tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-153130752024-03-06T20:43:57.319-08:00Mi Vida Loca!Life is definitely crazy, but I'm looking forward to new adventures. Teaching two year olds, taking care of a 5 month old, plus other odd jobs. There is no telling what I'll be writing about!Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17012367793374448992noreply@blogger.comBlogger217125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15313075.post-17870961300112679832010-09-03T08:27:00.000-07:002010-09-03T08:28:16.047-07:00OopsSo I haven't blogged in a long time and I can't promise I will continue. But I figure I should post a wedding picture and the story of how we met and married since it was a year before our wedding date that I posted about waiting for true love! :-) God is good!Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17012367793374448992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15313075.post-52913285839841658342009-05-21T12:28:00.000-07:002009-05-21T12:33:13.836-07:00SUMMER is almost here!I can't believe how time flies. Just a little over a week left of school and my life will change for the summer! Our two year old class has grown and learned so much and I will miss them!! I got teary eyed yesterday because I saw the kindergarten class wearing their caps and gowns for pictures and it hit me - they are moving on to first grade in the public school and that means that about half or more of the 4 year old class will also be going off to public school for kindergarten while only a few stay at WEE school. OH MY GOSH! They are growing up. *sigh*<br /><br />Its been a fabulous year, I have learned so much teaching these kids! I look forward to the possibility of teaching in the twos class again next year - and having Evy in the class!!! This summer I will be watching kids. I'm not sure yet who all I will have because the people I currently baby-sit for want to find someone to come to their house and watch all 4. I have committed to watching 2 girls (4 and 6) and 3 boys (4 and 7 year old twins) so I can't also keep baby Karter who is only 1. I can watch the other 3 (who are 4, 6 and 8) because they will all be able to play together. Anyway, its up in the air right now but we will see what happens. For now I'm just hoping to make enough money to get through the summer a little better off than I have been these past few months. Its been a rough year. <br /><br />Thats about all for the update really. Sorry I don't post here very often - blame Facebook!!Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17012367793374448992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15313075.post-18705475644169016522009-05-02T19:01:00.000-07:002009-05-02T19:07:21.527-07:00A Day with Evyo since I quit working for Gidget and taking care of Evy I haven't really had much one on one time with her. This last weekend, Evy found a cat down at the barn and had to call and tell me about it. She wanted to bring it to me at my house! Gidget said all weekend she talked about me and going to my house! Since I had Thursday "off" and Gidget was bringing horses for Rodeo Day at WEE School I told her to bring Evy and I would take her for the morning! Sure enough, she brought her and Evy enjoyed Rodeo Day, we helped with the horse rides and then I took her to my house to see my cats. While there I changed shirts so that we would match and we had a little photo shoot!! Then we went to McDonalds, took more pictures and she crashed in her carseat on the drive back home. It was a great day and I plan to do it anytime I can! I love that sweet girl!!! Enjoy the pictures - she is growing up too fast!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXn0GrmewMp7GKxxceNwwRz7st52vHOLwrOQVlSvXjjR6iD2FtA1u8g4JHNS-VRhaZPUhwX2u4ztzDWEybYNt4UmtgMfrxapve5uaS4Fpq5tFnhO0YbWFo-BCFAK2oEh_DSNiX/s1600-h/035.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXn0GrmewMp7GKxxceNwwRz7st52vHOLwrOQVlSvXjjR6iD2FtA1u8g4JHNS-VRhaZPUhwX2u4ztzDWEybYNt4UmtgMfrxapve5uaS4Fpq5tFnhO0YbWFo-BCFAK2oEh_DSNiX/s200/035.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331413091152431842" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvxiUCN5uITz0r1CQx5_b1oGq4b3hir2i5daguuRPr7nKqNjy-k7FJLYJEEZSiRf1CiAmY0cibwxoVJc9Jma6jlzVqYQJNyPNzvgDuCOCd6g7-jR9SuDX8E45hqw9pBWEbVOs/s1600-h/037.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 146px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvxiUCN5uITz0r1CQx5_b1oGq4b3hir2i5daguuRPr7nKqNjy-k7FJLYJEEZSiRf1CiAmY0cibwxoVJc9Jma6jlzVqYQJNyPNzvgDuCOCd6g7-jR9SuDX8E45hqw9pBWEbVOs/s200/037.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331413084382177186" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJA0m3q5O45d3LVwAQI7cAYODqZXkboRK7NpJdvaI8lRqJJeQesJ4KG2SNCH0rnIZbFsM0v8X_tKIDt9QjZ1MpEHjvjGZGcEjWHqPM1ytjdP9el3iGQt_y-MkZ4HPpPgtKWhbH/s1600-h/038.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJA0m3q5O45d3LVwAQI7cAYODqZXkboRK7NpJdvaI8lRqJJeQesJ4KG2SNCH0rnIZbFsM0v8X_tKIDt9QjZ1MpEHjvjGZGcEjWHqPM1ytjdP9el3iGQt_y-MkZ4HPpPgtKWhbH/s200/038.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331413086515746834" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKh8p24ccxcd-pO7XTJApmAWEA91asmDe3WAZMfw1Jgk3w5x2LOUw6tebtOQqiRSn1qjTMQTbrEOdQtZmvijGsCiQJ6z4R03sa3Boa57thTO9ClVgdix-9q_rU3S9HWof6GE1h/s1600-h/043.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKh8p24ccxcd-pO7XTJApmAWEA91asmDe3WAZMfw1Jgk3w5x2LOUw6tebtOQqiRSn1qjTMQTbrEOdQtZmvijGsCiQJ6z4R03sa3Boa57thTO9ClVgdix-9q_rU3S9HWof6GE1h/s200/043.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331412817835522242" /></a><br />SJanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17012367793374448992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15313075.post-58313405138579380272009-02-17T14:58:00.000-08:002009-02-17T15:13:55.117-08:00Inspired to write...I watched He's Just Not That Into You so I was inspired to share my own story... here is what I have so far. More to come <br /><br /> I am 31 (and counting), single never been married, and still hoping. No matter what crazy relationship drama I have been through, no matter the heartache or frustration, I have not given up hope. I will not. God has a plan for me and I have known since I was too young to even make the choice that I would be a wife and mother someday. Its pretty much all I have ever wanted. And yet, I don’t believe that it has been my goal to find a husband because if I had been determined enough I’m sure I would have found one in college just like almost everyone else. I went to a small Baptist University and countless numbers of people I knew met and married through HPU. So had I really been driven by that single goal I think I would have succeeded. But I loved college and I don’t think I wasted a single day of it! I have so many hilarious, wonderful memories! I wonder sometimes what my life would be like had I been a little more settled, a little more demure, a little more reserved. . . . Yes I would have missed out on the crazy weekend adventures, driving to other towns hours away to dance the night away with any guy who asked, the nights staying up late playing games or watching movies. I would have missed some of the road trips, and possibly my two trips to Europe. Would I be happier if I were settled and married with 3 or 4 kids? If I had given up on all those adventures to fall in love with a secure godly man and live the life I dreamed? Because that just makes me wonder how much it really is my dream. I mean sure I want to be married. I want a partner who is there when I get home, who will travel with me, dance with me, laugh with me and cry with me. Someone who will balance me out when I get a little crazy and who will let me fly when I have a great idea. I just don’t want all that at the expense of living life. Taking each day as it comes and trying to enjoy every minute. I don’t want to hold myself back waiting for “HIM” to appear and whisk me off into the sunset. I don’t want to have my life on hold, waiting for it to start with the words “I do.” <br /> One of my favorite books and now my favorite movie, is Pride and Prejudice. I am very much a “Lizzie” in this story - waiting for my Mr. Darcy to capture my attention and help transform my strong independent self into a loving, faithful wife. I cringe at Charlotte marrying Mr. Collins for the “security” and because she is a 27 year old burden on her parents. Like Lizzie, I would have turned down his proposal for the exact same reasons, even if he could have ‘saved’ me and my family through an advantageous marriage. I know that love and ‘warm fuzzy feelings’ are not all that marriage entails, but it must start with at least some of that! Without attraction and electricity, there isn’t much to build on and you certainly need a foundation of sorts to build a life together. <br /> So, my dating life has been pretty interesting. I sometimes wish I would have kept a detailed journal of some of the hilarious first dates I have been on, the