Simply Perfect...

In two words that is what my weekend was. Simply Perfect. Friday started out with me relaxing in bed, watching my Gilmore Girls and having my parents come in and wish me happy birthday. The most relaxing part of my day was going to Forbici Salon for my massage...which I will be doing more often. After that I came home and mom made me some wonderful pasta accompanied by my Nani's awesome meatballs!! I got ready to head out for the evening with Heather and Chris and their friend Andy. Saturday morning Heather and Andy made an awesome breakfast and I spent the day just hangin around watching movies and relaxing. I went home and got ready to go out with Vicki, Matt, Eric, and Heather...or so I thought. Vicki and Matt came to pick me up and we went to Bogie's in Mt. Prospect. We went upstairs to the bar area and then up another flight of stairs to where many of my friends surprised me!! I don't think you could have wiped the smile off of my face!

I was in pure shock. I ran around and gave hugs to everyone and just really couldn't believe it. As the night continued on, more people showed up and we drank and ate and laughed and talked and as I looked outside I noticed it had begun to snow. And I thought to myself...it's perfect. Simply perfect.

So this is a huge thank you to everyone involved with deceiving me and for throwing me an awesome birthday party!! You will never know how special you made me feel and you will never know how much I appreciate your time and effort!! Thank you Vicki, Matt, Eric, Heather, Chris, Andy, Jamie, Jen, Dee, Pat, Michelle, Nicole, Mishy, Josh, Andy, and everyone else that was there! I hope you all had as much fun as I did!!

Thank you all!!!!

Birthday Eve

In just a mere 30 minutes (probably by the time I get done with this) it will be my birthday. In thinking about this post, I randomly thought of a bunch of stuff I could write about. I could write about all of the things that happened this past year good and bad, I could write about the many people I have encountered, I could write about the people and relationships that have been lost, I could write about the traveling I've done. But really I think I'm just going to let my fingers do the typing and not really think about what it is that I'm writing.

Almost 25 years ago I came into this great big world...holding that unborn baby in the palm of my hand on Monday really makes me wonder how I was able to make it this far or for that matter how any of us survives the world in which we live in. Over the years I have learned a lot. And everyday I learn something new. Whether it be at work or just in life. I'm learning to treasure the little moments in life. I'm trying to see the good in everything that comes my way (and sometimes that is very hard).

Since my dad became sick, I've gotten to hang out with him a lot more. I cherish the time we spend together even when we're just watching tv. On Wednesdays, I try to hang out with my mom (usually shopping) and I love getting to spend that time with her. I love that I can share pretty much anything with my parents and they don't judge me they just love me. I love the times that I get to hug my brother. No matter how old I get, he will always look out for me and he will always be my 2nd dad :) I love getting to spend time with my sister in law. We have really good conversations and I'm so thankful that she's in my life. I love reading with my niece. Yes, my niece is reading now. She's so smart for only being almost 5 months old!

I am blessed with the people I work with. We have such a different group of people and yet we're a family. Sure we may fight and yell and throw things at each other but most nights I walk out of work with a smile on my face.

I'm blessed with friends. I love my friends more than they will ever know. Each one of them is so unique and each one adds something to my life. Without them I would be very lost. I would also be incredibly bored :)

I wasn't looking forward to my birthday this year. In fact I was having some serious anxiety issues with it. I just have to keep reminding myself that God is in control and that His plan is soo much better than the one I had planned.

So goodbye 24, and hello 25...

13 weeks...

This is an image of a 13 week old fetus from the Westside Pregnancy Resource Center. Why am I showing this? Because this was the hardest part of my night. Last night at work I received a phone call from a nurse requesting on behalf of a family that their un-born baby who did not survive an automobile accident be prepared for viewing. I can't imagine what this family was going through. At the end of the night I had to put the baby back into a container. Holding this little one in the palm of my hand, just made me think about how precious life is and how quickly it can be taken away. Make sure you tell someone that you love them today. Give someone a hug. Smile at someone. Make someone laugh. Enjoy every day that you live. Be thankful for every breath that you take.

A long weekend...

This was the highlight of my weekend. I rented a "Full size SUV" for the weekend so that mom, dad and I would be comfortable on our way to and from Missouri. This is what they ended up giving me...A Charcoal 2007 Ford Expedition EL (extra-long) haha...As some of you may know I don't care for Fords too much...however, after driving this Bad girl around for the weekend I have taken a strange liking to this particular one. I would highly recommend getting one...but the gas mileage isn't great. 15 mpg highway... yeah...that part wasn't great at all. It was one of the most comfortable vehicles I have driven though. Even with the wind, rain, and mud, it got us to where we needed to be.