[All I want for christmas is a puppy]

...But that will have to wait until this spring. [black lab, Copper-- it's all set, just need the actual furbaby]



Dead on christmas morning...playing with our free company party table accesory.



My Dessert for the night...nomnomnom.

Getting ready for dinner with the new apron.

Great day, movies to wrap it up, then wake up and start a new week! until of course N.Y.E!!! Party, party!

[Holiday fun]

Let me say...
I hate stores on christmas. I got all my shopping done, attended work party 1 out of 2 and realized I forgot wrapping paper and bags. I go back to Target for 1 roll of wrapping paper and end up having to stand in a HUGE line. I made pretty good friends with the lady behind me though and all my shopping is done, wrapped and ready to go!

Tomorrow is the accounting party, hopefully the gift exchange doesn't get too violent.

[between an ipad, airline tix, and a weather station]

 This weekend has been off to a good start!!! I went as my sisters date to her company party...tons of people I didn't know, lots of giveaways, and great food!


Pre Party





Our tree! last weekends event.







Post Party

[trip around the world?]

That is how I feel when it comes to purchasing a plane ticket.
Seriously, it should be an easy task. I'm looking for a one way ticket home; yes, one way! crazy huh!
Every ticket I am finding is dragging me all over the U.S. maybe a different time when I want to see everything in one single trip, but seriously! I think that when I sit on that plane I am just going to want to be home!!!

Happy Friday [almost!]
Christmas Party number 1 tomorrow night in Anchorage! Then next week is my fun filled company party (2 of em! wouldn't 1 suffice?)

I've been kinda bad at blogging latley! Oops!

I found that living in AK, I am wayyy behind the times. The music times that is, I get so exicted about a 'new' song, just to find out it's been out for almost a year!!!

Slipping on the ice is really funny, only if it's not infront of a window full of people...

I had my first road incident! Flew across oncoming traffic on the highway and across the ditch! Thankfully after some serious heavy breathing, I got out with my handy 4WD.

I have NO pictures, I have been really terrible at taking any! What is happening to me!

oh, and I think I forgot to mention that The Sound of Music might quite possibly be the best movie ever. Captain Von Tropp...enough said. :)

Thanksgiving weekend!

This year I am thankful for...

[winter]

[walla!]

While my mom was here, we got the urge to do some re-doing...my bedroom that is.
here are some pics of our progress. FYI- I had NOTHING to go with the way the room looked when I moved in. The previous owners went to town on the most aweful colors I have ever seen.

BEFORE

AFTER

[exxxciiiitttteeeedddd]

My mom is coming in the morning. That's all --excited!!!!

Had a little homesick time this week, and the next thing I knew she had a ticket and would be here in a day!!! LOVE HER!!!

She will be here for 2 weeks, and I am so thrilled to spend time with her!! Rachel is in Michigan so its mommy and me time!!! So happy I get to show her the everyday life of an Alaskan!!! I have the time off from work too!

[it's the little things]

The little things that make my ordinary days perfect.

- Carving pumpkins with three of the sweetest kids ever

-Cute conversation with a great guy

-Curling up with a book and reading the whole thing.

Winter has officially struck Alaska, tons of snow, icy roads and handy 4 wheel drive. [perfect fireplace weather!!! took full advantage of it all weekend!!!]







Enjoy tuesday!!!

[stop.snowing]

Ok. Bronchitis AND heavy snow fall! Tis the season!
I sat at the dr. for an hour and a half today, they perscribed me some meds...I thought no way in the world am I going to fall asleep[slept tooo much on sunday] well I took it, and within 15 minutes I felt about 3 sheets to the wind and was passed out for HOURS! I'm going on 5 days without working for feeling like crap!
I have had enough fun!!!

the promised video.

I got ahold of the video from my embaressing weekend...
They only caught the tail end of it...but here it is. [my intial reactionof hearing my name would have been better] I couldn't hate the person that called me up on stage more.

[esssh]

essh is right...
Friday I was really sick...had to leave work 1.5 hours into my day...slept all day, then felt pretty good, so I decided to keep going with my weekend...only to be in my bed all day today with the flu...I guess I should have taken it easy...

