fireplace! :o)<br />3. Lighting for the kitchen<br />4. Many more "little details" that may or may not happen while we're here!<br /><br />Stay tuned for more pics/details about "Project Basement!!!!!"<br /><br /></div></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00847911759075735322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810659310298987310.post-24380613874668465932011-03-06T07:41:00.000-08:002011-03-06T08:12:13.000-08:00Life...it's about JesusSo, lately I've been feeling discouraged to write anything on this blog...obviously its been awhile and I tried to commit myself to posting more! I don't have anything very exciting to write about. We don't have kids. Caleb's in Physical Therapy school full time and I work as a personal trainer...that about sums everything up. Frustrating thing is I LOVE adventure and right now I feel like to experience anything new/exciting is "not allowed." I'd love to write about something funny our kids do or about a great escape my hubby and I go on. But there is nothing. So on goes my life: day in, day out. How depressing right?! Sounds depressing because I MAKE it depressing...my life is truly not as dismal as this sounds. If I let Satan creep in and tell me all the lies and I believe them, then yes that is depressing. But I have Jesus...and let me tell you, life is an ongoing adventure! He teaches me something every day!<br /><br /> Here's 5 lessons I'm learning right now (believe me, there's a million more)...not in any particular order...<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Be Patient!</span> Wow...I really dislike this one, which is why I know I am being taught it.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> 2. Do not get caught up in the <span style="font-style: italic;">THINGS</span> of this world! </span> Sheesh...I LOVE "things!" Things are fun to buy and have, but they can become idols so quickly and avert the focus on what's important<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> 3. Accept and cherish the here and now!</span> You can never repeat a day/hour/minute. Once its passed, its gone for good. Being an impatient person, I tend to focus on the days/years ahead and desire for time to speed by to get to the things I really want in life. But when looking at the bigger picture, I'm not enjoying the things in life right NOW that I've been waiting for in the past!! Wow, how selfish am I?? I guess I think I deserve everything...and I deserve it now! Oh how contrary...<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> 4. Spend time with Jesus</span>....I don't do this near enough. If you know me at all, you know I get stressed out often and over the dumbest things. Work becomes my focus. When I focus on Jesus, all stress dissipates and life becomes a joy!<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> 5. Be grateful for what you have. </span>Clearly I do not appreciate the MANY blessings God has given me....I don't deserve any of it. It's time to work on being more GRATEFUL!<br /><br />I know I am going to continue to struggle with these, but I also know God is EXTREMELY merciful and will help me along if I ask. If you don't know Jesus, its never too late to start a relationship with him. He's already knocking on your heart wanting to be a part of your life...go ahead and open the door.....<br />believe me, it'll be the best decision you have ever made.<br /><br />Here's one of my favorite songs to give you hope and a focus: Jesus.<br /><br /><strong>Glorious Day (living He Loved Me) lyrics</strong><br /><br />One day when Heaven was filled with His praises<br />One day when sin was as black as could be<br />Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin<br />Dwelt among men, my example is He<br />Word became flesh and the light shined among us<br />His glory revealed<br /><br />Living, He loved me<br />Dying, He saved me<br />Buried, He carried my sins far away<br />Rising, He justified freely forever<br />One day He’s coming<br />Oh glorious day, oh glorious day<br /><br />One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain<br />One day they nailed Him to die on a tree<br />Suffering anguish, despised and rejected<br /><br />Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He<br />Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree<br />And took the nails for me<br /><br />One day the grave could conceal Him no longer<br />One day the stone rolled away from the door<br />Then He arose, over death He had conquered<br />Now He’s ascended, my Lord evermore<br />Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him<br />From rising again<br /><br />One day the trumpet will sound for His coming<br />One day the skies with His glories will shine<br />Wonderful day, my Beloved One, bringing<br />My Savior, Jesus, is mineStephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00847911759075735322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810659310298987310.post-50776393483835660112010-07-01T20:33:00.000-07:002010-07-05T06:18:05.204-07:00LifeSometimes I just need to write (or in this case type) out my frustrations. Let me just say that I am SO anxious...I'm anxious to be done with things and anxious to start new things. We have been house sitting for another couple (friends) for the week...what a blessing! We have been able to come to this house every evening after work and just RELAX and watch some TV...this may not seem like a huge deal to most, but let me explain. We have been living in a basement for the past two years. I am not talking about a nice up-to-date basement, I'm talking about an old basement...oh and with no TV channels. There's many things I could complain about, but the biggest issue I am having is privacy and making the place my own. Unfortunately we are not in a financial place to live on our own and are not sure when we will be. I remind myself DAILY that I should be very thankful that we have a roof over our heads, and for Caleb's grandparents letting us stay there! Right now Caleb really feels like we need to stay there not only for fanancial reasons but because of grandpa's health. Caleb has been a huge help! He is definitely a servant...and a humble one at that. I definitely need to work on this...<br /><br />Other things I'm so anxious and excited for:<br />*Caleb to have a job and be done with school! Unfortunately he still has two full years left.<br />*KIDS! I have ALWAYS wanted to be a stay-at-home mom....my mom was amazing and I LOVED the fact that she was always there for me. I want to do the same for my kids.<br />*Working part-time on my own schedule. I honestly didn't want to go to college, but my mom encouraged me to go just in case my future spouse passed and I needed a job. I'm glad I went, but in some ways I feel like it was a waste of money. In other ways I feel like should go back to school to get a masters...or even a PhD...even though I really don't want to!<br />*Having a job that pays every hour I'm there!<br />*A home of our own.<br />*Being close to family. My heart aches regularly because of the distance in our family. My brother and sister live in different states...and now my mom too. I pray that one day we will all be in the same state again and live within a 20 mile radius of each other. My sister and I have always wanted to raise our kids together just like my mom and aunt raised us cousins together.