relationships that I have had as an adult. I would love to go back and read exactly what happened and how I felt about it at the time. It might give me more insight to who I am and where I am today. Instead I have my memories, which are probably fuzzy and the details are lost, but I would like to share them. (names have been changed, obviously ~ I don’t want to start any rumors)<br /> Dan the Dependable was a guy that I wished I was attracted to. He and I started out as friends and then we attempted a romantic dating relationship. I don’t remember exactly how long it lasted but I know it wasn’t long - a few months or less. He was, and still is, a true gentleman and took care of me like no other guy had. I knew he would make an excellent husband and father because he has a heart of gold and was thoughtful and sincere. But there just wasn’t that “thing” that makes you excited to be with the person you like. You know, when you are in love and the object of your affection calls you out of the blue, it just sends butterflies to your stomach and a huge smile to your face. You can’t help it. People who are in love simply radiate joy and everyone can see it. Even though Dan made me happy and I truly enjoyed spending time with him, there was no need to be around him, no insatiable desire to hear his voice or see his face. And no matter how much I tried to get it, I couldn’t. I believe he had it for me to a degree and I felt terribly guilty at not returning the feeling. We are friends to this day and I went to his wedding a few years ago. The woman he married could not be more deserving and she is well aware at how blessed she is by him. He treats her exactly as I knew he would and I am so happy to know that she appreciates him and loves him in return. I am jealous of them because I know I could have had that - if only it was meant to be. Clearly they are meant to be together which is why I didn’t feel that way about him. But it makes me sad sometimes because I wanted it to be me. <br /> In High School I dated Rob the Rodeo guy. When I met him at a dance hall, I had an immediate crush because he was just so good looking and outgoing - everyone there knew him and loved him. He was always dancing with some girl or another because he was a really good dancer and very charming. I can’t remember how our relationship started but I felt so lucky that he ‘chose’ me. I still remember the way I felt when I danced with him - it was like we were one person moving around the floor. He was so easy to blend with and I felt as though I didn’t even have to think about what I was doing because my feet simply moved in perfect step with his, our bodies pressed closely together in synchrony. He was a bull rider and rode everywhere from big arena’s to tiny hole in the wall buck-out’s. I had a love hate relationship with the rodeo because I was terrified he would get hurt but it was also a rush to watch him ride because there is just something attractive about a cowboy! I don’t even know why we broke up but we were together for quite a while - several months, which for me was a serious relationship at that age! I have had a lot of dance partners over the years, but that is what sticks out in my mind about Rob. Funny thing is, a few years later I saw him at another bar and he was bloated and drunk and not at all the cute rodeo star he had once been. I guess I dodged that bullet! <br /> The summer after my senior year of High School, I went to a two-week summit camp in Colorado where I met Andy who became my Aggie Corps boy. We didn’t officially meet each other until the very end of the camp and had a tearful good bye at the airport. You know, lamenting the time we had not spent together that we should have and all that. But the romance lasted over the summer long distance and continued through our freshman year at college. I had seen him from afar at the camp and thought he was dreamy but never thought I could get his attention. But once I had it, I was in and we were both smitten. He lived in another town several hours away but we spent the summer visiting each other and I got to know his family pretty well. He was a gentlemen and definitely one of the best guys I have dated in my life to this point. We never argued, and we always had a good time. My memories with him include things like pulling over the truck, opening the windows and dancing in the street to the music on the radio. Sleeping underneath the stars on my parents back deck on a big pallet of blankets and pillows. His cologne on a t-shirt that I borrowed to sleep in - that I actually still have to this day! The scent of Obsession always takes me back. . . Going to see Garth Brooks in concert right before he stopped performing and dancing in the aisle. Standing with the Corps of Cadets at the A&M/ Tech game and getting soaked because it rained the entire time! The Aggie bonfire and midnight yell - kissing him at midnight in his uniform surrounded by tons of other couples doing the same thing. What broke us up was an ex-girlfriend who was also at A&M and just couldn’t let him go. She was convenient since she was there on campus and was always available, always around when he needed a date to an event or a partner for dancing class. He cheated on me with her and that confession was one of the most emotional moments in my dating life. He was very remorseful but also willing to admit what he had done was wrong and I was right to be upset. I forgave him (because I had met the vixen and knew what she was capable of) but the relationship ended. We stayed friends until he got married to a wonderful girl he met once he was finally able to shake the other ex. I didn’t make it to the wedding and I am sort of sad about that. He is one whom I sincerely believe is probably happily married and a wonderful husband and father. I could have married him and been happy. But he just wasn’t the right one for me. I hope he was the right one for her.Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17012367793374448992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15313075.post-73440265634527284802009-02-17T14:51:00.000-08:002009-02-17T14:58:09.658-08:00Picturesjust to catch you up! :-) In no particular order<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjselPCGjK3c-Pz6X-OEU6iui2mRbuRTVGBw4XClzJ4c8NjasBNj1JYVAqZ4oqMdPq7iBNux5bAAXXQKY5mZ5Pm5yc09z-QIrnwsZZPkNhaYfN8qaWjPpemodHEsf_hxD98N49T/s1600-h/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjselPCGjK3c-Pz6X-OEU6iui2mRbuRTVGBw4XClzJ4c8NjasBNj1JYVAqZ4oqMdPq7iBNux5bAAXXQKY5mZ5Pm5yc09z-QIrnwsZZPkNhaYfN8qaWjPpemodHEsf_hxD98N49T/s200/001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303903790682944098" /></a><br />The smallest living room I've ever had, but I think its cozy!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsIZT0p2lusvnt94428mLBOUxYutcZejcsH7x6KaZTDToffefBC4_r6NIqYsbaREUqtDFKRhgBzRmGG95cN1dRyDfaohvUk_9MXu97L2tFtdbNGtp2WDKzplOim77sMOR3tTP/s1600-h/128.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsIZT0p2lusvnt94428mLBOUxYutcZejcsH7x6KaZTDToffefBC4_r6NIqYsbaREUqtDFKRhgBzRmGG95cN1dRyDfaohvUk_9MXu97L2tFtdbNGtp2WDKzplOim77sMOR3tTP/s200/128.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303903571826916210" /></a><br />I've stopped biting my fingernails! I don't paint them too well, but this is what I did over Christmas!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1U_Gptc7-z5Keqd-xVXH3TcHuRP9PbUB4pruEt67DUl7sG_5Els9JQzZKQjuCDIWLcNh4A5ggtvgCkjoF1X_GBUZrfbeuyB-sEcfnAwSEu5ai7G7Ocl44SpNdIIIz7MfM2yF/s1600-h/019.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 124px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1U_Gptc7-z5Keqd-xVXH3TcHuRP9PbUB4pruEt67DUl7sG_5Els9JQzZKQjuCDIWLcNh4A5ggtvgCkjoF1X_GBUZrfbeuyB-sEcfnAwSEu5ai7G7Ocl44SpNdIIIz7MfM2yF/s200/019.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303903418935896466" /></a><br />me and my boys for my 31st Birthday. My "small group" from CCC - Jesse, John and Geoff!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGIeYLB0vlNPXMqJRr35aa6eI6lEoXn1e4xBPdvUBODD2B2CVwqFVNNdZGxecY3GN20My6fqoNt0XHnjcVAveH10bFgk_BwI1Iq6ACkjOh-tzGwiT3Tktw3FByBfn0-sWgdHd/s1600-h/004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGIeYLB0vlNPXMqJRr35aa6eI6lEoXn1e4xBPdvUBODD2B2CVwqFVNNdZGxecY3GN20My6fqoNt0XHnjcVAveH10bFgk_BwI1Iq6ACkjOh-tzGwiT3Tktw3FByBfn0-sWgdHd/s200/004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303903253310681522" /></a><br />me and my friend Kelly all glammed up for the College Life Formal - we both went without dates because we are just that cool!Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17012367793374448992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15313075.post-30476549211387388792009-01-20T10:36:00.000-08:002009-01-20T10:51:48.774-08:00overdueWow, okay I've been neglecting my blog a bit. So sorry! I am totally plugged in to facebook these days and that is where I keep up with pretty much anyone and everyone. While I check other people's blogs, I was reminded that I have forgotten my own!! Quick update<br /><br />November:<br />Had a great birthday, 31 really ain't so bad. Enjoyed a trip to the city to visit my friends up there, then in Stephenville we had a church wide country dance which was fun! Thanksgiving was pretty low key - home to Clifton for a few days and then spent the rest of my time off doing touch-up painting and stuff around the house. <br /><br />December:<br />The last few weeks before Christmas break were pretty crazy at school. We were trying to get pictures of the kids and doing lots of art projects for them to take home. We also put on a little Christmas musical before the party and that took some practicing. But our little two-year olds really did great up on stage! They behaved themselves and it was really fun. Many of the parents were very sweet and gave us gifts and I was touched. Its been so fun bonding with these kids and their parents and watching them grow! Then over Christmas break the family went to Nashville to see Dean and Jill and it was a very low-key nice time to just hang out and enjoy each other's company. Of course, I was slightly rude as I was completely addicted to the Twilight books and could hardly resist reading every chance I got a quiet moment!! But we did some shopping, played games, ate good food and had a really nice visit. The break was really nice!!<br /><br />January:<br />New Years was eventful - I had two parties to go to. The first was our church-wide party and it was held at the Hansen's ranch where I used to work/live. Most of the evening I spent being bossed around by Evy. She is hilarious! But we enjoyed spending time together and she cracked me up most of the time. When she was ready for bed I left for the next party with the "younger crowd". I enjoyed my next few days of time off, sleeping in, etc but Tuesday the 6th was back to work! We've had the past 3 Mondays in a row off of school so I've had "long weekends" and so only two days at school each week. It will be really strange to start the week on Monday next week! <br /><br />Not many new developments happening. . . . our singles class at church has really started to bond and grow. This past Sunday we had 16 in Attendance!! Our classroom really only fits about 12 at the most so we were squished in pretty good. But its been awesome lately because we've been getting together outside of church a lot more often - calling and texting each other to hang out on the weekends and Sunday nights after service. I have really enjoyed it. I've been part of the singles class the entire time I've lived here (2 years now!) and there has been a lot of fluctuation in numbers. But finally we seem to have hit a "sweet spot" and its really great. Ironically our teacher recently got engaged but it seems he plans to continue on with us at least for awhile which is nice. But even if he decides to move on to another class, we finally have several strong men who could easily take the place and lead our class. Its stock show time around this part and I'd like to go to the rodeo this weekend if we can get a group together (which we probably will!). Other than that, I think you're caught up. Work has been good - I'm still loving the kids I teach and the ones I baby-sit! I'll try to remember to post some pictures from the last few months :-)Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17012367793374448992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15313075.post-71307408750813001562008-11-04T10:21:00.000-08:002008-11-04T10:52:45.133-08:00What is up with the Universe??Okay in the words of Phoebe, seriously?! What is UP with the universe?! specifically MY UNIVERSE? I think its trying to tell me something - maybe stay in bed? Let's just start at the beginning. Last week the kids were CRAZY on both Wednesday and Friday and Tammy and I were about ready to pull our hair out. Then Friday after school I headed out, loaded up my car and started the 7 hour drive to Little Rock so that I could go to Reagan's wedding on Saturday. I will admit, when I started my car initially it did the clicking noise and didn't start. But when I tried again it was fine so I just shrugged it off. I stopped in Ft Worth for a quick potty break and it was fine then. But when I stopped outside Rockwall at a Love's Truck Stop, no go. The battery came on (radio, windows, lights) but it wouldn't turn over. So after lots of conversations with many people we had it narrowed down to the starter, alternator or the battery. My friend Craig said rule out the battery first - find someone who can jump start it. If that works, its the battery and thats an easy fix. So I found a nice man in a pickup truck (because they are typically prepared!) and sure enough he had jumper cables and was more than happy to help me out. It worked! So I drove to a Wal Mart back in Rockwall to get myself a new battery. But when they removed the old one and connected the new one, the alarm went off. The alarm I haven't used in YEARS and the clicker on my key does not work. So now the alarm is activated and I can't start the car or do anything with it until I get a new battery for the clicker. Wal Mart didn't have a battery that size so I trekked across the parking lot to Car Toys (praying the whole way). they didn't have one either. At that point, I started to cry from frustration. Thankfully the guy at Car Toys was super nice and he said "don't worry I can just override the alarm, where is your car?" and he walked back to Wal Mart with me and sure enough, he was able to shut it off. Yay! By this time, though, my phone battery was at 15% and I don't have a car charger because I've never needed one. I had 5 hours to go - I needed to charge my phone. So I went back to Car Toys and bought a car charger and was on my way. I got to Little Rock at 11pm and crashed. Saturday started out great because the weather was PERFECT and I got a message from Mike - a guy I used to work with and have kept in touch with - and found out he was in Searcy for the wedding. He had driven in with my friend Corrie who had flown in from Arizona! So I drove to Searcy, sought out the wedding party and found them at Reagan's house but they were on their way to get dressed for pictures so I met Mike at the hotel/university and he took me to lunch. After lunch we drove around some country roads in his firebird and enjoyed the beautiful day. The wedding was at 4 and it was really beautiful. The men wore kilts and there was a bagpipe player! It was really cool and very different!! Reagan of course, looked beautiful and I cried. I'm so happy for her! The reception had amazing food (of course, I would expect nothing less from the well travelled connoissuer!) and it was lovely. I was only disappointed to find out that Amy had a bad cold and was feeling miserable so she and Karlan left the reception to go back to the hotel and just rest/sleep. They live in Virginia so I was very sad not to be able to visit with them more. Corrie was also super tired from all the wedding festivities and she and Mike did the same. I really wish I had been able to get into town earlier on Friday so that I could have gone to the rehearsal dinner and had girl time! But it just didn't work out. Weddings can definitely be stressful and I understood that my friends were tired. I was just sad I didn't get to spend more time with them because we haven't seen each other for 3 years. I stayed at the reception until it was over and then I helped clean up and I got to visit quite a bit with Reagan's family which really was nice. I haven't seen them in quite a long time and they are a really cool bunch! I drove back to LR and got to the house in time to catch the second half of the Tech/UT game which, by the way, was AWESOME. Sunday I slept in and then started my drive home - taking my time and enjoying the scenery. Again, it was a beautiful day! The weekend was over, time to start a new week. But alas, its apparently just not meant to be my week. Monday morning on my way to school I actually got out the door a little early which was good because unfortunately just as I got outside the city limits, a small buck ran across the road and smacked right into my drivers side door!!! A woman from my church was going the opposite direction taking her kids to school and the deer ran in front of her so she witnessed the whole thing and turned around to come check on me. I was fine - the deer of course was not. I could see some slight damage done to my car and my door was crunching when I opened it because of where the deer hit but everything seemed to at least be in working order. Another car pulled over as well and then a guy in a truck pulled up where the deer was still in the road and he hauled it off into the ditch. A little shaken, I went ahead to school and went through my day a little worried about my car but otherwise fine. Until about 1:30 that is. At 1:30 I suddenly felt as though I'd been hit by a mack truck - I didn't feel well