1. Sorry for my lack of blogging. I had a discouraging blogging set-back, and now I just have nothing interesting to say.

2. Did you notice that I imported all my old posts from my old blog? I missed them. But, I am super sad because it didn't import all my comments with the posts. So write new comments!

3. On my way back to work today from lunch, I was doing my drive-thru Starbucks, when I look in the window and see my 2 bosses and my friend. I got jealous so I parked and went in to join the party. Sad thing was that my bosses got to stay at Starbucks....but I had to go back to work.

4. The basketball season is almost over. Praise the Lord! BUT if they win both their games this week (which they most likely will) they will be tied for the league title and will have to play a "tie-breaker" game on Saturday, which will make me REALLY angry because....

5. I have a super fun date on Saturday! I can't wait. D is taking me up to Seattle and we are going to go to a bunch of the different islands and ride the ferries (is that how you spell that word? idk)!

6. I have all the blinds in my office open today because it has been snowing. I am ready for another couple snow days.

7. Back to #4, if they win the league title then we have to go through playoffs and all that. bleck. I would be happy for the kids though. I like them and they work hard.

8. I was trying to find some information about the Tualatin Heritage Center yesterday and ended up reading a lot about Tualatin history and it was so fascinating. I love history. And just a random fact for you...when Tualatin was first founded, it was spelled Tualitin. I like the "a" better.

9. Why does so much of life revolve around money? I know you can't get around it, but I hate it. Money stinks. Think about how much more joyous and cheerful people would be if money wasn't a factor in life....just a thought.

10. Speaking of money, I seriously need to cut back on my coffee consumption.

11. On home game nights, I always have dinner ready for D so he can come home and eat between the JV and Varsity game. But tonight, I am making dinner for J too, and it should be fun. Kinda like the (not-so) old days.

12. I am just curious, if you had your wedding to do over again, what would you change? And if you are not married, what is the one thing you KNOW you want to do when the time for your wedding comes. (Kristie, I think I know what yours is. Be nice :) )

13. I would love to come up with a way to make money that did not involve me having to work everyday from 8-5. It would be awesome if something that I loved to do could make money for me, but I got nothing.

14. Pray for D's friend Steve. He is having surgery on Friday.

15. I am not buying D a valentine's present, can you believe it?.....I can't believe it. I love buying him presents. But, we are just exchanging cards...which of course is the best part to me anyway. And I am making his card, so it will cost be approximately $0.17. How's that for saving money. I don't know how he is going to top last year's card though...it was perfect and hilarious. We have this weird inside joke....and he found a card that had our inside thing in it. It was AWESOME. He's pretty awesome too.

16. Since we're talking about Valentine's Day. Let me just tell you again how amazing D is. I never want to live without him. I am so thankful and blessed that the Lord loves me enough to allow D to be part of my life. I can tell you without any hesitation, that he is the best man I have ever known. I have never met anyone with the combination of integrity, compassion, wisdom, generosity and kindness that he displays everyday. I am so proud of him and being with him everyday challenges me to become a better person and become all of who God created me to be.

17. So D and I have talked a lot about the life that we want to build together. About how we want to shape our family and about the things that are important to us as individuals and together. We have even written out goals and mission statements for different areas of our lives that include, our relationship together, our family, our jobs, our finances, our giving, our ministry and serving others, etc. So I have an idea.... I want to create a creative date for him that incorporates different things from our written goals. Does that make sense? So like, serving others in really important to both of us, so I will give him something with our written mission statement on it about serving and then I might take him to a soup kitchen to help serve a meal. We want to instill the importance of community and volunteer work in our future kids, so I might take him to the food pantry to stock shelves or go plant trees with the City of Tualatin.... Got it? I want to have an activity that symbolizes the areas we have goals in. Anyway, this might sound cheesy to you, but do you have any ideas???

18. I went out with my friend and some of our youth girls the other night, and it was so fun. After dinner she and I spent hours talking in her car outside my parents house. I can't tell you how many nights we have done that over the last 11 or 12 years. Anyway, we had a great talk. I am going to blog about it soon. Not sure all what the blog will say, but I know that the title will be "Admirable."

