Starbucks vs. Coffee Bean

Well, I am a huge Starbucks, thats no secret! I do however enjoy Coffee Bean every now and again. Well, the other day I need to get online and I thought I had heard that Coffee Bean had free wireless ( I was wrong), but I ordered a ice blended mocha anyway. I have to tell you...it was awful! way too much chocolate, i couldn't even taste any coffee, which yes I am a huge chocolate lover, but come on it was ridiculous! I am willing to admit that sometimes at Starbucks I have a barista who does not make it to my specifications, but I think I am still in favor of Starbucks over Coffee Bean....you???

Proper line etiquette!

The other day I had a few opportunities to wait in a couple lines. I was in a restaurant where I had to politely wait for my turn to get a cup of water. As I was waiting in line a young man stepped in front of me and then pushed his way to the cup machine (while another lady was getting her drink). This gentleman did not seem to be in a hurry, just pushy.

So my question to you is, what do you think is proper line etiquette?

"Annie"

On friday night I had the pleasure to hang out with some of my C-Group girls. First, the 5 of us went to dinner (pickup stix- delicious) then we headed over to see 2 of our other girls in their schools production of "ANNIE"
Rachel and Kelly were amazing! Rachel started to sing and I was in utter shock, she is so talented! Her mouthed opened and this huge voice came out that I have never heard before! My mouth just about dropped to the floor!! It was so great and they did an exceptional job!

Thoroughly Modern Millie!!

Well I went with Allison Murray to see the Musical "Thoroughly Modern Millie" at Mission Viejo High School, where Miss Chassey Bennett was the star!! See Below!She was amazing!! It was so much fun to see here up there, she was born to be on that stage. The entire cast was pretty amazing, they had these dance/tap sequences, I was super impressed!! I also saw my great friend heather there, so that was fabulous!
Well done Chassey!! I am so proud of you!!! :)

there is so much to blog about!!!

Ok I have a lot to tell you! but no time right now! off to my bachelorette party all day!!! Fun in the sun, delicious dinner, then off to my favorite bowling alley!!! yup tha's how i like to roll! fill you in tomorrow!

Less than a week to go!!!! yippeeeeeee!

Let me tell you what I did today!!

My great friend Kristen and I drove out to Corona and went to the Glen Ivy day spa! It was so much fun! I felt like I needed a good day in the sun before the wedding! This is a picture of Kristen and I right after we got out of the mud pool! So much fun! We have a great day of lounging around the pool, eating delicious food, and laughing about life! Ahh! Good day!

Our New home!!!

Well, as many of you know we bought a new house. This past week I was in Oklahoma working on it and hanging out with JOhn. I only took a few pictures but you can see below there is a lot of work to be done! Enjoy!

This is John in our garage! if you look to the right you will see some shrubs, by the end of the week John had ripped everything out, but the tree! It looks so much better!
kitchenThis is our entry way! Don't worry the wall paper got taken down!

This is me taking down the wall paper! I know I am smiling in this picture, but it was no fun task. It is the biggest pain in the butt! If you ever need help, don't ask me...I will tell you to hire someone to do it!
Master bedroom...we had popcorn ceilings, John scrapped it all off...that explains the mess.Master Bathroom...seriously what were they thinking with the wallpaper!Our backyard from our back porch...talk about some great ultimate frisbee!!!

well, we have some great news!!!

Not, only are we 10 days away from the wedding, but this week we were in Oklahoma working on the house and I got a job! I will be working at the same church John is the Junior high pastor at. I will be on the adult team doing small groups or local Peace community projects! I am thrilled and John and I couldn't feel more blessed at this time in our lives.

18 days and counting!

The wedding is coming soon! Such craziness! Just trying to tie up lose ends. I leave for Oklahoma on Wednesday morning to see my sweet husband to be and I couldn't be more excited! I will be working on our new home, hanging out with family, and attending 2 bridal showers. Crazy! Anyway, this past weekend was my last weekend at work, very sad day! But I know the Lord has great things in store for John and I in Oklahoma and I am praying he calls us back here one day!!

Last few days at work...

Well, let's see...this is my last week in the office and I got to tell you it's been a lot harder than I thought. I have been trying to suppress my feelings so that I can make it through the next few weeks before the wedding as a sane bride. Well, my plans didn't work out so well. Tuesday I had what felt like the last meeting ever with my boss, Wednesday was my last event ever with this ministry, and today, well, let's just say it's been the worst. I had to do my "exit interview" which is basically signing papers saying I am leaving on my own accord. And then it really hit me, I am leaving, a job I love, students I adore, and staff that has been like a family to me. Kind of sad. The poor Human resource lady today got the brunt of my tears and then Annie and Elizabeth were back at the office to comfort me. Most of our staff has been gone all week, the entire High school staff is gone and well, that's sad. Not that I won't get my goodbyes later, but I missed out on the last little times of memories, walking into the building and seeing the same bright and shining faces I love to see everyday. I know that just cuz I am moving away doesn't mean the relationships are ending, but I have realized that I really hate goodbyes. Please, don't misunderstand my tears for disappointment, I am the luckiest girl in the world to be marrying such an amazing Godly man who loves me more than words can express and I him. It's just the change of the whole thing. I know the Lord is 100% calling us to Oklahoma, praying that its for only a time in our lives, I will be obedient to that. I know he can do great things through a true California girl moving to the middle of the country, I am just anxious to see what it looks like! I think I just needed a day to be sad, I hope that tomorrow is different. The official last day...hmmm, I'll let you know how it goes. If you read this and don't mind saying a quick prayer for John and I and the adventure we will dive into very soon here, I'd really appreciate it!