at ALL. My neck and shoulders were very tight, I had a headache and felt slightly nauseous. So I called my chiropractor and my massage therapist. I'm getting an adjustment later today, but I got in for a massage last night, thank goodness! I definitely had some whiplash and an unpleasant muscle spasm in my neck. So last night I went home, took advil and just sat in my chair and watched a movie. Despite having a house to clean (omg its a wreck!!). Oh and I took my car to a body shop to get an adjustment for the insurance - it was more than the car is even worth!! So now I'm waiting to find out if the adjuster will just total it out and then I can take collision coverage off my insurance and only carry liability. Which, really, could be a blessing. I mean, its a 12 year old Toyota with 190k miles on it. It runs great, but its not worth squat. Well it is to me, but not monetarily! Anyway, I got up this morning feeling better, got to the gym for extended care with the kids and was in the process of getting out toys. I decided to take my jacket off but when I turned to go put it on the bleachers I didn't realize there was a small bike behind me - yep, I tripped and landed square on my tail bone. One of the kids grandfather was there dropping her off and he saw me fall so immediately came to see if I was alright. Well really I wasn't - I just laid there for a minute catching my breath and assessing my body to see if I might have broken anything. I mean, I barely had time to catch myself - my hand hurt a little but mainly I had landed full force on my rear. and it HURT. He helped me up and I hobbled to the bleachers where I supported myself for several minutes while the pain slowly subsided. If you have ever fallen on your tail bone like that, you are understanding my pain. I mean, seriously OW!!! I came close to crying simply because all I could think was, what else? What else is going to happen to me this week? This sort of thing NEVER happens to me, especially not in such quick succession! I have never hit a deer before EVER. I've been driving on back country roads for 15 years and have had to slow down or stop for deer many many times. And out of nowhere one runs into me!!! I saw it about a second before it hit me -there was nothing I could have done! But to have that happen after having car trouble just days earlier, and then to fall the very next day... I am just in shock. I just hope the chiropractor can help me out today so that I'm not too sore the rest of the week. And can I just tell you something? Saturday is my birthday and we are having a big "Boot Scoot" at church for everyone and I AM GOING TO DANCE!!! I don't care if my tail bone hurts, i'm dancing! Its my birthday and I'm gonna party like a rock star. So THERE! Take that, Universe!Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17012367793374448992noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15313075.post-63288273587023212042008-10-14T10:35:00.000-07:002008-10-14T10:39:32.536-07:00PrayerWell I found out today, along with the other teachers at WEE School, that a 3 year old in Ms Tammy's class has leukemia. I only teach with Tammy on MWF and Danny comes on Tues/Thurs so I haven't actually had him in class. But I've seen him many times, and he's a bright, hilarious little boy with brown eyes and silky brown hair. He's smarter than his own good but well behaved. To know that he has leukemia is crushing. But I believe his spunky spirit means he's a fighter. He's receiving treatment at Cooks Children's Hospital and I believe had a blood transfusion either yesterday or today. Please pray for Danny and his family. I don't know if he has siblings, I really don't know anything about them at all. I just know he had his 3rd birthday on October 5th, and now a week later is in the hospital for treatment of leukemia. Thank you for your prayers and as we find out how he is doing I will keep you posted!Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17012367793374448992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15313075.post-90942947716665556662008-10-09T09:21:00.000-07:002008-10-09T09:34:26.876-07:00Two Year Olds, Laundry, and groceriesWell, I am settling in to my new life pretty well. Sleeping good in my new house and enjoying my jobs. My two year old class is hilarious and I really am enjoying watching them learn and grow. They are all getting really good at the potty training thing which is nice. And they are just so sweet! Baby Karter and I get along well and he's a sweet baby. I do a LOT of laundry on the days I work with him but thats fine with me! I am enjoying living in town and cooking - I have made countless batches of chocolate chip pancakes, 2 peach cobblers and several casseroles. Its great! <br />This week has been a little rough though. I started to get a bit of a cough on Saturday night and then as Sunday went on I progressively lost my voice. Monday at school was insane - teaching two year olds with a whisper is not easy! Thankfully we only had 6 kids (everyone else is sick too) so that made it a little easier. And little Levi seemed to like my whisper because he whispered back to me and it was the most he's ever talked in class! I am finally getting my voice back today but I'm coughing more. I just hope its getting better and not worse. Anyway, Sunday was also a little difficult because Cody and I broke up. Honestly I think it was for the best, and I totally saw it coming. But it still stinks for a relationship to be over. My feelings were a little hurt but I'm over it now. There are things about him that I'll miss but we really weren't right for each other if I'm totally honest with myself. His mom and I will still be friends, which I'm grateful for! His family is awesome and they are definitely an aspect of the relationship I will miss. <br /><br />In other news, Evy is doing well. I got to spend some time with her at church last night. she is so sweet because now when she sees me she gets a huge smile, yells "NANNA!" and comes running for a big hug. nothing warms the heart quite like that! Gidget and the kids came to visit on Monday and they got to see my house since I've decorated. I still have more work to do but its definitely feeling like home these days. I still have some stuff at the ranch (gosh, I have a lot of stuff!) to move and then I will get the nanny's quarters cleaned. Then I'll head to mom and dads to get my stuff thats in storage there. But I am loving living in town and being so close to everything!! I guess thats it for now. I will try to post more funny stories as they happen, this was really just an update :-)<br /><br />Oh and I added "my favorite blogs" links - I hadn't realized they had disappeared! Check out mom and dad's - they are on a trip in the northeast and their pictures are fabulous!Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17012367793374448992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15313075.post-35857097358752947692008-09-29T21:15:00.000-07:002008-09-29T21:18:30.293-07:00tid bitInteresting thing about where I live- I am just a few blocks from the hospital and when care flight comes in it sounds like its landing next door. Seriously it totally freaked me out until a friend told me what it was!Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17012367793374448992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15313075.post-7169566266892908522008-09-25T07:45:00.000-07:002008-09-25T08:00:41.051-07:00fixing thingsSo I am in my new house but there are still many things to be done before its cozy and "home". I painted the walls but still need to get the trim and the bathroom at some point. I tried to hang a towel bar but failed - I followed the instructions so I have no idea what I did wrong! I need to find a spot for spices and will be using my crates as an additional pantry. I rearranged my living room again and I think I am happy with it now. My laundry room is tricky and when I tried to hook up the dryer I realized the vent took up too much space and I didn't have room to open the door!! Then I discovered the plug was wrong! So I got a new plug and today will attempt to change it out and hopefully I can conquer the mountain of laundry that is piling up!! Oh and I can't forget the trauma of Tuesday night when I was rudely awakened by a police officer going through my gate to my backyard and running his flashlight along the house!! Turns out I know the officer who was driving and they were on a chase. They caught the guy but I spent the night terrified!! So I got new doors and feel a little betterJanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17012367793374448992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15313075.post-41943665703985545852008-09-23T08:12:00.000-07:002008-09-23T08:12:00.764-07:00new thingsWell baby Noah arrived with a bang - all 11 pounds of him!!! But he and Gidget are doing great! Evy seems to like him too. <br />I also moved into my new house over the weekend and brought the cats last night. It still needs some work and I have a lot of unpacking to do but I like it!