"Wheresoever you go... go with all your heart"...

Artists you should know... if you don't

2009-03-14T11:26:00.000-07:00

If you know me, you know my obsession (not an understatement) with music - particularly Ten out of Tenn. haha (I know my family does!) lol -So if you DON'T know.... lemme just sit and tell you a little this secret that needs to be spread!... Ten out of Tenn!- Its a group of 10 separate musicians from Nashville, TN who joined together for a tour across the U.S. They decided that instead of waiting for America to hear about them, that they would band together and prove that they are worth our listening time. And believe me - they are far beyond that! Firstly their ambition and passion is inspiring. Their music reaches far beyond the depths of just a "song". Writing and composing all their own music and lyrics - its a symphony of bliss! :) Sometimes when im listening to their music I can't do anything else but listen and dream. The creativity and emotion evoked lyrics, the instrumentals, the passion and the purity of their sound is so unique that you can't help but be captivated. The songs are catchy, but they are so much more meaningful than the majority of the songs on the radio. If you get a chance to see them in concert - i would HIGHLY recommend it! Its a $10 concert - for 10 of the most amazing musicians you'll find on this side of the continental US! :) Just take my word. Im going to see them in Nashville on April 10th. And I can't wait!!

So with out delay... Here are the Tempting Ten:

here is their tour lineup - and yes, i know im missing them here in colorado like the WEEK after i move. I'm still mending my broken heart... *sniff* lol

Upcoming Shows

( view all )

Mar 12 2009

8:00P

House of Blues

New Orleans, Louisiana

Mar 13 2009

10:15P

Chelsea’s

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Mar 14 2009

9:00P

Speak Easy / Falling Whistles Benefit

Austin, Texas

Mar 15 2009

7:30P

The Loft

Dallas, Texas

Mar 16 2009

8:30P

Common Ground

Waco, Texas

Mar 18 2009

11:45P

Maggie Mae’s

Austin, Texas

Mar 22 2009

8:30P

Rhythm Room

Phoenix, Arizona

Mar 24 2009

9:00P

Troubadour

West Hollywood, California

Mar 25 2009

9:00P

The Independent

San Francisco, California

Mar 27 2009

8:00P

The Triple Door

Seattle, Washington

Mar 28 2009

9:00P

Doug Fir Lounge

Portland, Oregon

Mar 29 2009

8:00P

The Red Room

Kennewick, Washington

Mar 30 2009

8:00P

Knitting Factory

Spokane, Washington

Mar 31 2009

8:00P

Knitting Factory

Boise, Idaho

Apr 1 2009

7:30P

Kilby Court

Salt Lake City, Utah

Apr 2 2009

8:00P

Belly Up Aspen

Aspen, Colorado

Apr 3 2009

9:00P

The Black Sheep

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Apr 4 2009

8:00P

Bluebird Theatre

Denver, Colorado

Apr 5 2009

8:00P

The Duck Room

St. Louis, Missouri

Apr 10 2009

9:00P

Cannery Ballroom

Nashville, Tennessee

I truly wish i could say - here are my top three favorite of the group.... but i can't pick - they are ALL so talented. Just check them out. you'll love them. and i'll love you. ;)

In other news- i only have 2 more weeks here in ole Rocky Top! Its hard to believe time is ticking so quickly. I only have ONE more week of watching topher and then im a free agent! YIKES! I am excited to have Mom, Dad, Britt and Dill out here to visit VERY soon! Can't wait to show them around and take them hiking!! We just had some friends from Texas visit us here for the last week and they were great! I love having people here - just reminds you how much sweeter time passes when you have good people to share it with! :)

Well i love you guys - i'll see you before i know it! xo

OH! - Bitty - you HAVE to come with me to TN ... (this is me begging) hehe. ;) xoxo!!

Now, Go LISTEN! :)

*Nik

Thinkin' Bout Granny... My Car, That Is.

2009-03-02T19:20:00.001-08:00

So if you know me - you've probably seen or heard great stories about my car, "Granny". She's a real beaut. haha (look no further, there she is in all her glory, below)

Well, Granny has fallen upon hard times. Its been ongoing for years, basically since before I ever inherited her. Recently she has been acting especially odd, though... dying at stoplights, clinking and dinging and leaking - but those are minor issues. I just fear her final days are at hand. So in honor (and possibly soon to be memory of) her I would like to share the quirkiness that makes Granny, Granny.

The start of major issues in Colorado begun with that momentous picture above - the journey up to Colorado, when Granny tried to take her own life by jumping off the Tow Dolly mid drive (and without our knowledge). Luckily, we caught her in the act and we able to rescue her from complete obliteration (of her or anyone behind us! Yikes!) She still has some pretty nasty scars from that day, but she's done me well and carried me from place to place, entertaining me with her latest antics - despite her own will to die. haha

So here is a pretty little list of quirks that only Granny can pull off with such grace:

-Transmission died (on the way to Benton with Britt jamming to Ashley Simpson) haha

-Alternator died (days before I left for Colorado - Thanks for fixing it Dad!)

