Overflowing Thanks.

I seriously DO NOT know where to begin. My thanks are out of this world. Here we go.

• Parents: Seriously, the most amazing people in the world. My mother is a tremendous cook...who slaves away...with minimal complaining. Don't tell her I told you that. Ahaha. My father is just the funniest person alive. He was basically stretching all day long? We played Cranium tonight and let me just begin to tell you how hilarious that game is with my family. It was ridiculous. I am fairly certain we all started crying because we were laughing so hard at some points. I could go on and on...but I won't. You are missing out on having my parents in your life though. ;)

• Brother: I love love love having him back from college. I miss him so much. After our not so close relationship in our past...I seriously am eating this up and I want to rewind and experience our childhood all over again. He literally has THE best sense of humor and I want to bag it up and carry it around and share it with all my people. Also, he is a freaking genius I am pretty sure. Kicks me out of this world. Brains and athleticism. Uh? I don't think that is fair? Speaking of brains. Words With Friends? We have been playing non-stop. He has won EVERY single time. I am going to study words, because obvs I need to step up my game. Oh. Athleticism. Um...basically he has been beefing up in college. Love, especially for his baseballness. Plus, he made the traveling team @ the college he goes to...basically like 20 out of 60 kids make this team and my bro is just a freshman!!! ♥ VISIT PLANNED SOON!

• Boyfriend: He is incredibly patient with me. I might have minor panic attacks and freak outs and he literally just sits back and listens and then tells me it's fine and better times are coming and to love people unconditionally. Um? I need that reminder all of the time. I was raised in probably a super christian home...yet...somehow I always seem to forget to love even when love is not returned. I live the life of a non-christian in that way, that I am bitter and I hate and he constantly makes me want to LOVE and reminds me to do JUST this. Positive attitude. Yes. He also keeps me calm...in like every situation. Like...those times where I want to burst into tears or just deck someone...he just looks at me and I am instantly like...relief. Ok. It's alright. His work ethic amazing. He is always trying to better himself...his job...his future...which kinda sorta relays onto THIS GIRL. Uhhh...he accepts me basically for all my faults. Who I am. 

I have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving....words can't even begin to describe all of these things. I have a job...a job I hate...but...a job. I have a family who loves me. A boyfriend who would probably most likely maybe do anything for me. I have a roof over my head. I have a healthy body...sort of. :) I have heat in my house. I have food on my table. I have a car to drive. Literally. I have a church family who genuinely takes an interest in me. I have a God who is ALWAYS there. This list could go on forever. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

The BEST of Cat/Griz.

• An amazing/frightening drive with my boy. Almost died in the pass. Hello, snow storm.
• Spilling a drink all over my WHITE coat. Returning to the house and thinking I was washing it with bleach for the clothes. No, it was floor cleaner. ♥
• Showering with a tea-kettle. Welcome to the 1930's. I wish we would have had a picture of this.
• Falling down an entire flight of stairs, and the possibility that I broke my finger. Ever heard of SALT Bobcat Stadium? Accident Prone. You bet.
• Off-roading in Log's truck. 
• Cocoa and Schnapps! 
• The hilarious texts received/sent.
• Leaving old roomies at the bar.
• Eating pizza.
• Spilling my drink all over the shuffle-board table. Thanks Josh. 
• Sneaking into the game. The gate-keeper loved Logan and I.
• Seeing old friends.
• Walking to the bars.
• Freezing waiting in line at the bars. 
• Losing ID'S. Ahhhem' Jules.
• Taking hilarious pictures.
• Meeting new people.
• Reminiscing the day after. :)

Overall, I am glad I had a weekend away. Thanks for the good times. Repeat?

♥

Fall!

This fall weather is probably the best thing that has ever happened. I have been wearing my brand new polka dotted boots. New coats. Sweatshirts. You know. The haps in the work world are honestly not my fav. I have some good news though possibly coming soon! Yiggity.

