oh...there's more!!!

Like i said in my last blog, i am in New Jersey visiting with my good friends christy and ben. If you are also a faithful reader of Rachel's blog, you read recently about rachels trip to NJ as well. And if you recall the title of her blog was " Do you have a Pittsburgh license?" Just to give you some background info on my good ole buddy, I met her while at Roberts. We lived on the same floor our freshman year and even though we didn't hit it off right away, we eventually became inseparable. She attended Roberts for three years then went to RIT for another 2 and then FINALLY graduated with a mechanical engineering degree! So needless to say that Christy has both brains and beauty. BUT now that she is out of school, I fear that her brain power is slowly fading. Let me explain. Well first, as mentioned above, when Rachel was here she asked Rachel if she had a Pittsburgh license, to which Rachel responded, "No...but I have a Pennsylvania license!" exhibit A to christy's brain farts. Exhibit B: Not to long ago, apparently Ben and Christy were in a discussion as to what Chinese or Japanese people liked to be called. Ben assumed oriental, but Christy said Asian. To which Ben thought was silly because there are more than just those 2 countries in Asia, what about India and Russia. Christy then unfortunately responded that Russia wasn't in Asia....so sad. Christy, Russia is like 80% of Asia, but I will give you the benefit of the doubt that you truly did know that. Exhibit C: Today while on the way to dinner, we were catching up on who is married, who isn't, who is enganged, and all that jazz. We started talking about a friend of ours who just graduated for Regent University in Virginia Beach, where she is still living. After Denis gave her that information, christy then responded " No...I thought that she lived in Virginia.... Oh Christy, Christy, Christy... you are TOO much.

We have had a great time laughing and catching up. She never ceases to make me laugh. And apparently she wasn't too thrilled with her laugh of "face time" in my last update, so Christy, this whole blog was just for you. Now i can stay on as speed dial number 8....(only rach and christy will get that...sorry rach...you just have to be 9)

in the words of my friend christy, peace out!

In the City of Brotherly Love...

Well.....close to it at least! I am actually in Williamstown New Jersey which is about 30 min outside the city. I am relaxing it up at Christy and Ben's beautiful new house. I have been doing alot of nothing and it feels great right now. I am getting over being really sick last week. i honestly don't remember the last time i felt that lousy. But i am feeling much better.

This past weekend I was with Christopher Hopper at a Baptist Youth Retreat down at Watsins Homestead. I has always been one of our favorite weekends as a band. This was our third year there. They are the sweetest bunch of kids and we just adore them. There was about 250 kids there and they were all so ready and hungry for the Lord. We were there from Friday to sunday. Friday i was just feeling real crappy but i did sing, not sure how well, but i did. My ears were plugged from my cold so i can only hope that i hit more right notes than wrong. We as a band didnt have much to do on saturday so we were able to spend alot of down time as a band just acting crazy. I was able to spend time with the most adorable little girl, Evangeline. She was so sweet. She does the cutest thing that jenny calls "squishy face" where she bashes her face up against yours and she wrinkles up her little nose....i just melt. i know that i shouldn't have held her as much as i did since i was sick, but i couldn't NOT! I just love her SOOOOO much.

In other baby news, BOTH my god son and my god daughter are going to be in town next week. so i am really looking forward to going back and seeing them both. Our God daughters name is Jasmin and she lives in Maryland. Her mom is a great friend of ours that used to go to our church. I havent seen her in person yet, just pictures, but she is beautiful. Our God son, little Robbie is coming into town with his mother, Leticia for a while because Leticia's mother is really sick. So Denis and I will be helping out with Robbie alot since leticia is really here to help her mom. We are praying for a miracle because her mom had a bad doctors report... so if you think of it, please pray.

Speaking of miracles, I have an INCREADABLE Amber update. I spoke to Jenny this weekend about her progress and I am still getting chills. Amber is still at St. Mary's Rehabilitation Center getting therepy on her arms and legs. Now let me remind you that the last kat scan that she recieved said she was brain dead....But she is FAR from that. She is moving her arms and her legs and is making great progress with her walking. She is able to go home all day on saturdays. Her memory is fine, she remembers everything before her accident. her short term memory still is suffering, but the doctors say that is normal and that it will recover. The most amazing thing about it all is that if she keeps progressing like this, she might be home in march FOR GOOD! God is SOOOOOO good. I just want to jump up and down right now thinking about it. Her spirits are high and she can't wait to tell the world about how Jesus healed her. I can't wait to see it.

The plan from here is to head to Pittsburg tomorrow to spend some time with Rachel and Mike then rach and i are off to Circle C Ranch to meet up with Jaime for our always fun filled weekend. I am really looking forward to it. BUT i do have one more night with Christy and i am just really enjoying my time with her. I have really missed her.... Christy and Ben have taken great care of us i will be really sad to leave her because i am never sure when i am going to see her again. So to christy, my blog stalker....I love you and I miss you everyday that we are apart. Come and visit soon! You are such an amazing friend I LOVE YOU CHRISTY!!!!