<br /><br />Even though life is difficult right now, there are so many little blessings that feel HUGE to me and help me get through the day-to-day...being able to house-sit (we are house-sitting for 3 couples within a month's time period. BLESSING!), having a great boss who allows me to take numerous family vacations over the summer even though I do not have paid time off, having a wonderful hubby (he does so much it would take me years to write it all! He is such an amazing man), having family next door, literally, it's great having Caleb's family close even though it makes me yearn for mine at times; I am also thankful for the wonderful church full of wonderful people and a wonderful pastor!<br /><br />I am praying for a more positive attitude about life. I have to work at it daily. But thankfully God is walking right by my side through everything. I've fallen a lot over the past couple years, but He is always there to pick me up and help me get on my feet again. But you know, I always need to hold His hand and thankfully He never wants to let go even if I try.Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00847911759075735322noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810659310298987310.post-5368015695368942182010-06-27T18:31:00.000-07:002010-06-27T18:44:42.492-07:00Rock N Roll<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">Have you ever had a dream about doing something but thought it would never happen because you thought it would be virtually impossible? </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">I have...in fact I have a few of those dreams. But yesterday, June 26th 2010, one of those dreams was fulfilled. I completed my first half marathon! It was such a surreal experience...it was amazing! I couldn't believe I actually signed up to do it and thought I would never go through with it...especially after I injured myself taking me out of the last 3 weeks of training. But I did it. Actually, WE did it. I felt peace...which definitely could have only come from God...and I had an amazing running buddy to keep me going. Thank you Linds...you don't know how much this meant to me. I feel SO accomplished! I had never run more than 4 miles before this year....and to think I would run 13.1 before the end of it! If you have a dream...chase it. It may not be an enjoyable experience getting there, but when you fulfill that dream everything you went through to get it is worth it. </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>Linds and I with our medals after the race:</em></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYummrjapQi6EEmCT0pwxkmtzljSzsY7rDGgxbry1rHxsA8MlRIQwXGnzFNZMf6d1DDgOx-Qt6B0h1l_zVihiWUNo5Xw4zfJBkliL_yrw3CgegxD0NnoLMr4aYmm1MbWhiBKwcA_5EtYz/s1600/IMG_2065.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYummrjapQi6EEmCT0pwxkmtzljSzsY7rDGgxbry1rHxsA8MlRIQwXGnzFNZMf6d1DDgOx-Qt6B0h1l_zVihiWUNo5Xw4zfJBkliL_yrw3CgegxD0NnoLMr4aYmm1MbWhiBKwcA_5EtYz/s400/IMG_2065.JPG" /></a> </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" border="0" alt="Posted by Picasa" align="middle" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" /></a></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"><strong>Fitness Idea #3:</strong></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both">Check your shoes!! How old are your sneakers? If you can't remember the last time your got them, it's time to switch. If you use them for running make sure to get one size bigger to allow those toes to spread! </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"> </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"> </div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00847911759075735322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810659310298987310.post-60319338100136745912010-06-25T17:22:00.000-07:002010-06-25T18:04:09.618-07:00Family ReunionWe just returned from a fabulous family reunion in Scottsdale, AZ! We had so much fun catching up with family...I haven't seen most of them in 10 years plus and Caleb hadn't met the majority of them!! There were about 15 of us cousins, 6 official/unofficial new members (spouses/significant others), 5 newest additions (kids), 7 uncles and aunts, 1 grandma and her new husband and his family! The whole gathering was put on by grandma as a celebration of her new marriage! It was wonderful!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Cousin time: I love Jaci! She lives in IN...hadn't seen her in almost 4 years!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486874832216566402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJImaOT4NQ__je2ZtSJPy12v0X0akewYRGCI3vjcrG32g8ugX5ojkDUVZD3IeOGFv4btgIf7qslmNnrsjPGYgiOlcFZOlw4Ux8TzxwMmRSqkVsQuJ0vxL3N0_DOST1W2Bj57IZfyZLF5o/s320/IMG_2047.JPG" /><br /></div><div align="center">Love these next two: Levi enjoying some swim time in the 100 degree weather!<br /></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0Tv8Nwv_MhGuYa1V82bRPQ9lp5AV5uJPGxfcxnBweGN_rBt92jH_j73k_iitn3ZcJiA5vGhBQ3gdhUJzLifEUpAamSf2rVszu3jev6vK6Q6cY4aGix85SxMmQviVIyhlVQIfLQutk9VO/s1600/IMG_2005.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486874816568038258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0Tv8Nwv_MhGuYa1V82bRPQ9lp5AV5uJPGxfcxnBweGN_rBt92jH_j73k_iitn3ZcJiA5vGhBQ3gdhUJzLifEUpAamSf2rVszu3jev6vK6Q6cY4aGix85SxMmQviVIyhlVQIfLQutk9VO/s320/IMG_2005.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9jTTjupu3EovPUynLOh7rkur1uJdUcOyW6gqTZqCotSIhwMNQPH_Z7zwEapT1YZswVg2bJxz2kdaes1F0qevVjMfurwj0T-GH03ukTAg5s3gjiNQrzF4TWzGAlHwjIRkG56vYnur2JW6/s1600/IMG_2009.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486874808480563026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9jTTjupu3EovPUynLOh7rkur1uJdUcOyW6gqTZqCotSIhwMNQPH_Z7zwEapT1YZswVg2bJxz2kdaes1F0qevVjMfurwj0T-GH03ukTAg5s3gjiNQrzF4TWzGAlHwjIRkG56vYnur2JW6/s320/IMG_2009.JPG" /></a></p><p> Luke and I had a blast playing in the water! He had no fear! By the end of the trip he was trying to swim on his own without a life vest!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bEVBgI48Z8hxFaoyFb8VsaLlDW5T6zdLTgAR5tYJDhsRwasXjOwSjt7QFUWnmj0AeCuBH0Cpi-z5uPUdyJjt8bghnvwmY1pfKjnab8qgCD518O6XUGFWtnIT8fvycpD1Ex9phNb-eIwv/s1600/IMG_1965.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486874801054065042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bEVBgI48Z8hxFaoyFb8VsaLlDW5T6zdLTgAR5tYJDhsRwasXjOwSjt7QFUWnmj0AeCuBH0Cpi-z5uPUdyJjt8bghnvwmY1pfKjnab8qgCD518O6XUGFWtnIT8fvycpD1Ex9phNb-eIwv/s320/IMG_1965.JPG" /></a> The trip was way too short...we only had 2 full days in AZ. But it was TOTALLY worth it! I am so excited for the next reunion!<br /></p><div align="center"><strong>RANDOM:</strong><br /></div><div align="center">I had to put these flowers in here...I love Gerber daisies. These are from a super sweet co-worker and friend of mine. Thank you for brightening my day Sally! These are still alive...I'm loving them! I see them every time I walk down from my car!<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJHdB9_f0BK61NdaSRTssqbfwMyvY7NGLjIcDvKl07YFRbTVlWuI1Gva0g4pOiIuU-0ZAjQ2L2tsPjhWZsSTxA7uNGdag-yrbaFFo4XosMxndbiSYK4Xw5YLdmX2vWoxnkgFQHDUeJoOEO/s1600/IMG_1919.