3 Years ago...

Tonight is the anniversary of the worst night of my life. There is not a lot of things that i remember but there are bits and pieces that i will never forget.

The Saturday night started off pretty normal. My best friend Leanna, her boy friend and I were going out like we did every weekend. It was my night to drive but my car started acting funny so we decided to let Leanna drive. This night we wanted to visit our friends in West Seattle. Before we went out we stop at my brothers house and hung out with him and his roommate for a couple hours. We tried to talk them into going out with us but the declined. Still wanting to hang out they told us to come back after.

So we headed out. I remember getting a call from my older sister. It was the first night she has been out since having her son. She was telling me how they are at Cow Girls and having a blast and how she cant wait until I'm 21 so we can go out together. It was getting late fast so we decide to leave so we still had time to go back to my brothers house.

When we would go out we would always stop at McDonalds before going home. This night Leanna asked me if i wanted to stop and I told her my throat was a bit sore so I passed. She said she would spot me but i still said "No." That was the last thing I remember.

On the intersection of 1st ave and 160th in Burien at about 1:30AM on November 10, 2007 I was hit by a drunk driver.

I dont remember the actual crash. Im glad that i dont. I was told that we were hit by a Ford Explorer and as you can see it was on the passenger door right where i was sitting. Leanna told me she looked over at me after we were hit to see my hand in my lap, my head hanging down, blood pouring from my head, and i was unconscious. She said she thought I was dead.

The fire department had to use the jaws of life to get my door open and put me on a stretcher. This is the point that I started to wake up and remember somethings. Its still a bit foggy and i dont think it will every really come back. I remember feeling the cold air and a rain drops falling on my face. I was very confused. I had no clue what was going on. I felt like i was going to fall off the stretcher when they were putting me in the ambulance. Thats when I kind of realized something was wrong.

The EMT's told me i had been in an accident. I think i was already crying before they told me what was going on but it could have been after when i realized i was hurt. They asked what on my body hurt. I franticly told them my face felt like it was burning. I went to touch the right side of my face but a guy took my hand and told me not to touch. I then told them that my back was hurting. When they asked me where but when i tried to show them they told me not to move. I then realized that i was in a lot of pain and i just started bawling. One of the EMT's took my hand and held it the hole way and kept telling me it was going to be ok.

They took me to Harborview. When i got to the hospital they asked me if there was someone that they could call. Of course i gave them my Mom's number. I remember them moving my from the stretcher that i came in on, to another one to bring to to x-ray and Oh my gosh did that hurt. When i back from x-ray they told me that my pelvis was broken. I asked them if i was going to be able to walk and they told me no. I started freaking out. Then they told me my mom was on the phone

She had no idea what was going on because the nurses couldnt tell her because i was over 18. I tried to explain what had happened. She said she would be there right away with my blankie. This is when thing started to get better.

They pulled all the glass out of my face (this is what made my face feel like it was burning). The plastic surgeon came and out 13 stitches in my face.

After being moved for more x-rays, cat scans, and MRI's each time i would scream in pain, they confirmed that my pelvis was broken in 3 places, i had 2 lacerations on my liver, a sprained ankle, and a lot of bruised bones. They put my leg in 15lb of traction which means they basicly hammered a metal rod through my knee and hooked that to a 15lb weight that was hooked to the end of my bed.

It looks painful but once i got that things started to fell much better. I was still i a lot of pain but i could at least try to get some rest.

I remember thinking "thank god there wasnt anyone else with us and that none of my other friends were hurt as bad as i was.

I had a lot of support both in the hospital and out. Every day my room was full of supporters. I remember my Grandma coming to visit me while i was still in the ICU. At the time she was going through chemo for breast cancer and was loosing her hair. She had a wig that she would wear sometimes. She had it on when she came to see me and i remember telling her she looked so good. Everyone started laughing . Jon, my brother, stayed with me every night a would push my Morphine button every 9 minutes so i wouldnt be in pain so i could get some rest. My mom was there every day, even took time off work. She would notice when i would be clicking my pain med button multiple times in a row and would get the nurse to up my dose. My sister washed my hair in a bowl to get the blood off. She bought me bigger underwear so they would fit on my swollen body. There were people that came an saw me in the hospital that i never thought would. i got phone call, cards, flowers, myspace comments and messages from friends, relatives, co worker, and people a barley knew.