Tonight...I found someone to pick up my serving shift. A-mazzzzing. Anyway. Log and I first cooked up a mean dinner. Grilled some pork chops, homemade applesauce, and butternut squash. Delicious. We then made up a pot of coffee and had some kahlua and that in a thermos. We tore up the corn maze like none other. First, we went through the haunted part. I am pretty much like a little girl. Logan kept saying...'Hold up, we don't want to know what is coming...' I was like RUN fassssssssssst. Go through this. Then we decided to go through the normal maze. Let me tell you for awhile there all we could freaking keep finding was this bridge. I think we went back to it like 12 times. No kidding. We ended up coming out the middle...then decided that wasn't good enough...so we barreled back in and eventually found our way out. My boots were so muddy when we got out...plus my jeans, but we were all bundled up in hats and mittens. My ankle was kind of killing me. Do you realize that frozen ground that is all lopsided is not the best for a previously broken ankle? Well. It is not. Oh...ok. Then we went to get some pumpkins at this church. Well, they were FREE pumpkins. They are about the size of our hands, but they are so cute...and will look adorbs on the steps of Logan's house! :)

What a fun evening. Tomorrow we are going to carve some pumpkins...make some seeds, and most likely watch 'Horrible Bosses'. We hear it is funny.

I just got my iPhone. I am absolutely in love. Siri is like my new BFF! There is so much to learn, oh my.

I best be sleeping before my alarm screams at me...to wake up for church!

Out.

Back Where I Come From.

Guess. What. Drumroll please. Tomorrow. Ya, because the clock just ticked Thursday...I get to return to my wonderful college town. I adore it. I miss it dearly. I think about it every waking moment. I dream of it. Oh, did I mention I am having separation anxiety from not being in my college town?

Tomorrow. I am returning for homecoming. Not tomorrow...today. Like Friday. Like...I am going to physical therapy. I am coming home and I am showering and I am finishing my packing and I am sending my butt right on up to one of the most fabulously beautiful cities in all of MT. I get to spend the entire weekend with my girlfriends! Log doesn't get to accompany me on this fabulous journey because of other pending deals. Sadly. It will be alright though, I think I need this weekend to get away and spend with my guuuurls. I said it. Girls.

I wish you could see my floor right now. I have thrown clothes everywhere. I have purses, shoes, jeans, bags, shirts, and bras strewn out across my floor. My OCD person is having issues with this, but my week has been crazy and...I will get to packing tomorrow at some point. I have to sub all day and then work at the OG, but then it is home to pack and GET READY. Or, maybe that will be last minute on Friday before I peace out of town. Anyway, literally. I am like screaming inside.

Can you tell I miss it?

I miss my friends. I miss the fabulous scenery. I miss everything to do. I miss living away from my parents. Not being rude, just saying. Nice to live alone in a separate city. I miss college. I miss taking notes in class. I miss Wednesday night steak night at Specs with my Julia. I miss my night runs...watching the sunset listening to my mix. I miss nights out with my girls. I miss going on massive grocery store runs. I miss professors. I miss Bozeman.

I am counting down the hours! 36ish? I don't know. All I know, is...FRIDAY FRIDAY FRIDAY.

♥

I'm Back.

Oh. Hey Blog World. I see you are welcoming me back with open arms. Here is what happened. I deleted my blog...thinking it would help me to not stalk people and not have to read about their lives that they complain about 24/7. NEWSFLASH. That doesn't work. I still stalk people and I still enjoy reading about them complaining about everything. Well...no I don't enjoy it, but at least I am a bit entertained. Did you know blogger doesn't really 'delete' you. I think it is kind of like 'myspace' used to be...you could like 'oops' your account for like 30 days. I don't know what blogger's rules are, but I am kind of happy they didn't oust me. Shout out to BLOGGER!

There is going to be a huge blog makeover coming soon. I need something fresh and new!

Now you are probably asking, what is happening in my world. Or not, but you can hear about it anyway. Well...I am physical therapying (New Word) 3 days a week. It is good, and my ankle is slowly healing up! I am fairly excited about this. Obviously, I still have my fracture line, but the doc said the bone is healing nicely...though he needs more movement. Ya, when I bend my foot down...it is like barely past 90degrees. Can you imagine getting older? Yeeesh. Well...the other day at PT I mentioned that I hadn't gone to PT when I broke my arm earlier this year...oh did I get an ear-full. So now...I am PT-ing for my ankle and my arm. HA! I am just a solid wreck.