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 481px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 280px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486874789219336834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJHdB9_f0BK61NdaSRTssqbfwMyvY7NGLjIcDvKl07YFRbTVlWuI1Gva0g4pOiIuU-0ZAjQ2L2tsPjhWZsSTxA7uNGdag-yrbaFFo4XosMxndbiSYK4Xw5YLdmX2vWoxnkgFQHDUeJoOEO/s320/IMG_1919.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Fitness Idea #2</span>:</strong> </div><div align="center">Enhance your stretching with a massage! This helps with injury prevention. This is a great tool to use in addition to the foam roller. I just bought this exact one at the Rock N Roll Marathon Expo.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 188px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 142px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486878748037600546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDtJV6Hr7QJyDJIIipZ_RAJZiA_TfUbx2F7kYXjGy3f694JWPUKDs6QrtSzBEKY0xtzkl2Kg0_L5MjJxTQZo4SmO9MtWo1jdgQMUmc1AqcuKqdgSgon1otkXtzkvd6j7kDRt6kRPlQav4/s320/rollermassager.jpg" /></div><br /><br /><p align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Craft Idea #2:</span></strong></p><p align="center">Make your own block letters! This does take time and a scroll saw which I know a lot of people don't have. All you have to do is print off a font you want in the size of letter you want, lightly glue it onto some cheap wood or partical board, cut it out with the saw, sand down, spray paint, then drill a hole in the back so you can hang!<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU7juvzNEYuOecunXhDr66I62u0i_k-yEHRbubqGy88JqRBLJER447xfmeNhixvfSDibyjafDoWuWtKfzVSD64RBNIOuSoXr0SpDZ6ksYQ2Nx1oiFeCCVbzwGsSv1PLiS3C86ngoC5P1EF/s1600/IMG_1028.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486880077529993538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU7juvzNEYuOecunXhDr66I62u0i_k-yEHRbubqGy88JqRBLJER447xfmeNhixvfSDibyjafDoWuWtKfzVSD64RBNIOuSoXr0SpDZ6ksYQ2Nx1oiFeCCVbzwGsSv1PLiS3C86ngoC5P1EF/s320/IMG_1028.JPG" /></a>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00847911759075735322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810659310298987310.post-31465305385791109162010-06-11T19:43:00.000-07:002010-06-11T20:12:08.814-07:00There's always more...<div align="left">So I may be going a bit overboard with this blog ordeal! Yikes! Well, I realized I have not updated anything about this month, June...<br /><br />I went to a fun Mariner's game with my friend Kristin and a friend of hers. Kristin has some connections so we had SWEET seats in the 100 level! Even though the good 'ole Mariners lost, we still had a blast!<br /></div><p align="center">Favorite player:</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481713952438901186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5WZAMpSEXq2RsLqoP8yDOCjXF4qTyT3Byh56UjtWQAOzF9eeTTqTNdRWp8rdR34gwCh70zSGffUVDVm2fyg6DFa5sy0NFyeYPL_LCp4rFXs4fccmnBjXr6xS-wZBZPDLjvr8Un5p8REgf/s320/IMG_1895.JPG" /><br /><p align="center">Sweet view: </p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_PaLt38t0TUfatY0dGe6Xmb34FRFmyx1Hkdu1CLY0PwWNtOdYOsY0bQpXcvUCbuY4yB8Qmgxj8P5dRg1zSgbq-_DzDY_4T6kjTzWkYof7mysyhozLFq-5zAIlEdiOCSNOIVkccp1qxoc/s1600/IMG_1877.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481713941860280530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_PaLt38t0TUfatY0dGe6Xmb34FRFmyx1Hkdu1CLY0PwWNtOdYOsY0bQpXcvUCbuY4yB8Qmgxj8P5dRg1zSgbq-_DzDY_4T6kjTzWkYof7mysyhozLFq-5zAIlEdiOCSNOIVkccp1qxoc/s320/IMG_1877.JPG" /></a><br />Great company!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWb2ha537Jweav4uiJn4qTzZNLBhUNqw1Ati-Sqk8PE9-_gczjTOTn4kI2oFaAcPm4844_3I51qZGIERYgBl3Wf61xnD0US47HQ2CiqKb10o8pwd9MxJ2vP-yEnrppeVofJi3_3-AXzOL6/s1600/IMG_1879.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481713928314525186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWb2ha537Jweav4uiJn4qTzZNLBhUNqw1Ati-Sqk8PE9-_gczjTOTn4kI2oFaAcPm4844_3I51qZGIERYgBl3Wf61xnD0US47HQ2CiqKb10o8pwd9MxJ2vP-yEnrppeVofJi3_3-AXzOL6/s320/IMG_1879.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><p align="left">We also had a couple fun days with our nieces!<br /></p><br /><p align="center">New golfer of the family:<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-h8gvcEx13Qos4E-a-QKLqd8ucLWsPP-Ztoqyw0SrUBKRZcU9GMYpPTgMC1kjs1B9t-SjCgKM-9OQL_7nLHqmpu8GasXUoC2O1Zmx8FPDTWzU8TFaBloaaExRrxryZMiSHCfcJTEEzObY/s1600/IMG_1901.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481715307336507794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-h8gvcEx13Qos4E-a-QKLqd8ucLWsPP-Ztoqyw0SrUBKRZcU9GMYpPTgMC1kjs1B9t-SjCgKM-9OQL_7nLHqmpu8GasXUoC2O1Zmx8FPDTWzU8TFaBloaaExRrxryZMiSHCfcJTEEzObY/s320/IMG_1901.JPG" /><br /><p align="center"></a></p><p align="center">Walking before we know it!</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481715295426211810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tMJIEaHKOm6sbvgeaoYLXvODe1I5iyeCNGwxhTyNvIyhx0CZTh5Kc8Wki8aRnXxcc5Q1VsltZ3HgIswdr6pQU4t7kDQ9cF15ou3WMCxDabhz2pk7N3qOzKsXL98T37wf3rqmx2-51uMW/s320/IMG_1898.JPG" /><br /><p align="center"><br />Next scrapbooker of the fam:<br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481715330836487474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1RD9C_KYvro0xRGUPL9KBuux4t0uOCR-y2yrIHwbyvtv4xbeCS11vQ7dfGSE1Um4FaZ87ToTYtPdUN1FqpqChbBCtOz3m01dsdRMKXorjA4TndbjeN0gNRjrm08OoPNKiJBMyZT_03A4/s320/IMG_1859.JPG" /><br /><p align="center">Nilla enjoys craft time too!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWKJ-Yae3HvXl7SdRFeP9kJr1JYT9VuY2HrWkDRbVmPSyYHQI6mnM1RFQH_C5W6kTTYZWtgwGAQVVGz03jNgY-ItIPdW-llGQ0yQV1QRqaBL0dP82Nd6zWyEM_rTdRVP-b_tl2rc3pxo9/s1600/IMG_1857.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481719078225682354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWKJ-Yae3HvXl7SdRFeP9kJr1JYT9VuY2HrWkDRbVmPSyYHQI6mnM1RFQH_C5W6kTTYZWtgwGAQVVGz03jNgY-ItIPdW-llGQ0yQV1QRqaBL0dP82Nd6zWyEM_rTdRVP-b_tl2rc3pxo9/s320/IMG_1857.JPG" /></a></p><p>Oh...and extremely important news...I am now a GOLD STAR MEMBER with Starbucks...oh geez. Just what I need: more incentive to blow money on expensive caffeinated beverages! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 301px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481715607997317362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfi3cV5BJMOwXd5fOGCmoZgkMYr4JQGENni-yT3qQ1_RvPKOnGMI7v17HGfNrR4II7_T0oOhwJjtCAA8ckD6lM5sfUSJvzcb9yLjwts6Vw7osQk0MQcxPVo3mKdIgoF4EOcXASgBCEfZ6/s320/IMG_1916b.jpg" /><br /></p>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00847911759075735322noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810659310298987310.post-87171946703320077412010-06-10T22:00:00.000-07:002010-06-11T17:55:38.281-07:00I just deleted a ton of pictures I was going to use for this post...I searched for hours for the PERFECT pix, but I then realized that there were WAY too many! So, instead of posting ALL of those pix of the past 2 years how about I explain what has happend!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>2008</strong> </span><br />August: We moved up to Seatac and moved in with Caleb's grandparents<br /><br />September: I started my first training job as a ladies outdoor fitness instructor!