Crazy Christmas Holiday!

What an eventful Christmas this has been! I have to say, one amazing thing about my new job at Wishing Star is the flexibility in working hours. I have only been an employee for about a month and a half, and any other company there would be no chance of getting vacation time, but Wishing Star has great vacation days and I am also able to work from home when I need/want to!

I decided to leave town on Friday, December 20 and make the drive from Spokane to Tri-Cities. At Wishing Star, we have a Christmas giving program, and we find sponsors to help our families in need during the holidays. I loaded up presents for 3 different families and made my way out of town. It was starting to really snow in Spokane, but I checked the webcams and talked to my step-dad who said all the snow had melted back home. I figured once I got outside of Spokane I would be fine. WRONG. I even had a gut feeling that made me not want to leave town that day, but I decided to just go and get on the road while it was still light out.

I was going between 40-50mph on the 70mph highway. I would say that in an hour and a half I passed 2 cars. Other than that, I had every car in the world (including semi-trucks) flying by me going at least 15-20mph faster than me. The snow was still very loose and every time a car passed it kicked up a snow storm and I could hardly see where I was going. SCARY! I don't know what it is about people that makes them think they can go a regular speed in those conditions! Anyway, as I was getting close to Ritzville where the Tri-Cities turn-off is, I was actually getting excited because I knew that once I took that exit, the roads would be a lot better! I was 8 miles away, and I began noticing cars slowing down and saw a wreck about a quarter or half mile ahead. I took my foot off the gas and started to slow down, when I touched my brakes however my car started pulling me slightly to the right. Normally, this would have been okay, however there was a semi pulled over on the shoulder and I was headed right for it. So in order to avoid the semi, I had to steer to the right and drive down an embankment on the side of the road. My car came to a stop about 20 or 25 feet off the highway.

I was a little shaken up, but called my step-dad right away and asked if he could come get me. He asked if I could drive my car up the embankment and I told him that even if I could, I wasn't driving anywhere after what happened. So him and my mom made the normally 1 hour journey (about 2 hours with the snow and collision) to get me. As I sat in my car I checked the news and learned that it was a 9 car pile-up in front of me and 1 person was killed. I was so very lucky to avoid the pile-up. Probably only missed it by 30 or 45 seconds. I had to laugh because as I was driving I prayed for God to keep me safe and to not let me wreck. He granted those prayers! But I should've added "and keep me on the road". :) 

As I wait in my car, the police began to divert traffic off the highway behind me and through the town of Ritzville. When my parents arrived, they asked permission to pass and come get me. Thank God my step-dad has a winch on his jeep, because my car wouldn't have budged without it! We made the long and stressful drive home, and I have never been more happy to be out of the car!! I topped off the night by meeting up with one of my wish families to deliver presents. A crazy night indeed!!!

I remember these cars passing me shortly before the wreck (there is another car in front of the jeep). I remember thinking that they were all following WAY too closely. Not surprised they ended up this way. :(

There is a car in-between the tractor and the semi on the right. I would imagine this was the fatality. So sad.

I spent the week with my family lounging on the couch, reading, playing Words with Friends with my mom, and EATING. I also got to deliver presents to another wish kid, Quinn and his family on Christmas Eve day. He is just the sweetest little boy. 5 years old, and non-verbal, but you can tell he knows what you're saying, and he is just a complete doll!!!

Quinn

After a journey to Walla Walla to visit grandparents on Christmas, I finally made my way home on the 26th. 4 loads of laundry, cleaning the bathroom, and some work from home... I am beat! But I plan on drinking my Sleepytime Tea, putting on my new aromatherapy lotion, and curling up in bed with my new book tonight (in my new Egyptian Cotton 400 thread count sheets-thanks Mama)! :) Resting up for a trip to the office tomorrow to get some work done, and then packing to head to Seattle on Saturday where Brett and his crew will pick me up. With my roller-coaster of a life, it sure was nice to relax this Christmas! :) Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday with family and friends.

