Anni

Hi all...

2010-06-19T00:53:00.001-05:00

I'm gonna be posting on just fromthegrove.

... follow me there!

Love you!

anni

Visiting...

2010-06-10T21:08:00.004-05:00

sweet people.

Went to our Terre Haute office last Wednesday for a concrete demo we had planned the following day. The ins and outs of construction amaze me and the guys who do this work daily don't get enough credit!

Friday I worked in Washington and then last minute ended up spending the nite in Evansville w/ my friend Jen and her sweet little girl Madalyn.

Saturday morning I met up w/ my friends Ginger and Ben for breakfast at Panera. I had the wonderful privilege of going a few weeks back now to take pictures of them picking up their little boy, Benson at the airport... flying in all the way from Korea. Here are some pics of us at Panera in Evansville last Saturday.

Had lunch Saturday w/ Greta Lane... and then spent the day with family at the pool. Sunday we had our Jones and Sons golf outing and then I headed to Indy to see my favorite person in the world... Mr. C. Stayed at his mom's new place that nite and spent the next day w/ her before heading back home.

I will close mentioning 2 sweet things. Kate Ryann who is my friend's Kristy's little girl born Monday and... a little guy that graced the world on Sunday... Layton Stanlee Porter... this is my cousin Larissa's little guy. And what a long awaited Joy! Congratulations Kristy and Eric - Larissa and Denny.

Head over to my cousin Shaya's link on the sidebar to see pics of Layton... cuteness alert :)

Song playing is "Thank You," by Ray Boltz. This song is in honor of Larissa... a girl full of perseverance and Faith. An example of what God does in a heart that trust.

If you could see me now :)

2010-05-08T18:19:00.003-05:00

Got up this morning and while pulling up the bedspread to make the bed, I pulled muscles in my back... poo. It hasn't been the day I'd thought out before falling asleep last nite... but one sweet thing amidst the pain has been my husband... he's taken care of me and made me laugh too which I forgive him for :)

Here's a self-pic of us at BW3's last night watching the Blackhawks win! Playing Miranda Lambert's "House that Built Me," for the post... heard her sing it when watching one of the award shows recently and loved it... and then it played on our drive home last nite too.

Thank you Chad for being there for me today. Thank you to Linda my mother-in-law for understanding us not coming to see her tomorrow now for Mother's Day :( I'll be thinking of her tomorrow, my wonderful momma... and all the other great mom's in my family and those ones I'm blessed to call friends.

Weekend

2010-04-27T19:49:00.003-05:00

We ate well this weekend :)
I made breakfast in all weekend but other than that... we were out.

Friday nite ended up going w/ friends to dinner and then to see a band play. Wish I'd have taken pics of the drummer... first of all he was SO good and passionate... but his hair! It was great drummer hair b/c it stood out from his head on all sides 4 inches, at least, and as he played it waved along... it was entertaining.

Saturday we had a wonderful church service and afterwards went to a friends 30th b-day party at an Italian place we'd never been to.

Sunday we went to the city to watch the bulls game and ended up eating at a restaurant w/ someone Chad knew. Here are some pics of the game.

Pics

2010-04-22T18:43:00.001-05:00

Little catching up... Here are a few pics from the Carrie Underwood concert... so good!

The following weekend my parents were here for a visit. I know we only get one set of parents, and I'm lucky, cuz my heart is so FULL w/ the ones I have. It was great having them here! We ate and rested and ate!

Tonite is low key... C is putting together some barstools that my mom ordered for us while she was here :)

I have been doing some cleaning and in doing so thought I'd share a pic w/ you...

more specifically this...

This is something that every time I see it I think of my great Grandma Church... who gave it to me... the back of it says...

7.5.97 Great Grandma Laura Church

When I look at it I often remember one of, if not the last visit at the nursing home I had w/ her... where she just looked at me... and said nothing except... "You're so beautiful." And I knew she meant it more than what she was seeing on the outside and I've not had that said to me in that way ever before... or ever since.