Tonight was my first night back serving and let me tell you...I sure did miss making that kind of money. It's nice to work 3 hours and walk out making over 20 an hour. So, full fledged serving is on the agenda for my upcoming weeks. I also have been subbing quite a bit, which is always quite the experience. I did 5th grade last Friday and this Monday and I have 2nd graders I believe this Friday. It all just really makes me want a job job job. Though. I have decided...once I figure out my life and all this stuff I am going back to school. I have it totally figured out. I can't do what I want to do here in Billings, so obviously it will have to wait, but I also would like to teach a few years before I start up that schooling.

Have you guys noticed Pandora re-modeled their website! Seriously. So much is happening. Facebook also did. I am a bit peeved. Change is hard, but in the long run...I am sure I will love it.

Oh, and my new addiction is Monk. The TV Series. If you have not yet watched it, you REALLY need to start. It is seriously my favorite EVER. Probably because that guy...is like me. Minus, I am not as crazy as him. Oh, and after Monk. I have Breaking Bad, because my brother is obsessed and I have to take part. 

I am going to leave you with a song that makes me think of the boy!!! It's kind of sort of one of my new favorites! ♥ ENJOY!

http://youtu.be/nCf2PoTuh4Q

YouTube sure doesn't want me to embed that video. Or maybe it is Blake Shelton. Either way. Go listen!!! Awwww. 

The Small Things.

It is the small things in life that are so amazing. Today...I slept in...which I have been doing for about the past month, because I have a broken ankle, so really...what else is there to do? Joookkes. I probably should be out like...I don't know doing something...but if you think about it...what would I do that would be useful? Well...today...when I finally woke up and got ready and left my house...I went to the boy's house...and let me tell you something...there he was...sleeping upstairs. Can you say ADORABLE? Oh. I can. He was mumbling telling me about his flying he had done earlier...hilarious. I am pretty sure I always want to talk to people when they are half asleep. We had a pretty uneventful day and I totally loved it. I love the fact that we just hang out and are content. We watched some of the Little League World Series...sweet, because my brother was once there in CA! Wootwoot. We then made a trip to the meat market with his roomie and then the store and we got some food. We made brats...noodle salad, strawberries, and it was incredibly delicious. Then we made some cookies and watched Limitless. I think it is amazing that we can just hang out with each other and his roommates and not HAVE to go out. I appreciate friends like this who are willing to hang out. I have other friends. Well...maybe not friends...who are so self-conceited and I don't hang out with them, which is probably good...because they are so engrossed in their little lives. I. Hate. It. So, I am obviously on a mission for better friends! You know, like those ones who say let's hang out and invite you out to do stuff! They are the best.

Speaking of good friends. This is a shout out to Julia...who doesn't blog, but I miss that girl so much! She is the best!!! Re-uniting SOON! ♥

Loss.

I am not sure how this blog is going to go...but I am going to give it my best shot.

On Wednesday August, 3rd...2 dear friends of Logan and his roommate were killed in a car accident. I absolutely do not even know what to think right now. These 2 young men were 22 and 25 and both aviation majors. One was graduating this next year and the other already had and just got a REAL job which he was going to start...today.

My prayers go out to the families and friends of both of these amazing men. I only met them a couple times, but the time I spent with them...I was always laughing. The time we went downtown and we all just sat...dressed up and had some great conversations and the time we went storm chasing in my car when tornadoes were touching miles away! They both had a passion for what they were doing and you could really see this even by just introducing yourself and having a quick conversation.

It's hard to understand something like this. How could this happen? Why them? Humans have a way about them...we resent things...we are bitter...we get angry. They were driving along and minding their business when a semi drifts into their lane and BAM...their lives ended. These tragic losses make me thank the Lord everyday for our precious lives we have. It makes me think about how I need to live every day to His glory. Not enough do I thank the people in my life for how they encourage me, not enough do I praise the Lord for the things he has given me. I find myself getting angry for not having a good job or breaking my ankle and not being able to work. When look what other people are going through? Losing their precious child. Losing a great friend. God has a reason for everything he does and as it may be hard for us to understand...we have to just accept it and trust in Him.