Fresh, Fun Start

Alright, here's the scoop. I got tired of my old blog. I needed a fresh start, so here it is.

Welcome to my new blog.

So, on my old blog...this would have been my 100th post! Wow. In all my blog surfing, the most common thing I have seen to celebrate the 100th post milestone, it to post 100 facts about yourself. And since, I am just a common girl, I thought I would do that. I hope I can come up with 100 things, but if not...this will just be a work in progress.

1. I have eaten rattlesnake.
2. Just a few months ago, I got a new library card. Replacing the one I had since first grade. It was time.
3. I love McDonalds. I know, gross.
4. D is the person I have been waiting for my whole life.
5. I sleep with ear plugs in because both my parents snore (but neither of them will admit it)
6. I never had one detention in school.
7. I HATE math.
8. In high school, my math teacher told me I was stupid in front of the whole class and I still have not recovered.
9. I can tell a lot about a woman by her opinion of "The Lies Women Believe."
10. I have just one perfectly delightful niece.
11. In fifth grade, I got David Robinson's autograph. He spelled my name wrong and I spent a lot of time after that trying to convince my parents to change the spelling of my name.
12. I love my name, and I love the way it is spelled. Good thing I wasn't successful at convincing my parents when I was 10.
13. My names means 2 things: Perfection and flaming palm tree....
14. I don't have a favorite color.
15. I do NOT like cats or dogs...or any other type of animal inside of houses. It grosses me out and dogs scare me.
16. I broke my ankle coming down from a rebound in the first minute of a basketball game (city league) in 8th grade.
17. I cried at the Dr.'s office while they put my blue cast on (for 9 weeks!)Because school basketball was just about to start.
18. I have always wanted to have twins.
19. I went to nanny school, not too many people can say that!
20. I drive a red explorer, which I LOVE.
21. New Kids on the Block was the first concert I ever went to. Valentine's day...in second grade.
22. Me and this boy got dared to kiss each other at a birthday party in 3rd grade. I finally let him kiss me on the cheek in a red barn and then I cried. I was so embarrassed.
23. I drive by that red barn almost everyday.
24. In fourth grade, we studied the Oregon Trail. I had the coolest dad ever because he brought in some really old guns for show and tell. That would not go over well these days.
25. My little sister and I tried on several occasions to sleep in our tree house over night, but we never made it! Those raccoons and coyotes are SCARY. Good thing the back door always stayed unlocked on those nights.
26. I played A LOT of basketball while I was growing up.
27. I rocked at the Sherwood Elks Club Free Throw contest.
28. One year at that contest, a girl cheated. My dad stuck up for me and wrote a letter to the Elks Club. I will never forget how much that meant to me.
29.Seeing parents smoking in their cars with their children, makes me so irate! LIVID!
30. I hardly ever stick up for myself, but don't mess with the people I love.
31. I still miss the house I grew up in and driving by it still makes me cry.
32. I find all the new development around the house I grew up in almost sinful! Those people living in their giant, fancy houses have no idea what they ruined. I'll get over it someday.
33. I love being creative.
34. High school was weird.
35. Most of my friends have always been older than me.
36. I once snuck several eggs out of the fridge, wrapped them in blankets and put them in a box in the garage. I thought for sure I was get some little chickies. NOT SO MUCH.
37. I am an avid blog stalker.
38. I am addicted to Facebook.
39. I sit behind a desk for a lot of hours each day.
40. I love sitting in the park. Picnics, reading or taking a nap. It is always lovely.
41. I love books and could wander in the bookstore for hours, as long as I am by myself.
42. I hate shopping with my little sister! Sorry Kelly. :)
43. I am really good at spending money.
44. I have a secret dream that no one knows.
45. I hate that my sister's birthdays are all so close to each other and Christmas.
46. I wish I could buy my mom a beautiful house at the beach with an old red and white corvette in the garage for my dad.
