it's all an adventure that comes with a breathtaking view

 

{a life update}

^ Silver Star. 04.07.2022 ^

  Wow, guys, life is about to get crazy, and I'm excited to be blogging again, so I can take you all with me on this adventure. The adventure of having The Lady B as my SISTER. That's right guys. My darling brother proposed to Brynna and she said yes!! (big shock. lol. jk. we all saw this coming) There is literally nobody else I would want to have as my sister-in-law. Brynna felt like a sister before her and Chancy ever became a thing. And now she's going to marry my brother and move here, and she'll be my sister forever and ever. I am over the moon over this. 

  The week that she was here was so fun. I loved having her near and I loved watching her and Chancy be a couple (behind my blush. I don't know why I blush so easily over them. Something to do with the fact that he's my brother, I guess) We went hiking up "our mountain", and even though the snow drifts freaked me out, I had such a good time. I love being up there. Sometimes I'd almost rather not even hike. Just sit there, look at the view, breathe in mountain air and shout, "Woohoo Mountain Dew!!" on top of my lungs. 

  Oh, and I'm not sure if y'all remember or not, but I played a part in bringing Chancy and Brynna together. Well, I also picked the proposal location *laughs* I'm just over here being their matchmaker xP It's super fun, if I'm honest. I love them both so much and will probably cry an awful lot at the wedding. 

  My family is one of those super weird close families, and we knew Chancy bought the ring, and we even knew exactly when and where he was going to propose. When he showed us the ring that he picked out all on his own, without Brynna even knowing, I nearly cried. Guys. My baby brother is getting married. 

{sneak peak at the engagement pictures. pssttt. the engagement actually happened at this location}

   As you can tell, I am very happy about this joyous event in our lives. But I'd be lying if I said that joy was the only emotion I've been having. And I think that's normal. This is such a huge change. A wonderful change, yes. But even wonderful changes can be hard. I always thought I'd be married by seventeen. Always thought I would've started a family by now. And here I am, twenty-two, and I've never even been asked out. Nothing has happened in that regard. No romance whatsoever has happened in my life. And now I'm watching my brother fall in love with my friend. And though I love it, it also hurts. That's okay, isn't it? These feelings are normal, right?

  Someday it'll be my turn... right?

  Spring is trying it's best to come to the PNW, but guys, we've woken up to snow three times this week, and I am just ready for summer now, thanks. I took the above picture on a very lovely spring day, before we were hit with all this snow and rain. But hey, that's spring for ya. Snow, rain, sunshine, all in the same day. xP But I guess time will start to fly now, and the next thing we know it'll be summer and my baby bro will be a married man. 

  Now that Brynna has gone back home, I am hoping to pick up my reading again. So far this year I am doing great towards my reading goal. I'm excited about that. Currently I am reading Dreams of Savannah by Roseanna M White, but I haven't picked it up in so long. I am also reading through A Bundle Of Letter to Busy Girls, for the third time, lol. My nonfiction for the year. I'm not really a nonfiction reader, but I love that one.

Recently read:

Wonderland Creek by Lynn Austin (4 Stars)

Finding Lady Enderly by Joanna Davidson Politano (5 Stars)

All Manner of Things by Susie Finkbeiner (4.5 Stars)

The Librarian of Boone's Hollow by Kim Vogel Sawyer (2.5 Stars)

A Midnight Dance by Joanna Davidson Politano (5 STARS. THIS BOOK IS AMAZING)

Recently watched:

Magnum PI (we're on season 7)

Spiderman No Way Home (ahhhh this movie)

Recently listened:

Birthday Cake by Dylan Conrique 

Take Her Off Your Hands by Midland 

Miami, My Amy by Keith Whitley 

Give Me His Last Chance by Lionel Cartwright

Wyoming by Skip Ewing

Love Me as I Am by for king + country

Made Up Story by Andi

5.25.2021

     Wow, it's been a while! When was even the last time I did a life update? Last October!? Crazy. Not that it really matters, since I don't actually think people read this blog anymore. (haha) But, it's been a while and I thought it was about time for a quick little life update. For me to read later, even if nobody else reads it. Also, I put on Instagram (@walkinginthesonshine) a poll, asking if I should do a moments post about my recent trip on there or on here, as I've done in the past. And on the blog won! So I guess, soooomeee people still read this! 

     So, yeah. I recently went on a trip! I will be doing a "moments" post on here soon-ish, ok? But till then, this is just another life update. One where I go on rabbit trails about random things that happened in my life. (haha) 

     Well.

