AwardAwardAward

I'm super excited to share the Liebster Award!! I was awarded by Vibrantly Victoria, she stumbled to my blog and loved it! Go check hers out!! She is a texan gal who blogs about fun everyday life and her weight loss journey as well (which is inspiring) Heres how this award goes....

Liebster in German means dearest, beloved, or favorite, and it is for bloggers with under 200 followers.

The rules are: 

1. Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog.

2. Link back to the blogger who awarded you.

3. Copy & paste the blog award on your blog.

4. Reveal your 5 blog picks.

5. Let them know you chose them by leaving a comment on their blog

 

I honestly don't have 5 blogs I'm following with under 200 I don't think!! So I'm just awarding some of my fave reads. I tune in at least twice a week to catch up on blogs and end up getting some good ideas, cute new styles, an eye opening spiritual reading, and almost always a good laugh.

 

Megan from Skyhigh heels & sweatpants - seriously go check this glitzy country girl as shes living every girls dream working in an amazing bridal shop, enduring a long distance relationship, and if you have a dog you consider your child you will love her "little boy"

 

Adventure of newlyweds.- I just recently started following her and they live such a fun and exciting life!! Her husband is a traveling PT and she shares their new adventures not only as newlyweds, but as newlywends in new aspects of the country. They are both very spiritually driven and it is nice to read how God plays a big role in their relationship!!

 

Thats all I'm awarding right now because I've ran out of time and have to head to work!! Spread the love

Monday makeover linkup

Today I'm linking up with Katie from Katie Lately for Makeover Monday! This is my first linkup so bear with me I'm learning. The topic is hair.... by far my fave!! I have super super thing hair... no its not falling out I have a full head of thin hair (thanks mom and gma) so I have a wide variety of awesome products I use.
I am a ok with my thin hair it takes no time at all to have smooth flat hair or crazy curly hair!! But I do spend quite a big on hairspray. thank god for hairspray. I use Tresemme to finish any style. it. it. amazing. still leave it bouncy and pretty. now if I'm going out for the night and need the hair to stay (updo) I use Paul Mitchel extra body (its like a freeze spray) and believe me... you can plan on wearing this hairstyle for a few days... (please shower in these 3 days)

I carry a travel size in my purse as well

I truly believe god made this for me

So having thin hair isn't all bad I can always do crazy things and have been asked a few times if I'm a hairstylist..... I take that as a compliment.

tonight didn't turn out as expected.

So... surely I'm not the only one who does this? I get all excited because I'm off today, dishes done, laundry... caught up, house clean, dinner made. yay me for being "housewife" today. I made yummy cube steak in the crockpot today with a recipe I found on pinterest. Steak and sweet honey carrots :) can I hear a yummm! So I'm excited in my mind.... hubby will come home, give me a huge hug, compliment me on how clean the house is and how yummy dinner smells, we will eat, clean up, cuddle and watch american idol.... REALITY CHECK! hubs comes home. goes to the bathroom for 45 minutes, 2 of his friends show up, we eat, and they watch hockey while I clean up and decide to update my poor lonely blog..... seriously I need to stop getting my hopes up on perfect nights. grrr. but whatever, as soon as I can kick these boys out (after the game) then our time for american idol and cuddling will come.
Another thought on my mind.... I'm sitting on the loveseat that never gets used so its still firm and hard while the couch is getting the nice and worn in feeling to it...... we need to start sitting on the loveseat more. The reason for the "not worn in" feel is because from the loveseat you can't see the TV. thats right...  if we can't see the tv from it we ain't sittin on it haha.... sad but true don't judge.
So how about american idol...? honestly this is the first time I've had time to get into it so this is my american idol 1. I'm super excited and i'm a huge stephen tyler fan. (& hes hott) but thats me, I do love them long haired boys.... noones better looking that my long haired drummer tho ;) Anywho back to american idol.... I cannot imagine going on that show unless I looked like beyonce and sung like adelle.... for real noway. ehh I'ld take looking like adelle to shes gorgeous but thats besides the point. noway would i stand in line for 6 hours to sing and be ridiculed by (gorgeous) stephen tyler. I too would cry. But I'm excited to have something that both Devin and I can get into......
Until next time
xoxox des

Welcome 2012

Wow we are 3/4 of the way through January! I cannot believe this is the year of the world ending... haha.... but really. I will do a "rewind" of my amazing year of 2011. My resolution this year? not losing weight anymore (that is a bad thought to start the year on) instead i will be healthier in my food decisions and workout routine. I will be the best wife, sister, daughter, friend I can be. I will spend more time embracing my creative side... because that is what keeps my head above water sometimes and keeps a smile on my face. I will save, save, save because I'm in need of a fireplace and a fenced in backyard! well not in NEED but in very much want! This year I will have a new niece or nephew, will experience my first anniversary as a married couple, go to florida for the first time, and have the freedom of having random vacations whenever we please. I plan on embracing this year as husband and wife with just our togetherness because who knows when babies will be coming :)   
    So on this night, after having family over for fried chicken, dancing crazy with my niece (which I believe was caught on tape) and having good company of my mom and siblings.... I am now relaxing and recapping my 2011.