Today...I turn a new leaf. I am thanking the people in my life for what they do. I will not regret ONE thing I do. I will TRY and be more patient. I will find joy in every single mission I embark upon. Challenge.

Please keep the families and friends of Jeff and Jesse in your prayers...I am sure the next week especially will be hard for everyone. Barely knowing them myself...I still thank the Lord for bringing them into my life and the people they touched while here. I know Logan greatly appreciated both of them.

"Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness." Isaiah 51:11


On another note. I watched Letters to God yesterday, and let me just tell you...when I first started it I thought...corny...dumb...why did I make myself watch this...and within 10 minutes...I was crying so hard and I couldn't stop watching this movie. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE watch this. I understand depressing movies probably shouldn't be watched...alone...but I did it...and you should too. This movie gave ME so much HOPE. His FAITH is amazing.

Watch the trailer. Better yet, rent it, watch it on Netflix. Just Do It.




♥ 

Freedom!

Today. I got my purple hard cast off of my foot. This was my third cast. Let me just tell you my foot is really enjoying this freedom. I have to be in a boot for awhile and I am still on crutches, but that is alright. I can shower without wrapping my foot. I can shave. I can wash all the dead skin off, and I can paint my toenails. Life is good.

I am so incredibly thankful that this is all that happened. I got scratched up on my hand. I have a burn mark on my leg and a broken ankle. It could have been my head, my pelvis, internal bleeding...etc.

Speaking of broken bones. My mother got hit my a foul ball and had to have major surgery. So she has a 3.5 inch plate in her arm...THEN today my dad went in to get x-rays on his ribs, because he ran into a pole 2 weeks back. He broke 2 of his ribs. So obviously my family is really bad luck, so you should probably just stay away. Oh and my brother's butt is completely torn up because he slides too much in baseball.

My incredible boyfriend, Logan, has been so helpful. He carries my stuff, he helps me with everything. When we were on vacation he would help me get dressed, wrap my leg, carry me when I couldn't do anything myself. He is HANDS DOWN the best.

So...now I am going to go take some pics of my hairy, white, small leg. I have lost all of my muscle and my leg looks like a 9 year old leg. PICTURES TO COME. :)

Oh, and did I mention...I am going nuts not working. This is ridiculous and your bank account dwindles...or just doesn't move...since I really am not doing much.

Ok. I am watching Shark Week with my brother and I am going to go stumble on up. ♥

Insanity.

This broken ankle is putting me in quite the mood. I am easily pissed off, I am bored, and I am ready for this CAST to be off.  Now you're probably like. Erin. Everysingleblogyouwriteisaboutyourankle. It's alright, I already realize it? What else am I suppose to talk about. This is ridiculous. I can barely run errands by myself. Like...I have this absolutely amazing new greeting card project I am going to start...but...getting to the store and walking around carrying my supplies. Impossible. Oh well.

I need to get ready for State. Like...today or tomorrow or sometime soon.

Oh and missing Logan. I better get used to this life.

♥

Another One Bites.

Holy cow. Let me tell you a little something. You MT folk. DO NOT GO OUTSIDE. Last night...I left the house and drove to pick up my brother...I sat with my windows open for like 7.325235 minutes and was brutally attacked by...MOSQUITOS. I itch and I itch and I itch some more. I am absolutely allergic to mosquitos. We decided this...on one of our vacas back East, when...everyone was getting bit...and I had this ridiculous bite on my foot that looked like I had a golf ball in me...ever since then...yea...HUGE marks all over.

On another note, tomorrow is Senior Night for my little brother. Awww. He is all grown up! My parents are walking onto the field like they always do! Yay. Pictures to come most likely. I am opting out of walking onto the field, because I am crutch ridden and I get to be a rockstar photographer with my moms new 8,000 dollar camera...there is NO way I am messing up pictures. They are bound to be perfect! Then 2 more games and it is State time.


Life is really great right now...minus a few things.  ♥

Seriously.

Seriously. You can't even believe how bored I am. This whole breaking the ankle fiasco is a little bit ridiculous. Obviously...I can't walk, when I do...I can't be weight bearing. So...I crutch. I crutch EVERYWHERE. Do you understand how many problems this poses? A-FREAKING-LOT.