3 days after being in the hospital they told me i would need surgery on my pelvis. They put a titanium screw the size of a Sharpy through my pelvis to realign everything.

I think with all the support and prayers that i received i was able to recover quicker. I always kept my spirits high and try to stay positive.

Drinking and driving is no joke. I was one of the lucky ones. Leannas car had side air bags. thats what saved my life. If it wasnt for my car acting funny we would have been in my car, with no side air bags, Leanna would have been in the passenger seat and none of use would have survived. But there are others that arnt so lucky. There are people that cant ever walk again, or they are mentaly disabled, or dead because someone chose to get behind the wheel of a car after they had been drinking.

Save a life. Dont drink and drive.

Xoxo,

Amanda

My Best Friend Says I'm a Hippy

I dont have the best carbon foot print. I drive everyday, i use things with plastic all the time, and i dont recycle on the regular. However i do like the idea of being green. Thats why i like to buy Lush products. Lush is a bath store that carries bubble bath, soaps, bath fizzies, shampoo, lotions, and may other relaxing things. They are a very green company that is big on recycling and reducing waste. They use fresh ingredients, make their products by hand, use little to no packaging, and they dont test on animals. They started in the company in 2002 and are now all over the world. Heres a video on their environmental policy:

I havent found a product that i dont like. I love the bubble bars. I would say they are my favorite. They are a bit pricy but most of the products can be broken up for multiple use. Just store them in a dry area in your home (like in your bedroom not in the bathroom. Beacuse there isnt a lot of things that have packaging it saves a lot of space.

It defiantly is worth every penny and i recommend it to everyone. even people with sensitive skin.

Swept away

it is possible to be washed away in emotion, but the wave wont last forever. it cant - nor is it meant to - but if two people are right for eachother, a truer kind of love can last in its wake. - nicolas sparks

Retail Therapy

Did some shopping for myself today. Check it out!!

We got this propane gas Grill at Rite-Aid. 50% off so it was only 20 bucks. Great for camping or just a quick grilled dinner when we dont want to wait for the charcoal to heat up.

Stopped at Boarders and found this book. This is the 5th book in a series that i have been reading since i was in like high school. The series is about these wing kids that escaped and are now trying to save the world. The 2 oldest girl and boy fall in love. From reading the inside cover it seems like something happends to Fang (the boy lover bird kid) and another guys come into the picture. Can you saw love triangle!!

I also go the House of Night Series. Being a Twilight fan im hoping to like these books. A few people i know that liked Twilight also recommend these books. I have no clue what they are about except that they are about Vampires.

Im hoping that its like Twilight in the aspect of the Vampires are just a character and the books its not about the vampire legend.

Aeropostle is having a sale on their jeans. Buy one get one free. One pair is a Skinny fit and the older is an ultra skinny fit. They are both the same wash because i didnt like the other washes. I didnt try them on because i had the baby so i hope they look ok and they fit. If not i will just take them back.

I live that i have a Delias in my Mall and that i dont have to order out of the catalog. This brown hooded sweater is perfect for fall. with a belt or alone dressed up or down. works for eny occasion.

i love this short sleeved sweater for Wet Seal. its really soft and can go over anything. The buttons add a cute detail.

I also got this shit at Wet Seal. It was 16.99 but when i got the check out it rang up $5.00!! what a deal. Its blue and white striped one shoulder. This is going to be cute with my red flats from target. Kind of a modern nautical theme.

MY engagment and promise ring at a bit too small since my hands were so swollen durning the pregnancy. They are going down and i can get them over my knuckle but they are very tight and i dont want to risk it. I was getting tired of people giving my dirty looks for not having a ring on. Also when i say im engaged people look at my finger and i can tell that they are wonder were my ring is. So i got this chain so i never have to take them off.