Well until next time....Over and out

"This is me in a nut shell"

I must begin this post by begging for forgiveness from all of my faithful readers. John checked and I haven't posted anything but pictures, updates and quotes since december 1st... So please forgive me for being neglectful and I hope that all of you will continue to support "The life of a Blogger"

I am not even sure where to begin....I think that i will just give you some highlights of the last 2 months. I will try to be brief and put them in categories to help the process along. Here we go!

A few of my favorite things or events:

- I took a trip to my parents house the week before christmas to kind of just unwind and spend some well deserved time with my mommy...yes i said mommy. The only bad thing about the trip was that i was there for my 3 year anniversary! WHOOPS! My bad... and the even bader thing...yes i said bader...denis had to remind me that it was our anniversary! BIGGER WHOOPS! Maybe i will think ahead next year!

- My Favorite Christmas present- my pink ugg boots from my brother! LOVE THEM! I look totally cute in them, right john!

- I was asked to Be little Robbie Tyler's God Mother! YEAH! The next best thing would to be either a mom or an aunt, and the whole mom things ain't happenin' any time soon, so rachel....guess what that means! You might as well start painting a baby room now before you settle in. because Marriage + House = BABY SHIPMAN! (hopefully a girl so we can avoid the whole KEMPER thing again!)

- As you have all been updated on Ambers progess. That has been a HUGE thing these past few months. My faith continues to grow as God continues to heal her. She is getting better everyday physically and emotionally. Please don't stop praying. She still needs a miracle.

- My favorite movie i saw (and i saw a few these past few months!) Was Glory Road. AMAZING! I laughed, cried and cheered like i was really at a basketball game. It is a definate MUST SEE! It will be in my movie collection, that is for sure.


Next Category: Embarassing Moments

Well as mentioned before...embarassing moment #1- FORGETTING MY ANNIVERSARY! I just can't get over it...someday i will make it up to him though.

Embarassing Moment #2- one night denis was out and i missed him, so i thought that i would send him a text message to tell him that. The message went something like this:
"Hey babe...i miss you already. I just want you to come home so we can spend some alone time together...kisses."
...well, being the brillant nursery school teacher that I am, i send it to DEANNA NOT DENIS!!! Similar...yes SO very different...lucky she just thought i was joking around and played along with it. Unless she reads this blog...she will never know that it was truly intended for the other Johnson....lucky i kept the message rated PG!

Embarassing Moment #3- i went to this really fancy dinner/dancing extravaganza the other night. You get all dressed up, eat great food and dance to a great live band. Well i was having one of those "i feel really fat in everything" nights and i couldn't pick a dress....out of all the bridesmaid dresses i have (not rubbing it in rach) i just couldn't pick one. i settled on the red one i wore for robbie and leticia's wedding, cause i just can't go wrong with Red....oh so wrong. It just so happened that Andrea lent her SAME DRESS to another girl and yes folks, we were dressed the same, and to make it worse, she looked better....so sad....and embarssing.

I am sure that i have done more embarrasing things in the last 2 months, but i just can't think of anything else to write. if anyone else would like to contribute, go ahead. I GOT NOTHING TO HIDE!

Next Topic- Regrets

1) Cutting my long beautiful hair....apparently everyone else regrets me doing it as well...at least hair grows, right...

2) Throwing Denis a graduation party

3) Not calling home more...sorry mom

4) Not keeping up with my blog

Moving on- Exciting News

- MY SISTER BOUGHT A HOUSE! i was 70% excited and 30% jealous at first, but now i am more 85%-15%...i can't wait to see it. It is going to be great Rach, i am truly happy for you...and jealous...but mostly happy!

- I found out that some of my favorite cousins are fellow bloggers! i am so excited to be able to check in with them! I wonder if i have anymore friends or family out there in cyber space just waiting for me to find them!!!!

- I may be promoted at my job. Nothing is offical yet, but i have been offered a new position starting in the fall. They are some pretty big shoes to fill, but i will put on my big girl shoes and try my best....wink wink...

- MY HUSBAND GRADUATED!!! he has a religion and philosphy degree. I couldn't have been more proud of him that day...at least i rememberd THAT! I really am a good wife!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last but not least: Top 12 Goals for 2006...in no particular order

1) Lose 20 pounds. Amy is my work out buddy. We have a wedding to look good for!
2) Call my mom more
3) Be 100% happy for rach and her new house
4) become an Aunt..... hehehehehe
5) See my Grammy and Poppy
6) Try to control my emotions when my brother walks across the stage at graduation... Don't think that is gonna happen though. One can try
7) Try to control my emotions when i walk down the isle and see John stading there and then when Amy comes down the isle...another goal that is desitined to fail. OH WELL
8) Be a better wife...
9) Never miss a 24 episode!!!! Miss one and your done!
10) Be patient as God reveals His plans for Denis and I. This is so hard, but there is nothing else to do but wait
11) Watch Amber be completly healed. All things are possible with Christ!
12) Last, but not least, get pregnent!!!! or at least enjoy trying (Sorry mom)

I promise that i won't wait as long for the next post. LOVE YOU ALL!

