My life as I Know it!

Diet Coke?

2005-11-27T16:15:00.000-05:00

Yes, I admit it, I am in LOVE with Diet Coke... but that's just a random side note!

The last couple of weeks have been ridiculously busy... but I love it! Donna Hausler told me a couple of Sundays ago that I will forever be "busy" that it's just my personality! I may try to cut back on things but I will quickly get bored with doing nothing and not interacting with people... and then it's only a matter of time until I happily fill my schedule right back up!

Thanksgiving was this past Thursday... it was amazing! We went over to our friends the Fields house. Between my dad and brother and then throw in Paul and Ian... oh man they kept us laughing! ALL AFTERNOON! We spent 7 hours together in fellowship over a delicious Thanksgiving meal and leftovers (kudos to Kim the cook!). I truely have much to be thankful for this year, not the least of which is my God, my family and my dear (deer?) friends. The Lord has provided me with steady, encouraging... and if I do say so, AMAZING friends and a "support" circle that is ever present. I've been priveleged this past year to renew friendships with people like Jan Pylman and my dear Lucy Huizing but also to build new friendships, mainly speaking here of the ever growing friendship with Gall.

I know it's a bit belated... but this year I am thankful for...
God's completely covering grace
My family (even if one of them just peirced their ear!)
My Church
My friends
My educational opportunity
My youth group girls
My job (it definitly helps though that Rita's back!)
My Kanook of a roommate

I know that this is a short list... once you start thinking of things you are Thankful for you realize how much there is in life to truely be thankful for.

Every year growing up we read this Psalm, I know it's familiar one but I'd still like to share it with you today...

Psalm 100
A psalm. For giving thanks.

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

2 Worship the LORD with gladness;

come before him with joyful songs.

3 Know that the LORD is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations.

I love Mornings!

2005-11-14T14:05:00.000-05:00

Yes, you heard me right, I love MORNINGS! Normally I get up, exercise, do my devotions, etc... but this morning, I GOT A CALL FROM JANO!!!!!!!!! That made my morning!

AND NOW, I just got done talking to my dearest Matka! This is a Monday to beat all Monday's!

I LOVE MATKA AND JANO!

Fotky

2005-11-13T23:35:00.000-05:00

to much work to get them up in here at the right size... so just this once, check out da xanga
www.xanga.com/cabooga

2005-11-09T16:11:00.000-05:00

hehehe, things that make me happy today....

*RITA!
*Getting a message from Grandma on my phone congratulating me on my first A+ ever!
*Silly e-mails from friends
*Bible Reading
*Diet Coke
*Clean Sheets
*Professor Gall
*My Kanook of a roommate
*Curling up with hot tea and a book

THIS is the day that the Lord has made, let us REJOICE and be GLAD in it! (Psalm 118:24)

Ah, SO good!

2005-11-06T23:26:00.000-05:00

I just had a fantastic evening. I went to church and then ended out going out for coffee with a friend and then to Cornerstone Universities Sunday evening shin dig their equivelent to LOFT).

All together it made for an interesting evening, good conversations... it was deep and soul searching in nature. This evening though, made me realize again how much more I wish I knew! I desire nothing more than to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" and to that end I strive!

Happy Tuesday

2005-11-01T10:44:00.000-05:00

So seriously, the ONLY good thing that has happened today is being able to talk to Stano for a few minutes this morning. Beyond that it's all been down hill!

I got ready for class and walked out the door to drive there and in our driveway was a car I didn't recognize blocking my car in! Which means I couldn't get out and I couldn't get to school today. I tried knocking on a few neighbors doors and nobody was home.. so I don't know who's car it is, but it's making me mad! I had to miss school for it!

2005-10-30T20:46:00.000-05:00

New Weblong Entry you say??

::

I didn't do anything halfway productive today, it was loverly! After the crazy night I had last night I was totally up for doing NOTHING today. First off, one of my High School friends got married last night.. Cheers and Props to Matt and Connie Garlick (I think that's how you spell it). It was definitly the part of the century and way more fun than I thought it would be. Plus, randomly, I knew a lot more people there than I thought I would (besides like highschool/college pals), like the Wares, Steenwyks, Langejans, Leppinks, Laughlins, Ashley Tubergen, Bosschers, etc. It took us forever to finally leave the Amway Grand (I don't know, confusion about rides or something, whatever) so I got home at like midnight (time change included)...

::

AND THEN, I hung out with Julie and her cool friend Jaclyn. We ended up going to a party, which is SO unlike me (for those who know me). It was crazy fun though and I got to bed super late! Gotta love parties!

::

Then there's today, loverly as always! I went home, accomplished nothing, took a nap, went back to church, sat with the phenomenal Elly and the smartest Ben. Good times, good times!

::

And now I must bid you adieu, time for some quality hanging out time with my roomie, aka canadian girl, aka "what's that rrrrrrrarrrrrrrrrrr thing?", aka the coolest Julie!

Pumpkins

2005-10-25T21:15:00.000-05:00

These are the super cute kids (plus one "adopted" one)

Regan showing me her pumpkin

So many to choose from!