January: Started my last semester of nursing school... scared to death and doing clinicals in Evansville. Went ice skating for the first time. Not to exciting just lots of studying... and wedding planning.

Feb: My 22nd birthday... really how fast did 21 fly by? Had a great time out with friends. Threw my sister's baby shower (and did a mighty find job if I say so myself) Met and said goodbye to baby Chance shed many tears and had many conversations with god.  Had a huge ice storm and was stuck in the house for a few days (i was a ok with that)  And I made the first of many wedding centerpieces. Devin was accepted onto the fire department.... so begins his obsession :) which I'm ok with.

March: My niece Macey is 3.... sad day for me . omg. shes 3. my baby. Devin's parents introduced us to Blue crocodiles and Niemurg's...mmmm for real. And I interviewed at St. Anthony's hospital in Effingham for 2 RN positions... starting to get real.

April: The most perfect baby was born and named Iyla :) My sister (after many hours of labor) had to have a C-section. with this experience Alisha and I actually became friends and she seeked my advice for numerous things at this time :) some girls from school and I held a bone marrow drive because a friend of ours was diagnosed with Leukemia... it was a success! Had my last conference of nursing school. One of my best friends bachelorette party in St. Louis.... we brought fun to the streets I'm pretty sure (or I was too drunk to remember) don't judge me. I went to a sugarland concert and met little bigtown (I may or may not have been a crazy obsessed fan and overpaid for a record to have signed by them) We went to our annual Blues Game with Josh, Stevi, Kaci, and Rory. I was offered an RN position on surgical care at St. Anthony's.... time to put big girl panties on!!! I accepted! now to survive the next month.

May: Grandma came home for my graudation from nursing school! biggest accomplishment of my life!! Took alisha and mom out to mexican for Alisha's first mothers day (got mom drunk off margaritas=success) Went and saw Becca and Abra at their senior prom. Spent some much needed time with Devin and our family from the time lost the past 2 years of nursing school..... and I relaxed (alot)

June: Watched motley crue for the third time... it gets better and more kick ass every year. I started training at St. Anthony's (it will be a good 6 months before I start to feel comfortable as a nurse) Went hiking and hung out with Kyle and Erica and Rend Lake and picked them up after a nonsuccessful 50 mile bike ride (good laughs)

July: Pretty noneventful. house hunting, house buying failed. spirits down but oh well everything happens for a reason. Enjoyed summer days in the pool with my mom. Went to a few cardinals games. Celebrated Curtis' 21st birthday at the lake. Lots of landscaping (stress reliever)

August: Wedding. Wedding. Wedding.

September: Wedding, Family, Wedding, Stress. Tears, Love. Bridal shower. Much needed roadtrip with Devin. Bachelorette Party at the winery, back to Erica's, had a fun time getting ready and prepped and then hit the bar to watch Hairbanger's (80s cover band so of course my fave!) Lots of family flying in from everywhere.... stress. and still in complete disbelief we are getting married!!!

October: Wedding time!!! wife mode!!! don't want to leave the house mode!!! found a new job... quit my old one. day 1 on new job realized I made a mistake. back to "old" job. I still laugh at myself. Went to cards game 5 of the NCLS!! CARDS WIN!!! October was a blurr.... a wonderful blurr. We find a house, and absolutely perfect house, we offer, start having doubts, offer accepted, waiting game......

November: Moved into our house!! It is absolutely perfect!! couldn't be any happier.... begin embracing my creative side again.... decorating!!! November was filled with lots of painting and spending lots of money.... welcome to being a home owner I suppose :) I discover that I actually enjoy cooking..... and working.... and being married.

December: Finish first semester of my bachelor's in nursing (am I really doing this) enjoyed our first Christmas in our new home and made a fantastic dinner for our family at our house.

It still seems surreal that it is 2012. I hope this year is just as amazing as 2011.

motivation time.