AMBER IS TALKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wish that i could convey my overwhelming emotion right now through this computer screen, but that is just impossible.... But God has continued to work miracle after miracle with Amber! SHE IS TALKING. Here is my latest email from Christopher!

Talk about doctors being baffled! Amber is talking!...well, more like whispering, but the truth of the matter shouldn't be lost on a technicality!


Here's me yelling in an e-mail:


HHHHAALLLLEEEEELLLLLUUUUJJJJJAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!


I have never heard so many friends whoop and holler over the phone before!


Yesterday the speech therapist held her finger over Amber's tracheotomy opening and started asking her a few questions. To everyone's amazement, Amber responded, with words, and everything was accurate! Here's a partial list of her dialog with the therapist:


"Amber, where is the last place you remember being?"
"Pittsford." (Rochester)


"What year was it?"
"2005."


"Who is in the room?"
"Mommy, Amy, Bubbles (nickname for Aunt Rene)." (And more people when they entered, all correct).


What's this?" (Holding up fruit)
"Banana, orange, etc. (more fruit)."


[Business voice]: Amber will be accepting speaking ministry invitations shortly. (And if we're lucky enough, Jenny and I may be asked to lead worship for her meetings once a year!) ;)


What needs to be stressed here is that the "communication/speech" part of her brain received most of the damage, along with the brain stem. Given the 0% chance of recovery from the coma, if she were ever to wake up and partially recover, this area would "never function again." In other words, she'd never speak. Need I say more?


Staff from St. Mary's Rehab Center in Rochester also visited her yesterday and said that it is still too soon to transfer her, but she would headed their way shortly.


Elation is an understatement...and gratitude as well. Many tears have been flowing among the family and friends since the news made it's rounds yesterday. And we continue to pray and trust God for complete healing. Amber is now out of the ICU and on the 5th floor, completely skipping a "normal stop" on the 6th floor. She is His Miracle. All the glory goes to Jesus, it's clear.


Please rejoice with us! And may your faith be lifted for not only Amber's wellness, but for those who are sick in your own midst. Please stand with us to the end! We covet your prayers. And given the extent that I now realize these little e-mails go to around the world, I could never thank everyone...though I'll be sure to in glory.


And last but not least, the doctors have scheduled another MRI...


...of course.


C.


Christopher Hopper


SO it looks like she will soon be going to a rehabilitation center soon. Continue to pray for her and her family. Our prayers are making a difference!!!

Amber Update

Last week i recieved an update from Christopher and Amber had two more cat-scans done and they looked worse than the original ones. The doctors said they continued to stand beside their report that there was no way that amber would ever recover and ever do anything on her own. As you read in my previous blog about Amber, she was already beginning to show signs of recovering. They were very small steps but steps none-the-less. Yet the doctors still took her off her pain medication because she wouldn't ever feel the pain anyway. Well they were wrong. She is beginning to react to pain and she is even opening her eyes and following people as she moves. This truly is a miracle in the process. I just go a second email from Christopher and this is what it said

A very quick update as Jenny and I just got out of church and are on
our way down to Rochester. On Thursday Amber received a
tracheotomy...and on Friday around 2pm she started to breath on her
own, WELL above the ventilator! PRAISE GOD! This in itself a major
miracle as the doctors said this was simply "impossible." But as our
senior pastor stated this morning (during a sermon on believing ALL
of the Bible which includes the miraculous power of God for healing),
"I won't be content until she sits up and walks out of that place!"

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS! Wow! Please don't stop! This girl and her
family are a testimony to the whole floor at the hospital!

Blessings and much gratitude,

C.

Christopher Hopper


I truly beleive that God is going to do amazing things. My faith level is rising everyday and i am hopeful that Amber WILL recieve her miracle. Thank you for all your prayers and support. Also Amber and her family need a financial miracle. Amber has NO health insurance. The finacial burden that will be on that family is heartbreaking to think about. But i will rest in knowing that my God owns the cattle on a thousand hills and He WILL make a way where there seems to be know way. You can still leave messages on www.ambernesbitt.com. I beleive that she will be able to read them someday.

my be-fri in the b-lo

This is for kelly and anthony...i wish that i saw you more often than i do, but i always enjoy the great times that we do have together!

Here are a few of my favorite memories with kelly and anthony:

Playing card/board games. Even though anthony has yet to finish a game that i play with him because he always QUITS, i still enjoy watching him try and cheat and then get mad when we catch him. Of couse playing with kelly is always fun when she yells at you for making stupid moves and then gloats when she is winning...what a blast...FARKLE!