-Passenger window rolls down, not UP. (therefore Granny's on window lock permanently!)

-Cracked windshield (rocks from a dump truck in front of me)

-Antenna replaced twice (no idea why- Dads doing)

-CD player just died one day - (cd's would jam and then it just stopped playing)

-Leak in the oil pan (fatal wound of falling off the tow dolly)

-Dent in transmission pan (same as above)

-Broken Axels on both front wheels (same as above, above)

-Dents in the side of the car (same as above, above, above) <- these issues actually cost more to fix than my car is worth!

-Serpentine belt is about to break (apparently)

-Interior dome light comes on and the car dings when i make right turns. (haha - NO idea why, but its now nicknamed the "cash cab")

-Battery died (from the Colorado cold)

-Front two tires dry rotted (?) causing one to go flat and both to be replaced. :(

-It honked at people randomly and then one day at work it honked continuously for about 3 minutes, causing lots of people to come out and see who was breaking in. haha (Granny has no voice now - Dad took out the horn- so look out!)

-New Speakers cause they were blown out (I jam)

-You can't unlock the car with they key on the passenger side or else the alarm will go off. (the lights flash, and when she had a horn it would honk. ... No idea why she has an alarm anyways! They can take her!!)

-Something plastic underneath the front of the car hangs down - no idea what that is.

-When you open the hood, the bar that holds the hood up is no longer attached - we tried to tie it in with a zip tie with no luck ... one day its just gonna be gone and i'll have to hold it with one hand while i fill up the oil pan that leaks with the other.

A few months ago, I filled up the oil tank before Topher and I went to run some errands. As we were driving I began to notice this huge cloud of smoke rising up behind and in front me. I looked around to see who it was coming from, when I realized it was GRANNY! I began to panic - not knowing what to expect. Were we about to blow up?! And what about Topher?! This was bad! I was freaking out and Topher was asking me what was wrong. I told him we were smoking really bad and I was scared and that we should pray. He kept saying "Its okay Nik, I'll take care of you!" (SO adorable!) We prayed out loud together as we hit EVERY stop light and watched as cars around us were backing up. haha When we finally got home I popped the hood and noticed I hadn't put the lid back on the oil pan!! It was splashing and spewing and burning up on the hot engine! It was a mess!! But miraculously - the lid was still resting on top! I cleaned it up and counted my blessing, and now NEVER forget to double check the lids! haha

So - I think my next mode of transportation should be a bike - no/low maintenance!

Donations welcome! ;)

*Nik

Peace out Colorado

2009-02-26T16:01:00.000-08:00

Herman Gulch Snow Shoeing

(Where's Ryan?)

Zoomed in on the mountains from from one summit to the other

Ryan and I after our trecherous hike to the top! (31/2 hours up- 12000 ft)

Trying my best to make a Snow Angel at the top - but the snow was hard on top

snowshoes make it hard, too

Well, I have news, Sisters! Thats right! Im coming home to AR at the end of March!! Its been a work in progress, but its pretty much finalized. My oldest sister Jan called me one day and asked if I would consider moving back to watch Taylor a few times a week. Though I love this place with all my heart, it didn't take much convincing on her part to make me start preparing to head home. Things just clicked. Its been some of the best and the worst 6 months of my life. haha I've seen and done more than I ever dreamed I would before I came.

I've hiked my share of mountains, shopped in a plethera of hippie stores, seen monster truck rallys, shared a coffee or 10 downtown, rode the train, met some interesting people on my plane rides to and from Arkansas to Denver (long stories), been snowed in overnight, alone in the Atlanta airport (kinda cool), hiked a 14er, snowshoed and un-snowshoed, actually seen/felt the temperature drop to -16, made lots of snow angels, shared a 3 bedroom apartment with 5 people, gotten to stay in picturesque downtown mountain villages with friends who came to visit, road tripped from AR to CO and then back again, witnessed my car falling off the tow dolly (poor granny still has some fatal wounds), been shocked and awed by the grandeur and beauty of the mountains outside my window, cried my eyes out every single time i talked to Mom (she's the best! - haha Poor thing!), never been so stressed, worn out and alone in my life (made me a little tougher, i'd like to think), i've battled the mind and will of a spirited 3 year old (thought I might lose MY mind a few times), spent hours at parks, watching Diego and Dora the Explorer, and making up to 5-6 pb&j's a day, molding play-dough, wiping tears, giving timeouts and being filled with joy when i hear Topher say "Nik, I love you!", jammed at loads of awesome concerts (Katie Hertzig, Griffin House, tons of random local bands, Facing Sunday, Matt Wertz, and I was looking forward to Ten out of Tenn...*sniff* , saw some friends on tour (Green River Ordinance - but it on iTunes today!), missed a concert or two because I waited to get tickets (still sad about City & Colour), got asked out by a guy at Marshalls clothing store (haha), read all 4 Twilight books (ok ok -I still have like 100 more pages, then i'll be done!) bought a bed for the first time, cooked homemade spaghetti, apple butter and some other random things, gained a ton of weight, cut my own bangs really horribly, cut a sleeping childs hair, - actually cut every persons hair in this house (minus ryan), been to heights and depths emotionally and physically that i've never been to before, and just lived.

