Disneyland or Disney World? You decide!

So I read about this deal on Mintarrow.com and it's legit. I just bought it. It's not a scammy timeshare thing and there's no catch, except you have to pick one of the participating hotels, which you can see before you buy the deal. Really worth checking out. Here are the basics straight from the site:

What you need to know:

• For just $139, get 2 round-trip plane tickets plus 2 one-day passes to your choice of Disneyland (Anaheim, CA) or Disney World (Orlando, FL) after you book your hotel accommodations through the One Stop Travel Agency - a fully-accredited ARC travel agency (A+ rating with BBB) that has provided exceptionally-valued vacations to millions of customers
• Each voucher covers round-trip airfare for 2 adults or 1 adult and 1 child after booking accommodations at one of the participating hotels/resorts for the minimum nights required (minimum varies per hotel/resort); calculate minimum nights here prior to purchasing); review all terms and conditions here
• Major airline carriers include American, Delta, and JetBlue
• Trusted hotels include 3-, 4-, and 5-star options like award-winning Crowne Plaza Universal, Sheraton, Hilton, or Marriott
• At Disney World, enjoy theme parks like Magic Kingdom®, Epcot®, and Disney's Animal Kingdom® 
• Near Disney World is LEGOLAND, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, golf courses, and beaches
• At Disneyland, visit Disneyland Park and the popular Disneyland California Adventure Park
• Near Disneyland is Knott's Berry Farm amusement park, Angels Baseball games, Anaheim Ducks Hockey games, and famous Los Angeles beaches
• Satisfaction guaranteed 

Also, use this link http://www.plumdistrict.com/three_for_free/df2c3cc822/click so I get the credit for sharing. Then share your own link so you get credit. Awe-some.

XX, A!

Who Gets a Car for Christmas?

Ever since I was a child, I always wondered, "Who actually gets a car for Christmas?" You see those commercials on TV with the beautiful homes all dolled up for Christmas, a car in the driveway with a big bow, and a handsome man guiding his wife out to a Christmas surprise and think, "Who really gets a car?" Rich people or something. Well, let me tell you. Little white girls, fighting through health conditions, trying to live an honest and respectable life, with amazing husbands bestowed upon them do!

Earlier in the year my poor Honda was involved in a hit and run. It was sad, but it was about time to get a new car anyway. I had just paid it off not long before so I was planning on waiting a bit to hunt down just the right car. Jeremiah knew this and so we never did any serious car shopping except to look and see what was out there, what I liked, and what we wanted to spend. It had even been months since we did that. Then one festive Saturday in December we had a Christmas party at my cousin's to attend. Jeremiah said he had some errands to run before, but that I couldn't come. I figured it was normal Christmas shopping. Well, as the party time drew near he still wasn't home. He texted and told me he'd meet me there and I told him I'd just ride with my mom so we didn't have two cars at the end of the night. Unbeknownst to me this was all working out perfectly. When we got to the party a few people asked where Jeremiah was even though they knew. This party was also an ugly Christmas sweater party so I had brough Jeremiah's shirt for him and left it in my mom's car. Luckily, when he got there my mom took him out to get it so I wouldn't see my new car parked in my cousin's driveway.  I guess a few people asked who's car was in the driveway, but I didn't hear anyone! I still had no clue! When it came time to start the gift exchange, I was number 3. I told jeremiah I was going to pick the smallest box because it would most likely be a gift card. When it was my turn I headed to the smallest package and Jeremiah told me, "I think there's a smaller one on the other side of the tree." So I looked where he pointed and saw a small box with my name on it. I was super confused. I felt like I was about to be proposed to, but I was already married. I opened the box and inside was a BMW FOB. Now I was really confused. My whole family was witnessing this and my mom started saying, "You got a car! You got a car." What? In the family gift exchange? I looked at Jeremiah who was smiling and everyone started yelling, "Go outside." So we go out and there in the driveway is the prettiest little BMW. Jeremiah looked at me and said, "That's yours." Talk about a surprise. Felt like a dream. I cried. My sister cried. Everyone was taking pictures. It was the most perfect special Christmas moment. I am blessed. And now I can answer the question, "Who actually gets a car for Christmas?" Well, sometimes patient and well loved wives do. Thank you, Lord, for blessing me with Jeremiah.

Preach!