I am entirely addicted to pinterest and a friend of mine just recently got engaged....so of course I am searching pinterest for wedding ideas for this beautiful sophisticated yet country chic wedding... ya i'm just as excited as the bride to be!!! We had a wonderful lunch talking about planning and ideas, and I (of course) shed some tears. I get teary eyed even thinking about my wedding day and knowing she will soon be going through that exact same moment!!! I'm beyond thrilled for her and derek, both super sweet people who will have a beautiful life together. But my point being is I was playing on pinterest and found a neat little motivation pin and ugh I could die when I saw it! Its brilliant!!! let me post a few of my faves....
1. Marry the right person, this will decide 90% of your happiness.
2. Work at something you enjoy and it worthy of your talent and time.
3. Give people more than they expect! I love this I am a ridic overachiever and this fit me perfect!!!
4. Have a grateful heart.  this is something my hubby and I are working on... we need to sit back and see what all we are thankful for
5. Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know....... ahhhh i love this!!! I'm so enthusiastic about everything... some find it annoying I find it wonderful!
6. Don't do anything that wouldnt make your momma proud :)
7. Be bold. Be courageous. Be loyal.
                       I just loved this little diddy. I can't belive Christmas is sunday! wowee... I still need to buy for my brother, dad, and sisters boyfriend....geeesh I hate shopping for boys. like for real?!? what do you get them? Devin is easy to buy for, sports stuff, tools, or clothes that I like....haha. But wish me luck on this one, I hope to finish in the next couple days.... ya know bc christmas is in 6 days?
            Btw I'm not going to lie, this is my lazy day and I'm watching drake and josh. who doesn't like nick? :) In my defense it is drake and josh christmas special lol. enjoy your beautiful rainy cold monday.... I will too enjoy mine.
Destiny

The good wife.

I have been working 12s here lately and it is amazing! Serisouly its not much fun working half the day for 3 days but that means i get four days off!!! And while Devin is at work I have been loving being able to cook, clean, shop, paint my nails... haha for real how nice is it to just know you have all day to do things you want!? And I've been loving being able to cook a yummy dinner in my new beautiful kitchen for the hubby :) i'm sure a few years from now I will look back and be like omg what was I thinking.... but for now I love it!!! Tonight I'm making poor man's steak mmmm.... and oh so easy!!! hamburger patties, veggies, throw in pan and cook. Hooray for me being able to drink a couple glasses of wine while waiting for dinner to cook!
      Another wonderful thing is that Fall semester is over!! I finished with 1 point under and A.... go figure, but its over!!! I still really need to decide what i want to do when I grow up.... I basically want to be a mom, wife, and crafter..... but this thing called bills has me also working as a nurse lol. Which I also love but it takes a lot of time away from my family, and I know when we have kids I will hhaaaatteee it :(  Speaking of babies!!!!!..... some friends of ours came over with their cutie pattotie 1 1/2 year old who devin and i both adore!!! she opened her christmas gift from us and we just play and love on her everytime we see her...... seeing Devin playing with a baby :D swoon! And she had on this super cute pink fleece nike sweater....ahhh I don't know if I want it for my kids one day or to stretch out for myself :) hehe.
         Thus far Christmas tree is up, lights are up outside, gifts are wrapped and christmas is around the corner. I'm so excited to give Devin his gifts this year..... which I will blog about someother time.
          Right now I am addicted and loving pinterest. wow is all I can say, I need to learn to link up and all that computer jargin! until next time
stay classy, des

Happy Holidays from The Dannells!

The last day of classes for fall

My best friend and I baking Christmas cookies!

Devin's fire department christmas party.... fun had by all.

Happy Holidays!!

Our first thanksgiving as Mr and Mrs :)

My brother is always doing stupid thigs with me :)

Our first tree in our new home and my goofy niece

I can't believe Thanksgiving has come and gone already!! I hope everyone's was as fantastic as mine, anytime my family is all together I feel so blessed!!! Sooo.... now its onto Christmas!!! Christmas use to not be my favorite holiday but I'm pretty sure now that I'm married and have a little family of my own it is now one of my top faves! I have my own beautiful house to decorate...( which btw I wish I had an unlimited fund saved up for this matter) But thus far my christmas decor is minimal...but after the holidays when things are on sale ITS ON!!  Today some friends and I went on a Christmas tour which goes around to beautiful houses in clay county and we go through and look at all their christmas decorations......guh it was amazing!! We also made a pitstop and bought some mighty fine aprons to wear when we cook christmas cookies this friday :) pictures to come!!!
On a side note the hubby (hehe still so weird saying) had his wisdom teeth removed last friday :(  My poor baby... but I can't pass up an opportunity to spoil my husband to pieces :D So of course I've been making homemade soup and lots of mashed potatoes.... I say I've rather enjoyed us lounging in pjs all day watching christmas movies and eating pureed food :) haha my guilty pleasure lol.
Until next time....which hopefully is soon
Des!