She is an amazing soul... and while in the body she recited poems and smiled... and just being in her presence made you aware that she'd walked a life full of joys and pains... and yet had nothing but praises to recite.

I was listening to my song list from this blog as I was cleaning and the "I Wish" song by Nicole C. Mullen was playing as I was taking the pics of my grandma's gift. I think from up in heaven... the words to this song would be the exact ones she'd want to speak... if she could only choose one thing...

No matter what... the best thing ever is to Love the Lord... with all our hearts... w/ all our souls... our mind and strength!

Still There?

2010-04-10T11:24:00.007-05:00

Don't blame ya if you're not... it's been ages.

So sorry I've not kept up w/ this personal blog... it all feels like a whirlwind to me somedays too... I've been wrapped up in counseling sessions and moves and a trip to Maui... working and day to day stuff... that is what you've missed in the past 3 months and lots of tears and joy along the way...

But things are settling in... and GOD IS AWESOME. I tried emailing out some pics of our new place but more than one of ya never got them... thought here was a good place to post them. Come visit us if you're ever in the area.

Kitchen, DR, and LR all in one :)

Publish Post

Our bedroom...

Guest Bedroom...

Love ya'll... and hope to get better at posting some pics and day to day happenings on here. We are actually going to see Carrie Underwood tonite... C ended up getting tics just last nite from a member who was finishing up his round... a nice little work perk :) Hope to get some good pics and will try and post.

Playing her song "So Small" for the post...

Before jumping off... have to recommend the "Grace is for Sinners" blog that is over on my sidebar... her April 8th... "Honor Goes Like This" and April 9th posts... "Eating is Believing" are so good!

Love,
Anni :)

Everything

2010-01-23T08:02:00.003-06:00

L.O.V.E. the HOPE in this verse...
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. ~ 2 Corinthians 1:20

And never can get my mind around the scope of this one...
He existed before anything else and he holds all creation together. ~ Colossians 1:17

Heard this song for the first time this morning... found it to be the perfect prayer to start the day!

"Everything," by Tim Hughes...

God in my living
There in my breathing
God in my waking
God in my sleeping

God in my resting
There in my working
God in my thinking
God in my speaking

Be my everything
Be my everything
Be my everything
Be my everything

God in my hoping
There in my dreaming
God in my watching
God in my waiting

God in my laughing
There in my weeping
God in my hurting
God in my healing

Christ in me
Christ in me
Christ in me the hope of glory
You are everything

Christ in me
Christ in me
Christ in me the hope of glory
Be my everything

Christmas Pics

2010-01-11T16:01:00.000-06:00

Little behind the 8 ball... but this is the girl who still has her tree up... and lights on daily :)

* Poor G wasn't feeling good on Christmas... but was a trooper!

* Lily the Veterinarian

Late Night

2009-12-16T02:22:00.006-06:00

I put up the tree yesterday and hung ornaments tonite... or really this morning! My mom and Aunt Dana were here on Friday to visit and my mom brought me a pre-lit tree and 2 gift bags ( you can see them to the right of the tree.) They now sit empty but inside those bags were ornaments.

Growing up, my mom would always take us to pick out an ornament for the tree. My brother Kevin and I got married the same year... and the Christmas before our weddings was the last Christmas we did the ornaments. So I ended up w/ a total of 22 ornaments.

I will admit I wasn't planning on putting up Christmas decor and wasn't enthused about the tree... but I owe my mom an apology b/c the tree and the ornaments were perfect and have filled my heart w/ wonderful memories and reminders and my apartment w/ warmth and light.

Here are the ornaments up close...

"1977" and a little girl praying... the boo hooing started - good tears though... reminder that God has always been with me since day 1... good choice for ornament #1 mom!

I was actually a year and a half old this Christmas and would have no idea why the mouse was chosen... probably cuz he's cute and so red!