All of the rugrats (L to R) Kristie, Regan, Sarah, Nick

Sundays

2005-10-23T20:43:00.000-05:00

This weekend has been pretty crazy. I babysat for my dear "adopted" siblings, Regan, Sarah and Nick. We had a blast... well, a blast until I got sick! BAH! But before I started feeling under the weather we went to Robinettes and got pumpkins! I've got pictures, but I'll put those up later because I've accidently left my camera at home. I don't know, shortly after we got home I got sick and spent most of the rest of the day and the next on the couch! YUCK! I felt so bad, but the kids were so good about it.. and then the parents got home and I got paid SO well despite the fact that I was sick and quite the bump on the log!

Then today was church, I love SUNDAYS! This is definetally the resounding theme of Sundays. Today Tom and Carla joined Redeemer (wOOters all around!), we avoided a Pot-Trust dinner, I took a nap with the Jakester, went to church again at night (akward moment of the year), sat with my good friend Elly and saw my loverly Tory!

AND THEN, to top the day off... I fixed my blown breaker and figured out how to turn the heat on in my house so now I don't have to freeze all the time!! =)

Peace and love my dear friends!

Quote for the day: "Oh Lord, you have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in You"-St. Augustine

2005-10-20T20:49:00.000-05:00

These last couple of weeks have been a complete zoo, but I'm loving it! I love my job, I love my classes and I love my life. I've worked a couple of days this week and actually I am going to be babysitting all week for my adopted little sibs. It's gonna be super great! I think that we're gonna go to the pumpkin patch and get pumpkins to carve and then decorate cookies and then whatever we feel like doing.. I'm SO super siked!

On a completely happy note, Rita (my love) was at work tonight, FINALLY! It's been like a month since she's worked with and I've missed her terribly. It's amazing how much the atmosphere of a place can be influenced by one person. I love work in general, but there's something about Rita being there.. Rita just does something to everybody! I love her SO much and I'm glad that she is back for a little bit again (4 days is better than no days and come on after this time she'll be back for good)

On a random side note.. I need to learn to wink. That is my goal for the week. I think people who wink at other people are just so great. It is an amazing way to single out a person and to make them feel oh so special. So with that said, my goal for the week to wink at at least one person a day!

What is your goal for the week?

HOTTIE!

2005-10-17T21:11:00.000-05:00

WHOA! Who's that hottie? Oh yeah, that's my "super cutie younger but f'sh taller than me" brother!

He's single.. and I have his number!! =) Just kidding, he's a great little bro.. I couldn't ask for better!

I love Kenny Honken

2005-10-12T20:29:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to tell you about the best night I've had in a long time! First of all, I didn't have to work (wOOters all around for that!) and second of all, I was able to spend that free time with Ken.

I know I said I wasn't going to go to YAM but I decided that if I had time I would go (at least for a bit) to support Ken. So, I show up and nobody is there, just good 'ole Ken. After first was like, "bum" but then it turned out all great. Ken and I had a deep two hour conversation... it was EXACTLY what I needed. Thank you God and thank you Ken!

Fotky

2005-10-10T22:42:00.000-05:00

Yesterday afternoon my family took pictures (and Mindy helped!) All the family photos ended up on my moms camera, and I'll get those soon.... but for now, I love these ones!

(Mama a Papa)

(Mindy a ja)

(and... yeah!)

09.10.05

2005-10-09T21:49:00.000-05:00

Hey Cats! (hehehehe.. okay, I'll stop laughing at my inside jokes!)

I know I say this every Sunday, but I LOVE Sundays! I love my church, I love my family, I love LUCY (!!), I love goofing off in the afternoons, I love Sunday naps, I love reading the comics, I love going to church twice and I LOVE BIBLESTUDY!

Tonights Biblestudy was so good. Dad does a great job, he always talks about how nervous he is.. I wish he could hear himself and realize what a good job he really does. Tonight we talked about tithing. In typical dad style, we were all over the place, in Corinthians, 2 Timothy, Ezra, Genesis and then I do believe 2 Chornicles. But it all made sense, I didn't realize that tithing was such a commented on subject. I forget what my dad said but the subject or the idea or the concept of tithing is mention in the Bible almost 3 times more than prayer! Wow, how crazy is that?

But, as always, although I learned a lot.. and for as much as I learned, I think I came up with just as many more new questions. Tithing is such an interesting concept, it is a way of worship, and a matter of the heart but at the same time it is required. So, here are my questions (in no particular order):
1. What's the difference between offering and tithe.. and gift for that matter?
2. Can't God be glorified in legalism? I mean, isn't there a place for legalism? I agree that if that is all there is then there is a problem, but I might tend to argue that a certain amount of legalism (especially in new Christians) is good.
3. What is considered a tithe? Is it just of money? What kind of tithe does God require of us then?
4. Where does common sense and responsibility come in to play in the whole scheme of tithing? I mean, obviously being a HIGHLY financially strapped college student who isn't living extravagantly ... is it smart for me to give all when I KNOW I have bills and what not to pay? I know we are suppose to give out of our want and plenty... and God does provide in amazing ways... but at what point do we also become responsible for life?
5. Should we all be giving to the church and then to others?
6. Is there any reason that tithe should be with held?

Lot's of questions... I think I need to study up some more and talk to my dad again.. or just go back to Biblestudy next month for part two of our lesson!! =)

Anyway, that's all I got for today... sorry it's such a long one, but I just wanted to write about a few of the things that I've been pondering tonight!
peace out alley cats!

08.10.05

2005-10-08T18:17:00.000-05:00

So, I was reflecting on marriage today.. it kinda seems to be the theme of the weekend seeing as I went to a wedding yesterday and Jano and Matka got married today.