WATCHING ANTHONY DANCE! For those of you who haven't seen him bust a move, you are MISSING OUT! that boys got moves you've never seen! HA! Just ask denis, he put on a special performace just for him the other day. HILARIOUS! one of the funniest things i have ever layed my eyes on. I just wish i would have seen the dance competion between him and kelly...kelly does take a hip hip class and apparently has taken dance lessons before that too...from what i remember i am not quite sure if that is true...is it kelly...

SHOPPING! it is what we do best, right kelly! We went to old navy the other day and we were waiting by the windows for heather to check out and there was anthony, huffing his hot breath on the window and writing GAP into the little hot breath cloud. SO FUNNY! apparently he is a big GAP fan...not old navy...WOOPS

Anthony has crazy one liners too, like : "why do you hate me, bye" "don't touch the hands, these are the money makers baby" "yeah i am gonna cry and why don't i change my own diaper while i am at it" and one of my favorite stories, "mom, i asked a boy for his phone number today and he said no" kelly: "what grade was he in" Anthony: " i don't know...what grade are you in when you are 14?" (for all of you who don't know, anthony is 7!!!! what a cutie

I would have to say that kelly is one of the funniest people i know, and my funny i mean FREAKING HYSTERICAL! I love her to death and anthony too. did i mention that anthony is kelly's son...well he is. I love you both very much and i can't wait to see you again.

Amber

Some of you may know that recently a good friend of mine was in a terrible car accident. Her name is amber. She is currently in the Burn and Trama unit of Strong Memorial hospital where she has been since November 15th. She has suffered major head trama after hitting a tree with her car the night of the terrible ice storm. I just recently recieved an email from christopher, ambers brother in law, with the latest update, this is what it said:


On Tuesday the 27th, the two top neuro-surgeons in the northeast met
with my wife's parents to tell them that Amber's condition had
deteriorated so much so that they gave here a 0% chance of recovery;
0% of ever coming out of the coma once the narcaotics were lifted,
and if for some reason she were to actually wake up, a 0% chance of
ever regaining any cognitive or physical control of her body. The
damage to the brain stem and cortex was so severe, they termed her
condition a "complete brain disconnect"; not even reflex response
could be recovered (twitching to stimuli, yawning, etc.).

But faith has been SO high in the family, and with over 25 countries
(at least that we know of) praying for her, in addition to all the
words spoken over Amber in the past that have simply no come to pass
in her life yet, we have no choice but to believe for a miracle. The
news actually did something the enemy didn't count on: it increased
our resolve. It took this completely out of the hands of man, of
doctors, a system, and placed the weight solely on Jesus.

Really, nothing has changed in us; we were praying for a miracle
before and we are still praying for a miracle!

They pulled Amber off ALL her drugs, pain killers included, because
she simply "doesn't need them because she can't feel anything
anyway." That's when things started to happen just yesterday...

She started to move her legs and feet and fingers, even squeezing my
mother in law's hands when she asked, "Do you love your mommy?" Her
eyes have been twitching and she's been yawning. Jenny lifted Amber's
eye lid and when Amber saw Jenny, huge tears streamed down her face.

The behavior has obviously befuddled the doctors and, truly, they
have been speechless. They gave her a second CAT scan Thursday night,
and scheduled an MRI for last night. They aren't saying anything to
my folks right now, honestly because they really don't know what's
going on. But we do...at least in part.

We're just taking these things for what they are and trusting the
Lord, trying our best not to "read into" anything and letting God be
Himself. But certainly something is happening and today should be an
even bigger day for Amber. We know that God has already made His
decision concerning her healing 2,000 years ago.

Dozens of visitors continue to flock to the waiting lounge and e-
mails have flooded my computer. Jenny and I took two days back home
just to rest and clear our heads, back to the hospital last night.

You may wish to leave Amber a note on a blog page we created for her:

http://ambernesbitt.blogspot.com/

Blessings!

C.

Christopher Hopper


Please, if you get the chance, leave a message on her blog, even if you don't know her, pray for her recovery. I am believing for a miracle and my faith is increasing everyday. I truly believe that this isn't all the Lord has for Amber. I will continue to keep you all updated with her condition. Please pray for her family as well. it has been an increadably hard holiday for them. Thank you all for your prayers, I know that they will make a difference.

Childrens letters to God

I just recently bought the cuttest book called "Children's Letters to God." I think that these are the most adorable little letters, so i thought that i would share a few of my favorites with you. Enjoy

Dear God,
I read the bible. What does begat mean...no one will tell me.

Dear God,
Are you really invisible or is that just a trick?

Dear God,
Is it true that my Father won't get into heaven if he uses bowling words in the house?

Dear God,
I went to this wedding and they kissed, RIGHT IN CHURCH! Is that okay?