I know that is a lot to read, i don't expect anyone to get through that one (but bravo if you did!) - its just fun to realize how much I really have accomplished and experienced...And thats only touching the tip of the iceburg. I have learned and grown so much; through frustrating times of not finding a job, and being crammed into a tiny apartment with too many people and too many opinions, and just having life test my limits in a lot of areas that haven't been tested much before. I hope my character is stronger from all of this. I know i'll never regret coming. And for now, I am just looking forward to enjoying each day I have left here with great hope and anticipation for the future!

Speaking of - i'll be looking for jobs when i get back, because i'll only be watching Taylor 2 days a week - so if anyone knows of ANYTHING, or can guide me in a direction, OR to a person who may need someone- please let me know!! I will be forever grateful! :)

I love you guys - miss you all and can't wait to see you! (Suzan - i'll be home when Brian is and we are planning on a KF ambush around that time!) - lets make a plan! Brian doesn't mind getting kicked out of KF, but I do! haha

Peace out Colorado!

MUAH - much love

*Nik

It hasn't been the easiest 6 months of my life - but its definitely been nothing short of an adventure and some good life expriences!

<3 My Funny Valentine <3

2009-02-17T10:39:00.000-08:00

Ok - so i meant to put these pics at the bottom, but anyways..

This is my friend Joshua Wilkerson from the band Green River Ordinance. They came to Arkadelphia a few years ago and I met him there. They came to Denver the day after V-day and played a concert. They were the best band of the night - the rest were just odd. And Ryan and I were pretty much the only two "fans" there. It was really funny! But we had a good time.

Ryan and I in between concerts.

The next band was REALLY strange. They had a clarinet, a bass, a snare drum, and a guitar player whose pants were about 4 inches too short. lol And there were literally 6 of us in the audience... we couldnt walk out. It was a priceless concert.

This is the bracelet Toph bought me for Vaentines day.

Im no buddhist, but i like what the tag says

- i could use a little of this luck in my life.

;)

My Valentine :)

yea, these were the cookies we made together. lol - the accidentally melted into one big cookie that we decorated together.

He is a cutie!

These are the Tulips he gave me for Valentines - my my heart melt!

Aren't they beautiful!! Tulips are my favorite.

I must say, this was one of the best valentines ever. Topher was the best date a girl could ask for. He surprised me with my favorite flower, without even knowing. He got me jewelry (and a little hope.) haha And then we made cookies together. He smiled and laughed all night. I had gotten him a balloon that says "I Love You" and a Diego paddle ball and some ring pops. All night randomly he would tell me it was the best present he had ever gotten! (and this kid has a LOT of toys!) haha He double fisted the ring pops and is still playing with the balloon!

That night we had a "slumber party" cause I had to babysit him over night. As we lay in bed, we told each other jokes and stories and then randomly he would stop, and be quiet. Then all of a sudden he would turn to me and say "Nik, I love you! Im sorry I didn't behave." haha (he gets timeouts when he misbehaves). It warmed my heart that a 3 year old would say something like that. I assured him it was ok, and that I loved him too. Then a little while later he says "Nik, Thank you SO much for my ballon, and toy and ring pops!!" I couldn't believe it! He was so thankful for the smallest gift. My heart was full! He grabbed my hand and kissed it!! HAHA! It was the cutest thing i've ever had happen to me! And by a 3 year old of all people!

So needless to say, I felt SO loved on Valentines day. I probably won't have one to top that for a LONG, long time ... if ever. It was perfect!

Love you guys!

*Nik

Monster Jaaaams!!

2009-02-09T21:56:00.000-08:00

Last weekend my friend Mike and I wanted to hang out, but we didn't have anything to do. Until Mike looked up the Pepsi Center and found out that the Monster Jams truck rally was in town!! lol Now, i've never been one to do much redneck stuff, but I was not about to pass up such an opportunity. We assumed we could buy tickets at the show, but when we got there it was SOLD OUT! lol We ended up buying shady tickets from a guy on the street that miraculously got us in. We had the sweetest seats ever! Like 8 rows up and it was the most fun night ever! Here are some of the pics... including the most ridiculously sweet mullet i've ever seen, and one decked out redneck Monster Mutt fan! ;)

El Toro Loco rampin the cars

Major Monster Mutt Fan - wow.

Hands down, sweetest mullet on earth. 3 haircuts in 1.

The set up

Donkey Kong and Monster Mutt racing

Mike and I - not the best pic of me, but the only one of us that night.

For kicks

2009-02-05T10:06:00.000-08:00

I feel like writing something today, but i don't know what...

So to start out -im going to put a clip up of some of my fav musicians, -10 out of Tenn- who are coming to CO in April. Its a few artists from Tennessee traveling together and singing each others songs. I want to be a part of their group... if only i knew how to play an instrument or sing....*dreams*http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1kwy-7z6VY

Tyler James - my dream man.

