Thankfulness

I get so consumed with the day to day grind of things throughout the year that I, most of the time, forget about all the amazing blessing I have in my life.

It really is a shame that I take the time only once a year to write down some of the things I'm thankful for. Maybe I'll remember to do it more often this next year.

First of all, I have the most amazing family in the world! I wanted to say how much I love and am thankful that Joey came into our lives. Then I also wanted to mention how much I love my brother Luke and am so thankful that he's one of my very best friends. Well, then there's Sarah, and Lynn and my nieces and my parents... And then extended family, so it starts to get extremely long. I think I better just leave it as, I'm so thankful and so blessed to have the family that I have. Love them all!

Also, I don't know how a girl can come across as many amazing people as I have.. But I'm pretty sure I have some of the coolest friends EVER. Yeah, totally amazing friends that I absolutely love and am so thankful for! I have so many amazingly wonderful friends it's actually some times hard to keep track. So thank you friends for always being there for me and just being who you are.

I'm thankful for the organization Friend Ships Unlimited. I learned so much while I served with them! So many amazing experiences. Yes it was difficult, but such a growing opportunity.

I'm so thankful for all the traveling I've gotten to do. The places I've been so blessed to see and the different cultures I've gotten to experience.

For the different seasons of the year. Just the beauty that comes with each one.

Flowers. I love flowers! And snowflakes! If only I could keep them in a jar for decoration!

I'm thankful that I'm an American. I'm thankful for a job. And I'm thankful that I really look forward to going to cosmetology classes in the morning.

Smiles. How smiles can truly brighten a day! And laughs. My favorite.

I'm really thankful for Alaska. I love Alaska! It's so flawlessly beautiful!

The ocean, the beach and the stars! Rain on a tin roof!

Scarves. Randomly enough. I'm thankful for scarves. :D And jeans.

I'm thankful for the ability to learn different things. I'm thankful that I've had the opportunity to "learn" how to surf.

I'm thankful for art. And diversity. Uniqueness. Being different.

I'm thankful that Missouri is starting to feel like "home" and that I'm getting settled in and making new friends.

But mostly I'm thankful for Jesus. For the salvation I have in Him and for His continual forgiveness. For His unending love and mercies. And for NEVER leaving me. I'm so thankful for second chances.

Oh and also... I'm so thankful for stuffing and green bean casserole and pumpkin pie. Which I will be eating in three days. :D

Turns out the list could actually go on. I keep thinking about more things that I'm thankful for.

I wonder if it would actually ever end? If I just continued to write things down. Even little things like my colored sharpy markers I use to highlight my notes and such with. Turns out there is SOO much a person can be thankful for... I think I'm just a happier person after writing this. I would suggest everyone make a list... It's amazing how many things a person has to be thankful about.

Can a person be thankful for Facebook? I think that I am. Did I just say that? ...Yep. I like that I'm able to stay connected with old and new friends.

Cosmetology School

So it turns out you actually have to be smart to get through cosmetology school. What was I thinking? Anatomy and Physiology? Jeez, I don't want to be a nurse, I just want to cut and color some hair. I mean I can hardly even spell those words.

Today was only my second day at school, and already we have a test on Monday. It's like I don't even feel I've had time to learn anything yet. Weird.

Before class had actually started this morning, I was sitting in my tiny little desk making myself sick just worrying about all the stuff that I don't know and I actually thought about dropping out right then and there. Just calling it quits. But... that would be dumb. Giving up? Not really my thing. They'll have to fail me. But I'm not quitting.

We only have one hour in the morning of theory, then the rest is practical. And I love the all the practical stuff, I can actually do that. It's just the book work. Oh man. This is not going to be an easy 9/10 months. But I guess all I can do is give it my best shot.

Trip #4 to Alaska

Have I ever mentioned how much I love Alaska? I have never seen anything more beautiful! I swear, as I fly through the Alaskan sky there's a song that's on repeat up in the clouds. It goes, "take my breath aaawaaaaaaay".

I just returned from there a couple days ago. The 3 previous times I had been up in Alaska was always in July/August. It was kind of strange to be there in October. I thought maybe it would be fall. But nope. It was winter. Not a leaf on a tree. But it was still beautiful.

This is Homer.My beautiful friend Amanda and I in Homer!

The Kenai River. Looks so bare without all the boats and bouys.

My friend Abe and I.