I've never read this book, but began following this woman somehow on Twitter. I always love what she has to say and am convicted by it often (might have to check the book out). These two quotes she posted ages ago struck a cord with me. Maybe they speak to my selfish/greedy/jealous nature and although painful to admit, good to acknowledge. I'm a work in progress and while growth is uncomfortable, I know true contentment comes from within. From knowing and trusting Jesus - I'm on that journey. So if you're on it with me they may speak to you, too. :)


The only reward you will get from trying to live out someone else’s destiny is contention and dissatisfaction. - Christine Caine "The Core Issue"

Gratitude begins at the point where our sense of entitlement ends! - Christine Caine "The Core Issue"

Hear hear to the New Year!

2013 was an eventful year. Full of many challenges and obstacles that were overcome and trips and fun and grown up decisions. We kicked 2013's butt and 2014 better be ready for some fun with the Atkins!

Here are a few of our unforgettable moments:

Indoor skydiving at iFly Seattle. Incredible! 

Hanford B Reactor Tour to learn the history of the nuclear reactor and where we live. 

Mothers Day trip to the Pendleton Underground Tour Comes to Life. Totally recommend! It's only once a year in the spring. So get your tickets early. 

A week in NYC. Complete with a stay in Times Square, Broadway shows, shopping, high rise views, and lady liberty. Unforgettable childhood dream achieved! 

First time camping trip at Lake Wenatchee and Leavenworth. Okay, okay, it may have been in an RV, but after seeing everyone else struggling in their tents I'm more than glad we had the RV. 

Jeremiah getting a new job that allowed us to avoid a move to Greenville, SC (despite our loving it there, we love our family more). Such a God thing and we owe so much thanks to Him. 

A new honey of a bike for Angie. I really lucked out in the transportation department this year. 

Tried our hand at winning big at The Tri-Cities version of the Kentucky Derby at Sun Downs for the first time. 

Angie got her braces off after 2.5 years! 

First time trip with Jeremiah's family to the Pendleton Round Up. 

5 year wedding anniversary trip to the 49-ers vs. Seahawks opening home game and setting the first world record for loudest stadium at Century Link. 

Huge home improvements including new hard wood flooring, new trim, wall paint, and accessories to match. Here's to hoping it sells quick one day! 

Welcomed an iPad and Kindle Fire HDX to our technology family this year. 

A very big surprise Christmas gift - A new BMW for Angie! Sorry, ladies. Jeremiah is all mine. 

There were also some disappointments. I don't like to focus on the negative, but I am all about authenticity and real ness. Some of the things that broke our hearts this year were Angie's body not being healed and a few more food restrictions being added on (but praise to knowing more items to avoid), Angie losing her grandpa to lung cancer, some difficult family relationship dynamics, young people we truly care about making poor decisions, and of course the infamous tendon slice the night before Thanksgiving that resulted in a serious hand surgery for Mr. Atkins and continuing physical therapy. There goes all that hard core gaming for a while. Maybe that one is not so bad. ;)

Things we're looking forward to in the New Year:
A family trip to Disneyland with Angie's family in February, health and healing, our first family reunion in South Dakota as a married couple this Summer, hosting a Halloween party this Fall, growing closer to God through trials and triumphs, a possible Thanksgiving New York trip, and a trip to the beach... any beach will do. ;) 

How was everyone else's year? What were your highs and lows? What are you looking forward to? I pray the highs outweighed the lows and 2014 brings you all blessings and joy!

X, A!

 

Merry Christmas

This time of year causes me to reflect on my childhood more than any other. The Hershey's Kisses bells playing We Wish You A Merry Christmas, the M&M's encountering Santa, Charlie Brown Christmas playing on TV, Christmas Canon or Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas playing on the radio, or the smell of fresh cut Christmas trees instantly take me back to our living room fully decorated with tacky tinsel and my mom baking cookies while my sister and I watched one of the various Christmas shows she recorded for us. Or heading to pick out our Christmas tree and stopping to eat lunch at Burger King before we went home where my dad would proceed to chop off part of the stump and unruly branches with ol' hickory - the sharpest and largest kitchen knife we owned. Or driving around listening to Christmas carols while looking at Christmas lights. Or "sleeping" (mainly laughing and talking all night) with my sister every Christmas Eve with the radio tuned to The Key where they played 24 hours of Christmas music. And so many other memories I cherish in my heart.