I feel like i have so many little things flying around in my head, sending butterflies into my stomach, and scattering my thoughts out like a kaleidascope - just fragments of emotions and frustrations and interests and dreams and goals. And yet, i feel so... helpless with them all.

Im told if you write down your goals, they'll be more likely to happen.

But i can't tell you how many journals are filled with pages of goals and dreams and lists of pros and cons. And at the end of everyday i wonder what im doing with my life...

Yea, i am loving being here in Colorado, and getting to wake up late and not have a job to really go to. I love this "gap" year, and for the rest of my life, i won't regret taking it... but what really gets under my skin is that i can't FULLY enjoy it, because im so worried about what im going to do next. .. about wasting time, and about not being fully independent. It bothers me.

Mostly, im bothered that my decisions don't make me fully happy. I want independence, but im sad because im alone.

I want to take a year off, but im worried about wasting time.

I want to do something different, move states, but i've been here for 5 months and am still "nannying", with no prospects of a "real" job.

I don't know if i should stay or move and if i move, will i be happy? and will i be able to live on my own, or will i be stuck living in the room down the hall from my parents? (love the rents, but im getting a little old for that... if you know what i mean..)

I don't aspire to be some great scientist or doctor or a nobel peace prize winner. I just want peace in my own heart, with my own life. And most of all, i want to share it with someone. I realized that being alone is lonely. Sounds obvious, right? Well, its a whole nother reality when you actually live it and find out. But not to put a damper on things - cause a lot of me IS happy. I just feel like my life is in fragments right now, and im just ready for a piece or two to link up and give me some direction and motivation.

Its not that i expect all of life to come together in perfect unison and for all the stars to align and my life be complete. Thats something I will always be striving for, and what makes life interesting. I would be bored if it was all together. But im just asking God for ONE or TWO things to work out in a certain direction.

Anywho - enough of the pity party - its upward and onward!! And lots of good music to listen to while i continue my quest!!

Peace

Its Cold walk to Hells Hole

2009-02-03T16:49:00.000-08:00

So this is the hike Ryan and I decided to do last weekend! He found it and read that it was a good "snowshoeing trail". But instead of renting showshoes like normal people, we trecked it out in just plain ol un-waterproofed hiking shoes! haha- we are dumb. It was so cold i was frozen almost the whole time - all 10 toes were at one point, i am sure, on the verge of frostbite. I couldn't feel any of them. We were above our knees in snow towards the top and i didn't get any pics of that because i was too concerned about surviving. haha - but here are some pics of just how beautiful it was! The carvings on the trees lined the trail for most of the way and were the sweetest things.

I love that this sign says: Mandatory: Shovel, Axe and Bucket. ??? like anyone could hike with that?!

Just a glimpse of the beauty of hiking in the snowy woods

There were definitely bullet holes in this sign. Kinda weird. haha

We ended up stopping here and turning around after 2 1/2 hours of uphill hiking. I was exhausted and frozen solid! But it was worth the view!

We had to ice skate part of the trail! haha

Man, i love Colorado. But i am missing my family. Love you guys!

toodles

*Nik

lame

2009-01-29T10:59:00.001-08:00

So, im not a fan of my blog. I keep trying to convince myself to keep it, but my life is so lame from day to day that I really haven't gotten that much to write about. I remember the days of xanga and how much i wrote on that thing - man, i was a bloggin' fool! haha - now, i feel like a lone ranger in a world full of babies and photography gurus.

I will keep it, cause like i told my dear (ex) co-worker, the day i deleted that xanga a wave of regret hit me so hard, i felt like i had just thrown away 3 years worth of journals! So no matter how lame it is right now, im hoping for more to start going on in my life - and i think either way, one day i'll look back and laugh at these random entries. :) besides - its a good way to share a little bit of me with you - even if it is rare and sometimes slightly boring! haha

As for today - Im going to go walk around the mall with Topher and Ryan. Woooo

Oh and im on the last Twilight book - (finally) and i can't even begin to express to you how much i hate this series! lol Loved the first book and kinda liked the second, the third got a little old and now the fourth is just twisted and dragging on for eternity! I think Bella Swan is so dumb. She should have been with Jacob to start with. Just a little thought of mine. As soon as this series ends, im not sure i'll ever start something i dont want to finish again (as far as books are concerned). haha

miss and love

Skiing, Concerts and Oh, so much snow!!

2009-01-16T22:49:00.001-08:00

This is our little fox that would visit us in Crested Butte - just so beautiful!

This is the view from our Crested Butte condo - looks fake, its so beautiful!

This is the "Wildflower" - where we stayed in Breckenridge. I took this pic from the other side of the street - but it looks like an add. haha

Think its time to post something else.. .

I kinda lost touch with the whole blogging thing.. but I thought I might as well just make it into a journal of things i'm doing, or want to do - more for myself than anyone. Just so I can look back and read it later.

