on the brink of spring!

We have been busy lately!

 

We had a great Easter holiday. Very exhausting for Hank.

 

 

Then we celebrated Brittany's birthday at Ernie Biggs.

 

 

She gave out these phones as party favors!

 

 

My lovely friend Diane married Derrick!

(Congrats, Diane! What a beautiful bride!)

 

 

The triplets were in attendance.

 

Happy Spring!



therefore be at peace

Last year my resolution was about living my life to the fullest each day and loving everyone to the best of my abilities. I was coming off of a wedding high, and I was grieving the return of my dad's cancer. Last year, I was simply grateful for my friends and family and planned to spend 2012 holding them tight. I didn't know then what the year would bring, and I couldn't have guessed! It brought a number of weird health issues for John and I (which are being resolved and dealt with), and it also brought me my first nephew. I didn't know the expanse of my heart until I looked at him. Who knew? I seriously find myself just staring at pictures on my phone when I am not with him. He is the most perfect baby, no?

Strangely, I did not begin 2012 thinking it would be the year I got healthy, but it was! I was never one to have a cliche weight loss goal on January 1. I honestly liked the way I looked and liked Taco Bell, so I was cool. But, health issues brought me to the light... and here I am, beginning 2013 lighter and healthier.

This year, I do not plan to guess what life will bring me.
I will enter it faithfully and fearfully.
Like many others, I too want to pick a word for 2013 - peace.
 

happy new year!

 

merry christmas

Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men.

merry and bright!

December is winding down, and Christmas is on its way... and I am ready to be fearlessly excited about the holiday. Today is my life, and I am going to live it with faith and joy.

I was reminded about how good this world is on Wednesday night when the woman ahead of me in the drive-through bought my dinner. You should have seen the beaming smile of the woman in the drive-through window as she told me, "No charge! The woman ahead of you paid for your dinner! Merry Christmas! Aren't people just great?!?!" Indeed, they are. Great. So is this world. Last week we all saw the sadness and pain that is possible too, but that doesn't mean our world is not without great joy.

My Christmas wish for all who read this is to

slow down - take it in - savor the season - live today - don't wait for tomorrow.

This season is about family, and the excitement of the coming Savior.
A celebration of life!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.
May your days be truly merry and bright.

See you on the flip side,

paige.

early cheer

Thanks to my book club Secret Santa - Becky,

I am rocking these adorable boot socks today.

(A special thanks goes out to James for sewing the button on!)

My Mazel of the Day, you ask?
My dear husband couldn't wait to give me this gift.
Andy Cohen's got the 411... king, king of midnight fun.

I might have squealed.

Tis the Season

to be jolly! and faithful. While this has been a hard month for my family, there is much joy in my heart this Christmas. This Christmas I am very thankful for my friends and family - and especially my Dad's health. Thankful for John and the family we will become next October. Thankful for the little things that bring me joy. Thankful for a job that continues to challenge me, and co-workers who show love and support daily. Thankful that I will gather with loved ones in just a few days to celebrate. Thankful for old and new traditions. Thankful for a new year.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
paige

proof of a good party

we had an excellent halloween party... proof?

6 bags of trash collected

1 overflowing recycle bin

4 pairs of shoes found (!)

1 lost little cooler

2 bracelets
2 jackets forgotten

1 stolen meatball sandwich

2 slices of pizza that simply disappeared

3 empty snack platters

1 broken chair

2 tired hosts

The 4th.

I am excited to be heading to good 'ol St. Joseph, MO this weekend for the 4th. Why St. Joe? My lovely bestie Sarah lives there. There are less firework laws. Kelsy is turning 27. And, there are less firework laws. Cheers!

The last time I celebrated the 4th in St. Joe...

July 4, 2008

Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

late, but great!

I am a day late in posting this, but I want to officially say Happy Father's Day and tell you all how awesome my dad is.

Funny. Supportive. Protective. Open Minded.

Thoughtful. Loving. Silly.

He is all good things... and I am so lucky to call him Dad.

Love ya, Craigers!