     I cut ten and a half inches off my hair! You probably can't even tell, because it's been so long since I've posted, you probably didn't even know it had grown that long. I decided in the beginning of 2020 that I would try grow my hair as long as possible and see how I feel about that before deciding if I wanted to cut it. So, for over a year I didn't cut it, besides a few teeny-tiny trims because my hair actually grows uneven (one side grows faster than the other). And long before deciding to grow it out I had decided to cut out heat tools completely. So heat didn't touch my hair for over two years! (I have now given in and used it in "emergencies", though each time I do I am reminded why I cut it out - I hate the way it makes my hair feel) But, after a year, my hair had grown a lot, but not as healthy I had wanted. The ends were so bad nobody even knew my hair had grown that long! I started keeping my hair up most days because it kinda drove me crazy. I would've cut it sooner, but my dear friend and cousin, Kirsten (please tell me you remember her!!) was getting married in April and I was standing. The hairstyle I picked for the wedding needed long hair. But, we were back from Montana only a daaayyy when I went and chopped it!! I loooove it! Though, sometimes I forget how bad the ends were when looking at pics and my heart kinda goes "awwww" when I see my long hair (xP) Cutting it isn't the only thing I've done to my hair recently! My aunt put some blonde into it, and, wow, I hope this giddy feeling I get whenever I see the blonde bits never goes away! (haha)

     Montana. Kirsten got married!! LaKaysha and I both stood in the wedding, along with another cousin. And Janeya was the photographer, so the weekend was an enjoyable one of running wedding errands with our friends we hadn't seen in too long! Also, the house my parents rented for us to stay in in Montana was a-dor-able! I loooved it so much I alost just wanted to hang out there the entire time! (xP) But there was no time for that. It was a buuusyyyy weekend. Let. Me. Tell. You. But in the end the wedding all came together, and Kirsten is now Mrs. Dan Goodrick! And after the wedding we got to hang out with family at Auntie A and Uncle T's rental house. That was soooo nice, even though I was dead tired and extremely burnt from the outdoor weddding. Get this: they planned for a winter wedding and we all got BURNT (bahahahaha)

(I didn't get any pictures on the wedding day, so I stole these from... my mom?? Liberty?? I don't know *laughs*

     We were only back from our Montana trip two or three days when LaKaysha and I did a crazy thing: we booked tickets to New Hampshire! Felicity and Josiah were going, and we decided to last minute get tickets on the same flights. And it felt like the craziest thing I've ever done. Especially since I'm used to a month or two to prepare for a NH trip. We booked the tickets and were at Grandpa and Grandma's house only three weeks later. I was not prepared, and more than a little scared with all the rules for flying these days. More than once I questioned why we were even going. Flying 3,000 miles, just for the two friends we have there. But you know what? I'd consider it my favorite trip there. It was just so blessed. So relaxing. And so amazing. But enough about that, gotta save stuff to tell you in the "moments" post (*winks*)

     Another big thing in my life: I'm an auntie again!! Little one is due in December, and I just can't wait to see sweet little Kate be a big sister!  For some reason I keep thinking this baby is a boy. (hehe)

     This weekend is Memorial Day Weekend, and LaKaysha and I are once again being crazy - we're going to the Campout! Only for one night, but hey, it's still crazy because nobody we know will be camping. Nobody we know our ages is even going! Liberty is coming with us, and it will be her first time since being a kid, so it'll be fun to show her what it's like. Also, I will be driving us for the first time, so that should be an adventure. 

     As far as work, I'm still cleaning houses with LaKaysha, though we just lost two clients. That's been a blow - especially coming after a two week vacation. But I guess God knows what He's doing. Still driving "Lassie", and he's been amazing. Despite quite a few nails in his tires. (where are those even coming from!?) If you're wondering how much I love my car, just ask my NH cousins - I think I made it clear that I missed my car while on vacation (bahahaha)

     Oh, if you couldn't tell from the cover picture, I have a longboard, and have been trying to master that. It was sent to me by a friend, and this same friend took me and LaKaysha longboarding while we were in NH. I haven't taken it out much since getting home, but I would like to. I'm just not sure of anywhere to take it. Not many paved paths around here that I know of. 

     Still listening to music 24/7. Still enjoying tv shows with the siblings. Also been reading a lot more in the past couple years. (I think I've ruined my eyes). I've been thinking that I should pick up some of my old hobbies again (crocheting? knitting? piano?). Or maybe learn a new one (guitar? longboard?). I've been realizing lately that I do nothing for fun. I work. I read. I go to church. I sleep. That's it. I've been hating the "what do you do for fun?" question because I don't have an answer. So, that's why I'm thinking about doing hobbies more often. Have any other ideas? 

