Goodbye 2009.

What a year it has been....In looking back... I don't even remember how it started...but it surely came and went with a lot to remember and be thankful for.

You never know when your time will be up so appreciate what and who you have in your life always!

I could go on and on but won't :) I love you all and here's to another great year of life! Bring it on 2010 let's see what you got!

My little brother....

Where do these boys get their height? Mike and I getting ready to eat all the goodies mom made!

Just us kids....

Christmas eve night. I finally made it home for the holidays...yippee!

The chef's.

Mom and Dad cooking all the good food! Mom made Egg's Benedict for brunch...yummy and they both were preparing for the Turkey dinner...my favorite!

Christmas morning...

Let's call it Christmas afternoon...when we were younger we were up at the crack of dawn wanting to open presents NOW...knocking on mom and dad's door pleading with them to get up! Now, we all sleep in and eat breakfast and then open gifts. But, if we are going to be honest..I always get up early to check my stocking early still! :) I still believe! :)

Matching siblings....

Mike and I in our new hoodies...aren't we cute?

My folks...

Mom and Dad enjoying Christmas festivities with the family. Mom drove us...thanks for that..the roads were not that great!

Me and the boys...

Mike, Cousin Bryan, Uncle Jon and me....having a serious talk about absolutely nothing.. :) Just kidding all my great advice comes from Uncle Jon! :)

Girl's in Red....

My aunt Diane and I cheesin' for the camera! I'm so glad she made it down from Duluth, they had about 24 inches of snow..but she made it through! Love ya!!

What did you get Mike?

Mike still getting presents from Santa, aren't you a little to old for that??

Waitin' for Santa....

My aunt Pam and Kyle waiting for Santa to hand out more presents. I hope to see you this summer in CO....come play!

Girl's Night Out!

Getting ready to head out for Birthday night out...my best Nisswa girls!

Target fun...

Keri and Angie trying on some "hot" jackets in Target clearance! Lots of good laughs happening here!

The jury is still out....

So, I bought this new sweater at Target, clearance of course and am still out on it! The girls insisted I buy it, I wonder if they were messing with me?? Jake says it's the ugliest sweater he's ever seen...but what does he know? Freezing my butt off here before dinner at Matty's!

It's been a while...

Ahhh...my good friend Heather....my old ER driver! :) It was so good to see her, she is expecting her 2nd baby and drove all the way up to the Pickle to see "me". How lucky am I? I love ya and thanks for that big hug...I needed it! :)

Just us girls...

Keri and I posing at the Pickle....hey my new sweater is kinda "pickle" colors! Hmmm..Jake says it is the ugliest sweater he has seen.....Keri and Angie made me get it...I dunno, I'm still undecided! Love ya girl!

Happy Birthday to US!

Angie and I at the Ye Ole Pickle Factory of Nisswa to celebrate our birthday! It was great to see her even though it was only for a second it seemed like...love ya girl!

We are family.....

My cousin Jamila and my auntie Carol. We had a get together at Jamila's house and it was so good to see everyone. Carol made some wonderful soup and good times were had by all. Love you all!!

Cousin Clif...

My cousin Clifton and his 2 kiddos....posin' for the camera! Well, kinda! :) It was great to see you cuz!

Aunti Marci

It was so good to see my youngest Auntie....Marci. I love her lots and wish I could spend more time with her...but I will take whatever time I can get. Love you!!

Welcome to my new HOME...

Welcome to 2111 Boston Terrace...my new townhouse! I am officially a homeowner...yes a mortgage...but not much more than what I was paying in rent...so a good thing all around.

I want to thank everyone that opened/offered their homes to me to live with them during this crazy time....I could not have done this without them. I think it has helped me with my patience and made me step outside my box...

I am starting to get excited about the whole thing...things are changing...decisions are being made and they are all mine! I hope that you will come by and say hi...

Living room...

Here is the front door...which opens up the the living room. There is also a fireplace on my right..but you can't see that...wonderful sunlight coming through the windows...and outside you can see the mountains...yippee!

Horrible hallway..

As Jake would say the "horrible hallway". He tried to stretch the carpet and the hallway was a pain. So, I am standing in the living room...looking towards the kitchen which is on the right, dining room on the left. The door on the left is the 1/2 bath and laundry..and there is a door on the right which leads to the crawl space..and of course the stairs to the 2nd level where there are 2 bedrooms and a bathroom.

Kitchen..

Here's the kitchen...I know, obvious. It looks so much different already...guess you'll have to come see it in real life to see the updates...

Hmmm..maybe that is a ploy...not to update the new pics so all my family and friends have to come to CO to see it.....I like it!

Dining area...

The ghetto lighting fixture will be gone! I am hoping Nathan can move the lighting fixture so it is actually in the center of the room...strangeeee!

Looking down...

A shot from the stairs looking down into the living room....lovin' that green carpet!

Lots of closet space!

My new bedroom has lots of closet space....oh happy day! Now, to lose some weight and buy a bunch of new clothes....wait...no new clothes....all money now goes into the house! :)

My bedroom.

I am so excited to have so many windows and sunlight in my house...it has been a while. I loved my old apartment but it was so DARK!