Dear God,
I am an American. What are you?

Dear God,
Please put another holiday between Christmas and Easter. There is nothing good there now.

Dear God,
Can you please send me a pony. I never ask for anything before, you can look it up.

Dear God,
My brother is a rat. You should give him a tail! Ha ha ha.

Dear God,
I think that cain and abel wouldn't have killed eachother so much if they had their own room. It works for me and my brother.

Dear God,
I want to be just like my daddy when i grow up, just with not so much hair all over!

Dear God,
I think about you sometimes even when i am not praying.

Dear God,
My brother told me about being born but it just doesn't sound right.

Dear God,
If you watch in church on sunday i will show you my new shoes

Dear God,
I don't ever feel alone since i found out about you

Dear God,
I do not think anybody could be a better God. I am not just saying that cause you are God either.

Dear God,
I am doing the best that i can.

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

mr and mrs full

Love and Marriage....

I had a great time in Arizona last week at Sarah's and Shawn's Wedding! She was such a beautiful bride!...and shawn wasn't bad either! Even though there were a few "snafoo's" at the end of the day she was still Mrs. Shawn Full! I wish them the best in their marriage and i can't wait for them to move to NY!!!! hint hint sarah...
I love you and i will send the rest of the pictures to you asap!

My Sister, the photographer!!!!

Last weekend my sister photographed my good friends, Nanette and Gabriels wedding. I put just a few of the amazing pictures she took up for you all to see. There are too many good ones to choose from. I am very proud of her and all the hard work her and Jaime did this past weekend. I am sure that the bride and groom are going to be thrilled! And folks, lets face it, i looked good at this wedding! HEHEHE...that was just for you John, just for you!

Enjoy!

the new me

i know i know...i seem to be doing everything that amy is doing these days, including giving my blog a little face lift. the pink was just getting to me a little much for me, i needed something new and exciting. hope that yall enjoy it.

Be looking forward to some new and exciting posts after my weekends of weddings

peace out :) (that was for you John)

Random Facts about YOURS TRULY!

10 Firsts:

First Best Friend: My sister!
First Screen Name: bucky! not cause i ever had buck teeth though...
First Kiss: BT Hemphill...wow...haven't thought of him in forever
First Pet: sampson.... :( (he was our dog)
First Piercing: Ears, i think when i was 13... can't remember though, i know it was on a birthday
First Crush: Jonathan Knight from New Kids on The Block... yeah i am not ashamed to admit it!
First Music: Sandy Patty i am sure! THE FRIENDSHIP COMPANY!
First Car: um....not sure yet, whatever my dad picks out...hope its a jetta!
First love: Jason Hoffmire, aka Hoffy
First stuffed animal: my wrinkle dog...i loved that thing....

9 Lasts:
Last Song listened to: Looking For You-Kirk Franklin
Last drink: Apple Cider, of course!
Last Car Ride: i was with amy picking up pizza, yes amy and i were together and we pigged out...that's just what we do
Last Kiss: My Increadably Handsom husband, Denis, what a kisser!
Last Movie Seen: A Time To Kill...it's a good one, thanks John
Last Phone Call: From CB, she's getting married in TWO WEEKS! AHHHHH
Last CD Played: i am too cool for cds...i've got an IPOD!
Last bubble bath: i think december 21st, 2004
Last time you cried: sunday night at the Mark Shultz concert during the song, Remember Me.

8 Have You Evers:
Have You Ever Dated One Of Your Best Friends: dated him and married him
Have You Ever Been Arrested: nope
Have You Ever Skinny Dipped: heck no
Have You Ever Been on TV: yes, the Church of Love Commercial, i represented the white folk
Have You Ever Kissed Someone and Then Regretted it: oh yes!
Have You Ever had a Dream About Someone You Knew: every night...duh
Have You Ever played in the middle of a hurricane: no, hope i never do.


7 career paths you've considered:

1. Teacher, and that is my current occupation
2. Vet
3. Singer
4. Actress, on broadway though, not the movies
5. Interior Designer
6. Worship leader
7. Childrens Pastor

6 Things You've Done Today:

1. woke up...agaist my own will though
2. Hung out with a bunch of 3-year-olds, it was one of their better days
3. took a nap
4. started to clean but amy came
5. hung out with amy, ate, talked, watched tv (nick stokes has a gross mustach!)
6. talked to rach and cb on the phone

5 favorite things In NO Order:

1. sleeping
2. eating, and eating healthier i must say, except the pizza, wings and cake tonight
3. singing
4. being with friends and just acting crazy
5. my mom

3 Choices:

1. White or black: black....giggle giggle
2. Hot or Cold: HOT
3. Chocolate or vanilla: Chocolate

2 Things You Want to Do Before you die:

1. Have a baby
2. Have a grandbaby

1 thing you regret:
Not going to Jenny and Jamie Hall's wedding

Because I am a Woman of my word...

