Accidents happen...

Mom and I were in a car accident this morning. We were on our way to Bellingham to watch my niece in her soccer game... I was driving mom & dad's truck, and we hit an icy patch on the road. We fishtailed for a few seconds, then hit the edge of the ditch on the right side of the road. That caused the truck to spin in circles across the road, where we landed with the front of the truck in the ditch on the left side of the road. Mom immediately started crying that her back was hurt, and I was near hysterics, as my glasses had flown off my face upon impact, and I'm legally blind without them. She was trying to keep me calm (mom always takes care of me), and told me to call 911 for help. I found my glasses on the floor of the truck (they were unharmed), then called 911. I was so scared, and I'm sure I was in the beginning stages of shock. The 911 dispatcher assured me that they were sending an ambulance right away, and I was surprised at how quickly they arrived! We were both complaining of neck pain, so the medics put both of us in neck collars to immobilize us, and put us on backboards before they transferred us to stretchers. Then we got a truly uncomfortable ride to the hospital emergency room, where we were x-rayed and CT scanned. The good news? No broken bones! The bad news? The nurse told us that we are going to feel worse tomorrow than we do today, and even worse on Monday. We're home now (I'm staying with my parents for a few days), and both feeling pretty banged up. Every square inch of my body is in pain.

Right after I got off the phone with the 911 lady, I started crying. Mom asked what was wrong... was I crying because of pain, because I was scared? I told her "I just want Robert". I talked to him for a few minutes this afternoon, then again tonight. He'll be here in a couple of days, and I just want to feel his arms around me and tell me everything is okay. He offered to come tomorrow, but I told him that there's really nothing he can do, and besides, he has company from out of town right now... I'll see him soon. I love him so much, and I know he would do anything for me. He is everything I ever wanted in a man, and so much more than I could have hoped for.

I believe in angels. I believe in miracles. I believe that God was on the lookout for us this morning. I know that things could have been so much worse. We could be laying in the hospital with broken bones and internal injuries. There could have been another car involved in the accident. We walked away from the hospital with minor injuries... something I believe is truly miraculous. We are blessed beyond measure.

The least of these brothers of mine...

Today was one of the most incredible, amazing, humbling days of my life. I was involved in "Project Homeless Connect"... a project that is part of a plan to eliminate the homelessness problem in Bellingham and Whatcom County. The eye clinic where I work was involved in the project, as our office manager was co-chair for the event. We had dental care, foot care, pregnancy testing, HIV testing, and eye exams; as well as help with nutrition, mental health care, chemical dependency care, and even veterinary care (many homeless people have pets). It was astounding to see how many people showed up for help. The stereotype that I've long held as the "typical" homeless person was shattered... I've always assumed that homeless people were dirty, smelly, alcoholic/drug addicts who were looking for a handout. I was so wrong. Families with small children, people who were as clean as you and me, and men who looked like they just left the office came in, desperate for assistance. One guest, a man in his early 50's just sat and cried after we finished his eye exam. He couldn't believe that we would do this "for free". Some people avoided all eye contact, they seemed to be ashamed that they needed help from us. Others were overjoyed and couldn't stop thanking us for being there. Today was life changing. I was so humbled to be part of something so much bigger than myself. God never fails to remind me of how completely and overwhelmingly blessed I am. 

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" Matthew 25:37-40

30 random things about me...