<br /><br />October: My nephew's 1st birthday! It was a farm themed celebration! No pix of the birthday but look at this progression over the last couple years of the little buddy (Luke):<br /><br /><br /><p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJS4cJYVOjdvJj-4ptyrtPSk0S1CqLVUgaJ7t4_4PrXPdoCjTwnIMWB6jgFAF8NjioVtUAwhELYLTmNfTol3ZpHZdvAQZrAkJZW3ORaioXwXHak9pDtsMXWT5dMt0gWIY6ZFHMAoYJv3AQ/s1600/101007_1207a.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 139px; HEIGHT: 117px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481351415400672850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJS4cJYVOjdvJj-4ptyrtPSk0S1CqLVUgaJ7t4_4PrXPdoCjTwnIMWB6jgFAF8NjioVtUAwhELYLTmNfTol3ZpHZdvAQZrAkJZW3ORaioXwXHak9pDtsMXWT5dMt0gWIY6ZFHMAoYJv3AQ/s320/101007_1207a.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHXUBFnqwKTxzMFo9VbZ1sww_a77DlRU8YZSr_NfvT0R7sCkQ5-hyTTP0Yq2Tan6YZTaPLNKJGThWtgT2bignr9ykwnUr2UFDkWGZE9SZNFOxx6FpKa_eHspnSd8Qpjtm-tOiOwA_6DBr/s1600/100_0018b.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 125px; HEIGHT: 176px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481351423673934834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHXUBFnqwKTxzMFo9VbZ1sww_a77DlRU8YZSr_NfvT0R7sCkQ5-hyTTP0Yq2Tan6YZTaPLNKJGThWtgT2bignr9ykwnUr2UFDkWGZE9SZNFOxx6FpKa_eHspnSd8Qpjtm-tOiOwA_6DBr/s320/100_0018b.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjglEzDlZMidsJpYto3yAnAt3k-e0TEWt4m3qW7163K48gqwMrMQjIWq7X1LG6e2DTcBIeAJrlKYXq-oNF0FuVmgl0hFSpNeAWauLMnbc1i7G87vDPZDYZOpQax0CXPgU5FBDMmuy7H4mU/s1600/Picture+002b.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 138px; HEIGHT: 119px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481351438319135026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjglEzDlZMidsJpYto3yAnAt3k-e0TEWt4m3qW7163K48gqwMrMQjIWq7X1LG6e2DTcBIeAJrlKYXq-oNF0FuVmgl0hFSpNeAWauLMnbc1i7G87vDPZDYZOpQax0CXPgU5FBDMmuy7H4mU/s320/Picture+002b.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImCrqdBNitkHPiOue1cfsHuBJSEi2PPQpiPY2y-EVPtfSrcDGzT7Il9-3hB9LqPS_wal0vTuf4_0_AKaGISqg7N4k1vKS-TMYp7DUKHkRqtUqiXrgmAYZw3ZGyX7x8gw_IonMhaFj3iqq/s1600/10635_1219511321394_1037230934_30681732_1148097_n.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 120px; HEIGHT: 172px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481351449134252290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImCrqdBNitkHPiOue1cfsHuBJSEi2PPQpiPY2y-EVPtfSrcDGzT7Il9-3hB9LqPS_wal0vTuf4_0_AKaGISqg7N4k1vKS-TMYp7DUKHkRqtUqiXrgmAYZw3ZGyX7x8gw_IonMhaFj3iqq/s320/10635_1219511321394_1037230934_30681732_1148097_n.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />November: Ran my first 5k, The Turkey Trot! Go here to look at my race pix: <a href="http://www.finishshots.com/racerresults3.php?raceid=583&bibnumber=545">http://www.finishshots.com/racerresults3.php?raceid=583&bibnumber=545</a><a href="http://www.finishshots.com/racerresults3.php?raceid=583&bibnumber=545">cerresults3.php?raceid=583&bibnumber=545</a><br /><br />December: First cruise for Caleb, 3rd for me! (can't find my pix but there are some on facebook!)<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">2009 </span></strong><br />January: Can't think of anything exciting, other than the introduction of 2009!<br /><br />February: My oldest niece Baylee turned 2! Theme was Elmo/Sesame Street but again no pictures...but here are some cute ones of her! (the first pic is Luke and Baylee with Auntie steph and Uncle Caleb, Christmas 2007)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfGMCCq_AoOmTk77YPYP5UjfMzvHj8_V-WGN8p1TQSzzM5zvysscqZydqPUpaGWCuCM4tSJ5bpLpKIxZcF97otZMlBFzjIO8oHOHrFLRYnA2ULFTF5Xn3wNj15VVBcjj8V11Gc91Q6f1K/s1600/159_5920.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 199px; HEIGHT: 147px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481358663353298162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfGMCCq_AoOmTk77YPYP5UjfMzvHj8_V-WGN8p1TQSzzM5zvysscqZydqPUpaGWCuCM4tSJ5bpLpKIxZcF97otZMlBFzjIO8oHOHrFLRYnA2ULFTF5Xn3wNj15VVBcjj8V11Gc91Q6f1K/s320/159_5920.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWczia-TMh-yJtlp_jG4E85g0-RjFYbQq8VQK6BLXakzPjEOYM2vx1E23tYNc4q4Tc7oZFcpNXG3M6n-obVYgl1DKfieNusnIZCynQ98HRAi2pmYzyE8f3miOd-3lDSTiNyBPDzqmUye7/s1600/IMG_1135.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 193px; HEIGHT: 148px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481358669003746226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWczia-TMh-yJtlp_jG4E85g0-RjFYbQq8VQK6BLXakzPjEOYM2vx1E23tYNc4q4Tc7oZFcpNXG3M6n-obVYgl1DKfieNusnIZCynQ98HRAi2pmYzyE8f3miOd-3lDSTiNyBPDzqmUye7/s320/IMG_1135.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6AK1DRJPzFYbRd6bZqUCBXc55PlteeqaPOUK3pNI84Nu1v5yOMZwpRlKs12lZsr6eDrjFgLu9hoM8O3wWMoXn6lRnlWy8wC66jNnqCACvCDBcalna_5Gg5d1JPR9dWU8AUXKPTfLNTqD/s1600/MVI_1860-1b.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 130px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481358678767147026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6AK1DRJPzFYbRd6bZqUCBXc55PlteeqaPOUK3pNI84Nu1v5yOMZwpRlKs12lZsr6eDrjFgLu9hoM8O3wWMoXn6lRnlWy8wC66jNnqCACvCDBcalna_5Gg5d1JPR9dWU8AUXKPTfLNTqD/s320/MVI_1860-1b.jpg" /></a><br /><br />March: Caleb turned 23...and got accepted to both grad schools he applied for: UW and UPS (He chose UPS)<br /><br />April: I started working for 24 hour fitness as a personal trainer.<br /><br />May: Got to see my friend Ashlie for her birthday! We went to a Mariner's game! Unfortunately I can't find my pix.<br /><br />June: Not sure what happened this month...<br /><br />July: I turned 23! I didn't feel well most of the day...go figure...but a group of friends and family took me out to BJ's for dinner! I love that restaurant! Here's a pic of me after work enjoying gifts sent from mom!<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMfmyZotQCwbmrsxBsL0ka9_lAG6IMtIVGBn89QdfvxDcF2Y7pM9UVFjQYYOaeqQYys2XT5tYrTpWuilovRY1Dakn_WN54DdRpfMyUS-OKuSiKPkr2CJQxcz3rHiI_L9HX7t8mrY6O8vo/s1600/Picture+037b.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 258px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481362614500683426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMfmyZotQCwbmrsxBsL0ka9_lAG6IMtIVGBn89QdfvxDcF2Y7pM9UVFjQYYOaeqQYys2XT5tYrTpWuilovRY1Dakn_WN54DdRpfMyUS-OKuSiKPkr2CJQxcz3rHiI_L9HX7t8mrY6O8vo/s320/Picture+037b.jpg" /></a><br />Also in July we celebrated our 3rd Anniversary in Seattle! We went to Pike's Place and the Melting Pot...Yum!<br /></p><p align="left"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481375434540455410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVngw5a68aULodr2-WBWDhr8QyD9xERPp2jnUQFBCVI78JqRWNVAk9uP0WBaJHxMSQc-bRpkN1xTuoevJOkZmu0TnqagNRpyfd1Mv2aRApV1_LkhtW3L1JSgsH7yUtXGD8EOKvRHeWFEN2/s320/Anniversary+009.jpg" /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGp0FT1wQbHmb9aIH6q2EFAdpJ6DsexPQj4fSZy-MS8pbN9o-kOPqWmC6Newau1ltqV3T0ML8htvm9uZ08Ak3UcDABql0cyPPkd_FmEIaawx90NCDrGcbHvugkDJ0fER9TTIYiCYNbwo8/s1600/Anniversary+012.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481375427987420626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGp0FT1wQbHmb9aIH6q2EFAdpJ6DsexPQj4fSZy-MS8pbN9o-kOPqWmC6Newau1ltqV3T0ML8htvm9uZ08Ak3UcDABql0cyPPkd_FmEIaawx90NCDrGcbHvugkDJ0fER9TTIYiCYNbwo8/s320/Anniversary+012.jpg" /></a></p><p></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxti_aD5zf9ukkRaxs2iMRomrdSO0GdeX2eT0tzCysJYMwNbky4OJ2G7eRbe43cROj3WtA_HKvR_qAa_DV9zWXipfoFjcvrdK8vl9kzCHBdztgO2rwW1vrNUF3ym0nQKs5QQF37lGaVrA/s1600/Anniversary+004.