The windows are horrible...you can stick your finger through the bottom left corner....needless to say today I covered them in plastic to save a little on the heating bill! But....new windows are on order and will be put in about a month...Yeah!!

Back entrance...

Here is the back patio area...so the one stair is a big step up and down for short people....I am thinking of having some stairs built and put it right over that big slab of cement....

The front of my new house!!

Torie was kind enough to come and take a few pics of me after church in front of my new townhouse.....it's starting to get exciting...watching things change!!

The back side....

The back of 2111....I have a little space back behind that fence to have my BBQ and maybe I should get a patio set?? Hmmm..the possibilities?...?

Snow Day!

Ian and I chillin' watching Polar Express and getting in the holiday spirit! :)

Thoughts and prayers.....

My heart breaks today as I got a telephone call from my mom in tears....a good family friend passed away last night due to complications in surgery. It makes me wonder why was I saved? She went into cardiac arrest and was without oxygen ....ahh this all sounds oh too familiar. Her organs were giving out and she didn't pull through......ahhh my heart breaks for Ryan!

Her name was Cindy Ringstrom and I have known her since I was a little girl...whenever I think of her a smile is brought to my face! Cindy was Ryan's mom...Ryan was my younger brother Adam's best friend! My parents bought our house/land from her when I was 8 years old, I think?? I'll never forget riding in the car with her on our dirt road to the trailer....singing along to Material Girl by Madonna! She was an amazing women with a huge heart and I will never forget her.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Ryan and his family.....and to anyone that reads this please send a prayer their way!

So.....God has a plan....and I know she is in a better place...but it hurts and saddens me to hear this news today!

This reminds me that I am a miracle and not everyone gets a second chance....I need to use it...I need to always remember....I need everyone to know that I love them!

Thanksgiving 2009!

This is my favorite picture of the day so I saved it for the top!
So much to be thankful for:
- Being given a 2nd chance at life.
- Having a wonderful family..
- Having such amazing friends...
- A spin instructor that knew CPR....
- A defibrillator in my chest.....
- My job...and health benefits ;)
- This little guy...Jack..he brings a smile to my face and a warmth to my heart.... I may not have kids of my own but have many in my life that mean the world to me!

A wonderful start to a wonderful day..

So much to be thankful for this year....starting with these two great friends that have been by side through it all! I love you girls and would do anything for ya! Here's to many more good times together....cheers!

We are family....

Posing to prove to my family back home that we were together! Love my little brother....he's a work in progress. :) Glad that we got to be together for Thanksgiving!!

Fun days..

Delanie and Ian letting me get photos of them...everyone else ran away. This turned out super cute!

My spin instructor....

Torie and Sara chillaxin' in the back yard! I still refer to her as Torie, my spin instructor that saved my life! She has become an important part of my life and am glad we got to spend Thanksgiving together this year!

Sara and Ben...

Giving love to little Ben. This little guy is growing up so quickly...already running around with the big kids!

Chillin' in the lounger....

Jack taking a break from all the action. I just adore this little guy...he is my new best bud!

Jack and Jake

My good buddy Jack posing with my little brother Jake! Glad that Jake was able to come celebrate Turkey day with us at the Franklund's.

Secret Mission....

I had to get a picture of Dustan carving the turkey...he doesn't like his picture taken but thought this shot was great! The turkey was delicious the Franklund's did an amazing job of hosting this year! I am thankful for such good friends!!

Waiting patiently....?

The kids decided to have a seat outside and that I was their waitress...I took the orders and it was quite easy....everybody wanted OJ. I was glad to help out....love all these kiddos! It was a beautiful day outside this Thanksgiving about 55 degrees and sunny....

Gravy 2009!

I got to help Wendy make the gravy this year....I think this is starting to become a tradition! Last year I made it with the Foss's. It was amazing this year if I do say so myself!

Hanging with most of the kids....

Attacking Sara for a picture....I don't think Maggie was too sure about all this she was being cautious.

Being silly....

Delanie and I posing for Torie....it took a couple shots but finally got it! This little girl is a sweetheart!

The girls...

My bestest friends in Colorado....I love you girls! Gina, me, Torie, and Wendy...hanging in Wendy's kitchen....taking a break from all the cooking to get a shot with them.

Rockin'

Daniel and Ian were rocking it out in the bounce house. Great idea Franklunds....best investment to date I'm sure.

Up!

I bought "Up" for Maggie and it was a big hit with the kids! Good distraction...glad they liked it. :)

Wait and See....

So, I found a new song that I'm loving...it's called "Wait and See." You can listen to it if you'd like cuz it's the first song on my playlist on my blog!
My mom asked me today if I was writing things down....Torie has asked me that too....maybe I should be documenting my life a little more....hmmmm...Shock Advised in the making?

Go Red for Women!

Michelle Seidl and I at the Medtronic booth at the Go Red for Women luncheon sponsored by the American Heart Association. She is the woman that checks to make sure my device is in proper working order....she rocks! She asked me to come and share my story about going into cardiac arrest with others. I had a great time and was honored to share my story with others.