47. Sitting on a blanket on the beach is one of my most favorite places to be.
48. I love fireworks.
49. I love the zoo. The Polar Bears are my favorite, along with the elephants and giraffes.
50. Christmas is the most magical time of year. It makes my heart happy and it is my goal to create "movie-like" Christmas' for my family someday. You can never have too much Christmas cheer and love.
51. I have always had a secret fascination with going to the moon. How awesome would that be? Seriously!
52. I'm not going to lie...I am pretty good at Taboo! :) But Kelly and I together are unstoppable! lol.
53. I wish I had a degree.
54. I still pray for a little boy that I met my senior year in high school. His name is Kyle and he was 5. He had no parents and asked if I would be his mommy.
55. I wrote a book and dedicated it to him. It is at the school library.
56. I wish I could sing.
57. I accidentally had one party in high school while my parents were out of town. And it really was an accident...I have never been more stressed out in my life. (don't act surprised Dad, I know I have told you about it)
58. I love to be organized.
59. I am a very bad delegater when I know how I want something to turn out. I would rather just do it myself. It is less stressful that way.
60. If I do need help with something, there is typically only one person I will ask. Because I trust that she would do it like me...or at least know that I will like the way it turns out. :)
61. I had a crush on the same boy from 6-10/11th grade. Now that is commitment. :)
62. Someday I want a whole room in my house to be the library. I want it just stuffed full of books with a really cozy chair and blanket to curl up in.
63. I once drove to Seattle to see Beauty and the Beast at the Pacific Science Center and it was amazing.
64. When I am really upset or hurt, I go for long drives by myself and try to get lost.
65. My favorite movie is Pride and Prejudice. It's amazing. However, I don't understand the book.
66. I DO NOT like to be hot. It's probably the worst thing you could to to me.
67. Grande Mocha Frappucino! Yumm.
68. I have two of the same bridesmaid dress. One in red, one in eggplant.
69. Good moms and wifes inspire me.
70. I LOVE doing laundry. Sorting, washing, folding....all of it.
71. When living with roommates, I hated it when they would use my laundry soap. I don't know why...but it drove me crazy.
72. I love the sound of babies laughing.
73. I love seeing someone do something kind when they think no one is watching.
74. People who speed through school zones irritate me.
75. It makes my day to pay for the coffee of the person behind me at the drive-thru starbucks.
76. I feel like I should be much older than I really am.
77. I don't really like people touching me.
78. I hate, HATE, hate the sound of ticking clocks.
79. Listening to people breath makes me want to scream.
80. I used to cherish time by myself. I really used to love it. But now, I almost can't stand it.
81. I think online shopping is the best thing ever.
82. I am obsessed with gas prices. I usually always know what the price is at at least 5 different stations on any given day.
83. Speaking of gas, I don't get out at Costco while getting gas to punch in my pin number, I just tell the gas attendant what it is. Identity theft, eh....
84. Hardly a days goes by when something doesn't make me think of my Uncle Steve.
85. I have always wished my Grandpa and Grandma Wyland lived closer. Did I already say that?....I can't remember.
86. hmmmm, 86. That is the year my little sister was born.
87. Crickets totally creep me out.
88. I despise the movie "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory."
89. I adore the book, "Where the Red Fern Grows."
90. I cried when I learned who my 5th grade teacher was because there were rumors that he threw a desk and a kid out the window. Of course, I ended up loving him. Apparently the rumors weren't true.
91. I wet my pants in first grade and still get embarrassed when I think about it.
92. I turned 16 in Maui.
93. I heart Arizona (October - March....please refer to #66).
94. One of my favorite memories is standing up beside my sister on her wedding day.
95. I hate waiting.
96. I have never had a cinnabon.
97. I am always scared of failing.
98. I often wish that people knew what I really thought.
99. I am cheap but not frugal...go figure.
100. This was a lot harder than I thought it would be.