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 311px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481375419379964562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxti_aD5zf9ukkRaxs2iMRomrdSO0GdeX2eT0tzCysJYMwNbky4OJ2G7eRbe43cROj3WtA_HKvR_qAa_DV9zWXipfoFjcvrdK8vl9kzCHBdztgO2rwW1vrNUF3ym0nQKs5QQF37lGaVrA/s320/Anniversary+004.jpg" /></a></p><p><br /><br /><br /><br />August: Allie Rae was born! She had Uncle Caleb wrapped around her little finger from the moment he laid eyes on her. These pictures were taken in February 2010.<br /><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZupYgq7qjT0EjAS4R8mwtVTdsdxWNGlrRRksjGr4LMCsF0KQ-cY6Wl_PtnBZe1bAblVTsti7iRtp5V_d-4eFhDiW2Ut81BYSzewt8srJEnGywuFmhnxpOzCqW29WRQPJpM5cNHYiPNWK/s1600/IMG_0871.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481363864343602482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZupYgq7qjT0EjAS4R8mwtVTdsdxWNGlrRRksjGr4LMCsF0KQ-cY6Wl_PtnBZe1bAblVTsti7iRtp5V_d-4eFhDiW2Ut81BYSzewt8srJEnGywuFmhnxpOzCqW29WRQPJpM5cNHYiPNWK/s320/IMG_0871.JPG" /></a></p><p></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFailOaNP9DKxqvhuIMobGyL-U0jEStQK-eQfnWHH1Cf5qv6TmKxoxLjVasNDzD4ByDasINCpSWZTI6poV3Dl1_crIfeOdtbthJr8gq9dGFQTxWg22YpdhUTmcCpbWVbHlNH9WfG9-52yn/s1600/IMG_0877.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481363877787872386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFailOaNP9DKxqvhuIMobGyL-U0jEStQK-eQfnWHH1Cf5qv6TmKxoxLjVasNDzD4ByDasINCpSWZTI6poV3Dl1_crIfeOdtbthJr8gq9dGFQTxWg22YpdhUTmcCpbWVbHlNH9WfG9-52yn/s320/IMG_0877.JPG" /></a></p><p><br />September: Nick's 28th bday...wasn't there to celebrate with him though :o(<br /><br />October: Nephew Luke turns 2! Theme was Cars...he was adorable! I wish I had pictures of the party.<br /><br />November: Happy Thanksgiving! No Turkey Trot this year...actually I had to work! 24 hour Fitness is open EVERY day of the year except Christmas Day...great for those who like to workout 364 days of the year, not-so-great for those who don't want to work on major holidays.<br /><br />December: Mom got married in Portland! I got to witness it along with Sophie and Blake (Troy's kids) and a few other family memebers. Then Caleb and I celebrated Christmas in California with my sister and her family, Dad and Nick! Pictures are of the wedding day!</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpWIMf51hVmaNqhzFoA9ka-6-6dnrtCnCoVjEYN70d9uls2PcGWucyPBzyBJybbxO8004ItLhumJJD1AkzFRXYiblR0wPF7C25ACxG6gWJZmo6S5WUxND8ibOwdyaEilZTqOF3B-UyL0f/s1600/IMG_0279.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481376349924570002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpWIMf51hVmaNqhzFoA9ka-6-6dnrtCnCoVjEYN70d9uls2PcGWucyPBzyBJybbxO8004ItLhumJJD1AkzFRXYiblR0wPF7C25ACxG6gWJZmo6S5WUxND8ibOwdyaEilZTqOF3B-UyL0f/s320/IMG_0279.JPG" /></a></p><p align="center"></p><p></p><p align="center"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481376343014569346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwQfXGTF1fhNdJM4pOnMIS0b3O0pgYlF-WUmhZdmwqtsB-yUSVrtGTjaze3KEynzMw2BXYSNmU6BLBbfDkjrJsxL-zy-vBBxxvkTXTl2RLc_Kacx-RBgVEMzcCbtPcyWqxeSUxFlT8xS_/s320/IMG_0232b.jpg" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxOrwTcZ2Gw02YKXYs_tYx7CO3UdoOMWWfvdLTmu9HooTo9NGQsooan-ncV973_JjnI9PPJE6fvwo02ygztnlA7kppuaESgsPnys4sjsZ6v4YPAFl21m8yC9mt85qqTiKjlDCmOm4nwOo/s1600/IMG_0237.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481386290288428594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxOrwTcZ2Gw02YKXYs_tYx7CO3UdoOMWWfvdLTmu9HooTo9NGQsooan-ncV973_JjnI9PPJE6fvwo02ygztnlA7kppuaESgsPnys4sjsZ6v4YPAFl21m8yC9mt85qqTiKjlDCmOm4nwOo/s320/IMG_0237.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /></p><p></p><p align="center"><br /><br /></p><p align="center"></p><p align="left"><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">2010<br /></span></strong>January: Yay for 2010!<br /><br />February: Baylee turns 3! Themed birthday was Ariel/Little Mermaid.<br />Baylee Joy the Pretty Princess and Allie Rae the Sleeping Beauty:</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOyYzsMpKXsR-vW7riAuPp7RJPu9pld719R96Nog9M21YQB9Rc2DtNk-P3VeLIIJYaplhnZ8VkXgSNmRkKVVC9ca9-v0iXxd3MMQfAJMwCh1xbhEqzcSeZgTWAQL6jTXUmtpuVUTHOc_E/s1600/IMG_0857.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481365711002454834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOyYzsMpKXsR-vW7riAuPp7RJPu9pld719R96Nog9M21YQB9Rc2DtNk-P3VeLIIJYaplhnZ8VkXgSNmRkKVVC9ca9-v0iXxd3MMQfAJMwCh1xbhEqzcSeZgTWAQL6jTXUmtpuVUTHOc_E/s320/IMG_0857.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_XBwPqJuXgVfxGV5ZDLsrNKGAZ0XrgBv61ZUXB4FbkKCyZAN4w6lq5_N5I9qIzHbPv1i0iADlVFLHIoJtVbxh8ZQctU6PdxrrA_5moqsVajNCsOBO1P0G_8_elVoOqifJxufw9qejvdg/s1600/IMG_0855.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481365703127354594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_XBwPqJuXgVfxGV5ZDLsrNKGAZ0XrgBv61ZUXB4FbkKCyZAN4w6lq5_N5I9qIzHbPv1i0iADlVFLHIoJtVbxh8ZQctU6PdxrrA_5moqsVajNCsOBO1P0G_8_elVoOqifJxufw9qejvdg/s320/IMG_0855.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />March: Caleb turned 24! Lots of family met up with us at Red Robin to celebrate and surprise him with the gift of money to get a PS3 (which he is currently playing as I type this!)<br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBqKKlwOnfG9yqyy6SptAJAKqZolngKptjbbf8E8vpx7AIk6EFWliwmVu6QI3UiKkZC08eubFAj5cvQoj8LbhzJgc2gn91f3hPdFiX7-b4uRx_P0NGDZLwQHKlc0xL3OziSR450koZ2d7/s1600/IMG_0933.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481370186481284482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBqKKlwOnfG9yqyy6SptAJAKqZolngKptjbbf8E8vpx7AIk6EFWliwmVu6QI3UiKkZC08eubFAj5cvQoj8LbhzJgc2gn91f3hPdFiX7-b4uRx_P0NGDZLwQHKlc0xL3OziSR450koZ2d7/s320/IMG_0933.JPG" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpi3soOhF1QAA2O-YP1Kh6dQyT7I_tpMOYtZwR3paZRYwt2E4R-tB06h2Rrt7mShDnnfGK3e31KuwUXZhkHoaSD8Rzko9nKwbt12zhJf5RVc1FCNECodnC7ogJ3fyFRuO4IkZCAzXlqTAJ/s1600/IMG_0942.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481370178716317378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpi3soOhF1QAA2O-YP1Kh6dQyT7I_tpMOYtZwR3paZRYwt2E4R-tB06h2Rrt7mShDnnfGK3e31KuwUXZhkHoaSD8Rzko9nKwbt12zhJf5RVc1FCNECodnC7ogJ3fyFRuO4IkZCAzXlqTAJ/s320/IMG_0942.JPG" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwuOuTDwgCsu8Y3H3uz0xQ4sIHDV-wqdZEnnrQFNBkZdZMImfRxrNu_XKQfyjF8Vkg0Y5m_dfkYBaVL2P0lTKZElODPWaPO1U4lo3t2aTmcr0v3MjUOHy4uGXEXDZ_VuWWWrqq5nVVjxea/s1600/IMG_0921.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481370170471418514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwuOuTDwgCsu8Y3H3uz0xQ4sIHDV-wqdZEnnrQFNBkZdZMImfRxrNu_XKQfyjF8Vkg0Y5m_dfkYBaVL2P0lTKZElODPWaPO1U4lo3t2aTmcr0v3MjUOHy4uGXEXDZ_VuWWWrqq5nVVjxea/s320/IMG_0921.JPG" /></a></p><p><br />Also in March, my nephew Levi was born:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO91pX58DFj8JJ31QEVQxjy7pS0_W2aOEQVXe4B5Ddla9mNpcoVpMjc9Ej7vcyvs1Nr_GhxVZ7EDY3wgXALiIxOIJJn24uWDJDY6ZIjQbhyphenhyphenO8LLrefPdEfcPAFEhrVoG375u26wwu4_QNE/s1600/IMG_1130.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481374142661673794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO91pX58DFj8JJ31QEVQxjy7pS0_W2aOEQVXe4B5Ddla9mNpcoVpMjc9Ej7vcyvs1Nr_GhxVZ7EDY3wgXALiIxOIJJn24uWDJDY6ZIjQbhyphenhyphenO8LLrefPdEfcPAFEhrVoG375u26wwu4_QNE/s320/IMG_1130.