Ahoy!

Tonight I am sitting here at my Meme's house alone with my sisters because my amazing grandparents are on a ten day Alaskan Cruise!  How many grandparents do you know that do cool stuff like that?  I only know one...mine!

This week, month and past few months have just been so overwhelmingly stressful for me for some reason.  My anxiety levels are so high due to school and everything.  Although I am stressed, I cant help but realize how blessed I am because I just received a job at Crosby Christian as a Pre-K teacher.  I absolutely love my job.  I have never loved a job as much as I love this.  I leave work and think, man if this is what work is, I cant wait to go back because I love my job! I am super sleepy tonight so I am not going to write much more.  Just wanted to give a quick update into my life.  This week we are having a ton of things going on.  Haleigh's softball team is undefeated and having their closing ceremonies and then Makaela is ending her last year of middle school and is going to be entering high school....can you believe it?!  I know I sure cant.  She is having a band concert this week also.  I'm sure I will blog throughout this week as I am hearing back from my grandparents that are on their cruise!

As for now I am leaving with this quote that I saw today that touched a soft spot for me.

"Comparison is the thief of joy"
-Theodore Roosevelt

Where has the time gone?

It has been so long since I logged onto my blog and actually wrote something. Don't get me wrong, weekly and sometimes even daily I log on and check out my favorite bloggers that I follow. But why.....why have I not taken the time to write in my own blog? I'm not sure, but it is definitely time to change that! The past six months have been filled with ups and downs for sure. But looking back I wouldn't have it any other way. As you know I lost my father May 4th of last year. Seeing that it will be May 4th within the next couple weeks, I feel like my nerves and emotions are just so on edge. Lately there has definately been a handful of stress in my life. But I'm not going to dwell on those things. I, going to think of all the amazing things that are going on in my life right now: 1. I have the best most supporting family in the entire world, they support me in any desicions that I make in life and are always there for a helping hand or just moral support. 2. I am exactly one year away from graduating with my Bachelors Degree in Interdisiplinary Studies EC-6 from UHCL, thinking back on all the struggles that I have had to deal with and mountains that I have had to climb in the past four years to better my future and get the career and life that I want, I am so proud of my accomplishments (I really sound like I'm tooting my own horn, maybe I am a little lol). 3. I am really coming into my own and realizing all the amazing things that are out there in this world and I cannot wait to see what my future holds! I vow to continue writing in my blog because later on in life I would love to just be able to look back and laugh and smile at all ive wrote about.

3 months have passed.

Baby Girl Baptism Cake I made for one of Nicks friends.

Nightmare Before Christmas Birthday Cake for a friend I go to school with.

"It's A girl" babyshower cupcakes.

Birthday Cookies for a two year old "Train themed" birthday party.

Jungle/Giraffe Themed birthday cake.

Wyatt getting kisses from his Great Grandma Rios

Wyatt sitting up playing with his blocks while Aunt Maddie babysat him.

When Wyatt is with me I Aggie him up! GIG EM'

Wyatt with Nana, she loves him!

Wyatt visiting Meme at her office :)

Wyatt and his Uncle Nick watching football and being lazy!

3 month pictures!

6 month pictures!

Wyatt Lee Medrano at almost 6 months, his first Halloween.

Nearly 3 months have passed since my last post. Why did I let that happen? Although it has been three months since I have posted, I have still been involved in the blog world by reading my favorite blogs and saving pictures so I can post about them when I come around too it. This semester to say the least has been miserable for me. I found out that if I don't pass a certain class that my graduation will be postponed by another year. I have yet to take that final (will discuss that in a minute). I also have just had my dad on my heart alot this semester. We went to Arkansas to pick his things up and that was extremely hard. My heart is heavy over the intense feeling of missing him this holiday season. I long for my dad to be here with me and my sisters physically. It is so hard to believe that 7 months have passed by without him being on this earth. I see him every time I look in the mirror or every time I think about marriage, having children or watching my sisters grow up. The pain is never ending but slowly it becomes easier.

