an answered prayer

2 and 1/2 years ago I surrendered my entire life over to Jesus.  Yes, I grew up in an amazingly christian home and served God most of my life BUT there was a time where I did turn my back for a little bit.  However, like the prodigal son I fell flat on my face and with the help of the prayers of my family .... I came back Home.  Since that time I have been asking God for some strong christian friends that I can hang out w/ and learn from.  Well Last night after a bible study that I go to, we made a fire and talked about about Jesus for hours.  As I was sitting there I realized that God had answered my prayer and I couldn't stop thanking Him for what He has given me.  I mean ... I have a bible study with amazing friends where we dig into the Word and just talk about scriptures and the meanings.  Could you ask for a better way to spend your night? God has provided more than just tuesday night .... I am lucky enough to have more nights that are similar.  PRAISE JESUS!  “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (Matthew 21:22)

work wedding

Last night I went to my co-workers daughter's wedding.  It was so fun to just hang out w/ all the girls from the office.  I'll tell one story!  If you know me .... you know that I hate being warm.  So as the room was starting to get really hot, I had to go get some ice cold water!  I'm not joking when I say that it was like a sauna in this reception hall.  On my way back from getting my water as an attempt to cool down something caught my eye!  The thermostat!!!!!  Now keep in mind I don't even know the bride and groom ..... I work with the bride's mother.  I went over to the thermostat and turned the air down .... way down LOL.  It made for a nice night ... and someone had to do it!  Anyways, here are some pics of the night!

  

Jen & Jen

I did not get the memo to wear black

Dance

I took tons of pics w/ Ursula trying to get her to smile .... this was the best I got

bye ;)

my favorites

COUSINS!!!

Zoey slept thru the whole thing

Isaac is over it

I have been waiting all summer for you

FALL!!!!  Ahhhhhhhhhhh, I love fall!!!!  It's so close now!  & you want to know why I am already ready?!?!  PUNKIN SPICE LATTES!!!!!  Seasons come & go .... and you can always count on Starbucks' seasonal flavors to let you know what's next!!!  I have to say that my favorite season is probably winter .... mostly because snowboarding is my absolute fav thing to do in the world!  And don't forget Peppermint White Mochas.  BUT a super close second is FALL ... especially in Michigan!!!  Oh my goodness .... the leaves changing, cider mills, pumpkins, football, sweatshirts, fun jackets, pretty walks, haunted houses, apple picking, apple cider, lil kids in fun costumes and of course Pumpkin Spice Lattes!  I LOVE IT!  Since I have taken this time to talk about 2 of the 4 seasons ..... let me just say that there is nothing good about summer and spring .... they give us allergies and hot sweaty weather!!!!  YUCK!  Bring on the cool weather ;)  I CAN'T WAIT!

a perfect example of a fun jacket I can't wait to wear!

me .... just doing what I love .... actually I think I'm falling LOL

525,600 minutes

Oh my goodness!!!!!  The last few months have been consumed with me looking for an apartment.  This takes a lot more work than I thought it would.  First let me say that the internet is a beautiful thing.  I mean I have always appreciated the internet .... but I never knew how much until I needed to shop for apartments.  It helps so much w/ narrowing down.  My first requirement for my new place of living - a washer and dryer in the unit!  Anyone who has lived in an apartment and has had to walk down the hall to do their laundry understands why this is so important!  That limits my search down like 80%.  After that I am pretty flexible. I mean I want central air, a dishwasher, and an oven just like everyone else .... but most places have stuff like that.  I have gone into so many different kinds of places .... small, big, cheap, expensive ... etc.  With all my searching I have come up with a pretty good place.  AND THE WINNER IS ... (sorry ... I had the apartments that I was moving into here .... but my aunt Linda loves me very much and does not want the whole world knowing where I live!).  It's not official, but its definitely in the lead.  Unless I find a place thats just as nice for as cheap of a price, I will be applying to live there in the next week.

every 4-6 weeks

A lil while ago my bestfriend got married and moved to Florida!  Altho I hate that she has left me, she is super happy ...  So that makes me happy!  If anyone knows Michaelin ... you know she makes things happen!!!!  She has arranged w/ her job here in Michigan to come home every 4-6 weeks and work a crazy weekend w/ 12 hour days!!!  The best thing about it .... I get to see my Mikes basically once a month!!  She leaves tomorrow :( but today was my day :)  We went to church, then to the Tigers game w/ Keri, shopping of course, pinochle w/ her parents, PF Changs for dinner (no shock there), and then a movie w/ her cousins!  What more could you ask for in a day ;)  Here are some pics at the game!