1. I was in a wheelchair for 2 years of my childhood due to a neurovascular problem. I was "the girl in the wheelchair" in our school.
2. I would rather wear jeans, a hoodie, and tennis shoes than anything else. 
3. I refuse to eat any kind of meat off the bone. It freaks me out to see evidence of my food's former life.
4. I'm a perfectionist. I will avoid starting something for fear of not being able to do it perfectly.
5. Sometimes I dream of going to school to be an interior designer.
6. I grew up on a dairy farm, but I really, really dislike milk.
7. I believe that one of my greatest strengths is caring for people and their families through the dying process, and would love to work for a hospice someday. 
8. I learned to read at the age of 3, and was tested at a 7th grade level when I was in kindergarten. 
9. My biggest fear in life is being lost, especially when in the dark.
10. I love to be in front of people, especially when I'm singing... and I don't get nervous until I'm finished.
11. I've dreamed my whole life of being a wife and a mom... never had any other career aspirations... so excited that half of my dream is coming true on May 30! 
12. I first met my best friend when we were in 3rd grade (I even have a picture of us holding hands that year). then we couldn't stand each other in 4th grade when we were forced to work together on a school project. Now she's my maid of honor. :)
13. I'm fascinated by reality t.v. families... Jon & Kate + 8, the Duggars (18 kids), and the Roloffs (Little People, Big World).
14. Over the years, I have colored my hair black, red, platinum blond, and various shades of brown.
15. Respect is a HUGE thing for me-- respect for and from others, children respecting their parents, and parents respecting their children.
16. I carry a heavy burden for the homeless and needy. I truly believe that God has put me on the planet to love others and to minister to their material needs.
17. Robert and I talk about our future children all the time, and we even have their names picked out. :)
18. My dad is 10 years older than my mom... Robert is 10 years older than me. Dad went bald at a young age... so did Robert. Dad loves the history and discovery channels... guess who else does? They say a girl marries a man who has similar traits to her daddy. :)
19. I can never have too many bookshelves. I love, love, love books.
20. I have one tattoo, and am planning on getting another one sometime after the wedding.
21. The nicknames I've had in my life: Chelle, Shelsy-Bell, Shelly, Michelin, Meesh, Pumpkin, Shelly Winters, and My Love.
22. I really don't like shopping for clothes, especially shoes. But put me in an antique store or a book store, and I'm in heaven.
23. I'm an exceptionally good speller. Misspelled words leap off the page at me and make me insane. 
24. I have 9 nieces and nephews... and I witnessed the birth of 5 of them.
25. I have a slight obsession with 80's hair bands... I love the long hair, tight pants, eyeliner, etc... I know, it's a little strange.
26. I snort when I laugh. :)
27. I read cookbooks as though they were novels. I could spend a whole day poring over recipes.
28. My favorite movie is Serendipity, and the best line in the movie is "Crocodile".
29. I have always known that I'm a princess... and then I find out that my fiance is related to Princess Diana's family... coincidence? I think not!
30. One of my favorite scents is Crayola crayons. I seriously will open a box of Crayolas and take a great big whiff. Same goes for Play-Doh. So yummy. :)

Good times...

What a great weekend!  Robert was only here for a day, but we had such a good time together. We slept in on Sunday (yes, even Robert slept in past 6:00!), then went for lunch at the most wonderful Thai restaurant in the world... seriously, it's probably just as good as a Thai restaurant in Thailand... then out to Sumas for awhile. Robert had gone out there on Saturday night when he got into town-- my sister and brother-in-law met him there and helped load some things into our storage unit. And we've discovered that 5x8' isn't very big.  I think we'll be looking into getting a bigger space. So we drove out to Sumas, checked the storage place, drove up to the house, just so I could look at it and dream of the day when we're finally all moved in, then went to mom & dad's house. We ordered dinner in, and just hung out and visited. It was a good day. Then we came home so we could watch my favorite tv family (the one with 18 kids). 

I don't have to work until 1:00 again today, so Robert and I got up and went to pick up his little trailer (he left it at my sister's house), then he left to go pick up his friend Matt from the airport in Seattle. He'll be back again in a week or so. I'm getting spoiled, seeing him every week lately! He is such a blessing in my life... hope this week goes by fast! :)

Just an update...

Yay for Friday!  I really needed a weekend.  If only they weren't so short!  I shouldn't complain, I didn't have to go to work until 1:00 today.  No more whining from me. :)

I called the Sumas Mini-Storage today to rent a storage unit for Robert's furniture.  He's going to start moving some things over here this weekend.  I think this time around it's dressers and night stands.  We're now the proud "owners" of a 5x8' storage unit.  It probably won't be big enough for everything, but the only other choice was 12x20' and Robert said "no way" to that one!  We can just rent another small one later if we need to. 

