The Lang's Tragic Day

For the past 15 1/2 years, my family has been blessed with the most wonderful dog in the world, Macy Jane (a rat terrier), and yesterday our family had to say goodbye as our baby girl joined our Grandmas and Grandpa in Heaven. It has been very hard on my whole family as we thinking back to all the amazing memories we shared with our lovely puppy, and I know she will be waiting at the gate for us one day. 

I have shed many tears the past two days and I never will stop thinking about her and no dog will ever compare to my precious Macy Jane, who I named thank you very much (still much debate on this matter). I love you so much, Macy!!!

Macy Jane Lang

5/24/1996-10/11/2011

Forever in my heart

 "What we have once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes a part of us. 

-Helen Keller

Second Half of Iowa...only 2 months late :-)

WOW...it's been over 2 months since my last post and so much has happened, I don't know where to start. Let's started with the second half of my August Iowa Vacation.

 When I left the cabin with my mother, father, and brother, we headed down south-ish to Des Monies to attend the IOWA STATE FAIR. It's the greatest fair in America and if you've never been I highly suggest it. We spend the day eating and wandering all the amazing booths and showing they have their and ended the night watching my cousin, Kelly, compete for the Miss Iowa State Fair Queen. She earned this chance because she won her county fair, and although she did not win Fair Queen, but looked BEAUTIFUL! While in Des Monies, we stayed at my dad's buddy's house and had a great time. 

From Des Monies we head east to Walcott, IA to visit my dad's mother...AKA my grandmother! It was so good to see her and I loved spending a few days with her. One night, our way home from grandma's, we stopped to see my grandfather's grave for the first time, I might add.  No one in my family has seen my grandfather's grave as he past away before my parent's were married!

You could say that my Iowa trip was filled with family, friends, love and happiness. I love being back home in Iowa, but I diffidently do not miss the icy cold winter weather :-)

My Weekend in Iowa

Friday

The day started out assisting my grandfather in cleaning out cabin, as his girlfriend and him were throwing a little party that evening. It wasn't very exciting so my mother and I decided we would head to my aunt's house in Algona. It was actually perfect for me because one of my good friends from college was getting married the next day!!! That night was spent hanging out with my family and meeting up with my lovely friends, who I haven't seen in a year, at a local bar. I almost started crying I was so happy!!!

Saturday
Wedding Day for my lovely friend, Ashley, who I met about 6 years ago through another friend. Her and her husband are perfect for each other and not to mention an adorable couple! I felt so honored to be invited to share their special day with them!!!

Sunday

This day marked the first of many visits to the Cabin for my adorable little nephew, Jacob. The cabin is very important to my family and has been apart our family for almost 40 years, and now we have introduced another generation to this amazing place. The cabin is our home away from home and is the place where we gather as a family for some boating/tubing, eating, jet skiing and mostly just hanging out! Look at how much Jacob loves being here :)

This Sunday also was the first time in YEARS that the majority of our cousin clan (minus Holly, the oldest) was able to gather and capture a photo, or two, with grandpa! Words cannot express how happy I am to have this photo of ALL OF US because with everyone's schedule beginning to get more and more busy, who knows when it will happen again.

Monday/Tuesday
Nothing really exciting to report for these days. We really just hung around the cabin being entertained by mister Jacob, who went in the tube and the lake for the first time. He also got to see his very first train that flies by the cabin and let's just say...not his favorite.

Wasn't a fan of the trains.

Overall, the past few days have been pretty amazing! I can't believe I only have 7 days left in Iowa :(

Sweet Home Iowa

Words cannot express how ecstatic I am to be back home once again in the lovely state of Iowa. It has been over a year since I was here last and since I've seen my Iowa friends and some of my family. Luckily for myself, some of my family  comes to AZ to visit us during the winter; my grandpa, aunt and uncle (own a winter house in AZ) and my two cousins (their parents own the house). I have been so blessed to be able to spend more time with those I love since moving away from my extended family was very difficult for me.

The best part about visiting Iowa this year is the newest addition to my life, well, I guess I should really say two additions; one, My new amazing camera and second, my little nephew's first Iowa cabin experience (though he doesn't get here until Saturday late night, so right now I'm just enjoying using my camera!)

See what I mean...WAY TOO MUCH FUN!

On a sadder note: this will be the second summer my family has spent at the cabin without my wonderfully amazing grandmother, who passed away Sept 2009 from cancer. What she brought to my family is indescribable an unmeasurable. She truly was a gift from god. Not a day goes by that I don't miss her brightening smile and warming hugs and I know she will be with me and my the rest of our lives as our guarding angel. It is a little strange without her here at the cabin, but my family stays in high spirits because deep down we all know that is what my grandmother would want.

If you can't tell, I'm looking forward to the next 12 days! It's packed full with fun-filled activities: a wedding, family cabin craziness, the Iowa State Fair, and much more. Stay tuned!!!

Run, Run As Fast As You Can....

I have many things to catch you up on, as I have not posted since my return from my motorcycle trip. I'll try and be brief :-)

1) Crazy non-runner me...JOINED A RUN CLUB! 

Can you believe it?!? I have never been into running but needed motivation to get back into shape and since Lifetime Fitness has a Run Club (which is free), I decided I'd join. We meet twice a week at 5:30AM (I do live in AZ so it's 100 degrees by 6AM) and run anywhere from 5-7 miles. I have yet to run the entire way as it has only been about three weeks but I can now run 3-4 miles at an 11:30 minute pace. Not bad, if I do say so myself.  Through this club, I also just completed my first 5K of the new and motivated Nicole! I did it in under 36 minutes (my goal) and now have a time to beat! It's funny how all it took were strangers who love to run, to get me to love run. NEVER Ever in a million years did I think I would say..."Hey I want to try and train for a MARATHON." Crazy, huh?

2) Volunteering

I was asked a few months ago to help out with a local therapy place's summer language camp for a few weeks and have to say I'm loving it. I am still able to throw in some speech/language skills of mine without the pressure of being graded. I am not doing full speech/language therapy because I am not certified yet nor is there a certified SLP at the camp, but I do love sharing my knowledge of the field with the certified Occupational Therapist that I am working with; she's the supervisor! I can say that this summer off and doing this volunteering has made me more eager to begin my externship in about a month!

3) I'm a QUARTER of a century old 

Oh my, where did the time go? I cannot believe that I am 25 (as of yesterday) and still have so much to conquer in life. I have accomplished quite a bit in my mere 25 years; graduated high school and college, completed my master's course work, traveled to both Europe and Central America, and found my passion/favorite hobby in life (scrap booking and photography), just to name a few! I am nervous, yet excited, to see where the next 25 years are going to take me. Hell, who knows where this next year is going to take me...since I only have a plan until December (talk about scary).

4) Scrap Booking

Since my return...I have been trying to complete a scrap book for my dad of our journey to show our friends and family (and just because I love doing it). It has been a slow process trying to complete the book just how I want it to look. I have finished about 6 days thus far and only have two weeks to complete the other 8 days (must be finished before my family and I head to Iowa for vaca). Finger's crossed that I can finish it in time. 

5) Babysitting

I have to be the best aunt/sister in the world because I just cannot say no to babysitting my nephew and helping my sister and brother-in-law out. He's 8 months old and just the cutest little bugger EVER. He's a crawling machine but a really easy baby to watch so I don't mind spending my Saturdays and some Sundays watching him. Just look for yourself...

Adorable, right?

Well, I believe that has been my life for the past three weeks. Hope you enjoyed reading and I will see you again next time :-)