I can barley watch those commercials and shows or listen to the songs these days because while they are so happy and I love them I get very emotional. Emotional over the simple, innocent, and care free days of childhood. The feeling of safety and comfort from having two parents around who took care of everything and would do anything for you. While a majority of my friends came from divorced homes, my sister and I were blessed enough to grow up in a two parent household full of love until I was 17 and she 16. And while we didn't grow up in Hills West (the then fancy area of town) like some of our friends, I would never trade what we had. Two parents home every night and a mom who stayed home to take care of us as young kids is worth a million fancy homes. And every year when I first hear that Hershey's Kisses commercial my heart flutters with pure joy and excitement. Even though it's short lived and adulthood sets in again when I look at the dishes in the sink or the laundry in the basket. Those moments of pure childhood bliss come to life in my heart so vividly I want to cry. I do not have children with which to relive this joy through and Jeremiah doesn't understand so much because he came from a broken home at a very young age where the back and forth parent to parent experience jaded him. That may be partly what makes me sad. It's something that was so magical that existed for me and I know I can't go back and I know not every child had or has that. And I don't know with certainty that Jeremiah and I will have children. So for now, I relish in those sounds, sights, and smells that revive my memory and watch as my niece and nephews look at this magical Christmas world with wonder and amazement.

I feel incredibly blessed and humbled by the love and joy God bestowed upon me as a child. What my parents were able to give my sister and I was something money can never buy. And even though they are no longer married, those memories are not tainted in anyway and those times are filed away separately from the later years when their marriage quickly went downhill. The happy childhood memories I have are a continual gift that I receive every year when Christmas rolls around. The gift that truly keeps on giving. If you can give this to your children or those around you, do. Memories are a priceless gift that stay with us forever. And I'm thankful to my parents for giving that to my sister and I. And thankful to God for taking what could have made for rough circumstances for two little girls and blessing it. He really can make everything for good. Thank you, Jesus.  Merry Christmas, indeed. 



 

The Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day

Today was the big day - the day I got my braces off. After two and a half long years of cutting my corn off the cob and every other fruit and veggie into bite size pieces, I headed to Dr. Ostler to reveal my new straight pearly whites. It should have been a fantastic day. Not only were my braces coming off, but our new California King Sleep Number Bed was set to arrive. But for some reason this day went wrong from about 4am.

Here's a quick look at how it all went down:

Had to work early due to orthodontist appointment.
Woke at 4am with bad stomach pains and never fell back asleep.
Went to work, where it was obvious to all I did not feel well, and left for my appointment with a less than happy tummy around 9:30am. Figured the anxious/excited feeling I had about the braces coming off might have been part of it.
Once at the appointment, my tummy was not happy and neither was my bladder, as a result.
Hygienist had trouble getting a few brackets off and it hurt - this was by far the worst part of the entire braces experience.
Ask to use restroom thanks to bladder/tummy issues. Due to leaving my purse in the car, I put my iPhone in my back pocket and forgot. Next thing I know, kerplunk! Why, why why?!?!?!?!
Head back to chair and let everyone know what just happened. Still feeling yuck and end up needing to use the restroom a few more times. They think I'm sick and need a towel and garbage can next to me. Super embarrassing. However, it is very hard to explain IC to people so I just let them think that.
They hurry along and send me to get impressions where they have trouble and have to take them twice. The impressions aren't so bad, though, thankfully!
Come home and see the bed arrived in the few hours I was gone that morning and they left it in our driveway. Thanks, guys. Thankfully, Jeremiah ran home and helped me get it inside.

All in all, the braces are off and the bed arrived. I have no clue if they gave me any instructions at the ortho because I was so out of it/embarrassed/feeling blah. This stuff only happens to me. I swear! Hopefully, tomorrow when I get my retainer it will go much smoother - my day included!

XX!

Confessions of a Houseslob

I sit here writing this covered with Crispy Rice on my torso and in my hair. Not because I have children, but because I just love food and went all ravenous on this box of Nature's Path Crispy Rice.  I feel this is important to mention because it says a lot about me and what I'm about to admit.

I'm a lazy slob. Okay, maybe that's a bit harsh, but I've said this before and I'll say it again: You know how some people say things like, "Deep down inside of me is a tough, determined, tiger (or whatever other animal they identify with), with the heart of a champion just waiting to break free and conquer the world?" Yeah, we'll deep down inside of me is a 500lb man sitting on a couch eating Bon Bons while watching Designing Women and drifting in and out of sleep all day. Only to have to be removed from said house by a wall being knocked down and then being transported to a hospital like a whale in a net via helicopter. Okay, this may have been a Jerry Springer episode I once saw, but you get the gist. 

