random thoughts from the weekend

This was me on friday afternoon. Jason said that he kept an eye on me because he was afraid I was going to fall into the pool and drown! I was so tired, and it felt so good to be in the sun and the water and just sit.
We had a great weekend with everyone. I didn't take a ton of pictures with my digital camera, I mostly took them with my black and white film camera. My final project is due on thursday and I wanted it to have something to do with family. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Sunday night we had popcorn night at the pavilion. It was a ton of fun. My little cousins were a riot and it was a nice night to be outdoors and enjoy some FFF (for those of you who did not grow up with my mother, FFF stands for Forced Family Fellowship)(these days I look forward to it though!)

This is my new "niece" Laney Amara Quist. This weekend was the first time I was able to meet her. And she is just precious. She is very tiny, but has very long arms, legs, fingers and toes.

Her parents Linda and Jacob are doing a great job at adjusting to a new addition to their family, and figuring out a schedule. They are going to be amazing parents and I'm so glad that I get to share Laney with them!
We met Jacob and Linda for breakfast at Denny's on Monday morning before we left. We just wanted to get a little more time with them and see Laney one more time.

The official reason for the trip was my friend Bobbie Rose's goodbye party at her parents.
She will be leaving for Jordan with the Peace Corps in about a week.
I am so excited for her and the experiences she is going to have, but it's hard to know that I'm not going to see her for almost 3 years.
I love you bobs and I'm so glad that I got to see you. Have an amazing time!

Just a side note, if you look close enough at my nose, you might see something shiny there.
Last weekend I got my nose pierced and couldn't be happier. I love it and feel like I should have gotten it sooner!

And of course the weekend would not be complete without seeing my sweetheart!
I went over to see her friday afternoon and she didn't hesitate to run right into my arms.
Talk about melting her auntie's heart.
She is getting so big and so smart. She is not even 2 yet and is putting sentences together and speaking her mind. In the picture below, she's being very independent and trying to put her pants on all by herself. It was so much fun to watch her. Her mom is going to have a hard time trying to go anywhere if she wants to dress herself every time!
Have I mentioned how great it is to be the aunt and not the mom yet!
Love ya Amber!

Another thing we couldn't miss out on was golfing. We were honorary members of the golf league on Sunday. I am no good at all, but it sure is fun to hit that ball, and for me that's usually as hard as I can!

Jacob, Steve, and Jason trying to look tough.

It was a great weekend with great weather and lots of family. I'm sorry I don't have more pictures. I promise I'll start taking more with my digital so I can post them!

My Dad

My Dad saved me from myself a few years ago.

I was in a spot in my life, that I was only vaguely aware of the fact that something needed to change.

My dad on the other hand saw that I was going no where fast on my own.

I remember the day very clearly. It was the day I got my tonsils out and I went to lunch with my dad, but I couldn't eat anything because of the surgery.

It was at that meal that my dad did the bravest thing.

He gave me an ultimatum. It was the only thing that I would understand, the only thing that I would respond to.

He told me that day that he had no choice. He knew that if he talked to me he might loose his relationship with his daughter, and that if he didn't talk to me he might loose his daughter.

At the time I was so angry with him. How dare he do that, how dare he.

And then...I thought about what he had said, and I thought about it some more, and you know what.

He was right.

I don't know if I've ever really thanked my dad for what he did that day. But on this very special day when all dads are honored, remembered, and treasured, I want to say thank you.

Dad, thank you for being brave and taking a risk with me. Thank you for always standing my me. Even when I'm not always making the wisest decisions. Thank you for always being there, and never being temperamental. Thank you for giving me back to myself. Thank you for saving who I was, and everything about me that makes me Stacey.

I often think about that day, and I think about how my life would be different from how it is now. I have my dad to thank for that.

Happy Father's Day. I love you and respect you and who you are so much. Thank you for being my dad.

With all my love, Stacey

Overwhelmed much?

So...............................Summer has not turned out the be the relaxed, leisurely summer that I had planned in my head.
It has been a very rewarding summer though.
I am through 4 out the total 6 weeks of my black and white photo class. I have learned so much. I look at things differently, I look at the light differently, and I even use my digital camera different. I love it!
As soon as this class ends, I will start my Intro to Graphic and Communications class. I was going to take it next semester, but the way the financial aid system works, in order to get the money for the first class, I had to take a second class. This one will only be six weeks too.
I have been working at the greenhouse almost full time. This week has been pure misery in the heat. If it's 85 outside, it's at least 100 in the greenhouse. I leave work a sweaty mess.
Today after work, I persuaded Jason to put his suit on and walk down to the beach with me to cool off. Lake Superior was a little chilly, but very refreshing!
We are coming home next weekend!!!! And we can't wait!

bowling

chicago trip

The big shopping trip to Chicago was a HUGE success!
I felt like I was going to the big city to stock up.
I was able to find a new pair of jeans, some shorts, capri pants, a couple of shirts, and some very snazzy smelling perfume.
And don't worry, I didn't forget to pick up some Garrets Popcorn from downtown!