Other than that, I have done more crafting this semester than I have ever done in my crafting career. This October I hosted my own booth at the Highlands Jamboree and had a huge array of things that I sold (I will post pictures). Designs By Madison is officially the name of my business and it is growing rapidly. I have so much business this semester and holiday season and am so grateful.

Speaking of being grateful, my nephew Wyatt Lee Medrano will be seven months this December 20Th. He brings so much joy into my life. Although I am not "legally" his aunt yet, I feel like I have this special bond with him and every time I think about his day of birth it makes me cry...literally. He was born May 20Th, just a couple weeks after my dad passed away. With all the sorrow that was going on in my life surrounding loosing my father, watching this precious baby boy being born into the world brought me so much joy and took my mind off of all the pain. Every time I see him he makes me smile, and makes me so grateful for the happiness that he gave me in the hardest time of my life. As he grows, my mind is blown at how much I love that little boy and how I cant wait until he is bigger so I can tell him how much he made the saddest time in my life easier to bear by coming into this word.

Martha Stewart on Steriods?

Hi Guys! (whoever you are!)

This month has been a doosey to say the least! I am Martha Stewart(ed) out! I cannot begin to tell you all of the business I have gotten since I have officially started "Designs By Madison" and made a facebook page! I am swamped with crafts, dresses, bows, mums, etc.... but am I complaining?! NO WAY...this is money that a broke college student needs very much (:

I'm going to show some pictures of the things I have been working on.

Maybe tomorrow I will talk about the other important thing in my life. S C H O O L...blah.

This week's wrap up

Picnic at Taylor Lakes with my sis and Nick :)

My new Vera Bradley Book Bag!

We made slime in my Science methods class today!


Nick's fantasy football cookie cake lol

Chocolate and peanut butter rice crispies!

My sweet hunny :)

Scooter!!!

Precious Baby Wyatt sleeping on his Aunt Maddie!

This week was pretty hectic, but whats new when school starts. I feel absolutely exhausted! :/ but on the bright side ive spent some time with my babygirls and family and also I get to watch sweet baby Wyatt tomorrow! :)

Whirlwind blog post :)

Baby Wyatt with Uncle Nick on Aunt Maddie's Birthday :)

Nick and me on my 21st birthday.



Sweet Jaclyn baking me a birthday cupcake on my 21st birthday (her idea) lol.

3 beautiful teddy bears made out of my daddy's favorite t-shirts for my sisters and me.

My 21st birthday balloon from Nick :)

Well, today since I do not have to be in my next class until 2:30pm I have about 3 hours to kill on the Internet waiting at my school. I wanted to write a post and kind of update everyone on what is going on in every aspect in my life. So here it goes.

This past Tuesday was my twenty first birthday. Yes, I know how exciting right?! Although it brought me a new "grown-up" feeling it also made me open my eyes at how I am an adult and am really in need of building a stronger relationship with Christ. My last post was about a video that I watched on a "letter to Satan" the speaker talked about what are you going to do if your living your life as a sinner, and you die before you ever reach the ripe old age of 25? Then what? Why postpone your relationship with Christ? Is it because you want to have fun? Who said that you cant have fun while your a Christian who is on fire for God? Because I want that. And why wait? Why not start your eternity now?! I have also realized that I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to have a family that made it a priority that I knew about Jesus at the earliest age possible. Looking back at my life I like to wonder what my life would be like without having Jesus in my life and in my families life. Sometimes I think that life is hard...then I think about how much harder it could be if Christ wasn't in the picture. How disparing to think about. And to also know there is millions on this Earth that haven't heard his good news.

Today I found out that my graduation date got pushed back a semester because of a class that sort of went under the radar. This morning when I found out I was in the middle of class and it nearly brought me to tears. Since then my day has just felt horrible, I called my mom and she talked to me about it and told me not to worry because Christ is in control. Since that, it really hasn't bothered me. Although every single morning I pray that God does his will in my life...I still lost touch of that prayer when I realized that MY plan wasn't going to work out...but thinking about it, I pray for this everyday. If this is his will, I am joyful that it is happening. (thanks momma, I love you!)