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWQfI5Pz479a4A7czYmb8WOPsHmHFNNlsTQ0i5Hq0gA-SKwfeN4l8mISPS3c5rND1DkTXTWdVLMST3mCES9ZYUxevHPrA2PPxok0oiZTZYNnTPDhZ5lOAE3GhFRGJITbkBeZ13OqNTdMa/s1600/IMG_1041.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481374128127317906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWQfI5Pz479a4A7czYmb8WOPsHmHFNNlsTQ0i5Hq0gA-SKwfeN4l8mISPS3c5rND1DkTXTWdVLMST3mCES9ZYUxevHPrA2PPxok0oiZTZYNnTPDhZ5lOAE3GhFRGJITbkBeZ13OqNTdMa/s320/IMG_1041.JPG" /></a><br /><br />April: We surprised my sister-in-law for her birthday by making her a big scrapbook full of pictures and letters from friends and fam!!<br /><br />May: We went cruisin' with Carnival! Caleb's 2nd and my 4th! There are lots of pictures on facebook!<br /><br />Whew...that was way too much. I have decided that with each post I am going to share a fitness idea and a craft idea...okay maybe not with EVERY post, but I will do my best! </p><p><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">Fitness idea #1:</span></strong> STRETCH! If you do not have a regular stretching routine, make one. If you do not have a foam roller, purchase one! If you do not know how to use one, ask someone who does or go online and look how to use it! It's important to stay limber to avoid injury!! </p><p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhHLBSSEOzEMUzpyirAJU1txTbWa_t-hxjVW03YIkmEggGY05AxwXzP43WIUYujsnxWd2rDZvfdu6hCLSuv9AvtXu5oKnh1wnPcEy0e3O_O40r9JWmJbIfSuv9dGZgFGy7XRNAs_Upupr/s1600/189420-L.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 224px; HEIGHT: 198px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481381919014906002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhHLBSSEOzEMUzpyirAJU1txTbWa_t-hxjVW03YIkmEggGY05AxwXzP43WIUYujsnxWd2rDZvfdu6hCLSuv9AvtXu5oKnh1wnPcEy0e3O_O40r9JWmJbIfSuv9dGZgFGy7XRNAs_Upupr/s320/189420-L.jpg" /></a></p><br /><strong><span style="color:#33ccff;">Craft Idea #1:</span></strong> Make a diaper cake...there are plenty of babies being born! This is a great gift idea...it can get pricey so maybe go in on the items with a few people. Here is one I made for a shower:<br /><p></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3PFsMuJWVP8V5gtuptCD1ejRlP1bkahtM322wLnf3gnhpaBHdNnvIz0kXfgSwKe8F7Y_8ETMTNVSCtkBXqG9V346V6P3BGjZI-1QlA_sw5lT0STVwx1YCPtk21uXW2Ila0tJfUJ6g1Cy/s1600/IMG_0840b.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481380516593074578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3PFsMuJWVP8V5gtuptCD1ejRlP1bkahtM322wLnf3gnhpaBHdNnvIz0kXfgSwKe8F7Y_8ETMTNVSCtkBXqG9V346V6P3BGjZI-1QlA_sw5lT0STVwx1YCPtk21uXW2Ila0tJfUJ6g1Cy/s320/IMG_0840b.jpg" /></a></p><p align="center">Made of NB diapers, receiving blankets, monkey with velcro hands, baby soaps/lotions (inside the cake too), bath cloths (to make the flowers in the front), wooden letters (for the name), and pins to hold it all together!</p>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00847911759075735322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810659310298987310.post-61014724754943926802010-06-09T07:17:00.001-07:002010-06-09T07:21:48.473-07:00It's been awhile...I haven't posted anything on this site in a very long time!! I'm not even sure if anyone reads it anymore! Updates on life in the past two years will be coming soon...what's happening now, you ask?:<br />*We are still living in the basement of g-ma and g-pa Louvier...not sure if we are ever going to move!...I'm slowly coming to terms with this<br />*I am still a personal trainer...I've been with 24 hour fitness for almost 14 months, although it feels like its been 10 years in some regards<br />*My family is still spread out...sister in Cali, brother in Utah, mom in Oregon, and dad and I are here in Washington<br />*G-pa Louvier is very sick...please pray for him if you are reading this!<br /><br />Pictures and more updates to come! :o)Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00847911759075735322noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810659310298987310.post-66300162287535868432008-10-10T07:18:00.001-07:002008-10-10T07:30:06.274-07:00October Already?Crazy how time has flown on by since Caleb and I moved up to WA. Although, since I started my new job with Adventure Boot Camp (outdoor fitness for women), time seems to be slinking along at snail's pace...maybe it's the cold weather?<br /><br />We have a couple things to be thankful about. One, I have a job (as mentioned above)! It's a draining job and one I have to take home with me and I'm not getting paid much right now, but I LOVE working with women. Second, Caleb took the GRE and is now starting the application process for grad school! Yay! Third, we have a roof over our heads for free...Caleb's grandparents and parents must be angels. Fourth, we SOMEHOW paid off our cruise expenses (with the generous help of our wonderful family...everyone must be angels in our families!) and we're leaving in less than 2 months for a 8 day vacation! SO ready for that! Fifth....we're still married and love each other more than ever! :)<br /><br />Other things we have been up to since we moved up: Wed nights we will be involved in a young married couples small group, Thurs nights we are youth group leaders (they call us sponsors) for 4th-6th graders. Sundays I co-teach kindergarteners during 2nd service. Life is too short not to experience these things at least once in your life.Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00847911759075735322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810659310298987310.post-18198839844849899022008-09-02T14:33:00.001-07:002008-09-02T14:39:44.125-07:00*Update*Life since the move from Washington to Oregon:<br />Aug. 16: moved into the grandparents' basement<br />Aug. 21-24: coast trip with the Louvier fam in Grayland, WA<br />Aug. 30-Sep. 1: Labor day weekend in Ellensburg watching the rodeo!<br /><br />I still do not have a job, but am praying for God's patience and guidance. Caleb has been working for his dad doing construction on our church. He has to take the GRE's by the end of this month and will start applying to grad schools by November. Life is stressful, crazy and we never know what the next day will bring. Who knows where we'll live in a few months or if we'll be able to afford anywhere to live. Life right after college is not an easy one...especially when graduate school is looming ahead...Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00847911759075735322noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810659310298987310.post-87960927958432936762008-07-24T10:37:00.000-07:002008-07-24T11:02:52.470-07:002nd Anniversary!<div align="left"> Before I begin the actual topic of this blog, I just wanted everyone to see the gorgeous flowers my husband surprised me with when he got home from work on my birthday!<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4F5_tgso433xDEjPOlNFBgGsXPM-E2zXTca7agzrXhDMGXaKvUInUDSgjLAo7cT3GsXndBXzFnVg7IvCvJZyM_lTS8jssWrO9aOxmE2nEYZUk8pDeG5hM3hjoPggNgIjp2IZ4oj4rDLv/s1600-h/P7290003_edited.