I struggle with self motivation and discipline. I hate to do things I don't want to do or that I don't find fun. Which is odd because I grew up a dancer and discipline is usually ingrained in you. But I may have been slightly rebellious and missed out on that lesson fully. I wish this wasn't so, but I can't figure out how to be different. I see all these perfect little Facebookers and Pinteresters posting all the awesome things they do to their home, cook for dinner, or businesses they start and think, "How in the h-e double hell do they have time to do that?" Naturally, I judge them and tell myself their families are probably suffering and obviously they are sacrificing something big to be that awesome. Then I kick myself because I have all these awesome ideas and things I want to do, but can't seem to do them. I can barely convince myself to cook dinner most nights.

One thing I have learned to accept about myself is that I never was the girl who couldn't wait to get married or be a wife or mother. And although I'm married, that's still who I am. I still don't want to be a homemaker. I hate housekeeping, crafting, gardening, and cooking. Baking is another story, but housewife duties bore and irritate me. After I accomplish a lot around the house I don't feel like a bad-A wife, I think, "Crap that took a lot of time! I could've done something way more fun than that shizz." So while being Susie homemaker looks enticing, deep down I know that does not make me happy.

I guess in the end, it all comes down to priorities. As long as my house isn't a total pig sty, I'm cool to do other things I find more important and let a few dishes chill in the sink. And if you stop by you will most likely see these dishes sitting in the sink, in addition to a couple pairs of shoes on the floor, clean laundry in a pile upstairs, a blanket on the couch, books on the end table, mail and a pile of change from Jeremiah's pockets on the entryway table, and maybe more. And I'm (almost) okay with that. For some keeping their home immaculate is a priority - for me it's not. 

Also, I've realized decorating, crafting, gardening and the like are also not my life's passion. I try to emulate you sassy little housewives posting your crafts, home cooked dinners, and planting your flowers, but since I find myself not enjoying the process and wishing myself elsewhere my crafts end up looking like a 5 year old made them, my food is overcooked and there's a huge mess, and my plants die. Trying to be someone you're not is never easy nor fun.

So while I do fight that fat man inside of me trying consume my life, I accept that my life's passion does not lie in being a housewife and will even go so far as to say God did not put that passion in my heart. My husband knows this. And although there are times he wishes I was a little more housewife-ish, he can laugh about it. After all, he's a total metro and his priorities do not lie in the typical man chores some men take pride in. What a pair - talk about a match made in Heaven! Hired help may be in our future. 

X, A!

The IC Life

Hi everyone! I don't post much about what's going on with my health, but I plan to change that. Not in the sense that I want you to know every little detail about my body, but I do want to share what I'm doing and trying on the path to recovery from IC.

I'm always on the lookout for information and stories from those who have similar struggles and it can be hard to find upbeat positive people who fight tooth and nail to not let their struggles overcome them. I appreciate everyone who opens up and shares their experience, but so many people simply want a place to vent (we all need that) or even complain without making any life changes or doing anything about their situation. It can be so easy to stay stuck in that depression and fear that health issues can cause and I want to inspire people to overcome it! 

I may fail everyday at being who I want to be, but I refuse to be defined by my health struggles or failures. I want to live despite what I'm going through. I want to fight for my life and all I want out of it. And I want to share it with you! I want to show you the happy and not so happy parts of struggling with IC, how I deal, what works or doesn't for me, along with recipes, food ideas, travel advice, and other tips for living with IC. 

If you ever have any question or comments, please leave them here! But remember to be polite and respectful. We're all just doing our best here and there is no reason to be mean. The world has enough of that. 

So I hope you enjoy my blog and stick around. Because you're not alone. I'm not alone. And we CAN do this!

XX,

A

Interstitial Cystitis Woes

"Sometimes I can hear my bones straining under the weight of all the lives I'm not living."

