Roughing It....City Girl Style!

10 girls. 1 boy allowed (Charlie, the beagle). Yaeger's cabin in Cornucopia, WI. Fresh air. Getting lost. Puzzle assembling. Skip-bo playing. French-press coffee. Gourmet crepes & french toast. Seasonal fruit. Walks on Lake Superior beaches. Magazine & book reading. Great story telling. Hike on the cliffs. Jumping photos. Amazing grilling. Good sleep. Canoeing to the caves. Driftwood collecting. Ferry to Madeline Island. Picnic lunch. Renting bikes. Yummy Wisconsin ice cream. Dawson's Creek/The Bachelor: Northwoods/Where the Waters Meet/Adult Scrabble Club photo shoot. Playing at beach side grounds. Eating at Maggies. Beach bonfire. S'mores with Reeses. Good conversations. Great Labor Day weekend!

After spending 3 days with these wonderful ladies, its tough to go back to the real world!

one year ago today....

I moved to California!

I really like to play the "where was I one year ago" game. In reflecting where I was last year at this time, I can't believe it was only a year ago I moved from the Midwest. I never would have imagined what God would do with my life this year, it definitely has been an adventure! I'm blessed beyond belief, and thankful for where God has placed me! It really was a step out in faith, and He provided for me in every way. We'll see where He has me next year at this time! I am just one lucky girl with these amazing parents :)

Last year:



This year:

sensing some themes in my life.....

adaptability. spontaneity. ability to successfully live out of a suitcase.

I know life rarely goes as planned. This summer didn't go as I thought it would. It's not a bad thing, just different. There have been many blessings, many incredible memories, and also many struggles. As I wrote in a post at the beginning of summer, I had made some goals. Well, didn't do so hot on all of them :). Instead of losing those 5 pesky pounds, I gained 10. Instead of finishing the 9 week devotional, I did 4 weeks and stopped. Instead of getting a head start on homework, and NOT procrastinating....well, I waited until the end to finish huge projects, resulting in 10 papers in 1 week and a lot of stress on my part.

There were some unexpected events that happened this summer, and I learned to just roll with them. God is my provider, my Jehovah Jireh, and I definitely leaned on Him. After I returned from my week in Wisconsin in June, my roommate Erin and I went for a 10 day adventure to her family's beach house. We changed our plans when her grandma became ill, and went to stay with her in the country instead. It was such a blessing to be there, to serve, to cook, to have great conversations with Grandma Flo, to spend that time with Erin and her family. It was unexpected, and I praised God for what He did with that week. A few days after returning, my dad's brain scan came back with new growth. I jumped on a plane three hours after hearing the news, and was with him for surgery and recovery. It was unexpected, but I praise God for His timing. After returning from this, I stayed with Lynda, my roommate Erin's mom for a few days as our air conditioning broke and Erin was in Portland and Lena was in Ethopia. It was a wonderful time to get homework done, and fellowship with Lynda, and stay cool in the 105 degree weather. It was also unexpected, and a blessing :)

I also fell in love with a family. I hung out with their girls (6, 9, & 11) once or twice a week, and it was absolutly a blessing from God. Not only did it help pay for groceries, it was a blast spending time with them, and becoming part of their family. We did things like have cannon ball contests in the pool, took turns reading aloud the American Girl books, played "American Idol", beauty contest, resturant, and other silly games. We went for bike rides, bowling, to the movies, to children's book stores and out for ice cream. We sat on the living room floor and had girl talk, played truth or dare, and laughed until the 9 year old, Bekah, would snort,. As I was driving away on my last day of hanging out with them, the 6 year old, Kristina, ran with my car and called out "I LOVE you Sheena!". Melted my heart.