And well, I guess that's about all I've got to update you about for now! 

Hope your year has been going great!

reintroducing myself

Well, I feel like it's been so long since I've been on here. (ten months, guys. ten. months. *mind blown*) So I decided that maybe  I should re-introduce myself to y'all. I am sorry if this post is just a bunch of randomness that you either already know or don't care about. Also, if there is something you'd like to know about me that I don't tell you in this post, don't be afraid to ask me in the comments below!

boston, 2019. pc: cousin Janeya

Hello. My name is Daminika. I was born in October of '99. So, come this fall, I will be twenty. Twenty. . . *blinkblink* a n y w a y.
I live in a small town somewhere along the West Coast of the United States of America. I would rather not say where on the West Coast, so if you do know, please try not to mention it. I know that by the pictures I post and the places I mention it is pretty easy for people to figure it out, but I'd rather not say it outright. (I hope you understand) I have always lived here. My dream has always been to never leave this beautiful place. But we'll see what God has in store.

I have three sisters. Felicity. LaKaysha. and Liberty.
I have one brother. Chancy.
My parents are amazing. Just so y'all know. *winks*

LaKaysha has always been my best friend. She probably always will be. But I do have other friends who I love very much. Most of them are also my cousins . . . who am I kidding? All of them are my cousins! *laughs*

When I was seven years old I lost my Grandma to cancer. I still miss her. I miss the memories I don't have. I miss her smiles. I miss her hugs. I miss her laugh. I miss her wisdom.
I miss her.

I have a large extended family. Aunts. Uncles. Cousins. The works.
So yes, I've done a few posts about my cousins in the past. And I want you to know that I still love them just as much as I ever have. Even though some of them have moved on in life and rarely seem to have time for their younger (or older) cousin, Daminika. But that's ok. Things change. But my feelings for these cousins never will.  Know that.

A lot of little things bring me joy. Something as simple as a thoughtful note received in the mail. or even just a smile across the room can make my day. A few lucky people even get to see me squeal about little things. like fireflies. bubbles. turtles. stickers. stars. I say "lucky people" because I will only act this way if I am completely and totally comfortable with the people I'm with. And I don't feel that way around many people.
Tell you what. If you want to see the silly-school-girl side of me, take me to the Zoo or the Fair. I can almost guarantee I will act foolish *winks* (random fact #1)

I talk too much. but once again - only if I am completely comfortable with you. (random fact #2)

I not only clean houses for a living but I also homeschool. Not many people know that about me. I help homeschool a couple kids. I really enjoy this part of my job. Though I haven't started teaching yet this school year.

I have been keeping a diary for almost 11 years now. (random fact #3)

I like the Zoo. I like the Fair. I like the Rodeo. I like Tuff Trucks. oh. and I like Disneyland. (random fact #4)

Never ever, ever, ever ask me who my favorite singer is. unless you're willing to sit there for hours while I give you a list a mile long. Shall I name a few? (jk. i won't do that to you)

I actually enjoy flying. I hate security. But everything once you're through that. Yup. I enjoy the airport just as much as I enjoy looking out the window while up in the air. And I even enjoy take off. Not many people I know share this enjoyment with me. Except my Grandpa. He's such a cool guy *winks* (random fact #5)

There are three famous people who I consider family and if you don't share my love for them... well don't get started *winks* (random fact #6) who are they, you ask? Well, I'm curious if any of you can guess. So I'll let that be. Comment your guesses below and I'll let you know who gets them right. *smiles* (hint: one made movies. one wrote books. and one sang songs)

I really, really, really, really, really, really, really like coffee. Like. really. I like it hot. I like it iced. I like it blended. I like mochas (both white and dark). I like latte's. I like frappuccinos. But I also like tea (iced or hot). and smoothies. and Italian Sodas. So yeah, this causes problems when I pull up to a coffee shop. *laughs* (random fact #7)

Almost all my nicknames mean small. Peanut. Small Fry. Smidgen. *shakes head* guess I just take up a small space in the hearts of people. *winks* (random fact #8)

I'm a Disney snob. Sorry. But it's true. These live-action remakes they've been doing? nope. *wrinkles nose* (random fact #9)

And that reminds me! I wrinkle my nose a lot. (random fact #10) Not only when I'm not happy with something. but also when really, truly happy. If I'm so happy I might burst, I will wrinkle my nose when I smile. (note the above picture). This is something I used to be insecure about and so would try my best not to do it. But I finally told myself that "this is me". I wrinkle my nose when I'm happy. Nothing to be embarrassed about. If people don't like it... well then they don't like me. and who needs those kind of people? *winks*

So!

