for the books.

What goes up most come down... right?

So.. does this also mean that when everything in your life is going so amazingly-wonderfully-perfectly well that the only direction things can go from there is... down?

Well, from my own personal experience in the past week I have gathered my own answer to this question. And my answer is a RESOUNDING "yup!"

People, its been a week for the books. I'm not kidding.

I am happy to tell ya'll that at this point I am sitting at my parents home (aka: home sweet home) in the beautiful Bellevue Nebraska (theres no place like it). I am sitting in the living room on the floor as I blog (something I dont do enough of these days) and I am giggling to myself as I look back on the past 7 days. all of that to say that I am not upset anymore about my horrible luck that has occured but instead I find it nothing short of amusing. Allow me to share.

(ps: this may be a long blog so feel free to take a second to get yourself a refreshment and make yourself comfy)

It all started Friday night when my cousin Doug brought his son (and my 2nd cousin) Noah over to my apartment. I had spent about a week with my sister and we had come up with an idea to get a feather extension in our hair together when I came home this weekend, which we were really excited about. Brad and Brit were in town for camp and had decided to stay an extra night with me before heading home Saturday. Noah came over and I made dinner and pie while we waited for Brandon to join us a little later on. When Doug dropped Noah off he shared with me that Grace (my new church yo)'s vbs was this week and they needed a preschool teacher, I told him I would be thrilled! So, monday- wednesday I would be at Grace teaching the preschool class from 6-9. Monday night came and I drove to Spring Hill and enjoyed a wonderful night with the kiddos (so stinkin cute) then came home around 10 o clock only to come face to face with my FIRST weekly dilemma ---- no parking.

This is a problem I run into most nights when I get home late. The parking at my apartment complex sucks and lets just say my car was parked in an area that it wasnt allowed. And thats all I want to say about that. I went inside, showered and laid down in my bed, had a great nights sleep and then at 5:45 when my alarm went off I rolled out of bed (must have been on the wrong side) and got ready for my day of "Emory and Hayden". At 6:45 I walked out of my apartment and headed towards my car only to find an empty spot where my "lucy" was left.

yup. my car was gone.

Can I just take a moment to say there is not a worse feeling then your car being gone and having no idea where it is. I called Shauna (aka: boss... aka: life saver) and she came and got me... to make a long story short. I got towed. By a place called Pro-Tow (I HATE YOU). and it cost me a whopping 240 dollars to get my 1997 rusty and dented Chevy Cavalier back. Ugh. At this point the only thing I was looking forward to was my "feather" I would get over the weekend.

TUESDAY NIGHT

Even with this happening I still made it to VBS on Tuesday (be impressed). Came home tuesday night and parked in a LEGIT parking spot. Went inside, showered and laid down...

"ahhhh, the worst day is over.. I made it... took care of everything without crying and without the help of mommy and daddy.... ahhhhhhhh" Then I fell asleep and the worst day ever was over...... until it carried over into wednesday.

WEDNESDAY MORNING (SOOOO EARLY)

At 12:45 I woke up and had this EXTREME tightness and weighty-ness (its a word) on my chest. Couldnt breathe, tried stretching.. didnt work... finally I decided to take a walk... (yup, at 12:45) I walked from room to room in my apartment humming to myself trying to get myself to calm down with the thought of being home in a few days with an adorable feather in my hair. ha.

the shortness of breath only lasted 3 minutes and then it felt better so I laid back down and tried to sleep... as soon as I laid down it started AGAIN... this went on for an hour. I slept HORRIBLE. 5:45 am came again and I got ready for my day and was happy to find Lucy where I had left her.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT:

During Vbs (which was so fun) we have games outside, I was sitting in the lawn with some teens and playing with the kiddos when I felt something bite my hip! nothing other than a TICK. gross and ouch. Got it removed but couldnt help but think the universe might just be rallying against me at this point... (something I'm dramatic) (feather... feather... feather...)