I have been watching a lot of Netflix movies...which isn't cool, because the weather outside is beautiful. I have been watching baseball and when my delish boy isn't working he keeps me company. Other than that...rough life. This is most def my feel bad for me blog, but you shouldn't because it was MY mistake on that wonderful sand dune that put me in this fabulous position.

Out like a trout to most likely watch yet ANOTHER movie. Woohoo. ♥

Vaca with lover.

This is the story about a girl and a boy who decided to take their first big vacation. It all started out with a drive out to Spokane, WA. When we first arrived we went straight to his sister-in-law's parent's house. It was his nephew's first birthday! It was a pretty cute party and I got to meet oh so many more people than I already have! Logan and I played with children, ate a delicious meal, and then made our way to our downtown hotel in Spokane. The following day we woke up and started to get ready for Hoopfest. Logan played with his brother, brother-in-law, and his bro-in-law's friend. Here are some picture from Hoopfest. If you haven't heard about this you are missing out! I am absolutely making this a yearly happening. No way would I ever miss this. Obviously with Logan. Check out my sexy boyfriend. He is number 4. Mmm...mmm...mmm...

Oh. Also, we went and checked out the college where my brother will go to school come September! It was a fabulous campus. Loooooove. We did a little planking for my mom. She is obsessed.

Anyway, after Hoopfest...we sort of backtracked to Idaho for a day. We spent the day with his nephews and niece and played in the intense waterpark at our hotel. It was so much fun, and the kids absolutely loved it...after they warmed up to the water.

We are on approx day 4 or so here. Now we start our drive to Portland we had like 9 hours to drive and it was oh so much fun! When we got to Portland we stayed in this hotel in the middle of downtown which was amazing...we had a yummy Mexican dinner and walked down to the river and then found some bars where we could have some drinks. Overall, I kinda love Spokane...we even took our bikes out for a mini-spin the following morning to go eat at VooDoo Donuts...which was a fail because it was closed. BLAST.

After this we continued on our drive to the Oregon Coast. We went to Blue Heron and did some wine tasting...we went to Tilamook Cheese and had some fun at the factory. That night we camped...we rode our bikes on the beach...we made hot dogs in our fire...s'mores...drank beer...and had fun as a couple. ♥

I am starting to get our vacation confused...so I have probably missed some of the awesome stuff we did together, but that is alright...after this we went to an Aviation Museum...for Log...we...saw some Seals...and this is wear the trip kind of went SOUR. SOUR I SAY FOR GOOD REASON. We went to the sand dunes. Amazing, we rented 4wheelers, went out and saw the beach...came back the the big hills to have some fun, while we were messing around...Logan warned me...'Ok, Er, Up this hill...just go straight up DO NOT TURN.' I got so scared going up the hill, I thought I was going to tip...so what did I do...I veered to the right because I thought it was a flat surface. Want to know something...it was like an 8 foot drop off that I went airborne over. My 4wheeler rolled landed on me...and I broke my ankle. I was in absolute shock when this happened. I was just sitting there...going white...dizzy and Logan was trying to make sense of what I did! Oh well...so we are in the middle of the sand dunes and have to get back so we aren't charged an ungodly amount of chachingching. So...yes...I am a badass. I got back on that 4wheeler and I rode it to the people. We had to make up a little story. It all worked out and THEN we had to find a hospital/walk-in-clinic. We ended up finding this place in Coos Bay and I feel in love with everyone there. They were all so very kind to Logan and I and thought it was great that we were visiting from MT. They helped me out and let me come back the next day so they could hard cast me. They gave us food recommendations, so Logan took me out for a fabulous Italian dinner. I may just go back to Coos Bay someday, but maybe skip the 4wheeling. :)

Obviously my computer WILL not put these pictures in order the way I want them to go, but whatever. You get the idea. Ok. Last section. Promise. Then it was Aly and Chris's wedding time! It was beautiful, I had so much fun...and having Logan there made it perfect.

Thank you so much for an amazing vacation baby boo. Your expert driving on the way back was much appreciated. Your care-taking of me while broken was amazing...and the trip in general was incredibly fun. I love you sugarpie! ♥