I can't believe I will have been here for 5 months on January 25th!! Thats longer than any trip - including study abroad, that i've ever been on! I can't deny that i've had my moments when I've been ready to pack it up and come back home - but, I really do love this place. How can you not look out at the mountains and be thankful? But what I love most - is the environmental friendliness of this place! I've never seen so many trails anywhere - right outside my door! And everyone wants to be organic and exercise outside and recycle and drive hybrid cars and there is no limit to their cause. I love it! Only negative: My family is much, MUCH to far away. I miss them so much!

Anywho - I went to a concert last night in Boulder and it was awesome! Katie Herzig and Griffin House played at the b.side lounge and they were excellent! I even stood next to Katie's mom in line and got to talk to her for a bit - she was really down to earth. (Not sure what i expected her to be.... but still - very cool moment!) :)

The weekend before I got to go to Crested Butte with some friends and ski. I had such a good time!! And it was possibly one of the most beautiful sites i've ever seen - overlooking the snowy mountain village! The most magical scene i've ever seen! A few weeks before that I got to tag along with some friends to Breckenridge! It was amazing - as you can see from the pic above, we stayed in the cutest loft ever - right on Main street, above a gift shop! I have been SO lucky to have great friends who stay in the coolest places ever!

Anywho - im doing good here. If i could just get a job outside of this house - i would be doing EVEN better! :)

Love and miss you all - ALL! xoxoxo

TAYLOR ELIZABETH STROUD!

2008-11-30T08:47:00.000-08:00

Any minute now our new niece, Taylor Elizabeth Stroud will be born and she couldn't be any more on time!! Today was her original due date and Jan's water broke at 1:30 AM!! We have been here since about 3:30 AM in the waiting room at the hospital. Mom is excited and keeps going back to check - we've been joking that she is going to hide under Jan's hospital bed just so she can be in the room when Taylor has her first cry!! LOL The news is that any minute now Jan will be giving birth to our new baby girl!! We couldn't be happier! Especially ME - i am supposed to fly out at 3:40 this afternoon, to go back to Colorado, and i thought i was going to miss the birth completely!! As i started to fall asleep last night i was praying to the Lord that Jan would have Taylor - and God is good - Mom came in my room at 2:15 to tell me it was GO time! :) Getting to hold Taylor in my arms before i leave is worth more than any sleep i could have gotten or shower i need to take! ;) Im already looking forward to coming home for Christmas!!

Too bad Uncle Colin is in Arkadelphia preaching at our church and we had to leave him to come up here. We wish he was here with us - as do we wish every one of our south african (and Tennessee) cuzzies were here as well!

SOON and VERY soon!! Praise the Lord!!

*Nik

2008-11-17T21:59:00.001-08:00

Im coming HOME! in 3 days and i can't wait to....

Hug and kiss my family!
Hold Karoline!!
Rub Jans tummy (TAYLOR!!)
Meet my newest Niece!! (fingers crossed and prayers answered!)
Pick up Dad from the airport
Spend QT with each one of my sisters and parents and bro in laws and niece(s!)
Throw a babyshower for Brittany Weeks
Hang with Maggie
Shadow Dr. Hankins
Get my hair cut
Eat THANKSGIVING at Barri and Justins house!!
Go walking with Bitty!
Have a game night
Play Nertz
Count my blessings
Make future plans... ;)

hope i can fit it all in!! lol

I can't wait to love on my family!! - in just 3 days!! xoxoxox

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!

OUCH!! - [not for the faint of heart]

2008-10-22T13:36:00.001-07:00

The Infamous can of doom

Ok- so i have funny, yet painful story~ :[brace yourselves]:

This morning i was cleaning the apartment, as usual, and decided to shake off the rugs. I stepped out our front door (which faces the interstate and a flight of stairs for the apartment above us.) When i was shaking off the rugs, i noticed there was an unsightly "Keystone" beer can in the bushes. I ducked under the stair case to grab it, which is pretty low, and then turned around to walk back out to throw it away... im not totally sure, but i must have thought i had cleared the stairs, because i stood up and WHACK!- the next thing i remember i was laying on my back underneath a dirty staircase with beer can in my hands and two rugs next to me. haha I was a sight to see!!!

I layed there for while... stunned and wondering if i had just made a 2x4 sized hole in my head!! And as i layed there, i had flashback to my diving board experience when i was 13...

You see... about 11 years ago - i was playing in my neighbors pool. Our neighbor was a large, 16 year old boy. While i was on the diving board, he decided to hold on to the bottom of it, to annoy me. Well, i didnt like that - so when it was his turn, i decided to do the same to him. As i held onto the low diving board with both hands, John decided to take a running leap and do the biggest cannon ball he could muster up... which coincidentally - left a larger hole in my head than it did in the water.... I ended up having to get 8 staples in the dome of my head and needless to say, wasn't invited over to swim much after that. haha

The place the 2x4 hit me today.... RIGHT ON THE SCAR!! I cringe thinking about it. Its a sensitive place on the best of days. I didnt realize it was bleeding until i called my mom to laugh about how crazy i must have looked; touched the spot again and ... FEAR STRICKEN, bloody-handed me was zapped back to that 13 year old little girl, who just ran home looking like freddie crooger's victim.

