Hey.... sup!

Ok.... I AM going to do a post! Just WAIT till tomorrow! I'm gonna have new pictures then. So yeah.... Just hang on to ur hair before pulling it out! LoL! Well... I gotta go do a math lesson b4 i go to bed...... Fuuuuuuuun. (All in the name of getting done early so my FRIENDS.... who are not DOING school.... can hang with me.... sigh..... what would they do w/o me?) haha. Right.


SO.... until tomorrow! LUV YA!!!



(did i use enough periods or WHAT?) (kinda my online trademark tho)


OK!!!! I AM SOOOOOOO HYPER!!!!! SERIOUSLY!!! I have GOT to settle down! It must be cuz I had a 'no fear motherload' just a few hours ago.... But it's weird cuz usually they don't do anything for me. This one is the only one that has. I LOVE IT! =D And i got to see all my crew today so.... that probably did something too. =)


Wow.... this is the stupidest post I've ever posted. Course.... it's nothing new under the sun for me. Everybody knows I'm kinda touched in the head..... with what tho.... that's a secret. LOL. OK! GOODNITE!!!

Happy Birthday Rachel!!!

Well, even though I'm a day late... I wanted to make sure and post RACHEL'S BIRTHDAY!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RACHEL!!!!!!

Yesterday was Rachel Anna Smith's 14th birthday! (Crowd Cheers!) =P Alright... Well, let's see. What can I say about Rachel... hmmm.

Rachel was born on January 16, 1995 in Oktibiha Hospital in Starkville, Mississippi. The first time I saw her I aked my dad, "Are they going to let her out?" LoL. She was in one of those rooms where everyone was looking through a huge window to see the newly born babies. She was a cute little thing. Ever since she came home with us we formed a close bond. I'm sure I drove my mom crazy asking every second if I could hold Rachel. I had been an only child for almost four years, so I was ready to be a big sister. As soon as she got big enough to play, we would spend hours upon hours playing together. We never really fought that much... at least when we were little. =P Rachel was always the quiet, sweet one. She grew up with a big heart that got broken easily. I was constantly sticking up for her, and since I was usually twice as big as most of her friends.... had no trouble (ehem) putting them back in their place should they step over my sister's distinct line. Rachel can tell you more than one "embarrassing" story how I stuck up for her when she was too timid to do anything herself. I remember one time when she was about 10, she came home from tennis telling me about this one guy in her class that kept hitting her with his racquet. Nothing hard... but just how little boys like to goof off. So I told her to tell him to stop... but of course she was too scared. So the next day she went to tennis I went with her. (I brought along my racquet which was quite a bit bigger than most of the little kids' racquets.) I sat on a bench watching this guy for at least 20 minutes... and then he did it. I got up, walked into the court, turned him around by his shoulder and said, "You hit her one, more, time..." i shoved my racquet in his face, "... and I'll hit you with MY racquet." His face turned white and he nodded so fast I thought his head would fall off. He never hit her again.

LoL,... Rachel's gotten quite a bit better at defending herself now... partly because she's had to defend ME now. Rachel has proven to stick up for me in more ways than just threats. Half the time I don't even know when she does, but I can always count on her that she will. Rachel has been my best friend for as long as she's been born. From the cute, shy, little kid that hid behind me, to the beautiful, outgoing, teenager that has blossomed into a amazing girl. She does everything! She cooks, she plays music, she dances, she softens the coldest hearts, she listens to whatever you want to talk about even if it mean nothing to her, she's smart, she's mature, she's the sweetest person you could ever meet, she's diligent, but most of all has a heart truly set on pleasing God. She amazes me with every year. She's now taller than me, and has assumed the position of care taker over me also. =P She is the most loyal, understanding, caring friend you will ever have if you are ever fortunate enough to call her your friend. I have been blessed with that friendship for 14 years now.

Rachel, thank you for all you are to me and everyone else around you. The secrets and jokes we share really are priceless. There's no other girl in the world that would stick by me the way you do. I hope we can spend another 80 years together laughing at all the little things. Thanks for being my friend through the hard times and not giving up on me. I love you SO much!