THURSDAY:

I had planned on going home on this day to see the Dean Family for Davids graduation and see my parents! And because of all the flooding I knew that it would take 4-5 hours to get home vs the usual 3... (i dont look at the flooding as a bad part of my week since there are people loosing their homes to the flood where as I just had to sit in my car for an extra 2 hours). I got off work early in hopes that I would make it to Omaha with plenty of time to see DAvid and Jozette before they had to leave for DAvids graduation. Got in my car and headed to st joseph missouri! I had gas in my car... not a lot... and by "not a lot" what I really mean is "not enough". yup. Im a good 4 miles from St joe when I RUN OUT OF GAS.

my thoughts were as follows:

"are you kidding me?!?!?! (insert whining/grunting noise) Okay, think... there is no one to call.. you cant tell mom and dad they will only worry and theres nothing they can do..... what are you going to do brooke?!! Walk 4 miles to a gas station? ugh, that'll take too much time... what else.... hmmmm.... NO, too dangerous!"

AT this point I had the good angel and bad angel on my shoulders. Lets call the good angel Chloe and my inner rebellion Max... this was the conversation..

Chloe: Brook, dont even think about it! Its so dangerous!

Max: You'll be fine Brooke, you have always wanted to do it... just do it.

Chloe: Its foolish

Max: Its thrilling.

Chloe: There are crazy people out there

Max: Nothing bad will happen

Chloe: Call your parents

Max: This is the best option.

Chloe: dont do it.

Max: Just start walking and whats the big deal if you stick your thumb out.

Crap.. Max won. I hitch-hiked (i know, dont hate me)

I got out of Lucy and stood by the hood of my car and stuck my thumb out waiting for something to help me. Let me tell you this much... I had barely put my thumb out when a man pulled over in a truck and offered to help. I asked for a ride up the road to a gas station and he was so nice to help me out (thank you Gary).

I'll spare you the part where he had to move his gun off the front seat for me to sit down, or his issues with his 18 year old daughter that he said I reminded him of... I'll just keep those details out and tell you that he helped me and I got gas in my car and made it to Omaha SAFE and SOUND!

Driving down the highway in the beautiful weather with my windows down and looking out at the beautiful feilds with the summer air fresh in my lungs I couldnt help but think "ahhh, this week was so horrible but now its over and I'm almost home.... ahhh, home. And tomorrow I'm going with my sister to get a feather extension (soooo ca-ute)... this weekend is here...." my thoughts were interrupted by my phone ringing with a text from my mom:

"HEy sis, the hair place just called... they are out of feathers"

i need thee.

I have been living in Overland Park for almost a month now.

so.unreal.

Here are a few things I have learned...

1) I NEVER drink milk. I have already thrown out almost a whole 1/2 gallon.

(haha... that sounded funny in my head)

2) I LOOOVE decorating. I cant wait till every room looks (as patty Jareo put it, "Brookified")

3) Emory and Hayden attach to new people VERY well, for this I'm so glad... I am greeted by a smiling and laughing little Emory every morning... this is so great.

4) I can make a MEAN quiche!

5) If I make two quiches, they will last me a week as far as dinners go... this is AFTER my brother has had a few slices of his own.

6) there are very little things better than living 10 minutes away from my best friend.

7) I dont require a lot of food... and surprisingly.. I'm a fan on Ramen noodles.

8) fish are good company.

9) I am quite brave when it comes to being alone.

10) I NEVER use my air conditioner (did you hear that nish?!) first utility bill: $10.25. holla!

11) cable was a good investment for me.

AND LAST but not LEAST....

12) there is no place like home. No place like Heritage Hill. No.stinking.place.

So far sundays have been the hardest days as far as getting a little sad and homesick. Dont get me wrong, Olathe has AMAZING churches and I'm looking f

orward to finding a new church home! However... There is not a Pastor Dave there who sits in the front row, whom I have grown sooo accustomed to his "mmhmmms" and "yes, thats right" in response to the pastor. There is not a Pastor Ray who not only brings the gospel to you in a whole new way but does it while making you giggle and look at a story in a whole new way.

There is not a Matt and Marche sitting to my left making faces at me and dancing in a goofy way during worship. There is not a precious Michelle sitting next to me belting out every worship song. My mom cant sit by me. There is no Cheri to walk up and ask me "hows it goin!?!"

I didnt go to church yesterday.... I know... shame on me. I promise I'll find a church. I promise Mom :)

Its. just.kinda.hard.

So many things I miss. I think what I miss most of all is that there is not an adorable and nearly perfect little Korean boy running up to me after service to ask for gum or candy.... gosh I miss that perfect, sweet, hysterical little boy.