The Truth About Long Distance Relationships

Well, I normally wouldn't consider myself much of an expert on too many things, but one thing I have mastered is a long-distance relationship. After over 3 years of dating Brett (we met back in September 2010) and living 5 to 6 hours apart, I have come to accept that if we are going to spend the rest of our lives together, we have to make it through this very difficult piece of being apart first.

But before you jump to thinking that long distance relationships are all hardship and loneliness, I have to admit that it is also a huge blessing in our lives- even a very rewarding and wonderful circumstance that Brett and I have found ourselves in. Yes- long distance relationships are hard. They ARE lonely. And I can't tell you how many times I have had to experience life's wonderful moments (throwing successful fundraising banquets, moving into my own place), and great sorrows (the loss of my grandma, finding out my step-dad had cancer) without him. And you can also imagine how difficult it is to get in a disagreement over the phone, and not have the advantage of kissing and making-up and saying "I'm sorry" in person like most normal couples do. There's nothing more gut-wrenching and depressing than wanting something as simple as a touch, or a hug, and not being able to receive it.

It's nights like tonight that I find myself really missing him (well of course, I miss him every night). But the beautiful thing about a long-distance relationship is that as low as the lows are, the highs are even higher. I love the song "Faithfully" by Journey, which portrays a couple in a long-distance relationship. As the song goes... "Being apart ain't easy on this love affair. Two strangers learn to fall in love again- I get the joy of rediscovering you." Ohhh how I can relate to these lyrics! Even after three years, I get to fall in love with Brett all over again each time I see him. :) And yes, I STILL get butterfly's every time.

Another wonderful advantage of a long-distance relationship is the fact that our love is built off pure and honest friendship. Brett is my best friend. When you live so far apart, there isn't much you can do except have hour long phone conversations- and over 3 years, you can imagine how many of those conversations we have had (our cell phone bills could probably have paid off my college debt by now). I know every couple says this, but we think so much alike that he literally says the things I'll be thinking and vice versa. We have come to know each other so well, sometimes I think I know him better than he knows himself! (He is probably shaking his head at this right now). ;) Hahaha. All kidding aside, even though the physical aspects of a relationship are important and necessary, it doesn't compare to a solid framework of friendship and love and trust. Brett and I have laughed together, cried together, celebrated together, and had serious and silly conversations together, all over the phone. There's nothing like sharing life's moments with your best friend- even if it can't be in person.

Don't let all the corny-ness get to you- we aren't the perfect couple. We have been through many hard times and we still drive each other crazy sometimes. But life isn't a fairytale. And relationships are hard. And people aren't perfect. And I'm glad Brett isn't perfect, because neither am I. And I'm so glad he accepts me just the way I am. I have found my perfect match- my best friend- my true love. I don't believe in soul mates. I believe that there is more than one good match out there in the world for everyone. But I have found someone who loves me unconditionally, someone who makes me feel unique and special every day, someone who cares about me, believes in me, and someone who can always make my day a little bit brighter. Most people go their whole lives and never get to experience the joy of finding their match. So if distance and time is what it takes to eventually be together, well then I will wait. And I will travel. And I will spend all the money I can afford on gas and plane tickets, and phone bills. Because being with Brett has made my life brighter, and richer, and happier, and it is worth any of the heartache that comes along with the distance.

So, if you've ever wondered how people in long-distance relationships have made it work, I have to say that it takes true love, patience, commitment, communication, honesty, trust, and two people who really want to be together. As much as I wish I could wave a magic wand and fast-forward to the point in our lives where we will eventually live together and get to wake up next to each other every day, I have to remind myself to cherish this time in our relationship as well. We are very blessed, in more ways than one. As long as we have each other, my heart will be full and happy. <3 <3 <3 xoxox

December 2010

March 2011

December 2011

March 2012

May 2012

May 2012

June 2012

December 2012

May 2013

May 2013

July 2013

2013- A Year to Remember!