Well, I s'pose I should tell you what we did yesterday. We celebrated early that morning with some gifts (SHE GOT A CELL PHONE!!!) and of course the happy birthday song! Then we headed off to Sioux Falls to go to the semi-annual Crazy Days sale at the mall. We met up with a few friends around 10:30 that morning and shopped till about 3 in the afternoon. Laura Dubs and I bought Rachel and ice cream cake at Dairy Queen which we all had for lunch. Laura and I wanted to have her b-day announced over the speakers in the mall... but the lady at the desk said that she wasn't aloud too. Bummer! So we got all us kids to sing her happy birthday in the middle of the Food Court in the mall. (She was slightly embarrassed... lol) We had a ton of fun. After everyone left, Rae and I kept shopping till close to 6. We were soo tired we had to go sit (more like lay!) on one of the benches. Luckily it was a bench near Caribou Coffee, so it was more like a couch than a wooden bench. I can't remember if i fell asleep or not! LoL! My legs felt like they were going to fall off! Even I can't survive the mall THAT long. Actually, it was really weird... but earlier while rachel and I were in one of the stores, I got really light headed. It was the strangest sensation. I've never come CLOSE to fainting or passing out... but I really thought I was going to! Rachel had been talking to someone else, and looked over at me and gave me the weirdest look. lol. She said I looked like death warmed over. (thanks rachel...lol) But I could barely hear her! It was if everything was moving in slow motion and and the sound wasn't right. I just remember her pushing me out of the store and asking me something over and over. But five minutes later I was fine. It was soo weird. I could have sworn I fell asleep and was dreaming. Nothing felt real. I'm not sure why that happened... but I figured that I just hadn't eaten anything that day (besides ice cream) and I hadn't gotten any sleep the night before.... so I'm sure that along with a full day at the mall probably just temporarily overloaded my 1 gb brain. LoL! Go figure...

Well, enough about my weirdness.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY RACHEL!!!!!!!!!!! WE ALL LOVE YOU!!!!!!!





Holy cow.... I think that was the longest post I've ever written.... people are probably falling asleep! Oops!

Hello 2009!

Wow. Are we already in '09? Zoinks!....as Velma would say. (No. I haven't been watching Scooby Doo.) lol.

Man, 2008 was definitely a mixed year full of tons of stuff! Definitely a spiritual growing year... as well as a year chock full of great memories. I saw two of my friends get married, and now they are BOTH pregnant!. Congrats again to Sarah Tate and Rachel Hauugard. We're looking forward to seeing you both at 9 months. =P Let's see what else? I met new friends, had different experiences along the way, got to spend time with distant family, did LOTS of babysitting, took my photoshop and photography another step further, played for quite a few piano recitals, finished half of my senior year (yay!), got a permanently swelled up tonsil (seriously...I've had it since Oct. Kinda funny tho really. lol), was part of the staff this year with the Turner County Fair (and I got to drive around one of those little gators. =D)..... Um.... what else? I'm not going into details for the sake of my SD readers. (Just an incentive to write or call me!) Well, no matter what. It was definitely a FULL year. Not to mention... our new pres-elect. (Oi... I'm too tired of that subject to go any further.)

I really did learn a ton last year. If I only come away with one lesson... it's probably learning to be a servant. My parents continually help me grow to become a mature individual everyday. There are NUMEROUS lessons to be learned, and even more rebuking going on. LoL. But the one thing I constantly am reminded of, is to always be a servant. No matter where I am, or what I'm doing... if I only have one thing on my mind, it will be how I can serve others. One of the biggest character flaws I hate is someone who is too close minded to look around themselves to see what needs to be done, or who might need help. The excuse, "I didn't know." doesn't fly with me. If you didn't know... you didn't look. Which means you don't care. I hate that! If there's one thing I don't want to be, it's a worthless bubble head. So this last year, I was working hard to put others before myself and continually look for ways to serve. Of course this year... I already have a brand new list full of things to change and become better at. I love using the new year as a refreshing block to clear my mind and start again.

Well, once again I've been slow at writing more posts! Sorry! I'm working on some graphics right now... so hopefully I'll be able to post them soon. WHICH BTW.... if you didn't know....