Now that you know a little bit about me. Tell me about YOU! Also, don't forget to guess those famous people *winks*

p.s. I have a tag coming soon!

Photo Dump || December 2017

The very last photo dump of 2017. Crazy how time flies.
But, I feel I should warn y'all. This photo dump is the biggest I've ever done! 120 pictures!
Sorry if that scares most of you away. For those of you who are brave enough to stick around...

P H O T O    D U M P   O F   D E C E M B E R:

 went to the local Christmas tree lighting for the first time. It was collllllddddd. (kinda like this office is right now.. *shivers*) 

 the camel was in line to get coffee from Arrowhead when we first rolled into town. *laughs* 

 I was sick and couldn't eat any of the goodies they had there, but I brought my own tea. *smiles*

AND THERE SHE IS *GRINS* 

 I've done a lot of coloring this month... *winks and sticks out tongue* 

 went out to lunch and Christmas shopping with Felicity and LaKaysha. Such fun sister moments. <3 

 FOOOOOOODDDDDD

 puzzle *grins* 

 my adorable grandpa *grins* <33333333333

 hunting for a Christmas tree! 

 after getting our tree, we headed to the local fort for a Christmas Event. <3 

 and after the fort, we went ate supper at Shari's. family time <3 

the "big town" is so pretty at Christmas time. 

 we then went home and decorated our tree <3 

 and I made this wreath. *grins* 

 peppermint ice cream <3333333333333

 "Father Knows Best" 

 when you accidentally twin with Auntie "Bobby" *laughs* 

 more Christmas shopping with the sisters. 

 and my very first time having Chick-fil-A! YUMMMMMM

 More food. *winks* 

 randomly visiting the aunts, drinking hot chocolate, and playing Trivial Pursuit. <3 

 hot chocolate. this actually might have been coffee with hot chocolate mix in it... I don't remember *winks* 

 puzzle. again. *winks* 

 ridin' around with LaKaysha. *winks* 

 with the sis. At The Warnke Family Christmas *grins* 

 me, Emily, and Auntie "Bobby". 

 <33333333333333333333333

 Grandpa reading the Christmas story <3 

 us girlies. *grins* 

 us "young kids" 

 boys. *winks* 

 dessert time! 

 came home to the beautiful Christmas tree after a wonderful day with family *grins* 

 peppermint mocha <3

 wandering around Grandpa's shop, looking for Grandma's dishes. (for the bridal table at the wedding.) we looked and looked. And finally I had to run down to the house and tell Grandpa we couldn't find them anywhere! He came out (he's adorable, btw). And we still couldn't find them. So we left. Then Grandpa found them! In the garage. So we turned around. *winks* 
I love my grandpa so much <333333

 LaKaysha, looking at the old pickup. 

 MY ADORABLE BROTHER WITH HIS ADORABLE PICKUP THAT HE JUST BOUGHT.

 morning coffee *winks* 

 our cozy living room <3

 more food. *winks and sticks out tongue*  

 *more pics of our trip to the mountains* 

 way too cute, btw. <3 

 the muddy parking lot - thanks to some young bucks. *winks* 

 woke up one morning and this baby was in my bed. babysitting early in the morning means morning snuggles. *winks* 

LOOOOOOOOOKKKKKK!!!!!! It snowed on Christmas Eve!!!!! ( and it's still white out there) 

 "It's a Wonderful Life" with the fam. *grins* 

 Christmas treats. <3 

 fluffy goats. *hugs them* 

 *yes, I changed my boots* haha 

 who needs shoes? *laughs* 

 Christmas Eve dinner <3

 *fuzzy* Christmas Eve snacks! 

 CHRISTMAS DAY! (got this sketch book and pen in my stocking) 

 *all the love for Thomas Kinkade and Disney* 

 me on Christmas Day *smiles* 

 the empty tree 

 when you and your sister get each other the same CD. *laughs* now we have one for the bedroom and one for "Willie" (the Escape that we share *winks*) 

 (finished this puzzle today, btw) 

 Theodore <3 

 Simon <3 

Phew! *wipes forehead* That was a lot!

Hope you enjoyed!!!

How was your December?? 
Have snow?