BUT I had a good weekend!!! Here are some pics to sum it up. I love festive fall weekends.

hanging out with Autee

I got a little crazy with the broom...





obviously trying to create my disney pumpkin...

But got lazy so just did my name.

And the final products...


This week is going to be long...Ansel moves to Portland :( My family is all heading home for 2.5 weeks, my boss leaves for the month so I am in the office for a month alone...motivation please get the best of me! and bible study!!! oh, and I get to move in with my new little buddy...A cat...I have to housesit for awhile...geesh...everyone is taking off the same week. I don't know this cat, but hopefully it makes it.

[error.]

I am going to make a statement that I have said time and time again...

I HATE at&t.

It only happens with Autee...whenever I text her, which seems to be the most common person I text, it generally goes to everyone BUT her. So, if you get a text, and it doesn't make sense to you...it probably wasn't for you!!! It makes for a really awkward conversation with it goes to people I haven't talked to in awhile. Oops!! [at&t is activley working to fix your situation ms. miedema...]thanks, but seriously, you guys suck!

Tomorrow is a new day! Thank goodness! I was in a terrible mood all day! I think im looking forward to next weekend a little too much.

Happy Tuesday!!

[amazing weekend]

I had an AMAZING weekend. I spent Friday and Saturday at a retreat. It was awesome. like really, I wish I could go back. I learned SO much about myself. I can't even describe the experiance I had. It was like nothing I have ever felt before. The only way I can really describe it is a song that I heard repeatidly the whole time. Something is definitly going on when you just sit there in tears and you can't understand why!!! It was a really refreshing experiance.

"Whatever your doing inside of me
 it feels like choas but I beilieve,
 your up to something bigger than me
 its hard to surrender to what I can't see,
Larger than life, something heavenly"   -Whatever your doing by Sanctus Real.

Funniest part of the weekend...
I totally hate to be the center of attention...especially in a room full of people. They called up 3 volunteers on friday and my stomache was flipping really just hoping they didnt call out my name...WHEW, they didn't call on me...
Saturday...sitting there, once again they call someone random out...I hear NICOLE...omw, lets be real...I am NOT going on that stage...but sure enough, I had to go up. My heart is racing and I am shooting up prayers for God to take me right then and there...I have HUGE stage fright.  I had to go into a room so I couldn't know what was going on...they told the group what they wanted me to do and I had no clue, so I had to come on stage and do something random...if it was close to what they wanted me to do then they would all cheer, kind of like a hot and cold game. I started by spinning...they cheered...so I figured it had to do something with turning around in a circle. I then couldn't figure out what they wanted from me, so the guy goes...ill do a sound effect...he makes the kissing noise. OMW, there was a guy next to me...so as I got closer to him they started cheering louder...sure enough...they wanted me to give him a kiss. SO EMBARRESED!! its on video..ill locate it!

here are some pictures of the weekend!!!



I made some cupcakes for Autee's b-day!



Off to enjoy the freezing weekend!



Project Pumpkin...next weekend :) I LOVE fall!





Roadtripping up to Northstar!



Deep convo with a really great person!

AND im frozen. my hands took HOURS to heat up!

And i'll leave you with something the leader said that really made me think. [he was talking about the busyness of life, and making sure you arn't overbook] He said something along the lines of- in making those decisions, think about and chose the thing that when you fast forward 5 years, what is going to make the most difference in your life, or the life of others around you.
 I now see that working 60 hours a week is NOT how I need to spend my time! I need to be doing stuff for other people, for myself and for God.

[free? hardly]

Gluten that is...
Im doing a new Gluten/dairy free totally organic  deal...it has positive results as in the way I feel at the end of the day, and whatnot... but let me tell you, its NOT a cheap route!! Geesh!! Thankfully the grocery store here has a whole section with rows and rows of options which makes it convienant and quick!!!

[minus the funfetti cupcakes (pink sprinkles... thick frosting...you get the idea!)I'll be making this weekend for my friends birthday...maybe I'll just look at them]

Second: There is nothing like waking up to a text that says "Good Morning Beautiful". maybe cheesy (sorry) but it's nice.

