... Grandma Welch ...

My beautiful grandma passed away yesterday. I still don't think it has really set in yet. I love my grandma so much. She was such a beautiful person inside and out, and I know there wasn't anything she wouldn't do for me.. all I had to do was ask. My grandma always put everyone else before her. She was so kind and caring and always made you feel welcome. When I went away to college she used to write me letters about once a week to keep me updated on what was happening in Paradise. I knew if I ever needed someone to talk to, I could always call her and she was always so loving and supportive of whatever I was going through. My grandpa is in my prayers, I can't imagine how hard this is for him. They spent the last 50 years of their life together. They depended on each other. I know my grandma is in a better place now. I had been thinking about calling her for the past couple of days and never did. I am kicking myself in the butt for it now. I know she will be loved and missed by many.

... my Nic ...

Meet Nic. We have been hangin out the past month and a half! I have never been so happy before! He is incredible! We are having so much fun getting to know each other and spending time with each other. We are so compatible and have a lot in common. Sometimes we stay up just talking and laughing telling each other stories from our past. It feels good to have someone to lean on when life gets hard. And we both lean on each other. I feel so blessed to have Nic in my life. He means everything to me. We always put each other first, and we are both so appreciative of one another. It feels so good. We have so much fun together whether we are out at dinner or a movie, or just bumming around.. we always enjoy each other's company. Can't wait to see what the future holds. :) Oh and don't forget to look at the scoreboard from our first game of bowling. ;)

...definitely unexpected...

2009 was filled with lot's of changes for me! As most of you know, I had gotten engaged around Christmas last year. After close to a year of being engaged, we called it off. It's funny how fast your life can change. To be honest, I felt really embarrassed that it wasn't going to work out. I was afraid to tell people I had broken it off for fear it would be looked at as some kind of a failure. But I don't see it that way at all. Infact, I believe that everything happens for a reason. I feel I am a better person for having been in that relationship, because I grew as a person and I learned more about who I am and what I want. When we called it off I told myself, I'm not looking for anything serious.. I'm just going to work on myself and focus on creating the life I want. Shortly after that I met someone. Someone great. I was on facebook one day looking at one of my student's picture's. That's when I stumbled upon a picture of her older brother. The next day at work I brought it up to her, it went something like this.

Me: Umm Syd! Hello! Your brother is way hot!! Where have I been?! Why didn't I know this?
Sydnee: He is single!!
Me: I am a trainwreck! ha ha

The next day, she came back with some good news.. My brother thinks you are cute! So I decided to take matters into my own hands! I commented on a picture of her's that he was tagged in, knowing that it would alert him. The rest is pretty much history! He added me as a friend, sent me a message and we started texting like crazy! We had a date set up for a Saturday, but he ended up coming into the school on Thursday night to get a micro from Syd. I was soooo nervous to meet him in person finally, because we had so much fun texting that I was nervous he wouldn't like me in real life! We ended up hanging out that night, and then on the following Saturday and we have hung out almost every day since! He is awesome! I am having so much fun, and I'm happy! I feel like I'm 15 again! Getting butterflies whenever I see him! I hope it continue's going well. I figured I should mention it that way when you start seeing him making appearance's on here you won't be lost! 2009 ended much differently then I thought it would. But I couldn't ask for a better ending! Sometimes life is definitely unexpected!

... Merry Christmas ...

I love this time of year... so many things to be grateful for. I want to share my favorite quote that I love to read when I am feeling overwhelmed at times. It reminds me to slow down and be grateful for every blessing the Lord has blessed me with and to enjoy the life I live!

How To Make A Beautiful Life

Love yourself. Make peace with who you are and where you are at this moment in time.

Listen to your heart. If you can't hear what it's saying in this noisy world, make time for yourself. Enjoy your own company. Let your mind wander among the stars.

Try. Take chances. Make mistakes. Life can be messy and confusing at times, but it's also full of surprises. The next rock in your path might be a stepping stone.

Be happy. When you don't have what you want, want what you have. Make do. That's a well kept secret of contentment.

There aren't any shortcuts to tomorrow. You have to make your own way. To know where you are going is only part of it. You need to know where you have been too. And if you ever get lost, don't worry. The people you love will find you. Count on it.

Life isn't days and years. It's about what you do with that time. And all the goodness and grace that's inside you.

Make a beautiful life... the kind of life you deserve.

I am so thankful for all of my friend's and family who have been there for me this year, through high's and low's and everything in between! I hope that everyone will remember to stop and enjoy every minute they share with their loved one's during the holiday's! Merry Christmas!!

a few more...

Sneak Peek!

Meet Deegan! Isn't he just the cutest little guy?? He was born 5 weeks early, and is just under 6 pounds! He was the smallest baby I have ever seen in person! Congrats again Brooke and Eric! You guys will make the best parents!

some randoms!

(Her eyes look really bad, she needs surgery on them again)

another funny dance video!!

can't stop watching this!

Jana + Billy Engagement from IRIS AND LIGHT on Vimeo.

Don't you just love them??

Maggie


Tieka


I love these dogs so much! They are my children!!