My brother and I were talking last night about our desire to meet somebody, to be done with school and to get married... how do you meet people? Is there really somebody out there for me? I don't know I guess although I am happy for my dear friends who got married this weekend, I can't help but feel a little bit lonely.

I don't know...

yeha, so back to hitting the books, being by myself, in my room, with my stupid education book... gotta love being in school!

To Aaron and Elly, CHEERS!

2005-10-07T21:28:00.000-05:00

This evening was SUCH a fantastic night. My good friend Elly Vierzen made the man of her dreams tonight.. and I couldn't be happier! My brother was my date (how fun is that?) and the only other person we knew at the wedding (beside Aaron and Elly of course) was our Pastor! THAT was a little akward. The three of us were the only Redeemer people there... Derek and I wanted to drink (I mean, come on, there was a keg there.. free pivo!) but one feels just a little bit guilty drinking with Eric (the pastor) sitting right next to you!!! So, we drank anyway (it was good) and we danced and we goofed off.. and now I'm home!

I'm sitting here all cuddled up in a blanket, drinking warm apple cider. I love fall! Sleep tight peeps and an early congratualations to Jano and Matka!!!

about fruitin time, huh?

2005-09-29T12:02:00.000-05:00

Yeah, it's about fruitin time that I got my butt in gear and updated. I just don't know what to write about anymore... and I don't have interesting pictures... and I can't come up with anything funny to say... AND (can I say "and" again??) who wants to read something that isn't funny? The opposite of funny is BORING (with a capital "BORE!") and I can tell you now that that is what this post is going to be.

Life of course is busy, but not to busy... I still have time to breathe (I have to schedule it in sometimes, but I always find time to breathe). I'm working (I love work) and school is good too, and Jules and I get to hang out all the time which I love beyond all else! (In fact, at the moment she is telling me to stop typing because she is "TRYING" to study for her quiz in 20 minutes.. evidentally typing is to loud for her!! hehehe, but that won't stop me, I update rain and shine, in snow and sleet, never fear... oh, wait, that's that mailman motto)

Funny story of the day:
Last night I worked. I got a "7 top" (a table with 7 people at it) and they were ordering lot's and lot's of pivo! I thought, NICE, that means there check is going to be big and I'll get a really big tip. So I brought out the pivo and then I was bringing out some water.. and what did I do with the water??? I SPILLED IT ALL OVER THE GUY! Oops! Seriously, I felt so bad and I thought "there goes my tip!" But the guy just laughed it off and was really nice.. and I still ended up with a $23 dollar tip! (insert WHOA here!)

Okay, times up... I have to go to class! Hope life is good for you all.. and that you start class soon... cause it's no fair me being in school if none of you are in school yet!!!!!!
later gaters!

Sadly it's over...

2005-09-22T20:58:00.000-05:00

so, did I mention that Kristinka came up to visit me this past weekend???

yeah, loads of fun.. but stories won't be any good til I get more pictures from her! We took some frickin sweeeeeeet pictures!

And now, sadly life goes on as normal... work, work, school, sleep... yeah, no fun!

A little Buddie Story

2005-09-15T08:55:00.000-05:00

Awe, check it out!

http://www.carynsaidyes.com/photos/cartoon/001.htm

Congrats Cayrn and Chris on the new little "Buddie!"

2005-09-11T21:38:00.000-05:00

ah..... big, deep, contented sigh..... I love Sundays!

Today, honestly didn't start off to well! But, I do love Sundays. Church this morning, sweet fellowship in the afternoon, a sleepless nap, church again in the evening and then Biblestudy, oh Biblestudy!

Can I start counting down the days til Kristina gets here for a visit??? =)

Todays Random Observations...

2005-09-08T21:25:00.000-05:00

...and social commentary by Carrie

1. So, today I was in the bathroom and the girl in the stall next to me, her phone rang... AND SHE ANSWERED IT! She proceeded to talk for at least a minute while I was stuck in the next stall with a dilemma on my hands. I knew she was on the phone and I was like, "do I flush the toliet or wait until she's done talking??" What's a girl to do? Why did she answer the phone in the bathroom? Ended up flushing the toliet.. actually, like three times to make her mad! I figured if she was rude enough to aswer her phone while in the bathroom I could be rude enough to flush the toliet like a bazillion times and make TONS of noise!! =)

2. My PE Prof is like super cool, but it struck me today as I sat in class that I don't know a single PE prof who dresses nicely! Is there like a code that PE teachers must sign that says they won't ever dress nice, that they will wear male-ish type clothes (if their female), etc or is it just that they are so sporty that they don't know how to dress decent. Really, it's quite a random phenomen.

3. Third and final observation of the day is.. I LOVE MY GRANDMA! Have I ever told ya'll that? Yes, she happens to be the kicken-est lady ever and YES, I get to go out to breakfast with her in exactly 1 week! wOOt for that!

That's all for today folks! Have a great weekend, k?? =)

UBER-cuteness

2005-09-05T21:38:00.000-05:00

So, I'm all moved into my new house.. seriously folks, it's UBER-cute! My room is all put together and I just love it! And my roommates are like the essence of coolness! Last night Jules (my dear Julie) moved in and then we just hung out. It was so great and we laughed like no other.. Julie was doing something at the sink and she was like, "Do you have one of those things in your sink that goes 'rrrarrrrrr?'" hahaha, do you perhaps mean a "garbage disposal??" =) We literally spent 20 minutes making noises at the guinea pigs and then at 2 in the morning we decided to venture outside to our super creepy shed to see if we could find the kittens that we have living in there... we didn't find them though, we just creeped ourselves out and ran back inside!

