Blessing #11- My Aunt Mindy

This week has been such a blast with family in town. My Aunt Mindy, Uncle RAymond and their family were hanging out at our house all week, and I was happy to be able to spend a good deal of time with Aunt Mindy.

I'd never been Black Friday shopping before, and Aunt Mindy was determined to change that. So at 11:30, she and I headed to Old Navy where we waiting in line in the rain and cold for 10 minutes (we were pleasantly surprised that they let everyone in the store at once!) to purchase warm pajama pants at cheap prices. After we finished our shopping we headed out to the car only to discover that I had left my keys in my purse which was under the driver's seat. RAther than getting upset with me, she ran inside and found the lady we had been standing in line with to borrow her cell phone (ours were in our purses in the car). Then when I realized that one of the back doors might not be locked, she ran (literally ran) all the way out to the back of the parking lot and all the way back to tell me that the door was unlocked- what a relief! Then we headed out to Walmart where we fought the crowds to look for a few Christmas gifts. After Walmart we went to the outlets where we searched for a parking space for 15 minutes and then only went to 2 stores because it was so rainy and crowded. We got home with our newfound treasures around 2:45. It was a blast and I hope to do it again next year.

Aunt Mindy is such an encouragement to me. She's a nurse, so she knows how crazy nursing school can be and we were able to talk about it in the car on Friday morning. She knows how difficult it can be when all your friends are getting married and you are in school and feel like you're ready to be married and moving on with your life as well (although, she had it harder than me as she was in a 4 year nursing school and I'm only in for 2 :D). She has back pain all the time because of a bulging disk and then a failed back surgery, but she rarely complains about it even though we know that it's difficult for her. She has such a sense of humor and all the little guys love her. She picked up a ping-pong paddle yesterday and was playing with little Olivia who had an absolute blast! This evening on hour drive home from my aunt and uncle's, she was quoting lines from The Princess Bride, and joined Grace and Ian in their hunt for Christmas lights, even going so far as to yell every time she saw another display. She's a great example in my life of a godly wife and mother, and I love her to death!

So, to Uncle Raymond, Jonathon, Hudson, and Emily; I know you read my blog. Don't EVER take her for granted; she's amazing (though I'm sure you all know it)!!!!

my beautiful mother and aunt :)

I know I'd promised pictures and such from last night, but again I don't have time...tomorrow I'll hopefully get that all up.

And just as a closing note; if I haven't mentioned you specifically in my 14 Days of Thanksgiving, it certainly doesn't mean I'm not thankful for you. There are countless other things that I'm thankful for; I mentioned my dad but not my mom, whom I am very thankful for as well. I mentioned my Aunt Mindy but none of my 5 other aunts or any of my uncles; I'm very thankful for all of them too. I'm simply writing as each day brings new blessings.

The Longest Post Ever.

              This past weekend was the best! I put all thoughts of homework and exams behind me and headed for Saint Clairsville to spend the weekend with the Clarke family. We had a blast! From watching Julian Smith videos, to using my computer's camera to capture some of the most hysterical videos ever (no seriously, my stomach hurt SO badly from laughing), it was a memorable weekend!

On Saturday morning we went to the mall.

Best 75 cents I've ever spent :P

Another of the ride, taken by Rachel :)

I <3 mirrors

Um, yeah... we were in really strange moods. Oh, and just in case
there's any doubt in your minds, I don't like Justin Bieber. AT.ALL.

oooooooh, lip gloss!

They lip gloss smelled really good ;)

Hello, this is Shoe-zy, how may I help you?

"this is the shoe I want to wear for my weddin'"

 And then to Starbucks :D :D :D

I love Izzes (or is it Izzie's???)

Saturday evening we went to the Clarke's friends' house to play games.

Beautiful sunset over the fields. Unfortunately, it had to be while we
were in the car, so the picture isn't the best...

Heading into WV for the evening.

Yup, that's right, I went to BETHLEHEM :P

Apples to Apples :)

Alex was building a mint-tower.

Sunday was amazing :) Of the group of girls in and around Saint Clairsville that are good friends with a lot of my other friends, the only one that I hadn't met yet was McKenna. So, the plan was to surprise McKenna on Sunday after church by showing up at her house. Well, what I didn't know was that when you email someone enough who also has gmail, they automatically get added to your chat list. McKenna and I have emailed a few times...And of course, since I was so excited for my weekend away, I announced it as my status on gchat. Anyways...long story short, she knew that I was in town, and got a bit suspicious. Sooo, it wasn't quite the surprise we'd planned, but definitely fun just the same!

*shakes head* that's Rachel :P

                            

I think they all like my computer better than me :P

AH! It's McKenna!

Quit being so darn cute, would ya?

and you too, Jordan!

                        

                        

Miss you guys and can't wait till next time!!!!

Oh, and last but not least, while I was there, I started writing down the funny sayings that went on in the Clarke household. I'm sure there were plenty that I missed, but here are the ones that I've got; 

You can be my McRib. - Rach

Can you help me kiss myself? -Rachel on using the "mirror" setting on my computer's camera.

Me: "Catherine, your  eyes are SO big!"

Catherine: "Your nose is so big."

"Why don't you just hurry up and knife him?" -Catherine on the scene in LOTR Return of the King where Gollum attacks Frodo and then convinces Frodo not to hurt him.

Me: "Rachel, can I help you?"

Mr. Clarke: "The kind of help that she needs you can't give her."

"See, I told you she was crazy." Mr. Clarke regarding Rachel.

"I play music, you don't." -Rachel

"I'm the best friend I know." -Rach

"We're having rabbits ears and camel rears." -Rachel in response to what was for breakfast

"Daddy, are you fat now?" -Catherine after Mr. Clarke finished dinner.

"Ashley, you need to eat without utensils so that we can see how you McMichaels' eat at home." -Mr. Clarke

"Wow, I feel like I'm meeting Oprah or something." -McKenna on our meeting for the first time