― Jonathan Safran Foer

Right now, my body is literally controlling my life and I find myself straining under the weight of it all. From the missed workouts, Starbucks in the morning, spur of the moment travels, and desire to seek out new employment opportunities the things that once spurred me along, rejuvenated me, and inspired me are no longer the same. There are so many lives I want to be living, but right now I am here. In this body. Living this life. Trying to make the most of it. Trying to reinvent my life and find new opportunities and passions that will motivate, inspire, and make me feel like I am living an important life on this Earth. I'm attempting to refuse to put limits on my life, yet also be realistic about what I am physically able to endure. I think I am able to endure anything. But in my darkest moments, it's hard to believe that. But I have to. However, by forcing these lives I want to live, I don't want the hard work and stress to cause more suffering. It's a catch 22. I feel like I am missing out on so much and I am straining beneath it all, but am not sure how much to push myself. Should we accept our limitations in life or should we never put limits on ourselves no matter what we are going through? Should we accept where God has us now and not force things we know may not be best or healthiest for us or should we trust that God will  get us through no matter what we choose to do? That is where I am at in this moment. On this day in time. Am I strong enough to handle more? Am I able to let God be my strength? Sometimes, I don't know. But I truly pray I am. I want to be fearless in life more than anything! To take on new challenges without fear - no matter what my body says. To not fear anything or anyone. To fill my life with people, places, and experiences that inspire others. To show love and compassion and be a heart changer in the world. I don't talk about what I am going through much, but I do want people to be aware in case they think I am rude/lazy/wimpy/weak/etc. so they know there may be more going on beneath the surface than what they see everyday. If you could throw a heartfelt prayer my way I would appreciate it.

X, A!

Personalize Your Life

I love personalized photo items. They make the best gifts and are the perfect way to show off those photos not everyone gets to see in your home or that you don't have space to display. Plus, every time you look at the item you can't help but smile! Over the years, I have purchased a Miir photo water bottle, Medge Kindle Fire cover, and countless Shutterfly items such as mugs, key chains, magnets, notepads, cards, and photo books. I can tell you, my mom and sister's favorite gifts I have ever given them are photo gifts with my niece and nephews on them. That's why the latest personalized iPhone cases from Shutterfly definitely piqued my interest! They are adorable and affordable. And the fact that you can pretty much make them look however you want is a great option if you're looking for a gift for someone... or for yourself. I just may have to get one! In the meantime, check them out here: http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-gifts/custom-iphone-cases

Also, here is some pretty interesting stuff on cell phone cases and what people want/expect from their phone cases. Pretty much magic, eh?

This infographic is provided to you by Shutterfly, a leader provider of photo books, custom iPhone cases & more!

X, A!

Embracing My Inner Dork

Braces, glasses, no make-up, frizzy hair? Yep, that's me lately. In the past, I would not consider stepping a foot outside with any of the above going on. Maybe it's getting older or maybe it's because I really have no choice. Either way, I am learning to embrace my "inner dork" and get comfortable with myself no matter what I look.

I have never done a blog post on my braces and have had them on almost 2 years. I got braces in May 2011 to fix my "snaggle tooth" and am beyond thrilled I did. When I was younger, my dentist always said my teeth might straighten out so my parents never took me to the Orthodontist. He was wrong! So here I am fixing them as an adult. Jeremiah jokes that he should send my parents the bill since this is something parents are supposed to deal with. Anyway, the braces are clear and I know in the end I will have straight teeth. So I am cool with the braces.

Now onto the glasses -  my most hated dork accessory. I don't know what it is, but wearing glasses makes me feel like I should be at home in my PJ's - not out in the world. They take me a while to get used to wearing and are not cute, in my eyes. But since finding out a year ago that my eyes are very damaged and dry from abusing my contact lens wearing privileges (so much so that I am not a candidate for refractive surgery), I have been forced to wear them even more. Even to work. Ugh! Once my eyes felt better I went back to abusing the contacts and my eyes started bothering me again. So here goes the spectacle wearing spectacle again! Wisdom over vanity, I suppose.

As far as the frizzy hair and no make-up goes? I am at peace with the hair my Mexican heritage has given me. Yes, I am probably the whitest girl you know, but my grandpa is Mexican. Like, habla espanol Mexican. And my great grandpa is Cherokee Indian. So what happened in the gene pool with me is a mystery. The no make-up thing is the worst, however. You probably would not recognize me if I did not have make-up on. I know people probably think I wear a ton of make-up and I do, but trust me it is necessary. I would rather be made fun of for "make-up face" than "ugly face." Yes, I do realize this is a huge issue I need to deal with, but hey one thing at a time.

I'm not sure what the point of this blog post was, except that I feel very self-conscience at times and wanted to be honest with myself about it. I know girls typically feel this way from time to time, so I thought maybe someone could empathize. Naturally pretty girls: you suck. There I said it. End blog post.