Year #3: Guessing I liked this one b/c Santa could spin:)

#4: I loved to swing

#5: Mrs. Claus... I remember my mom telling us $ was tight and Mr. & Mrs. Claus were a set - so Kurt's #6 and my #5 were Mr. and Mrs.

#6: I still loved to swing

#7: Loved the ice on this one and secretly think all 3 of us thought this was the best ornament of them all :)

#8: I was a girly girl... had a doll house and loved to play w/ barbies and cabbage patch dolls.

#9 and #10: Don't remember exactly why on these... thinking maybe because there were 3 of us kids... probably thought the kittens in a mitten were cute and then the singing birds b/c my mom often taught Kurt, Kevin, and I songs that we'd sing together in church.

#11: Not sure why this either... I did love to color and guessing I still loved to at 11... but seems a little old! I don't think I'm making this up... but remember thinking this one reminded me of being snuggled up in a tent w/ our sleeping bags... my family went camping a lot and often w/ my cousins.

#12: Because I talked on the phone a lot... at this age it was no doubt my best friend Jamie on the other end!

#13: A Vanity - b/c I had one similar that I'd gotten for Christmas - maybe the year before... and I LOVED to primp! Also would have loved the fact that the lights lit up.

#14: My family liked to golf... but the ornament pickins must have been slim that year b/c golf really wasn't "My Bag," like the ornament says :)

#15: Played V-ball my Freshman year and then quit my sophomore year... a regret of mine.

#16 - An Answering Machine - I either spent too much time on the phone... or thought it was cool that it actually played a the message from Santa :)

#17 - I loved food - that hasn't changed!

#18 - B/c I'd decided to go to Purdue for Nursing

#19: Sophomore yr at Purdue in Nursing

#20: Went on a trip w/ my mom and her college group to the Grand Canyon - I'm quite the camper!

#21: When I'd come home from college, I loved sitting w/ my mom and having coffee together. You may not see the small type below... "Special Friendship Blend," I am thankful for a friendship w/ my mom that has only grown each year since!

#22: I'd changed my major Junior year to Elementary Education and graduated w/ that degree from Purdue the following May.

Thanks again for bringing up a tree and the ornaments mom, truly blessed me. Song playing is "These are the Special Times," by Christina Aguilera.

Oh My Goodness!

2009-12-06T15:16:00.003-06:00

This is Elias Malachi... born this morning at 5:37, Jacksonville, Florida time! He belongs to my friends Ben and Abbi... and just sharing in their joy today!

Got one more couple I'm praying for and that is my niece Shaya and her husband Jared who were due w/their first baby girl Dec 1, and are still waiting!!

Song playing is "Dreams," by the Cranberries.

First Snow :)

2009-12-04T16:02:00.007-06:00

Got up - clock in the kitchen said 3:36am - but i was just up for a quick trip to the bathroom. Heading back into the bedroom, noticed how bright it was through the blinds for being so early in the am... wondered if it had snowed more and this was the view when I peeked through...

None of it affected my ability to return easily back to sound sleep!

Sunrise by Nichole Nordeman is playing.

Just a sweet song

2009-12-03T19:02:00.001-06:00

Not angels, nor demons, no power on earth or heaven
Not distance, nor danger, no trouble now or ever

Nothing can take me from your great love
Forever this truth remains

I belong, I belong to you

Not hardship, nor hunger, no pain or depth of sorrow
Not weakness, nor failure, no broken dream or promise

I belong ~ by Kathryn Scott

Family and Friends

2009-11-29T09:36:00.003-06:00

The above pic is Lily at her friend, Chloe's b-day party :)

After attending the Providence Woman's Day, the first Sat I was there, Jenelle, Lily, and I made a trip to Eville - Lily was so good! She reminded me too that Lily and silly rhyme and that is good because she is silly... her words not mine :) She does make me laugh!