WEll...most of the time...anyway, i promised amy that my next long awaited blog would be about her, so amy, as if you haven't been the subject of my blogs enough, here you go... love you girl.

My top 5 Favorite things i love about amy:
5) Her Smile
4) Her Dedication to the Lord, she is a prov. 31 woman
3) They way she doesn't hide anything, she is an open book.
2) Her taste in friends!!!! hehehe
1) how excited she gets about the little things. like plates and crafts and a good book. I LOVE that!

My top 5 Favorite things to do with amy:
5) Just be in the same room together. there doesn't need to be any deep converstaion, we can just be together and be fine
4) Watch Movies
3) EAT!!!!! i think we are too good at that
2) Shop! we can shop with the best of them, we need to do that soon! we have a wedding to plan! hehe
1) just talk, we could talk all night if we had to...oh wait, we did have to! I love our conversations!

Amy, i love you! i am looking forward to many more memories ahead.

My Wonderful Weekend Home

I think that i am just now recovering from my incredible weekend home. It was packed full of fun, laughs, excitement and reuniting. These are the weekends when i wish that there were more then just 24 hours in the day.

It started when my WONDERFUL mother took the day off to come to ra-cha-cha (that's rochester for you folks that may not know) to come and get me. Why did she have to get me some might ask, well...that is because i don't have a drivers license...yes folks, i am 24 and can't drive alone...but that is another story. SO she arrived around 1 and we took off for Allegany. We had a great ride home catching up cause we hadn't talked much in three weeks since my cell phone is MIA...i don't want to talk about that either... When we arrived, i reunited with my beautiful TWIN sister. We took some pictures with her AWESOME new camera and waited for my oldest sister to come home. After she arrived, we waited for my dad to come home so we could all pile in our mini-soccer mom-van and head out to my brothers Senior Night Soccer game. What happens on sr. night is all the senoirs are announced and escorted onto the field with thier parents...my brother SPECIFICALLY asked that we not go on the field with him...not sure why, but we honored his request and loudly cheered from the side lines. He started the game and did an increadable job. He definatly got all the athletic genes...rach and i were bench warmers AND DARN GOOD AT IT!
At the game, we ran into a few old friends, that back in our high school days, we played soccer with. I also ran into my soccer coach. It was awesome to see him, that man will always hold and special place in my heart. So after seeing him, we caught up with our good friend brooke, and chatted with her till Jaime came, then out of no where our friend April walked up to us with her to ADORABLE kids. I hadn't seen her in YEARS, i want to say about 3 or 4 if not more. Since the game was almost over, we made plans to meet up with her later. She called our friend CuCa ( her real name is Jessica) and we spent the ENTIRE evening catching up in Applebees.
The next day, My two sisters and my brother and I packed into the Mini Van once again to do some furniture shopping. That evening we family, minus my brother who had a date....not ok with that but whatever...went to the movies to see FLIGHTPLAN. i had already seen it once and loved it both times. i totally recomend that movie. After the movies, rach and i went over to Jaimes to meet, yes, EVEN MORE friends that we had ran into on our shopping adventures in good old walmart. Walmart in allegany is definatly the best place to find someone that you went to high school with...Sad but true. We carved pumpkins and talked all night. It was like we were young again...sigh...
Sunday, I went to Allegany Baptist, home sweet home, and you will never guess what happend....YES....YOU GUESSED IT. I saw MORE people from my high school days. I couldn't beleive my eyes when i walked in and saw Jon. I went to church with Jon my whole life and he is like brother to me, and like a son to my parents. It was so good to see him. So he and our friend Eric, and our pastors daughter, kristen came over and had lunch with us and played "SCENE IT" It was Allison, rach and i against Jon Eric and Kristen. needless to say, the "freer's" kicked BUTT!
Shortly after that rach and i were on the road back to good old ra-cha-cha to meet up with our good friends, and newly engagned (just thought i would throw that in there in case you missed my last two blog entries) friends, John and Amy. We went out to friendly's and, as john liked to put it, overate. But it was so fun. Then they came over and spent a little while longer visiting.
Rach stayed the night, and then after a wonderful weekend, together, we had to say goodbye. I wish that she could have stayed forever, and i know that it was hard for her to go, but rach, remember how much i love you and we will see eachother again soon. I think about you everyday and pray for you too. I had a wonderful weekend with you...buck up camper... :)

And that's all folks...i don't anticipate another weekend like that anytime soon...

The Happy Newly Enganged Couple

and here they are, the happy couple, if you want to see more pictures, visit amy's blog at cntrygirl4lf.blogspot.com. I love you both so much!! Congrats again...

Oprah, eat your heart out...

Earlier this year there Oprah challenged America to find the most romantic man in America. Women where to write in with stories about the romantic things their significant other did for them. Oprah narrowed down the choices and then sent the winners on an exotic vacation. Well i know that contest is over, but I have a friend that SOOOOO would have won this contest. And here is the story...