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night

Someone so dear to me shared this poem with me when I was having a rough IC day last year. While the immediate focus of the writing is death, I think it applies to so much more and on so many levels. Reminding us to fight and never give up. So rage against the dying of your light. Whatever that may be for you. X, A!

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

- Dylan Thomas

Hurrah!

Adult occasions call for big celebrations - or at least ice cream! The start to 2013 has included some big decisions, brave acts, and blessed changes. Here's a very quick rundown - First off, we refinanced our home in preparation of things to come and feel so adult. Next up, J had a job reclassification (other than the typical yearly review and upgrade) and I am so proud of him. The amount of hours, dedication, and hard work he puts in have not gone unnoticed and we are so thankful. He is on call 24 hours a day, as he manages several international servers, and works crazy hours, as the main office he works for is located in Greenville, SC. This guy works his tail off for Fluor and has a work ethic like none I've ever seen. So thankful for him and how God uses him at his job and how He blesses us. Finally, my appointment at Virginia Mason went great. All labs and tests came back normal so now we are on to the next step - the allergist. In the meantime, we went Indoor Skydiving at iFly Seattle and had a blast! It was J's Valentine's Day present, so it worked out perfectly to fit not only my appointment, but some fun into this trip. To celebrate, we will be going out as soon as I find out what the allergist says on Monday and I know if there is anything I need to avoid. If all is good, then we will add one more item to our list of things to celebrate. Cheers!



My official indoor skydiving photo




Update: No allergies. Yay! Milkshakes here I come! And on to the next phase of testing and doctors. Prayers for good news and healing appreciated!

X, A!

Taking Pride

I always down played the fact that I have a bachelor's degree in Psychology. And only recently have been able to admit why. I worked in the counseling field for 3 years before the unit I worked on shut down and I transferred over to PNNL. To be honest, I was already feeling that typical counselor burnout after 2 years so the move was sort of welcome.

Feeling like the burnout meant maybe I chose the wrong field coupled with coming to work at a national lab like PNNL, I began to downplay the importance of my degree. When people asked about my college background I would laugh and say, "Psychology, not like it matters out here. " I said this more out of fear of judgment that others were wondering what I was doing with a Psych degree at a national lab and why I may not be in the field anymore. Also, I know more people without degrees than with, so I felt downplaying it made me safer and more relatable so they wouldn't think I felt any superiority. But in doing this, I not only weakened their view of myself, my intelligence, and education, but my own. Disregarding everything I learned and went through to obtain my degree to avoid judgment or to make others feel good was not true to what I felt. I really was proud, but afraid to show it. Over time this way of being starts to brainwash and steal your confidence. Which is not good for you or those around you. I have a lot of knowledge and life experience to offer the world from the last decade of my life, including my college education, and I was devaluing that and myself.

Over the past 3 years, I have settled into my position at PNNL and thought about what I've learned from this job versus what I learned from college and my 3 years as a counselor. What I realized is, the lessons and experiences from my early 20's have been far more valuable than I ever gave them credit for and I strongly regret any downplaying or devaluing I did. I am proud of my decision attend college and obtain a degree in something I felt passionate about and to serve in the way I was able. In addition to my education, I learned so much about myself, life, people, research, decision making, and other ways of being and will never devalue that again. It is a lie for me to do so. I think my education is one the greatest investments I ever made and I do not regret it. I would do it again if I had do it over. I still have that passion for Psychology and learning and I intend to celebrate it now.

In life we all take a different a path. No one way is the only or right way. For some that might mean getting a job out of high school. For another getting married and starting a family. To devalue our choices and ourselves out of fear of judgment or making others feel less is wrong. Be proud of who you are and the life path you took. Yes, we might make mistakes along the way, but often that is where the greatest lessons lie. If others can't handle who you are or the path you chose it's more about them than you. Pray for them and gently guide them. Sometimes people don't know there are all these choices out there waiting for them and they can do it, too.

So be proud. Share you experience and knowledge. And never let others inadequacies make you feel like you need to protect them. There is a difference between an arrogant pride and a confident pride. Shrinking yourself down smaller never made anyone else get bigger.

