the year was 2010

Here are a few of my highlights from 2010..

In January I headed to Orlando, Florida for FOCUS Conference (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) I celebrated Mass with over 4,000 college students from across America and even found time to sneak out one night to go to Disney's Magic Kingdom.

In February I went to NACA (National Association of Campus Activities) in Boston. We watched hours of live entertainment, lived off Au Bon Pain, and visited Harvard.
In March, I went to the Dominican Republic for a week to work in an orphanage. I loved the children, the laid back lifestyle, and the beautiful scenery. I didn't love the 150 bug bites I came back with.

April consisted of me finishing up my sophomore year at NW and busy busy busy with SAC stuff. Also a trip to Arizona with my dad to see my Great Uncle Dennis.

In May, I spent time at home and made a quilt in four days.

In June and July I began my internship in Washington, D.C. with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, took a day trip to Rehoboth Beach in Delaware, had a visit from my friend, Ryan, tutored inner city children at FLOC, met my friend Chase, planned wishes for little kiddos, celebrated the 4th, ate lots of frozen yogurt and took a class online.

In August, I headed home from Washington and went to the Twin Cities to see my cousin get married. I also moved into my house in Maryville and began my junior year of college.

In October, my parents visited me for Family Weekend at NW. I also turned 21! My sisters and Maddie drove from Iowa City to help me celebrate. I also got stitches for the first time!

In November, my friends and I headed to Kansas City to watch the Bearcats play at Arrowhead Stadium. A spur of the moment trip to Omaha landed me a front row ticket to "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." For Thanksgiving, we traveled to Sioux Falls, SD to spend the holiday with my mom's side of the family and shop til we dropped on Black Friday.

In December, I finished yet another semester at Northwest. Celebrated the holiday season with a few parties and headed home to Iowa to spend time with my family.

Wheww...I had a great 2010!

Praying my flight isn't delayed or canclled on Friday. I will be gone from blogging unitl I return from my trip.

Wishing you the best in 2011!

today we...

Whoever invented the electric car start is pure genius. My sister, Teresa, got one for Christmas and it was installed today. You can't beat jumping into a warm car on a cold winter day.

While we were waiting for the electric car start to be installed, we enjoyed some Mexican food.
I finished my packing for Washington, D.C. It looks like bad weather may occur on Friday, so I am going to take off for Omaha tomorrow afternoon.

Packing is hard. You have to bring so much for such a short period of time...
What should my "word" be for 2011? I need one that inspires and encourages me. Any suggestions?

New Floor

As they pulled back the carpet in my dad's office, my mom and I were almost sick to our stomach. The wood floor underneath was in great condition and needed a little elbow grease to make it look spiffy. However, the new floor was special ordered and we couldn't back out.

Before.

After an hour of loud noises, pounding, and dust we decided we needed to leave. Our house was a jungle gym. The living room had all of the office furniture. The kitchen table had become my dad's office. The kitchen was covered in supplies for the new floor. No room for Denise and Angela.

We decided to go out for Chinese food. We could have flown to China faster to get my sweet and sour chicken. They were testing my patience. Oh well, I love spending time with my momma!

We came home and the floor was complete! Then we spent the next 3 hours putting everything back into place...

After...turned out lovely!

HOW ABOUT THEM HAWKEYES???!?!?!??!

It's a GREAT day to be a HAWKEYE!

P.S. I darkened my hair!

Winter Wonderland

My goodness! Can you say it's beautiful outside?!?! The snowfall yesterday on the trees made for some great pictures!

Today we are PAINTING! Yes, that's right. Jessica's room is this tacky purple and needs to be done away with. After painting we are moving everything out of my dad's office for a new floor to be laid.

P.S. 5 Days until I am in Washington, D.C.

Here are five things on my list that I must do while I am there...(they mainly consist of eating)

1. Frozen Yo

2. Georgetown Cupcake

3. Pizza @ 2 Amy's

4. Sit at my favorite spot at WWII Memorial

5. H & M

Christmas

Christmas consisted of...

red velvet cupcakes and lots of other sweet treats...

tractors, tractors, tractors...

a 24 pound turkey...

Christmas aprons...

presents... (lots of chocolate for Grandma)

and customized 'Wasko University' shirts.

Hope you had a happy holiday filled with laughter and love!

Christmas Eve

The Waskos attempted to take some non-traditional sister photos. We ran outside for 30 seconds and then ran back in, it was way too cold!

Christmas Eve was spent eating dinner, Mass, and then opening gifts from each other.

My favorite gift: Vera Bradley Large Tote! Can't wait to fill it up and take it to Washingon...and then fill it up even more with clothes from H & M!

Straight No Chaser

I love Straight No Chaser! It is a dream of mine to see them in concert one day.

Enjoy the "12 Days of Christmas"

25 Things I'm Thankful For

Merry Christmas Eve! Here are 25 things that I am thankful for this Christmas season...

(in no particular order)

1. Straight teeth and having 21 years without cavities (dentist appointment yesterday)

2. Having a roof over my head at home and at college

3. A fridge full of food

4. Professors and staff at Northwest who have helped me become successful

5. Having two roommates who hold the same moral values as myself

6. My health

7. A body that can walk, run, jump, skip, etc.

8. Internships that have given me lifelong friends and real work experience

9. My heated mattress pad on my bed at college

10. Parents who allow me to follow my dreams

11. Social networking sites that allow me to keep in contact with my friends

12. The people that God has put in my life the past year who have challenged me in more than one way

13. Sisters who understand my quirky sense of humor

14. Planes, trains, and automobiles

15. The Bible

16. My ability to read, write, and learn something new everyday

17. Seeing, smelling, tasting, touching, and feeling

18. Computers. (Technology in general)

19. My talents

20. Turning on the faucet and being able to drink clean water

21. Music and singing

22. Living in a safe country

23. Clothes that keep me warm

24. Forgiveness

25. Celebrating the birth of our Savior and remembering what a gift He is in our lives.

It is beautiful here in Iowa. A light white snow has covered the ground...

Merry Christmas to you and yours!