Anyway, I know I keep saying this, but eventually I WILL post pictures, I promise.. but for now, I have to go to bed! School starts tomorrow!

uh, where's CARRIE?

2005-09-02T08:01:00.000-05:00

I'm here... really I am... just been obsessively busy this week. I guess that's what happens when you get a job, are subbing at another job and are trying to pack all at the same time!

I'm pretty siked, this weekend I move into my house! It'll be crazy though I've discovered that I have a TON of stuff! I'll try to take pictures, if I remember, and if I can find my camera (I think I put it in a box and I'm just not sure which box I put it in!!!)

Hope you all have a great weekend... I"m off to work and finish packing and moving and Biblestudy, phew, it'll be a "groooood" weekend!

2005-08-26T12:56:00.000-05:00

Isn't that the most gorgeous picture?? It's from Fallsburg Park last fall... aren't the colors just so crisp and clear and beautiful? What a great God we serve!

And now I'm off to go get ready to go to work.... cross your fingers I don't drop anything!! =)

2005-08-25T18:12:00.000-05:00

hehehe, I feel like a rebel! I'm not going to YAM tonight, but do I care? And the answer would be "No, I don't care!"

So, I'm a working stiff again.. I know I told ya'll that I got the job at smokey bones (www.smokeybones.com), it's a good job but it's a lot of work to learn all the new stuff! I have SO many new foods to learn and today we got thrown all the bar things that I have to learn. I know NOTHING about alcohol... I'm not against drinking I just don't do it very often and I don't know a lot about it. Anyway, it was just a long day because the bartender/teacher lady was REALLY mean and just highly unreasonable... I've been doing a lot of studying tonight though, so hopefully tomorrow will go better (yes, pray for a better day at work tomorrow)!

Anybody got crazy great plans for the weekend? =) Yes, I am working.. and doing Biblestudy wid da coolest 3 girls in the world and then of course church on Sunday! Can ya top that?

my first day...

2005-08-22T20:32:00.000-05:00

I started my new job today... aren't ya'll impressed??

My brother (the punk) hasn't even finished his summer job yet and he already has a new one for the fall. He was like, "I was unemployeed for one minute and I got a job." Yeah, rub it in Derek, rub it in!

Nothing all that exciting happened at work today. We did all the paper work and watched a couple of strange videos on security. Evidentally too.. I'm cool. I don't know how it happens, I kinda think of myself as a nerd but for some reason I get along with everybody and people think I'm cool ...even if I am wearing tapered pants, dorky work shoes, my hair up in braids and an ugly green "Smokey Bones," go figure!

Anybody got ICQ? I heard a rumor that a few of you do... and now I do to and I'll be able to be online more once I move into my new house (yeHA for the Ardmore girls.. that's me by the way and three other awesome girls!)

"wOOters all around"

2005-08-21T14:15:00.000-05:00

wOOt and a super wOOt! I (as of yesterday at 11:09am) am the new waitress at Smokey Bones resturant. I start bright and early tomorrow morning.... such an amazing answer to prayer! Thank you Lord!

Okay seriously, I LOVE babysitting... we have.. watched a TON of movies, baked a BAZILLION cookies and then decorated them SO cool, cleaned up the yougart that Elizabeth spilled on the couch, played baseball, got a sun tan, watched bryant (and David Gordon) played wacky basketball and cuddled oh so much with Kristie! I love it!

To as a HUGE answer to prayer (maybe even more so than the job issue) is the restoration of the relationship with Dariusz... thank you Lord for helping us both forgive eachother and then move on with life!

Today my friends is a BEAUTIFUL day! May everything we do today be to the glory of our great savior and creator.... may all his creatures PRAISE HIM!

Limited Atonement

2005-08-20T07:57:00.000-05:00

And yet again, I find myself in charge of youngsters for the weekend. I'm spending this weekend at the Hansen house with Bryant and Kristie and Elizabeth. This job is for sure easier than that weekend job I did for Hundermans... I'm literally just here to eat their food. Bryant is a sophomore in High School and has no need for a babysitter, Kristie is a 7th grader and she's pretty self-sufficient, and Elizabeth is 5 but is very independent. So basically I'm just here to hang out (do the dishes now and again) and.. when everything is quiet (like now because everybody is still sleeping) I can take some time to update my blog!

This week has been pretty decent... I've babysat a couple of times and had two interviews for jobs. In fact, today I go back for a second interview at one of the places, hopefully that means that I'll get the job! I guess I'll find out at 11am when I go back.

Anyway, I spent part of yesterday reading a book called "Knowing God" by JI Packer. I'm only through the second chapter, but the book is SUPER GOOD. It's amazing how in like 20 pages I have already been convicted of SO much. I don't know, I have to take some notes on the book and when I do, I'll share it with you...