I'm so genuinely happy. life is wonderful, and this weekend is quickly approching...Took some time off from work on friday and gone all weekend with a few of my favorite people. LOTS of pictures to come.

[another one in the books!]

Happy ___th Birthday to my mother!!!!
(that would be a big 6-0 in that blank!!!)

LOVE YOU!!!

[whew.]

Im am VERY glad that is the weekend.

unexpected turns, emotions and more. I'll write more later.

as for this week. I have felt like crap, so tired, and SO thankful tomorrow is a weekend day.

it will be a good weekend at that...as long as I am feeling good (which, ya never know) we have a busy sched.

ummm.

NO.NO.NO. is all I have to say today!!!!

thats all.

woke up in the morning feeling like...

I wanted a pizza? I don't even like Pizza. Sooo pizza for breakfast it will be!!!

excuse me little song and dance this morning.

Back to the AK

and month end, and quarterlys, and the hussle and bussle that I was oh so enjoying being away from!!!
I'm happy to have landed lets say...everything was smooth, until I was about to board and my flight was cancelled due to issues with our plane....so we walked around, ate, sat...then I had this weird image of them fixing the plane and me getting back to the gate and everyone was gone...except me. WELL, this was a reality...almost. We decided to walk half way back thru Chicago Airport to my gate just to make sure my flight was still not going...yea...where are all the people??? OH, right, they fixed my plane...and had boarded...but I made it JUST in time...not to mention they had to wait since I left my bag in a chair...whew...

A few hours later than expected. BUT...

Happy to have made it, happy that Alice in Wonderland put me straight to sleep for 6 hours...and not so happy about the friged temps.


The happy bag roller



Welp, seya later!!!

 We will see what Monday morning brings. Coffee & the motivation to get my work done so I can move back to GR for gooooodddddd.

[the good life]

Well, sadly I have to go back to AK here in a few days. boo. here are some pics of the happenings while i've been home.

 Sunday is back to AK, back to the work, and hopefully the months fly!!!

[birthdays]

Happy Birthday Mike!

Happy Birthday Lyndsay!

So glad I have been blessed with two wonderful people in my life! on the same day!, well years apart of course, sorry Mike but you are officially an old man! :) Can't wait to celebrate!
 I LOVE other people's birthdays!
Im supposed to go on an all day adventure, but my allergies are driving me up a wall, as well as minimal sleep. saweeet. we will see.
Happy day to all!

[beautiful day!]

Today was BEAUTIFUL! although I had to spend most of it in the car, or indoors...it was still NICE!
A little Maggie, a little sunshine, and QT with my madre'. what more could a girl ask for? Tonight is a little catch-up with the DP Foxers that I miss so much!!! Should be a good time!

My, my Mag's, what big feet you have!

Right before Grams stopped to pull up my shirt...Typical!!!

                       

                           pretty girl!

[who sleeps?]

Today I went to my girlfriends for lunch, and of course had to get a picture of their street sign, Lexington. My previous second home.  Who doesn't love the adobe in the background too. classy...or less.

Tomorrow is lowkey. Maggie, Gram, and me time...sounds about perfect.

I saw ALOT of people today, alot of the SAME story over, over, and over again.

Oh, and I'm generally wide awake while the rest of the world sleeps.  It takes me awhile to adjust to time changes apparently...so all you insomniac's...lets do coffee.

[just...a day in the life]

Great weekend!!
Sunday dinner with family, Pbread, Quality time over at Ashley's parents. it was a good day :)

some things NEVER change. Typical afternoon with the Miedema boys...

 Today will be a good day! a little QT with Mags, hanging out with my sister Melissa and her kids, and some other shenanigans along the way.

[welcome to the world!]

Sooo this is a little late...but Maggie Jane Miedema made it into the world!!! Better late then never!!
She is PERFECT!!! (of course I think so!) 7lbs. 9oz.
Chubby cheecks and dark hair!!! She is so beautiful!!! and a thumb sucker!

Beautiful girl



MJ hanging out with Grams and her cousin Joshy.





















