Details of my trip to Washington D.C.

Since I only had time to post pictures yesterday I thought I would post more info today. I had the BEST time in Washington D.C! I have to say it was one of my top three favorite trip that I've ever been on! I've never really wanted to go to Washington D.C. but now that I've been I can't believe that I've been missing out on this for all these years!
We took a tour of the capital and I learned so much during the tour and saw so many things. We saw the final resting place of all of the presidents. Did you know that Rosa Parks was the only person to be allowed to share this "final resting place" with the previous Presidents of the United States? Cool huh?! We learned all about the statues and the murals in the buildings and we got to walk through the underground tunnels. We got to see where the different committees and sub committees meet and the coolest part for me was when we got to sit in the House Chambers where the President gives the State of the Union Address! We also got to see where they are setting up for the innaguration of the new President in 2009.
On one day while we were there we got to see the Secret Service in action! It was better than what you see in a movie! Apparently when there is a motorcade in progress all traffic (foot and car) comes to a halt! You can't drive or walk accross the street. While we were stopped in traffic we watched the Secret Services escort in the Prime Minister of Japan! There were about 8-10 cars that drove in really fast and stopped. Then, they all jumped out and ran to the door of the hotel, almost as a group. Then they ran back to their cars, threw them into reverse and parked in a parking space. I have no idea how they didn't hit each other!!! I think that whole process happened in like 15 seconds or less..... it was SO cool!
On the last day we were there we covered as many landmarks as possible! We saw the Washington Monument, The White House, Iwo Jima Memorial, Arlington Cemetery, Abraham Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, and the Korean War Memorial.
More than anything it was so good to get to spend time with the girls and relax! I think I got the best two nights sleep on Julie's couch that I've had in months! LOL! Needless to say, the trip was awesome!!!

More Washington D.C. Pics

Here are a few more.... The first one is Arlington Cemetary as the sun was going down, the second pic is the Iwo Jima Memorial, the third pic is the White House and the last pic is Christina, Jewels and myself : )

Washington D.C. Trip Pics

Here are a few pics from my AMAZING trip to Washington D.C this past weekend to see Jewels!
The first pic is the Washington Monument, the second pic is the Capital, the third pic is an awesome saying and the last pic is the worlds longest escalator

This is too cute!!!

Callus' and Sore Muscles

To most other females this will sound a little odd but there is something so satisfying to me about seeing callus' on my hands and having sore muscles after a hard days work! My sister and I steam cleaned the carpets in our whole house this weekend. As I was getting ready for school yesterday I noticed that I had callus' on my hands and that my arms were really sore. There was this sense of accomplishment that came along with my "battle scars". LOL! I sound like such a guy! HA! I guess there will always be a little bit of a tomboy in me no matter how old I get!

So, last night we went to the New Kids on the Block Reunion Tour! I must say, I had the best time! I was a little skeptical at first as to whether or not this would be worth it but it totally was! There were moments where I felt like I was 13 and in love with them all over again! LOL! I definately screamed during a few songs like I was 13! I felt really old for knowing all the words to "Step by Step", "Hangin Tough", and "Please don't go girl" but when I noticed the girl in front of me knew all the words too (mind you she had to be AT LEAST 10 years younger than me!) I didn't feel so bad anymore : ) Nostalgia is a fabulous thing!!!

Crazy life...

I'm realizing as time goes by that I really do like the fast pace that life brings some days! It seems like lately, there is hardly time to breathe. School is very busy and family and friends are too. There just doesn't seem enough of me to go around sometimes. I'm thinking that this would be a great time to experiment with cloning! LOL! I find that I learn the most about myself when i'm stretched this thin. I think I'm able to find more of the small things in life that bring me joy. My nephew is definately one of them. No matter what I accomplished or not he loves me just the same and still follows me around like I hung the moon! Aren't kiddos just a fabulous thing!!!

Quirks

Everyone has their little quirks and I'm finding that one of mine is a facination with the body and the way it functions! Check out these facts:

* In one lifetime the average human being will create 3,750 gallons of sweat and 143 pints of tears

* There are 42 billion blood vessles and capillaries combined in the human body. That's 62,000 miles long or two full orbits around the earth

* Your eyes are capable of seeing 7 million different colors

* You use 200 different muscles at one time just to walk

* Your body will produce enough new bone in one lifetime equal to 12 full grown bodies

Pretty nifty stuff huh?!? The more I'm learning the more facinated I become.