Anyways... back to yesterday... I didnt go to church but I did wake up and do my morning devotions (something that has quickly become the "norm" of my morning routine... followed by an egg and cheese tortilla... not kidding, I do this and eat this almost e

very morning). So as the afternoon rolled on and passed by I found myself plopped on my couch catching up with all the things I had dvr'd thru the week. When all the sudden I was overwhelmed with missing home. Missing church. I knew that my family was probably just finished sunday dinner, no doubt had laughed and chatted thru the meal. And here I was, on my couch... catching up on the housewives of orange county and instead of a delish meal with the family I was staring at this:

not complaining, it was good :) ha.

Can I also just say that I have been fine and LOVED living here. I have friends here and I'm busy and I dont eat like this everyday! :) Sundays are just a hard day... which I think if I average one hard day a week for awhile during this whole transition then I'm doing pretty darn good. :)

anyways... here I am. with my bowl o' noodles and my favorite green blanket when I just start to cry. ha. dont cha looove being a girl?!?

i got off the couch. turned off my tv and walked over to my piano. And guess what?! The Lord showed up. My buddy. My friend. My room mate. My comforter. I started to sing songs like...

"I know you are for me, I know you will never forsake me in my weakness."

"You're not alone, for I am here, Let me wipe away your every tear. My love, I've never left your side and I have seen you thru the darkest night and I'm the one whose loved you all your life."

"You dance over me while I am unaware."

So stinking good to be comforted by the ultimate comforter. There is no one better. Although a conversation with mom is so satisfying it is so small in comparison to the peace the Father offers in times of change, fear, anxiety or even, dare I say it... loneliness. I woke up and did devos this morning, had my breakfast and made it to work. Checked my email and found a message from my best friend Brit and in it she put the hymn "i need thee".

Let me leave you with these PRECIOUS words. I hope they encourage you as much as they did me!

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;

No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;

Every hour I need Thee;

Oh, bless me now, my Savior,

I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;

Temptations lose their pow’r when Thou art nigh.

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;

Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.

I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;

And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.

I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;

Oh, make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son.

I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;

Every hour I need Thee;

Oh, Bless me now, my Savior,

I come to Thee.

all my women, who independent...

Hey all.. its been too long.I have missed you just as much as you've missed me! :)

So sorry its been so long.

It.will.never.happen.again. :)

I am currently sitting in Olathe/Overland Park Kansas.

(I am still uncertain where Olathe ends and Overland Park begins).

I am at starbucks and its a tad chilly out.

I'm drinking green tea.. (delish).

I have come to Starbucks for their free wi-fi.

I wonder how many people think I am working on homework.... anyways!

Its been a very busy few weeks.... let me re-cap rathe quickly!

On April 30th I moved from beloved Omaha NE to my new home - Overland Park Kansas!

I am posting pictures on facebook of my new place but allow me to show you my favorite room:

I promise its more "roomy" than it appears here. this is my walk-in closet. its beautiful.

love love love.

Back to April 30th. I got all moved in with the help of the following:

mom.dad.brit.brandon.harrison.jess.brian.aunt gayle. uncle steve.

Thanks people :)

My parents stayed with me Friday night and we got ALL unpacked.

You heard me.

when I laid my head down Friday night there was not a SINGLE box in my apartment.

un-freaking-believable.

Saturday morning we woke up, had coffee and made some eggs and then mom and I hung stuff on the walls.

A little lunch at Chick-filet....

(i have only eaten there twice so far... my jeans are thankful)

And then my parents left :)

I went grocery shopping and then had some friends over for dinner and a movie!

Sunday was church and then I had another friend over!

Work started on Monday and it has been so amazing. I'm so thankful :)

Little Emory and Hayden are so precious and have adjusted SO well!

I have a new nickname... "boo".

Who would've thought that "brooke" is so hard for little kiddos to say!?

the week flew by between work all day and play all night then the weekend was here again!

My best friend Jess graduated with her masters degree in counseling on Saturday so Saturday morning I met her family and our other bestie, Kel, at the church and watched her graduate!

(soooo proud).

then Lunch with her whole fam-damily :)

by the time I got home from that my parents were back in town and at my place!

Brandon graduated on Sunday from MidAmerica with a Biology degree!

So weird ... and awesome.

