Shaners

I have been absolutely blessed with some of the most amazing friends in the entire world. One of which is Mister Shane Downey. Shane passed away this morning after a complication from being on blood thinners for the past eleven years. Shane has always been an inspirational person for me, through all of the challenges that he faced he always stayed positive. Going from being a successful athlete to a wheel chair was never easy, and he had difficult days but through it all he remained Shane. 

spring break bonfire

Shane never failed to put a smile on my face. He was always was full of stories, jokes, smiles and love. Even though it seemed like he was always in the hospital or battling some sort of set back he always stayed positive. There was one time I was bringing him his favorite dinner (taco bell) to the hospital and upon walking in the room there were 6 other people there visiting him - a true testament to how loved he was, he always had the most visitors. Shane cared deeply for his family, his faith and his friends. 

babysitting Shane's pup Guess

Birthday surprise party

Family dinner night, Shaners and Trace Face

I will always cherish the memories of family dinners, movie nights, spring break in Jacksonville and getting insanely lost driving to Austin. I know there are so many people who already miss Shane, life just isn't going to be the same without his messages, words of wisdom and his gigantic smile. 

meet the cast

In starting this blog I have been researching all sorts of blogs, figuring out what I like and what I don't. What I have found is a blog is pretty much all about the person writing it, that's kind of the point right? Well before I get started on this journey battling the kitchen, I want to share about all the people who have gotten me to where I am! 

The greatest parents in the world, who recently moved to Luanda, Africa. I am used to talking to my mom at least twice a day so I was not super excited about the move, but it is an amazing opportunity for them and we now get to skype! 

My amazing family. Even though we are thousands of miles apart they are still always there no matter what. With the wonderful world of facebook and iphone apps I talk to my cousins multiple times a week, and I wouldn't have it any other way... well, unless they lived in the same city! 

The Mister. It has been over 365 days since we started dating and he has made me laugh on every single one of them. He can also whip up a killer meal like nothing. For a girl who doesn't know how to cook, he is pretty handy to have around when you are craving salmon on bow tie pasta with vodka sauce. 

The cheerleaders/ 2am phone calls/ best friends/ cause of laughter/ most baller people I know

Sir Paco. Since this will be about cooking, he plays an important roll. Every single time you open a can, this king of the house comes running. Then he cries. He thinks it is tuna. Every time. 

Those are pretty much the most awesome people in the world, I love them all and am totally blessed to have them in my life!

 Time to head off to bed, busy day ahead of me tomorrow!