I was also reading some stuff out of Sprouls September Tabletalk which was talking about Atonement. There was one article by Thomas Ascol which really struck me. I never really realized that in Calvinism, although we believe in Limited Atonment (the L in TULIP), our scope of who is saved or elect is actually "wider" than say the Arminians who want to believe that God died for EVERYBODY. The example that they gave was.. "the difference between these two views (the Arminians and Calvinist views of Atonement) is like the difference between a narrow bride that extends ALL the way across a valley and a wider one that only goes halfway." Does this make any sense? Arminians say that we limit Christ's death but we say "Christ died that he inffalibly secure the salvation of a multitute that no man can number, who through Christ's death not only may be saved, but ARE saved, MUST be saved and cannot by any possibility run the hazard of being andything but saved." Christ died for his elect for the sheep that had been given to him by the father (John 10) AND, in applying that further.. this view of atonement guarantees the success of evangelism. As Ascol says, "God has a people who will be saved infalibly through the preaching of the Gospel. He has chosen them. Christ has died for them. And the Spirit will regenerate them through the message of Salvation." Praise GOD!

FrUsTrAtIoN!

2005-08-15T15:14:00.000-05:00

ARGHs!

Lord life just seems to be getting hard and more frustrating as each minute passes.... and then you remind me that you grace is sufficient for me....

refreshing

2005-08-13T21:08:00.000-05:00

This weekend has been SO refreshing. I've spent a lot of time cleaning and organizing and hanging out with my family! My mom and I have played 13 games of cribbage of which I won 11 (and in two of those I skunked her!!!)

Friday night (yeah, last night) I went to the wedding of a high school friend... it was interesting to say the least. I ended up at a table (for the reception) with NOBODY my age... I was with my friend Sarah's mom, my friend Emily's parents and my old High School English teacher and her husband! It was SO weird...

Today I went to a baby shower... that was weird too... I seriously was the youngest one there, all these old ladies from the church, it was hilarious! They had stories to all get out... I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. They said they were trying to educate me on the joys of being married and having babies... hahahaha, good thing that's a long way off!

mm, could I get an e-mail from Kristinka tonight?? =) I sure hope so!

My dear friends.. have a blessed Sunday!

lOOOOOOOOOOOOng night

2005-08-11T11:52:00.000-05:00

The night before last I slept like 11 hours (FINALLY, I had been sleeping like 4 or 5 hours a night for the like the week before)... that sleep was SO good, but so not good for last night. I was awake until 4:30am! CrAzY! I did get a lot things done. I cleaned my room, organized some stuff and got pretty brutal and finally threw some stuff away (shesk I'm a pack rat!).. I also spent like an hour and a half reading the Bible and reflecting on things. It sucked to not be sleeping (because honestly I was pretty tired) but what I ended up doing was SO much better. I hadn't realized how spiritually dry I had let myself become until I had had such a long a refreshing meeting with my Savior! It made me realize how much I need to make devotions a bigger part of my day....

So, that's my two sense for the day... oh and hey, if you guys think about it... my friend is getting married tomorrow and evidentally she is REALLY sick and not doing so well. I think she's getting nervous, you know, prewedding jitters... pray that she has peace and of course that she gets healthy, QUICK! =)

yes, an update

2005-08-08T16:18:00.000-05:00

Stano's spurred me on to great blogging... so here I am updating, at last!

We sang the most beautiful hymn last night...
"Day by day and with each passing moment, strength I find to meet my trials here. Trusting in my fathers wise bestowment I've no cause for worry or fear. He whose heart is kind beyond all measure gives unto each day as he deems fit. Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure mingling toil with peace and rest."
Hymn speak so aptly to the soul...this hymn is growing on me!

Want to know what else is refreshing to the soul? Friends! This past week was full of spending times with friends. Thursday with YAM (yeah for Trella and Melanie and Chad being there.. BOO for Mindy not being there) and then Saturday we headed out to Grand Haven only to watch "the hill" go up in flames!!!

yeah, it was fricking hilarious! NOBODY was watching the fireworks themselves instead we were all thoroughly entranced by the hill!

Anyway.. I know this isn't much of an update.. but it's WAY to hot to be sitting inside in front of the computer, so I'm gonna go back outside and work on this once in a life time tan that I've got going!
Peace out gangsta's!

OUCH!

2005-08-03T08:13:00.000-05:00

Yes.. I've gotten sunburnt TWO days in a row! I am in pain!

babysitting maniac

2005-07-29T09:55:00.000-05:00

So... here's the plans for my thrilling weekend....

I am (as of two hours ago) incharge of two precious little kids, Emma and Reece... I will be here ALL weekend (Derek and Andrea get home on Sunday night)! It should be lot's of fun, but at the same time I know it will be very challenging! Emma is 3 and Reece is 2... PHEW, it's gonna be a lot of work, but thank goodness for nap time! =) Just kidding!

Sorry for not updating in awhile.. life has been pretty crazy! This week I was able to pick up a lot of babysitting jobs and work a couple of hours here and there... this has been a HUGE blessing because I am quickly becoming poor without a job! I may have said this earlier, but there are a couple of good possibilities and I'm just praying that I get which ever one the Lord wants me to have!

AND, as a fun update... last night we had YAM! My favorite thing in the whole entire world! We were at Streekstra and we got to go swimming for like the first hour. Keri and I (yes, Keri and Carrie) did "Rock-a-Bye Baby" for like 20 minutes.... my abs kill SO much, but it was tons of fun. And we taught Dariusz the fine are of chicken fights, cannon balls and belly flops... hehehe, it was fun! I'm gonna be really sad to see him go, actually it'll probably be very bittersweet. In terms of YAM, Ken Honken is taking over, he's phenomenal and of course will do a very good job! But, yes, interms of friendship... I will be very sad to see Dariusz go.... he can make me smile like no other and he's become a confidon (sp?) Anyway, again, enough about Dariusz!

ah... and the kiddos are calling.. let's pray I survive this weekend!

today is SATURDAY!