The next day we celebrated my niece Molly's 4th birthday. Here are pics of friends and family who came and lots o' pics of the birthday girl... the Hannah Montana dress from Kristin, Kaitlyn, Adam, and Hadley was definitely a hit!! Any idea on which pic is her gift from Aunt Shannon :)

I think it was the next day, Monday... that I went by my friend Greta's house just to visit... her middle child Emma took this photo of Abbi and I reading... Shout out to Mrs. Lane her teacher who is doing a remarkable job!

I also got to go w/ Jenelle and the kids to one of Gunnar's b-ball games in Eville... GJ's team won the entire tourney and his first grade teacher was there to cheer them on... how sweet! The next pic is Molly before her Thanksgiving program... which I also got to go see - she did a great job!

The Wed nite before Thanksgiving Washington always plays a big b-ball game against Barr-Reeve... I wanted to have some friends over before the game, that I'd really not seen in a while and it all ended up working out! Wished you were in town Jamie - missed you!!! The nite really blessed my soul! Thanks for all your help mom!

We did a Thanksgiving brunch this year with tons of good stuff... breakfast casserole, cinnamon breakfast cake, fruit salad, fried potatoes... then did the turkey dinner later around 5... both my grandma's were there and my uncle Bob... we did a toast too everyone saying what they were thankful for... mine was my family - the ones I got to see and those I didn't.

Song playing is "Words I Would Say," by Sidewalk Prophets... I heard it yesterday when running some errands and it filled me with the blessings I have in my friends and families... they are words I wish for myself and for each life I love.

Meredith Andrews

2009-11-08T00:58:00.003-06:00

Some pics from seeing her in concert tonight! My friend, Sarah, and I went and as we walked up to the convention center, a guy outside asked if we wanted 2 front row tickets... so wow! Michael W. Smith, Phil Stacey, and Matt Maher were there too! It was such a great nite!

Song playing is "You Invite Me In," by Meredith Andrews :)

Britt Nicole

2009-10-31T21:43:00.003-05:00

This song of hers is one of my favorites and I know you're gonna love the video she put out w/it... inspiring!

Hit pause on the playlist music :)

A couple firsts...

2009-10-24T21:45:00.004-05:00

Had a fun Saturday! Had some down time this morning... then ran errands before meeting my friend Jamie in Schaumburg for her to try on some bridesmaid's dresses. Her sister is getting married next year. Then we went to the largest Bed Bath and Beyond I've ever been in followed by my first visit to an IKEA. Wow, place was packed and 3 levels of stuff! We topped off the night with a great dinner at Maggiano's... another first for me and if I can help it won't be my last... yummo. I'm home and excited to be going to bed and it's not even 10:)

Nite :)

Blogs

2009-10-18T12:42:00.000-05:00

Just wanted ya'll... I think there about 15 total of ya, and of that not really sure how many actual read :) but wanted to let ya know I'm starting back my "From the Grove" blog... it is primarily just for writing though... still going to have this one for my family/friends, the more personal stuff.

Just FYI :)

Love ya!

Pics

2009-10-12T21:45:00.004-05:00

Here are some pics from my weekend trip to Jacksonville. I went for my friend Abbi's 30th. It should have been a surprise to her, but I blew it 2 days prior. Despite that... still so great spending the weekend w/ her, her family, and meeting some of her friends.

Hurricane Season

2009-09-14T23:06:00.006-05:00

In more ways than one... love this song - fits me to a T.
"Hurricane" playing by Jimmy Needham.

Dance

2009-09-11T06:34:00.003-05:00

Listening to music while getting ready this am... Pandora.com if you've never been to the site you plug in any artist and then it plays songs by them and similar artist.

Heard "Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble," and the line, "Dance us a dance upon injustice!" stuck.

Last nite before falling asleep, the thought that many awful things were happening to people all over the world at that moment came to my mind. Following was a heart prayer for God to do as he says and draw close to each broken heart.