<br />Today is my first day watching Karter so that will be interesting!<br />On another note, strangely it has become apparent that I am the main person for the morning extended care for wee school!! I am always here early by myself to unlock doors turn on lights and pull out the gym toys. Whoever else is working that day shows up at 745 when its time to let the kids in and I have done all the work!! One day I will be sick or late and then what will happen?? Its very interesting!<br />Well that's all I have for now but more to comeJanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17012367793374448992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15313075.post-62901987103486293022008-09-13T17:46:00.000-07:002008-09-13T17:55:15.992-07:00rainy dayWell its been another busy week. I spent my "off" days packing and then ended up subbing in the 4s class on Thursday because brandy caught a stomach bug. Man was that a different class!! On Friday I had to change poppy underwear. Always a joy! Really though j love my two year olds!! They are learning so much and are so sweet! On Friday I looked at the houses Andy has for rent and picked one. It needs some work - two exterior doors heve to be replaced before I move in and he will put in a new stove. Then I have an allowance to paint and fix it up some. Its a very quirky house with lots of character and I think with some TLC it will be previous!!! Look for before and after photos!! <br />Well I am with Cody this hurricane weekend and we are watching football. He made nachos and they are ready so ta ta for now!Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17012367793374448992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15313075.post-52741662608901972322008-09-02T15:26:00.000-07:002008-09-02T15:27:37.491-07:00testingOkay this is my test post from my blackberry! I think its gonna work yay!Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17012367793374448992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15313075.post-9921969609972516542008-09-02T12:47:00.000-07:002008-09-02T12:56:34.880-07:00Making changesWell I think I have my 'profession' ironed out for now. We'll see how it all goes in a few weeks! Right now I'm still living on the ranch and helping Gidget by feeding horses and dogs every day and helping with bath time at night. But they have hired a new nanny who is doing very well! This week and next I am looking at apartments and houses to find the right one. Gidget's due date is the 17th and its doubtful she'll go past that, if she makes it to it! After that I'll be able to move to town. Either the week of the 22nd or the first week of October I'll start my job on Tues/Thursdays taking care of baby Carter. He's 5 months old and his mom is only working 2 days a week 10 hour shifts. So the hours will fluctuate but mostly it will be a pretty easy two days! MWF I will work at the church - WEE School in the mornings and financials in the afternoons. I'm excited about the new schedule and getting a new place in town (even if it isn't that great of a place). I'm ready to have my own kitchen - I know that sounds crazy because I'm not exactly a great cook. BUT I just miss having the opportunity! The irony is that the few things I do like to cook, Cody doesn't eat. Figures. But we'll find something! This week will probably officially start my stint as what everyone calls being a "coaches widow". I don't think it will be that bad, but then it might. They have a game on Saturday in Wichita Falls which means he'll be working Sunday going over films and plans for the week ahead. So he won't get a day off until the following Sunday! But we'll work things out. We enjoyed a long weekend together this past weekend - he came to town on Friday afternoon for his brother's football game Saturday night and he stayed until Monday afternoon. It was blissful. I was very sad to see him leave on Monday. <br />Anyway, the next two weeks will sort of be my "limbo" weeks, waiting for the baby and finding a house, getting packed and cleaned up, etc. But hopefully by October I'll be settled in a new place and into a new routine! Check back for details!! <br /><br />Oh and I got a new blackberry so I'll try to figure out if I can post blogs on it. If so, I'll be able to update more and maybe actually post funny stories! I know I've been boring lately :-)Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17012367793374448992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15313075.post-81768093540308311472008-08-22T22:07:00.000-07:002008-08-22T22:11:01.517-07:00Pregnancy Photosjust had to share these, We had a photo shoot the other day and Evy was hilarious!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMukLZEaB5ZuAvW94DT54FEU_F9Mrk-vQSucrvNF4Hnc4Eyxh0BKPCdgOIx0b1R3BNTmjD_Fn3TzYN8GurU6nlJ9Sozne0_OZmDkl7NW-fn_U84YJke3U_8R9tZEuui-gqU2o/s1600-h/368.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMukLZEaB5ZuAvW94DT54FEU_F9Mrk-vQSucrvNF4Hnc4Eyxh0BKPCdgOIx0b1R3BNTmjD_Fn3TzYN8GurU6nlJ9Sozne0_OZmDkl7NW-fn_U84YJke3U_8R9tZEuui-gqU2o/s200/368.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237576190955018034" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVXWZzbYwOoO7v3GS7gDNtQhbUM6CsCVZLFz3Bzt9kNc6I0EmsLvZza72BmsCFA2G0E7DoL45IYA9D0jc908RqyWSigVQW7ryW9BGLmyh2JRr_r_MCkCN0M-Hmto1blz1QhzM/s1600-h/362.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVXWZzbYwOoO7v3GS7gDNtQhbUM6CsCVZLFz3Bzt9kNc6I0EmsLvZza72BmsCFA2G0E7DoL45IYA9D0jc908RqyWSigVQW7ryW9BGLmyh2JRr_r_MCkCN0M-Hmto1blz1QhzM/s200/362.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237576059813062434" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-CqeQK9rPcEy64aa2NebbXUUwlBkXFLls7lAz4FPjcJhPs7TY4NauNx0oqnOimbu8xXpJnJBm0xSHppDmX_b5-1rUCzYf-x4l8FGAzaAfqi6ljE0M4Y9yZ-ys9O69XqaLftZ/s1600-h/360.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-CqeQK9rPcEy64aa2NebbXUUwlBkXFLls7lAz4FPjcJhPs7TY4NauNx0oqnOimbu8xXpJnJBm0xSHppDmX_b5-1rUCzYf-x4l8FGAzaAfqi6ljE0M4Y9yZ-ys9O69XqaLftZ/s200/360.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237575942884559426" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQ9gMssA3wLMd5UJ-4ICILXapzdVPvPhhZC-yIeI1qDfwD5-tcfcTF5KyTqUXT-xSYMbjBdkJIX-3uxnMbAcF2iW-cgFZS58J-8aDGIgirMHVH6aENkpt1eCue6kg8R232k0K/s1600-h/359.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQ9gMssA3wLMd5UJ-4ICILXapzdVPvPhhZC-yIeI1qDfwD5-tcfcTF5KyTqUXT-xSYMbjBdkJIX-3uxnMbAcF2iW-cgFZS58J-8aDGIgirMHVH6aENkpt1eCue6kg8R232k0K/s200/359.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237575800745758754" /></a>Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17012367793374448992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15313075.post-31022611477644170132008-08-22T21:54:00.001-07:002008-08-22T22:04:27.320-07:00long time no blogOkay so life has been seriously crazy lately and I'm soooo sorry I haven't blogged! I don't even know where to start so I'll just dive right in. I'm in the midst of a life change - changing jobs, homes, etc. I gave notice with Andy and Gidget a few weeks ago and have accepted a position as a teachers aide at the Wee School at our church. I'll be working in the 2's class on MWF mornings. I'll still be doing the financial job at the church as well, but those hours will change based on whatever 3rd job I get - I can't live off just the two!! So I have several possibilities available that need a bit more investigation. I also need a roommate because while I would love to live by myself, rent for a 1BR is at least $400 a month, typically closer to $500 and I can't afford that on my own just yet. There is a chance I could move in with a friend at her new house temporarily - she has an extra bedroom. But I'd rather not move twice! We'll just have to see how it all pans out. I might be able to afford a place on my own depending on what job works out but its just not certain yet. Gidget has already found a replacement and she starts on Wednesday which is awesome. She is really great. I will stay at the ranch until the baby comes because I am currently the only person feeding horses. Gidget is just way too pregnant to be going down there twice a day and cleaning the stall, etc. So for the next few weeks my life will suck a little haha! I am doing the extended care mornings for the wee school which means getting there at 7:30 a.m MWF and I have to feed horses before that. So I'll be getting up around 5:30 a.m. to go feed (takes 30 minutes) and then come back and get showered and ready for the day. I have to leave by 7:10 at the very latest. Yeah. NOT FUN for someone who hates getting up in the morning! I can barely make it to work by 8 when I don't have to look good! but only a few weeks. Its possible that Noah could make an early appearance which honestly would be FABULOUS. In other fun news, the kitchen remodel is going super slowly. They were supposed to be done by the 17th. Yep, thats