My good friends John and Amy (amy shown above with yours truly, i would put a picture of the two of them on their if i had one to post...sorry john, as soon as amy emails me pics i will post them) have been dating for almost two years now, and have been planning to get married in 2006. well, really the only planning that had happened was setting the date for October 8th. Amy really wanted to plan more but refused to until one important detail was in place, a ring. Anyone who has hung out with amy in the past two weeks knew just how much she wanted this ring. I wish that i could show you all in my typing just how anxious she was about getting this ring, all you can do is take my word for it....SHE WANTED IT REAL BAD. Meanwhile, John was scheming up a PERFECT plan. granted it was a week later then he wanted...but that is a WHOLE other story.... A while ago Amy had a dream about getting enganged, a detailed dream about the events of the evening which she told to one person. Amy of course never suspected that that story would get back to John. Someday she is going to learn to give John a little credit...he always has things up his sleeve. To anyone who has read "The Wedding" by Nicholas Sparks, the dream was similar to their anniversary celebration...anyway, let me get to the story of Amy's perfect night....

It began when Amy's mother called Amy to ask her to stop by the house to look at a few things that she had bought at the mall. Amy, completely fooled, thought that she would stop by before she went to "babysit" next door. When amy arrived at her parents, the first thing she saw was a vase full of yellow roses, 11 roses to be exact, although at the time she didn't know there were only 11. Attached to each rose was tag with a memory or special moment that Amy and John has shared...so sweet...anyway, she didn't think anything of them. Then Amy's mom told her to look in her room at the things she bought at the mall, but when she walked in, to her surprise, there sat 4 of her close friends, Me ( of course) Megan, Ashley and Dayla. Feeling very fooled she looked right at Megan knowing full well that she had told john her dream. Without a word, 3 of us handed her cards, each revealing why we were there. I was to do her hair, Ashley her nails, and Dayla her make up. Amy was very uncomfortable with this at first, but quickly settled right into being pampered, giving out orders asking way to many questions she know full well we wouldn't answer. So after a little over an hour of this, one last card was handed to her, a card instructing her to be ready by 6:30 for her "chariot" and to get dressed. Then Megan handed her a box, and inside was a dress, purse and jewelry for her to put on. Once she was dressed, it was 6:30 on the dot. She walked out into the living room where her dad finally came out to see her (which brought a few tears) and then she looked out the window to see her limo pulling into the driveway. We snapped a few pictures and then away we went. We had sparkling grape juice and toasted amy and sang along to country music while the limo took us to Letchworth park. When the limo pulled up, john assumed his post and and we led her down the path a little ways, until it was time for her to go the rest of the way herself. She met john at the end of the path (which had a breath taking view of the falls behind him) and John then asked amy to spend the rest of her life with him and gave her the 12th rose, that had this new memory attached to it. Of course amy said yes, and then the showing off of the MOST BEAUTIFUL RING EVER began. A few more pictures where snapped and then we left the happy and newly enganged couple to dine alone, even though the rest of us were STARVING and wanted to stay too...we settled for gas station food.

The night was perfect. Went off without a hitch, unless you call the old couple that walked right up to john and amy mid preposal a hitch... It was everything amy ever wanted. The only thing that would have made it better is if he best friend Carrie was there. But Carrie was there is spirit, and amy knew that. So the happy couple is still floating on cloud nine and the rest of us are just thankful can talk to amy again and not have to watch every word that comes out of our mouths!!!! I am a terrible secret keeper, but i will brag and say i did a good job this time. Amy was totally surprised.

So congratulations to the future Mr and Mrs John...well the last time i put up his last name i was spoken too... But anywho, John you totally would have won Oprah's contest. Great plan! thanks for letting me be a part of it. And Amy...when do you want me to go and get fitted for my dress.... hehehehe.....love you!!

And the winner is...

1) If i were to be living out my dream job, what would it be?
A) The winner of American Idol
B) Traveling with a worship team seeing the world
C) Pearce 4 Kids lifer
D) Traveling along side my husband combining our musical talents and speaking to young people about dating and marriage

* The answer is D even though winning american idol would be AWESOME, it isn't the life i want, nor even close to being possible... so the greatest way to use the talents God has given me would be to travel singing and speaking, since i consider myself pretty good at both! :)

2) If i were a TV star, who would i MOST want to be?
A) Rachel on Friends
B) Sydney Bristow from Alias
C) Kathrine Willows from CSI
D) Any girl from Extreem Home makeover that gets to work along side Ty Pennigton
(good luck with this question folks, i am not sure yet which one i am going to choose)

* I would have to say D again, Yes i am obsessed with Syndey Bristow and with CSI, but not only is Ty HOT but they do really great things for really great people. I would love to be a part of something like that...