Nothing Really

1. Thank goodness it is Friday. Last week seemed to go fast, and this week NOT so much!

2. I can get a flight to Phoenix for pretty cheap right now, but I still don't have the money to do it (or the vacation time), sad.

3. I can't stop thinking about this ONE thing, and it is driving me CrAzY! Literally, I may actually be causing myself to lose my sanity.

4. I have been thinking a lot about my future. You know, jobs and school and stuff. It is overwhelming to think about and plan for, so I probably just won't do anything at all. I hate that about myself.

5. I got a new haircut this week and I love, love, love it. It's my typical haircut...which means it isn't that different, but my bangs are a lot different (at least for me) and I love them. She did a great job!

6. I am a BAD sister and still have not sent part of Stacy's b-day gift to her or her card. Why didn't I just give it to you while you were here? Well, because I thought it would be more fun for you to get it in the mail. But at this point, hopefully you get it before your next birthday. At least you got part of your present so you didn't feel completely forgotten. :)

7. I dream in white, black and green now.

8. I am expecting something in the mail on Monday, and I can not wait. I am so So excited. I have been stalking the UPS website tracking the package. It just landed in Spokane this afternoon.

9. I want to play with Megan. I miss her. Speaking of Megan, here are some random pictures I took of her when I watched her. She found the elf hat D bought for Steve's bachelor party.

I've Always Loved You

Well it has only been a year, but it has definately been a journey. One year ago, D and I sat in front of the fire on the floor at his house and talked. We were talking about our realtionship, which to that point had only been a friendship (TECHNICALLY). We both kind of have the tendency to talk around things, so finally I told him, "I just don't know how you feel about me" to which he said, "I love you Tami. I've always loved you." And I have never heard sweeter words. We've had some ups and downs, but grew through it and love each other even more now.

To celebrate D planned a special day for us yesterday. First, he made me breakfast and then we headed to Eugene to watch the Ducks basketball game, I had never been and it had been a long time since he had been. It was great....and he got awesome seats! We were in the donor section in the 4th row.

After the Ducks game, we grabbed a Starbucks and headed for the coast. It was a beautiful day. Of course, we stopped at DQ on the way for a treat. We headed to Heceta Lighthouse to watch the sunset, it was beautiful. We took a lot of pictures. You had to walk about 1/2 from the parking lot to the lighthouse, and it was a gorgeous walk! It was very special and romantic.

After the sunset, we went and had dinner at a restaurant that looked right out on the beach. It was perfect and he is so sweet. I don't have enough energy to be all sappy, but you all know I love him, right? And that I think he is the greatest! Okay then, enjoy the pictures!

I love him

Happy Birthday Kristie!

We've come a long way over the years.

I remember reading your receipt book that you used when you used to play store. You were trying to sell me for FREE! Can you believe you were that eager to get rid of me?

I remember you chasing me around the living room table, I don't remember what I did to deserve your pursuit, but I clearly remember thinking, "Yep, she IS going to kill me." So I looked at the remote control in my hand and developed my evil plot for self defense.....and I threw it at you. I will definitely never forget tagging you in the face with that thing.....and then your crying. Your cheeks were all stuck in your braces. And although I escaped your chase, I still felt terrible.

I remember so badly wanting to hang out with you and your friends. I thought you were so cool. And I remember you NOT wanting me to hang out with you and your friends.

Looking back on it, I think I did a very good job at being an annoying little sister.

But behind my disguise of annoying-ness, was someone who loved you, looked up to you and wanted to be just like you. Not much has changed. Although I hope I am a little less annoying these days.

You are a hard person to describe Kristie. But if I was forced to pick one word to describe you, it would have to be loyal. If I could add a second word, it would be fiercly. Fiercly loyal. And I admire that so much in you.

You are loyal to your sisters, your parents, to Josh, to Megan and to yourself.

You are amazing. I watched the way you fell in love with Josh. I admire how you stick by his side and support him. I admire how you talk about him and hold him in esteem. I admire how you talk to him and I admire how you talk to Megan about him.