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226636735852018050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4F5_tgso433xDEjPOlNFBgGsXPM-E2zXTca7agzrXhDMGXaKvUInUDSgjLAo7cT3GsXndBXzFnVg7IvCvJZyM_lTS8jssWrO9aOxmE2nEYZUk8pDeG5hM3hjoPggNgIjp2IZ4oj4rDLv/s320/P7290003_edited.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Yes, they are beautiful! Those weren't the only flowers I received from him these past couple weeks. He was home for his lunch break yesterday and there was a knock at the door. I thought it was the DHL guy bringing our package we were supposed to get the day before but weren't home to sign for. Caleb suggested he was thinking the same thing. Well, when Caleb opened the door, there was a delivery person...but the delivery person had a gorgeous vase of red roses! My initial thought was, "oh cute! Someone from our family remembered our anniversary!" But then when I saw the card it said it was addressed to only me. Then I thought, "Oh someone (probably my dad) is sending me late birthday roses!" Well when I opened the note, it was signed from my husband!! How cute is that! Instead of brining home roses on our anniversary, he had them sent to our apartment!! :) I love thoughtful husbands!<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_y28vIU4qOw9u-YTKCdkmmLqoW1gy5ESvqVROApt0m81KrN30rVo92YZeHW3iNO89_yXt2GHQ5ezl9qFVo_F59Pyil6NRskvh7YYRK1DS82ezuHSupQahev9t5Pt-Ck6BjHF2ZR9PhWr/s1600-h/P7290002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226636739644390434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_y28vIU4qOw9u-YTKCdkmmLqoW1gy5ESvqVROApt0m81KrN30rVo92YZeHW3iNO89_yXt2GHQ5ezl9qFVo_F59Pyil6NRskvh7YYRK1DS82ezuHSupQahev9t5Pt-Ck6BjHF2ZR9PhWr/s320/P7290002.JPG" border="0" /></a> <br /><div align="center">Later, after Caleb got off work, we "dressed up" and went up to Bridgeport Village in Tigard, OR (just a bit south of Portland). Bridgeport is like a University Village for all you Seattle-lites...except it's a lot bigger and nicer! Anyway, we went to dinner at Macaroni Grill...mmmmmm, I highly suggest that place! Here are a few pics:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFx2jPNb-tUsqNQs6aHxAiDQqwS3cfoOhmDHa09I_Zj950e6Iw1p8WPy1V1l7djGOxYEyYzcN7E89daE2EGUuLZgzvC6DQ7F8pXe73VS5FgR-o_qwndxo7ev65PhhFxY9QkeFqBfv22h0/s1600-h/P7300005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226636748329856242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFx2jPNb-tUsqNQs6aHxAiDQqwS3cfoOhmDHa09I_Zj950e6Iw1p8WPy1V1l7djGOxYEyYzcN7E89daE2EGUuLZgzvC6DQ7F8pXe73VS5FgR-o_qwndxo7ev65PhhFxY9QkeFqBfv22h0/s320/P7300005.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><p align="center">(He's actually really enjoying his pasta and Strawberry lemonade...he's just making a mean face)<br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDQHccG-jMcSprDd-6A2tXH8eOO3I1oek2mWEu6XbhGWhwpdFKJiH7wSOEFiC8Htihyphenhyphen9xjUjiba9-7V8p09aTh6NiqzhLw7uTgec1_FJu2KDoWuj85pFevBGwYH0o4Xym5UV5XymKUTZs/s1600-h/P7300006_edited.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226636756681619810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDQHccG-jMcSprDd-6A2tXH8eOO3I1oek2mWEu6XbhGWhwpdFKJiH7wSOEFiC8Htihyphenhyphen9xjUjiba9-7V8p09aTh6NiqzhLw7uTgec1_FJu2KDoWuj85pFevBGwYH0o4Xym5UV5XymKUTZs/s320/P7300006_edited.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">(Yum! Iced tea and Salmon with veggies! Notice the crayon on the table...you can draw and color on their "table cloths"! What a fun idea!)<br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYX0RgmTpfrxW3Dph_UBtSJlfDNjCh8KPvwPYT7_pjh-AsqJKjK3g-c2yF9faSbuYHs-aM2Y1AfE7NYy9q-E3tRcNWrI-371M92yicuRSo81TkgJrhqV2MxAYJhyphenhyphen1DPHU8DbzxVJtRIO9/s1600-h/P7300007_edited.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226636761089684834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYX0RgmTpfrxW3Dph_UBtSJlfDNjCh8KPvwPYT7_pjh-AsqJKjK3g-c2yF9faSbuYHs-aM2Y1AfE7NYy9q-E3tRcNWrI-371M92yicuRSo81TkgJrhqV2MxAYJhyphenhyphen1DPHU8DbzxVJtRIO9/s320/P7300007_edited.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">(Happy couple...stuffed to the gills!)</p><p align="left">After we packed our tummies with tons of yummy bread, food and drink, we rolled ourselves out of the restaurant to our next destination in the Village...Jared's! I got my ring cleaned and now it's all sparkly! Love it! We then made our way to the IMAX theater where we waited in line for about an hour then another 30 minutes in the theater for the great production of "The Dark Knight." Wow! What a great movie...very well done! I HIGHLY recommend seeing it on an IMAX screen! The only problem was, the theater was STUFFY because the A/C never got kicked on...totally unfortunate when your in a theater JAM PACKED full of people and when you're trying to enjoy a great movie. I felt bad for Caleb, he was sitting next to a guy who didn't have the greatest smelling body odor...let's just say he sat reeeeaal close to me! :)<img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y82/j4ever/batman/The_Dark_Knight_poster.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="left">We finally got home around 2 AM!! We went to the late showing of the movie and the drive is about 45min home. What a fun day!<br /></p>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00847911759075735322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810659310298987310.post-743421511174508292008-07-20T13:23:00.000-07:002008-07-20T13:39:41.863-07:0022nd BdaySo, my dad came down to Salem to celebrate my 22nd birthday! He took Caleb and I out to PF Chang's...I highly recommend that place if you like some good chinese food! Yum! My dad got me some fun clothes...including the dress I'm wearing in the pics! Fun fun!<br /><br /><div align="center">Caleb, Dad and me</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7TIVPs7F9R73KGN4cTFRxW77sar_uV_o-P2Q_UIFrdMm8C2odcEUC1lwC4lGnfMXjU5qWwiY7app-zrZG18w39JT2EXWhFb5Wy_5tWijaaa1bCZr0jJNBEuXrEzvBU0HEVPRTOD78FK0/s1600-h/DSCN1928.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225195423496972578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7TIVPs7F9R73KGN4cTFRxW77sar_uV_o-P2Q_UIFrdMm8C2odcEUC1lwC4lGnfMXjU5qWwiY7app-zrZG18w39JT2EXWhFb5Wy_5tWijaaa1bCZr0jJNBEuXrEzvBU0HEVPRTOD78FK0/s320/DSCN1928.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Daughter and dad<br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3QX6KB80yCMsfyNADjsehC1npiJJ_ZokrijbuheYE7au9X86FQJXE3ou5PMA10ri8-Z5ji8oTaUeUFVLTic97zOoFekXPRPsLNyHUY7B8nLIS77Ki3dcFRMyqu0msNPZo_WcbMW5oWUgy/s1600-h/DSCN1938.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225195422407179314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3QX6KB80yCMsfyNADjsehC1npiJJ_ZokrijbuheYE7au9X86FQJXE3ou5PMA10ri8-Z5ji8oTaUeUFVLTic97zOoFekXPRPsLNyHUY7B8nLIS77Ki3dcFRMyqu0msNPZo_WcbMW5oWUgy/s320/DSCN1938.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><br />This isn't the greatest pic...we tried like 20 billion times but Caleb's eyes just wouldn't open! And I look drugged, but oh well! </p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2HaLB-FhoWCrhGmn9dj4GABhY-WSEZEW7r1-OeSEqFStW9ELFeqsL_Yn41pqdUI2PLr7CfS1Mznn7qkaIzZUQ1FCPc9YAD_E-l2j6zS1KvFEMGEpzWc9QhTj14IGrmbe618suG3-ZGQiz/s1600-h/DSCN1933.