I am so happy now to be in Wisconsin, resting and spending time with my incredible family and friends. It feels like I just got here, and I only have two weeks left until I'll be back to the busyness of California. It feels good to have more of a solid ground right now, as things were constantly moving this summer. It sometimes felt as if I was running, treading water, and constantly exhausted. I now feel like myself, at ease, and more laid back. Although I'm busy in Wisconsin this month, mostly because of dad's daily treatments, it is a different pace of life. I have now traded phone conversations for real ones with my closest friends and family, have traded text books for ones for fun, including Country Woman in the hospital radiaiton room, have traded my nice California tan for a farmers one while gardening and picking berries, and have been soaking in irreplacable moments....like fighting with my mom just because we need to get our sassyness out, and being held by my dad, there's no place like his arms. He took me on a long fourwheeler ride yesterday, and I just became overwhelmed in the moment. As we were riding, I knew that moment would pass by so quickly, and I want to remember everything about it, the way he drove and explained each piece of land to me as it went with his hunting stories, the way I could wrap my arms around him and feel safe, the way the breeze was, the sound of the trees, the peaceful feeling I had. I'm thankful for this month, and know it's where I'm supposed to be. I have no plans, am just living each moment, and am thankful for the things God has taught me in the last two months. I've grown, have been challenged, and I guess that's all I could hope for in a summer :)

a very merry half-birthday!

My friends took me to Sea World for my birthday present....and although it was approximately 7 months late, I was THRILLED! Who knew a killer whale could make a girl so happy? The last time I saw Shamu, I was 6 years old and in Florida. I gotta say, the whale ages well, especially for his daily commute between Orlando and San Diego. It was a fantastic day filled with some of my favorite California buddies, yummy Mexican food in Old Town San Diego, shopping at a craft fair, sea life, dolphin splashes, silly shows, and take-out at La Jolla beach during sunset. Although there were a few minor issues (gum on the bottom of my purse, ice cream bar falling on the ground, red streaks down my legs, and one blister), the day was amazing, and I gotta say once more how blessed I am to have such amazing friends!

Schools out for the summer, kids....

...but not for me! I started my 6 week intensive classes last week, and boy it has been rough....especially after a fantastic week in the Midwest. I guess I cannot complain, as I only have two classes, a nanny job one day a week, and get to do fun things like go to San Diego, the beach house, and Yosemite. AND then spend August in Wisconsin!

I have always loved summer, it is filled with my greatest memories. During the cold Wisconsin winters I would dream of my summer plans and goals, usually thinking I would start over on forgotten New Years resolutions. I always had good intentions to do things like not be as afraid of snakes, spend as many days at camp as I could, make giant sand castles, catch fish, and then in later years learn how to play guitar, learn how to drive stick, work out more, etc. This year is no different, as my summer goals are to have as much fun as I can while still studying, to explore California, make it through the whole Jillian Michaels workout, actually finish a Beth Moore devotional started 2 summers ago, start to paint, work on a photography project, and spend quality time with my friends and family.

I am thankful for this time I have to rest, do fun things, and also do classwork, before the busy-ness starts again in the fall. I am so blessed with the family I get to nanny for one day a week, they are incredible and so sent from God. They have 3 daughters (11, 9, 6), that are so sweet, unique, hilarious, and have already found their way into my heart. They have this amazing sense of adventure and we get to do fun things like make up cooking shows, play a Barbie board game, play in their yard with their dog Sam, and walk for ice cream. I love it. And my classes are pretty good so far. The one I'm taking in class is Sociocultural Issues in Counseling, a topic I love, as my minor was in Cross-cultural Studies. I'm excited for this class, and enjoy it as the professor is extremely quirky. AND, Colleen and I have it together, and get to giggle at his lame jokes. He already loves us, and has noticed we laugh at everything he says, which just encourages him all the more. My other class is an online one with a lot of work, so I'm thankful I'm taking it when I don't have THAT much going on in my life.

I know this summer is going to go fast, but I am so going to enjoy (hopefully) every minute of it!

Happy (late) Daddy's Day!