Bath Time Debacle

I like the idea of baths, but once I'm in there the picture I had in my head is never my reality. A relaxing, warm, tranquil paradise turns into a fight for my life. The weight of the water feels as if it's crushing my guts. And since I like the water HOT, after laying there for about 10 mins I am facing heat stroke. But if I wait for the water to cool off  I risk hypothermia as the water goes from 150 degrees to 10 in 30 seconds. Plus, the hard porcelain hurts and the tub I have is not deep enough to encase every body part comfortably. And do people really read in there? I risk dropping every book or magazine every time and if I'm not dropping it then I'm getting wet finger prints on every page. Lastly, if you really think about, you are just stewing in your own filth. So as much as I crave a bath some nights, I can't do it. I think what I need is a shower with a chair. Yes, that's the ticket.

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

Thank you, thank you! It may not seem like a big deal, but it let's me know that my friends and family support and love me. Which is better than any prize in the world! I recently entered J and I in the 98.3 The Key 'Love2Win' photo contest where the winners were determined by popular vote. Thanks to my sweet friends and family, we were one of the winners! One other cool thing to note - our photo was the cover photo for the contest so everyone who went to vote at least saw our photo whether they liked it or not. LOL. My hump day has been made!

X!

Here's to 2013

I didn't make a New Year's Resolutions this year, but that doesn't stop me from having a 2013 list of things I'm dreaming of doing! It has been very hard to do many things lately with my body being so unpredictable, but if I can make any of the below happen this year I will be one happy girl!

Caribbean Cruise - I have been dreaming of a Caribbean cruise for sometime now, but we usually end up having other vacations come in the way. I'm not sure I will like the schedule of a cruise or being confined to a ship on certain days, so we plan on doing a short 4 or 5 night cruise to try it out. I like the idea of seeing so many new places, but am a little scared of cruise viruses, too! Hope no sickies come on board!

New York - New York has been on my 'go-to list' for my whole life! I want to see Niagara Falls so bad! I think every year I harass Jeremiah about seeing it. This will be a big trip as I will need almost 2 weeks to see/do all I want to do. Who knows, maybe 2013 is the year 'the Atkins do The Big Apple'?

Indoor Skydiving - There is a place near Seattle that looks like a blast. Don't know if real sky diving will ever be in my future, but this is close enough for me.

Keritan or Fiberceutic Hair Treatment - I have always wanted to try the Brazilian Blowout, but after hearing about the chemicals they use I nixed that idea fast! Then I saw some new inexpensive hair treatments at my favorite spa and put them on my list of 'beauty to-do's'. Haven't got around to them yet, but hopefully will soon.

Make a YouTube movie - Okay, not really a movie per se, but I have a project I started that is being filmed. I can't talk about it yet, but in a couple of months should have the final product ready to debut. No, I am not pretending I am someone 'supa cool' or 'special.' Just having fun and living life.

Photography Project - I have been thinking about beauty a lot latey, and have something in the works for possibly Spring to showcase the real beauty of real local women. Hoping to make this one a fundraiser, possibly.

Buy a new car - My old trusty Honda has been good to me, but it is time for it to go. It is only a 2 door and I will never be able to fit babies in there. We tried with my sister's kids and it is impossible. Here's to welcoming a new vehicle to the Atkins fam this year!

Buy land for building our new home on - We have been looking around and thinking real hard about this one. Location is huge for us. Stay tuned!



Dearest 2013 - Please be good to us!

Abandoned Blog

I've missed blogging about SO many things - birthdays, holidays, Disneyland vacations, business trips, product reviews, recipes, etc. and I am SO sorry to the one person who may read this. And I'm also sorry because I do not intend to catch up. I'm mostly sorry to myself because I really want to write about all of these things, but I have way too many other priorities that need attention. Let's just say, it's good to have Jeremiah home, I took my sister to see a Cirque Du Soleil show for her birthday, Disneyland was a blast and I finally got to ride the tea cups, I baked a TON (you're welcome co-workers), and Christmas was classic, meaningful, and beautiful with my family. Now we're on to 2013 and I have so much to do that blogging about the details of my life for, well no one really, seems a little selfish and like a bad use of time. But I promise to be back soon debuting my new "priority." In the meantime, look through my old posts because I have some yummy recipes and funny stories, and am proud of my past posts. They're like an online diary of sorts. And aren't those always fun to go through?

XX!

Destroying The Car Wash

I have been meaning to post about my trip through the new Tim Bush car wash for a while now, but am just getting around to it. A few weeks ago before J and I left out of town for the weekend, I stopped by mom's to drop off our house key and she decided to come for a ride with me to take my car through the car wash. This is one of those car washes where you have to get your tire in the little strip, put your car in neutral, and then just sit back an enjoy. But not if you are Angela Atkins.