I took some pictures just to remember the humor of this day... and also the pain. I would post them, but im sure you wouldnt like an anatomy lesson on where brains go.. ;)- totally kidding. it wasn't that bad. Instead - here are some pictures on the infamous beer can, the stair case... and my cover up hair do... ;)

The stair case and bushes where i saw the can...

What I saw when i was laying on my back... (The beam. Topher came later.)

PEOPLE: DON'T LITTER!! It really can cause others harm! lol

My new do - i dig the braid down the side. lol

much love!!

p.s. im SO thankful i wasn't hurt worse- i doubt Topher would have known how to dial 911!! lol Thank God for Guardian Angels!!

At This Point In My Life...

2008-10-15T13:34:00.000-07:00

My Best Friend in the World!!~ Maggie

I'm a bad citizen... eek. Who knew that if you didn't vote for 2 federal elections, they pull you off as a voter?? [in my defense, i was in another country for the last one!] But, I was never told they would or did pull me off until i called up there a minute ago (thanks to Brian- my future P.A.) and asked why i couldn't pull up my voter registration- then they broke the news!! :( And of course the last day to register was last Monday. Dang... who feels guilty now??? <-- ::me::

Anywho....on a more adorable-note i want to wish Baby Karoline and my best friend and soul-mate, Maggie Happy Late Birthday's!! :) I of course called them on the actual b-day (like 4 days ago)- but i just thought it would give me a good reason to post these on my blog... hehe: (who is the most beautiful baby on earth??!!!) yea... P.K. ::Princess Karoline - as PaPa calls her::

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY KAROLINE!!!

If you want to see how adorable the party was, look at my sisters blog.. tonyanddayle.blogspot.com! She threw the most rockin' 1st birthday/football party ever!!! :) :) Wish I could have been there for it - but i was in spirit!!

Oh and I wish Brian and I could have been at the G/GNO [girls/guy night out] with my old coworkers/bf's! But i thought about you girls! Hope you didn't cry too much over us not being there. ;-) love you all very much!

Well, im off to go read and then try to get some oil drained from my car. I put like a whole bottle in ... not smart, but it was so low i thought it needed it! - now its about 2 inches above the "full line". :shaking my head: which apparently, is NOT good!! ~Without Dad, i often wonder how i will make it. lol Im gonna be a poor poor lady.

I need a bike...

.... So much less maintenance!

Bitter Sweet

2008-10-07T13:30:00.000-07:00

So i found out that i have to pick between going home for Christmas and Thanksgiving...

Naturally i want to come home for Christmas, of course!! BUT, i already bought my ticket for Thanksgiving... which means.... yea, i dont even want to say it.

But the good thing is - i have 10 days home for thanksgiving, more than i would probably have for Christmas - and im going to try to do something useful at Christmas - like work at a soup kitchen or something. So far, i can't find one thats close enough to me... but i'll work on it! Im just going to have to skype my family like 24/7 during that time... cause Kaci and Caleb won't be here either. I'll be Home Alone!! {hands of face: aaaahhhhhhhhh!!!!} haha - hopefully no bad guys will come for me. :) But Kaci's Papa called me today and told me that he wants me to come to their house as much as i like during that time! They live in this glorious house up high in the mountains and it over looks aspen trees and snow for miles! its gorgeous!! He is the sweetest man alive... i'll post a pic of him... just to warm all of our hearts! :)

[disclaimer: dont write sad comments unless you want a blubbering ball of emotions over here in colorado!!] :) i love you all so much!!

Who's up for Christmas in November??!!! :)

pps...JAN- you better work on having Taylor between the 20th and 30th... k?! We're eating jalapenos the whole 10 days im here so that baby will come out faster!! :)

XO

Its Been A While...

2008-10-06T12:13:00.000-07:00

Well, i know its been a while since i updated- my apologies! But i got two emails today from different people saying "whats going on? why haven't you updated in a while?" - so i racked my brain for the coolest things i've been doing lately... and here is a top 10 count list ;-)

10.) Picnics at the Park with Topher every other day; walks; making playdough
9.) Looking at beautiful yellow leaves!! (pics at the bottom!)
8.) Looking for jobs (got two prospects!! Although not professional, they still pay- and involve getting out!) :)
7.) Finding dozens of new trails right outside my apartment complex- which extend for MILES and miles!..(nothing like Feaster Trail in the Delph that totals maybe 3 miles round trip!!) ;~)
6.) Visiting my friends in Boulder and taking time to walk around alone on Pearle Street... and going up to Estes Park
5.) Looking at Schools to attend (now i just have to make up my mind on what to go to school for... nursing, ultrasound tech, dietetics, yoga... J/K!- [insert any other random profession and believe me, i've thought of it!]... ???)
4.) Reading an enitre book from start to finish in just over a WEEK!! (such a huge accomplishment!)
3.)Soul Searching... haha- I guess thats what i would call it- just lots of reading, journaling, thinking, praying, hoping. haha
2.) Getting my ghetto car fixed for a bazillion dollars!! oh yea, including driving it once with the oil lid off, causing a massive amount of smoke and oil to go everywhere!! lol
1.) Watching too much Scrubs!!