come and gone and there are still no countertops or doors on the cabinets. The appliances arrived but are not in their intended locations yet. Gidget's baby shower is at the house on the 30th and we've now been given a completion date of Wednesday. Cross your fingers!! If that works out, we'll have 2 days to clean and move everything in. Don't worry, Andy is hiring reinforcements because no way can we do that on our own! Cody and I are still doing okay but he is pretty stressed at the moment. He's new to the education business and is frustrated with the lack of organization. Nothing seems to be working out the way he thought it would with scheduling, etc. School starts monday so I'm hoping its all been ironed out! I get to see him tomorrow.... well later today since its now officially after midnight!!! I am in Irving at a hotel for Women of Faith conference YAY! I'm taking my own care tomorrow so that I can leave a little early and head to Crowley to see him in time to have dinner. If I went with the group in the van I probably wouldn't get there til 7 or maybe even later and well... I just don't get to spend much time with him as it is and an extra hour or two would be nice! I am looking forward to going to his church on Sunday - he's going to Celebrate Freedom church in Ft Worth and he loves it. Okay well I think thats the update. Just pray for my living situation and job situation. So far everything has worked out very well and I know God is in control!!!!Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17012367793374448992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15313075.post-42393662143033850422008-07-22T08:57:00.000-07:002008-07-22T09:14:33.023-07:00Some kind of miracleOkay so everyone who knows me knows I bite my fingernails. Yes its a nasty habit and its one I've had for FOREVER. I've quit a few times in the past but it never lasted. And back when I was making more money I just kept acrylic nails on so that my hands looked pretty. But I can't afford it here. Anyway, I had to have a root canal several months ago and it was the result of clenching/clashing my teeth. My dentist also made me an NTI which is a little acrylic device I snap onto my top two teeth at night to keep me from clenching in my sleep. I recently got a daytime one that fits onto my bottom teeth. Well, it also made me realize that biting my nails was causing my teeth to clash together and it was messing with my bite. So since I can't afford something like Invisaline right now and I definitely don't want another root canal, I had to stop biting my nails. And it turns out that was reason enough! I've quit!! Its been almost two weeks now and while I still have the occasional nibble (its compulsive, I'm telling you!) I catch myself and stop. but I've noticed that once I quit I don't even think about it much. And ironically this past week has been pretty crazy and a little stressful, yet no biting! I guess I've just been too occupied! Here is a picture of my growing nails!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdI7ScxEOvVejCsZgAAru87k95qEWE-pOQtYPh8CwER7tysndp_IM-jWpw5tpk_4K1qPUnoFEGWoaRt2VRKGV7RAY3TcR6e0odsEZi6clST4AiPVzee018PKQY2ADHqDsDDTT/s1600-h/016.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdI7ScxEOvVejCsZgAAru87k95qEWE-pOQtYPh8CwER7tysndp_IM-jWpw5tpk_4K1qPUnoFEGWoaRt2VRKGV7RAY3TcR6e0odsEZi6clST4AiPVzee018PKQY2ADHqDsDDTT/s200/016.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225870868497493794" /></a><br /><br /> Wednesday Cody had a job interview at Everman Junior High and they offered him the job on the spot. So Saturday I went with him and his mom and we drove to Crowley to house hunt. A friend of the family who lives in Crowley had already done a TON of searching for him and she had weeded out the junk (or as Cody called them, "crap holes" lol) and she had narrowed it down to a few. We only actually walked through 3 places and he picked one, signed the lease, paid the rent and got the keys that day. Its really awesome actually because its a small 3 BR house with a yard (for his dog) and its 2 minutes from the school! Its a little subdivision kind of out on its own but there is a little backroad (no stops or traffic) that leads directly to the Everman campus!! A family lived in it before so its very stylish and clean with nice fixtures and some landscaping in the yard which makes it very homey. We were all very pleased. So we went home that night and got him packed and then we all missed church on Sunday to get him moved in because he started his job on Monday! He is staying with the family friends right now because the electricity doesn't come on until Wednesday but the water was turned on on Monday so he's good to go after tomorrow. We timed it and its an hour and 15 minutes from Stephenville. Since coaching is pretty time consuming and he'll have to work half days on Saturdays and a few hours on Sunday afternoons I will be doing all the travelling to visit him. But its all good because in my opinion its worth it! I get along fabulously with his family and we just had a really good time together. This week his family is on vacation and I'm feeding the dogs for them and then next week I am going with them to a Rangers/Yankees game even though Cody can't go lol! So yeah, things are good. And hopefully, I will not start biting my nails again!! I miss him already but as he says, we'll get used to it. And we both agree that we are comitted to really sticking it out. And whatever happens, it will be up to God!Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17012367793374448992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15313075.post-78950861680486082962008-07-15T12:23:00.000-07:002008-07-15T12:56:38.068-07:00So much to tellI don't even know where to start, life has been crazy! Its been such an amazing summer so far and I can't believe we are halfway through July!!!! I am officially dating a new guy which is surprising and wonderful all at once. God really has a sense of humor when it comes to my love life lately!! Meeting Shane and the short time we dated, I learned SO much and it was awesome. Things I never learned in longer relationships!! I was sad that it didn't work out because really, he's a great guy. But his job is insanely busy and plus gas prices are just crazy and thats with normal driving! My budget just doesn't have room for the distance driving. It barely has room for the normal driving. We still talk and will hopefully stay friends. But shortly after it was settled that we just couldn't continue dating, Cody came along. For those who want to know the story (I think its kinda cool) keep reading, but if you don't want to hear all the details, feel free to skip down! I'll get to Evy and nanny life in a minute :-)<br /><br />Cody currently works for a carpet cleaning business and has actually come to the ranch 3 or 4 times to clean our carpets since I've been here. So I'd seen him before, but had absolutely NO idea that he went to my church. Turns out he pretty much keeps to himself and can blend in when he wants to. About a month ago, my singles class was organizing a bowling get together (we try to do something once a month) and I was in charge of getting the word out. Rian said to include 'Cody Avalos' on the list of people to invite. I didn't know who he was but I did. That same week when I was at the church working, he was there cleaning the carpet! I overheard him talking some to my pastor about church but I didn't think anything of it. We talked some (he was cleaning in my office and the sanctuary) and finally he asked if I still worked at the ranch and I told him about working at the church part time. Then he said "Okay, so whats your name so I can stop calling you 'hey'?" and when he told me his name, it clicked and I said (in typical, hyper "jan" fashion) "Wait, are you Cody Avalos?" and he sort of backed up and said "yeah...." and I freaked and explained (rapidly) that I was supposed to invite him bowling with our singles class, blah blah blah. You should have seen his face. He was a little scared I think :-) BUT he gave me his number and the next Sunday I told him we were bowling Monday night. I texted him to remind him and he came! I totally flirted hard core but really didn't get much in response so I just figured, oh well I tried. Turns out I was wrong. He's just not a 'flirt' and as he says it, he doesn't "play that way". He actually enjoyed the fact that I was flirting (fairly obviously) with him!! The following Sunday I wasn't at church so he texted me asking where I was - that shocked me because I realized that 1) He saved my number, 2) he looked for me at church and 3) since I wasn't there he missed me! He then invited me to the College Life fellowship on Tuesday night (they do something every Tuesday during the summer to give the college kids something to do. Yes I realize I am not in college but thats a good peer group for me lol). And basically, its just continued from