As the lyrics to this song played this morning, the song inspired more belief in me.

Our fight is not against the people you will see today... not one of them including the one in the mirror. We fight against crap unseen... in a heavenly realm... lovely. But the beauty reminder is Jesus, our advocate... and not one who is all geared up with weapons and guns to fight... one who instead dances upon injustice... I like that visual, it's funny and joyful, and more assuring that he has the victory.

Linda Lee

2009-08-25T18:41:00.012-05:00

Came to visit me!

Well maybe not all for me... but we did what we do best together... hang out.

Backing up... had a great dinner Sat night with my friend Jamie. We went to a new place for me, not her, called FlatTop Grill... (KJ you inspired the visit and yet I forgot my b-day gift!) But food was delish and the company!

Linda's flight got in on time that same night... and I picked her up at the airport. We spent all day Sunday at the Solheim - walking around following the players, enjoying the great weather and atmosphere!

Monday was low key w/ work for me... but we did go for lunch to a fun place downtown St. Charles that reminds me of the great little book store from "You've got Mail," not that they look alike or anything, but such a unique place... this one has a cafe attached w/ a menu I've only ordered from twice now but have hit the jack-pot both times.

After work Monday we headed downtown Geneva to look at the shops there. Here is a pic I don't think she even knew I took.

I took her back to the airport this afternoon and already she's called and made it safely back to Texas.

Love you Linda... I am glad you came!!

Love,

The Summit

2009-08-23T08:19:00.004-05:00

Title of the devotional for today... love this book, God Calling Journal. Not to mention the entry reminded me of a song I like, so thought I'd post both. Happy Sunday:)

See not the small trials and vexations of each hour of the day. See the one purpose and plan to which all are leading. If in climbing a mountain you keep your eyes on each stony or difficult place, as you ascend, seeing only that, how weary and profitless your climb!

But if you think of each step as leading to the summit of achievement, from which glories and beauties will open out before you, then your climb will be so different.

Habakkuk 3:19 The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me walk upon mine high places."

Song is "The Climb," Miley Cyrus.

Pics

2009-08-16T19:27:00.006-05:00

This is a recent Noah pic... I was in Indy last Tues. and got to see him, Ryan and Andrea's new home, and my mother-in-law, Linda. It was nice to see everyone... hadn't seen Linda since Christmas and Ryan's family since January! Hard to believe that much time has passed!

Kurt and I spent the weekend on Lake Michigan... went to an art fair... Kurt cleaned the boat, we went out on the water... w/ great music and chats... ate too much, and enjoyed it all.

Offering Trash

2009-08-02T19:14:00.009-05:00

Kurt's gonna love this one.

Communion - first time for me at this particular church, they pass out the little cups, 2 cups actually one on top of the other... the styrofoam bread square in the bottom cup, the juice in the top... quite a different communion scenerio than my sweet Catholic readers are use to with their yummo bread and wine:)- so, after passing it out, songs were played, you could take at your leisure, which I do... all is well.

Then in song 2... i see they are passing around baskets... so naturally, I get my purse out and grab my offering... even as I'm throwing it in the basket... I have the thought... "That is different to use trash bags in the offering baskets."

The worst part about it was, when it really did come time for the offering... I at first felt bad for the guy announcing it and talking b/c I was like, hello! we already took the offering! But instead of anyone jumping in to correct his oversight, all you can hear and see are people shuffling in purses and pockets for their offering.

It seriously took me a minute to decide what the heck the first offering was for. But then as my face surely became red... the reality of the first basket sunk in. Trash bags really are for trash (communion cups) and red velvet bags... those are for the offering.

The Alanis Morissette song playing, "You Learn" was one I heard while I was shopping at "Home Goods" this weekend - caught myself singing along to it while I shopped! But the line, "You live, you learn"... very fitting for my offering experience today.