Well, I think most everyone has heard that I'm moving up to Missouri and will be starting Cosmetology school soon. But let me just make it official by saying that that is definitely true. :D

My little sister Sarah lives 20 minutes from the school so I'm moving right in with her and starting on the 3rd of November. The school is only nine months long. And I know that sounds like a short time, but I spend an average of three months in one place. I always get antsy and just have to go somewhere. But I'm determined to get rid of the travel bug if only for nine months.

I'm so excited! I've wanted to do this since I was 17. But I'm also really nervous because I have never cut a persons hair in my life. I think "God help me" is about all I can say.

Anyway, thanks so much for taking the time to read my blog! Hugs!

Family

I've gotten pretty bad about updating my blog these days. Seems I just do the picture thing here lately.
So... Here are some pictures. :D

The siblings! First time we've been together since last Thanksgiving I believe. (Love my family!)

My Grandparents! They came to Arkansas to visit on their way to Arizona.

I love my grandpa!

My little niece Rebekah

My brother Luke and my youngest niece Emma.

Gone, But Not Forgotten

In remembrance of my uncle Carl Bjornstad who departed us one year ago tomorrow. October 6th 2008.

You will always be loved and greatly missed.

Hello!

I can't believe it's been over a month since I last wrote. They say time fly's when you're having fun and that is the truth!

Fishing ended about a month ago, so I (sadly) returned to Arkansas and am now plotting my new adventures. I sure do miss Alaska, because it truly does feel like home. Maybe someday I'll even get to live there. I guess one can only hope.

I took a trip out to Virginia a couple weeks ago to see my dear friend Janna marry the man of her dreams. I had such a great time seeing a bunch of my Friend Ships friends and hanging out with my best friend Debi! Such good times!

Most have probably heard that I canceled my trip to Australia. The dollar is still dropping even as I type, so school was starting to cost way more than I was willing to pay. Who knows, maybe when I'm old and gray I'll be able to take a little trip Down Under for a vacation. But for now I think I'll probably stay in the states for a while.

I have a couple different directions I'm heading in at the moment. All I know right now is that I need to make a definite decision on what that is before I go completely insane.

Hopefully in the next week or two I will have a solid plan. Who really knows though? I like to reserve the right to change my mind about anything, at any time, whenever I feel like it. :D

So for now, here are some picture from over the past month.

Canoeing with my baby!

Taking a rid on the carousel. 2009 Fair.

Joey Loved this fire truck! He must have ridden on it 20 times!

My beautiful sister Sarah and my cute little brother Joseph

Janna and David
Sweet Debi! If only she didn't live so far away!

Just Some Pictures in Alaska

I thought I would share a few more pictures with you of my time in Alaska.
So, this is picking fish on the Early Dawn. Or watching Abe pick fish anyways. :D

Abe is a phenomenal Captain/fisherman. There is no way in the world that I could ever even hope to be as educated about "things of the sea" as he is. Generally people scare me on boats. Like we're going to run into something or just flip right over in rough weather. But I don't think I was ever frightened even the slightest while working for/with Abe. I think it runs in his family because his dad is probably the saltest person I've ever met.

Chad and my best friend Amanda halibut fishing!

MY FIRST HALIBUT! I was so excited! (And to think, all those clothes in JULY!)


Abe and Chris or Brandon (they're twins and I had the HARDEST time telling them apart!) filleting halibut in Seldovia.

Snagging for Salmon! Oh my gosh! This was so fun! Everyone was just pulling salmon out of the water right and left! It was crazy! I only caught a humpy, but I was still happy!

Fishing

Oh surprise! I am actually working while I'm in Alaska! Ha ha, but it hardly seems like it! I'm just loving life up here!


On the Early Dawn. Looking over the port quarter.

The net

Kiss a fish!A couple fish in the hold. I believe the hold is about 5 foot deep.

After ice down.

A Little Bit of Alaska

On the beach at Snug Harbor

Cuddly little bear I wanted to take home with me.

And a moose up close and personal.


Caribou! Gosh I love Alaska!

Beautiful Alaska

I had a three hour layover in Fairbanks that I was super excited about. It created the perfect opportunity to see my cousin and his family. They came to the airport to pick me up and then took me out to dinner and ice cream. It was so great to see them again!

Thanks so much Adam and Kimberly!

This is on the drive from Anchorage to Kenai. At around 12:30 at night. I love how the sun just stays around. :D

Some of Abe's beautiful flowers!



Dandelions LupineOne of the nets we've been working on.