Wednesday, May 25, 2011

American Idol

I have never watched American Idol. In fact I kind of made it a point not to watch it. Not that I didn't want to watch as these singers took their shot at becoming a star but I really did not like the judges. My parents came to visit us a few months back and they watch American Idol. After watching one week.. I was hooked! I loved listening to everyone and quickly found my favorites. I spent an hour on Wednesday and another hour on Thursday texting with my Aunty Jodi, cousin Kaitlyn, Mom and Aunty Lisa. We cried together, yelled at the TV, and cheered on our favorites!!! 


My favorites were kicked off before the finale but I feel like both Scotty and Lauren are also amazing and deserve to be American's Next Idol! 


Here are my favorites this season!!! 


Pia
Kicked off pretty early but still going on tour!
It was a shock to everyone when she was kicked off!





Mr. James Durbin!
James has turned me into a Metal fan! :)
He is extremely talented and although he was kicked off in the surprise of the season, he will go FAR!



And my favorite...
CASEY!!!!! 
Casey Abrams had it all - personality, stage presence, and a great voice! 
He was so fun to watch and I will be buying his future CDs!


Anyone else watch Idol this season? 
Who were your favorites?

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Hi Ho It's off to Grand Rapids We Go!

We have made it to Grand Rapids!!


Friday I said goodbye to my student teaching classroom.
Sunday I said goodbye to my job at the zoo.
Tuesday Ben said goodbye to the Discovery Center and Boy's Ranch.
Wednesday we said hello to my parents!
Thursday morning we made a quick trip to the airport to visit with a friend for 30 minutes who was in town interviewing at a college in South Dakota.
Friday morning, 8am, we left our little apartment in Sioux Fall to travel to Grand Rapids!!
We stayed overnight in Illinois on Friday before completing our trip making it to Grand Rapids a little after 3pm on Saturday afternoon!


In a short amount of time we caught up with the Ben's family, some family in Holland and our best friends! 


Since arriving in Grand Rapids Ben and I have moved into the room that his older sisters shared when they lived here. Most of our belongings are in little pod type containers and were taken away. We have looked at one apartment and have others scheduled for this week. 


We were able to attend Raena's lacrosse game and then got a phone call from our friends who needed our help unexpectingly this evening. We live a life with no regrets and we enjoyed our time in Sioux Falls but we are so thankful to be here and so involved with their lives and happy to be back in Michigan! 

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Favorite Day of the Month

I have a favorite day of the month.
It is not the same day every month.
I know my favorite day has come when I open the mailbox.


I open my mailbox and there it is..
a tiny little bundle of fun....


Any ideas what it is? 


It's Reader's Digest!!!


Someone must have bought it as a gift for us but we don't know who. Well, we have our suspicions... but all we know for sure is that we did not buy it. I have never read Reader's Digest but I have fallen in love with the information, funnies, and all the other great things found in this little bundle of fun! I look forward to this day all month long and love when that precious day comes and I open my mailbox to find the little book! 

Lots of BIG news in a tiny post

Here is a tiny post of all the BIG things happening in our life...


1. Ben got a job in Grand Rapids, his dream job on a family-owned, organic farm learning all that he wants to learn! We are moving to GR in just a few days. This means living near our family and friends! 


2. I graduated college!! I am officially a college graduate. I was not able to make it back for the graduation ceremony but I had a wonderful graduation ceremony and party with my students, teacher and aide. 


3. The weather is beautiful! We kinda skipped Spring and jumped right into Summer. From rainy and 50s to sunny, hot and 80s! I haven't gotten out much to enjoy the weather but will be able to do so soon!


4. I am so excited for not only the changes happening in our lives but in the lives of all of my friends as I watch them preparing to graduate, searching for dream jobs, getting engaged, married, having children. Even though I am not able to be near all my friends I am thankful for things like Facebook and cell phones so I can keep up with everyone!