Lady A

2009-07-27T22:52:00.002-05:00

Lady Antebellum... one of my favorite country groups... just heard this song today - not sure if it is new or not, but couldn't get it on my playlist so had to hunt me down a you tube...

Kate

2009-07-14T18:26:00.011-05:00

Have you seen the Kate McRae link - bottom right?

It is a tough story but I've been following the daily updates. Today as I read the evening post from yesterday it made me realize more how severe Kate's situation is. And yet w/o doubt the family is believing, hoping... fighting.

Song playing for this post is "The Door..."

It's a beauty!

2009-07-11T10:15:00.003-05:00

Kurt and my cousin Mark are in Michigan City this weekend and Kurt sent this pic this morning.

Handy Woman

2009-07-08T19:56:00.007-05:00

That is what I feel like after attaching my headboard. It was a gift from my parents that arrived today. (Actually Fed Ex dropped it off yesterday while I was at the post office and when I went to the front office to pick it up it was too heavy... the maintenance man brought it up today for me... 3 flight:) The people here are all so nice! - Maintenance man and I are well aquainted already though since he's been here once to change the overhead lighting in the kitchen and again yesterday to fix the broken garbarge disposal... not mango-peel/lemon-seed proof!)

Anywho... tried taking a picture of my handywork, but phone won't email the pic :(
I pulled the pic from the website so you can see it.

I know you're wondering how hard was it to put together... 2 steps actually:

Step 1: Attach legs to headboard using 4 bolts & 4 washers.
Step 2: Attach legs to bed frame using 4 bolts & 8 washers & 4 nuts.

So definitely nothing major for the average handy-woman... but I'm not average. So I'm proud!

Thanks, mom and dad, for the gift!

Love,

Anni Amazed

2009-07-01T20:43:00.008-05:00

I have been amazed by God. Not the way you're thinking it, I bet. I heard the song playing, Amazed, yesterday while listening to pandora.com. And hearing the word amazed, sounded to me more like a-MAZE-d. And the hearing instantly resonated with me and the place God has me.

As if he has placed me smack dab in the middle of a huge maze (I see it black and white like on a piece of paper) - a large expansive one, and often times I'm moving not knowing where I'm going, if where I'm going is leading me to a dead end or the open end... but knowing He needs me to trust...

But I am pretty sure God has never aMAZEd me like this before... it is one day at a time... and faith is believing that there is an opening that holds Victory... what the path looks like between here and there only He has eyes to see fully... to me, it looks like a maze!

I did go have dinner tonight with a new "friend." I met her a few wks back now at church. She was actually just there visiting a friend of hers. She lives an hour away but we met in the middle tonight for dinner. After getting to know her a little better, I can see she is well founded in the Word, walking through a struggle of her own, and was the gift of laughter in my day today. (Probably an answer to a prayer of my moms:)

Love and nite,

2 post in one day:)

2009-06-28T19:28:00.013-05:00

Just wanted to post some pics.

Last weekend went to Michigan City with my mom, dad, and brother Kurt. My Uncle Kim is the one in the first pic who happened to be near by with work and stopped by to see the boat.

Final pic is of friends from college. We were all at Adrienne's house last Sunday for a cookout. Stacie (Smarsh) Kaar on the far left, then Myra (Rosenbaum) Barone, Adrienne (Holt) Hoagland, me, and Stacy (Barton) Johanneman.

Anni

2009-06-28T15:56:00.010-05:00

If you have the address to this blog, you are someone who has helped fill my last 8 weeks with peace amidst a storm and you should know how blessed I am because of that. The love and support of friends and my family has literally helped me hold my head up.

If you got the address to this blog you are also probably wondering... Anni?? Anni who?

Anni... me!

It is a new name for me, I gave it to myself, yes I did! But knowing God surely had the inside on my love for nicknames, decided it was a gift from him too. So it is sticking and hope you too can get in the habit of calling me Anni anytime you choose!

Here's to my new blog...
Cheers!