2013 In Review

Oh my goodness- 2013 is almost over! The last time I blogged was about my trip to Europe, and it is amazing how much has happened since then. Then I think back to everything that has happened this entire year and it is really overwhelming. Here is a recap of some of my big moments in 2013.

1. My awesome sister Brooke turned 30!!! So hard to believe. A big group of family and friends went to a hockey game, had a private party at Applebee's and ended the night downtown at the bars. What a fun way to ring in her 30's. :) Love you, sis!

Brooke with her best friend of more than 20 years, Carin.

2. My parents got a puppy!! Our family dog, Jack, passed away a few days before Christmas in 2012. I was in Hawaii with Brett and his family and thankfully my parents did not tell me until I got back from vacation. There was such a void in the house (and always will be with Jack gone), but when family friends Tiffany and Casey decided to get a yellow lab puppy, Tiffany convinced my mom to buy a brother! Tiffany and Casey bought Kenai, and my parents got Kota (short for Dakota). They were the cutest, sweetest puppies! I went with my parents to pick Kota up, and carried him home in my arms during the car ride. He cried and whined for his mama and his siblings, and my mom and I were a big sobbing mess on the way home! But it's amazing how quickly they become part of the family. Kota still visits his brother regularly since they only live a few blocks away. And don't get me started on my step-dad's relationship with this dog- they're best friends.... my mom has been replaced. Hahaha.

3. I graduated college!! Yes, it took 6 years, but I DID IT. It was the best day of my life, at this point at least. The day was perfect, with the exception of the scorching heat. And I had about 40 or 50 of my closest friends and family with me. I couldn't have asked for anything better. I was also able to pay off my car a year and a half early thanks to my graduation money, AND set some aside to buy furniture eventually. :)

4. I quit my job at Energy Northwest after 7 years and accepted a job in Seattle! I moved in with my brother and sister-in-law and two nieces while I got settled and looked for a place to live. It was so terribly hard to move away from home!

5. Brett and I went to 4 weddings this summer. Yes, FOUR weddings. So much fun!!

Jon and Jenn's Wedding- Vancouver

Chris and Jill's Wedding- Edmonton

BJ and Ashley's Wedding- Surrey

TJ and Sarah's Wedding- Spokane

6. Brett and I visited our grandparents together. Brett had met my grandparents in the past, and I had met his maternal grandpa, but I had not yet met his paternal grandparents. Brett's maternal grandpa celebrated his 85th birthday while we were there, and his paternal grandpa celebrated his 98th birthday while we were there. We also got to visit with Brett's dad and his girlfriend. It was such a fun trip! And we are so happy we took the time to visit our grandparents while we still can. To top it all off, we got to attend the Saskatchewan Roughriders home opener!!

With our grandparents

At the Roughriders home opener- meeting Justin Trudeau

Fast forward to the end of the season- Roughriders WON the Grey Cup!! Brett, his mom, and I celebrated in style! :)

7. Brett and I went to Vegas- my graduation present from  Brett and his mama! I made like a bandit and won at pretty much EVERYTHING I played- blackjack, roulette, slot machines, and also 3 card poker. It was my first time playing 3 card poker and I hit 3 of a kind about 4 hands in... which was about a $300 pay out. We also randomly met Louie Anderson, got to see the light show at the old strip, Brett was part of a magic show, we saw some amazing acrobats, hung out at the pool, and ate delicious food. Needless to say, it was an amazing trip!