Megan Cook (Rudy)

Wow Megan Rudy! Megan has recently gotten married to Matt Cook, they are so great for each other and I am so excited for them! Anyway, Megan was one of the first people I met at Biola. For what ever reason the Lord brought us together the very first week, we met, got coffee, and have been friends ever since. Everyone who knows Megan can't help but love her, she has such a vibrant, loving, fun personality and I am so blessed to have her as my wonderful friend. She would be there for any one of us in the drop of a hat! Megan and I have many stories from college, but my favorite is when we were Sophomores and we lived on across the hall from each other and for whatever the reason Megan was obsessed with the song, "Cry" by Faith Hill. She would blare it and sing so loud in her pretty voice. I usually would know when Megan was awake! She is the best and all of our times spent together are great! Of course I wished she lived closer! I am so grateful for her in my life!

Amanda Meumann

Amanda and I have a very interesting story about how we met. We met in high school and ended up dating the same guy (not at the same time), but both of us for a good amount of time. Anyway, after their relationship ended, we struck up a friendship, and have been the greatest of friends since then. She is amazing, truly has the best memory of anyone I know. There are so many times poor Amanda has to say to me, "Ya you already told me!" She is so fun to be around, we can't help but have so much fun when we're together! Amanda loves her friends and it is so evident with how much she cares for us and is involved in our lives. I love this girl and am so excited she will be standing up there with me :)

Just felt like putting up some pictures...

Me as a girl scout!

John as a Kangaroo!

This past summer at PDYM student leadership we need a lot of pennies for a game...this is John with the pennies!!

John, his niece Audrey, and me at her 5th birthday party!

John and I at the Ford Center watching OSU!!



Just thought it was fun!!

I had a really great day!

This morning I woke up bright and early, decided to put wedding plans on hold, and drive down to San Diego to visit a few friends. First, I had coffee with my friends Kelly and Kristin. They have been married almost a year and had great advice for John and my big day! It was a blast. Then I continued down a little more south to visit my friend and bridesmaid Amanda (shown in picture). One of the main reasons I was going down there was because the dresses for the wedding came in and I was bringing hers. Well, I think I am loosing my mind because I am consumed with so much right now and I completely forgot it! I felt like the biggest idiot! Anyway, we didn't let that get us down we continued on our day, we first went to the mall and found her shoes & earrings for the wedding, then we found John's wedding ring (hooray! I love it), after that we had a delicious lunch at the Nordstrom cafe (my favorite). We then went on to Mission Beach where we searched out bathing suits for my honeymoon, i found a super cute one! After that I said goodbye and headed North the Encinitas where I stopped in my friend Erica's store, Becker, it was just a quick visit, but she is great. I had to pick up a few boxes for the wedding. Anyway, after that I headed home and chatted on the phone with my wonderful husband to be! That was a great part of the day! I miss him so much! Now, I am snuggled up on the couch with my computer, a cup of coffee, and a movie in the background, pretty great, but I wish John was here!

Not gunna lie...I really miss this guy!!

Well, John and I are on the countdown and we could not be more happy...I just wish the day would get here already. Of course I have a laundry list of things to do and what seems like a very short time to get it done, but I know it will all come together. I have fabulous friends who are helping out in every way they can! Lately, I have been overwhelmed with how blessed I am by John. He truly is an amazing man of God and my best friend. He has been wonderful through all the planning. It has been very hard for us to be away from one another, but we are confident that God will bless us when we are finally together. This is an older picture of us (John's hair is super long for him and he looks a little tired) but i love it!

Tara Erdo

Oh my hilarious Tara! Tara and I have known each other since Junior high. We actually were in the same singing, acting, and dancing group. I so wish we had pictures of us at that age! Anyway, we went to separate high schools and then reunited in college (Biola) she and I took the same biology class and we picked up right where we left off, laughing! One night when we were freshman, tara, megan, and I went to K-Mart and took a bunch of really random pictures, we dressed up and just found anything and everything to take a picture of! What can I say, we were freshman! Tara is an amazing woman of God and truly, truly loves her friends, at a moments notice she would be there in a minute. Tara is always a fun lady to be around and I know she will make the wedding day that much more of a joy just because of her presence!

Jourdan Svajda (Whistler)

Jourdan and I have been friends since 7th grade. We met each other at church and have been attached at the hip ever since. As you see below Jourdan is a newly wed and currently on her honeymoon as I write this! We never went to the same school, but always ran in the same crowd. We basically went to every school dance together, even when we were at separate schools, we would find a way. I remember the day Jourdan and I decided which college we were going to and yes they were rivals, I to Biola and Jourdan to Azusa. The day we left for school we both balled on her driveway thinking we were going to opposite ends of the earth, than quickly realized a few weeks into school that we were 25 minutes apart! I love this stinkin girl and have been so blessed to have her in my life!

Jourdan Got Married!!! Hooray!!

Jourdan Leigh Whistler was married this Saturday, March 31st! It was a beautiful day and she was a gorgeous bride! Her new name is Jourdan Svajda (Sw-i-da is the pronunciation). Her new husband is Matthew and he is originally from Texas. Go figure Jourdan and I get married a month apart and we are both marrying guys from the midwest or south, whatever you want to call it! It was so much fun and everything ran so perfectly! It was a little weird, we have been best friends for 12 years and so during the day I a little bit felt like we were just getting ready for Prom or something, but as soon as she put on the dress I broke down. I realized we are all grown up. I am so excited for them and their life together!! Hooray!