They grow up so FAST!

I know that Zibby is a dog, but he is just as much a child. He is really smart, and makes me laugh all the time. AND he is always so happy to see me when I come home, which always makes me feel good. So Zibby is turning 3 years old on Sunday. I always get him some kind of HUGE bone that takes him a day or two to eat. I might even get him a party hat, I know he hates to wear them but I love to dress him up. Enjoy the video I made of him.

WOW I skipped a WHOLE MONTH!

So sorry I did not blog once in April. A lot did happen in that month. I bought my house that I have been renting for 6 years. YEP, the picture says it all! Everyone keeps saying I am all grown up. I would have to say they are wrong. And I can prove it! Also in April I spent two wonderful weeks being a kid again with our church youth group on our Spring Retreats. Wonderful time.

Working with the youth help keep me young and out of control and always having a good time. Here is a little video I made from some of the good time we had this past Friday at Middle School night out. I LOVE THESE KIDS!!!! I am so blessed to be able to work with these kids.

When Did I Grow Up?!?!?!?

Now don't think to much into that title. I still and probably never will act my age when I am out and about. I do live a life of trying to find crazy fun in everything little thing I do. And yes it has gotten me in trouble, and injured, but also it makes for some great stories. But recently I have started seeing something different in me, something that seems more grown up.

It is not in the way I act but more in the way I react to situations and news and such. Right now I am in the process of trying to purchase the townhouse that I have been renting for 6 years. YEP a very a grown on thing to do I know. But the thing that really struck me is how I am dealing with trying to come up with the money for a down payment. In my 20's, which is not that far back I would just like everyone to know, I would have FREAKED out if I was told I needed to come up with thousands of dollars. I would have thought that there would be no way and probably cry in the shower some and have a nice little pity party. But no not this time! As a 31 year old single lady (that is a hint for all the single guys reading this) I have looked at the contract, told them the contour offer I wanted to make and left the office determined to find the money to get this place. No tears, no worries just some prays asking the Lord if this is the right thing for me to do then I pray he guides me the right way.

Oh but the story does not end there. I go over to my parents house and my dad is so sweet to take my car in to get the oil changed for me. He comes back to let me know that something on the front rear drive that keeps everything together on the car is about to fall off and I will need to get a new one. 20 year old me would again have FLIPPED out. I mean I am trying to get money to buy a house and then I find out I need a $300 dollar part on my car also. But not 31 year old me, nope I just asked how long I have until this thing for sure is just going to drop. (Which I have to say if it does just fall off while I am driving and then my front tires fall off too, as long as there is no huge wreck involved with that I think I would get a good laugh out of it) He says we have a few months and so I go okay I will make it work.

Last night as I laid down to sleep, that is when it all hit me that I have grown up a little. That I now see that money is just money and it comes and goes. The Lord has already made me one of the richest people ever. And after working so much with the homeless I have no reason to complain at all. Things need to be bought, things break and need to be fixed. But then those are just things, and things here on earth. I like to think that I have already purchased my house up in heaven, and the down payment for that one was a lot easier. And I won't need a car up there because I am pretty sure the Lord is going to let me bounce from cloud to cloud. So why worry about the little things down here, they are fun and I am very excited to own a house. But the excitement for up above is even greater.

So don't worry folks, no this crazy red head is not going to be acting all mature anytime soon. She is just going to keep rolling with the flow and loving the Lord and all his creations even more.

BUT if you would like to donate to the "Keep Amanda From Having to Live in a Box Fund" just let me know!!!!

I LOVE BEING AN AUNT!

Over spring break I was able to go up to St. Louis and see my niece and nephews!!! I can not tell you how much I love being the fun crazy aunt. I get to spoil and go crazy with them and then I leave. My niece and nephews each have a little bit of their crazy Aunt Manda in them. And I have video proof of this. Enjoy!

POWDER DAY!!!!!

So yesterday I skipped out on work to go skiing up at Ski Apache in Ruidoso, NM. It was the most powder I have ever skied on. It was so much fun, exhausting BUT FUN!!! I went up with Eric and Aaron the two youth minister's at my church. I have known Aaron just about all my life so he is like a little brother to me. And Eric was my youth minister so he is a big brother. Good times!

For those that don't know, not sure who all reads this, but I LOVE SKIING! I have to say it is the best time I have to bond with the Lord because you are among his beauty!!!! I love to get to the top of the mountain and just stop and stare out for a while before I take off. I was a ski instructor up at Ski Apache right after I graduated from college. It was wonderful. I was able to teach people something that I loved to do. Four months of skiing everyday, it does not get better then that. But then I had to start paying back my students loans so I had to get a really job. To bad ;o(! I do love to hit the snow whenever I can. So yesterday was extra special, not only was I getting to ski BUT it was the best snow EVER. We went up to the Bowl part and no one was up there so we were able to make fresh tracks in snow that was a little past our knees. I learned I never want to go back country skiing, that is mega powder and I don't think I can handle that. Also I learned I am really out of shape, which I kind of already knew, but I always hope for the best.

Anyway, just wanted to share my crazy fun day with you all. We have some good stories if you want to hear them let me know.

HAPPY SPRING BREAK TO EVERYONE!!!