I see how you love Megan. Watching you be a mother, has been such a beautiful thing to me. You are so good at it. She sure is one lucky little girl to have you. You are patient and use kind words when talking to her. You nurture her and play with her and provide everything she needs to thrive.

I see your love for your family. Josh and Megan, but also us. You love so well. You understand and relate and protect. You are a trustworthy person to go to.

Thank you for your faithfulness and loyalty as my sister. Thank you for your encouraging words and your words of love when I need them the most. And Thank you for being the kind of wife and mom that I look up to. You are amazing Kristie. I hope today, and everyday you know how special and loved you are. You are not only my sister but one of my very best friends. I am so blessed to have you in my life.

Happy Birthday!

Here's What I Know...

Today is my big sister's birthday. And in honor of her special day, I'd like to share with you what I know.

1. I know that I am sad that I can't be there to celebrate with her today and that I missed her Oregon birthday dinner.

2. I know that on this day, thirty some years ago, our mom's life changed forever as she gave birth to her first beautiful baby girl.

3. I know that my sister has a sweet, compassionate heart. You can tell when you look in her eyes while you're talking to her.

4. I know that sometimes she wants you to think that she is a lot tougher than she really is.

5. I know that she is a competent, independent, hardworking woman.

6. I know that she is patient and kind. And although I have never been able to watch her teach, she must be amazing because of her patience and kindness.

7. I know that she is determined. She went back to school full time and worked full time to pay for it.

8. I know she had a dream to get her degree and teach our future and she accomplished it.

9. I know she has three little sisters who love her very much.

10. I know she has a silly niece who likes to tell her "no," to her face but always asks for her when she's gone.

11. I know there is something amazing planned for her life.

12. I know that her basketball number was 24, even if I was just a little girl when she played.

13. I know that I love her very much, and I am so proud of her and the things she's done, and that I am so thankful to have her as my big sister.

14. And I know (now) that I only have exactly ONE picture of her and I, and I look deathly ill.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAYDEE!!

Goodbye 2008

Dear 2008,

I can't say that I am sad to see you go.
We've had our good times, but definitely seen our share of heartache.

A lot of fun things happened this year, we saw friends fall in love and start to build lives together. We fell in love ourselves. We went on fun trips and experienced new adventures, we watched Megan grow another year older and fell even more in love with her. We worked hard and accomplished a lot at work, we saw the high school boys place second in state at the basketball championship tournament, we were jealous of but excited for sisters who traveled the world, we met a new boss and to top it all off we had a lovely white Christmas.

But we probably also won't forget the bad times that included a lot of heart break, times of feeling alone and betrayed. We fought with our friends, and don't really know why. We lost our faith in something that we so highly esteemed. We watched the person we love most lose someone so dear to him. We fought to find who we really are inside and peel off the layers of everyone else's expectations.

But through it all, we have learned that joy comes in the morning. We have learned that only the Lord will ever truly know our heart completely, wholly and inside out. He is the One who made it after all. We have learned the key to really loving people is loving without conditions. Sounds simple, and is honestly something I thought we knew, but experience has taught me a lesson I will always be grateful for: Love people...just as they are, unconditionally. You don't have to agree with someone to love them. And more often than not, there is almost always more going on than you think or know. I have learned that trusting people is still extremely hard, people let you down and break your confidence. That is why your hope, trust and confidence should be in the One who will never let you down. It may be possible that your mom is the only one you can really trust on this earth. :) We learned that loving someone and being loved is worth the work, heartache and sometimes the pain. And I learned that my sisters were right and love is definitely worth the wait, just makes you cherish it all the more. We learned a lot about the God who loves us, and when we are paying attention, He teaches us to love like Him. More than just learning about Him, we learned more and grew deeper than ever before in our relationship with him. No matter how a year shapes up, that is always something to be thankful for.

So 2008, there you have it. Although I might be ready to part ways with you, I will always remember you and the lessons you taught. I will label you the year of

"Love and Lessons."

So, here's to hoping and wishing (and praying) that you were a prelude to the most exciting year of my life.

Peace Out,
Tami