Sisters

Growing up I always wanted a sister. Surrounded by boys I was often out numbered. I never thought I would get 2 sisters. I love my sisters. They are some of the best I have to hang out with. They never cease to amaze me with what they do and who they are. Kristi turns 17 this week, so we celebrated Elmer girl style.

First, the shopping. Kristi has been bugging me for months to get her a "grown-up" purse for months. At Smith's Marketplace--I know I thought the same thing--we found bags that suited our purposes. Though there was some discussion over whether one choice looked like a saddle bag. Full out girl mood occurred in Smith's.

Second, what else do Elmer girls need when we get together? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ice Cream of course! Kristi's Birthday Ice Cream choice was Maggie Moos. We sat, talked, and I was reintroduced to High School life. I tried to keep up but don't think I caught everything they were saying.

Third, a midnight run to Walmart. Always full of entertaining adventures while running errands. Walmart contains the most creative and yet bizarre objects.

My sisters crack me up! I could not ask for better friends to have as my sisters. Happy Birthday Kris!!

DAVE! Listen up PLEASE!!!!

One

What happened to the last year? I mean come on! One year ago today one of my favorite people came into the world. Catherine Alexis Elmer. Amber and Scott humored me and actually celebrated the little booger's birthday early. I'm so happy they did. Catherine was spoiled like the princess she is. But like everyone year old she quickly lost interest after one present. Weston--the ever present helper--stepped in to save the day.

All dolled up in her sparkly skirt, Catherine charmed everyone there. Scott and Amber had a few friends over to celebrate. Nana & Papa gave her fancy boots to strut in that she tried to figure out for a while. She smiled, laughed, giggled, and danced for her ever adoring crowd. Catherine reminds me of Kalli at that age--the performer to all end. So cute.

The highlight was the cake destruction. Hesitant at first, but oh so willing to rip it to shreds by the end. She was screaming and showing off for the cameras the whole time. She did a great job shredding that cake and sharing it with her belly, hair, face, the wall, and anything within throwing distance. Catherine was on a sugar high the rest of the night.

I've loved seeing this little girl. She is such a spit fire and not afraid to stand up for herself. She screeches to let the world know when she isn't happy. She loves adventures already and has the perfect little booty dance. LOVES her mommy to be sure. Somehow--I'm sure she knows--just when to turn on the ultimate cuteness. With her faces, smiles, tongue tricks, and crazy dance moves she has made me laugh all week. Love you little girl! Happy Birthday!

Reality

Reality Bites. Yes, I know it's life and all that jazz, but still it bites. I've found many effective ways to hide from it, stall it, or just plain ignore it. But somehow, SOMEHOW, it effectively comes to back to bite me in the butt.

I've put life semi on hold for the last few months. Trying to not face reality. Apparently, it was a bad idea. I haven't been happy. I spent so much time coming up with other realities I would rather be a part of. As hard as I tried to create them, they fell apart over and over and over and over and over. Stupid. My alternate realities somehow couldn't mesh with my current reality. Who da thought right?! With this concept slapping me in the face, I tried to escape to other realities through books, movies, and all the other aspects of media. While good for a time, still nothing worked. I still had to put the book down or turn the well my computer off and face what was. Everything I did was only a temporary fix. Eventually reality would come crashing down and ruin my perfectly created world.

Today I sit here and face reality again. Reality and I had a great break from each other the last week or so. A fantastic break actually. But once again the staring contest will begin. I can no longer run from reality. So today I choose to face it.

Here is my Reality:

• I've got to unpack my suitcase today and wash underwear because I'm completely out.
• Somehow the kitchen and my bedroom are dirty again, even though I haven't been in them for almost 2 weeks.
• I need to out in public and visit the grocery store; while I love my Chocolate Covered Cinnamon Bears, they don't necessarily make the best breakfast ever.
• My running habits need to be a BIT more consistent. Only because that silly half-marathon in only a month away.
• As much as I try to, I can't cut chocolate out of my diet. Yeah, I have an addiction. I'll deal with it when I'm dead.
• I make life too complicated. My Ah-ha moment this year so far, Life is simple--I just do a bang up job of making it more difficult.
• I'm single. It gets lonely. It bites. It sucks. But its my life and I have a lot in it.
  
• Time to be a full grown-up and make the big decisions--school, love, and how to keep life from getting out of control.
• My life is simple, chaotic, ever-changing--once I make a decision it continues to throw new ideas into the mix.
• I have to make the most out my life right now as it is. Life is never greener on the other side just a different.
• I must trust that Heavenly Father knows me better and trusts me.
  
• I'm not alone, even though it feels like it sometimes.
  
• I can't hide anymore. I do a great job of hiding from the things I've afraid will hurt. I'm afraid of not knowing what will happen. I take risks, but not the risks that really matter. Just the little ones like traveling and trying new things.
  

Reality is here. Always has been. Now I must go face it.

Break II

How to Play in Champaign, IL

You Take Lots of Bathes

You Climb Up The Stairs OVER and OVER

You Make Funny Faces At Dinner

You Take Naps



Well Kind Of

And Watch Movies On the IPOD While Waiting For Mom

This trip was good for me. I saw the other side of life. Saw the fun and simple side of things. Was reminded how important they are. Reminded myself, my life is just different. That's it. Thanks to Scott and Amber for putting up with me and letting me invade their lives for a while. Now I can face the drunk, the stupid, and the mean once again in the ER. Oh back to reality from here.

Valentine's

Oh how we despise Single Awareness day. Every year it comes back to remind me once again haha you are still single. So I TRY--don't always succeed--to make it all about the fun aspects of the Holiday. This year I had help. A card from my parents--with the lifetime membership to a Shooting range in vegas. My gun is soon to follow. Amber, Weston, Scott, and Catherine made the day. Weston and I made Valentines for everyone. They turned out Beautimous. Weston is just an artist. We played, blowed bubbles, ate nummy candy, watched Winnie the Pooh, and my favorite part--made sugar cookies.

All the babies down for a nap, Weston and I took on the cookies. With music in the background we pulled out our dance moves. Weston is such an amazing helper. He knows how to do everything in the kitchen already. Makes me smile. We danced, rolled, cut, baked, frosted, and decorated. Needless to say by the end of the night everyone, including the babies, was on a sugar high. After laughing some more, consuming more sugar, an entertaining game of hide and seek, another round of, "Misa read 4 stories? Please?!" I snuggled up with a book and a movie. Overall, not a bad way to spend Single Awareness day. Maybe I'll go eat some more sugar cookies. Yeah. Good Idea.