So far Michigan has been AWESOME!!! So hectic!!! The biggest thing has been my allergies!! I didn't have them in Alaska but they are defninitly here!!! This coming week I am pretty open so I hope to see everyone!!! I am so tired! but I just need to go with the daily flow and get over the time change!!!!

More updates and pictures to come.

[blammmooooo]

I am a proud best friend...
Ashley knew my favorite type of underwear without having to ask [don't ask questions]
and Bethany knows I hate lettuce and tomato...and sandwhiches... to quote her "you are like a spoiled little picky child when it comes to food" [This is false. I think im pretty open! I mean, after all, I am the one who packed oysters on the roadtrip to detroit and spilled them all over the car! Oops! sorry B!]
there is just something about the people who know you the best ;) There are about 1 million other things they could answer for me, but we'll just stick to the two today!

Ok, done with the bloggeroo for a few. Stay tuned for baby girl sass pants  if she ever decides she wants to be a part of the outside world, and for Michgan! many pictures to come. I'll try to keep updated, but im sure no work and good company will get the best of me for awhile, but I'll update frequently if I can!

[His mercies are new every morning!]

A. No baby yet :( Girl Miedema obviously is stubborn and doesn't like my idea's...

Today was probably the most BEAUTIFUL day I have seen in Alaska. It was my last weekend in AK for a bit. I had a full day of plans...most of which included, chuch, spending time with Kathleen, Von &Co. packing, cleaning, Anchorage...blahblahblah but we all woke up and came to a mutual decision it was an outdoors day!!!

We headed out to Eklutna! It was a PERFECT day! I feel so blessed to be surronded by such a constant reminder of the amazing God that we serve! Here is a little picture documentation of our day!!!

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end- they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

Enjoy Monday!

[cheese much?]

I've been waiting to use the line "if you look in the sky, we are staring at the same stars" a little too cheeseball for me, I have really wanted to say it... this is how it turned out for me.

Me: (as im standing on the deck) "If you stare at the sky, we are looking at the same stars"
Mike: Hold on, let me get outside
Me: I see the little dipper! Do you?
Mike: No, you are in Alaska and im in Michigan...there are stars, but I don't think you are right.

ok, fine...it didn't turn out like I had thought...moment out the window. Thanks, P!

[define perfection...]

[PERFECTION]: well, at this time, my life is perfect :) to me anyhow. I have the BEST people in my life. I never have to see or talk to the annoying, this day has finally come thank you Lord!  I am going to be home, most every moment is laughter, and I really couldn't be any happier, content or satisfied!

Next...Since I don't know who really reads my blog...well, friends, family ya know [or atleast they say ;)]. But past that, im not sure! So say hi! I'd like to know who I am writing to!!!

And finallly...the big question... G-Rizzle, g-rap, grand raggidty...you chose... im reallly excited to see you and i'm really excited to see my frannns...but will we own you? or will we get owned?? Im thinking #2.

oh and a little letter.
Dear Girl Mieds,
Please, please, please come...tonight, today, tomorrow...just come.
Thanks.

Thursday already!
Enjoy your day!

[lack-o]

Dear Motivation,
Please kick in atleast through the end of the week...you make me want to do fun things 24/7 when really I have a ton of work to get done.
Please&Thanks
Nicole.

Also, why are my friends still so freakin' funny from 5K miles away...Im loooking forward to being insane...with them.

[time flies when you're havin' funnnn]

Pinched nerve in the neck= me going into work without my hair done, makeup done or anything else that required me to lift my arm above my head...the response I get from my bosses husband "Ohhh, myyyy...you look like a scarecrow" like really? I am laughing still... Thankfully he is ancient in his age, so I can only laugh.

Baby MJ Miedema...you are taking wayyy too long. Yesterday was labor day...I think that would have been appropriate...maybe tomorrow. hmmph.

Tomorrow is Hump day! You know what that means?? it's ALMOST the weekend again...gosh, time flies when you're having fun =] apparently.

Hope you enjoy your Wednesday!!!

and a friendly reminder!

"Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold on tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying." - Romans 12:9-12