there.... texting/talking and hanging out! He took me to dinner that following Sunday night after church, then the next Sunday I went with him, his friend blake, and his brother out on their boat to Lake Proctor (so much fun!!!). He is living with his parents and brother right now while he looks for a new job that may relocate him. So I go over there pretty often and we play Rock Band, Guitar Hero, Wii, etc. Its a blast. We are VERY different in a lot of ways - he's very athletic and wants to be a coach. He knows a TON about sports. He's not super outgoing like me and actually prefers smaller groups and people he's close with. He can be pretty guarded in a big group. But when we are with fewer people or by ourselves, he's very open and sweet and we have great talks. Stay up way too late thats for sure. Okay so there you go. This past week I finally made him admit that he liked me (up til then he kept saying we were 'just friends' just to harrass me) and that we are "together", etc. He even called me his girlfriend and let me tell you, for him thats a big deal! His family is really awesome, I met his sister and brother in law on Sunday after church for lunch at his parents house and they are really nice. His mom sings with me in the choir! So yeah, I'm a little smitten these days. The only worry now is where he's going to get a job. He is trying to find a coaching job where he will either teach history or PE. He's never taught before and is only certified to teach PE so that kind of puts him at the bottom of the list. But there's a chance something will work out. He interviewed in Copperas Cove and this week has interviews at Lingleville (very close by) and Texarkana (not so close!). We'll just see - if he has to go far away it would really suck since we will both be REALLY busy come the fall. Not to mention gas prices like mentioned above. So its all up to God. Pray for us!!!<br /><br />Okay, now for nanny life. Things are good, but a little chaotic around here. Gidget is getting more pregnant by the week and she gets her 3D Sonogram in a few weeks. There is also major demolition going on in the kitchen for remodeling. Its supposed to be completed within 3 weeks and we are in week 2. A lot has gotten done so far, and its gonna be AWESOME when done! But in the meantime our makeshift kitchen is in the laundry room (there is another fridge and sink in there, along with the pantry) and we are eating a lot of precooked casseroles and sandwhiches, etc. Potty training is slow going since there are lots of workers in and out and the schedule is off a little. But Evy is getting more and more verbal and really becoming easier to understand every day! She's such a little helper and keeps us laughing. I think she'll be a good big sister. Thats about it. Hopefully more fun summer stories to come :-)Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17012367793374448992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15313075.post-40721617953357868362008-07-02T07:20:00.000-07:002008-07-02T07:25:50.392-07:00Potty TrainingOkay so Monday night Gidget called me to tell me Evy had just pooped in the potty and we had a big "yay!" fest. Well, we've had her Dora musical potty in the bathroom for awhile but she really didn't seem to "get it". So for at least two months we've just taken her with us to the bathroom and let her observe, etc. Well last night, she told Gidget she needed to go potty and she did! This time was in her Dora potty so it played music which made her very happy. Her reward for going is that she gets to wear a pull-up which is "big girl underwear". Anyway, this morning I knew she needed a new diaper (obviously she still needs a diaper at night) so I asked her "do you need to go potty?" and she nodded yes so we went to the bathroom and she went immediately! When the music played I don't know who was more excited, me or her! When she was done she said "up? up?" so I said "yep, you get to wear a pull-up!" and it has a princess on it which is even better :-) So it seems we are well on the way to potty training - cross your fingers that she really gets it down before baby Noah arrives in September because that would just be AWESOME if we only have one baby's diapers to change!!! :-)Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17012367793374448992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15313075.post-24520932677627259042008-06-20T11:47:00.000-07:002008-06-20T12:03:51.536-07:00Funny thingsLiving with a 20 month old is hilarious (those of you who have been through this time know what i mean!) Today I realized that Dora the Explorer has officially taught Evy things. She came running into the kitchen crying "ahmay! ahmay!" She had the remote in one hand, grabbed my hand with the other and pulled me into the living room. She pointed to the tv with the remote and said "ahmay!" I then realized she was saying "ayudame" which is spanish for "help me" and they say it all the time on Dora. Oh my. <br />The other funny thing is that she never says "one" when counting. Evidently our starting the counting off by saying one and letting her finish has made her believe all she has to say is "two, three, go!" We are working on it, but no matter what, if we say one, she says two three go!she gets mad if we keep saying "say one" over and over again. <br />I'll have to load the picture, but she has FINALLY taken to the cabbage patch doll I got her a year ago! I got it because it has blond hair and she was always wanting to pull on mine. I thought maybe she'd pull on the dolls hair instead. But turns out the doll was "too old" for her and she wasn't ready. So the poor thing has been laying untouched in the toy box.... UNTIL NOW! The other day I almost cried when I saw that the doll was on the floor in the living room and when I asked her what it was, she picked it up, hugged it close and kissed its cheek. So sweet! I loved Cabbage Patch kids as a kid and I'm so happy she likes hers! course, lately her favorite thing about her dolls is undressing them and she can only do that on 2 of them. Poor cabbie keeps losing her panties. *sigh* oh well<br />She's in a phase of yelling/screaming. Of course, we live in a very large house so if someone isn't in the same room as you, its sort of necessary to raise your voice for them to hear you. So she'll start out quiet "nanna?" and if I don't answer then she gets louder and louder until I do. We will eventually teach her marco polo (just cuz it would be fun and also in wal mart and at church, everyone is mama or nanna).<br /><br />Okay I don't have time now, but I'm going to post pictures from the concert I went to, and also of Evy. but right now, she's pulling on my shorts saying "ow-sigh" which is of course, OUTSIDE!! Time to playJanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17012367793374448992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15313075.post-5259805651915984352008-06-04T10:27:00.000-07:002008-06-04T10:40:36.070-07:00cell phone pictures<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqSn4l_r21xpdsis5CDCLhRxTnSZaqqpTE8ZECE10DaHBylqCkFwBfYompC9riIKOZH4V3LFa5S96l4kngIJblQJEgN45rDYd7sJ6fbrqt8IgLekPb1JHLmoCIIbyLa4vy1_B/s1600-h/008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208080528841271522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqSn4l_r21xpdsis5CDCLhRxTnSZaqqpTE8ZECE10DaHBylqCkFwBfYompC9riIKOZH4V3LFa5S96l4kngIJblQJEgN45rDYd7sJ6fbrqt8IgLekPb1JHLmoCIIbyLa4vy1_B/s200/008.jpg" border="0" /></a> We gotta wear shades!!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkKJ4OOQGJiTWdPupZCQk6szD7n9dKNPVoPMK0M0DPB2SH2lp15WCwurX_1-baaQ1WoT3e_8U5aJ8H5GTONaZHYFfnXqfS9dEz4_hIKDCRrRXK71wJa82pEhUapRrMTAQgD2U/s1600-h/010.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208079974790490322" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkKJ4OOQGJiTWdPupZCQk6szD7n9dKNPVoPMK0M0DPB2SH2lp15WCwurX_1-baaQ1WoT3e_8U5aJ8H5GTONaZHYFfnXqfS9dEz4_hIKDCRrRXK71wJa82pEhUapRrMTAQgD2U/s200/010.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Evy fixing the vacuum </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WVnh9Lqe3K_jDNylMONeIl-LzSC_B2Dk0SKYHx-TeMy7TPNaoEQEJ9A3lvMJH6AX-Zq7VsdQOzRs5-T12u8LoO8iuz-RdUwbMuTGYIQvx0teUIlHHd8CTPk5O6dNz5kgeVy7/s1600-h/004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208079785811929282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WVnh9Lqe3K_jDNylMONeIl-LzSC_B2Dk0SKYHx-TeMy7TPNaoEQEJ9A3lvMJH6AX-Zq7VsdQOzRs5-T12u8LoO8iuz-RdUwbMuTGYIQvx0teUIlHHd8CTPk5O6dNz5kgeVy7/s200/004.jpg" border="0" /></a> Evy hanging out in the horse stall, playing with the rake<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29CQGq0A5ZV2xkH478yeNMwLTbeTjOJvwuxtZ1zRtwNBobPPGPnDn6Uh8bPdoqrkEPCtqOz1pk5vNYpadyhKOCnOCmQDqux5kd_B4xfbzpaiu8sJV-EGWhCVuqFHvrRu9Ae0p/s1600-h/003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208079571063564466" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29CQGq0A5ZV2xkH478yeNMwLTbeTjOJvwuxtZ1zRtwNBobPPGPnDn6Uh8bPdoqrkEPCtqOz1pk5vNYpadyhKOCnOCmQDqux5kd_B4xfbzpaiu8sJV-EGWhCVuqFHvrRu9Ae0p/s200/003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>She loves sitting in the drivers seat - I always have to turn off the windshield wipers, turn signal, etc when she's done!!