Most important though was being able to see a part of my precious family. There were 12 of us in all.
It was my Grandma Troost, my Mom, Andrea, Me, Aunt Necie, Kate, Meghan, Samantha, Aunt Kim, Taylor, Riley and Olivia.

All of us girls had a riot, we shopped until we were tired out and then had fun, goofed off, and hung out in our hotel rooms.

On the way home I stopped into IKEA to pick up some things that I could only get at IKEA. I am so excited about the new duvet cover I got for only $12.99. With a white room I thought it was time for a little color. Plus if I get sick of it, I can toss it whenever I want to.

I also bought 2 new book shelves, and I really think that these were my favorite purchase.
I have a problem with clutter and that mostly comes from having too many hobbies and no where to put all of the hobby stuff. So, I bought more vertical space! I moved the old book shelve into Jason's office, (which he needed badly, his books were stacked on the floor) and put these two in our living room.
Because of the white backing and light wood, they lighten the room up some and I get a WHOLE bookcase TO MYSELF!!! I am in organizational heaven.
Jason doesn't believe me when I tell him that deep down inside I am an organized person, it's just because I haven't had the means.
Needless to say, I am one happy girl on the way to a semi clutter free world (if one exists, let me know)

This picture was taken on my 9 hour drive home. The fog was amazing and you can't beat the reflections.

When I got to Chicago the girls were already shopping so I met them at the mall. I found my mom at Chicos and she ran from the counter to give me a hug. We both got a little teary eyed. It felt like years since we had seen each other instead of a couple of months. It was so good to just have her hug me. Phone calls and emails make the time pass, but there is nothing like a hug from you mom.
I found my sister and the first thing I did after I gave her a huge hug was to look at her gigantic rock hanging out on her finger.
Andrea got engaged to Tim Speyer on Mother's Day and this was the first time I was able to see the newly engaged woman and her ring.
I am so excited for her and Tim. They are getting married on October 12th, 2007.
There have been times in our sisterly friendship when we weren't so friendly or sisterly, but this last year has by far been one of the best. I know for sure that she is not only my sister, but one of my friends I can count on.
Thank you for asking me to be a part of your wedding, I wouldn't miss it for the world even if you had me standing by the gift table! :) I love you little sis.

After diner on Saturday night all of the cousins and Grandma posed for pictures.
Thank you Grandma for an amazing trip and most importantly a chance to spend some much needed time with family. I love our traditions. Thank you.

While we were downtown on Saturday, I called my friend Anna to see if she could sneak down for an hour or two to come see me. And bless her heart she came. It was so good to see her and spend a couple of hours with her. It's amazing to me that after 7 years friendships with friends who live in different states are still going strong.
I am so thankful for the friendships that I have kept throughout the years.
Thank you for taking time to come see me. I love you as always!

Sitting in the Water Tower Square downtown, and my mother making us look the other way for the picture and Andrea cheated!

The first day of shopping at Oak Brook mall. We needed a little water and a trip to the car to drop off our bags.

On the drive to Chicago, there was fog almost the whole way there. In Michigan and Wisconsin. In Wisconsin, I got off on a few obscure exits and looked for a couple spots to photograph for my black and white class. Our assignment was landscapes, and the drive down had a lot of them.
I took this with my digital camera, again loving the fog!

This was also taken on the way there, there is something peaceful about farm fields. I loved the views on the way down.

It took me a really long time to get home, and when I did, it was so nice to see my husband. He is an amazing man and we have both been working so hard between school and work and normal everyday things, that it's been hard to spend time together. Even though it was super late and I was exhausted, all I wanted to do was to just sit with Jason, just be near him (after we put together the book shelves...of course). I am so thankful for him, and for all that he does for me.

Thank you to all of the girls that came to Chicago, I had a ton of fun with everyone and it was so good to see you. I love you and hopefully I'll see you soon!

Congratulations!!!

Congratulations! Jacob and Linda! Jason and I so excited for the two of you. We will be home in a couple of weeks and can't wait to meet her! We love you!