OH yea and im starting 2 new jobs!! The first one is being a Barista at Starbucks... haha- i know, its not ideal, but you gotta make ends meet somehow, right? :) I start training tonight! [wish me luck!] The second is a job as a receptionist at the staffing agency i employed to help me find a job- haha - pretty nice that they offered me a job.- even if its not the job i thought i would be doing. At least its a place that actually would HELP me look for a better job in the mean time. I just am praying they are cool with the time in need off for Thanksgiving and Christmas. If not, i will be devistated!

well, i love you guys- Let me know how you all are!
Oh and Happy Belated Birthday to me dear Susan McPeake!! I hope it was a very happy birthday!! love you!

Xo-

That Ain't Cornbread, Sister!

2008-09-11T09:41:00.000-07:00

Discalimer: this whole post is upside down and backwards.. i apologize... i'll fix it later. But for now, i have to go clean up 10lbs of moon-sand from the kitchen table. I am so OCD sometimes, it makes me a nervous wreck to have all that mess just out and about. haha

Say Hi to the Incredible Hulk!

Once upon a time i used to be able to cook... apparently that talent has left me lately.... and im left with things that look like this...

Thats no cornbread, sister. those are chocolate chip muffins...

Its the inside that counts, ok!? ;) The Incredible Hulk, i mean, Topher, liked them!

5:30 am

2008-09-08T09:20:00.000-07:00

So Kaci and I started working out together today at 5:30 am - I can't lie, it was hard to get out of bed, since it was like 45 degrees this morning and i was still sore from power pump on saturday.But its nice to get it out of the way so early!

Anywho - All of the above is just crazy. But here's to losing the weight! :) holla

There are days i wake to peace i can't explain..

2008-09-05T15:03:00.000-07:00

Lately i've been listening to an extra lot of Tyler James music. haha (surprising, i know!) But this song, "Go Down To The Garden" says it all for me right now (give or take a few parts of the song). My life has changed a lot lately, in little and big ways - and its only going to continue to change - - and though it may seem like too much to take in at times... especially when i realize my family is not with me... there is still this peace that wakes me up each morning, and carries me gently through my days. I've dreamed of moving to somewhere, anywhere -for years - and somehow God allowed this move to work out after trying so many different times. He must have something for me here - and though i've left behind family and friends and the comforts of 'home' - it remains that i have a purpose here - what it is, i have yet to find out. But i sense it. I anticipate it! But the one thing that keeps me going is the constant reminder that my love for my family and my friends only continues to grow from far away. In fact, it feels deeper, more necessary, more deliberate. Even if this journey im on only exists to increase my love, i am happy to be on it. Even when i can't see your face, you're in my heart. - and my your voice is sweeter to me than ever. So called, "hard times" don't mean 'bad times'... I think it means growth - in life and in love and in character. So im taking these times, and im loving them - each one - whether they are weird, or "hard" or "crazy", or just wonderfully amazing - and im living them out with all my heart! "wheresoever you go, ... go with all your heart."... and my heart is full - with love for each of you...

There are days I wake to peace I can't explain that comes and carries me

And the plans I made when I was young have only left me

Distracted from all the many things I'd never change

It's no use trying to rearrange what's come and gone

Go down to the garden and see the things we've planted

Up from all that's withered, though often took for granted,

Grows flowers we've not planted... reminding me

In a photograph, there's a quiet country house with windows facing west

And I'm standing with a girl that's come to walk beside me

And when the leaves fall gently down upon her golden hair

I'll take her to the alter stairs and say, "I'm yours"

Go down to the garden and see the things we've planted

Up from all that's withered, though often took for granted

Grows flowers we've not planted... reminding me

our love will grow

Mt. Bierstadt

2008-08-30T20:57:00.000-07:00

OK - so i realized i didn't say anything about these pictures! This was my fist 14er to climb (google 14ers) after being in Colorado for one week! It took us 6.5 hours to climb and it is one of the "easier" one's. There are about 54- 14ers in Colorado!! They are called 14ers because they are 14000 ft above sea level. Some people get really bad altitude sickness climbing them, but surprisingly, i didnt! (im a little proud -hehe)! I did have a splitting headache at the end, which i think was mostly due to coming down so fast- (ok, thats basically altitude sickness - but it didnt stop me!) :). And it went away with a few Advil and a nap. :) I wish you all could be here to see it. The picture with me pointing at the Gold circle on the rock it the summit point! They mark the summit with some sort of plaque on this one - so i had to take a pic with it! :)