Last thing i got were these scarves. White with gold, green, blue, and turquoise. just like most of the other pieces that i got these are so versatile. over a plain tee to add some color. or during the winter with a pea coat. The scarf doesnt even have to match your clothes if they are hidden under your jacket. Most Pea coats are a plain neutral color like black or brown so adding a bright color like ones of these adds a nice pop.

Its was a great way to spend a rainy day. Not to many people at the mall on a rainy tuesday afternoon.

Things Im Loving Right Now

O.P.I DRIP DRY

Just one or two drops on each nail after painting and about 5-10 minutes later your nails are dry enough to put your hands in your purse to look for you keys. Its a bit on the pricey side but a Holy Grail must have in my nail product collection.

MAYBELLINE DREAM MATTE POWDER AND SIGMA KABUKI BRUSH

This pressed powder is the best powder I have ever used. It truly does leave my face matte all day. If I come home after work and decide that I want to go out i may have to reapply or if its really hot that day, but dont have to keep caking it on. I like to use my Kabuki Brush from Sigmamakeup.com. it doesnt make my face look powdery or cakey.

REVLON PHOTOREADY LIQUID FOUNDATION

This foundation goes on the best with clean fingers. It really does leave your skin looking flawless in pictures. Using the powder above and this foundation makes my skin look great all day long.

JOHNSON'S BEDTIME LOTION

Madison love this lotion. It makes your fall asleep so fast. And keeps her alseep. When her skin was dry and pealing it moisturized her skin very well and she only pealed for a few days. Her feet were a bit worse then the rest of her body so a slathered her feet with the lotion. so much that her skin wasnt able to soak it all up. i took a pair of her plain white cotton socks and put them on over the lotion. in the morning i took them off put a little more lotion on them and they havent pealed since. James also likes me to rub it on his back at night. Makes him sleep just like a baby. =]

CUREL LIFES STAGES: PREGNANCY A MOTHERHOOD LOTION

For me this is my favorite lotion. While i was pregnant it kept my skin so hydrated. i would put it on at night after my shower and i could still feel the hydration until the next night. I still use it now. the weight that i gained during the pregnancy took a toll on my heals. they have become very dry. This lotions really helps keep them from getting too bad. I did the the same thing with this lotion and a pair of sock that i did with Madison and it work like a charm.

CREST 3D WHITE TOOTH PASTE

It claims to whiten your teeth in 2 weeks. I do feel that my teeth are whiter. But what i love about this tooth paste the most is the feeling it leaves my teeth after i brush them. they feel so clean. like i just got my teeth cleaned by the dentist. And it leaves my breath fresh for hours. something that i also like about this tooth paste is that the mint flavor doesnt stay there for along time so when i eat something the flavors dont mix.

CETAPHIL DAILY FACIAL CLEANSER AND UP &UP FACIAL SCRUB

This has been my facial routine for a good year now. I love Cetaphil because not only is it inexpensive and i get it at the drug store but it works too. I dont have perfect skin but before i started using this nothing seemed to work to keep my breakouts down. This cleanser is great because its mild so even the most sensitive skin can use it. its also for normal to oily skin so when your bff is over and wants to wash her face she can use this too. one pump is all i need to wash my face. i wash it once to get the make up off and then again to clean the skin. I use the up & up scrub every other day or when i feel i need it. i used to use the st ives apricot scrub but when i was at target i saw this one for half the price and picked it up to try. i have to say that i like this one better. it leave my skin super soft and feels like there is some kind of acne medication that helps with break outs.

JOHNSON BODY CARE MELT AWAY STRESS LAVENDER AND CHAMOMILE BODY WASH

Im not usually a lavender kind of girl but lately i have been loving it. I use this body wash at night and it really helps me to relax. also it smells really good. i put i bit on my wet loofa get it all lathered up and massage it onto my skin. it rinses off clean and makes me ready for bed. the sent is warm and relaxing and not too strong.