Good things happened this week... we decided on the house, I got a few wedding things sorted out (but still haven't heard from the reception site lady... guess I'll be calling her tomorrow), and practiced wedding makeup with a co-worker who will be doing my face on the big day.  I know the makeup thing doesn't sound like a big deal, but it was great to be pampered and fussed over.  Plus, she curled my hair.  All of it.  It's so great to have friends who take care of me.  

Robert will be here tomorrow night!  So excited to see him again... feels like it's been a long time, but it's really only been a week or so. Unfortunately, I won't be home when he gets here... my friends and I have had "girls night" planned for awhile, and I can't back out! Plus, Angela, who's hosting this time, made it clear that we are celebrating the engaged girls this time around... since there's 3 of us!  I already assured Robert that I will be home afterwards, even though it may be late.  Tomorrow will be a good day.  

My life is so full.  Full of work, full of responsibility, full of good friends, full of promise, full of love, and full of blessings!

There's no place like home...

Big news!!  

Robert and I talked for awhile tonight, and have decided to rent the house we looked at last weekend!  Yay!!  Now I don't have to worry about being homeless.  Not that I was ever seriously concerned, but the fact that he is only here for a few days at a time, and I didn't want to make this decision on my own, had me a little nervous.  One more thing to cross of the list.  *Sigh of relief.*

Not sure if I mentioned this before, but the house is brand spankin' new, and not even finished yet.  When we looked at it on Saturday, there wasn't any trim up yet (but he was painting it in the garage), there was no carpet/hardwood/tile installed, no light fixtures up, no appliances, no doorknobs... so there is obviously a LOT that needs to happen before moving day comes.  None of that matters to me right now, though... because I have a new home, at least for the next year. :)

I showed my apartment to another girl tonight, which makes 4 people so far.  Lucky for me, I'm not breaking my lease, so it's no big deal to me whether it rents or not.  Scratch that thought-- I'm tired of having to set up times for these people to come here.  Hopefully one of them gets approved before anyone else calls.  

Oh, I am so, so, so happy!  And excited.  And relieved.  And blessed.  Really, really supremely blessed.  

Let's start at the very beginning...

Hello, great big blog world... here I am. :)  

So... I've decided to join the blogging community, because soon I will have family living all across the country who will want to hear all about Robert's and my life here together.  And they want to be kept up to date on wedding plans.  And see pictures of us and our new home (if we ever find a place to live, that is).  And... not gonna lie... I just like to talk. :)  

Here's where we are right now:  I have SO much to do!!  Still waiting for confirmation from the reception site lady, who promised (2 1/2 weeks ago) that she was putting us on the calendar to reserve the site for our date... yeah, I haven't heard anything more from her... such as the rental agreement she was going to mail us.  Hope we're still on the calendar, because we ordered invitations on Friday, and put them down as the place for our reception! 

I confirmed the menu for the reception yesterday, which is one more thing to cross off the list... it's so satisfying to accomplish the little things.  Or is food a big thing?  In any case, it's taken care of.  :)

Speaking of food, mom and I tasted the most AMAZING cake at the wedding expo a couple weeks ago.  I'm not telling what kind it is, but I wanted to go back for seconds.  You're gonna have to show up at the wedding to taste it.  Seriously.  Amazing.  Cake.  I can't wait to eat it again. 

I tried my dress on again last weekend, just to see what it looks like again.  I'm still in love with it, and I want to wear it everywhere.  However, I don't want my sister Shari to help me into it again.  She stuck her hand in my armpit to pull the dress up, and it was a strange feeling.  I love you sister, but no thank you. :) 

Robert and I are still looking for a place to live.  The lease on my apartment is up at the end of March, so I'm hoping to not be homeless.  We're watching craigslist for rental houses (I am SO done with living in apartments!), and looked at a beautiful, brand-new house last weekend. We're still trying to decide what to do.  I, of course, think with my heart and fell in love with the house immediately.  My sweet fiance thinks with his head and is still weighing the options. He's just the best. :)

Well, I think that's where we're at for now.  Thinking about the details overwhelms me, but at the same time, thrills me.  My future is a happy place.  I'm so blessed.