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225195428410272626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2HaLB-FhoWCrhGmn9dj4GABhY-WSEZEW7r1-OeSEqFStW9ELFeqsL_Yn41pqdUI2PLr7CfS1Mznn7qkaIzZUQ1FCPc9YAD_E-l2j6zS1KvFEMGEpzWc9QhTj14IGrmbe618suG3-ZGQiz/s320/DSCN1933.JPG" border="0" /></a>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00847911759075735322noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810659310298987310.post-75788475728163099772008-07-09T21:35:00.000-07:002008-07-09T21:36:02.149-07:002 Year RecapMost of you know that Caleb and my 2 year wedding anniversary is just around the corner (23rd). I thought it would be fun to show pictures and describe events starting with the engagment and ending where we are now: graduated!!<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><br /></div><div align="left">It all started in Biology class in 10th grade when Caleb and I sat next to each other for part of the year. I was "interested" in his best friend and he was...well, some say he was interested in me, he says he wasn't yet, either way something began to develop because of our time in that class. He saw every my every emotion in that class: stressing, crying, laughing, being spastic, sleeping, etc. I am surprised he didn't ask the teacher if he could move! I thought he was WAY too smart, and who knows what he thought of me. He gave me answers to extra credit questions to help me out...what a sweetie. Anyway, summer eventually came and a large group of us friends were all going on a mission's trip to Mexico through the school, including Caleb and I. This trip is what really brought us together! We didn't start "dating" until Valentine's day of our Junior year and from that point on, we never separated...well I DID break up with him for a week our Senior year and we were separated our Sophomore year of college due to distance...other than that our relationship kept growing.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div align="center">It was March 4th, 2006 (3 days before his b-day) when Caleb James Louvier proposed to me on Alki Beach in West Seattle:<br /><embed pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="400" height="267" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&noautoplay=1&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Famesmeister%2Falbumid%2F5220751490956347169%3Fkind%3Dphoto%26alt%3Drss"></embed><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div><br /></div><div align="left">We had a speedy 4.5 months engagment then got married on July 23, 2006:<br /></div><div align="center"><embed pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="400" height="267" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&noautoplay=1&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Famesmeister%2Falbumid%2F5220745159166077121%3Fkind%3Dphoto%26alt%3Drss"></embed></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div><br /></div><p align="center">The first year was a rough one. We got sick a lot...more than either of us have ever gotten! Lots of hospital visits...yes, we're still paying off all those medical bills! It was a long year, but we <em>did </em>make it to our first anniversary!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221127234635496866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmAdh1ZRr6sSf7BXEGwgimEd691YMQ4hwwR-9M0USFzOIfZmMFOqT7S2zOXqt8fTsuFzs8YDqDwPIc8VGfDGTw-fGrUpQkZ1FX3NY-OqMYTmt_-I1Loo6GqjemYOlU8YrkmzP7VEhnU1Re/s320/P7290044.JPG" border="0" />(Anniversary; out to eat at Bentley's in Salem, OR)<br /></p><p align="left">Our second year has gone MUCH better and we are more in love than ever! We had a great time getting close to friends and going to functions with them, like the Senior banquet:<br /></p><p align="center"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/amesmeister/SHPbofzwwqI/AAAAAAAAAKs/YaPn0yon630/s400/P4120007.JPG" /><br />(Caleb, me, Kayla, Aaron, Mallory, Josh, and the random head of a guy named Rick)</p><div><br /></div><p align="center"><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href="><img alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/amesmeister/SHPbpG9ptaI/AAAAAAAAAK0/328FEAusN5A/s400/P4120009.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />(With the hubby)<br /></p><div>We all were so excited to graduate, but as the BIG day drew closer my heart started to melt a bit...I knew I wouldn't be seeing or hearing from many of these people I claimed as friends. Everyone was moving on....some were getting married over the summer, some were moving far away, some just weren't good at keeping in touch. </div><div>Caleb and I are very glad to be done with school...for now...it's just difficult realize that now we have to face reality: real jobs (also known as careers), kids to come, thoughts of buying a house, saving money, paying off loans (mostly for school), starting a retirement plan, etc.<br /></div><div><br /></div><p align="center"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/amesmeister/SHPatK_K80I/AAAAAAAAAJ0/jzGYZkvfqlU/s400/Graduation_Steph_Caleb%20003-1.jpg" /></p><p align="center">(With the babe...the cutest nephew ever!)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/amesmeister/SHPatQUZ18I/AAAAAAAAAJ8/e305q-mBa24/s400/Graduation_Steph_Caleb%20031.jpg" /><br /><br />(Nats, the babe, me and Nickers! I am blessed to have siblings like these two...and a sweet, bubbly nephew!)<br /></p><p align="center"><br /></p><p align="center"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/amesmeister/SHPat4TOkmI/AAAAAAAAAKM/83aaNL7lEjg/s400/Graduation_Steph_Caleb%20040.jpg" /></p><div align="center">(Us at dinner with the fam, after graduation)<br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div></div><div>For now I feel like we are living the cliche American life...go to school for a million years, get married, go straight into your career, plan out your life til you die...I think I want to change things up a bit. I don't know how and I certainly don't know when, but I am going to start praying for ways. Maybe a little bit of traveling, maybe a month long mission's trip, maybe living in a different country for a year, maybe take up painting or something artsy...who knows. All I know is I want to live life to it's fullest, I want to serve God in all I do, and I want to be a light! Reality...here we come! </div></div></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00847911759075735322noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810659310298987310.post-55251868016407037712008-07-07T19:18:00.001-07:002008-07-09T20:28:03.380-07:00New BeginningsSo, I figure since my hubby's and my life are about to go through serious makeovers of change, I thought I'd throw in another change by owning an actual blog, other than facebook and myspace. I figure our generation is slowly steering from the crazily colorful and scarily stalkerish sites with superfulous amounts of applications and ads, to calmer, more realistic pages of cyberspace blogging. I am excited for you to learn of the Louvier's adventures in life and see what the Lord has in store for us. If you are reading this, then you are most likely a friend or part of the fam...we would love to get comments from you! Please tell us how you're doing and add any comments (hopefully nice ones) to my (our) page.<br /><br />To the beginning of many blogs to come! Here, here!Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00847911759075735322noreply@blogger.com1