LOREAL EVERSTRONG SULFATE FREE FORTIFY SYSTEM SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER

This by far is the best shampoo and conditioner i have ever used and you get it at the drugstore. My hair is the healthiest it has ever been. i have no spit ends and the last time i got my hair cut was like 3 months ago. the shampoo comes to a good lather and the conditioner leaves my hair silky smooth. the only negative i would have for this product is the packaging. the product it too thick for the squeeze bottles. especially the shampoo. you have to squeeze so hard and only a thin stream of product comes outs. but im willing to work with that since it keeps my hair is such good condition.

Thrift Store Finds

James and I went to the Good Will the other day. I love to look at the baby stuff because babies grow so fast that a lot of the stuff is still in really good condition.

I found there really cute baby shoes for only $1.99

These shoes are from The Children's Place. If you have kids you know that that store is one of the more expensive stores for kids. So when i saw these and the price I had to snatch them up. They are 0-6 months and Madison has little feet so it will be a few months before she can wear them but im in no hurry to put shoes on her anyway.

I have been on the hunt for some shorts that fit me this summer. obviously fitting into my size one shorts from last year is not going to happen right away after having a baby. i fit in all my dressed but nursing in a dress is a hard thing to do. so i wandered over to the women's section. I found this skirt for $3.99

Its a high waisted denim looking skirt. It has pockets on the hips and looks great with a tucked in shirt and a big belt. A skirt like this a great for making you look smaller. It hits at the smallest part of my body and the way the skirt flows away from my hips so it hides the mommy pooch i have now.

Going to the thrift store sometimes can feel like a chore to me will all the hunting you have to do. It can be time consuming and you might come out with nothing. But if your feeling up to it you can find some nice things.

Well Madison is getting fussy. Its time for her to eat. I will post again soon.

XOXO,

Amanda

Love Rushes In

"Only once in a lifetime love rushes in, changing you with the tide."
-Mariah Carey

Photoshoot

So last week end like promised i got my maternity photos taken by shotwithlove.com. They turned out great. Better then i could have imagined. Here are a few of them.

This one is oh of the more traditional ones. We didnt take the normal cheesy photos where you look at the camera and smile.

This is a fun one that everyone seems to like.

My personal favorite.

This one is a great one too.

The weather on 6/12 was great here in the Seattle area! it was the first day of the year that you really had to wear shorts. i think it was about 78 degrees maybe warmer. This made the shots outside so easy to take because I wasnt complaining that it was cold. =]

I cant wait to have Maddie's pictures done. The day we come og the the hospital i will be calling Mandy to make an apt for her shots. I know they are going to be gorgeous.

BIG BOOBS

Tomorrow I have my maternity photo shoot. I was referred to this wonderful photographer also named Amanda her web site is shotwithlove.com. Her photos are exactly my style. Very vintage glam and her packages are very affordable. So tomorrow James and I are going to her in home studio. i couldnt be more excited. the weather is going to be amazing and her back yard is beautiful and should create some beautiful shots. I will be doing some semi nudes and needed to get a cute panty set. I went to target yesterday to see if i could find something that work work. They had nothing. wait let me re phrase that... they had cute sets, just not in my size. i have always been on the smaller side when it came to my lady lumps. but when i became pregnant my boob shot up like 2-3 cup sizes (depending on the brand). so i leave target empty handed wondering what i am going to do. So after work i head to the mall to see if i can find something. Not wanting to spend a bunch of money i head to stores like Forever 21 and H&M to check out what they have. of course its the same situation that i find at Target nothing cute in my size. I say to my self "eff it. im going to Vitorias Secret" if im going to invest money in to these photos then im going to make sure i look good in them. They have my size it a lot of the bras that i like but on i just dont look the same. i definatly dont feel sexy in any of them. so i just decided on the one that looked the best. luckily it was the cheapest one. This is the one i bought



They only had large undies so i had to go with a different style but at that point i was just so tired and ready to go home. looking at it now i think it will do the job. im sure Amanda will work her magic.

i should get to bed though to i can get my beauty sleep. i have to get up and get my nails done. They are growing out so fast now. just got them done a week ago and they look 3 weeks old. oh and one nail is completely off. nails are essential. Shoot is a one tomorrow and i still have a lot to do. Night

XOXO - Amanda