3) If i were to choose my favorite male character on TV to spend one day with, who would it be?
A) Nick Stokes from CSI
B) Ty Pennington, Extreem Home Makeover
C) Micheal Vaughn ( or whatever his real name is...geesh) Alias
D) Will from Will and Grace

* this is so tough to answer!!! but i am going to have to go with Ty because, as someone pointed out, he is the only real person! I think i could find more to talk about with him then the close second runner up, Nick Stokes. I don't think i would be able to talk around Nick cause i would be overwhelmed by his beauty...

4) Exactly how many girls where in my wedding?
A) 11
B) 12
C) 13

* If you include my flower girl, i had 12 girls in my wedding. So the answer is B. You can't forget adorable Maria! 12....what was i thinking!

5) How many wedding's have i been a bridesmaid in?
A) 5
B) 7
C) 8
D) 10

* the answer is B, 7. Livi, Autumn, Rachel, Leticia, Jenny, Andrea, Christy. I have two more this year, which will bring it up to 9, then in one year from friday, i will round that number out to an even 10. Yeah baby! I should get some kind of reward or money back from davids!

6) What word most explains my personality (the right answer will be the majoritey vote)
A) Moody
B) Emotional
C) Stubborn
D) Forgetful

* I didn't check the majority vote, but i think it was B, emotional. I would have selected C. But i guess none of you are married to me! Denis would have totally said Stubborn, even though i have yet to win a fight... i guess there should have been an E) Pushover

7) What is my absolute favorite thing to do?
A) Eat :)
B) Sleep
C) Sing
D) Teach

*Another very tough one, but i am going to have to say C) sing. Sleeping is awesome, but i do too much of it. Same with eating, and teaching has its moments. I should have put reading on there too, cause i love that to. ONLY 12 MORE DAYS TILL THE NEW NICHOLAS SPARKS BOOK COMES OUT! YAHOO!!!!!

8) What word do i overuse the most?
A) "What?"
B) " Like"
C) "Shut up"
D) " Howdy"

* I would say A) what. Because i say it even when i hear what people said, i am not sure why i do that, but i do. So i do say that word too much, but so does Mr. Nick...right John...

9) When it comes to rachel, what do i compete over or compare myself to the most?
A) our weddings
B) our weight
C) our singing voice
D) our husbands

*Oh rach, so sad that this is actually a tough choice! I am such a loser. But i am going to have to say currently B) our weight. But there definatly was a time when it was A. But hopefully i can put this weight thing behind me to. Amy is going to be my personal trainer, right amy!

10) Who is most likely to make fun of this blog topic?
A) Amy
B) John
C) Jaime
D) Rachel

* And the answer is unanamus!!! B) John. Who if i remember correctly did pretty well on this quiz! You proved me wrong when you actually took it. i planned on you just ripping it apart. You are all grown up john, i am so proud of you...sniff sniff

I have yet to go back and score this quiz, so be looking on the comments page for the winner!

Quiz

This is a quiz to see just who knows me the best. When thinking about what i wanted to blog about, i recalled a time when john gave me and rachel a quiz to see who would be his favorite twin, after winning by a landslide, i STILL hold a firm second place in john's favorite freer stance....someday he will come back from the dark side.

Good luck to all the quizzers.

1) If i were to be living out my dream job, what would it be?
A) The winner of American Idol
B) Traveling with a worship team seeing the world
C) Pearce 4 Kids lifer
D) Traveling along side my husband combining our musical talents and speaking to young people about dating and marriage

2) If i were a TV star, who would i MOST want to be?
A) Rachel on Friends
B) Sydney Bristow from Alias
C) Kathrine Willows from CSI
D) Any girl from Extreem Home makeover that gets to work along side Ty Pennigton
(good luck with this question folks, i am not sure yet which one i am going to choose)

3) If i were to choose my favorite male character on TV to spend one day with, who would it be?
A) Nick Stokes from CSI
B) Ty Pennington, Extreem Home Makeover
C) Micheal Vaughn ( or whatever his real name is...geesh) Alias
D) Will from Will and Grace

4) Exactly how many girls where in my wedding?
A) 11
B) 12
C) 13

5) How many wedding's have i been a bridesmaid in?
A) 5
B) 7
C) 8
D) 10

6) What word most explains my personality (the right answer will be the majoritey vote)
A) Moody
B) Emotional
C) Stubborn
D) Forgetful

7) What is my absolute favorite thing to do?
A) Eat :)
B) Sleep
C) Sing
D) Teach

8) What word do i overuse the most?
A) "What?"
B) " Like"
C) "Shut up"
D) " Howdy"

9) When it comes to rachel, what do i compete over or compare myself to the most?
A) our weddings
B) our weight
C) our singing voice
D) our husbands

10) Who is most likely to make fun of this blog topic?
A) Amy
B) John
C) Jaime
D) Rachel

Good luck, answers will be posted when everyone who wants to take this quiz is complete, thanks!!!