2005-07-23T11:00:00.000-05:00

can we get a wOOt wOOt for it being Saturday? Not like I've had a hugely busy week... but still, there is something nice about the weekends, PLUS all my other friends (those working stiffs) are free to hang out on the weekends... good times, ah yes, good times!

Yesterday I ended up working for a couple of hours and then going babysitting (I made $40, wOOt) and today... I got up early for a Panera breakfast date with Mindy and Brandy, am working now, will be going to the beach later with Lindsay and then it's off to a picnic tonight at the Fields house (now THAT could be interesting!)

AH, a quick job update! I have a very encouraging conversation with the head of a local after school program... it looks like this could be a very good possiblity for a job, not only is it in my field and doing things that I love to do but it's also great pay and even better hours! I know that this is a job that I really want, but I'm praying that the Lord's will be done either way....

hmm... I want to wear my new indian sweater

my cup smells like cheetos

will Paul where jeans tonight (I'm taking bets)

yes, another round of diet coke

okay... I'm signing off now....

Peace OUT,
chuck... er, carrie

July? Where did June go?

2005-07-20T09:23:00.000-05:00

Yeah, so it's been a bit since I've updated... and for that I apologize!

Life has been pretty busy and crazy lately, but I do love every minute of it! I finished my last summer class last week! Hallelujah, it's offically summer now! And I went to Lakeside to visit some dear friends over the fourth of July weekend... that was so great. People ask what we did when I was up there expecting that we did these GREAT, hugely fantastic things (asked of course by true Americans) and I happily answer that we did a whole lot of nothing! =) It was so great to just hang out and talk. We did happy little crazy things that I was completely content to do! We played spoons and went to lunch at somebodies house, we walked to the dock and got ice cream and HECK YEAH, I got to be in their fourth of July parade with Miska and Jesse and Sara and Ryan (and Charles!). Anyway, it was great... and I'm definitely looking forward to them coming up here to GR to hang out! I can't wait to see them again and honestly, I think that that is really the only thing that is truely getting me through this crappy week!

Speaking of crappy week... I should tell you that I lost my job! My boss was just dirty and she totally gave me the shaft. I HATE it when people act like they are your friend and then they turn around and just totally stab you in the back... yeah, that's basically what happened! So, I'm in the midst of looking for a job (which looks promising by the way) it's just frustrating and I'm feeling hurt and slightly betrayed. BUT, as much as it sucks... I can't even begin to tell you the amount of things that I am learning and the things that I have been able to do BECAUSE I lost my job. God is really teaching me to rely on him... and His timing... and His will... yeah, God's ways are SO not our ways... er, MY ways! =)

Anyway, I have to go... I need to go mow the lawn and then I'm going to go do some cleaning and what not... oh the life of the unemployed! =)

fotky

2005-07-05T13:37:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Garage deLuxe!

more pictures at http://photobucket.com/albums/y48/cabooga/ and then under the "lakeside" link

wow

2005-07-01T14:08:00.000-05:00

This last couple of weeks have been really good....

YAM was last night at the Dawes house. We watched "The Pianist," it's a phenomenal movie and I would highly recommend watching it (although not with people who can't be serious!). It was interesting to get a different view... Dariusz grew up in the city that the movie takes place, his grandparents lived in the Jewish Ghetto that they portrayed, etc. I can't believe that we as humans could sink so low as to do something like that.... it is the antithesis of evil, of human depravity!

May Jesus come quickly!

WHOA I'm tan!

2005-06-29T11:54:00.000-05:00

Yeah, been hangin in the pool alot lately and I must say for the first time in who knows how many years, I actually have a fairly decent tan! wOOt!

Not much is going on, I just wanted to say HI before I headed back out to the pool for an afternoon of tanning and reading! I hope you are all well... I'll update again when I have more interesting things to tell ya'll!

PEACE OUT!

are you KIDDING me?

2005-06-27T12:28:00.000-05:00

so, I thought he was out of the picture and then he shows up yesterday at Redeemer. Why do I have to have such a stalker of an ex-boyfriend? Arghs... whatever floats his boat though, I have my friends and I'm not worried about him at all. Dariusz and Derek and gonna "pummel" him if he tries anything... I kinda like it that I have this circle of boys (Dariusz, Dan, Derek and Ian) who are all kinda protective of me and very loyal! I have no worries when they are around! I LOVE THOSE BOYS!

Lakeside this weekend!!!!!!

=( And they lost....

2005-06-24T12:40:00.000-05:00

Sadly, the Pistons lost last night! I know a few guys who are extremely sad!

Yesterday night was loads of fun. YAM (Young Adult Meetings) spent the evening at the PRC (the Pregnancy Resource Center) learning about their mission and then doing some work! I really had to laugh at all the guys trying to put together baby toys and swings and bouncers and strollers! It took like 6 big MANLY guys to put together one small baby bouncer!

