Bronner's Christmas Lights

Every year my entire family goes to Frankenmuth for the night.  It is honestly one of my favorite times of the year.  Last year when we went we were feeling pretty goofy and took some crazy pictures (ok ... so we take silly pictures every year).  I kept joking w/ my family about sending Lance a picture of me in this gift and giving it to him (we were in the beginning stages of "us").  Keri took the picture and the plan was set in motion .... and by 'set in motion' I mean just taking it and doing nothing.  Well who would have known that the very next year Lance would come w/ the family as my fiance.  We had to celebrate by making him take the exact same picture.  He is such a good sport!  I got a good one ;)

The Story

My brother Tommy (keeping me in check) reminded me that I need to start blogging again!  I agreed.  LANCE AND I ARE ENGAGED.  Ok anyone that reads my blog probably already know this .... but do you know how he popped the BIG QUESTION ......

I got home from the Sancrant wedding at about 11:30pm on Sunday night.  On my counter was a mystery letter from Lance explaining that we were going to have a BIG day the next day (Labor Day).  So even tho I was pretty tired he needed me to do a few things before I went to bed that night (for example: charge my digital camera & ipods ... etc.).  He was at my house by 6:30am on Monday.  While I finished getting ready, he made breakfast ;)  Then we headed to the surprise destination: Chicago.  Our first stop was lunch at Uncommon Ground, a cute lil organic restaurant just outside of the city.  After some amazing food and a latte we headed into the Windy City. We took our car to valet and took taxis all around all day.  First stop was Millinnium & Grand Park.  Then we headed to Willis Tower (Sears Tower) to the 103 floor to look over the city.  They created a new deck where it is glass above, below and all around you.  It was exciting and scary ;)  Next on the agenda was a LOT of walking & shopping!  My feet started to hurt so we OF COURSE had to go shoe shopping!  We also went to a couple more parks and 2 coffee bars (Intelligentsia and Whispers).  Later was a romantic dinner at Bijans Bistro.  We ended the night with going to the Navy Pier.  We walked along the water as to avoid too many people.  As the sun was setting Lance sat me on a bench and got on his knees.  AHHHHHHHH and popped the BIG question.  My answer was a silly grin until he reminded me I had to actually give him a verbal answer.  It was perfect.  I had the Chicago skyline on my left, Lake Michigan on my right and my love in front of me.   

celebrate today!

I KNOW IT'S BEEN FOREVER .... BUT TODAY IS A SUPER SPECIAL DAY FOR ME.  EXACTLY ONE YEAR AGO I MET MY LOVE.  IT HAS BEEN AN AMAZING YEAR.  .... from first meeting to first dating to the first kiss to the first fight to meeting the family to SO MUCH MORE.  I'm so glad that I waited (maybe not as patiently as I should have) for God to send me the right man!  Happy Jeni and Lance day ;)  I hope you all enjoy it!

to romania ~

DAD ~ I don't know what I did to deserve the most amazing dad in the world.  You have taught me how to live a life for Jesus through biblical teachings and through example.  I am the luckiest girl to have such a strong and caring father. I am so proud of all the decisions you have made in your life for our family.  I love you so much ... & can't wait till you get home from Romania.  You are in my prayers!  HAPPY FATHER'S DAY.

current events

Last friday I went to my very first graduation for homeschoolers (I forget the official name ;)  It was actually pretty cool.  The class was small enough that the parents got to give the diploma to their children and say a little something nice.  It made it way more personal.  It was also very fun hanging out w/ Lance's family & sneaking up to the front to get pictures of Suzanne ;)  Congratulations!!!!

Last Saturday I headed to C.J. Barrymores for a cousin night.  WOW .... I have not been there for years .... but I have to say I had a blast!!!!  We did the batting cages, go-karts, bumper boats, and the driving range.  We ended the night at Sonic!!!!!!!  Thank you Sarah for setting this amazingly fun night up! 

Also this past weekend my lovely friends got engaged!  I'm so happy for you Steve & Sarah!

What a GREAT weekend.

my 'Newton' girls

Yesterday we went out to eat then back to the Sheerer's house for Keri's birthday.  Tommy made an amazing cake (that he should totally enter into a contest) & we opened gifts.  I would say it was a very nice night.  I think it's so funny that when I look at all the pictures I took for the night I have 103 of the babies and maybe one or two of lance.  When their are kids around is there some type of gravitational pull from your camera to them????

how do ppl make it in life w/o sisters

KERI ~  I know tomorrow is your birthday .... but I don't know if I will be home all day ;)  So here is my wonderful post in honor of you!