Happy Memorial Day

This weekend has been the perfect mix of family, friends and relaxation. After months of busy weekends, it has been just what I needed. I even got out for my second walk/run session and did much better (minus the cramp in my side on the last run). I have been lazy and productive - and it feels great. And, it is still not over... Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Mother's Day!

I love my mom. She is unique, interesting and passionate. Anyone who knows her knows that she lives by her convictions. She is the reason I like lists and organization. She is the reason I get streaks of red in my hair during the summer. I have been especially proud of her since she started her new job this Fall - it has been full of new challenges and she is proving to keep up and deliver. I know she was scared of the change, but she has seemlessly transitioned into this new, exciting part of her life.

I can't put into words what she means to me. She is supportive, she is funny, she is kind. She also has a blog you should read! I am happy to call her Mom.

White Christmas and a Snowy New Year

Never again will I ask for a white Christmas. The anticipation of blizzard conditions was pretty fun... but, the result created a tense atmosphere for the entire Christmas celebration. Each time a family member left my grandparent's house or was on their way over, we all felt anxious until we knew they were safe. I also was snowed in to their house for a couple days and was overwhelmed with the idea of being away from home and wondering when I could get back. And... if the "getting" back would be safe.

Luckily all of us survived the snow. But, the added stress really took something away from the magic of the holiday.

I have been getting some much needed exercise taking care of my drive way, over and over, as the snow continued throughout the week; however, the additional exercise has only helped balance out the crazy amount of food I have eaten in the last week - so, no weight loss. Before the holidays, I was four pounds down and anticipating my five pounds lost announcement... alas, the announcement will come later.

I also crossed a couple things off of my list! I finally printed my 2008 scrapbook off of Snapfish and am quickly completing the 2009 book while the memories are still fresh. Also, I threw a party at my house! Five down, 96 to go... oh my.

I wish all who read this a safe, healthy and happy new year. Let this be the year you don't just dream your dreams. Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas

Just a note to say how thankful I am as this year wraps up. Roof over my head, food in my belly, lovely and supportive friends, loyal and loving family, new brother-in-law, wonderful and sweet and funny boyfriend, new challenges, new interests, new aspirations... and I am lucky that my interest in other cultures and helping others brought me to my job that I continue to love.

I am thankful for the abundance of blessings in my life.

Merry Christmas.

Pepperocini Pot Roast

Tonight I am also having a quick, easy dinner my mother made last winter. SO YUMMY - I remembered it and today I am finally making it myself.

Vicky's Pepperocini Pot Roast

• Chuck Roast
• Baby Carrots
• Potatoes
• Jar of Pepperocinis

1. Drop Roast into Crock Pot - season to your liking (I am using Garlic Salt, Mrs. Dash and Pepper)
2. Cover with carrots, sliced potatoes, and the entire jar of Pepperocinis.
3. Cook on High - eat in 8 or so hours.

Basic. Simple. Comes out tasting like a lot of work went into it. I can also check another recipe off my List!

With these leftovers and Thanksgiving leftovers, I plan to eat like a queen this weekend. I wish all who read this the same. Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Halloween!

I love Fall. It is always busy, eventful, and full of the most beautiful colors... amazing. I can't help it, I am constantly searching out the most lovely trees; however, this year, Fall and I began a love/hate relationship. Yes, leaves are lovely this time of year. But, I have never had to be responsible for a yard full of leaves. This year, I am. The leaves don't seem so dreamy when you are raking and bagging them.

It has been a busy Fall - and blessed. We were lucky that John was finally offered a job. While he was out of town training for his new job (for a month!), I found plenty of activities to keep myself busy... one of which was spending time with some awesome co-workers.



It is nice to have him home now and even nicer to share Halloween with him after a long month apart. We both like costumes, so the week before Halloween we both finally settled on some characters...



John was Falcon, more commonly known as Balloon Boy. I decided to dress up as Kristin Wiig's character on SNL, GILLY! Knock, Knock - Who's there? It's Gilly. Watch out... she looks sweet and innocent, but she is plotting your demise. We had a great time carving pumpkins, handing out candy, and visiting a costume party.



On another note, I am excited to join the Blog world, since I have been reading many blogs for a while now... hopefully I can live up to my favorites!


Happy Halloween from John and I... and our little witch, Raleigh!