New Cool Site!

Okay.... new cool background huh?! Courtesy of a friend who also has a blog I found this AWESOME site for Blog layouts and it's totally free! Check it out...

http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/

$3.18!!!

Okay, I got gas this morning for $3.18! Who knew that number could be so exciting.... especially related to gas! LOL! It's so nice to only pay $40 now instead of $60 to fill up my gas tank! Now if we could only get that number down to $30 a tank! LOL! I remember when gas went over $1.00... and we just THOUGH we were getting ripped off then. Oh well, Yippee for lower gas prices! ( and a kroger's card!)

Life Choices....

We are all faced with challenges in life and I think one of the hardest ones to face is grief. There are so many different and perplexing emotions that come wrapped up in that one word. In some ways it's almost like a weird organized chaos in your mind.
Here is the definition of Grief: "A deep & poignant distress caused by or as if by bereavement". So let's break that down.... Distress: "Pain or suffering affecting the body or mind". Poignant: "Painfully affecting the feelings; designed to make an impression".
Wow! So basically grieving is designed to bring about change. That's huge! It makes grief a productive place to be I guess. Although it may be hard at the moment it's the chance to change your life. To let go of and move forward from some thing that is holding you back from your full potential. To be one step closer to becoming all that you were created to be. It's all about the choice.... what you CHOOSE to do with where you are. The question is.... what does the moving forward look like?

Denominational Discrepancies

So here is the thought for the day.... Inside of Christianity there are many denominations... lutheran, baptist, protestant, non denominational (not a denomination but still a division), etc. We all claim to believe in the same God right? The same creator of the universe? So, with that said why is it that within these denominations people believe that God can only move in their denomination? Isn't God all knowing and all powerful? If so, then what makes any one better than the other? Last time I checked, God was checking my heart, and my heart only, in relation to my relationship with Him. So, if that's the case, as long as I know what I believe and I'm good with God does it matter which Christian Church I worship in? If the church is teaching the truth and I can verify their teaching with the word of God then who cares.... right? Shouldn't you worship in a place where you're connecting with God.... where God is speaking to you through the message and through worship? Last time I checked with God that was the important part. To be taught the true word of God and to have a relationship with Him. To live out His word. Something to think about huh??? : )

A Good Read

So, I tend to be a bit of a bookworm. The only unfortunate thing is that the only books I've had time to read are textbooks! LOL! I'm on a 5 week break from school and I decided that I needed to get a book to read that was not related to school during this time. So, I picked up "Walking With God" by John Eldredge. My friends laughed when I told them I picked a book that was an "easy read". John Eldredge is an easy read but his writing is VERY thought provoking. This book was written in a unique way. It's written in seasons (fall, winter, spring & summer) instead of chapters. The reason behind his logic in writing this way is that God walks us through seasons of life so when you're talking about walking with God why would you write chapters.... seasons are more appropriate. All of that said.... this book is AWESOME! It's one of those books where you just read a few pages every night and then you think about what you read. It's encouraging too! John Eldredge talks about how everyones walk with God is different and how you shouldn't compare your walk with someone elses. He also talks about how you have to have a conversational relationship with God. Man.... if you're looking for a good read that's uplifting, encouraging, and thought provoking you MUST get this book!

Woo Hoo for summer!

I am so excited my summer is finally beginning! I finished my psychology class with a big fat A! I am steadily on my way to a 4.0 baby! I really did love that class. I think I just love school all together! I'm still amazed at how much I love it. God really does have a sense of humor! LOL! There are so many things that I want to do in the next six weeks. It seems like there just isn't enough time to get it all done. I think this is where I'm supposed to prioritize or something like that ; ) Ahhhh..... whatever! : )

Politics

I have no shame in saying that I am NOT a supporter of Barack Obama. I think he is a phony and that he has the capabilities of destroying our nation. I think the article below says a lot!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080624/ap_on_el_pr/rel_dobson_obama

The Big 3-0

Today is officially The Big 3-0!!! You know, I was dreading it for a while.... but I woke up excited this morning! I think it's been a progressive decision to be excited. Today, I am officially a grown up! I love that I'm 30! Life is only going to get better from here. There is a diploma to get, a husband to find, a house to build, and lots of little rugrats to be born. There are lifetime acheivements to be made and a world to be changed!!! Watch out world.... HERE I COME!!!

I love being loved!