A FEW THINGS YOU WILL LOVE ABOUT KER

amazing woman of God

caring mother

faithful wife

an incredible sister

A FEW THINGS YOU MIGHT LOVE ABOUT KER

very sneaky

pretty blunt

super competitive

breaks tension w/ 'too soon' jokes

I LOVE YOU SISTER

wings

my other sister

My other sister Mikes had her wedding shower today!!!!!!  Last year I flew down to Florida to watch Michaelin and Remy get married on the sunny beach!  They never had a shower or ceremony in Michigan, so some of the ladies from the church wanted to bless them.  The shower was beautiful (it was decorated w/ lights and everything) and everyone had a wonderful time.  Mikes even cried a couple times LOL ... it could have something to do w/ the baby on the way ;)  I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!

a picture of mikes, remy & baby

it's not midnight yet

My brother Chris is TOO MANY things.  He is an amazing dad.  He is the ONLY man perfect for my sister.  He is the hardest worker I know.  He has helped me out so MANY times I can't even think of them all.  He does not care AT ALL what people think of him.  He is hilarious.  He is so generous in so many areas.  He will tell you the FACTS about anything (even if he doesn't really know).  & finally HE LOVES THE LORD W/ ALL HIS HEART.  Happy birthday bro ... love ya ;)

who will sign?

I want to start a petition that bands all feeding of birds off of your balcony in an apartment complex.  If you have you're own home ... please feel free to feed all the birds you want.  However ... every time I leave my apt. there is bird droppings everywhere.  & When I go for a run .... I have to literally dodge the crap on the ground (and sometimes I have to dodge the actual BIRDS).  At first I just thought that maybe the birds like the ponds around my apt. complex .... BUT then I found the culprit.  She lives a few doors down from me and was feeding the birds bread off her balcony.  It seriously was ridiculous how many birds were around our place.  Put aside the fact that I hate birds and I KNOW they are out to get me, Let's think of our shoes!!!!  Who seriously wants to go outside and step in junk?  NOT ME.  I have decided to start a petition to stop this insanity!  Please support my cause!

bragging rights

I feel like every single blog I post is either about Lance or my nieces and nephew.  However, I can't stop ;)  So here is yet ANOTHER post bragging on my favorite boy!  First I'll start by saying he planned the perfect birthday date!  We went to my favorite place to eat ... mongo, then to Kart to Kart which was my first time going (sooooooo FUN), then off to Romeo (yes, Romeo) to their high school to see High School Musical ;), we ended the night w/ a movie.  He knows me so well!  The next day was mother's day so we had a bbq over Chris and Lori's house.  Lance watched the kids so that all the moms could eat first.  WOW I HAVEN'T EVEN GOTTEN TO THE PART WHERE I BRAG ON HIM. ... here it is.  I wasn't feeling good yesterday and called Lance to complain about it.  When I got off work he was at our friends house about to start a bible study, so I headed home.  I walked in my apt. to find that he had cleaned the entire place (he came straight to my place after work to surprise me) ... which included dishes, taking out the trash, straightening the place, he made a pot of coffee for me & left on my table a bouquet of flowers (Iris ... my fav. ... and daises because the Irises would not bloom for a couple days) w/ a note that made me melt ;)  I am so lucky!  Sorry I talk about Lance so much on my blog ... but I have waited a long time for him :)

Ready to Kart it up

Lance w/ the kids ... look at Alina lol .... is she a model posing for this picture???? ... and Isaac .... is it nap time????

you see the ribbon ... right?!?!?

It's been a pretty long running joke in our family that I NEVER wrap my gifts to people.  Whether it's birthdays, Christmas, or special days, I just never get around to actually wrapping the gift.  Usually they will get the gift in the bag I bought it in or if they are super lucky ... a gift bag.  One time Lance said it was kinda cool that I had my own thing, but then took it back and said lazy cannot be my thing LOL.  Now, I know that I am not making myself look amazing right now and that this is not a good trait for me to be posting on my blog ... but I have to give a little background before I can brag on Lance.  He bought me 2 cards for my birthday and just LOOK at that wrapping job!!!!!!! 

Oh & and I just wanted to thank Lori, Keri & Aunt Linda for the wonderful posts in honor of my birthday!  I love you!

fun in the sun

rollerblading

found a lake by the skate park

enjoying the view

he is so handsome ...

... & a dork ;)

the rules

When Lance and I went to John King's Books, I bought a book 'Billy Graham Speaks!'.  It's quotes, thoughts and excepts from Billy Graham.  It's pretty amazing.  Here is a lil preview ...

RULES FOR CHRISTIAN LIFE

The Christian life carries with it grave responsibilities which cannot be met without following certain rules.

First:  You should read your Bible daily.

Second:  Learn the secret prayer.

Third:  Rely constantly on the Holy Spirit.

Fourth:  Attend church regularly. 

Fifth:  Be a witnessing Christian.

Sixth:  Let love be the ruling principle of your life.

Seventh:  Be an obedient Christian.

Eighth:  Learn how to meet temptation.

Ninth:  Be a wholesome Christian.

Tenth:  Live above your circumstances.

that IS funny

what a weekend!