Oh i went to Boulder this past weekend - brought back lots of memories of our mission trip there in like circa 1996- knocking on doors, going to the celestial tea factory - and oh yea, mom breaking her knees while Dayle and I screamed from the ski-lift -thinking mom had broken her neck! haha - and then there was that whole long journey home on the bottom of the OBU bus!! lol oh good times in Colorado - we are going to hope I have better luck skiing when i finally get the chance! haha well, i better go - more later! lots of love sistas!xoxo

OH - this was the song that was in my head the whole day - and mostly anytime i see anything beautiful here but don't have a camera/or my camera can't capture the beauty of the place in the pics i do take... (its of course, john mayer - one of my fav's)

I'm writing you to

catch you up on places I've been

You held this letter

probably got excited, but there's nothing else inside it

didn't have a camera by my side this time

hoping I would see the world with both my eyes

maybe I will tell you all about it when I'm

in the mood to lose my way with words

Today skies are painted colors of a cowboy's cliche'

And strange how clouds that look like mountains in the sky

are next to mountains anyway

Didn't have a camera by my side this time

Hoping I would see the world with both my eyes

Maybe I will tell you all about it when I'm

in the mood to lose my way

but let me say

You should have seen that sunrise with your own eyes

it brought me back to life

You'll be with me next time I go outside

just no more 3x5's Guess you had to be there

Guess you had to be with me Today I finally overcame

tryin' to fit the world inside a picture frame

Maybe I will tell you all about it when I'm in the mood to

lose my way but let me say

You should have seen that sunrise with your own eyes

it brought me back to life

You'll be with me next time I go outside

no more 3x5's

Nik

14ers Weeners

2008-08-30T00:03:00.000-07:00

Ok - so im stoked! Tonight i went downtown with Kaci, Caleb and Topher. We had a good time- it was gorgeous because they had all the trees decked out with Christmas lights. We got some coffee and walked around and then listened to some live music on the streets. I love that scene.

anywho - TOMORROW (aka 3.5 hours from now... yes, at 4:30 am) i am waking up with Kaci because we are going to hike a 14er! ... ok, look up 14ers.com. Basically, there are 54 mountains in Colorado that are 14,000 ft high - all different classes. Kac and I are going to do Beirstadt tomorrow. I love love love hiking and so i can't wait - but the killer is that we have summit by Noon, which means we need to be starting at 7 or 8. The weather can turn bad really quickly, so you have to be down by 1 or 2. Anyways - I can't wait - I will take pictures so you can see what im talking about. It should be really beautiful!

Colorado is gorgeous - i still love waking up to mountains and walking out my door to a trail! There are trails everywhere here! I really need a bike. :)

i love you guys and miss you so much! Can't wait to show you the pics tomorrow! all my love... xoxo

*Nikers

3rd Day's a Charm

2008-08-24T22:00:00.000-07:00

So im almost on my 3rd day of Colorado living - and already i have gotten to have a picnic and hike at Pine Valley. It was beautiful! Sadly, we missed church. Caleb was supposed to play a show at some coffee shop with some friends, but it got cancelled and by the time we found out, church was over. :( next week, for sure! But a day in the mountains was well worth it. I put up a few pics from our day. There are also some hilarious pics of Christopher and Zac playing cowboy. (notice: topher's horse is actually a T-Rex .... sweet!) haha

Tomorrow is my first day to be semi-alone with Christopher! ah - im a little nervous, but it should be fun. We are going to go to the park and play, which im excited about. And thankfully, Zac is here, so that makes me feel better. anyways, i'll have to let you know how that goes!

p.s my $10 dresser smells so much like must and cigarettes i wont put my clothes in it, and my whole room stinks! lol isn't that lovely :)

Welp, lots of love - i miss you all stax!! xoxo

*Nik

Rocky Mtn. High

2008-08-23T22:43:00.000-07:00

So i finally made it to Colorado! There were a few glitches along the way, but you could consider them minor, seeing as how i got here alive and with my car in one piece, (almost). :) i have several pictures of the trip - leading up to it, and then when my car decided to jump off the tow dolly while we were driving! Scary! But there were only a few minor bumps and scrathes. eek!

Colorado is so nice. No humidity, and i can see the mountains right out my window... well, if i look past the interstate. haha. But seriously, its about 70 degrees- ah! The altitude is strange- i felt out of breathe walking around Target today - that was a first. haha. Oh and i did two big things today - firstly, i bought a $10 dresser from a garage sale (of course!) and then Kaci and I haggled the mattress king down from about $500 to $300 on a mattress. Im impressed! But i dont get it until tuesday. boo. Anywho-Topher is hilarious for a 3 year old - he's got a mind of his own. and Zac is alot of fun with him. Its nice to be here, but so strange to be so far away from family. Being around Topher reminds me that i dont want to be far away from my niece(s) or sisters/parents forever. Im already looking forward to Thanksgiving/Taylor's birth!! I love you guys so much!! - i'll put pictures up tomorrow. Its pretty late right now, and im emotionally pooped. Not to mention i have Karoline and Britt's cold. (But im not complaining, im just glad i have a little bit of you guys with me!) haha

xoxo