My family and my friends are absolutely amazing!!! They threw me a surprise 30th birthday party yesterday that just blew my mind. I can honestly say that I've never been so surprised in my life! Anyone who knows me knows that it's pretty much impossible to surprise me! I am so curious that I figure things out when I'm not even trying to. I had NO idea what I was in for yesterday! A friend of mine put it best when she said, "you guys did a great job! You know you did well when Nicole can't find words to speak!" LOL!

It's so hard to even begin to explain how loved I feel right now. It's this overwhelming feeling. I dont't even know how to explain it! I must admit I had some reservations about turning 30 tomorrow but those are ALL GONE now!! LOL! I'm really beginning to understand that it only get's better from here. There are so many things to accomplish in the next 10 years of my life.

Thank you SO much to everyone who made this happen. I feel so incredibly special! I'm not sure that I could ever do anything in return for any one of you to show you my appreciation! Each one of you really touched my heart! I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!!

Time goes by....

Man, it feels like it's just been a few years since I graduated high school and was off to explore the "real world". The reality is it's been almost 12 years since that day!!! I can't believe that 30 is staring me in the face.

Who knew that a number could present such mixed emotions. On one hand, there are so many things that I've not accomplished yet and I'm about to put 30 years behind me. On the other hand, it feels like life is just beginning! This still so much to see and do! I set out at 20 years old thinking I knew how life was going to go and what I was going to do but I only found out that God had other plans! He took me way out of my comfort zone to a city in the middle of nowhere to teach me social skills and to make some lifelong friends. Then i was able to realize my love of the outdoors while I worked at a camp and an outdoor school. After that, I was able to find a job that I loved (b/c who doesn't love coffee!) and use those skills as a volunteer at church. I was able to gain invaulable leadership skills and put them into practice under a skillfully guided hand! I have been able to heal old wounds with family and reconcile relationships that seemed lost for good. I lived in another nation on the other side of the world and deepened my relationship with God. There, i learned my purpose in life and found the desire to see it to fruition.
Man, the last 10 years of my life have been full of unexpected surprises, disappointments, successes and failures. It's been a ride I never could have planned for! I must say, I've loved every thing about the last 10 years. Granted there are moments I would NOT want to live over again! LOL! I know that the next decade is not in my hands (although some days I think it should be) and that whatever God has in store for me will be good! I can't wait to see what it holds!!!

New Toy!!!

I'm still learning how to use my new toy but here's what I've got so far...

The difference between men and women

Think about this..... When men do something (starting when they are little boys) it's all about comptetition. They need to be the best, the top dog. When women do something it's all about cooperation. They need to make sure no one gets their feelings hurt and everyone feels included. Interesting isn't it???

Raising Children

You know, being the oldest of four kids and growing up around kids of all ages, I thought I had a pretty good idea of what it was going to take to be a parent. I'm starting to figure out that the more I think I know..... I DON'T KNOW JACK! LOL! I'm just full of a lot of opinions that come from what I've seen and heard. There is so much to learn about the way that a child functions, reacts, thinks, behaves... and the list goes on! We've been studying Child Psychology in class for the last two days and there are so many things that you don't think about.
For example let's take the concept of spanking. (so controversial, I know!) There are so many simple ideas on this subject but "in the heat of the moment" they never cross your mind. (Disclaimer: I am in no way against spanking your children when needed.) If you spank your child everytime you go into the pantry to find that they have eaten all of the marshmallows out of the Lucky Charms cereal box and then turn around and spank your child for running into the street where there is oncoming traffic, what have you taught them? Essentially..... nothing. Obviously eating all the marshmallows out of the Lucky Charms box is no where near as life threatening as running into oncoming traffic! The child has to be able to distinguish between the different levels of punishment.
I, in no way, think that it could be "easy" to be a parent nor do I think that parents should be expected to be perfect. What I do think is that parents need to spend more time investing in their children. They need to find creative punishments that are effective with their child on their childs level of understanding. Every child has a different and unique way of learning, even when they are the same age. They are all different. (thank god!) If parents would take the time to get to know what makes their children tick and think ahead about discipline I think they would find a lot of relief in their own creativity!

Let the blogging begin....

Well, here it goes. The blogging has begun. It seems that this is the way to stay in touch without having to spend 3,000+ minutes on the phone everymonth sooooo..... I'm going to attempt to blog on a regular basis. Here is the first one so we'll see where it goes from here!