Why Yes, Yes I am 30!

Yesterday I turned the big 3-0. A few days ago I was practically hyperventilating in my bathroom looking in the mirror saying "I'm 29, in a few days i'll be 30! 30!! AAHHHH I'm going to be 30!!!" I was seriously freaking out. And that gray hair popping up in my hair wasn't helping a bit. Then the big day arrived, and something happened... I was excited! WHAT?! What had felt like an ending of an era the day before now felt like a beginning. 


Speaking of beginnings, here I am some 29 years ago. And yes, I still love me some Oreo cookies!

Here are the top ten reasons turning 30 is AWESOME!


10. I have a wonderful husband & 2 amazing kids
9. I have my own sense of style all my own (thanks Target!) 
8. Life is GREAT (contentment is the best!)
7. Getting carded makes me smile :)
6. Laugh Lines (only a few i swear)
5. I don't need to find myself anymore, I know who I am
4. I'm still younger than most of my friends!
3. I get to join a whole new demographic group for marketing surveys (yippy!)
2. 5 more years and I can be President! (VOTE for LIZZIE!)
1. 30 is the new 20!


So you see, it's not so bad :) I had a great birthday with my family. Here's a little music for you all: 

au revoir, adieu, ciao, till next time...

She's in Haiti!

You all know I think my mom is a super hero. Well she's proved yet again how super she is! Yesterday she set off on a 7 day missions trip to Haiti. While my dad & I worried about her safety and well being her worries were "What should I take to help these people?" "How can I work faster to get the most done?" 

Here is the first picture from her team:

She's the smiling lady on the far right

There is so much to be done, so many needs in Haiti. My kids wanted to be apart of her journey, so before she left they went through all their toys and picked out stuffed animals they wanted her to give to kids there. I know my mom will be an asset to the missions team, not only because she is the hardest worker I've ever met, and not only because she brought a portable coffee maker to help everyone wake up in the morning (ha ha). But, because she has a huge heart. I hope everything goes well, I hope she is put in the path of those that need her most. Please keep all the missionaries of the world in your thoughts and prayers for all they do & have yet to do.

Here is a picture of one of the projects they will be working on:

Acts 6:4
"But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word".

Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths"



Have you ever been on a missions trip? If so, where? What did you do there? What was it like?
(in HS I went to Mexico and helped build sleeping quarters for other missionaries, it was such a powerful experience.)

au revoir, adieu, ciao, till next time...

To The Pool And Beyond With MS

I have to send a huge message out to my Grandma Arlene... YOU GO GIRL! I am so proud of her. She just recently started a swimming class to help with her immobility caused from Multiple Sclerosis. Does this not look like the face of a happy lady?



My mom and dad flew out to California a few weeks ago and got her all signed up and ready to go. My grandmother was a bit nervous since it has been over 10 years since she has been able to get into a swimming pool. But she is also an adventurous type and couldn't wait.

Here's a little definition of MS "Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune response attacks a person's central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), leading to impairment in sensation, movement, cognition, or other functions depending on which nerves are involved." -courtesy of wikipedia

Grandma Arlene was diagnosed with MS in the late 80's, luckily she was older so it had been a very slow progression. Her main area affected has been her legs. This was a camping, hiking, motorcycle mama we're talking about here so once the MS took away her ability to walk it took away a huge chunk of who she was.



She lives in a little town in the mountains and when word got out that there was a handicap excess-able pool we all jumped at the chance to get her in there! I mean where is the one place you can feel normal and healthy even if your legs don't work anymore? The pool!! Her smile is the most beautiful I have ever seen and I loved getting these pictures in my e-mail inbox today.



Way to go mom for giving this amazing gift to grandma, and way to go grandma for getting right in the water, and always inspiring me to jump over any hurdles that get in my way. I love you.


*added later by my mother: "How blessed I am to be the daughter of this "swimming Grandma". Her example of how to live life hand in hand with her Heavenly Father & happy for each and every day is truly a feat we all can learn from. Her legs may not work, but her heart & love for her family makes up for any "disability" people may see on the outside. I LOVE you Liz for sharing this beautiful story with your friends."
Thanks mom :)

au revoir, adieu, ciao, till next time...