8. I quit my job in Seattle after just 8 weeks. I loved the people I worked with, but I got to a point where I woke up everyday dreading going to work. I hated my job and the culture at the company was terrible as well. I moved back to Tri-Cities (which was hard to leave my nieces and brother/sis-in-law), and bought a plane ticket to Europe! I traveled Germany and Austria for two weeks, and met the most wonderful people in the process. A trip I will remember forever. As much as I could consider my move to Seattle a mistake, I in fact view it as a great blessing. It taught me a great life lesson- that life is too short to be unhappy. I had absolutely nothing lined up when I quit, but I knew something would work out. It was also a great blessing in the fact that I was able to spend quite a bit of time with Brett. Had I not quit my job in Seattle, I wouldn't have gone to Europe, had that priceless time with Brett, and I wouldn't be where I am today- which is just the PERFECT place for me!

9. Brett became an uncle for the first time! His brother and sister-in-law had a baby girl on October 7- Michaela. It is so fun to have a baby in the family... especially since all my nieces and nephews are growing up so fast!!! :(

Michaela- 15 days old

2 months old

10. I went to my first WSU football game. FIRST ONE, crazy, I know! But I didn't let it go to waste- I packed 6 years of college into one night- and what a good time! Even got to grab a picture with Butch and see Heart in concert for the second time. A wonderful graduation present from Denise and Nicki!

11. I accepted a job at Wishing Star and moved to Spokane at the end of October. Many of you don't know this, but I actually had a job lined up as a Management Trainee at a local bank in Tri-Cities right before I left for Europe. It was a REALLY great bank and I met with the CEO and VP's for my second interview and absolutely loved the company. But life had another plot twist for me, and the Development Director position opened up at Wishing Star. It was a very difficult decision, but in the end I put things into perspective this way: When I'm 80 years old, do I want to look back on my life and be happy that I made a lot of money, or do I want to look back and feel like I made a difference and made the world a better place? The choice was obvious. Not to mention I volunteered for Wishing Star in Tri-Cities for 5 years and knew everyone and everything about the organization. It was still a hard decision to make though, as Spokane is definitely further away from Brett (and going on over 3 years of a long distance relationship, it gets harder all the time)- but he just wanted me to be happy, and this was the right move for me! It has been the best decision I've ever made. Just this past Friday at work I thought it was Tuesday.... TUESDAY. That is how quickly my week goes by because I love my job so much. I am so thankful and blessed.

With my wonderful coworkers (and friends). At our annual Spokane Dinner Banquet.

At the Rainmaker Marketing PJ party. Best party ever!

12. I got my own place! Yes, I know... I'm 24 years old, and this is my first time living on my own. But living at home had it's advantages. I probably would've lived there forever if I could- I sure do miss my parents, and Kota, and Drunk Sunday's. :) Thankfully I stocked up on stuff for years, and it was worth sleeping with a kitchen-aid, muffin tins, kitchen accessories, and random crap all over my room! When I moved to Spokane, besides furniture I pretty much had everything I needed. And my mama stayed the weekend with me when I first moved in and helped me shop for stocking up my fridge and pantry and getting cleaning supplies, etc. Below are some "before" pictures from the day I moved in. I'm still working on decorating, so I'll do a separate post about my apartment a little later! Living on my own has been the BEST. There are certain times I wish Brett was around though- like tonight when I had to open a jar of pickles and about 5 minutes and a sore wrist later, I finally got it open! Or the time it took me 8 hours to replace the battery in my smoke detector. Other than that- living on my own has been wonderful.

Living Room

Dining Room

Kitchen

Wow- SO much has happened this year! Back in January, I would have NEVER pictured I would be where I am today, but that is the beautiful thing about life- it isn't really meant to be controlled. It is just meant to be enjoyed. And I think I've done a good job of enjoying life this year. I am so looking forward to 2014 and all it holds... as far as the things I KNOW are planned- like a few weddings to attend, and a 2 week trip to Iceland to visit my daddy and family. But other than that, I'm looking forward to the plot twists as well. :) As long as I have my family, Brett, and his family, life is good!

As far as new year's resolutions go... I don't think I have any. But I do plan on keeping up on my blog posts, and hopefully taking up bowling again. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year- I know I will!!!