A Little Bit of Appreciation...

I will admit, grudgingly, that I am not much of a vocal appreciator. I do appreciate everything my husband does for me, I just don't vocalize this so much.

This past week, I did something JUST FOR HIM! :) Although it was something that I enjoy very much, it was all for the intention of my hard working, much deserving, husband. He hasn't had much of a say when it comes to how the house is decorated, what colors the walls got painted, or anything like that. To make up for this, I gave him his OWN space for enjoyment. Even though it was just the hallway, I knew he would love it!

The hallway was one of the places that needed a lot of work in the house.

The hallway started out with carpet and was painted grey when we moved in.

We intended to rip up the carpet, and put hard wood floorings in, but the house had a different idea. The floor underneath was completely rotted out...

There was a place where we could see the ground underneath the trailer...

So We ripped it ALL UP!

And THEN we laid down new plywood...

And after that... the new hard wood flooring was able to be put down! :)

After the hard wood flooring was done, Brad and I both called it quits for the weekend. Brad left on Tuesday for his work, and didn't come home till Friday night... late. He had no clue I had painted and decorated the hallway for him, so he was very thrilled when he saw it.

<3 Roz

The Dutch Circus

According to my Husband, there is no such thing as "Tulip Festival" in our home town of Orange City, Iowa. Instead, it is considered "The Dutch Circus". Brad and I have spent tons of hours wandering and meandering through the Tulips, Thousands and Thousands of people, across streets and around floats during this festival. You may wonder why we consider this grand event a circus? Well let me explain. Orange City has a steady population of 6,000 people. For the week of Tulip Festival, nearly 100,000 visitors from across the country come to this grandiose event. Carnival, Dutch Food, Art Show, Parades, Rides on Floats, Flowers, Windmills, People, Grade Schoolers Dutch Dancing, Street Scrubbing, and the wonderful Fragrance of unhealthy, yet delicious, food.

I did a little bit of research on the meanings behind a tulip. Tulips symbolize eternal life and are a signature of spring. Tulips are one of the first flowers to bloom each year. Different colors symbolize for different meanings:
Red = "believe me" as a declaration of true love
Variety = "You have beautiful eyes."
Yellow = "There's sunshine in your smile!"
Cream = "I will love you forever"
White = Symbol of Heaven, newness, and purity.
Purple = Royalty
Pink = Affection and Caring
Orange = Energy, Enthusiasm, Desire, and Passion

A few of my favorite things about this event:

#1: Funnel Cakes: Strings of fried dough smothered in powdered sugar.

#2 Fudge Puppies: a wad of dough fried to a crisp then smothered with fudge and whipped cream.

#3 Poffertjes: Miniature pancakes smothered, yet again, in powdered sugar.

#4 The Zipper: The wildest ride I have been on in my entire life! Such a Thrill!

So if your looking for a good way to spend this coming weekend, head on over to Orange City, Iowa for a fun filled break from reality. There's lots to do!

6 Years and Counting

This weekend will, to the day, be exactly the 6 year mark of Breiton's accident. I can't believe time has flown by so quickly. Just the other day I was amazed at how much time has gone by. I still picture a 4 year old boy with the biggest smile on earth. I realized that he would be turning 11 this year. 11!!!!

Brad's boss and his wife have an 11 year old son, Kade, and I can't help but imagine if Breiton would really have been that big by now. It's so easy for me to see my sisters grow inch by inch, but I still picture Breiton how he left us. My last memories of him.

Shoes off, socks still on. Bright green tank top, jean shorts, and buz cut hair, just like dads. He was one of the happiest kids I've ever known.

I'm sure if he were still here today, he would be the same as he'd always been. Bright smile that was infectious, chipper attitude that he always wanted to GO GO GO. Sunday naps were barely allowed with him! There was always something to do around the farm: whether it was playing in the mud, helpin' haul manure, ridin' four wheeler, or just goofin' off on his bike with training wheels.

I'll be the first to admit, I still miss him. Who doesn't? But life has gotten easier. I have accepted that I will one day, eventually, see him again. I have to live my life and fulfill my purpose, just as he did with his life. There's a song that I listen to everyday since the first time I heard it. It's written by Justin Moore: If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away. This song is truly uplifting for me, and it helps me to image myself once again with Breiton here with me. :)



Another song that really helps me out is by Sara Evans: A Little Bit Stronger




Its very weird for me to understand that it has been 6 years already. It seems like just yesterday that everything in my life has been happening. I can't believe that Brad and I have almost been married for a year! Thats just crazy. One more year and I will be graduated for college, most likely looking for a job to pursue. Its just nuts to wonder where the years have gone. It feels like yesterday I was living at my dads with him, going out for supper with him. I miss the good ole' days. But the new days are worth just as much.

<3 Roz