After the PRC we went over to the Boogaart domain (aka my house) to watch the Pistons/Spurs game. It was really great... Katie and I got to ride with Dariusz and Dan! Dariusz and I had to laugh because Dan volunteered to sit in the back with Katie... yes, Dariusz and I decided that we are good matchmakers! Once we got to church we all followed eachother out to the house. At first Dariusz was in the lead and he was froggin around weaving in and out of the lane and then slamming on his breaks and speeding up... I rolled down my window and pulled along side Dan and we were yelling (between cars) that Dariusz was gonna get pulled over and how hard we would laugh if he got a DUI! That would have been to funny! It's only a 5 minute drive to my house from church, but it was SO funny... Dariusz kept passing us and then Dan would get in front and slam on his brakes! I don't know, it was pretty entertaining... good thing it was just us on the road because we coulda caused an accident if somebody else was around!

Anyway, hanging out and watching the game was super fun. There was a good group (Dan, Dariusz, KEN (!!), Seth, Ian, Derek and me), this group mixed with a beer or two, chocolate malts and fresh, hot cookies... now THAT'S a good time! To bad the Pistons had to lose!

So, yeah... that was my night! Supa fun! I'll post pictures from this and the rest of the weekend later this week! I got an AWESOME picture of Ian pushing Seth in the baby stroller! HAhahaha, oh the things that you can get guys to do! =)

Baby Matthew

2005-06-23T15:11:00.000-05:00

Ah, great news! My aunt and uncle in Denver just got an adorable boy named Matthew. They are foster parents with the intent to adopt! Joel and Mel just finally sent out pictures and they have got the CUTEST little boy. Praise God! And Praise God that the family is adjusting well to having this little one around... Caleb and Isaac (my little cousins) are really stepping up to the plate and being good helpers and phenomenal "BIG" brothers!
Joel and Matthew

Mel and the boys

I like being tan!

2005-06-20T13:18:00.000-05:00

Hiya!

And this post is brought to you curtesy of my weekend...

My weekend was... pretty interesting. I have this tendency to put expectations on things, I hate that! Nothing ever quite lives up to my expectations. This weekend was case in point! I had such great expectations of what fun this past weekend was going to be. Saturday we were going to go to Birthday Bash but it ended up that pretty much everybody, for some reason or other, canceled on us. We still had a good time... but it would have been better had Dariusz and Meg and Ian not canceled on us!

Furthermore, Sunday Dariusz was suppose to come over for lunch... sorta, and that so didn't happen! I spent most of Sunday super bummed but like I said, it's because I put expectations on events and situations! How do you avoid doing that? Arghs... oh well. Sunday night though, was by far the best part of my weekend! I got to go for a walk with my good friend Maria. She is f'sh f'sh my soul sister! We just think a like and finish eachothers sentences and agree on so much! We chatted it up for our one hour walk and then for another hour while sitting in the parking lot! I love that girl more than you guys could even guess!

Big contented sigh...

2005-06-17T12:28:00.000-05:00

Ah, these past few days have been so good... take away statistics and they would have been FANTASTIC!

Wednesday I spent the afternoon babysitting for the Cross's! I love hanging out with kids! When else do you get to have a crazy spur of the moment dance party, make cootie catchers, have burping contests in McDonalds or laugh so hard that you cry? Those kids are so precious to me and I really do have a great time with them. After Kevin (Mr. Cross) got home I headed off to Redeemer for Biblestudy. I had told Dariusz that I would be there... he said he needed a smiling face and some extra support! He was pretty nervous. =) He did a phenomenal job though. The Biblestudy was on the section in the Westminister Confession of Faith that talks about the church. We talked alot about the invisible church verses the visible church. He explained a few things that I had never really understood before.. life why we say in the Apostles Creed that we "believe in the holy catholic church." I always felt that was a condradiction but I didn't understand what it was really saying. The catholic church (with a little c) refers to the universal church or the invisible church! It was like a light bulb went on and it clicked, I get it!

Anyway, Thursday I worked and then met Katie and Mindy for dinner at Panera.... mmm, Panera! Then we headed over to Plymans for YAM (hahaha, yeah, Dariusz and Dan came up with that name! YAM=Young Adults Meeting, brilliant boys, brilliant!) This too was SO good. Dariusz is working on translating a book on Bono to Polish (not just for fun, he is getting paid for it) so he drew our Biblestudy out of that book. We first read Acts 17 where Paul is in Rome and he talks about the statue to the "unknown god." We talked about how Paul message there was seeker sensitive in that he approached them on a level that they would understand and be interested in (i.e. one of their idols). Just like today we can't really go up to non-christians and say "repent or be condemned to hell." We need to reach to them where they are at.. I don't know if that makes sense... I'd probably be able to explain it better if I had my "notes" with me, but alas I don't! It was good though...

So, that's been the last couple of nights... don't really plan on doing anything tonight. I have to grace Keri's graduation open house with my presence (yeah, don't I have a highly elevated view of myself!) and then I plan to mow the law! Tomorrow is Birthday Bash so I don't want to do anything to extravagent or crazy tonight... gotta save my energy! =)

Let me know what ya'll are up to! Hope all is good.. miss you terribly!

Wedding Shower = Lot's of Laughs!

2005-06-15T12:46:00.000-05:00

Last night I had the privelege of going to a surprize bridal shower for Connie a friend of mine from High School (or really from Elementary School, but we went to High School together too!)... anyway...

The whole evening was a BLAST! We got to Connie's house around 7:30 (she was out with another friend of ours), we decorated the place up and then waited for Connie to get back so the real party could begin. Seriously you guys the face she made at us when she walked in the door and saw all of us was priceless! She was so surprized and then her surprize quickly turned into her normal hyper-spastic self. She was flipping out and screaming and... hahaha, it was SO funny! But anyway, we spent the rest of the night playing hilarious games and hearing Connie's embarressing (yet highly funny) moments! This is an AWESOME (and hilarious) picture of the whole group!