Psalm 39:7

But now, Lord, what do I wait for?  All my hope is in you. 

I'm an aunt ... again!

Zoey Loren Bunk

She's showing that she's Eastside Elite.

Isaac meeting his new lil sis.

I finally made it!

REST

Psalm 62:1&2

My soul finds rest in God alone; 

my salvation comes from him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation; 

he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

Arizona is lucky too!

Yesterday after work all the girls from Dr Bs went to Fishbones to say goodbye to Amanda!  I have been at my doctors office for 2 years now ..... and I can honestly say ... it just wont be the same w/o her!  She is leaving us for Arizona!  It's beyond my comprehension why anyone would go to a hotter climate ..... but she is super excited!  I'm happy for her ..... but she will be super missed!  I didn't take any pictures yesterday ..... so here are some other ones of us!  

We took so many pictures this day ..... it was ridiculous! 

haha we couldn't stop laughing everytime we looked at this picture .... she is so 'special'

Ok .... at this point we were just running out of ideas!

JJ Heller

New York is so Lucky!

Keri already posted a few pictures of Val's going away party .... but I feel as tho I need to post a blog about Val leaving us!!!  She is moving to New York for 5 weeks ... that may not sound like a long time ... but trust me .... it is!!!  I love you Val ... keep me posted ;)

The Captain & MC

Yesterday afternoon I got my first massage ever at Saks Fifth Avenue! Christie and I decided to make a day of it ;) Shopping, dinner, and a massage!!!! I have to say .... at first the thought of someone rubbing my feet did not sound appealing (I was fine w/ everything else). BUT now that everything is said and done .... I loved it! So relaxing! Thanks MC ;)

They are SO cute

WEll it's been a few days since I have posted a new blog ...  Having last week off work made blogging much MUCH easier!  SOMETIMES I get a lil lucky and have some time to shoot out a quick post ;)  I really like posting when I have fun PICTURES to go w/ my stories ..... however, I do not have a camera crew following me around documenting my life!  AND most of the pictures I take are of my nephew and niece!  I NEED my own children HAHA .... but until then .... these kids will do ;)

 

Perfect

Matthew 5:48 (NIV)

"Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

I Love Sundays

Ok .... so Keri and Alina were over today .... and as always Alina was smiling and laughing the whole time.  I tried to catch some of it on video, but every time I took my camera out Alina got so distracted.  I have never met a more nosey lil girl ;)  Anyways .... here is one of the videos ....

Oh and ...... yesterday was my parents wedding anniversary (thank you Aunt Linda for the reminder ;)  Right now mom & dad are in Romania on one of their many mission trips!  ~~~I love you two and am so proud of you!  You are in my prayers ;)  

Happy Birthday Li

"where I land"

One of my favorite artists in the world is JJ Heller.   I was listening to her music this morning during my devotions and the lyrics to one her the songs stood out to me ...

And I am lost for words

You’re more than I deserve

And when I cannot stand

You are where I land

This describes perfectly how I have felt the last few days ... weeks .... months ... years!  I am so thankful for God's grace on my life that I cannot even describe it!  No matter what I go thru and no matter how hard it is .... when I fall .... He is "where I land"

First things first ...

Today I should be in Chicago!  I have the week off work so my friend and I planned a two night trip to The Windy City .  It got cancelled a few days ago when her boyfriends grandma passed away and she needed to be here for him.  We of course are in the process of planning a different time to go, but in the meantime I need to keep busy!  I enjoyed rollerblading so much last night that I decided to go again today!  It's very different starting off rollerblading at an apartment complex on the second floor as opposed to the house on Brookshire, but I manage.  Another good thing about not being in Chicago .... Tonight I get to go to my brothers and friends soccer game and then to dinner to catch up with an old friend ;)

BUT first things first ......

Look at me go!

OK .... 

I just got home from rollerblading and the first thing I did was go on blogger.com to see what my sisters, family and friends have posted for today! I love it! Sooooo ... since I pretty much go to this site everyday ... I decided to create my own blog. I wanted my first post to be a super good one! I don't know what really qualifies as a good post .... but I thought pictures would be a good idea! After I decided this I realized that I do not have any recent pictures! So instead of pictures of me ..... here are pics of some of the kids that bring so much joy to my life!