Saturday was also Brad's birthday so we all went to Baccaluerette (i'll never remember how to spell that word) and then over to Aunties house to grill out and have cake! :)

Sunday was church, lunch and graduation followed by quick dinner and graduation party.

whew. Im tired just from typing all of that!

it was so fun to be with all the family. they are the best. :) heres one of my favorite pics from the weekend!

SO fun and sweet! :)

So, that was week numero uno. :)

Week two wasnt nearly as eventful :)

Just working by day and hanging out by night :)

I have been able to spend time with some people I have REALLY missed though :)

such as: jess and Brian! :) and nicky-poo just to name a few! :)

More blogs to come, sorry this was just a catching up blog! There will be much more fun ones to come! :) promise!

On a final note : i have had a boy staying with me all week in my apartment.

Chill-ax people... he is a fish.

and we have grown quite fond of one another.

He belongs to my good friend Harrison.

I love HArrison.

Harrison is a very nice and funny boy who often says inappropriate things.. and i like that.

He has a fish that he has owned for 2 years. (I have learned that this is an eternity when it comes to the beta).

Harrison left me in charge of Tesla the fish for the week.

I have so enjoyed the company and its made me consider getting a pet of my own. (a fish. I could never own a dog by myself).

here is Tesla after our morning devotions this morning....

that's all for now folks :) lata.

its the final countdown!

hey all :)

The count down is coming to a close!

We are looking at 2 days and 3 nights before I'm laying my head down to sleep in Olathe Kansas.

Soooo weird to think a week from today I'll have finished my first day of work with little Emery and Hayden!

Ah! Im excited!!!

Easter weekend was so much fun! I love having all of my family together :)

Here we are :)

So fun to have everyone together :)

And to think that in two weeks brandon graduates from MNU.. SO CRAZY!

Its going to be fun having my parents come stay with me and in my new place... and spend time with even more family :)

Ugh... family.. I cant get enough of this! :)

Other than celebrating the wonderful Easter season I havent had much to do. Most of my packing is completed :). Aaaaaaand as of about 2 hours ago my LAST project was completed!

I'm starting to get so excited about getting moved in, painting, organizing... :) ugh. so stinking fun!

Okay.. so I want to tell ya'll about my latest project....

I had a vision of what I wanted my living room to look like and it involved one of these:

However.. this cost at LEAST 75 dollars. And by now you all know me... NOT a money spender. Especially when I think I can make it. ha.

So.. this is what I had to work with:

this is the coffee table that came with the end tables and sofa table that an old family friend gave to me. here is the beginning on the priming/painting process :)... and here is the end result... little wooden board, some padding, fabric, stable gun. thread and some buttons and voila!

I looo-hooove the way it turned out, but I'm already contemplating changing the fabric to something brighter and more fun! I guess we will just see once I get moved in and settled, then I can change whatever I want :)

I see a lot of "projects" in my future :) so fun!

so.. grand total for this beauty:

wooden board : $10.

Fabric: $2.00 (clearance at Walmart)

buttons, thread and tufting needle: $8

padding: $6.00

GRAND TOTAL: $26.00!!!

not to shabby! :)

Last day with one of my nanny families today.. bittersweet.. reality is hitting me that I'm leaving omaha and headed to a new life... (luckily ONLY 3 hours away!)

Tomorrow is work with the Deans then church... final packing tomorrow night.

Thursday is work and then packing the trailer Thursday night then Friday morning I hit the ROAD!!!

Heaven help me!

buh-lessed.

BLESSED PEOPLE.... thats what I am.

I gotta say that as I sit on my couch in the basement of my parents house, with my cute gray sweater/dress on and my beloved jesus sandals that I have been dying to wear for about a year now (seeing as how I bought them RIGHT as it started to get cold last year.. go ahead and adore....), watching Valentines Day, I cant help but think I am one word: blessed.

I'm surrounded by boxes of all the things I've accumulated over the last 4 years for my soon to be apartment, realizing that there is very little I "need" to make myself a home... this equals blessed.

I have an apartment waiting for me to move into: blessed.

I have an adorable little girl and boy waiting for me to move to Olathe so I can spend my days playing and reading and taking walks and going to the park: blessed.

I have best friend(s) that know me better than I know myself. (Jess, Kel, Les, Br

it and Nish): blessed.

I have wonderful people in my life: blessed.

AND.... I got to welcome the most precious little girl into the state of Nebraska last thursday.

uuugh: buh-lessed!

Let me explain: There is a man in my life named Josh.