MY COMPUTER IS WORKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Yes. I am VERY excited. =D My dad doesn't think that it's fixed... but hey, I'm gonna enjoy it as long as it lasts! So if you'll excuse me, I'll get back to work! Luv you all! And have a great start to the New Year!! Miss you far away people lots! =)



(the most recent pic of Rachel and I for those of you who haven't seen us in a while! it will be in our christmas card as soon as we get it sent out! and yes... i edited it.... we're not THAT perfect. lol! We miss you!)

Warning for husbands and boyfriends...

My dad showed me this commercial JCPenny put out recently... I thought it was hilarious!! Show this to the man in your life. Warn them of the unknown danger they never knew about. LoL! Have fun!

http://bewareofthedoghouse.com/


(if the link doesn't work for some reason... just copy and paste it)

2 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!

From your local department store employees.



There. I posted......... What?! I didn't have any recent pictures.

Happy Birthday Jubie!!

Hey Hey! Yesterday was Jewel Schuurmans' Birthday! (hey that rhymes!) =P

I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday, Jewel. Goodness, 11 already?? When I first met you, you were only 6 or 7. Wow. That seems like a long time ago. And I haven't even known you as long as most of the people in church! =) It sounds like you had fun yesterday.

Jewel and family (+ Rachel) went to The Fry'in Pan for brunch and then headed over to the Music Museum for the afternoon. The museum sounded really cool. Rachel took some pictures for me, so I'll post a few. (Emily... I was ever so close to posting that pic of you... but I'm too sweet for that. Even if you did look really cute, tho.) 0=)

Well, Jewel... you're one year older. And each year you get older you become more the person God is shaping you to be. God has blessed you with so many talents and abilities. Use them to His glory. You are growing up to be a pretty young lady, and I'm glad to call you my "little sis". It's so neat to watch you grow up and mature. My advice for your new year is to always follow your parents teachings and wisdom. God will bless you in ways you can't imagine if you do. He has soo much for your life, so don't ever turn aside from HIS path even when things get hard. I know you're going grow up to be a great woman, Jewel. Luv youl! Happy Birthday!

"It's the most wonderful time of the year!"

Yes, it is definitely Christmas time now. We're at the beginning of December and people are rushing around like mad to buy presents and gifts. Decorations are going up and houses smell of freshly baked cookies and hot apple cider. Holiday music streams through speakers in every department and grocery store. There are happy, red clad people outside of many stores ringing bells to remind people to share the joy with everyone, including the poor and homeless. Children drops 'hints' to their parents as they gaze longingly at toys and candy hoping to get them for Christmas. Family's are planing to get together and friends go Christmas shopping together. Couples kiss under mistletoe and kids run around with santa hats on. But as always... What is Christmas REALLY about? Have we forgotten with all the rush of decorating and shopping? Most of us would say no, but how much do we think about the real 'reason for the season'? I have to confess I haven't. My main focus has been trying to figure out what to get my family and friends. Which is great! There's nothing wrong with that ( I'm sure you wouldn't complain, right guys?) =P, but to let shopping and baking and decorating alone take full importance isn't right. Those are all fun, GREAT things that we all enjoy during the Christmas season, but do we only think about Jesus on Christmas day? I always find myself wondering why I haven't thought more about Jesus during December. The whole month rushes by finding us busy with so many different things! It's soo easy to forget to take time and really let the meaning of Christmas sink in. This year I want to do better, and I encourage you to keep reminding yourself of what we're really focusing on. It's such a wonderful, awesome thing that Jesus came DOWN to earth, humiliating Himself as a HUMAN, just because He loved US so much. He lived a perfect life just to die an awful death for who? Not Himself. But for us... What an overwhelming thought. One that should be pondered and thought about ESPECIALLY during December.


Now, that doesn't mean we don't enjoy in all the festivities! As I write this we're putting up our Christmas tree! I looove decorating for Christmas!! It's one of my favorite things to do, besides making cookies and drinking my mom's apple cider!! I can't wait to have some! And of course I love being with all my friends. It's a perfect season to hug a lot! LoL! Especially with it being cold. =) So here's a hug from me to all ya'll!!! Have a great start to December!! And stay warm! xoxo