</div></div></div>Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17012367793374448992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15313075.post-5571257000912492312008-05-30T11:05:00.000-07:002008-05-30T11:26:30.352-07:00UpdateWe are having our very own episode of Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds around here. We've always had barn swallows on the front porch but now they are swarming around the back windows as well and its FREAKY!!! They are literally flying around like crazy all day long and its especially noticeable in the breakfast nook where we eat because there are several nests in those eaves. Creepy.<br /><br />Evy now likes to sing and talk to herself as she walks along or plays or does whatever. Her vocabulary continues to expand although many times we have to ask her to repeat something til we figure out what she's saying. She also has quite an imagination. Yesterday Gidget said she kept saying there were bugs in the couch and would stick her hand between the seats and say "eewww!" And also sometimes she'll whisper "whats that?" and look around suspiciously. Then giggle. Too funny. She loves her letters and knows the alphabet but just not quite in order yet. She likes to say the letters randomly "A E U B O" etc. She has an alphabet 'puzzle' and she can match them all up. She also knows her colors and shapes. We enjoy our four wheeler rides in the afternoon to take the trash to the dumpster and get the mail (she says "may? may?" and she tells me where she wants to go out in the field while we ride. She's very bossy. I can't wait to watch her boss her baby brother around, which I'm sure she'll do!!<br /><br />I am enjoying the summer weather, trying to get a tan (or at least less glaringly white). Last Sunday I sang a 'special' song in church and it was great. It turned out to be Family Worship day so the kids choirs replaced the adult choir on stage and they were perfect! The song I sang was "Praise You With A Dance" by Casting Crowns and the kids danced!!<br /><br />And finally, what I know everyone wants to know is my dating life update. Well, in that arena God is really teaching me some important things. I went through an Apples of God mentoring program a few weeks ago and it was great, but there's nothing like real life experience to teach you. I am living out some of those lessons on submission, purity and biggest of all PATIENCE. Not a strong quality in me, evidently! I never thought I was one to be impatient but when it comes to some things, I just want to know whats going on! So I am trying to patiently let Shane lead the relationship, which he asked me to do, but its an unusual position for me. Sometimes I'm not so patient!. And then I go back to my verses and most importantly prayer. You know the scripture "don't be anxious about anything but by prayer and petition present your requests to God..." thats my life verse right now. Every time I get nervous or anxious or worried or just plain confused, I have to stop and just pray. Otherwise my imagination will run away with me and make things worse. So I'm learning some important lessons that can be applied to ALL relationiships.<br /><br />thats it for now! probably more summertime pics to come later. I have some cute ones on my phone I just haven't loaded them yet!Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17012367793374448992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15313075.post-81389228432197646962008-05-19T15:14:00.000-07:002008-05-19T15:20:29.038-07:00Hot Day Playing in WATER!What better way to spend the first HOT day of summer than in a sprinkler!!! Gidget bought some fun water toys and so today we broke one out. Evy was a little scared of it at first but after running around through it with her she finally "got it" and after that had a blast. It was hard to pull her away but she was getting splotchy from the heat. But yay, SUMMERTIME!!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hVFKv8C70pLyR2tkTqS41XqwZ-mHRM3YkgeUcAjSbGaYfa8k2ku-QfRBK1I5rzFFQWQ6BArw1kTqcCzO7t1lyvFIO3q9Nq2ozNK1Wqw_gTF2b7KFZBpmKvT94-UkhO7NJ2eC/s1600-h/022.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202216995476693778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hVFKv8C70pLyR2tkTqS41XqwZ-mHRM3YkgeUcAjSbGaYfa8k2ku-QfRBK1I5rzFFQWQ6BArw1kTqcCzO7t1lyvFIO3q9Nq2ozNK1Wqw_gTF2b7KFZBpmKvT94-UkhO7NJ2eC/s320/022.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VwBsg9MhaNsFy0sIo876mFsVBkPQ43JQWJ7IqvmassKRnFp7sYraJWyhoMN1E7U8zx1i3eEt4HWZ8eJZ4B2ty__CjPO35q_lXuH3mlxBFg92tMa9W-hrfi8LROZOJHFPd6lO/s1600-h/014.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202216810793100034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VwBsg9MhaNsFy0sIo876mFsVBkPQ43JQWJ7IqvmassKRnFp7sYraJWyhoMN1E7U8zx1i3eEt4HWZ8eJZ4B2ty__CjPO35q_lXuH3mlxBFg92tMa9W-hrfi8LROZOJHFPd6lO/s320/014.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZiRlOoS0Qiq3U3N7QkO0xsGtdGJFK1RoKCz_lDEfvuIAyE7nQ68P-RLHYyj6gte6vuoQQEIwmA_F5D9h9yRpwlP_rb0_JgACHS2jpnSo85CZrAm7d4M9XGoCnsKX32C5-nbo/s1600-h/010.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202216557390029554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZiRlOoS0Qiq3U3N7QkO0xsGtdGJFK1RoKCz_lDEfvuIAyE7nQ68P-RLHYyj6gte6vuoQQEIwmA_F5D9h9yRpwlP_rb0_JgACHS2jpnSo85CZrAm7d4M9XGoCnsKX32C5-nbo/s320/010.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17012367793374448992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15313075.post-85427550839954970182008-05-12T14:35:00.000-07:002008-05-12T14:51:31.566-07:00Fun Weekend<div>This weekend went by way too fast! A few weeks ago I was asked to help with a bull sale in Austin this weekend. Knowing Austin is not far from Shane, I agreed - I'd get to see him AND get paid to work! The Bull Sale/Auction was put on by a couple from my church who I have worked for before and it was in between Elgin and Bastrop. My best friend Becca just recently moved to Lago Vista which is North Lake Travis and half an hour from Shane. Perfect! So I drove down Friday afternoon to have dinner with Shane before going to spend the night with Becca. We went to dinner at a place in downtown Marble Falls but just as we got there, a big storm blew in and right before we got seated the electricity went out! We really thought it wouldn't be out too long, so we ordered the avacado salad to take the edge off. But the electricity didn't come back on so we paid for our drinks and salad and went to Wendy's! It was kind of cool to have our salad over candlelight, though!! Staying with Becca was a blast - she and I tend to act like teenagers together, all giggly and girly. We stayed up way too late talking and then her boys were up at 7:30 in the morning! She and I had breakfast at IHOP (Yummmm) and then I headed to Sayersville for the sale which started at 12. It was quite an experience because some of the cows and bulls that were on sale were famous bred and quite popular. The sale was also on tv so there were bidders present at the sale but also bids on the phone. I got to sit in the auctioneer stand to help locate buyers from the list so that the producer could call out their names after the bidding was won. There were famous bull riders present which was really cool, and when the price kept going up the bidding got pretty exciting! After all that, I drove back to Becca's where they had ordered pizza. Shane came over and we all played poker, and for my first time I did really well! I actually won quite a few hands! We are all looking forward to doing that more often - Becca and her husband love to play poker and so does Shane and now so do I! On Sunday morning I drove to Shane's to help him clean his house and get it ready for his whole family who were coming for the afternoon. Then I went to see MY mom - Happy Mother's Day! As a whole it was a great weekend, despite getting very little sleep!! I am looking forward to more fun weekends in Marble Falls visiting Shane and my friends down there!!! Oh and for all who I know are curious, here is a picture I snapped real quick before leaving. I'll get better ones in the future, but this should satisfy you for now! I think we look pretty cute together!!</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-y7MCVoey5wLbY3nflE-jEsvn_rCI7UJkajG2Tn8mIaxyYwJ2PYtGtcqKviNETY0QPC-27xkCgVRPicdiy0MGFIK56Qn7gWqIENt0Zr24-66mbcHSyz4iCKX7Ury8RTbp3SqN/s1600-h/005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199611290357818082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-y7MCVoey5wLbY3nflE-jEsvn_rCI7UJkajG2Tn8mIaxyYwJ2PYtGtcqKviNETY0QPC-27xkCgVRPicdiy0MGFIK56Qn7gWqIENt0Zr24-66mbcHSyz4iCKX7Ury8RTbp3SqN/s320/005.JPG" border="0" /></a>Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17012367793374448992noreply@blogger.com1