I am so thankful for family and friends who make things better when I need a good talking too. How thankful I am for people to rely on. Although the truth is, all I have to do is turn to god. His grace will always find me. No matter where I am.

Today is also a day that I have my daddy on my mind alot. Isn't it funny how when you are in his word and relying on God, that he places the right words or comfort in your path. This morning and last night I really had a hard time thinking about dad passing away...I turned on the radio this morning to KSBJ and the first thing they were talking about is how you dont have to worry or be sad about a loved one who passed away because they are in better hands than ever and so on. GOD IS SO GOOD AND HAS PERFECT TIMING! I am so grateful for him putting the right things in front of me to hear or see right when I am in need of them!

Letter to Satan

"Dear Satan, you helped me build up a tower like you did with Nimrod, but I'm tearing it down for my God. By the way I'm cleaning out my Ipod, I'm giving you back all your music. Who are you using now? Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, Tpain, Solja Boy, Beyonce or Game? Every artist's motivation is the same, to take away from the reason that Christ came. See now I'm covered in the blood of the Son and I'm writing you this letter to ensure you that our relationship is done. You just lost one."


PLEASE google or YouTube the video "Letter to Satan" the message is unbelievably touching and heart wrenching. It makes you take a look at your life and really dig deep and realize your true intentions and motives. I am in love with this.

First week of school

This is the first week of school for Fall 2011, and I am absolutely exhausted already! I am going to do some awesome blogging tomorrow because I have a 3 hour break in between classes! Yikes! :)

A week's rundown.

August 14, 2011 - August 20, 2011

This week has sure been a doosey! This is officially my last week as a 20 year old. As I think about aging, it makes me nervous...well that's a post in itself (on my birthday). This past week we got an adorable baby puppy named Scooter, he happens to be one of the all time cutest wiener dog I have ever laid my eyes on in fact. He has a belly that just can't resist to drag on the ground lol. Here is a picture of this tiny thing.

Along with getting a new family member, it was also the week of our churches first annual Kidz Fun Fest, and boy was it a hit with our family. Makaela and Haleigh had a blast and not to mention I also had a wonderful time. We all brought guest's and Haleigh even won a $30 gift card to Walmart because of all the guest's that she brought! How awesome. Makaela was probably dressed up as the cutest clown that I have ever seen. She participated in the whole thing because she is a youth leader for the children's church. Here is a couple pictures of her in her totally awesome clown suit.

(Makaela getting ready at home before the First Annual Kidz Fun Fest)

(Makaela and Jaclyn Verdin at the Kidz Fun Fest)

Man, this blog is really turning into an awesome picture show. I'm not done yet either! I also had a really awesome order for Meghan Thompson for a baby shower. It was firetruck themed for a little boy and it quite possible had the cutest cupcakes in the world, thanks to me. lol.

I have something really special that I want to post tomorrow or the next day. Our friend up in Arkansas made Makaela, Haleigh and me some teddy bears made out of our daddy's favorite t-shirts. They smell like him, and just flood us with memories and we can't get enough. I am so excited to show you guys because I have fell in love with these three bears. What a great thing to have! .......post about them coming soon (including some pictures).

August 15, 2001 (Nick's 22nd Birthday)

(Nick's cookie cake and Aunt Nena's German Chocolate Cake)

Well it's that time of the year again. Birthdays for me and Nick are always fun because our birthdays are only 8 days apart. His Birthday: 8/15/89 and mine: 8/23/90. This year is special because I am turning 21! With his birthday over with and mine on the horizon for next week it just has me thanking God that he has blessed us with another year! Last night at Nick's house we celebrated his birthday and also his Aunt Nena's birthday. And tonight I am taking Nick to the bowling alley and meeting up with about 10 of our closest friends to just have a good time and celebrate his birthday! I made a cookie cake for Nick last night and made Aunt Nena German Chocolate! (both my favorites!) Not to mention I got to spend some good snuggle time with my favorite 4 month old Wyatt Lee Medrano. I love that little boy! We sat up in Nick's room at watched swamp people before the people started showing up for all the birthday festivities!