When I pulled up I thought the attendant told me to turn to the right a little and keep going, but apparently he and I were not on the same page. So up and over the edge of where your tire goes and over the bar that guides you in I went. Let me point out that the car wash is long and narrow. The angle I was at required that I drive up into the car wash a little and then try and back out at an angle... which was nearly impossible. Especially, when you are laughing beyond control. The guy could not guide me out and I was literally tearing up the car wash. I could not back up because I was at a diagonal and would go up onto the building's front curb, but I could not go forward because my back tires were still behind the metal bar that my front tires had gone over.

Well, pretty soon another guy came out to try and help unwedge me from the car wash. No, joke he looked at me and asked if I was drunk! By this time, one guy was guiding and the other reaching through my window turning my wheel for me. Finally, after asking several times if one of them wanted to drive my car, the guy with his arm through my window said to get out and he would drive. After about 10 minutes my car was free. There were moments they were literally saying I was destroying the car wash, but I was more concerned about my wheels being destroyed as they squeaked and bumped over the metal and concrete!

When all was over with, the guys were laughing and told me there is a video camera that records 24/7 and that they would have to show the video at their next meeting! I really hope they did. Because 30 minutes of 2 guys helping me get my car out of there has got to be the most exciting thing to happen to that car wash. Hope the car waiting behind me thought so, too...

Needless to say... I haven't been back to that car wash.

Compassion International and The Newsboys Concert

I received an email from a worker at Compassion International (the program we sponsor a child through) about a month ago that they needed volunteers for the upcoming Newsboys/Building 429 concert. I am not a huge Newsboys fan, and frankly, rarely know who sings what, but I though it might be fun -  especially if my sister and I both volunteered to do it! Well, I committed myself to volunteering before my sister knew she couldn't and suddenly became freaked out that I was going to do it alone. I am a shy person, but somehow always end up doing things alone. NOT my cup of tea! Upon finding out the lady I would be working with was Cortni Roy (Jason Roy's wife - lead singer of Building 429), I was even more nervous. I also didn't know what the other volunteers would be like or if anyone else would even be there - needless to say I was not too pumped about going.

While I wasn't feeling comfortable about volunteering anymore, I do not like being a person who goes back on their word, So I forced myself to go. Boy am I glad I did! All of the volunteers were SO awesome and kind! These were people I could be friends with in my everyday life. Only one girl was from the Tri-Cities, though. Cortni was also very sweet and I had to control my curiosity of asking silly questions about what life on the road must be like with kids. I am not easily starstruck, but love to learn about others and ask questions, regardless of who they are, so I have to be careful not to invade other's privacy. But honestly, I hate talking about myself. I usually end up rambling and sounding like a dork. Also, I am loud, goofy, and animated when I talk so I easily embarrass myself. Luckily, the other volunteers were all goofballs so hopefully I didn't look like too much of a fool! I wish I would have taken some photos, but it was a busy night and taking a photo would have made me look sort of unprofessional. But I thought I would share a couple stand out moments from the night:

* Being out in the crowd with Jason Roy to pass out Compassion info with the spotlight and all on us and me NOT falling! I had to go up and down stairs and was so nervous I would! Especially with him right next to me!

* An 11 year old  boy and his friend who came to me repeatedly asking questions about sponsoring a child. He was so sweet and told me he felt like God wanted him to donate money. He had come with his youth group and ended up calling his dad about sponsoring a child. When he came back and I asked what his mom said he told me, "My father said no because he can barely keep food on the table for me and my little brother." My heart! He had no mama! He and his 5 year old brother and dad live in La Grande in an apartment attached to a grocery store that his grandma runs. He and his friend didn't want to go to back into the concert because it was too loud and they had never been to a concert before. So I spent like 20 minutes talking to them outside. I pray he keeps his soft little heart towards others and God as he grows. He was a little angel and really made an impression on me!

* Learning that the dude from the Newboys is NOT a white guy!

* Getting 98 children sponsored! The most so far out of any of the tour stops Cortni said!

* Duncan Phillips - the spinning drummer from the Newsboys! Coolest thing I've seen in a while! Click the link. Now.

I am so glad I branched out of my comfort zone! I had a blast and sure hope I made an impression on a little boy's heart and helped to get some sweet babies sponsored!