Wow, what to say about my daddy. I truly don't have words, I get choked up just thinking about him, but I will try. Saying he is an amazing man just doesn't cut it. I could not be more proud of who he is, and how God has worked in him and through him. It's that goose-bump, heart-raising, tears-in-eyes type pride I have for him that makes words not enough.

When I was little, I wanted to be just like my daddy. When he would get home from work, I would be ecstatic, and knew that I had his full attention. He could get me out of a bad mood like nobody's business, just by singing on the top of his lungs "I Will Follow You", or giving me a whisker rub or tickle torture. Yes, I was my daddy's girl. And I still am. I do want to be like him. I desire that strength. I want his ability to learn and succeed at everything. I want his gift of teaching.



At this time that I see my daddy go through the pain of cancer and treatments, the disease that has taken his body and parts of his mind, I have the peace and assurance that God is completely in all of this. He has used my dad as a vessel for His glory, and for that, I couldn't be more proud.

minnesota, meet california. california, meet minnesota.

This photo makes me smile...I love my friends!

I have to first say what incredible incredible people I have in my life. I know I say this over and over, and sound like a broken record, but it really is true. And, one of my favorite things is to introduce friends to each other! So, what better place for it to happen then at the Grand Canyon? I found out some of my bestest friends from Minneapolis were road tripping out to the Grand Canyon, and since it's only 6 1/2 hours from me (how crazy is that!), I knew I had to meet them there! So, my adventurous California buddies Danny & Colleen accompinied me to the great GC! And, it was incredible.

We took off early (ish) on Saturday morning, and were wondering how the weekend would go, after looking at the weather and seeing the 60% chance of thunderstorms all 3 days we would be there! It rained a little on the way there, which provided some fun shots, as well as an incredible sky and super green trees.


We got to the Grand Canyon area, and had to look for a camping site. Since it was Memorial Day weekend, of course everything was booked....so we camped in the National Forest for free! We set up our tents close to some others, then went to watch the sunset over the canyon. It was gorgeous, and we had fun climing around on the rocks (mom, don't worry, Colleen and I were safe...Danny on the other hand, we were worried about him).

We got back to our tents, and the people that were camping right next to us were there. We asked them if it was okay if we tented next to them, and they said no problem. They asked where we were from, to which we replied "California". We in turn asked where they were from, and they said "WISCONSIN"! I said no way, that is where I grew up, where are you all from? They were a college group from Stevens Point, how random! One of the guys asked where in Wisconsin I was from, and I told him it was close to Ladysmith....and guess what....he is from Ladysmith! I knew him from High School, we have some mutual friends. Small world, isn't it?

Sunday morning we woke up, packed up our stuff, and went hiking. I was so excited to be able to spend some time at the Grand Canyon, and I must say, the view from the top is beautiful, but the view from hiking down into the canyon is incredible! We had our lunch packed, our camel packs filled with water, and were ready to go. The way down was so much fun, but I was unsettled because I saw the look of pain and frustration on those that were on their way back up. We said "hello" all cheery to them, and they looked at us and said "enjoy the way down, that's the fun part!". I took all the photos on the way down, because I knew I would have to concentrate on the way back up :). On the way back up, I told Colleen how much I wanted a shower, and as I finished the sentance, the thunder cracked and it downpored! It rained most of the way back up, which was refreshing.

After our hike, we got some food, firewood, and went to my friends campsite! I was so excited for my friends to meet each other, I could hardly contain myself. I knew Danny and DK would hit it off, as they share the same birthday, the same name, both went to private schools and worked at Jewish Community Centers. We ate dinner and had S'mores over the fire, and laughed hystarrically at DK's blind dating stories.

Monday we woke up and walked around the Canyon, it was so much fun to just be in the presence of my Minnesota friends. We took some great photos, ate a picnic lunch, and enjoyed the view! It was a fabulous Memorial Day weekend, and I can't wait until I get to be reunited with them in August, and again in October for Amy & Noah's incredible wedding! And, my friends hit it off so much they are now Facebook friends :)

Love these girls!!!