I had so much going on last weekend I barely had any time to think ... let alone blog.  So here it is in a nutshell.  Friday night Sarah, Lance and I went to the Piston's game.  My cuz got some sweet suite tickets from her work.  It was amazing!  Sat morning I had the Spring Tea at my church w/ the ladies.  Then the rest of Sat I took Lance out for his birthday.  I took him to the largest used bookstore in MI (he loved it).  Then to Royal Oak for the Inn Season Cafe and of course coffee and walking around after.  Sunday (lance's actual birthday) we went out to eat after church then right to Nikki and Steves.  About a year ago Lance and Steve made a pack to play chess at 2pm on Lance's birthday at the bog ... and they kept that promise (even if it did mean playing in mud (literally).  Lastly Lance and I ended the weekend w/ a movie.  So there it is .... and here are some pictures ....

swing swing swing

I babysat Alina last weekend ..... it was such a nice day we had to go to the park.  Want to know a lil fact about my beautiful niece? .............. she LOVES swings ;)

Celebrate Earth Day

"You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you." (Nehemiah 9:6)

Not 17 AGAIN

Lance and I went to see the movie 17 AGAIN tonight ... it was super cute.  Afterwards it sparked up a conversation between us.  He asked if I could go back and be 17 would I do it all over again.  My answer w/o even thinking was "heck no."  I love my life .... and altho there are regrets that are in my past ... it brought me to where I am today.  When I asked him the same question .... his answer ... "yes, I would go back and find you to keep you out of trouble." :)

babysitting the bunks

don't you love this smile?

Isaac loves puzzles .... seriously

so beautiful

we had to go for a walk

went to lunch w/ lori 

Happy Birthday Brother

Top 10 reasons I love my brother.

1. He loves the Lord w/ all his heart.

2. He is a good husband.

3. He would do anything for his lil girl.

4. He loves to goof around.

5. He is amused by almost anything.

6. He loves to be active

7. He is pretty much up for anything.

8. He will put you in your place.

9. He is very mischievous.

10. He has the most amazing sis, ME ;)

I would like you to meet ...

my early birthday gift from lance!  my new phone ... The Memoir.

April Aspirations

Last night Lance and I went to Caribou Coffee.  We sat outside w/ our coffee (Coffee Cooler for Lance and a Northern Lite Turtle Latte for me ;) and notepad and pen.  We both wrote down all our goals for this month .... his list had 12 things on it ... mine had 9.  Both of us are pretty big procrastinators .... so we thought this would be a good chance for us to get on each others "case" and actually get things done.  #8 on my list is 'memorize Lance's phone number' LOL  He does not like the fact that I don't remember ANYTHING.  Everything is in my phone!  Phone #'s, birthdays, anniversaries, etc...   Every time he asks me something I say "it's in my phone"  Last night he said he is going to burn my phone.  Hence #8 ;)  

babysitting

looking at the ducks in the pond

don't be mad Keri ... she loved it

down time

who wouldn't want to see this face every morning

Isaac's 3 .... sorry I couldn't get it on here earlier

ANOTHER party in celebration of LORI

Tonight a bunch of girls went to paint pottery for Lori's 30th birthday!  I have to admit ... at first I was skeptical at how fun this would or would not be ..... BUT I have to say .... I had a blast!  I'm already trying to talk Lance into taking me there another day so we can do it together (LOL good luck to me).  Good job Angela .... and great idea!  I LOVE YOU LORI ... HAPPY BIRTHDAY! .... and you are done for this year .... no more celebrating your birthday until next year!

The Task

 "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." Acts 20:24

All kinds of weather We stick together The same in the rain or sun

Sisters is probably the most competitive relationship within the family, but once the sisters are grown, it becomes the strongest relationship.
-- Margaret Mead

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LORI!  I AM SO LUCKY TO HAVE SUCH AN AMAZING WOMAN OF GOD FOR MY SISTER!  THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS BEING SUCH A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE!  I LOVE YOU AND THANK GOD EVERYDAY FOR YOU!  

looks pretty good to me

Cloudy

Feels Like:

46°

Barometer:

29.79 in and rising

Humidity:

76%

Visibility:

Unlimited

Dewpoint:

39°

Wind:

S 12 mph

Sunrise:

7:00 am

Sunset:

6:27 pm

46°

High: 47° Low: 45°

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TONIGHT	TOMORROW	SAT	SUN	MON	6-10 DAY
Showers/Wind Late	AM Clouds/PM Sun	Rain/Thunder	Rain	Cloudy	Extended Forecast
High: 47° Low: 45°	High: 58° Low: 35°	High: 51° Low: 43°	High: 47° Low: 34°	High: 41° Low: 30°

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fire

Happy Birthday MC

10 reasons i love my mc.

1. we have the best traditions 
2. she is always there for me
3. she has funny stories
4. we could talk for hours
5. we love our walks

i am so lucky

6. we have really cool nicknames

7. she always lets me drive

8. she is my personal organizer

9. she has an amazing heart

10. she is my BESTFRIEND

i love you