Josh is wonderful. hilarious. sweet. kind. witty. smart. the love of my life. he is my little man. So stinking adorable. He calls me auntie B. I have a very special relationship with this little guy. His parents are like family to me. I adore them. On Thursday they added another to the family :) Sweet, precious, little Jazmine. and I got to be at the airport as scott and Kim came off of the plane to be reunited with Josh and F

INALLY have the whole family together. Let me take a second to introduce to ya'll... Jazzy Girl.

I LOOOVED being able to be the selected person to be there to photograph Jazzy girls homecoming :) And to finally see this beautiful family of 4 reunited :)

I was also at the airport when Josh came home and it was an experience I'll never forget.

Jaz was at church today and what a precious little girl she is. I cant wait to love on her and spoil her rotten... it will be a little harder than it was with Josh since I'm living three hours away... but I see many visits, gifts and loving going on between me and Jaz in the years to come :)

Lots of change coming my way... life is a' happenin' quickly...

but today I gotta say...

I'm feelin blessed :)

MY NEW LOVE!

I am so excited about what I'm about to talk about.

this is stinkin' wonderful!

allow me to give you a quick-back-story before revealing...

So, I have this incredible desire to be thrifty and crafty.

I want to be able to create and makes things that are not only appealing to the eye.. but easy on the wallet... you picking up what I'm dropping?

So.... with the "project" of my own apartment in mind,

I have been digging deep within to scrape up every thrifty/crafty/creative muscle I have.

(did that sentence make sense?)

Anyways...

I would love to know how to sew..

however.

I have no sewing machine.

and they ain't cheap.

Well, since my whole goal is to not spend money then it doesnt make a lot of sense to go and buy a sewing machine... (this is my logic at least)

Therefore I went to the internet...

my favorite place : yahoo anwers.

I would like to encourage everyone to check it out...

I promise you... if you have a question, they have answered it.

(whether or not they have answered it correctly is debatable, but I promise you'll be entertained).

Sooooo... back to my thrifty/crafty/creative-y-ness.

I want to put new pillows on my couch.

It is currently outdated and needs a "pick-me-up"

HOWEVER... did you know that to buy a good-size pillow ranges from $25-40 dollars?!!

ya kidding me?

Well.. I didnt want to spend that much..

therefore, decided that I would make my own pillow covers...

but with no sewing machine this would be difficult..

thats when I discovered it...

hemming-tape.

(insert angel music)

amazing.

allow me to show you what I created...

before and after:

In case you cant tell... they are a grayish color.

I have to cover some others in green.

then voila... they will be done and the couch will be rejuvinated!

ps: please disregard how I'm looking in this pictures, i spent all day in bed coughing up my lungs and blowing my nose....

darn you allergies...

darn.you.

airports

I am currently sitting in Chicago (chi-town... home of the beloved Michael Jordan).

Sitting in an airport.

I am here for two hours and then onto washington DC to see my NISHA!!!

*halle-stinkin-lujah*

I have decided a few things thus far..

1. small planes are fun and scary all at the same time.

2. Omaha often has small planes.

3. airports are even more fun, so many people to observe.

4. I am a good observer.

5. airplanes would be more fun with a travel buddy

6. lesson #5 also applies to airports.

7. dinner is not possible in an airport to someone on a budget.

8. lesson #7 also applies to any kind of beverage... example : this little "tall" thing cost me 5 bucks.

9. The battery on my mac dies very quickly. (i need to fix this while I still have a warrantee)

10. Apparently Im a loud hummer... AND... I hum without noticing.

(the lady next to me just asked me to please be quiet.)

11. Brandon Heath, Adele and Alexi Murdoch are wonderful to listen to while waiting... or anytime really.

Lessons learned. :)

On another note entirely...

I got a toaster and a coffee maker! They are so stinkin' nice! and best part : they were FREE!

** shout out to Todd and April.. ya'll ROCK! **

I'm starting to freak out a little... three weeks from this Friday I'll be residing in Olathe Kansas for Good!! ahh! (insert a squeeel and a deep breath and thats my reaction)

Still searching for that dining room table, but I have to say I'm not too worried.. if I dont have a table in three weeks I'm okay with that..... really..... I am :)

one hour down in the windy city.. one to go :)

ps: I so want to see someone get proposed to in an airport.

Next stop : Obama's!