Guys, this week is stressing me out! I hate it when I have a lot of things I HAVE to do but also a lot of things that I WANT to do. I have class and work everyday this week, plus a couple of hours of homework... but there's also things like, wedding showers, going out with friends, Biblestudies, graduation open houses, etc that I really WANT to go to! I don't REALLY have time to do all the fun things but I'm kinda sacraficing sleep and mental stability so that I can do them! Like tonight is the first Summer Biblestudy number one, this is like the best Biblestudy of the year to go to and number two, Dariusz is leading it so how the heck could I miss it? =) BUT realistically, I should probably not go because I have like 3 hours of homework to do and a test tomorrow... you know I'm gonna go though! I wouldn't miss it for the world!

Okay, enough blabbering on about absolutely nothing... I should go at least attempt some of my homework while I'm here babysitting! I hope you are all well, I miss you and love you!

Puuuuuuuuuur-fect Weekend

2005-06-13T13:22:00.000-05:00

Oh my dear friends, I must tell you about my PUR-fect weekend! I'll start out with some pics and then I promise to tell you more details about it!

This is Dariusz... he's SOOOOOOOO good looking!

This is my favorite picture! Derek (my bro) and Dariusz!

Derek getting some air

and Derek getting some water....

Lucas showing off his mad tight wakeboarding skills

And, last but not least... Dariusz chillin in the water waiting for us to come back and get him!

And now for more of the specifics! I met Dariusz at his apartment around noon... and we drove up there together. I was seriously really worried, I don't know why cause everything was puuuuuuuurfect, but I really was worried. On like Tuesday he told Derek that he would drive himself up there because he had to be somewhere today at like noon. I'm not sure why, but I felt like that kinda changed the dynamicsof the trip. But, yet again, it was just me over analyzing the situation! We chatted effortlessly all the way up there... and then we spent the rest of the day on the boat with Derek and Lucas and occassionally with my cousin Jake. We went minnowing and I got to walk back wid da boy. We talked (and talked) and when we finally got back (like five minutes after Derek and Lucas... we walked slow) my dad was like "and just what were you two doing???" Dariusz grabbed my arm and was like "Sir, there are some things you just don't need to know!" We both started laughing and headed to the dock to fish! Nothing happened ofcourse, but it was SO funny. Later that night we all walked out to Lake Michigan and again Dariusz and I ended up walking together again. Derek and Lucas walked kick butt fast and grandma and mom walked super slow! I don't know, we talked about everything and anything...

It's strange, I don't know how to read him. He does certain things and my "girl radar" reads it as, it's gotta mean something... but I really don't know! Like for example, at night we split two beers (that sounds really funny to say) he went and got one and we passed it back and forth, finished it and then decided we wanted another... We just sat on the couch (pretty close) and watched a movie. He did the thing with my dad... everytime I walked up to the cottage to get something he would come with me, sometimes just to come, but most times to help. Some of the things that we talked about too... MAN! I don't know, therewere a few other things too and I seriously think that it could be a possibility...

Really it was a puuuuuuur-fect weekend. Not only did I have great fun, I got to spend quality time with da Polish boy! I learned so much about him and we had some quality conversations. I don't know guys... if you think about it, pray for me! That I'll gaurd my heart and that I'd be able to enjoy his friendship. Pray for him too... he's got one crazy week ahead of him! He has to lead a two hour Biblestudy for like 20-40 people on Wednesday night, he's got Biblestudy for the Young Adult meeting on Thursday AND he's preaching on Sunday! WHOA!

Titles?

2005-06-09T15:29:00.000-05:00

Ah, this could take some getting use to! I hope ya'll don't mind me switching blogs. I like my xanga one, but I was getting kind of bored with it... needed a change of pace!

This week has been pretty crazy. My statistics class is kickin my butt! It's a lot of work and it's kind of hard to understand but I'm pluggin along, this too I shall survive. Yesterday afternoon I sat out by the pool for a couple of hours. It was SO great and now I no longer have an extremely obvious farmers tan.

It's almost the weekend. I'm pretty excited about that... we leave Saturday afternoon for Stoney Lake. Mom talked to Jack the other day, sounds like besides us there could be a couple of other people up there too! Paige and Adam? Jacob? Either way, it's gonna be cool... as long as a certain somebody leaves his speedo AT HOME! What could be better a day at the lake, spending time with super cool friends and relatives, eating more than we can handle, minnowing, fishing, ATTEMPTING to tube (or wakeboard, or knee it or ski), etc. "Now THIS is what summer is all about!"

For YOU!

2005-06-08T14:29:00.000-05:00

Hi Guys!

So, I've been messing around on this blogger stuff and I decided that I am going to do one of these! I've been having trouble writing in my xanga lately! My xanga seems to have two different audiences, you guys (my dear friends) and a random group of kids from church ranging in ages from 8 to 15 years old! It's difficult because there are things that I want to write about to tell all ya'll but I don't feel like I can because I know that there are lot's of little eyes reading too! I'll still update my xanga on occassion... but it probably won't be anything interesting seeing as it'll be geared for a younger audience. I don't know if that makes any sense at all, but either way, it does to me!

So, yes... this is my new blog! I'll try to keep it a bit more updated than I had been for my xanga! I love you guys and KEEP IN TOUCH!